Scandals on the big stage
Armbands in Harare, fires in Kolkata, and other incidents that didn't show the tournament in good light
Steven Lynch
21-Feb-2011
An altogether depressing World Cup had the dark and dreary ending it deserved • Getty Images
Two black armbands
One of cricket's bravest stands came early in the 2003 World Cup, when two Zimbabweans - one black, one white - made a very public statement against what they called the "death of democracy" in their country, as it spiralled downwards under the iron fist of Robert Mugabe. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga donned their homemade black armbands during their first match, against Namibia, in Harare: if it hadn't been for the fact that Flower was easily Zimbabwe's best batsman, it would probably have been their last match too. As it was, they made it to the end of the tournament before deciding it might be sensible to leave the country. Neither played for Zimbabwe again, and while Olonga has had some success as a singer and a TV commentator, Flower moved seamlessly into coaching and oversaw England's stunning Ashes victory a few months ago.
One of cricket's bravest stands came early in the 2003 World Cup, when two Zimbabweans - one black, one white - made a very public statement against what they called the "death of democracy" in their country, as it spiralled downwards under the iron fist of Robert Mugabe. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga donned their homemade black armbands during their first match, against Namibia, in Harare: if it hadn't been for the fact that Flower was easily Zimbabwe's best batsman, it would probably have been their last match too. As it was, they made it to the end of the tournament before deciding it might be sensible to leave the country. Neither played for Zimbabwe again, and while Olonga has had some success as a singer and a TV commentator, Flower moved seamlessly into coaching and oversaw England's stunning Ashes victory a few months ago.
Dancing in the dark
All the complaints about the 2007 World Cup - too long, not enough close games, India and Pakistan departing too soon, too much travelling, and expensive tickets - might have been forgotten if the final between Australia and Sri Lanka in Bridgetown had been a humdinger. Instead, it was a major embarrassment: the rain that delayed the start was no one's fault, but it was soon obvious that, on a ground without floodlights, darkness would set in before the rescheduled end. When it did, the officials misread the regulations and told the captains they'd have to come back the next day to complete a handful of overs. Sri Lanka, way behind after Adam Gilchrist's blazing century, didn't fancy that, and the players went out again, in almost total darkness, to finish off the overs that, in fact, they didn't need to complete anyway, as the cutoff point to constitute a match had already been reached. As the officials fumbled about in the dark with the trophy, they were roundly booed.
All the complaints about the 2007 World Cup - too long, not enough close games, India and Pakistan departing too soon, too much travelling, and expensive tickets - might have been forgotten if the final between Australia and Sri Lanka in Bridgetown had been a humdinger. Instead, it was a major embarrassment: the rain that delayed the start was no one's fault, but it was soon obvious that, on a ground without floodlights, darkness would set in before the rescheduled end. When it did, the officials misread the regulations and told the captains they'd have to come back the next day to complete a handful of overs. Sri Lanka, way behind after Adam Gilchrist's blazing century, didn't fancy that, and the players went out again, in almost total darkness, to finish off the overs that, in fact, they didn't need to complete anyway, as the cutoff point to constitute a match had already been reached. As the officials fumbled about in the dark with the trophy, they were roundly booed.
The rain rule
Richie Benaud has had many good ideas, but the rain rule that he played a part in dreaming up for the 1992 World Cup was not one of his better ones. It decreed that, in rain-affected matches in which the overs had to be adjusted, the least-productive overs from the side who batted first would be discounted. This famously came home to roost in the Sydney semi-final, when a brief stoppage forced the teams off the field with South Africa needing 22 from 13 balls to beat England. Play resumed a few minutes later, but the deduction of two low-scoring overs now meant South Africa needed 21... off one ball. Not surprisingly, they failed to make the final - and still haven't reached one.
Richie Benaud has had many good ideas, but the rain rule that he played a part in dreaming up for the 1992 World Cup was not one of his better ones. It decreed that, in rain-affected matches in which the overs had to be adjusted, the least-productive overs from the side who batted first would be discounted. This famously came home to roost in the Sydney semi-final, when a brief stoppage forced the teams off the field with South Africa needing 22 from 13 balls to beat England. Play resumed a few minutes later, but the deduction of two low-scoring overs now meant South Africa needed 21... off one ball. Not surprisingly, they failed to make the final - and still haven't reached one.
