Saturday, May 5, 2007

Adam Gilchrist And Squash Ball

After an amazing innings in the WC finals, everybody is talking about Gilly's squash ball!

While the critics call it illegal and unfair, the fans of Gilly dismiss the theory of using a squash ball in his glove as one of his attempts to improve his own game and see nothing wrong in it.

My take on this is as follows:

1) This technique made his a less bottom hand player and altered his game which was known to his opponents. Whether it increased the power of his top hand and hence his performance, is as grey as it can get. No one else in my knowledge has used the same technique and there has been no evidence to prove either-ways.
2) Usage of a squash ball is not allowed in ICC rules as permissible. Whether it makes sense or not, a law is a law.
3) An analogy can be drawn in usage of squash ball by Gilly and usage of microphone by Cronje and Woolmer.
4) However, if the law is so clear, umpires did not object to it in any of the games.
5) Umpire is the king on the ground. (Umpires do mistakes which decide fates of players and countries. That, of course, is another topic as I have talked before)

In view of the above legal / technical arguments and counter arguments, as a cricket lover, I would always like both the teams being given same number and amount of resources to fight against each other and then the yardstick is much clearer.

Innovations in any field in life should be encouraged and cricket is no exception.
However, such innovations should be declared (they cannot hide under the word 'strategy' just like a captain cannot move a fielder while his bowler runs in to bowl) and approved before being used.

In fact, I support use of microphones - but they should be given to both the sides. A law should support justice as it is paramount, even in the art like game of cricket.

The nicest man in baddest team in the world, has done something which I do not approve of.

4 comments:

Cuckoo said...

I would always like both the teams being given same number and amount of resources to fight against each other and then the yardstick is much clearer.. :)) Apt one.

Ranjeet said...

Thanks, Cuckoo :-)

abhijit said...

hummm...barobar. Well said.

Now australians will reply that we are champions even without squash ball or we are just crying as we cann't beat them.

Well they are of cricket what AMERICA is of world. :-))

abhijit..

Ranjeet said...

Abhjit: You said it! :-)