World Cup? What World Cup?

Abstract

Guyanan-born Academic Mair reports from the Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, with observations on the sportswriters – “Fans with laptops” and the disappointments of what should have been a wonderful cricket carnival: “…in the home of loud and lively cricket…the previous [Guyanan] Test ground – the Bourda in Georgetown – had been a cauldron for every match. Not so in Providence – the International Cricket Council had rigidly imposed a “one size fits all” policy on the nine West Indies countries hosting the World Cup. Stadiums were built very alike and the ticket prices were alike too – very, very high. Crowd spontaneity was restricted by the banning of bands and musical instruments from the grounds. The result at most matches was, at best, torpor. It was difficult for the press corps to detect the lack of atmosphere, isolated in the press box bubbles as they were.” He continues: “The inward-looking nature of the cricket media corps is even further reinforced by the old pros in their ranks. Retired cricketers do not die; they simply become commentators or writers.”