Anyone who follows Cricket or keeps a general eye on sports news would be aware that the sport is undergoing more than its fair share of crises. Match-fixing concerns and the advent of Twenty20 bringing into the question the very structural fabric of what Cricket should be, threaten to tear the sport apart. But the situation is arguably direr, and certainly less acknowledged, in Australia. Cricket historically has been Australia’s national pastime, with our feats and the heated biannual battles with old foes like England and The West Indies capturing the public’s imagination. After World Series Cricket in 1977-79, Australia’s annual One-Day International tri-series held an indelible place in our summer culture.
But in recent years Cricket seems to have dropped off the national radar to an extent. The oversaturation of meaningless international fixtures and Australia’s invariable dominance over the last decade has taken the interest away for many fans. For those left, Australia’s subsequent decline has led to disillusionment. It is difficult to measure such a decline in interest because ticket sales for showcase events like the Ashes and Twenty20 fixtures remain strong, and junior sign-ups continue to grow. But it is in the young adult demographic that Cricket seems to have lost its groove. There would of course be hundreds if not thousands of Cricket fans amongst my age group, but could have fooled me.
It is specifically the idea that Cricket must now be a closet passion that is disappointing. The well-educated tertiary intelligentsia is too cynical to give any time to what has become an overbearing monotonous schedule of Cricket clearly designed as a moneymaking venture. The same crowd are in turn too mature to latch onto the hit and giggle phenomenon that is Twenty20.
Cricket itself will find a way to survive, but television and spectator figures attest to the fact that the future may not include the 50-over form of the game. This would be a great disappointment as the tactical complexity and fluctuations of a true One-Day International cannot be replicated in Twenty20. The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup is nearing its completion and there have been a multitude of magic moments which uncomfortable fans and former fans of the game need to stamp into their consciousness to try and rally the old passion for the bat and ball.
Cricket fans have a lot to thank England for at this tournament. All six of their group games were stunning and went down to the wire, and the sheer drama of their campaign (which somehow remains alive at time of writing) has given the World Cup the pizzazz it needed. On the one hand there are England’s two thrilling upset losses to Ireland on the back of Kevin O’Brien’s astonishing hundred, and Bangladesh thanks to an unlikely 9th wicket partnership of 58. In turn England defended a mediocre 171 to upset tournament front runners South Africa, played out an absurdly dramatic high scoring tie against India, and pulled off the great escape to somehow beat The West Indies and stay alive. It is not just England who has provided high drama at the World Cup though. Feats like Virender Sehwag’s blistering 175 in the tournament opener and Ross Taylor’s unfathomable destruction of Pakistan’s bowling attack come to mind.
Cricket in all its forms can remain hip and relevant in today’s culture and this World Cup has reminded us just why. For those who share my passion, embrace it and flaunt it.
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