Minnow Bashing:

Minnow Bashing: About 6 non-playing test nations
are taking part in this World cup.
Even before this world cup began, the inclusion of
minnows has sparked off criticism from the likes
of Michael Holding(the great West Indian bowler)
and Ricky Ponting(the flamboyant Australian
captain). Although the minnows claim that their
participation is justified, their records speak
otherwise.

With the exception of Canada, Ireland and Kenya,
the other minnows have not played good cricket.
The best example would be Holland, first they got
thrashed by South Africa who piled a massive
354/4 in 40 overs. Thanks to Herschelle Gibbs(who
hit a record 6 consecutive sixes off an over from
Holland bowler Van Der Bunge) and Mark Boucher
who scored 75 off 31 balls(The fastest fifty in
WC history). Australia were not far behind, they
have thrashed the minnows Holland and Scotland by
margins of over 200 runs.
So, the next time ICC decides on including
minnows, they must first make sure that the
minnows have played enough cricket in order to
trigger upsets over test playing nations.
Otherwise records will continue to tumble and the
matches will be nothing but one sided humdingers.

The World Cup is not a place for sub-standard
cricket. Although the minnows need to face top
sides in order to improve the quality of their
cricket, the world cup is not the right place to
do so.

However, the minnows should not be totally
ignored in World cup tournaments solely for the
reason because one of them is bound to trigger
upsets. After all we need many Davids to slaughter the Goliath, don't we?
Cricket lovers love upsets and the best upsets can be provided only by minnows. SO let them not be ignored totally?

Each World Cup has seen its share of interesting upsets provided by minnows.
It goes way back to 1979, where Srilanka beat
India by 47 runs, thanks to Duleep Mendis who
scored a valuable 60 not out.

In 1983, Zimbabwe triggered the mother of all
upsets when they beat Australia by 13 runs,
thanks to an inspired all-round performance by
their captain Duncan Fletcher(present England
Coach). They might have beaten India also, but
Kapil Dev played one of the greatest knocks of
all time and saved India(he scored 175 not out in
a game where no other Indian batsman had crossed
30, he came in when the score read 17/5 and he
helped India to achieve a match winning total of
266).

In 1992, Zimbabwe beat England defending a very
low score(i think it is 134). Eddo Brandes
provided the fire power as England collapsed and
list by 20+ runs).

In 1996, Srilanka turned the cricket world
Topsy-turvy when they lifted the World Cup
defeating nations like India, England, and
Australia in the process. Kenya also upset
West indies when they bundled WI for 93(Kenya had
just scored 166). The man of the match was
Maurice ODumbe.

In 1999 Bangladesh Upset Pakistan in their last
league game.(i don't remember the scores).

In 2003, Canada beat Bangladesh.

The biggest upset of this world cup so far has
been Bangladesh defeating India and Ireland
defeating Pakistan. Who knows there may be more
And so the list goes on....