IZ #23.323 - [#SundaySpecial] The 9 shades of the Cricket World Cup
#SundaySpecial #Sports
The 2023 Cricket World Cup used symbols inspired by the ‘Navarasas’ to represent emotions associated with cricket. These 9 ‘cricketing emotions’ were: joy, power, anguish, respect, pride, bravery, glory, wonder and passion. In today’s set, coinciding with the Cricket World Cup final, I’ve picked 9 questions, one each for these emotions, from World Cup history. Enjoy the game! The answers are at the bottom of the page.
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#Joy
Let’s start with the famous Australia v South Africa semi-final in 1999 which ended in the scene below. Two days before the match, the Aussie players had gone out for a team bonding night. Bowler Damien Fleming said he wondered if this had helped him, when he threw the ball underarm to Adam Gilchrist to complete the run-out that sealed the match.
What activity did they take part in two days ago?
#Respect
Virender Sehwag said this, in jest: “many of us could not do it because he is too heavy. We had shoulder injuries, MS Dhoni had knee problems. So we asked the youngsters to do it. Which is why Virat Kohli did it”. What was Sehwag talking about?
#Pride
This Aussie player, who was in the 1987 Cup winning squad, has the rare distinction of proudly seeing both his sons also play World Cups. What is their family surname?
#Glory
This list associated with the World Cup only began in 1992, with Martin Crowe. The other members of this list, in order, until 2015 are: Sanath Jayasuriya, Lance Klusener, Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath, Yuvraj Singh, and Mitchell Starc. Who is the entry for 2019, and what is this list about?
#Wonder
Australian photojournalist Jim Fenwick’s photo of this moment was the most widely seen. In India, readers of The Hindu saw the one snapped by VV Krishnan. What was this superman-like effort that took place on March 8, 1992?
#Passion
The 1996 semi-final between India and Sri Lanka was awarded to the Lankans by ‘default’ after crowd trouble stopped play. Which former World Cup winner was the match referee and made this decision?
#Bravery
The MCC usually gives Honorary Life Membership only to retired players. The club made an exception in 2003 by giving this to two Zimbabweans who were still active players then. Which two players?
#Anguish
The outcome of the 1983 World Cup final brought joy to Indians but anguish to the West Indians. One of them was this bowler who had booked a BMW before the match assuming he could pay for it from the inevitable winnings. Alas, it ended in tears. Later, he became a mentor to South African Lance Klusener, tragic hero of another of the cricket World Cup’s great twists. Who was the West Indian?
#Power
Aussie batsman-keeper Adam Gilchrist has a terrific record in World Cup finals. Perhaps the best of the lot was his swashbuckling 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 final. It was also controversial because he had inserted something in his left glove to reduce the grip on the bat, and allow his top hand to be more dominant. What did he insert?
#interludez
Answers
#Joy
Let’s start with the famous Australia v South Africa semi-final in 1999 which ended in the scene below. Two days before the match, the Aussie players had gone out for a team bonding night. Bowler Damien Fleming said he wondered if this had helped him, when he threw the ball underarm to Adam Gilchrist to complete the run-out that sealed the match.
What activity did they take part in two days ago?
ANSWER
(Ten pin) bowling
#Respect
Virender Sehwag said this, in jest: “many of us could not do it because he is too heavy. We had shoulder injuries, MS Dhoni had knee problems. So we asked the youngsters to do it. Which is why Virat Kohli did it”. What was Sehwag talking about?
ANSWER
When Sachin Tendulkar was hoisted on Kohli’s shoulders after winning the 2011 World Cup. Kohli famously said: “He has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It is time we carried him on our shoulders".
#Pride
This Aussie player, who was in the 1987 Cup winning squad, has the rare distinction of proudly seeing both his sons also play World Cups. What is the family surname?
ANSWER
Marsh (father Geoffrey, sons Shaun (2019) and Mitchell (2023). Incidentally, Geoff Marsh also coached the 1999 Australian team to victory.
#Glory
This list associated with the World Cup only began in 1992, with Martin Crowe. The other members of this list, in order, until 2015 are: Sanath Jayasuriya, Lance Klusener, Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath, Yuvraj Singh, and Mitchell Starc. Who is the entry for 2019, and what is this list about?
ANSWER
Kane Williamson, Player of the Tournament
#Wonder
Australian photojournalist Jim Fenwick’s photo of this moment was the most widely seen. In India, readers of The Hindu saw the one snapped by VV Krishnan. What was this superman-like effort that took place on March 8, 1992?
ANSWER
Jonty Rhodes’ flying run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq
#Passion
The 1996 semi-final between India and Sri Lanka was awarded to the Lankans by ‘default’ after crowd trouble stopped play. Which former World Cup winner was the match referee and made this decision?
ANSWER
Clive Lloyd, who was West Indies’s captain in 1975 and 1979
#Bravery
The MCC usually gives Honorary Life Membership only to retired players. The club made an exception in 2003 by giving this to two Zimbabweans who were still active players then. Which two players?
ANSWER
Henry Olonga and Andy Flower, who had worn armbands in protest against the ruling regime during the 2003 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe, leading to severe personal repercussions.
#Anguish
The outcome of the 1983 World Cup final brought joy to Indians but anguish to the West Indians. One of them was this bowler who had booked a BMW before the match assuming he could pay for it from the inevitable winnings. Alas, it ended in tears. Later, he became a mentor to South African Lance Klusener, tragic hero of another of the cricket World Cup’s great twists. Who was the West Indian?
ANSWER
Malcolm Marshall
#Power
Aussie batsman-keeper Adam Gilchrist has a terrific record in World Cup finals. Perhaps the best of the lot was his swashbuckling 149 against Sri Lanka in the 2007 final. It was also controversial because he had inserted something in his left glove to reduce the grip on the bat, and allow his top hand to be more dominant. What did he insert?
ANSWER
A squash ball. Watch Gilchrist talk about it here.
This Day Last Year, I asked this question about another World Cup.