Them were the days
I'm just watching England v West Indies in the 1992 World Cup on the wonderful ESPN Classic. It was a comprehensive win for England, who bowled West Indies out for 157 and lost four wickets in the chase. A very young Brian Lara, who scored four half-centuries and averaged 42 as opener in the tournament, was hit in the box in the first over by Chris Lewis and edged behind for a duck soon afterwards. Gooch, Hick and Arthurton made fifties.
There were many great things about that tournament: the most stylish outfits in the history of coloured cricket clothing, a format that allowed everyone to play everyone else (without minnows), the introduction of fielding restrictions to encourage big hitting early on, that quacking duck character that walked across the screen when a batsman was out without scoring. This was the first World Cup I remember watching.
But... looking at the highlights, one thing immediately obvious is how few people are watching it. Many stands are completely empty, others look very sparsely populated. The game may have been played at the vast MCG, but the commentators just said that it was a "big crowd of 16,000" - or, in other words, the ground was about a fifth full. Does anyone remember whether this was typical of other matches in that tournament? I know the MCG is bigger than any other stadium, but were the Gabba, SCG and WACA also far from sell-outs? If so, perhaps we have all been a bit harsh on the West Indies this tournament.
Gday John...
Have another scotch and honey old mate!
Geez Pat - you've been wearing a fair bit of dung lately!! Looks like your tenure as everyone's favourite, affable blogmaster has run it's course! Still, it proves they're reading.
You've managed to offend just about everyone over the last week. WELL DONE. Everything from poor taste, to bad sportsmanship, to insensitive boorishness, to not knowing where World Cups were held. What a smorgasbord!
I'll admit, I don't always agree with you either. Particularly when it comes to your questionable choice of bear companionship. There's a subtle difference between 'soft toys' and 'toys that are soft'. Know what I mean Pat?
By and large, I think you're alright, and good for a wager. My RSPCA therapist always has me working on seeing sapiens as something other than lunch. To paraphrase Hannibal Lector: "Don't worry Patrick, I shan't be paying you a visit. The world is much more interesting with you in it."
Mind you, I WILL be paying you a visit to collect on our bets, come next London panto season...
Until then, keep rolling with the punches mate - you offensive bastard.
Posted by: Humphrey B Bear | 10 Apr 2007 10:16:47
Dear John, Er... no. It was in Australia in 1992. England in 1975, 79, 83 and 99. Australia in 92. It wouldn't have been too hard to check.
Posted by: Patrick Kidd | 10 Apr 2007 08:30:06
1992 world cup was played in England so wasn't at MCG
Posted by: john | 9 Apr 2007 22:38:46