Jan 7, 2008 

Given its spineless track record, expect the ICC to duck calls for aging and incompetent umpires to be put out to pasture, and for increasing use of today’s technology.  With the aging Steve Bucknor once again at the centre of the controversy, its time for cricket to adopt a policy, similar to ones used in other sports, that allows for player review of umpiring decisions. 

Over the years, the vacillating, timid, and weak-kneed ICC has plunged the game from one controversy into another due to its indecisive and gutless decision-making.  The wisdom of Malcolm Speed’s decision to support cricketing ties with Zimbabwe despite the atrocious human rights record of the Mugabe regime may be debated endlessly.  Ultimately, it boils down to a moral decision, and one that each of us must make based on our own conscience.  Troubling, however, is Speed’s preposterous assertion in 2003 that the ICC, and by extension cricket, has nothing to do with politics.  Even Bill Clinton would cry foul. 

The ICC alleged that not going to the World Cup in Zimbabwe would hurt the development of cricket.  In other words, the right of children in Zimbabwe to play cricket trumps the right of children to stay alive.  One wonders, is there a college course called Lies and Deceit 101 that is a prerequisite for administrators?

The unending controversy surrounding Muralitharan’s action owes much to ICC’s penchant for procrastination.  It was in Australia in 1994 that Muralithran was first called for throwing.  According to the law, Muralitharan was indeed guilty of throwing.  If there were extenuating circumstances, it is the responsibility of the ICC, as the guardians of the game, to act. However, it was not until 2000 that the ICC moved to address the issue.  Left unaddressed for over 10 years, the allegations of cheating continued unabated, both privately and not so privately, by players and umpires, thereby making a mockery of the game.  Finally in 2004

an ICC panel recommended a sweeping change in the law regarding “chucking”.  The new law allows bowlers to straighten their arm to a maximum of fifteen degrees during delivery – a 200 % increase in the tolerance level enjoyed by spinners at the time.  It cleared Muralitharan, but the spectre of cheating still lingers, in large part a result of ICC’s dereliction of duty.   

Back in 1999 Wisden’s editor alerted us to “ICC’s connivance in the Australian cover-up” of the match fixing scandal involving Waugh and Warne.  The Australian board had, writes the editor, “informed ICC at the time, telling Sir Clyde Walcott, the then Chairman, and David Richards, the Chief Executive, to keep it secret, which they did”.  Few disbelieve that the most damaging cases of the match fixing scandals could have been averted had the ICC acted responsibly to information it received back then.

  Though hope springs eternal, given ICC’s record, there is little reason for optimism.  For too long, apathy – this paralysis of the spirit has been allowed to permeate the halls of the ICC.  Perhaps, part of the blame lies with those closely involved with the game – match referees, former players serving on ICC committees, commentators, and individual boards for failing to speak out.  

 The Guyanese poet-laureate, Martin Carter, once remarked that the mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it. 

The article first appeared on caribbeancricket.com

© shamsamaroo

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