The World Cup's saddest day
There was nothing particularly controversial about Pakistan's St Patrick's Day defeat to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup: it was just embarrassing for the senior side, who had also lost their first match and were now out of the Cup after less than a week, with six more to go. But during the night that followed the defeat, Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's popular coach, was found dead in his hotel room. The Jamaican police initially announced that he had been murdered, leading to hundreds of theories about the sad event. It was some months before it emerged that Woolmer had, in fact, died of natural causes.
There was nothing particularly controversial about Pakistan's St Patrick's Day defeat to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup: it was just embarrassing for the senior side, who had also lost their first match and were now out of the Cup after less than a week, with six more to go. But during the night that followed the defeat, Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's popular coach, was found dead in his hotel room. The Jamaican police initially announced that he had been murdered, leading to hundreds of theories about the sad event. It was some months before it emerged that Woolmer had, in fact, died of natural causes.
Refusing to go to Zimbabwe...
After much agonising - and in the face of much arm-twisting by the ICC and the ECB - Nasser Hussain's England side eventually declined to travel to Harare to play their World Cup group game against Zimbabwe in 2003, citing security fears (on top of moral scruples). England's stand probably cost them a place in the second phase, as Zimbabwe collected the points from this game and also profited when their match against Pakistan was ruined by rain.
After much agonising - and in the face of much arm-twisting by the ICC and the ECB - Nasser Hussain's England side eventually declined to travel to Harare to play their World Cup group game against Zimbabwe in 2003, citing security fears (on top of moral scruples). England's stand probably cost them a place in the second phase, as Zimbabwe collected the points from this game and also profited when their match against Pakistan was ruined by rain.
... and Kenya
In another part of the African continent in 2003, New Zealand refused to travel to Nairobi for security reasons. Kenya picked up the points from the game and, when they also upset Sri Lanka - who were not helped by a bout of food poisoning that hit some of the players - the Kenyans waltzed into the second phase, and then into the semi-final. There had been other forfeitures before this: in 1996 Australia and West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka, which was experiencing civil unrest at the time.
In another part of the African continent in 2003, New Zealand refused to travel to Nairobi for security reasons. Kenya picked up the points from the game and, when they also upset Sri Lanka - who were not helped by a bout of food poisoning that hit some of the players - the Kenyans waltzed into the second phase, and then into the semi-final. There had been other forfeitures before this: in 1996 Australia and West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka, which was experiencing civil unrest at the time.
Not such a Garden of Eden
Eden Gardens in Kolkata has witnessed some great moments, but the end of the India-Sri Lanka semi-final in 1996 was not one of them. The crowd of around 100,000 was happy - deliriously so - when Sri Lanka's big-hitting openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana both carved to third man in the first over. But from then on the day got better and better for the Sri Lankans. They recovered to score 251, but India were going along nicely at 98 for 1, with Sachin Tendulkar in charge with 65 - and then the wheels fell off. Tendulkar was stumped, and a clatter of wickets suddenly made it 120 for 8. Disappointment spread through the crowd, some of whom vented their frustration by lighting fires and throwing bottles onto the outfield. Match referee Clive Lloyd came on and appealed for calm, but an attempted resumption after a 15-minute break proved hopeless, and Lloyd awarded the game to Sri Lanka - who went on to win the final.
Eden Gardens in Kolkata has witnessed some great moments, but the end of the India-Sri Lanka semi-final in 1996 was not one of them. The crowd of around 100,000 was happy - deliriously so - when Sri Lanka's big-hitting openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana both carved to third man in the first over. But from then on the day got better and better for the Sri Lankans. They recovered to score 251, but India were going along nicely at 98 for 1, with Sachin Tendulkar in charge with 65 - and then the wheels fell off. Tendulkar was stumped, and a clatter of wickets suddenly made it 120 for 8. Disappointment spread through the crowd, some of whom vented their frustration by lighting fires and throwing bottles onto the outfield. Match referee Clive Lloyd came on and appealed for calm, but an attempted resumption after a 15-minute break proved hopeless, and Lloyd awarded the game to Sri Lanka - who went on to win the final.
