Cricket’s 'gentlemen’s game' era fades (Part 2)
(Continuation of the discussion of evolving nature of the global game of cricket…from part 1)
Not to mention, the strict policies which the national level cricket boards are adopting.
Not to forget, the advantages of domestic counties and leagues, now one experiences more interesting cricket, and cricket is a much more commercial and entertaining game. Which has also increased the viewer-ship of the game in the sporting industry, as previously
sport lovers would rather watch a game of tennis or football since it consumed lesser time.
But as cricket has evolved from the five-day game to the limited or 50-over game, this has surely increased the number of cricket fans. And the recent advent of T20 or 20-over game has surely raised the stakes as now people from all age groups, social class,
life-style want to watch and witness every cricketing moment the shortest version has to offer.
The recent news of the match-fixing controversies, which the international arena was struck by, has ruined the image and faith of the viewers and fans of the game. The cricketing fans of the World now have no trust in their most loved teams and cricketer
performances, which is also forcing them to lose interest in the sport all together.
Just like the cinema culture evolved from bow-tie and night dresses to the normal causal daily wear, cricket has also evolved from quiet crowds, sitting on lawn tables watching a day match patiently. Today’s cricketing environment is a bit different, it
is always a noisy houseful with loud music, and cheerleaders dancing wildly, wicket’s tumbling and sixes flowing.
Besides, the money, glamour, and loud cricket environment, there has been several other extremely helpful inclusions, which are also improving and setting new standards in the international arena.
For example, computerized camera support, hawk-eye, microphones on the pitch, and cricketing experts online to help understand the game of cricket.
The ICC accepted the usefulness of the camera technology and the extra visual displays, which led to the inclusion of the third umpire referral system. The newly included use of technology first gave great help in giving run-outs decisions, as previously
umpires had only one shot to base their decision on, and keeping in mind that certain wrong decisions can change the course of the game.
But like everything has pros and cons, the third umpire referral system had its own. Previously the respectful image and faith the cricketing authorities gave the umpires, that an umpire is the biggest authority in the middle and is always right.
The umpire was considered to be someone who can make no mistakes, flawless, in-human and now all those prestigious attributes given to the umpire have changed. The level of respect is gone, cricketers can question an umpire, take him on regarding any bad
decision given by the umpire. The playing role of the umpires have evolved, which senior and former players have been reported complaint about.
There is no doubt that the World cricketing arena has evolved. And the new inclusion of these controversies, technologies and cultures from other international cricketing nations has brought its own skeleton in its closest.
Meanwhile, the ICC World Cup 2011 begins in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391, as the ICC ponders over the inclusion of the third umpire referral system in the tournament. One will have to wait and see whether the ICC is able to safeguard the image of the gentlemen’s game.
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