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Change Your Life! |
Bacher stands by Bangladesh |
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March 10, 2000 South
Africa's cricket boss Ali Bacher on Wednesday reaffirmed Ills intention to
rally behind Bangladesh, who are expecting that
the ICC (International Cricket Council) would grant them the
elusive Test status in Its June meeting at Lord's. Being
interviewed by the Criclnfo In Mumbai, Bacher denied tliat the quality of
the game would be diluted in a drive to globalize the game. "Not
at all. They (Kenya and Bangladesh) are inexperienced sides. They will
take time. But no, we are definitely not diluting the pool," said
Bacher, who Is widely tipped to be the next president of the ICC when the
tenure of Jagmohan Diamlya expires. "Globalization
is definitely on the top of the ICC agenda. In the next World Cup you are
going to see 14 teams participating.
In 2003, Kenya and Bangladesh will get automatic selection. The other three berths
will be taken by teams which will top the selection tournament (ICC
Trophy) which is to be held in Canada," said Bacher, who have
recommended time and again that Bangladesh be awarded Test status right
now. When
his attention was drawn to the miserable results of Bangladesh's tour
matches against provincial sides of New Zealand where they lost two out of
three games convincingly, Bacher said," Eddie Barlow (the Director of
Development of the Bangladesh Cricket Board) as you know, has been
watching 'them closely. He Is a keen student of the game and he has
personally told me that they are ready. "Barlow
sure knows his cricket. If he says they are ready, then they are. If they
are given Test status, they will come through. And besides, It's an
exciting new market that's opened .up. We need such new markets.
Bangladesh is a market of 130 million people. The
South African did not approve of the conservative notion that Bangladesh
should be kept waiting for few more years. "Why
should we wait? Us inevitable that Bangladesh will get Test status." He
however said the ICC was not of the opinion of awarding Bangladesh Test
cap only because of the highly prospective market In Bangladesh. "I've been to Bangladesh twice. I've seen the conditions there. They're perfect. You have capacity crowds at games. There is a cricket culture in Bangladesh. There is a passion associated with the game. That's what we need," Bacher said. About
the prospect of giving official recognition to events like the Super Sixes
and Max Cricket, he said," Well, we need different products for
different markets. Test cricket is still very strong In South Africa,
India, Australia, England and the West Indies. However, other markets need
other forms of cricket. Take Canada or Holland or Denmark. They would
never get Test status. Though there is talent and Interest In these
regions, Test cricket would never be sustainable there." On
the call for more representation from varied communities in South Africa,
the devout cricket organizer said. "The future looks very good. There
are black cricketers in the (South Africa) A team. And this is without any
kind of quota system. At the national level, there is no room for a quota
system. Players have to be selected on merit. In domestic cricket we have
a rule that ensures that there is at least one colored player in every
team. However, we don't believe that such a policy is warranted at the
national level. The difference is simple, the national team should be a
team of color, whereas a provincial team must be a team of color." Source
: Daily Star |