Nothing 'rebel' about it
From Ashok Sridharan, India Let me clarify at the outset that these are no more than random reflections on the ICL
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
From Ashok Sridharan, India
Let me clarify at the outset that these are no more than random reflections on the ICL. I find it strange that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) is being branded everywhere as a 'rebel' league, since it was setup with the avowed intention of locating new talent for India. It was the BCCI, quaking in its boots at the very prospect of competition, that not just outlawed the ICL, but also branded it as a 'rebel' league. One wonders why the press too has zealously toed the line.
Let me clarify at the outset that these are no more than random reflections on the ICL. I find it strange that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) is being branded everywhere as a 'rebel' league, since it was setup with the avowed intention of locating new talent for India. It was the BCCI, quaking in its boots at the very prospect of competition, that not just outlawed the ICL, but also branded it as a 'rebel' league. One wonders why the press too has zealously toed the line.
From the little I've seen of it, the quality of cricket on display at the ICL is top class - not too often does one get to see cricket of that quality at the international level. With a host of retired players, mostly stars from the late 90s, I find frequently find myself transported back in time to my teenage years. Names like Heath Streak, Cairns, Murray Goodwin, Saqlain Mushtaq, Klusener or Bevan, to name a few, may mean little (if at all) to today's generation but these were stars in the late 90s when I grew up. ICL rocks for nostalgia buffs!