Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar, two of the greatest legends of the game went one step further in their contributions to the game by organising a 3 match Cricket All Stars Series featuring retired cricket icons. Featuring Sachin's blasters and Warne's Warriors, the tournament covered matches in exotic locations in USA to spur new interests and give back to the game. The aim was to globalise cricket and raise as much money as possible for charity in doing so.
The old rivalries were back but new camaraderies were formed. Old partnerships were seen that hadn't lost any sheen. We witnessed the unthinkable too- Indians and Pakistanis making things work, unity between the Asian cricket freaks and Australians being cheerful in the field!
The likes of Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shane Warne combined to form the most daunting bowling attack cricket had seen, without doubt. They were up against Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardana and Virender Sehwag who gave them a run for their money, and answers to the many questions they asked throughout their careers.
Now, if you thought that the batting of the blasters was the stronger suit, then Glenn McGrath, Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Pollock and Muttiah Murlidharan are going to make you recant that thought. And it's not that we've already gotten enough, that we have Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Kumar Sangakkara and Jacques Kallis in the opposition!
To add to that, a new dimension to the game was added. Not only was it played in USA, it was also played in Baseball stadiums (ironically which many people consider to be American Cricket or cricket to be the Indian Baseball). There were drop in pitches used and the baseball dimensions made sure we had miniscule grounds. The fans were subjected to the same anticipation, nostalgia, excitement and perhaps goosebumps of seeing their idols in action. The same old playing styles and performances were reminiscent of the brilliant results it produced. A lot of funds were raised by virtue of sell out grounds, and baby steps were taken in order to advertise cricket around the world.
Not only were our childhood memories revisited, or our minds subjected to ecstacy but also these matches broke the much loathed monotony. One of rigorous continuity and rigid acceptance. This was a surprise, an unexpected event, an initiative that opened new perspectives, thoughts and perceptions! Cricket had been the same for the past decade, these two gentlemen tried their hand at adding something extra to look forward to. They may have succeeded, they may have not.
A wise man once "Improvement can't be made without experiment." 30 years down the line, not many will remember an All Stars Tournament, but all would remember it's rumifications, it's effects and the change it brought about similarly like no one remembers what caused the birth of T20s but everyone remembers, rather cherishes T20s. The Cricket All stars is one such catalyst. A beginning to something exponential.
Cricket in USA is far too big a venture to be successful by virtue of one tournament. Besides most of the spectators were Asian and the game was given a virtual and unrealistic appeal with lethargic, uninvolved fielding and bat dominating ball. This was by no means unsuccessful or by any means successful, however it must be appreciated. Sachin and Warne tried, but now the ICC have to build it up nd improvise upon it. After all for how much time can cricket continue to be a crammed 10 team affair with 3 formats (practically turning out to be 2)? Everything evolves over time. Cricket did too. Now the time has come for it to evolve again. Sachin and Warne initiated it, ICC have to act upon it.
The old rivalries were back but new camaraderies were formed. Old partnerships were seen that hadn't lost any sheen. We witnessed the unthinkable too- Indians and Pakistanis making things work, unity between the Asian cricket freaks and Australians being cheerful in the field!
The likes of Courtney Walsh, Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shane Warne combined to form the most daunting bowling attack cricket had seen, without doubt. They were up against Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Mahela Jayawardana and Virender Sehwag who gave them a run for their money, and answers to the many questions they asked throughout their careers.
Now, if you thought that the batting of the blasters was the stronger suit, then Glenn McGrath, Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Pollock and Muttiah Murlidharan are going to make you recant that thought. And it's not that we've already gotten enough, that we have Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Kumar Sangakkara and Jacques Kallis in the opposition!
To add to that, a new dimension to the game was added. Not only was it played in USA, it was also played in Baseball stadiums (ironically which many people consider to be American Cricket or cricket to be the Indian Baseball). There were drop in pitches used and the baseball dimensions made sure we had miniscule grounds. The fans were subjected to the same anticipation, nostalgia, excitement and perhaps goosebumps of seeing their idols in action. The same old playing styles and performances were reminiscent of the brilliant results it produced. A lot of funds were raised by virtue of sell out grounds, and baby steps were taken in order to advertise cricket around the world.
Not only were our childhood memories revisited, or our minds subjected to ecstacy but also these matches broke the much loathed monotony. One of rigorous continuity and rigid acceptance. This was a surprise, an unexpected event, an initiative that opened new perspectives, thoughts and perceptions! Cricket had been the same for the past decade, these two gentlemen tried their hand at adding something extra to look forward to. They may have succeeded, they may have not.
A wise man once "Improvement can't be made without experiment." 30 years down the line, not many will remember an All Stars Tournament, but all would remember it's rumifications, it's effects and the change it brought about similarly like no one remembers what caused the birth of T20s but everyone remembers, rather cherishes T20s. The Cricket All stars is one such catalyst. A beginning to something exponential.
Cricket in USA is far too big a venture to be successful by virtue of one tournament. Besides most of the spectators were Asian and the game was given a virtual and unrealistic appeal with lethargic, uninvolved fielding and bat dominating ball. This was by no means unsuccessful or by any means successful, however it must be appreciated. Sachin and Warne tried, but now the ICC have to build it up nd improvise upon it. After all for how much time can cricket continue to be a crammed 10 team affair with 3 formats (practically turning out to be 2)? Everything evolves over time. Cricket did too. Now the time has come for it to evolve again. Sachin and Warne initiated it, ICC have to act upon it.
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