This is a picture of cricket in Switzerland!!
I belong to a rather uncommon breed of Indians who is almost unmoved by cricket. Apart from the game, the politics, the selections, the ICC and other bodies, discussions around the coach and manager of the team etc... evoke almost no response in me.
So you can imagine how surprised I was when I felt so violently angry and irritated when I over heard this conversation. I have colleagues from different countries (even continents) and they all share this passion for soccer. The discussion goes like this.
D:Who is this Bob Woolmer? There are reports that he was killed. Never heard of murders associated with sport.
Me: This is the latest shocking news from the ongoing Cricket World Cup!! Bob was the coach for the Pakistani team.
D:Why was he murdered?
Me: Well, we don't know for sure but it may have something to do with match fixing?
D: In cricket matches are fixed??!! Bloody hell!!
E: (Joins in..) I can never follow what the game is about any way. All those players standing around.. makes even golf look more energetic!
(they enter into a completely inaccurate description of cricket!!By this time, I begin to get a little irritated and make a conscious effort not to participate further unless asked a question directly..)
M: Thanks God we don't play this game in Brazil..
D: Oh! They don't play this game in any sane country.. (now I have to make an effort to stop reacting - smile pasted firmly on my face)
All in the room participate now.. Don't know what is the point in this game, what are the players trying to do, why are there so many standing around, and then it goes on an on..
Time to leave the room for a coffee break!! Sipping coffee calmly in the pantry..I think why does this discussion irritate me so much!!
10 comments:
One of my colleagues asked me, "How could you watch the game for 5 whole days?" This was after I had explained on his insistence what is Cricket etc. He continued further, "No sane person can do that!"
Looking at the way the conversation will end up prompted me to say, I guess most of you can follow golf for 4 long days when it is essentially boring and yet you comment about Cricket. End of further picking on cricket.
Looks like you have been through this before.. I still cant explain why I felt so irritated..
I can see that you are a very patient person, explaining the game and all that..
I feel irritated, not because I am very passionate about Cricket. But for a country whose most popular sports are 'world series' and do not have anyone else playing them try to be condescending is what irritates me. Every sport has its followers and every sport has something which is not good. But to have a superiority complex isn't good.
yes, thats absolutely right.
I also notice that within close family we sometimes acknowledge shortcomings but dont appreciate negative comments from the 'outside'..
Thats true! But we do not berate others.
oh i am totally un-cricket-ed too!
but pilgrim, golf is not boring!
golf is life ... ;)
Ricercar.. i could'nt expect anything else from you..living in scotland and all that!!
Golf is boring to watch. Its fun to play. Probably I do not have patience to watch it.
Pilgrim.. like they say 'to each one his own!'
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