International Double Standards - extended to the playing fields.

LA PEIRIS

Sri Lanka lost the match against South Africa by one wicket. The man of the match was awarded to Charl Langeveldt. Reason for the decision was that he took 5 wickets in the match and was on the winning side. Lasith Malinga the Sri Lankan had taken the first hat-trick in the present world cup series and established a world record of 4 wickets in this match. He was ignored as he was on the loosing side. It is rumoured that the ICC apologised and made Lasith Malinga the joint winner of the award later.

Sri Lanka won the match against England by 2 runs. The man of the match was awarded to Ravi Bhopra, England. Any batsman in Ravi Bopras situation would have tried to do what he did. It was just pure luck that he survived. What has he managed in test cricket in his short career? After loosing he is made a hero by awarding him the man of the match. It is a heads you win tails you loose issue.

The man of the match should have been Dilhara Fernando of Sri Lanka. Had Bopra managed a wild slash to the boundary and won the match Dilhara's team mates and others who understand the stress they undergo would have forgiven him, but would not have pleased the Sri Lankan cricket supporters. Captain Mahela Jayawardena had to take a vital decision and he placed his trust on Dilhara to bowl that last over. If Dilhara had not succeeded, he may have been ridiculed and his bowling ability questioned. Mahela too would have faced some flak. It was great of Dilhara to hold his nerve and show his ability and strength of character by uprooting Bopras wicket and bring victory to Sri Lanka.

The 'man of the match' must be awarded to the right individual irrespective of the winning or loosing side. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that most of the time this person will be from the winning side.

It is time the ICC and West Indian Cricket Board start playing 'cricket lovely cricket' without tarnishing the game.

Before the England-Sri Lanka game the newspaper speculation was that Sri Lanka won the last series only because England lacked seven of their regulars. Now the excuse is that a 'eccentric New Zealand umpire - Billy Bond gave the wrong decision to Captain Vaughn. How many runs has Captain Vaughn scored in this present world cup? The same umpire also gave 'not out' to two clear LBW decisions on Kevin Peieterson [clearly shown on 'Hawk eye']. What would the England score be without Kevin's?????????? England should stop the blame game and start playing the game.