Cricket, The days are numbered

Yes you read the title right. Cricket is dying. ICC has been vehemently trying to popularize cricket all around the world. But the standard around the world is dropping. Hardly any quality players seem to be coming up. Take a look at the so-called test playing nations around the world. West Indese and Zimbabwe have long declined and now just make up the numbers. Bangladesh supposedly showed promise but have never come up. They have hardly won a test match since it was given the status. The Newzeland, Pakistan and England teams are on the downward spiral. NZ dont seem to be producing any quality players after Cairns, Astle and Flemming have left.
Pakistan and England do not have any ballers and have just a couple of world-class batsmen. India supposedly have the best batting line-up in the world. But have consistently under-performed in demanding circumstances. Even bettr just watch out as to what will happen to this team once the Big 5 have gone. Same is the case with Srilanka. Once Murali is gone, I doubt they will win a single test match. And as far as the batsmen are concerned, there is no promise except for Sangakkara.
South Africa seem to be the only team that is producing good quality players, but still do not have the mettle to face the Aussies and beat them.
Australia definitely seem to be the only country that produces outstanding cricketers. They seem to have a factory running. Probably the Aussies could have all their 6 state teams playing international cricket, to make it an even field.
Definitely cricket does not have anything to compete with other sports.

Obsession with Cricket must end

A few days back, I had a rare chance of arriving home early from Office. And managed to get hold of the remote control. Swiftly switched over to ESPN. They happened to be showing an old Westindese vs Zimbabve cricket match. Switched to Star Sports. Bad luck, here it was Australia vs England Natwest series of 2005. Quickly moved over to Ten Sports. Uff I cant take this no more, it was Pakistan vs South Africa there. Did not even bother to look at Star Cricket or Neo. Just switched off the telivision and handed back the remote to the rightful owner, my sister. At least she gets to watch the songs and movies she likes.
This put me in thinking gear. Does no one in India watch anything except cricket. Ah I've played cricket all my life... But still makes me think, what an idotic game. One guy throws it, the other one hits it away. and they get it back. As Jagathi sreekumar said in a malayalam movie- "Adichchu kalayananenkil pinne enthinedey eduthondu varunne". Dont bother translating that.
Now then there are a huge number of us who would love to see other sport. But the media it seems is hell bent on overCooking this game. I'm sure people agree that India has a huge following for F1, soccer, tennis and a host of other games. I would definitely rate watching a good game of soccer above a great game of cricket.
No wonder there is no other game worth a mention in India. You can read this for my views on the way sport is being ignored in India.
But I'll end thiswrite up with a reques to the media to please give other sports its due. A huge number of people would love to watch these games. Even when the F1 season seems to be going towards such a thrilling end, the media does not seem to be interested. No soccer event in India gets any coverage.. And if at all it is covered, there is on most occasions just one camera in the stadium to cover the even . Such pathetic attitude needs to be changed.