World Test Champion May Be Declared On Points (4 Mar 1997)

4 March 1997

World Test champion may be declared on points

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, March 3: Australian cricket maestro Allan Border gave the debate on World Championship of Test Cricket a new dimension when he said the winner may be declared on points system.

"The points system can be based on cricket played on home and away basis. For each win, the hosts get one point and the tourists get 1.5 points. After four years, the top four teams go to the semifinals and then the final," said the 42-year-old Allan Robert Border who is here as cricket manager of the Australian Youth team.

Border, who played more Tests (156), more one-day internationals, and scored more Test runs (11,174) than any other man, felt that the idea of holding a separate World Championship of Cricket was practically impossible. "I haven`t done any homework on that, but it looks more than difficult.

"This debate has been going on for almost 18 months now. I think it is time that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should jump in and find a solution. I am sure mathematicians must have an answer to this," Border, who led Australia in a record 93 Tests, said.

Border said the same format can be applied which is being used in tennis or golf. "The players get points for the victories and in the end they get specific ranking in global tennis."

Border said West Indies have been claiming to be champions "and their record is brilliant with two defeats in 17 years. Australia have also made a claim after defeating the West Indies in West Indies and their impregnable record at home, Pakistan have been doing pretty well and South Africa joining them.

"But I don`t agree that every series be billed as the decider. There has to be some structure. The ICC can ask the captains and other genius of the sport to find a way out.

"However, at this stage, I would like to see something come out which can solve the problem," A.B. stated.

Border, nevertheless, stressed that Sri Lanka deserve to be called world champions because they have won the extravaganza. "They may lose in Sharjah or elsewhere, but fact of the matter is that they are world champions and will remain the champions till the next World Cup."

Border also expressed his disagreement with the West Indies Cricket Board`s proposal for holding World Cup after every two years.

"For me, the World Cup is a very special event and should only be held after four years. That would give the host nation enough time to run everything smoothly besides giving the respective teams adequate time to prepare themselves for the prestigious tournament," Border, whose Australians were surprise winners of the 1987 World Cup, said.

Border called for the introduction of Youth World Cup. "It would be great if it is held after every four years but can be immensely useful and attractive if held after every eight years.

"A portion of the money generated from the seniors World Cup may be spent on the Youth World Cup because this exercise would definitely be very costly," said the legendary Australian figure.

TOO MUCH CRICKET: Allan Border opined that too much cricket was being played only because too much money has come into the sport. "The boards are earning money and similarly the players are earning as much.

"I think that the board should be more consolidate. It would not be a surprise if because of too much cricket, people from electronic or print media may pull out."

ABDUL QADIR VS SHANE WARNE: Border, whose last visit to Pakistan in 1988 was full of controversy after the Karachi Test, said he has played magician leg-spinner Abdul Qadir but has not faced much of Shane Warne.

"But I feel that Abdul Qadir was more deceptive. He used to deceive the batsmen. It was this artistry which made him a great leg-spinner.

"On the contrary, Shane Warne`s ripping leg-spinner and flippers are outstanding.

"Shane Warne may not have the qualities of Abdul Qadir, statistically Warne may finish as the best leg-spinner."

WASIM AKRAM AS CAPTAIN: Allan Border observed that Wasim Akram`s second attempt as captain appears to be going on the right direction. "He now appears more relaxed. In Australia he was a very tactical captain."

Border pointed out that the major difference in the World Series Cup winning Pakistan team or the World Cup winning team or the past teams was that the present side comprised youngsters. "Akram skippered the team which had only five senior players. Though they may be inexperienced, but can learn new things. On the contrary, the 1992 team comprised senior players and Imran Khan exploited the seniors well.

"In addition to this, Wasim Akram has highly promising stuff at his disposal. Mohammad Zahid is a raw talent, Shahid Afridi is a pinch-hitter, Saqlain Mushtaq is a crafty bowler. Then Akram also has other marvellous cricketers who are a treat to watch."

Source :: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn)