When I first agreed to delve in to the World Cup for the mutiny, I did so because I knew it was important to South Asia, our diaspora and several cute commenters here…but I had no idea how powerful the sport truly is, until now.
Apparently cricket can do what diplomacy, prayers and tears cannot (all quotes via Reuters, Thanks Karthik):
Cricket fever has gripped Sri Lanka after their team secured a place in the World Cup final, diverting attention — at least for the time being — from a worsening civil war.
Cricket-mad fans sat glued to their television sets until the early hours of Wednesday morning to watch Sri Lanka defeat New Zealand by 81 runs in Jamaica.
The success of the cricket team in the Caribbean has provided a welcome distraction from the worsening military conflict between the government and Tamil Tigers, which has left a 2002 ceasefire agreement in tatters.
The two-decade civil war, which has claimed around 68,000 lives, has intensified in the past year with almost daily battles, denting business confidence and contributing to spiralling inflation.
One higher power, many paths; one fervently-desired wish, many prayers:
Multi-faith religious ceremonies are being planned in the lead-up to Saturday’s big game to bless the team, and President Mahinda Rajapaksa will even fly to Barbados for the final.
Yo, this is serious:
The Excise Department has even delayed the start of an alcohol sales ban for Buddhist Wesak holidays by one day. It will now come into effect after the World Cup final.
I got my hopes up…
Even many Tamil Tigers, who control swathes of land in the north and east of the country and are fighting for independence, are watching.
“There are people in the controlled areas watching,” rebel military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan said by telephone.
Then felt them sink, even though I’m not Sri Lankan, Tamil, or particularly conscious of this violent, on-going tragedy:
But he added: “Our activities will not change because of these matches. These matches are not going to make any difference.“
I hope he’s full of it. I stupidly and naively hope that cricket really will do for Sri Lanka what nothing else has been able to– give diverse communities a reason to stop killing each other, at least for a little while. As far as I know, it’s difficult to cheer effectively if you’re holding a gun. Yes, that was paneer-laden…but I’m serious. In 1996, Sri Lanka destroyed Australia to win the World Cup; I hope they do so tomorrow, too. If ever there were a country which deserved some cheer…::
For an alternate take on the significance of Sri Lanka’s World Cup success, I’d recommend a post by kettikili over at Pass The Roti.
I, like Mandira Bedi, am not capable of this kind of commentary:
Likewise, today in Sri Lanka, cricket appreciation at its best is hailed as a force of national unity, a testament to the plural, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, and multi-religious country we should aspire to be.
After all, our Murali is a Tamil, Sri Lankans, diasporic or not, are wont to say.
This is true. But is this enough? Can we simply rest on the laurels of the team? Sri Lankan cricket represents the ideal nation and its aspirations, not the realities of all its citizens. Sri Lankan cricket, in some sense, is what we hope to be. (I’m bracketing the gendering of that abstract model of citizenship– for now.)
But, as is all too evident now, cricket fanaticism at its worst serves as a distraction from the war, and a convenient way to suppress debate and dissent in favour of a superficial image of national unity.
The rest of the post is here.
Murali do your magic!!!
Sri lanka knock em for SIX!!!
Even if it is for a second, let these people have something to cheer about.
COME ON INDIA…
GO LANKA!!!! and yeah a world cup every five months would do magic for the situation in Lanka but for indian cricket fans, man it wud be heartbreaking!
I have heard some say that the US Civil War might have been prevented if the North and South had common interests. Let’s suppose there was a nationwide newspaper (USA Today) and a national pasttime (Major League Baseball) and national holidays to celebrate (Fourth of July) during the 1850’s. This may have been enough catalyst to keep dialogue going and diversion from fighting. Who knows? But since the North and South were such different places (Agrarian vs Industrial and Slave vs Free) they descended into civil war more easily.
Maybe Cricket can be this type of buffer and help keep peace in a small way.
