Sports - Over to you Speed & Co.

Sri Lanka suffered yet again with a team leaving midway through a cricket tour – this time the South Africans. The first occurrence was back in 1987 when the New Zealanders left after a bomb exploded a couple of kilometers from the team hotel. Perhaps that was justifiable with such occurrences being a rarity in those days.

In recent years bombs and other such form of destruction has rocked the world from the United States to England to Egypt to Bali to India to Pakistan to Spain and elsewhere and life goes on. Then there is constant news of murders, abductions, rapes, muggings and still life goes on. There is no absolute guarantee of total security in most cities and towns around the world.

The withdrawal of the South Africans is disappointing, to say the least. Their coach Mickey Arthur was quoted in the media saying the players may have been at a shopping mall close to the site of the explosion had it been for the game that day activities such as shopping, night clubbing or other social engagements has no direct connection with a professional cricket tour. An individual has every right to do as he pleases outside his professional duties, but the host nation cannot be held to ransom for an individuals’ personal activities.

From a cricket point of view the tournament promised much. South Africa are currently ranked second in the world ODI rankings. India are placed fourth and Sri Lanka sixth. In this particular tournament Sri Lanka would have started favourites, having savoured success in England and in the recently concluded test series against South Africa, their form and confidence was at the peak. Add home advantage and that builds a strong case for Mahela Jayawardena’s team.

India on the other have arrived in Colombo with their confidence somewhat dented after the recent 1-4 defeat at the hands of the West Indies. They are a team with a balanced mix of youth and experience. This tour, now restricted to three games, will be a regrouping exercise for them, particularly with the return of Sachin Tendulkar from injury.

South Africa is not a favoured side at the moment with many players on the injured list. Graeme Smith, Jaques Kallis (not on tour) and Makhaya Ntini, Graham Pollock and Mark Boucher, hurt during the tour, are a huge loss to the side. It leaves room for the question, was the reason for quitting the tour, their present reduced strength? There will never be an answer, but the ICC must take note.

Again, it was mentioned in the media that it was the unanimous decision of the players that the South Africans did not feel safe. After the security measures were beefed-up the Indians were prepared to stay back. That must have given some indication to the ICC that there could be not that much of a problem to force the South Africans to leave. Mind you it was only three days after the “bomb” incident that they finally took wing when a flight became available for all to board together.

During the spate of serious blasts in London, the Australians, who then playing in London felt it safe enough to stay and continue to play for the Ashes. Not so the South Africans. Who sets the standards? Certainly not the ICC! With these situations and occurrences becoming regular it is time for the ICC to take action. Players and individual governing bodies should not be left to take the decisions. The ICC must get tough, they must take the responsibility.