Consider these:-
(a) The West Indian cricket team arrives at Kochi, last Monday, to play their first ODI of the
forthcoming series.
(b) They skip the traditional practice on the eve of the match and remain closeted in the hotel.
(c) Their skipper does not bother to attend the customary press conference on the eve of the
match/series.
(d) They give the trophy unveiling ceremony the go by.
(d) And above all, they convey to their 'bosses' that they'd boycott the match.
It was the outcome of a pay dispute that the players had, as per a new contract enforced last month, between the WIPA(West Indian Players Association) and the WICB(West Indian Cricket Board). To quote the skipper regarding the disagreement, "We're being treated like schoolboys and are asked to perform as professionals". The remuneration was indeed the vexed issue.
Following behind-the-scene actions ensured that the match went as per schedule on Wednesday that resulted in a thumping win for the visitors:-
(a) The warning from the ICC.
(b) The BCCI's intervention and
(c) Dhoni's peace talks.
There's talk that it was the BCCI's intervention that carried the clout because many of the West Indian players play in the IPL and the Champions League T 20 and therefore, did not want to embarrass its bigwigs!
Was it the 'mallu' effect that gave the idea of embarking on a 'hartal' to the West Indian players on landing at Kochi? Perhaps, there's no escape from the militant thoughts that get whipped up on inhaling the air of 'God's own country'!
Tailpiece.
The West Indians won the match by 124 runs, the scores being West Indies 321 for 6 and
India 197! Just showed that whatever be their grievances, when it came to their country's interests, there was no ambiguity. My salute to the team!!
(a) The West Indian cricket team arrives at Kochi, last Monday, to play their first ODI of the
forthcoming series.
(b) They skip the traditional practice on the eve of the match and remain closeted in the hotel.
(c) Their skipper does not bother to attend the customary press conference on the eve of the
match/series.
(d) They give the trophy unveiling ceremony the go by.
(d) And above all, they convey to their 'bosses' that they'd boycott the match.
It was the outcome of a pay dispute that the players had, as per a new contract enforced last month, between the WIPA(West Indian Players Association) and the WICB(West Indian Cricket Board). To quote the skipper regarding the disagreement, "We're being treated like schoolboys and are asked to perform as professionals". The remuneration was indeed the vexed issue.
Following behind-the-scene actions ensured that the match went as per schedule on Wednesday that resulted in a thumping win for the visitors:-
(a) The warning from the ICC.
(b) The BCCI's intervention and
(c) Dhoni's peace talks.
There's talk that it was the BCCI's intervention that carried the clout because many of the West Indian players play in the IPL and the Champions League T 20 and therefore, did not want to embarrass its bigwigs!
Was it the 'mallu' effect that gave the idea of embarking on a 'hartal' to the West Indian players on landing at Kochi? Perhaps, there's no escape from the militant thoughts that get whipped up on inhaling the air of 'God's own country'!
Tailpiece.
The West Indians won the match by 124 runs, the scores being West Indies 321 for 6 and
India 197! Just showed that whatever be their grievances, when it came to their country's interests, there was no ambiguity. My salute to the team!!
No comments:
Post a Comment