The Politics of the Cricket World Cup

[malaise]

In a few hours the opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup will take place in Trelawny Jamaica. This is a first for the Caribbean and the World - a cricket world cup taking place at nine venues in eight territories.

Why?
The West Indies Cricket team is the only team in world cricket made of of different territories. Indeed, despite numerous insular outbursts re selection policy, it is the best example of integration in the English-speaking Caribbean. We have been playing together since the 1860s and indeed played teams in the US long before we had first class or test status. The US once beat us (at Bourda, Guyana) in 1866 and by nine wickets. That hasn't happened since.

The team is made up of players from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward islands.

At the beginning of the 19th century, England, Australia and South Africa decided to exclude the US from cricket when they insisted on the imperial nature of the international association.

Teams from Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, the West Indies and Zimbabwe will play 51 matches starting Tuesday with West Indies v Pakistan and ending with the final in Barbados on April 28.

New stadia have been built with assistance from both the Chinese and Indian governments as well as loads of taxpayers and private sector money. Opposition parties are licking their licks hoping for problems while incumbent parties are hoping to call elections as soon as the feast ends. If the West Indies pulls this off and wins, there will be elections in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados.

While there have been several complaints about the millions spent to host the World Cup, the required upgrading for roads, hospitals, etc will benefit our citizens and hosting the World Cup allowed us to circumvent IMF/World bank rules to invest this money on critical social services.
Not only are all hotels full and unbelievably expensive, but several cruise ships will be offshore hotels for the period of the world cup. The multinational sponsors will be cashing in as well. As with most international sporting events, the real fans have been priced out of the matches. Thankfully governments convinced the administrators to ensure that the games were all shown on free TV channels in the region.

We expect to hear the usual rubbish complaints from the English, Australian and South African press as they complain about everything we face during world cups hosted by them.

On the other hand the real politics begins today as the 'theatre of the great' assemble for the opening ceremony. Should be fun watching which PMs or Presidents show up for the Opening Ceremony. Will John Howard show? Pervez Musharraf? I sure don't expect to see Mugabe but who knows?

I opted to stay in Kingston and watch on TV as I will certainly see more, but I will certainly be attending all of the West Indies matches as well as the Ireland v Pakistan game on Saturday.

What's more as billions of cricket fans are distracted do not rule out a coup in Pakistan or somewhere else in these cricket crazy countries.

The opening ceremony is on Direct TV 6.15pm DST. It will be worth seeing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ICC_Cricket_World_Cup_2007_logo.png

Let the cricket world cup begin.

Edit - add.
Correct time.

[Prophet 451]

1. Remember when it was just about sports?

I appreciate that this is both an old and oft-heard complaint but the advent of serious money in sports has pretty much removed those who played for the love of the game.

I will, of course, be rooting for England but I don't fancy our chances much.

[malaise]

2. Yep the so called 'true amateur'

is pretty much dead but remember someone always made money just not the players of old. The hotel owners, brewers, bookmakers and caterers never lose.

Of course when you think about the amount of many in sport from broadcast rights and sponsorship, players are entitled to their fair share. Still I hate batsmen who don't walk.

Add.

[Prophet 451]

3. Point well taken

I guess there was always money floating around.

At least with cricket, unlike football, it's still possible to have a genuinely good-natured rivalry.

[brettdale]

4. GO THE BLACKCAPS!!!!

That's the nickname of the New Zealand cricket team.

Politics aside, I will enjoy watching the Blackcaps thrasing every other team and winning the world cup.

[malaise]

5. Dream on

:D

[brettdale]

6. HAHA

Well we have got a balanced team. Bond and Vettori are good for a few wickets. Gillispe and McMillian can keep the runrate down. We bat right down to number 10. Talyor, Oram, McCullen are in great form.

Its too bad, Fleming sucks, and our fielding is getting better. So the Blackcaps should win the whole thing!

Australia has lost too many good players thru injury and retirement.

England are always too over confident.

India never plays well away from home.

Pakistan main strike weapon is injured an not playing.

West Indies arent that good.

South Africa might be a problem.

Sri Lanka are prone to batting collapses.

The rest are just Minnows of the game.

[malaise]

7. Watch the home team

We're going to upset everyone.

[brettdale]

8. Home crowd advantage does help

If Lara hits form, you guys probably will cause a few upsets along the way, you have Pakistan first up, dont ya?

[malaise]

9. Tuesday

Only one home team has ever won and Sri lanka won in India (although they also hosted). I'm watching the teams arrive at the ground as I type.

[brettdale]

10. Yep

Im just off to watch the opening ceremony on tv.

[stormymonday]

11. As long as you do not play Ireland

You do not want a repeat of that unfortunate result in 1969

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lpxft-zWts

[malaise]

12. Man we will never live that down

25 all out. :D Thousands of Irish turned up when they heard what was happening. WI didn't take the match seriously.

Thanks a million - I've never seen that on film before.

[malaise]

13. Wow Irish dancers

for their debut World Cup. Cool :D

[brettdale]

16. Holy Cow

I doubt thats going to happen again.

[Prophet 451]

14. Of course we're over-confidant

We invented the game. Of course, based on history, it seems to be the case that we invent the game and then the rest of teh world beats us at it...

[malaise]

15. Surely Ireland didn't invent the game

Here are the Duffys. Damn he can play that fiddle. St Patrick's day is early. Lots of Irish descendants in the English-speaking Caribbean. Tha was fabulous.