The Minnows versus The Whales

The 20-20 World Series has opened to a good reception. This post is not to give my opinion of the newest format of the game or to discuss its supposed impact on the other formats. I am writing this.....Because last night I saw Zimbabwe beat Australia in their opening match! I was exhilarated, to say the least, to see the underdogs (some call them minnows) defeat the world champions.

I have two reasons for my exhilaration.

Reason 1: Zimbabwe won!

Not many would have expected them to, forget win, put up a fight against the great Australian might. And put up a fight, they did, the odds notwithstanding. The team….. I mean, have you seen their line up?!..... The social and political instability in the country has wrecked the team. Neither did they have a good run up to the series, having lost a series to Bangladesh in Feb, an unmemorable performance in the world cup in March and again a clean sweep loss to South Africa in August………. It was heartwarming to see them go all out to put up an inspired performance. Anyone who follows the game in its true spirit would be elated.

Reason 2: Australia lost!

I don’t particularly have anything against the Australian team except their “We-are-the-world-champions-and-there-isn’t-a-damn-thing-you-can-do-about-it” attitude that they carry right to the middle of the pitch. Well, I guess they have good reasons to carry it. They are bloody good at what they do. What I have against them is what I had against Sampras, against Schumacher, against Federer (at least till Nadal came along),….collectively put….against monopoly. (we are not talking economics……..only sports).

I agree with those who say “what is wrong if they win all their matches? It is not their problem that no one else is good enough to challenge them.” My real issue with monopolistic dominance is its inherent perils of making the game look too easy and of making the player look bigger than the game. For me, it’s dreadfully profane. (I am tempted to go on, but I think I have got the point through.)

And not to forget the predictability; It just gets simply boring!!.....to watch a match when you are painfully conscious of its agonizingly predictable result. What is a game if the word ‘competitive’ doesn't feature in the commentary and I still have to cut my nails after the match?


Highlights of the match:

Zimbabwean fielding,…….. three early wickets in both innings,………. Taylor’s (Zim wicket keeper) brilliant batting, ………some expected Australian hard hitting,……… Taibu bowling medium pacers!,…………. the nail-biting finish with one ball to spare, ………..and the Zimbabwean victory lap.

Watching the match was a deserving finish to a tiring day:)

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