Minnows Can Bite!!

Nope i'm not talking about the small fish which some of you might've used as bait. Im talking about sporting minnows, teams that are considered the new kids on the block, teams which are supposedly easy pickings for the more *ahem* "professional" teams. In particular i'm talking about the on-going cricket World Cup in the Carribean.

Ricky Ponting, Captain of the Australian cricket team, along with many others have said a lot against the inclusion of these minnows in the world cup. According to him, such teams don't know what they're doing and playing against them is more or less a waste of time. Well, I beg to differ.

Those that've been following the present World Cup would know that these so-called minnows have been performing exceptionally well. Ireland, first-timers at the world cup managed a tie against Zimbabwe, a team much more experienced than themselves (though at present themselves minnows) and just the other day beat Pakistan. Now Pakistan isn't your run-of-the-mill team. They were world champions in 1992 ans runners-up in 1999. Now thanks to Ireland they're almost on their way home. Another minnow team, Bangladesh, beat India by 5 wickets the other day to shock everyone, including themselves.

As an Indian, im hiding my face of shame, but as an unbiased fan of the great sport, i'm full of applause for these teams. What Ponting should understand is that everyone was a minnow once and just because his team is on top doesn't mean he can write off anyone just like that. The efforts of the ICC, the world-body of the sport, are really commendable. It is indeed great for the game that these teams are being given a chance to perform at the highest level of the game. What is needed more on part of the ICC is further encouragement and resources to develop cricket in such countries.

And well who knows, one of the minnows might actually win the Cup. How's that Mr.Ponting ?