Why we need minnows

[Gambit]

A very good post from the C4 Cricket forum

The 500 pound Dwayne Leverock flinging himself to his right and plucking a catch out of the air, prompting some of the most genuine and heartfelt celebrations I've ever witnessed on a cricket field, leaving the 17 year old Malachi Jones wiping tears of joy from his eyes as he takes a World Cup wicket with his first ball? The Bermudan tail battling it out with David Hemp, trying valiantly to stay with him and help him to a WC hundred, not in the slightest bit afraid to get right in behind the line of balls going faster than they've ever played before, with even the 600 pound Leverock running what can only be described as a couple of thunderous twos in order to get him there quicker? In times where losing coaches and captains are the subject of death chants and players' homes are being attacked because their teams have lost a cricket match, it's moments like the above that remind us why we play and watch the game, why we are fans. We don't play it because we are stump-shattering fast bowlers or boundary-clearing batsmen, we don't watch it because our teams crush all who cross our path into pulp - we play it because it's fun and we watch it because we love it. So thank you to Bermuda, Holland, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Kenya and Pakistan for providing us with this timely reminder of the true Spirit of Cricket. May we never forget it.

:wtg:

[DesiChap]

Re: Why we need minnows Excellent article.

[Dirty_South]

Re: Why we need minnows

Bermuda, Holland, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Kenya and Pakistan

[DesiChap]

Re: Why we need minnows

Bermuda' date=' Holland, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Kenya and [b']Pakistan

Yep that really make the article excellent errrr brilliant :hic:

[yoda]

Re: Why we need minnows Good one.

[head coach]

Re: Why we need minnows

A very good post from the C4 Cricket forum

The 500 pound Dwayne Leverock flinging himself to his right and plucking a catch out of the air, prompting some of the most genuine and heartfelt celebrations I've ever witnessed on a cricket field, leaving the 17 year old Malachi Jones wiping tears of joy from his eyes as he takes a World Cup wicket with his first ball? The Bermudan tail battling it out with David Hemp, trying valiantly to stay with him and help him to a WC hundred, not in the slightest bit afraid to get right in behind the line of balls going faster than they've ever played before, with even the 600 pound Leverock running what can only be described as a couple of thunderous twos in order to get him there quicker? In times where losing coaches and captains are the subject of death chants and players' homes are being attacked because their teams have lost a cricket match, it's moments like the above that remind us why we play and watch the game, why we are fans. We don't play it because we are stump-shattering fast bowlers or boundary-clearing batsmen, we don't watch it because our teams crush all who cross our path into pulp - we play it because it's fun and we watch it because we love it. So thank you to Bermuda, Holland, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Kenya and Pakistan for providing us with this timely reminder of the true Spirit of Cricket. May we never forget it.

:wtg:

Good one. Also the biggest testament for minnows playing these type of big events is Ireland's progress!

[Cricketics]

Re: Why we need minnows we should invite pakistani team to play in ranji, they will gain some experience..

[Predator_05]

Re: Why we need minnows Good point. This World Cup has truly been a resounding success as we've witnessed the minnows prospering. Many people had dismissed the first group stage as a warm-up, however these results show that it has been far from it. I always supported the inclusion of these teams; as it's absolutely vital that the game attempts to expand into other territories instead of remaining as insular as it has traditionally been. Teams like Kenya, and Ireland in particular deserve to play more ODI tournaments against international opposition. Ireland certainly has the potential to become a competitive team; given it's proximity to England and the structure of it's FC cricket, the quality of it's cricketing infrastructure and sound presence at grass-roots level (see http://www.cricketeurope4.net/IRELAND/DATABASE/THEICU/structure.shtml to get a better idea). Kenya has no cricketing infrastructure to speak of; but the local Gujarati population will ensure that the passion for the game will never fade. They will always produce good cricketers capable of holding their own at international level.

[The Outsider]

Re: Why we need minnows There are 4 teams too many. 12 would have been ideal. Holland, Canada, Bermuda, and Scotland are frankly just making up the numbers.

[talksport]

Re: Why we need minnows You never know who will click unless you play them...also 16 is a good number for grouping

[The Outsider]

Re: Why we need minnows Not really, PK. Bermuda, Canada, and Holland are clearly inadequate competition and one would have predicted so even before the start. Scotland and Ireland will both come up well though because of the county structure.

[Gaurav]

Re: Why we need minnows Scotland showing lot of heart against SA

[gator]

Re: Why we need minnows u can thank the pitches too.... whether, it is an easy or tough pitch, it has to play same throughout...... both the upsets have happened because of the minnows bowling first....