Legendary West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge greeted all media individuals and Delhi Cricket officers on the Arun Jaitley Stadium with folded fingers and “Assalam alaikum”.
One of West Indies’ fearsome opening pair within the late 70s and 80s, Greenidge talks concerning the present sizzling subject “Mankading”, the way forward for Test and ODI cricket with the emergence of T20 leagues and the decline of West Indies cricket.
“I feel it (Mankading) shouldn’t be a pleasing means for anyone to lose their wicket and a few are saying it isn’t inside the recreation of the sport. But I feel even going two or three meters out of the crease is stealing, so what do you do? That stated, you possibly can inform the umpire that that is occurring and if he continues, you will have the precise to get the batsman out,” Greenidge advised reporters.
“From the batsman’s facet, I do not assume it’s honest for the man to steal two or three meters whereas bowlers are penalized for minor overstepping.
“Play inside the guidelines of the sport is what we’ve got to do, and hopefully this stuff do not occur too usually. I’m certain within the close to future the authorities will most likely give you some type of rule to curb this (mankading).
Greenidge explains why cricket has tilted extra in direction of the batsmen lately and why authorities ought to take steps to make it extra aggressive.
He stated, ‘I additionally must say that many legal guidelines launched within the final 10-15 years have been in favor of the batsmen and that is additionally not honest as a result of the bowlers are struggling.’ I can perceive that everybody desires to see sixes and fours however in case you are a cricket lover you then wish to see competitors between bat and ball and never only one sided battle.
Greenidge couldn’t include himself when requested concerning the relevance of 50-over cricket and why T20 has made cricket a “spectators” recreation.
He stated, “Personally, I do not want 50 overs to be removed and only T20 should be played.”
He stated, ‘I imagine that T20 is a spectator’s recreation and it’s now not a cricketer’s recreation. Yes, cricketers play, however for me T20 is like quick meals. Test cricket is actual cricket.
“From Test cricket, we got here as much as 50 overs, then T20, now we’re going to do 10 overs, we’ll most likely do one or two overs per over from right here. Keep cricket alive however do not kill Test cricket, that is the true cricket we’re right here for, the one we grew up with.
Greenidge explains why T20 cricket has turn into such a favourite with followers all over the world.
“One can go to work and then come back and take their family to watch the game for three hours, which is great and that’s why I believe T20 cricket is purely for spectator enjoyment,” he stated. Yes, however not for cricket.
I’m not criticizing T20 however it isn’t my recreation. Yes, it’s right here and it’s most likely right here to remain. This shouldn’t be one thing most of the people desires to see go away. It’s thrilling and pleasant, and it is good to observe nevertheless it’s not a recreation I watch often. I’m a Test match individual, I really like Test cricket. I’ve all the time achieved this. This shouldn’t be a criticism; It’s simply my private opinion,” Greenidge stated.
Greenidge places in his greatest for West Indies cricket; Asked about its decline, he stated: “It used to hurt me but it doesn’t hurt me anymore because I don’t watch cricket anymore. Only if it is Test cricket and only if it is about a young player, about I hear, I’ll do my best to go watch that kid play and make up my mind about what I feel about that player.”
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
