The second most popular sport in the world, having just a third of the number of teams participating in the world cup and less then 20 percent of the number of teams actually playing the sport compared to its big brother sport football.
There are a hell of a lot of people in this country who follow the game just because everyone else does... There are people who love entertainment and a game of cricket is no less drama so they watch the sport..
And there are people like me who love the romance the sport offers... People like me follow the game for the pure spectacle it is... From the pre match show to the last minute of the game observing all the minute details from the field positions to the seam position of the ball... We don't mind watching all the 5 days of a gripping test match down under and wonder why timeless tests were scrapped.. We watch it to witness those fiery spells of fast bowling: like that of Allan Donald to Mike Artheton and the Waugh brothers...like that of curtly ambrose to Steve Waugh... Like that of Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn to the Aussies... Or like the one bowled by Wahab Riaz to Shane Watson... Its the pure romance of a game which the batsman has dominated is dancing to the tune of some really skillful bowling.. We watch it for those epic batting innings played to save or win a test.. Like Laxman's and Rahul's epic partnership in Kolkata... Or the back breaking and a heartbreaking 137 by SACHIN in Chennai... Like the gutsy 144 from Dada at Brisbane or the epic 281 ball 37 from ABD in Sydney to save a test... We love the sport for the little intricacies it provides...There is so much fun in predicting an LBW decision before the umpire decides... There is fun in knowing how LBW works in the first place... To see that screaming cover drive all along the ground from Virat Kohli... Or that short arm punch that Ponting used so effectively to the short ball... We love the game for that one delivery which pitches on middle and hits the top of off... We love it for that ball that is just outside off on the 4th stump that is well left by the batter... We love it when a flat track bully like Rohit Sharma is left to fend off Mitchell Johnson on a fast Perth wicket and he does it with aplomb... We also love it for the people who make the viewing more special... For the witty sledging that happens in the commentary box. We love it for the there is so much stats and math involved.. We love it for the complicated duck worth lewis... The toughest rule available in the sporting world perhaps... We love the game for all the little factors that matter from the crack in the pitch to the seam wearing out to the grain of the wood used in the bats...
Cricket is not just about 4s and 6s... Its a splendour of delicate love making...
