New Zealand's resounding defeat at Hyderabad coming on the heals of defeat across formats in the West Indies may on the surface look as if the number eight Test team is in a decline as unlike Bangladesh they do not have a large population and cricket playing pool from which to choose their cricketers. However the other result from Townsville where India defeated Australia to win the under 19 World Cup is an encouraging one if we look at the whole tournament.
NewZealand made it to the semis and the West Indies were the only team to beat the Indian side which eventually won the tournament.The basic talent pool is there which will serve the major countries/regions for well over a decade.The small cricket community of ten full members are in safe hands and will continue to have more teams like afghanistan and Ireland who will want to join the high table.
Indeed British Empire has bequeathed a "common wealth" to the Commonwealth of nations and Cricket more than the English language signifies today the bond which brings the commonwealth together.
Afghanistan is the one big example of inroads made by cricket in a completely post colonial setting with little influence of expats.The team that represents Afghanistan has the core who picked up the game in Peshawar but the joy cricket brings to the troubled nation has virtually reinforced nationhood.That Afghans can take on Australia at almost equal level in an ODI is better than they can do in any other sphere.Cricket has provided Afghanistan with an avenue to find joy and camaraderie within the nation and engage with a larger cricket world on terms which are centered on mutual respect.
NewZealand made it to the semis and the West Indies were the only team to beat the Indian side which eventually won the tournament.The basic talent pool is there which will serve the major countries/regions for well over a decade.The small cricket community of ten full members are in safe hands and will continue to have more teams like afghanistan and Ireland who will want to join the high table.
Indeed British Empire has bequeathed a "common wealth" to the Commonwealth of nations and Cricket more than the English language signifies today the bond which brings the commonwealth together.
Afghanistan is the one big example of inroads made by cricket in a completely post colonial setting with little influence of expats.The team that represents Afghanistan has the core who picked up the game in Peshawar but the joy cricket brings to the troubled nation has virtually reinforced nationhood.That Afghans can take on Australia at almost equal level in an ODI is better than they can do in any other sphere.Cricket has provided Afghanistan with an avenue to find joy and camaraderie within the nation and engage with a larger cricket world on terms which are centered on mutual respect.
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