Taking it away from England
An off-field controversy this, at least to English eyes. It had been agreed that the 1987 World Cup would be held, like the first three, in England. But the ICC was in the process of transforming from a gentlemanly club-like outfit, little changed from its inception in 1909, into a modern, ruthless organisation - and England's representatives staggered out of a 13-hour meeting with MCC ties seriously askew after the votes of several Associate members, promised unheard-of sums in extra revenue, transferred the Cup to India and Pakistan. International cricket would never be quite the same again.
An off-field controversy this, at least to English eyes. It had been agreed that the 1987 World Cup would be held, like the first three, in England. But the ICC was in the process of transforming from a gentlemanly club-like outfit, little changed from its inception in 1909, into a modern, ruthless organisation - and England's representatives staggered out of a 13-hour meeting with MCC ties seriously askew after the votes of several Associate members, promised unheard-of sums in extra revenue, transferred the Cup to India and Pakistan. International cricket would never be quite the same again.
Miandad v More
India and Pakistan met for the first time in a World Cup in Sydney in 1992, and it was, as ever, a robust encounter, which India ended up winning by 43 runs. The most memorable image remains that of Javed Miandad - never exactly a shrinking violet - jumping up and down like a monkey in imitation of the Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More's animated appealing, particularly a rather optimistic shout for a leg-side catch off Miandad. The umpires reported both players to the teams' management - but had to admit that the language barrier had prevented them understanding exactly what had been said (which was probably just as well).
India and Pakistan met for the first time in a World Cup in Sydney in 1992, and it was, as ever, a robust encounter, which India ended up winning by 43 runs. The most memorable image remains that of Javed Miandad - never exactly a shrinking violet - jumping up and down like a monkey in imitation of the Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More's animated appealing, particularly a rather optimistic shout for a leg-side catch off Miandad. The umpires reported both players to the teams' management - but had to admit that the language barrier had prevented them understanding exactly what had been said (which was probably just as well).
Gavaskar loses, but gains a lunch
The very first World Cup match, at Lord's in 1975, was one of the most one-sided: after England ran up an impressive total of 334 in their 60 overs, India ambled to 132 for 3 in theirs. Sunil Gavaskar seemingly decided early on that his side had no chance, and opted for a gentle net instead: Wisden drily observed that he "sat on the splice throughout". He finished with 36 not out from 174 balls. One disgruntled spectator wandered out to the middle and deposited his packed lunch at Gavaskar's feet.
The very first World Cup match, at Lord's in 1975, was one of the most one-sided: after England ran up an impressive total of 334 in their 60 overs, India ambled to 132 for 3 in theirs. Sunil Gavaskar seemingly decided early on that his side had no chance, and opted for a gentle net instead: Wisden drily observed that he "sat on the splice throughout". He finished with 36 not out from 174 balls. One disgruntled spectator wandered out to the middle and deposited his packed lunch at Gavaskar's feet.
Hansie Cronje's earpiece
Bob Woolmer was always an innovative coach, but one of his ideas got him into hot water at the 1999 World Cup. Hansie Cronje, South Africa's captain, came out to field in the first match, against India in Hove, fitted with an earpiece. Cronje's was not, as events a few years later might have suggested, tuned in to the local bookies: it was a one-way device, capable only of receiving transmissions from Woolmer, who planned to give his skipper the odd snippet of tactical advice. But the referee made Cronje remove the gadget at the first drinks break, and it was soon outlawed.
Bob Woolmer was always an innovative coach, but one of his ideas got him into hot water at the 1999 World Cup. Hansie Cronje, South Africa's captain, came out to field in the first match, against India in Hove, fitted with an earpiece. Cronje's was not, as events a few years later might have suggested, tuned in to the local bookies: it was a one-way device, capable only of receiving transmissions from Woolmer, who planned to give his skipper the odd snippet of tactical advice. But the referee made Cronje remove the gadget at the first drinks break, and it was soon outlawed.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Cricinfo Guide to International Cricket 2011