Scientific research conducted by Kerala University has shown that it takes 7 Tequila shots washed down by 7 pints of Guinness to induce the human mind to mistaking one person for someone else. I have started drinking already in anticipation. Right now, Murali looks like Kumble. I have to transform 10 more Sri Lankans into Indians. Better get cracking then. I’lllll sheee youoo tomooroowwwwwww “hic”
This is Friday and I’m in mood for some BS. Anyone want to play The Best SL batsman / bowler game? I nominate Arvinda DeSilva and Chaminda Vaas.
For me its Jayasuriya and Murali
Nothing would make me happier than to see Sri Lanka beat Australia. They have such a solid team I think it should be a good game. They have a killer bowling attack, and pretty much everyone in their batting line up can pick up the slack when they need to. Even Vaas bats fairly well considering he’s a bowler.
Shodan: I have to go with Vaas. I am still amazed by his clean action. The only other bowler that comes to mind is (Franklin?) Rose from the Windies.
The best batsman, debatable.
This also touches what we discussed during the DC meetup. When the football (Looking at Sriram – SOCCER 🙂 ) world cup started violence almost stopped in most of the world, as soon as it ended, people got back to fighting.
People forget Arnold is Tamil as well.
UberMetroMallu, Shhhh. We don’t want to alert Steve Bucknor. As far as he’s concerned, Sri Lanka has nothing to do w/ Yindiya.
“hic”, that’s easy I’ll drink some more and transform Bucknor to Dickie Bird; tomorrow should be fun. Also, If SL don’t win that’ll give me another opportunity to burn some Indian effigies 😀 “hic” Oh, and Vaas looks like Zaheer Khan now; I might be doing this too fast, no?
Cant wait for the Lanka finals tomo. Rantunga did it in 96 and now its Jayawardena’s turn. Best bowler/batsman? Arvinda De silva and Murali. I also liked Atapattu, in tests, and Kaluwitharna for his partnerships with Jayasuriya. GO LANKA!!!!!!!!!
man i knew it…these guys are gonna win…i could tell from even their previous tours last year and earlier this year.
Best batsman: Da Silva (although, if Jayawardene and Sangakkara carry on the way they are doing, they’ll be thereabouts). Best bowler: Murali. Best name: Ajith Kosala Kuruppuarachchi
It’s not a brown thing. Everybody hates Ozz. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10436398
and Mahela stood up Ricky or Ricky is too sensitive
http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/the-final-straw-rickys-stood-up/2007/04/27/1177459958952.html
COME ON SRI LANKA!!!!!
Let’s whack these cocky arrogant Aussies so they want to hide inside a kangaroo pouch with fear!!!!
COME ON MALINGA!!!!!
Smash those Aussie gobshites with their antipodean swagger and so-called invincibility!!!!!!!!!!!!
COME ON LANKANS!!!!!!
NZ Ricky
A fun game is “look up the De Silvas on cricinfo.” try to count. You might fall asleep before you’re done.
as to whether this is a distraction: yes it is and a welcome one at that. Sri-Lanka is drowning in violence, perpetuated by leadership on both sides (althought that’s not to say that blame would be shared equally), and a drowning people need some vision of the good life in order to keep going.
a generation of children raised in war-time need at least one example of what they can achieve during peacetime–cricket isn’t exactly the best one, but it’s all we have right now.
What’s better than the strut that results from being a world champion of anything?
best bowler/batsman combo is definitely Murali and PA DeSilva. Most consistent and timely. Sanath is a rare talent, sure, but he doesn’t always bat through his overs and what Sri-Lanka desperately needs is a batsman who can come in during the middle overs and thrash whomever the aussies throw at them till the slog.
will we have an answer for Bracken and Mcgrath? I hope so. For all of you richmond va folks, i think the game is being shown at Curry House near Innsbruck (on broad).
favorite sri lankan cricket player at the moment is kumar sangakkara, but jayawardene is growing on me. best bowler – vaas. best batsman – da silva/jayasuriya. can’t forget arjuna ranatunga either.
as for whether mahela made ponting wait – perhaps mahela is taking a page out of ganguly’s book, when he made steve waugh wait:) the aussies are tough but sensitive to criticism and can’t always take what they dish out (mcgrath-sarwan confrontation comes to mind). however, they generally back up their arrogance with results (still doesn’t endear them to me as a team – although individual players are likeable) and i wouldn’t bet against them pulling off a three-peat tomorrow. they are a formidable machine and you have to give them their due. shame they don’t have to face themselves! good luck sri lanka!! please don’t crumble like the south africans. i remember the depression when india crumbled in the last world cup final. after the euphoria of reaching the final, the demolition job the aussies unleashed was depressing for days afterwards!
should have read best bowler : vaas/murali.
