A
GAME CALLED CRICKET
(In this day and
age when everything is done at a fast pace, one wonders.....)
how a slow game which
consumes a lot of time, holds the interest of people. I would
therefore attempt to analyse how the game of Cricket continues
to survive, and to an extent fascinate people in countries where
the game is played seriously.
The glorious
uncertainities of Cricket, can be compared to reading an
interesting novel, or viewing a suspense film. Just imagine the
variety of situations that can arise from one delivery during a
game. An attacking stroke for a loose delivery, or a defensive
stroke for a good delivery. The batsman can be out bowled,
caught, L.B.W., stumped or run out - these being the more common
forms of dismissal. There are other rare ways in which a batsman
can be ruled out totaling ten forms of dismissal. The skill and
art a batsman, bowler, or a fielder displays during a delivery
is a source of joy to a spectator who cares to watch the game
closely. The numerous situations that arise during a game of
Cricket requires different skills and largely tests the
temperament of players. Some of these situations are caused by
the variations of the weather and conditions a player has to
contend with.
Cricket also has a
peculiar way of bringing players down to earth. A batsman may
score a scintillating century in one innings, but get out
without a run to his credit in the next innings. A bowler may
have had a successful run during the season, and in a key match
go wicketless. The best of fielders drop easy catches. Therefore
it is important for a Cricketer to remain humble at all times,
because one never knows when bad luck comes your way. A
Cricketer has to accept umpiring decisions although it may be a
wrong decision given against you. However there are instances
where an umpire has erred in your favour. By and large decisions
given against and in favour of a Cricketer tends to even out
during a Cricketers career. Cricket is also a sport which
develops immense powers of concentration in players. This
applies more to batsmen as a lapse in concentration can mean the
end of your batting turn.
Television coverage
of international Cricket has had a tremendous impact
on the popularity of
the sport. Unlike in our school days where we had to listen to
radio commentaries and visualize how International Cricketers
played, todays aspiring Cricketers have the advantage of seeing
good players in action coupled with knowledgeable commentators
explaining the technicalities of the game, making it easy for
them to play the game more methodically. I have been amazed by
the versatility with which ladies discuss a game of Cricket
after having watched T.V and picked up the finer points of the
game through the commentary. This kind of interest will
certainly keep the game alive for a long time.
From some of the good
aspects of Cricket that I have enunciated, it is evident that
the game is an instrument through which characters of young
Cricketers could be moulded. Cricket also imparts great values
to those who participate in the game. I would therefore urge the
authorities and players at these two renowned institutions,
namely Royal and S.Thomas' to maintain the traditions and spirit
of Cricket for the benefit of the generations to follow.
Anura Tennekoon
