When Australia played New Zealand at Sydney in the first ODI of the Chappel-Hadlee Series on March 13, 2020 – there was no one in the stands, and the fielding team had to climb on to the empty galleries to fetch the ball hit for sixes. It reminded me of our childhood days when the ball popped out of the boundary usually landed in the marshy land in the neighbourhood, and the entire fielding team would go searching for the ball. Sheer Nostalgia!
Well, Nostalgia is good, and we had a good measure of it dished out for 116 days – it was memorable for a few days watching the best of World Cups, Best of IPLs, Best of Test Cricket, Best of ODI – but how long? There is not as much fun in watching a movie a second time when you already know the climax, and the suspense gets revealed.
For 116 days, after the series was abandoned following the first match at Sydney, the cricket aficionados like me craved for Live Cricket. And Finally, We have it Live on Television today - International Cricket Returns!
Just like that last match 116 days ago, there won’t be any crowd in the stands, when West Indies take on hosts England at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Southampton on Wednesday, July 8, 2020.
There will be roar for sure – While most may argue, including the West Indian Legend Brian Lara, that the result is a foregone conclusion - It’s Live Cricket folks – and it’s time to sit back and enjoy!
I don’t care if there is a ban on the usage of saliva to shine the ball, I don’t care if there are no trademark English crowds in the stands that Boo the opposition. I don’t care that there won’t be high-five celebrations, I don’t mind if the teams go on their knees or not in solidarity of a global protest. I also don’t mind Joe Root being on a personal leave and making way for Ben Stokes to lead the England team for the first time.
The wait has been too long – and today, I am not talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the teams. I am not going to discuss the batting and bowling combinations or the team line ups!
I am just looking forward to watching the players in white flannels with the wicket-keeper standing behind as the opening over is bowled – Fours Slips, a Gully, Point and Forward Short-leg – Let the game begin – LIVE!
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Pics: Internet