Anyone but Australia! Go Lanka!
Sangakarra is the man. Check out the link below – he’s sledging Shaun Pollock, but does not resort to derogatory comments as the aussies often do. Sangakarra is also among the more eloquent and well spoken of all cricketers – his interviews and columns are a joy to read.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlFF98dM8sA
I would hate to see Australia win tomorrow, but stats show that they have won 10 out of the last 13 times the two teams have played in the last two years. Also the pitch in Barbados has in this cup helped fast bowlers and the three aussie fasts ( tait, bracken and Mcgrath) have been in great form in this tournament, all with 20+ wickets. Also, Murali who is the best weapon for the lankans is not such a potent bowlers against the Aussies. So, its Malinga who will be the wild card tomorrow. If he fires, it will be a great game. Or else , it looks like a hat-trick for the Aussies, or like the amreekans say, a three-peat! Go Lanka!
Barack Obama of Sri Lankan cricket
No sane, self-respecting Indian cricket fan with a knowledge of Indian cricket history would support the SL team just for the heck of them being brown skinned. Being brown is one thing, being an Indian cricket fan is another. Second gens, catching up on the cricket hype, would prolly never understand :sigh:
Amit –
Come on. That’s ridiculous. I live and die by the Indian team, but outside of that, Sri Lanka’s my team. Its not that they’re Brown , its the brand of cricket, and the fact that I grew up on De Silva, Ranatunga, Kalu and Jayasuriya. I lived in India in 1996, and we all supported Lanka in the 1996 finals, notwithstanding the heartbreak in Eden Gardens.
Sangakarra hasn’t been so hot in this WC.. yet. Hope we have a good game. The semis were too one-sided.
Thats the difference right there Hari. I too was in India in 1996, but I grew up on Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar and Kumble. I agree SL play an entertaining brand of cricket, but I cannot cheer for any country that beats my country to win the ultimate cricketing trophy. Sorry, but thats just how it is.
So you stop giving a shit after India gets kicked out of the running, eh? So much for the love of the game…
amit,
how does it work then, support the country you live in, are from, family is from, and that’s it you stick to it??
cicatrix said:
rudie_c said
YES!
Like I said before,
People may or may not agree, but thats how I feel about it.
Amit, sounds like somebody got out of the wrong side of the rock today!
I grew up watching and admiring Wasim,Imran,Sachin,Warne,Jonty Rhodes etc… I must be a lousy Sri Lankan fan!
Really? Because that’s not how you felt about it on a previous post calling for a “happier, less toxic” tournament. Apparently said tournament was toxic due to thin-skinned Indian fans.
Hmmm..how interesting.
You comment here.
I remember the comical beat-down Prabhakar got in that match. It was painful, but most Indians I know backed Lanka in finals. I still remember Sri Lankan fans going nuts and waiving “That’s our Sanna boy” banner. I hope Sanna boy does something similar tomorrow.
fair enough, according to that then, i got the choice of england, india and kenya. england suck and they make a big deal about ordinary things, and they do not understand the art of spin. india over kenya? yep. but india are out. go SRI LANKA!!
Totally pathetic. You are obviously no fan of cricket, the game. Just a silly, whiny, self-centered jingo.
So who are you rooting for Amit? The racist, obnoxious, universally-disliked aussie sledgers who are rude to indians even while guests there? I recall reading an article recounting how aussie cricketers kicked awake sleeping indians in a train station, who they called blackies, just to take a happy picture with them. Screw them bastards. What have Sri Lankans done to India other than win fair and square in cricket that hurts your “self-respect”?
