Cricket World Cup

[chickenfeet]

Judging by the virtual lack of coverage on the flist of said event I'm guessing that the general reaction is one of boredom or indifference. I have to say that CWC 2007 has been almost as dull as a typical Winter Olympics. For a start it's far too long. It's already been running for what seems like forever and yet there are another two weeks before the semi-finals. The problem is this stupid Super 8 format. It takes 28 games to select four semi-finalists from the eight quarter finalists and in this case 11 of those games feature either Bangladesh or ireland which makes it even more tedious. Only money grubbing idiots like the ICC would have picked such a formula. Simple quarter finals would have been more exciting and have only needed four games. Even two groups of four would have got it over in 12 games.

The choice of venue seems fairly perverse too. I haven't worked out the percentage of games that have been rain affected but it seems unduly high. Add to that ticket prices that have kept the locals away and poor marketing that seems to have done little to attract visitors and the net result is that the typical game has been a one-sided parade in a half empty, barely finished stadium. All in all, meh!

Comments

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

For a start it's far too long.

Yes, but we told them all that in advance. The format will certainly be different in Asia in 2011; India and Pakistan are going to make damn certain they can't fall at the first hurdle again.

The surprise was that the first round was more interesting than we expected - the victories of Bangladesh and Ireland really lifted me out of growing depression - but then the interest turned into dismay, and finally horror.

I've enjoyed a few of Sri Lanka's matches, but once they're over I feel guilty about taking pleasure in a tournament that lost its meaning once Woolmer died.

[rahael.livejournal.com]

This is one of the few world cups where I've actually been able to watch some of the action in a meaningful way. I for one am really enjoying it. It helps that the team that is closest to my heart play in a suspenseful, exciting way.

I know that a shadow has been cast over the tournament, but for Sri Lankans that shadow is always there, no matter where and when they play. How can we delight in their progress while people die daily back home? I can only speak for myself - that what joy in life is present should be seized and enjoyed. Plus, there is something immensely healing for me to see a sinhalese batsman with their helmet on, looking so much like the army soldier with his helmet, but these are human beings, not aliens. Not out to kill you, but a team whose greatest asset is a Tamil. Nothing has humanised the Sinhalese more to me than learning to love them as cricket players, as individuals, as human beings.