Why Obese People love Cricket?

2007 Men’s cricket World cup in Caribbean was known for first round exits of two Asian Cricketing giants, India and Pakistan, Death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, lackluster scheduling by ICC, and the huge ticket prices that kept the locals away. However one positive image of that World cup was the picture of heavily built Dwayne Leverock of Bermuda, diving and taking a stunning one handed catch at slips to dismiss Indian opener Robin Uthappa.

This is these moments that distinguishes cricket from other sports. The moments that give obese viewers sense of connectivity with cricket that other Modern day sports lack. In no other sport, we could find such heavily built players who have little respect for what exercise means, and who devour ice creams can find a place even in the club games. Whereas in cricket such players turn out and represent their nations and World XI.

In soccer, a person like Inzamam or Ranatunga couldn’t even have represented his village side, whereas they were the captains of the respective national teams in cricket. What Inzamam and Ranatunga showed to the World was that even in days of Jhonty Rhodes athletic fielding efforts; cricket still has a place for those, who don’t worry that their heavy built body.

Change is the only thing that doesn’t change. Change also gripped the cricketing fraternity. To attract wider audience and to make a cricket a major sports outside the commonwealth countries, Twenty twenty games were introduced. It invariably lead to increased importance being given towards fitness of players. Selectors no longer selected the players solely based on the batting/ bowling skills alone. Youngsters, who couldn’t spring and dive and run like mad hare, were not even considered for selections. Touring team not only included fifteen players plus coach; they now have dieticians/ yoga trainers/ strength coaches etc.

Coaches become more furious towards those who didn’t do their daily work offs. Cricketers were forbidden from eating whatever they want. Calorie intake of players was closely watched. Pastries and desserts were punished by more rigorous work outs. Players who just turned up for the match and batted/ bowled were only memories of the future. Players were forced to do all sorts of things from playing rugby to touch football before the match to make them fit.

People, who liked cricket the way it was, began to worry that the Gentlemen game will lose the charm of players like Inzamam and Ranatunga. The way they ran, and drove the ball, in spite of having those extra pounds was a treat to watch for any one. People didn’t want to watch twenty two extremely fit individuals diving and running fast. They love that, but they also love the difference that these obese players bring.

This is the reason when they saw some one like Jesse Ryder turn up and represent Newzland, they become highly excited. Jesse looks plump, drinks (or drank) heavily but also plays cricket well. “If you can drink and still cover drive, you are Jesse Ryder” screamed one poster during the India – Newzland test series. Cricketing World was some what relieved to find out that even during these fitness conscious days, a player like Jesse Ryder could find a place in the National team and also play successfully.

Jesse proves that in spite of what coaches try, cricket will still spring up players who disobey the “Stay Fit” rule and turn out to be success stories. Cricket loves this unorthodoxy and that will be the exact reason why Cricket lovers would welcome Jesse into the Elite Team of Ranatunga, Inzamam and David Boon – players who showed that being not fit is not a recipe for failure.