THE GAME

CRICKET, is not just a game that has relied too much on instant excitement or some great deeds for the last 450 years. It is a contemplative game, which brings deep and immense pleasure that touches the human consciousness of its followers, rather than grabbing a minute-by-minute attention.

It is complex with performances that have produced many better scripts than literature. The sublime cover-drive prompts shouts of Appreciation from the masses in the packed stands at LORD’s; a flying catch brings them to their feet on the Hill at Sydney; the rearing Bouncer draws sighs from the fans playing Kettle-Drums in the Caribbean and the Rattle of ball on stumps instills Euphoric Mayhem in the Crowded Stands of the Eden Grdens, KOLKATA.

Cricket has developed into a phenomenon that elevates players to hero status in countries worldwide.
The game began as early as in the 1600’s, but its popularity was catalyzed by the likes of W.G GRACE, who by 1860 had become the most famous Englishman courtesy this. Then came some legendary figures who defined the game all over again with sublime performances constantly by people like Neil Harvey, Douglas Jardine (under whom the famous ‘Bodyline’ series caught attention during the 1930 Australia’s tour to England), Bill Edrich, Dennis Crompton and Sir Donald Bradman, who was undoubtedly the best greatest ever to have played the game and under whom The Australian Team was termed as ‘Bradman’s Invincibles’ during their 1948 tour to England, being the only team to return back home Undefeated.

The later half of the 1900’s saw these greats continuing their marvelous work along with the Introduction of the likes of Fazal Mahmood (PAK), the first Asian to claim 10 wickets in a match, Kerry Packer (The richest Man In Australia), Sir Ian Botham, Sir Garfiel Sobers (First person to smash 6 sixes off an over), Sunil Gavaskar, Sir Vivian Richards, Kapil Dev. Finally the 1990’s saw the emergence of Young Blood. The Tendulkar’s , The LARA’s, The Inzamam’s, The Jayasuriya’s, The Warne’s and the most famous twins- Steve and Mark Waugh, who had the ability to win matches on their own on any given day.

So far as the ordinary Cricketing Matters are concerned, the emergence and the rapid popularity Of Twenty20 Cricket, as epitomized by the RAZZAMATAZZ of The Indian Premiere League and the 20-20 World Cup , are bringing new fans to the GAME. The ultimate impact the newest ‘BABY’ will have on the ‘TRADITIONAL’ forms awaits to be seen in the next coming years. Meanwhile the ‘OLD’ format of Cricket was already enjoying the 2005 ASHES Series, particularly in England as the hosts were able to recapture the famous Ashes ‘URN’ following a sequence of day after day cliffhangers and a great FINALE. Everything in Cricket changes, except the delight it brings to its fans all over the globe.