Growing the game a worthy endeavour
The International Cricket Council have long been sceptical about trying to grow the game beyond its established territories.
They reckon it is a struggle to turn the developing nations from being a burden on resources into an earner – or just a break-even.
Every so often, such doubts look like short-sighted tosh. Its folly was exemplified by the uplifting scenes at the World Cricket League Championship in Kathmandu this week.
At Tribhuvan University’s cricket ground, the main international arena in Nepal which was forced to undergo a number of repairs after last year’s earthquakes, the national team hosted Namibia for a 50 over match.
Not for anything like the first time, the ground was mobbed by supporters. According to reports, 10,000 tickets were sold, 5,000 more were outside the stadium, and it was also shown live on national television.
Not all expansion territories will have such a ready take up as Nepal. But surely their success story proves it is at least worth a try.
• Read more: For one Nepal cricket, sport becomes post-tremor motivation – 'I will definitely play again'
• After the fall, Pt 1: Paul Radley's visit to Nepal in the wake of the 2015 earthquake
• After the fall, Pt 2: Paul Radley finds cricket passion rises above the ruins in Kathmandu
What were Australia thinking?
Aaron Finch's first-week excellence for Gujarat Lions in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has served as a reminder for what a botched job Australia made of their World Twenty20 campaign.
The opener, who made a trio of fifties in the first three matches for the new franchise as they stole an early lead in IPL9, was Australia’s captain in the short format until January.
First he lost the captaincy to Steve Smith, then he lost his place in the side altogether. This, despite being the top ranked international batsman in the format.
Australia’s muddled thinking in T20 is not a new thing. Their failings over a decade in the abridged version are many and varied.
But not banking on Finch, their best and most reliable player, must rank as one of their most curious decisions to date. Maybe the Lions are benefiting from having a batting linchpin who has a point to prove.
Inzamam well practiced for new position
Inzamam-ul-Haq will need plenty of patience in his new job as Pakistan's chief selector. He must be well practiced at that particular virtue by now, though.
Captaining Pakistan is one of the toughest assignments in cricket, and he excelled at that. His most recent position, too, can hardly have been without its problems.
Afghanistan released him from the position of head coach this week to rejoin Pakistan. For all apart from Kabir Khan, the former UAE coach who enjoyed great success in various stints in charge of Afghanistan, harnessing the exuberant talent of the Afghans, as well as coping with the politics of its administration, has proved tough.
Inzamam, who was new to coaching at international level when he was appointed, can look back on his time across with Afghanistan with great satisfaction, though.
Series wins against Zimbabwe, as well as being the only team to beat West Indies at the World T20 in India, were notable achievements.
Player of the week
Mohammed Shahzad
• He made the most of his time in the spotlight, with a series of thrilling, extrovert displays at the World Twenty20. Back to the humdrum of international cricket’s mainstream, he maintained his fine run of form, hitting 139 in Afghanistan’s Intercontinental Cup win over Namibia.
Game of the week
• Rising Pune Supergiants v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Friday, 6.30pm
More characters in their team names than in any other fixture, and an healthy amount of them on the two squadlists, too. MS Dhoni v Virat Kohli. Brash newcomers v the great underachievers.
Stat of the week
• 3
Three half-centuries and three man of the match awards for Aaron Finch as Gujarat Lions won their first three IPL matches.
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