I enjoyed the World Cup immensely just as I enjoy umpiring both close games and lopsided games. Upsets can and sometimes do occur but in the end you expect the top ranked teams to be in the finals.

Some Australian cricketers, including the captain, need some readjusting in their thought processes. Winning in almost unpresendented percentages means a lot to the supporters but playing the game without arrogance also means a lot and unfortunately we have failed to play without arrogance in more than one occasion recently.

I hope times will change, a few years of losses might just do wonders for humility.

Australia does help cricket enormously, don’t underplay their role and don’t over play India’s role, perhaps one day it might spend some real money on facilities for the fans.

And oh yes, I am sick and tired at listening to well paid professional cricketers saying how tough it is, they should try a job in business where they earn as much money as the millionaires are paid, try it for a while and tell me which is tougher. Give me a cricket any day.

The Indian board is far better and has organized 25 ODI’s in the neext 5 years in offshore countries to promote the game. The Revenue generated through the Telecast rights would be put back into the development of the game in these Associates. A good example is the upcoming Irish Series which would be a big boost for Irish Cricket. The Aussie and English Board are not interested in development at all and should not be given any credit for it.

I agree with Nathan & Martin, whilst at times Pontring is a minnow basher, behind the scenes, Aus administrators do a lot to develop the game in the developing cricket world.

Further evidnence of this is the fact that last summer cages were set up otside the MCG (I think this happened at SCG, Gabba, WACA, Belelrive, Adelaide Oval also). These cages were set up for people to donate unused cricket equipment. For example, I donated 2 sets of pads, some gloves etc, 2 kit bags… This equipment is being donated to developing nations such as Afghanistan, Uganda & Tanzania.

As well as being a great idea & a wonderful & kind gesture it is a further testament that Cricket Australia is doing as much as it can to promote the game in the developing cricket world – morseso than many of its contemporaries.

Again, I beg the question, when was the last time India hosted Bangladesh in a Test series?

Also, why is is it India who always puls out of te Asia cup forcing it to be perpetually postponed & thereby denyin the two non-Test qualifiers top level experience?

Cricket Australia has been very much a part of the rise of Bangladeshi cricket standards, as Martin said. It’s not just because Dav Whatmore is Australian, but because of a specific contractual arrangement with Cricket Australia.

The arrangement started with a 5 year deal in 2000, whereby CA trained Bangladeshi coaches and players in Australia. This deal has now been extended.

Here’s a news story that briefly goes into the deal:
http://content-www.cricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/story/289985.html

-Nathan

P.S. before Thomastwon should have been spelt Thomastown.

Oops I think I’ve had one glass of Monastrell too many.

Then we watched Collingwood murder Carlton at the MCG (24 point win, go ‘woods’ – my wife barracks for Carlton but I’m a Collingwood fan).

During the game we drank Carlton Draught & ate four and twenty meat pies.

After the game we drank some more nice beer in Federation Square (Chocolate Buddha & Lower House) while we watched a cool jazz band as part of Melbourne’s International Jazz festival.

This was all after a twilight ride on the ferris wheel by the Yarra.

We then had some great tapas, paella & monastrell wine at Mo Vida for dinner + some Spanish beer (Alhambra).

Right now it’s almost midnight & I’m at my computer in suburban Thomastwon in Melbourne.

Through all of this, one thought is with me constantly. That is, morally & justly…

AUSTRALIA SHOULD NOT TOUR ZIMBABWE.

I feel for Zimbabwe’s players but Mugabe, Chingoka & Bvute must go. I cannot believe that the ICC will impose fines on Australia for a correct decision. What is this world coming to. They have lost their best players & their captain because of a despotic, tyrannical & intimidating regime, yet the ICC acts like everything is fine. Zimbabwe has talent but these young players will retire before they are old enough to capitalise on their talent & potential because of the corrupt politics in their homeland. ICC please do something … before it’s too late.

BTW why were Kenneth Kamyuka, Hamza Saleh, Fred Nsubuga, & Joel Olweny (Ugandans) + Gerrie Snyman, Burton Van Rooi, Jan-Berrie Burger, Riaan Walters, Sarel Burger & Deon Kotze(Namibians) not considered for Africa XI seletion vs. Asia XI in June?

On a separate tack I take issue with the claim that SA are close to Australia. I wouldnt rate them much ahead of the rest in any form of the game.