ABOUT CRICKET

No, I am not going to talk about history of cricket or about great players of yesteryears. There are many people who had written volumes about these.

I want to talk about cricket itself.

What prompted me to write about cricket is an argument I had with ‘Shish’ the other day. The argument was actually started by me. I was having a suggestion and was telling Shish about it.

N: Shish, I am having second thoughts about NKL.

Sh: Why? Suddenly getting cold feet and cannot kick?

N: No. Actually, as I understand, cricket is the game which is popular all over the world. So, is it not better to opt for cricket?

Sh: Cricket is popular all over the world? It is played only in 15 or 20 countries. And what a game? A game where maximum number of rules are written – so I am told – but many rules are open to controversies.

N: Such as??

Sh: Look at the umpires. The umpires are there to give verdicts like whether a batsman is out, whether the bowler bowled with illegal action,whether it was a no-ball, whether the leg was actually before wicket etc.etc.

N: Of course, the field umpires are supposed to watch carefully and give their verdict.

Sh: But because they had lot of controversies they decided to have neutral umpires. That did not solve the problem fully, so they went for TV replays and a third umpire. Unless there are controversies, why all this?

N: So what do you suggest? If a mistake happens from the field umpire, why to let it go? Why can’t a third umpire correct it?

Sh: You should make the rules in such a way that there are no controversies.

N: Cricket is a noble game, played by gentleman – now gentlewomen too. Who are you to start rewriting the rules of cricket?

Sh: Still, something which is wrong should be corrected.

N: Give me one example where a correction can be done.

Sh: See LBW. Leg Before Wicket is many times a controversy. Umpire initially not is very sure if the ball would have hit the wicket. So, he takes his time, measuring the angle of travel of the ball and speed mentally and calculate – again mentally – if the ball would have hit the wicket. He decides ‘yes’ and gives the batsman out.

N: So? The batsman is out.

Sh: But, here is the trouble. The batsman is convinced that the ball wouldn’t have hit the stumps and lingers there for some time. Since he has no choice, he walks away with a dissatisfied look, and because he had shown resentment at umpire's decision, he will have to pay a fine….. All this problems can be solved if leg before wicket is made not out.

N: LBW not out? Are you mad?

Sh: If a hockey goalkeeper can stop the ball with his pads, stick or gloves, why can’t a batsman stop the ball with his pad?

N: How do you prevent the batsmen try to play only with the pads?

Sh: You mean, he will become padsman? No problem, the batsman should be out if he was caught off the pads. He is out if he is caught off the gloves, no? similarly he can be out caught-off-pads also….

N: You can have your opinion, of course…. What other suggestions you have for cricket?

Sh: What suggestion I can make for a game like this? The game depends very little on the skill of the player. It depends on the pitch, on the weather - and a few other things length to boundary from the pitch etc., where the player hardly has any control.

N: Han, these creates the beauty of cricket's glorious uncertainties.......

Sh: And, think of this T20? We should completely change the T20 rules.

N: What?

Sh: I suggest that each team should have 5 batsman, 5 bowlers and a wicket keeper. It is unfair that the bowlers can bowl only 4 overs maximum and the batsman can play as many as he likes, so long as he is not out. I want each batsman to play only 4 overs. Even if he is out, he will continue playing. It is only fair.

N: You think it can work?

Sh: I have worked out the whole thing. You can ask me any question and I have the answer and quote from my cricket rules.

N: I have other work to do. I suggest you call it some other game, not cricket…… And, who wants to avoid controversies? Without controversies how can we have something to talk and talk and talk?