The Scourge of our Times - Inbox at Cricinfo

Why do I harbour such ill-feeling towards the moderately talented? Well, ever since I read Lalit Modi's autobiography (Modi, Modi, Modi 'A Rich Man's World') I have started to see the activities of Vikram and his cohorts in a new and sinister light.

What is the biggest problem in the world right now? I think we all know the answer. Unofficial cricket. Let's be frank, it's the scourge of the modern age. It is sickening to think that even as you're reading this there are gangs of rebel cricketers hanging round on street corners all over India. Wealthy residents of Delhi are frightened to leave their homes lest they encounter some unofficial cricket. Only this morning, I had to confiscate a bat from a group of eight year olds playing in the local park. Had they sought ICC clearance? Had they hell!

Thank heavens then for the BCCI and their efforts to save us all from these dangerous insurgents. This dedicated band is working tirelessly, literally one, sometimes two afternoons a week on our behalf. You might say that they seem to be doing very well for themselves in the process. But you'd be wrong. They don't drive top-of-the-range cars because they like it. They don't wear expensive suits because they want to. It's just part of the job. In order to infiltrate these gangs of international desperadoes they have to think like them, act like them, get paid more than them.

The ICL rebels are undermining Test cricket and grabbing the cash to play in a pointless domestic Indian league designed purely to make vast piles of money for the shadowy clique in charge. Let's be clear, that is something that the BCCI simply will not tolerate. You might not like Lalit Modi or Shashank Manohar. But that's because you're a neo-colonialist and frankly you deserve to be crushed underneath a heavy roller pushed by Jesse Ryder. So join with me and stand up to these rebels, these ICL bullies, with their half-empty stadia and pink tracksuits. Go along to New Road, stand by the pavilion and tut loudly as Solanki strolls out to bat. If you meet Paul Nixon in the queue at the butcher's, pretend you don't know who he is. And if you see Dinesh Mongia flagging down a taxi, it is your moral duty as a cricket fan to steal his ride.

Let these people be in no doubt about two things. Firstly, that there is more to cricket than money. And secondly, that the BCCI know where they live and where they do their grocery shopping.

Hi Andrew,
Happy new year...I just totaly disagree.....Having watched both cricket matches form the ground & followed cricket scine 18 years in subcontinect, to say that What BCCI is doing is right, i dont have words to say it is incorrect. THE IPL plan of MODI is what Kapil wnated ICL to be. To gijack someone's plan & then to be seen as master is coward & opprtunistic.
If it is unofficial then you should come to table to resolve the issue rather than bluntly close it.
They have taken ypung ta;ent out of cricket by banning, this what their vision is, if that us vision you share...than god saves crickt & cricket fans.For me,the game which we love so much is going in footbal way one has to realise when money comes in & cricketers become commodity then they should have right to play anywhere where they feel comfortable,it is more democratic than footbal.
BCCi has evrything but wht they dont have vision & love for the game. They love money, personal gains....

the icc must do something about this, world series cricket was eventually resolved but this issue seems to be stagnent with the bcci happy with status quo! the icc must ask its self is the game better or worser off??? and it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out the answer! there is a whole lot of young aspiring cricketers who will never be considered for their countries or state/county sides therefor can not progress, then there are cricketers in their peek like bond and yousuf that would improve there nations test prospects if allowed to come back to the fold, and then theres the past players like gillespie and law etc who are banned from coaching in there home country effectivly meaning they cant pass on tips and advice to young up and commers from their years of experience at the top all because they want a bit of financial security for life after cricket! all this so the bcci can make make a few more bucks while other nations pay the price!

Good sarcastic article. But do the rebels themselves care? I dont think so. For people like Stuart Law, Justin Kemp etc, it is not about recognition, but its about the money. I am willing to bet they dont give a damn about whether they represent their country or a local club or a foreign club and are in it only for the money. ICL, IPL who cares? Show me the money!

Andrew, I am sure you mean well when you are concerned for the rebel cricketers, but are they equally concerned?