The World Cup final was a farce. The various reports of the match would make you believe that the match turned into a farce because of the umpires’ decision to delay the Aussie celebration by insisting that the last three overs be completed.
It was a farce because of the fact that the Sri Lankans were made to bat “in pitch black conditions” (see the Independent); and it was a farce because the game was allowed to be played at all on Saturday. There was rain before the match began and nearly three hours of play was lost as a result. There were further interruptions that spoilt the game.
The pitch dark conditions did not descend upon the Oval at the end of the 33rd over; it was considerably dark even before that. The Guardian’s ball by ball description of the game confirms that by the 17th over it started raining. By the 24th over it was “honking down” and the light was poor. Nobody has asked the question as to why play was allowed to continue in those conditions. One is left to wonder as what might have happened if the Aussies had to bat second.
Both teams should have been allowed a fair shot at the Cup but this did not happen. The wicket was so flat and virtually tailor made for the Aussies; Michael Taylor confirmed this before the match began and when the Aussies won the toss the game was as good as over.
It is no way to end the tournament. The nabobs at the ICC were evidently keen to finish the match on Saturday come what may.
It was a farce because of the fact that the Sri Lankans were made to bat “in pitch black conditions” (see the Independent); and it was a farce because the game was allowed to be played at all on Saturday. There was rain before the match began and nearly three hours of play was lost as a result. There were further interruptions that spoilt the game.
The pitch dark conditions did not descend upon the Oval at the end of the 33rd over; it was considerably dark even before that. The Guardian’s ball by ball description of the game confirms that by the 17th over it started raining. By the 24th over it was “honking down” and the light was poor. Nobody has asked the question as to why play was allowed to continue in those conditions. One is left to wonder as what might have happened if the Aussies had to bat second.
Both teams should have been allowed a fair shot at the Cup but this did not happen. The wicket was so flat and virtually tailor made for the Aussies; Michael Taylor confirmed this before the match began and when the Aussies won the toss the game was as good as over.
It is no way to end the tournament. The nabobs at the ICC were evidently keen to finish the match on Saturday come what may.
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