Of cricket and men...

In this part of the world there is no escaping the gentlemanly sport of cricket. It is literally everywhere. You go into any kind of establishment whether it be a restaurant, guesthouse, watch shop, barber shop, you name it... there's a television set on with highlights or a match.

The fever of World Cup is a little less than what is normally experienced here since Pakistan's team exhibited an embarrassing outing and was ousted. In addition to that the mysterious death of head coach Bob Woolmer increased to the drama and I remember the 'conspiracy' theories spit out from some of the locals. It was absolutely entertaining to hear some of them come out of people's mouths and I sat back and just wondered... what goes on in that head of theirs, or are they just Pattan?! ;) Nonetheless, cricket in way, shape or form did not escape their lips.

I have to admit that I've watched a handful of matches and didn't know the difference between a wicket and an over. Since being in the sub-continent and seeing this game played in all types of venues I have been since educated. No matter where I went during my travels here, I would see kids in all places enjoying this sport. Seeing the poorest of folk playing this game with whatever they could get their hands on to represent the cricket bat and ball just showed me how rich they were, the love for the game, the happiness shared with friends and family and an ability to disappear from one world to another as long as someone was bowling.

The World Cup final is tonight and I am looking forward to watching. Not as much as I enjoyed the other matches though. This final is a David and Goliath story with no happy ending for me. For I am a Sri Lankan supporter from the very beginning of the world cup. Initially my support was won over by their stellar uniforms ;) Then as the World Cup progressed and I had actually been watching I soon discovered the passion within the team and favored them. If there is a David and Goliath story that I can reference to then there is a possibility that it can occur once more. I am rooting for the underdog as one should always do. They have the most passion and are more hungry for the victory dance than their opponent.

The greatest mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or in defeat. Let nature take its course, and you tools will strike at the right moment. Bruce Lee