Thank God World Cup is over at last. Not that I am not interested but it took away 15 to 20 of my productive days. I remember dur6ing my office days my staff used to ask me, "Saab aaj jaldi jana. Match dekkna ka....". Yet it was thrilling to watch the finals.
Sach a thrilling match I have never seen, tilting the balance one way and the other in favour of both England and New Zealand. I remained a New Zealand fan after the Indian exit and so I believe they worked out very hard. Ultimately luck favoured the English team. New Zealand fought well and were defeated. I recall the match against New Zealand that India played which was carried over to the next day. There is a comfortable school of thought which argue that had the game were played on the same day India would have won. I was remembering the night watchman concept of yesteryear's cricket when Gibbs or Bedi will come down to play at 4.25 PM when a main batsman gets out. Now all are batsmen and the 11th man himself is expected to contribute. Perhaps a time may come when even in this format of the game the night watchman system may come.
Rain was a spoilsport element throughout. Thanks to duckworth Lewis rule results are possible even though it may not be acceptable to all. In this final also the super over rule was disliked by many and they have already tweeted and blogged their opinion to the general public. Should I appreciate England or New Zealand, I am confused. We were missing the dancing umpire Sheperd at "111" or the thinking umpire Steve Bucknor who used to keep the batsman, runner, bowler and rival captains under tension until the verdict is given. Thanks to third umpire system much of the umpiring controversies are eliminated. Players and fans need to stay glued to the decision display board.
I am sure this is one match which is going to be discussed in many cricket parlance in the days to come until the next world cup perhaps. There was a lot of tension and drama in the last over of the match like the drama that was going on the political arena shifting loyalty everyday. Every ball had a nail biting finish and England was very lucky to get 2 + 4 in that over. There was good cricket in each ball. Good bowling, unconventional batting, excellent fielding fast running between the wickets. Fans were thrilled with sumptuous catches and runouts. it was nice to see the New Zealand captain remaining cool with a smile amidst all these chaos and there was English captain who went down on his knees apologizing for that lucky (unlucky) four and what a gesture it was!! Real sportsman spirit was exhibited. Ultimately the number of 4s in the super over won the match. Some call this game colonialist game and some call it gentlemen's game and yet some claim it as fool's game. what ever ultimately the game has won. it has taught us how to fight in a gentleman way, keep your cool, apply the strategy correctly, and manage the hot moments professionally. Many many management lessons are hidden in this game. I view this game in that perspective. Ultimately all sports and games are for refining man and not to cultivate enemity.
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