Do you think cricket's popularity on the decline?

Question

the much hyped world cup has been an overall failure except for ireland and bangladesh.

Only a handful of games have been close at this late in the tournament.

There are small crowds in the stands and the rain showers and the delays has really brought boredom to cricket.

Do you think the ICC should just take such a major event as this to a place where fans actually appreciate the sport and will do anything to get in such as England, Australia, Asian countries, etc and keep them there??? Yea i know about the ridiculous ticket prices and restrictions but this an almost once in a lifetime event happening in your backyard, wouldn't you want to do anything to catch some of the action?????

Matt remember the 1996 world cup in asia??? Man that was prolly THE MOST entertaining tournament ever. Soooooo many close games and everything was up in the air and we had to watch the whole game to see who would come out on top. I think thats when cricket was at its peak.

Then in 1999 because of match fixing and stuff, it began the decline and they have not recovered since. but still, England were terrific hosts and the games were very entertaining to watch...especially the Australia vs South Africa matches.

Then in 2003, because of politics, some talented countries like New Zealand and England couldn't advance and India became verrrrrrrrrry lucky and got to face Kenya. They barely won and they blew it against Australia. That tournament was a disaster.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, they bring the tournament to west indies and 2007 and you know how terrible it is now..

Kevin....yes I am an Indian fan but I'm also a huuuuge cricket fan. Its the crowds in the stands that make the game very very interesting as it inspires players in the field to step up their game and play to their potential.

Yes I am disappointed that India lost but I am optimistic they will perform well in the future with players who are willing to lay it all on the field at alll costs instead of the fat rich bastards that are on the team right now....yes it is true that Indian fans are mad that India didn't win but what we're really frustrated is about was their effort (or lack thereof). They looked dull and looked like running through their motions. Thats not how cricket is supposed to play.

Like I mentioned above, the 1996 and 1999 world cups were very very very entertaining but India didn't win...so what?? I kept watching and enjoyed the rest of the games especially the Australia vs South Africa ones in 1999.

Read the properly before making a dumb statement .

* Read the details I wrote propertly before making dumb statements Kevin

Answer 1

I don't think there is a lack of interest in the World Cup in the West Indies, the organisers' questionable decisions regarding ticket prices have just had too much of a detrimental effect. In discouraging locals from coming to the games they have unfortunately taken away the very flavour of Carribean cricket which has left the competition a little lifeless. It's certainly not a case of the locals not wanting to go, but they simply cannot afford 100 USD to go in and watch the sport they love.

That said, the quality of cricket certainly hasn't been lacking, and this is perhaps one of the most interesting World Cups in years. We have two "minnows" in the Super Eight, excitingly close matches such as the recent England v. Sri Lanka match and the infamous Ireland v. Zimbabwe draw. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of teams on form (Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka), but you find with any sport that about 75% of the qualifying teams in any World Cup have been eliminated before the tournament has begun.

Certainly the ICC needs to consider keeping a tighter rein on the organisers in future but I think they've finally landed on a format that works. One thing that may well happen in future though is a switch over to the 20-over format as the ICC will soon realise how much potential the game has got, particularly for breaking into some of the more lucrative markets, such as the States. But once we get a World Cup free of politics and greedy corporations having their way we will be in for one amazing tournament!

Answer 2

Yes you are right.I mean u dont feel the World cup even though its happening right in front of u.And it is not really abt the Indian cricket team crashin out.We are not that dumb to sit and sulk.We know how to move on.But yes,this WC has become really annoying.First,with the death of Woolmer ,things became grey.Plus the price of the tickets and the restrictions on the instruments have made things turn even sour.

When u decide to hold a WC at the West Indies,u make sure that the flavor and fervour ot the West indies is includd.But when u dont have it-whats the point man??

Plus the rain has been extremely annoyin.The ICC should've done more to make an int'l event like this more intersting and flamboyant.Already,cricket is not bein noticed worldwide and with events like these whos gonna be intersested in this game?

I think the West Indies was a good choice what the lack of effort from the part of the West Indian cricket board has resulted in this Wc or to be more precise a catastrophe.
What we can do is to watxh the remaining matches and hope that the next WC will turn out to be good.

Answer 3

If anything i believe cricket's popularity is on the increase especially since the introduction of the twenty20 format. However i believe those, such as my self, believe that the entertainment value of cricket has dropped. Its rarely a bowler's game at all anymore, teams make over 350 very often, and a below 300 score seems like a losing one, whereas before 200+ seemed like a fighting total. Centuries from batsmen as far more common and therefore makes it seem far less special when one is hit. The recent 181 by matthew hayden was a great innings but just didn't feel like a great innings despite being one of the best, whereas the consecutive 143 and 134 by tendulkar against australia, anwars 194 against india, and ricky pontings 140 against india seemed like so much more superior innings in every right, as back then it seemed like a contest between bat and ball instead of whos got the best batting lineup.

Answer 4

Hmm, I don't quite agree with you. I think you are stating your opinions based on the knock out of India. The craze is still going on in Australia, England, and many other countries. I think cricket has got popular over the years. I don't think much will change for India. I am quite upset about the early out but I don't think I'm gonna stop watching cricket nor do I think billions of other Indians will :).

About having world cup being held at countries where cricket is appreciated is a good idea. However, I think it should be held at a developing or poor country. It's a good way for them to make money :)...

Anyways, I'm going mad...you take care and talk soon !!

Answer 5

Problems:

1. No terrestial TV coverage.
2. Politics of cricket sucks.
3. in it's hey day cricket could be viewed by everyone. Now just those with sattelite or cable. American sports learnt there lesson years agao and kept there sports on terrestial TV.

Answer 6

i think your assumption is based on indian cricket teams loss
oh man, india is not the only nation that plays cricket
and noone gives a crap about indian getting kicked out of the world cup except indians
just cuz 1 billion hope sank does not mean that crickets popularity is on a decline
move on man, its just a game
im sure india will perform well in future

Answer 7

It is Starting to go down

Answer 8

yes, this is true in Indian scenario

Answer 9

I fully agree with your views/comments.

Answer 10

ummmmmmmmmmmmm
it was never up
it cant really go down much can it?