Some high-fliers had their wings clipped, others continued to keep their flags flying as high as before. It was a sad year for some teams while there was good news for others. One thing was certain -- there was far too much of cricket, a lot of it meaningless (Toronto is a prime example) and a lot of it lacking in any kind of quality. Some personal observations on 1997:
My most harassed player: India's former captain Sachin Tendulkar who has just resigned/been sacked (depends on whom one believes); one who could not sleep most nights if reports are correct. Giving up the captaincy of the Indian team will, I hope, prove to be a remedy for insomnia!
My best Test: The second between South Africa and Australia; Mark Waugh played an innings of character and the Aussies took the match on a wearing pitch.
My most meaningless Test match: the one where Sri Lanka meandered on to 952 just to break the record for the world's highest Test score. And people ask why Test cricket is becoming unpopular!!!
My 1997 cricketer with more lives than a cat: Roland Holder of the West Indies. The man had done nothing of note to earn a place against India, yet played. He has continued true to form thereafter. If one works out a tour to performance ratio, his will be among the lowest. They might as well bring back Keith Arthurton (him of the 0-0-1-0 performance in the World Cup of 1996).
My most overrated player of the year: Anil Kumble who was flying high as vice-captain of the Indian team. Fast and placid wickets have exposed him as a magician from the lower ranks. He is presently in exile.
My most unlucky players of the year: Sanjay Manjrekar and Asanka Gurusinghe. India has lost a great many good players due to politics within the team. Here is a prime case of a man who is captaincy material being forced to remain in the wilderness. Gurusinghe illustrates the case of a man who asked for equal treatment and found that all cricketers are not equal a la George Orwell. His replacement, Marvan Atapattu, has yet to do anything of note despite a crowded schedule the last year.
My commentator of the year: Anthony Greig. South African-born, England's captain, Packer's lead mutineer, Australian dweller, a man of confused loyalties. A few more like him are all we need to turn good television footage into garbage.
My most unlucky captain: Courtney Walsh. A great fast bowler at the end of his career, one who deserves to go out with guns blazing. Instead he finds himself saddled with a bunch who lack motivation, so much so that Walsh has to face the humiliation of being the man to lead the team to its first whitewash/brownwash since 1928.
My craziest moment of 1997: Religion has little place in the game but it did rear its head when Israel was playing in the ICC tournament in Malaysia. A group of Islamic fanatics planned a protest and massed at a ground where Israel was supposed to play. The match, fortunately, had been shifted to another venue.
My man (or is it potato?) of the year: Inzamam-ul-Haq who proved that cricketers are not vegetables -- and they cannot take too much heat. He had able assistance from the 12th man who provided him with a bat.
My administrator of the year: Jagmohan Dalmiya. No comments are needed, I'm sure.