CWC 2015: Associates tell ICC cutting World Cup teams is wrong

George Dockrell celebrates in triumph at the World Cup (photo: AFP)

‪#‎CWC15‬

Why the associates have sent a strong message to the ICC: “don’t take away our spots in the World Cup.”

It took just five matches before an associate nation decided that sitting in the shadows was going to be a thing of the past.

That team was Ireland, whose emphatic win against the West Indies was a testament to four years of hard work leading up to the World Cup. No longer was such a win an upset, instead the premise of building an organisation that wanted to achieve success. Ireland made the history books well before that though, beating England in 2011 and Pakistan in 2007 – something no-one was expecting at the time.

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Cricket: Administrators are like great whites without the water

Srinivasan at a recent meeting (picture: Google)

It is a devastating prospect to even contemplate; those “running the game” (think ICC, BCCI etc) have their wallets lined, yet “behind the scenes” it is chaotic.  Corruption investigations galore, everywhere you turn.

These top dogs try – and fail – to hide the problems they say are not there, but to the smart fans out there today, everything is in plain sight.

Cricket: Precedents or just another ban: the Ajmal saga

Saeed Ajmal in training (photo: Reuters/SMH website)

Was he a target? Is he another in a long line that will be banned? How will Pakistan go without him now?

These are all good questions that surround off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.  Banned by the International Cricket Council this week for throwing, after having been once cleared in 2009 of any illegal action, this ban is an eyebrow-raiser.  Yet, it could well set a precedent of future punishment.

Cricket: Money runs deep down the wicket

(Image: 9Cric)

There is no doubt that “money talks” in the international sporting world.  Unfortunately, to the detriment of the game, it extends beyond this realm, even digging into domestic and local matches and events.

Recent events have dug up some shocking accusations and finger-pointing; and former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent is at the centre of it.

Cricket: World Cup Launch

Cricket World Cup (from Online Sports Directory)

Docklands a sea of colour as 2015 Cricket World Cup fixtures announced

(the official launch was held on Tuesday, simultaneously in New Zealand) 

Several hundred people eagerly piled into the Peninsula function centre at Docklands on Tuesday morning, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) prepared to announce the venues, pools and fixtures for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, and officially launch the tournament.

Why Beyond Realisation? In fact, why sport?

The teams I support.

(This is a chronicle of my journalism adventure, and where the passion started)

In August of 2012 I had a bright idea.  After hearing about some friends in my university course wanting to start up a sport blog/website, I wanted in on the fun; but instead I took it down my own path.  I am very glad I did.

My love of sport has no end; since a very young age I have rarely been seen without some sort of sporting gear in hand, or eyes glued to the TV on the next blockbuster game.

Umpiring is a tricky job; but there’s definitely an upside

Australian umpire Simon Taufel in action (India Today)

I don’t envy the job sport referees, umpires and judges have.  They must make split second decisions under pressure, and they make them numerous times in a game.

Being able to make these decisions is a burden unto itself.  Faced with two teams on the field, the umpire must be the principle instigator of ensuring said teams play the game in a fair and sportsmenlike manner.  At times you are faced with player arguments, heated battles and a lot of noise directed towards you.

As a (rookie) cricket umpire myself, for the Box Hill Reporter District Cricket Association*, I have experienced all of these situations under a range of “game circumstances”.

Cricket: DRS proving to be a pain in review

Bails knocked off-now the dismissals are being checked

Technology in cricket has become more and more prominent. So much so that it seems it comes into play far too often.

So where to draw the line on technology, in particular the Decision Review System (DRS).  A hot topic not just in the recent test series against South Africa, but has also demanded controversy ever since it was introduced.

If you break down into its essential elements – the no-ball check, hot spot, hawk-eye and sometimes snicko – all your pieces are there.  For the most part, the system works well.  However, there has been a string of controversies and issues surrounding the DRS use.