“Thats the difference right there Hari. I too was in India in 1996, but I grew up on Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar and Kumble. I agree SL play an entertaining brand of cricket, but I cannot cheer for any country that beats my country to win the ultimate cricketing trophy. Sorry, but thats just how it is.”
That, I would say, is the difference between a cricket nationalist and a cricket fan. It’s not cricket, you know.
So much hate for me supporting only the Indian cricket team, eh? A win would do Sri Lanka good, they are able challengers against Australia, it might help keep some hint of a balance in the cricketing world .. but I couldnt care less! All this agony stems from India’s dismal performance, it stems from the Tendulkars and the Gangulys not playing upto their potential and still being an indispensable part of the team. I cannot get over the fact that a nation with a population in excess of a billion cannot nurture 11 people who have what it takes to win the cup. I’m not saying that I dont want SL to win, I’m just not backing them. May the best team win tomorrow!
Case of mistaken identities, I swear. Amit is a very common name among people who were born around the 80’s.
Maybe. Like Sunil said:
Stats aside, it ain’t over until the fat lady sings. We should start a pool, I have 5 bucks on Sri Lanka. Who is in?
the point, amit, is that your comments are kind of rude.
this isn’t a india blog. it’s a brown blog. with second gen bloggers. and they’re showing brown solidarity by supporting SL.
My memory wasn’t perfect, but close enough. Googling reveals that it was a blog post not an article and the indians were called “niggers” not blackies:
AussieJerks
“On a tour to India, I heard two Australian cricketers call the locals “niggers”. I saw Australian cricketers coming across Indians sleeping on a railway platform in Jamshedpur and nudging them awake with their feet in order to take a happy snap.”
Please may Lanka win. Please may Lanka win…pleaaaasseee….pllleeaaasssee….
Stick it to them mugs, lads! Show Ol’ Blakeye how it’s played…
Oh, and best batsman: de Silva with Sangakkara and Jayawardene as future possibilities, but can we have a word in for
FattyRanatunga. The things he could do with a bat… Bowlder: Vaas. When in form, beautiful to watch.I did not mean to sound rude sparky, I apologise if I did.
There have been few teams in International sports who have been as dominant as the Australians in cricket. When was the last time that someone beat Australia in a test series at home? In the last two World Cups they absolutely decimated two South Asian teams and I have no reason to doubt that they will humiliate yet another team from South Asia tomorrow.
They deserve to win as a reward for their sheer dominance of the game for the past decade or so. For a true sports fan, there is no greater delight than to see a player/team perform at the highest level possible and open up an insurmountable lead on the number 2. In my lifetime, I have seen few individuals/team be so far ahead of their second closest opponent. I am thinking of Roger Federer, Mike Tyson (before the Douglas fight), the Bulls with Jordan, Sergei Bubka, US Dream Team in the 3 Olympics after basketball went pro, Bears (85), I mean talk about mentally disabling your opponents (South Africa/semis).
Go Australia!
al mujahid,
the difference with SL is that they’ve adopted the “field-or-die” and “get-runs-at-any-cost” attitude of Tom Moody (who is, by my recollection, not from Galle, Jaffna or Trincomalee).
the two south asian teams in this tournament could hardly be considered a test for SL during the tournament–they were not up to par. The Indian team was in complete disarray, the Pakistanis were curiously underperforming and the Bangladeshis, while brave, were still very inexperienced. It is true, however, that a superlative effort is necessary from SL tomorrow–the Farmers..ahem..the Aussies always put in their maximum effort.
Yikes. Go with the status quo, eh? Jump on the winners bandwagon. Thats not the attitude of a mutineer….or a mujahid. Perhaps you should change your nick to Al Dhimmi for Capitulation.
I thought it was revealing how so many “mutineers” here were rooting for England when they played Sri Lanka. There are still some here who cant bring themselves to root for Sri Lanka in the final. I dont get this attitude. Where’s the sepia solidarity?
The Aussies are not that dominant. They have been beaten many times by many teams. And they are certainly not likable, unlike the West Indians who also dominated cricket similarly a few decades ago. The aussies have demeaned the sport with their ruthless sledging and their obnoxious racism. Any red blooded mutineer would want to see them lose to a desi team.