Faith in the Old Game

Faith in the Old Game

I’ve already seen a lot of hard thinking, long delay, circumspection. A lot of brain-splitting concentration, meticulous plotting, and procrastination. And the snooker’s only just ebbing through the second round. I’m rubbing my hands together. Events in this sport unfold with thrilling agony, after a long sequence of phases which lay the skills of the contenders bare for its lucky audience to see. It’s no quick exchange and ‘lets see who gets the better of it.’ Not snooker. Its more like; ‘we’ll run each other through the mill so that every last drop of our ability is wringed out across glorious patterns of play. Then we’ll see who is standing.’ Let it all hang out. Thank goodness they’ve kept faith in the old game.

Snooker shares with Test cricket this unforgiving exploration of a participant’s skill, granted by the precious possibility of time. And it is an ingredient that makes them one of sport’s most fascinating offerings. But cricket is awash with Twenty20 and the Indian Premier League. It has bowed it’s head to the need for speed, and this threatens to distance cricket from its green-baized cousin. If Twenty20 were to happen to snooker, we’d be seeing women seductively creeping around the table, baying crowds, thrashing music to greet each pot, and players in twinkling gold outfits rushing through five minute shoot-outs. Steve Davis would surely have to retire.

This is happening to cricket. Of course the sport has made room for a successful, well-developed shorter form of the game. And Twenty20 has merit, not least as a fun variation, and a provider of subtle skills valuable in all forms of the game. But, with an avalanche of money, it’s now threatening to overhaul cricket’s original and most delicious recipe – five day matches, outstanding for all the reasons named above. The calendar has already been restricted to the absurdity of the two-Test match series, as is the case with England and India later this year. What can be resolved in two tests? What can be done in twenty overs? Of what value is a potting shoot-out? Nothing of consequence!

Cricket must not forget the critical aspect of it’s infectious appeal, and lets say it loudly: longevity. (For now at least) snooker stands up as a proud example of keeping the faith. Cue the 38-frame epic.

FOOTY:

People have been telling me they don’t mind Gary Neville anymore (admittedly a player easier to stand when he’s not playing, though the thought of a comeback is chilling), that Roy Keane deserves only praise for what he has done for Sunderland, and that all one can do with United this season is admire them. But for those who are daring to hope that this ghastly yet gracious team can be denied the title, you’ll have worked out that it boils down to a whole series of results which must go in Chelsea’s favour.

Expect nothing but a drubbing for the listless Hammers on Saturday. But elsewhere the plot thickens. United’s last game, the only potential point-dropper, is Wigan away. However, Wigan must have the long hand of relegation is clutching at them if they are to be armed with the only tool that can beat United: desire.

A win at Villa Park this weekend means they are safe. Villa may well beat Wigan, but three other results must go Chelsea’s way (as it were): Bolton must win or draw at home to Sunderland, Birmingham must win at Fulham, Reading likewise when they play Spurs at the Madjeski , and Bolton must win or draw at home to Sunderland. Meanwhile Chelsea will have to silence Keegan-crazy St James Park.
All possibilities. As a sequence of results, very unlikely. But if light does shine upon such a delightful alignment, if Wigan do eventually hold those bastards, and if Chelsea beat Bolton on the last day of the season; then let it not be forgotton what a marvelous occurrence of shifting patterns would have made it so. But most of you have gone soft on Fergurson, and sadly you probably don’t care a jot.