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Cricketers must show the resolve

Anyone waiting for perfect calm in cricket will grow a long beard, writes Peter Roebuck

Cricket needs to take heed of the old theatrical adage of “the show must go on” London theatres famously remained open in the Blitz. Everyone understood the need to carry on, otherwise the enemy had won.

Now cricketers must show the same resolve. Refusing to buckle, reassured by promises of tight security and aware that sportsmen have never been targeted in the region, they should fulfil their commitment to go to Pakistan to take part in next month 217;s Champion’s Trophy. If they stay away when will Western Countries go back? Nowhere is entirely safe. South Africa has the second highest murder rate in the world.

Over the years India has set the right example by playing whenever it was allowed. Passion runs high in the region and still they have taken to the field. No harm has ever befallen them. In the worst of times, Indians and Pakistanis have played alongside each other, thereby displaying commendable solidarity.

Alas, cricketers from other countries have become less stoical. New Zealand refused to go to Kenya during the 2003 World Cup. Sri Lanka went and returned with sore egos and safe bodies.

A single bomb was once enough to send the South Africans scurrying away from Sri Lanka. Subsequently, senior South Africans wanted to cancel a tour after a bomb went off in an empty warehouse in Karachi. But they have improved. Notwithstanding Mrs. Bhutto’s assassination, they completed their recent Test series in Pakistan.

Worst offenders

The Australians have been the worst offenders, twice declining to play in Sri Lanka and last autumn refusing to go to Pakistan. The latter withdrawal was defensible but the others were craven capitulations.

Anyone waiting for perfect calm in cricket will grow a long beard. Xenophobia, religious conflict, political turmoil, violent protests, crime waves, health worries, there is always something to alarm the timid.

It’s not going to be easy to persuade cosseted cricketers to accept their responsibilities to the game. The Taliban has renewed its attacks. In the last few days suicide bombers have struck twice. As a result Australia has issued stern travel warnings and closed some of its consular offices.

Inevitably these recent outrages have been widely covered. The world has become a suburb. The picture becomes the country.

But withdrawal should be a last resort not a first option. Apart from anything else the players will be accused of speaking with forked tongues.

Not long ago some of them stayed in India after civilians were killed in Rajasthan. Did the rich rewards available in IPL influence their decision? Perhaps the Pakistanis ought to organize a twenty over league of their own. Or did they realize that it was not as risky on the ground as it seemed in the papers? At any rate they remained steadfast as the smoke cleared.

Double standards

Amazingly some players are prepared to go to Colombo in the event of the Champion’s Trophy being switched. Yet Sri Lanka is subject to the same travel warnings as Pakistan. It all smacks of double standards. Not that the Champion’s Trophy would be missed.

Like the Bulgarian national anthem, no-one quite knows what it means. Nevertheless the latest display of nervousness is frustrating.

Exactly when the eminent will be prepared to play in Pakistan again is anyone’s guess. Meanwhile the game suffers.

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