Boycott hits out at ICC in Cowdrey lecture

Since 2001, the MCC has invited distinguished ex-cricketers to deliver the "Colin Cowdrey Spirit of Cricket" lecture as part of the MCC Spirit of Cricket initiative.

Richie Benaud, who turned 1250 years old last October, delivered the first lecture. I have not been able to locate its contents on the internet. If someone can point me to the text/summary, I will link it up, with due credit.
Barry Richards did his bit in 2002 where he focussed on how cricket needed to entertain in order to survive. I'm sure he will be very happy with the way Twenty20 is shaping up.

In 2003, Sunil Gavaskar was invited to deliver the lecture. He came down severely on sledging and poor behaviour, especially by Australia. He did start off with a couple of potshots at the Lord's security staff, who had been disallowed him, during his playing days, from entering the ground because he wasnt properly attired.

Last year, Clive Lloyd spoke about restructuring cricket and assist countries who are suffering from lack of funds, infrastructure etc. He also ventured into talking about technology for umpires, match referees etc.

Geoff Boycott spoke a couple of days ago and blasted the ICC for not recognizing that teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh were dragging down the standard of international cricket. He also dragged his mum into the picture by claiming that she'd have loved to have batted and bowled against these teams, from both ends. He wanted four day test matches with teams bowling 105 overs a day, 15 overs an hour at least. This means seven hours of play. I really wonder how you could have seven hours of play on a cold dreary English summer day. But he has a good point about day-night tests. The BCCI did try out a day-night Ranji Trophy final in 1996/97 but the players' reaction was not encouraging enough for the experiment to continue the next season.

The only positive thing he said in the lecture was about Twenty20. Come on Boycs, there're quite a few other things you can praise about the game, especially when your country's side is aiming to beat Australia and feels it has a realistic chance to do so.

Anand Vasu writes that Boycs shouldnt have bothered because Bangladesh were here to stay. It really does become more difficult to question Bangladesh's existence in international cricket after beating Australia last month.

Listen to his lecture.

Labels: colin cowdrey lecture, spirit of cricket