AUSTRALIA started the year on top and, apart from one hiccup, kept their position; the West Indies started well but were on the dunghill by year-end. But happenings off the field were more gripping -- the match-fixing probe in Pakistan, the revelations that the Australians were actually paid meteorologists in disguise, for instance. Some personal observations on the cricketing year 1998:
Pretenders of the year:
Individual award: Brian Charles Lara, West Indies captain and holder of the record for the highest scores in both Test and first-class cricket. The man who once claimed to be the best in the world is now down there on the garbage heap. Just two half-centuries have been forthcoming from his bat against South Africa. This is the man who wanted better pay. For what? This is also the man who said, soon after he politicked his way to the captaincy, that West Indies cricket would be rejuvenated. If this is rejuvenation, then the word needs a great deal of redefining.
Team award: Sri Lanka. The World Cup champions were bundled out of a tournament in Sharjah where Zimbabwe beat them twice and India did likewise. That was the nadir for them in a year which saw the high fliers grounded more than once. Rumours of politics in team selection continued throughout the year. And unwanted liaisons of the past seem to be surfacing to keep players away from Australia.
The men with no stomach for a fight: The English batsmen. They play exceedingly well in the nets by all accounts. Barring Mark Ramprakash and Nasser Hussain, they find that playing the game on a real pitch is well nigh impossible. And their victory in the fourth Test does not in any way paint their batsmen in a different light.
Innocents of the year: Shane Warne and Mark Waugh. Both were given sums of $5000 and over by an Indian bookmaker and asked for "harmless information"; both were unaware that it would lead to anything more and that they were doing the wrong thing. Reminds me of the limerick that runs thus: There was a young lady from Kent; Who said that she knew what it meant; When men asked her to dine; And offered oysters and wine; She knew, oh she knew, but she went!
1998's man with more lives than a cat: Stuart Williams. He takes over from a colleague, Roland Holder. Another tour, another chance for Williams. Many call him the man with excellent talent and nothing more. He has made a top score of 37 in three Tests against South Africa. The irony? His former opening partner Sherwin Campbell -- the man who made 208 against New Zealand and a fighting hundred against Australia in Brisbane in 1996 -- is playing for the junior team in India!
Joke of the year: The West Indies board. They sacked the captain and vice-captain and all those involved in the pay row and said an alternative team would be selected. They ate humble pie a few days later and then saw the team which they reinstated thrashed in South Africa.
Team of the year: Zimbabwe. This is a team to emulate. They have won their first away series -- against Pakistan in Pakistan -- and this is no mean feat. Never mind that the weather played a role; weren't the Poms saved the same way in Brisbane? And Zimbabwe are not that old in the Test arena, remember.
Frank speaker of the year: Darrell Hair. The Australian board however did not appreciate his frankness. He called an alleged thrower a thrower but they felt it was not politically correct so he was forced to change his tune.
Captain of the year: Mark Taylor. The Australian did everything needed to convert an army of doubters into firm believers in his ability with the bat and as captain. He can now call the tune for the rest of his career.
Test match of the year: It came with just a couple of days to go -- the fourth Test between Australia and England at Melbourne. New Zealand came a close second with their victory over India at Auckland. Test cricket only gains from contests such as these.
Foul mouth of the year: Plenty of contenders but now that Glenn McGrath's efforts have gained official recognition, who am I to deny him the honour of taking pride of place on my list as well?