 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Some say it’s the changing phase of cricket. Some say it’s a great slide in the age-old tradition of the sport. Is Twenty-20 just revolutionising cricket or is it deteriorating the centuries’ old traditions established by Test cricket? (Files)
The 75-year-old Joe Abeywickrema, much accomplished Sinhala film actor, was almost in tears when he remembered the days as he entered the cinema. That was when he was speaking to this paper early last year on the beginning of his film career.
His
sad face was a reflection of nostalgia and anguish when he uttered: "What
a wonderful period that was. We worked so united like brothers and
sisters. Now the times have changed. You can’t get back to those great
days."
Today is worse when compared to yesterday. Yesterday was the greatest of times. This is the simple argument of a nostalgic mind. This draws an ideal parallel to the ardent Test cricket fan during these IPL days.
Abeywickrema was elaborating on the downfall of today’s Sinhala cinema. It has become more complicated, yet artistically poor, the film artistes being divided themselves and their glamour of yesteryears has faded.
Then he was asked whether the upcoming cinema medium or ‘bioscope,’ during the days the young Joe entered the film industry in the 1950s, was vehemently criticised by the then elderly generation. That was for having a negative effect on the then existing local culture. Those elders too would’ve been nostalgic like Joes now. Abeywickrema admitted that the feeling of nostalgia was something perpetual and going on through eras. It isn’t wise to assume that ours is the greatest of times and what would follow will be a downfall.
Actual deterioration? -
But, realistically, isn’t there a deterioration that is pragmatic and empirical in our society? Though the feeling of nostalgia could be something felt individually in social development, one could still be able to identify in our society a true downfall or destruction.
As all of us, including Abeywickrema, would agree, most social structures around us are crumbling and getting away from their legitimate, accepted social use. Abeywickrema talked about a cinematic downfall here, though with a touch of sentimentality. Our topic here is cricket. We are going to look at a cricketing downfall; a breakdown in ours, if not the entire globe, in the sense of cricket structure. In this case, what comes to the fore is the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is now being played in South Africa.
Tests –
"While there had already been four major tours by English sides to Australia, the team arranged and captained by James Lillywhite that left England in November 1876 was the first to visit as a business venture rather than following an invitation."
"…Although not advertised as an international, it is recognised this was the first match between two representative teams and it was subsequently given the accolade of being cricket’s first official Test."
- A Wisden Almanack report on the world’s first ever Test played between England and Australia from March 15-19, 1877 at MCG
The first Test mentioned above was a ‘timeless’ match though it ended in four days giving hosts Aussies a 45-run victory.
Tests could be regarded the more original form of cricket. The game reflected the more sincere, serene social order of the middle-class societies of the colonial world of the 19th and 20th centuries. The competition was really between the bat and the ball rather than with time. The real skill for bowling and batting could be tested there rather than in any time-stipulated form in cricket.
One-day Internationals –
Then after nearly 94 years, quite accidentally began a new shortened form of cricket which later came to be known as One-day Internationals (ODIs).
"The 1st ODI (a 40-over game with 8-ball overs) was a hastily arranged affair, played on the final scheduled day of a rain-aborted Test Match (3rd Test of the 1970-71 Ashes series) to appease the disappointed public. By coincidence, it not only took place on the very ground where Test cricket had begun 94 years earlier, but also resulted in an Australian victory over England. More significantly, it attracted 46,000 spectators, produced receipts of $33,000 and began a revolution in international cricket."
- Wisden Almanack report on the 1st ever ODI played at MCG on January 5, 1971
By 1975, the International Cricket Council has begun a cricket World Cup in the ODI format. Later in the same decade, this ODI form underwent a second revolution with the advent of Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer who introduced night (pajama) cricket. This attractive set-up overwhelmed the game and came to be accepted worldwide –including by the ICC— in nearly 15 years.
Twenty-20 –
"Australia made it a historic three-out-of-three by easing to victory (by 44 runs) in the very 1st Twenty-20 int’l. They had triumphed in both the inaugural Test and the inaugural ODI. Now they beat New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park, an apt name for what some saw as a new beginning for international cricket…"
- Wisden Almanack report on the 1st Twenty-20 international played between New Zealand and Australia at Auckland as a day-night on February 17, 2005
After 128 years from the inception of Test cricket, our generation has now been able to see the most vibrantly commercialised form of cricket. One of its mega events is now being underway in South Africa and shown live on TV. The cream of Sri Lanka’s national talent too is engaged in that.
Deterioration –
Twenty-20, a form introduced to attract more crowds to the otherwise dwindling English county cricket structure, has set its foot in a grand way after the setting up of the IPL.
For what is it played? The only apparent answer is for both fun and money. As Abeywickrema too agreed with regard to modern day cinema here, Twenty-20 is a mark of a strong deterioration of the game of cricket.
Not merely nostalgically, even from a more realistic point too, due to this T-20 the repercussions will be felt greatly on the genuine nature of cricket as more and more Twenty-20 is played (or displayed) round the cricket world in times to come.
