Them, the Minnows

They came, they saw and they were not completely conquered. That in a nutshell sums up the story of the minnows in the Cricket World Cup, 2007. The story is not over though. But in the first stage of the grandest cricket tournament in the world, many first timers have put on quite a show. Much was written about Bermuda, Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland just making up the numbers and taking the intensity out of the World Cup.

However, here is what we have. One week into the Caribbean bonanza and the tournament is split wide open. First, the Kiwis, with ink still not dry in their Oz bashing 3-0 victory script lost a practise match to Bangladesh, which caused the first flutter. Then came the storm. Bangladesh thrashed (yes that is the word) India by five wickets and India’s chances for the next round became a hostage to too many ‘ifs’. Around the same time in Sabina Park, Jamaica, Ireland defeated Pakistan and in what is so far the upset of the tournament. Having already lost to West Indies earlier, this resulted in the ouster of Pakistan from the World Cup.

The much-maligned minnows, who were expected to be nothing more than cannon fodder for the big boys, have turned the tables against them. All of a sudden we have captains talking about “respecting the opposition” and “every match is important to us”. No one is taking anything for granted. The message is there for everyone to see. It says you may whip Bermuda for over 400 runs and someone may hit six sixes in an over but you can also lose to anyone. It is this uncertainty, which was absent earlier. Yesterday, England were tottering against Canada, at 8/3, just a couple of more quick wickets away from another upheaval. Though England managed to win comfortably at the end, there were moments when Canada must have eyed glory.

Spare a thought here for these so-called lesser teams. Coming from countries where even their neighbours may not think much about them being a part of the national team, these spirited men have shown that desire and love for the game may even make up for talent and skill.. No pep talks from psychologists for them. No entourages of high profile coaches, laptop-wielding analysts. No fitness trainers, regimented diets and high strategy for them. For this ragtag bunch of vegetable vendors, policemen and postmen the green turf, the white leather, and the possibility of the impossible is enough.

Applaud them, do not decry them. For it takes courage to step out in the field knowing well that the opposition is far superior. For facing a McGrath or a Murlitharan, for bowling to Tendulkar and knowing that they are going to be at the receiving end. And for that something inside them that still pushes them on, that tells them that victory may not be just a mirage.

The ICC also deserves credit for ensuring participation of these teams. At the end of the day though there are still detractors of the idea of allowing participation of so many non-test playing nations. But then who would not like to see an Ireland defeating Pakistan, or a Canada causing a scare in the English dressing room and India’s fate contingent to Bangladesh’s performance. This may just be the spark that cricket needs to spread to other lands. How 1983 changed our own cricketing history is well known. The ‘glorious uncertainties’ of cricket have again come alive.

This indeed is the most ‘open’ World Cup ever, more than what it was thought of. Pakistan are out, India’s future is not completely in their hands, Ireland is most likely in the Super Eight and Bangladesh may well join them.

It is fitting that it has happened in the land of Bob Marley, Rastafarians, Calypso and also in the land of Sobers, Richards and Worrell. For where else does, the conventional, the norm, garner so little mileage. The Cricket World Cup 2007 has just started and many more unforeseen results maybe in the offing. Thanks to, them the minnows.