WHALEBONE TO GO REST OF SEASON UNBEATEN [03/07/08 16:27:38]

The decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ‘change’ the result of the 2006 Oval test match between England and Pakistan to a draw has prompted Paul Da Vino, skipper of The Whalebone to declare that his side will go the rest of the season unbeaten. Indeed, he sees no reason why they should ever lose again!

As everybody knows, the match was originally (and quite correctly) awarded to England when the Pakistan team refused to come out onto the field after tea after being accused of ball-tampering. However, it was rumoured at the time that the real reason was that several of their number had eaten far too much cake and, judging by the physique of some of their number, this may not be far from the truth!

However the ICC’s decision two years down the line to declare the match a draw is extremely sad for the game of cricket and sportsmanship as a whole. Instead of accepting that they behaved poorly in the light of (arguably) an erroneous umpiring call and just putting it all behind them, the Pakistan Cricket Board have campaigned long and hard to overturn the original result.

The history of sport is littered by ‘questionable’ decisions by match officials. How many Englishmen would be happy if the 1966 World Cup was now declared a draw because the third goal may not have crossed the line and, as Kenneth Wolstenholme pointed out at the time, “there are people on the pitch” when Geoff Hurst smashed home the fourth.

There are now sinister implications for cricket at all levels. Whenever a team gets in a ‘no win’ position, can they simply leave the field and then appeal to the authorities that the match be declared a draw? I wonder if it crossed the minds of the Gosfield lads on Sunday when they were 27-8 chasing 438?

Da Vino (right) intends to take full advantage of the ruling and is seeking to have both of this year’s narrow defeats at the hands of the MCTC retrospectively classed as draws.

“Mark my words” he said, “We will not lose again, no matter how far we are behind”. An amusing reaction from a well-balanced, highly-respected, vastly experienced team leader perhaps, but it marks a very sad day indeed for cricket in general! It could however, save the Da Vino from the coup d’état that he suspected may have been in the offing frollowing his team's dislmal showing so far in 2008.