Cricket World Cup

Cricket World Cup

While thanking The Jakarta Post for its coverage of the 1996 World Cup cricket tournament now in progress in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, I wish to bring to the attention of the sports editor the following:

The only "proper" World Cup source available to us cricket lovers locally at present is Star-TV which is covering the event extensively. Unfortunately, as most of the games played in the subcontinent coincide with Indonesia's working hours, many of us miss out on what's happening and therefore rely heavily on the Post.

However, the Post's coverage has been a bit disappointing. Reporting on cricket is not just a matter of printing a two column report and the occasional photograph. Reports, scorecards and other relevant information are the hallmark of a good cricket report.

Many months ago when the Post brought out its Sunday edition, I was pleasantly surprised to find a complete scorecard of a test match. At the time I thought there was still hope and I would not have to depend on foreign newspapers for good cricket news. But all too soon my hopes were dashed. I still rely on those foreign publications.

Today, March 9, 1996, the World Cup enters its final stages with the world's top eight nations vying for the coveted title of world champions. My bet is on the world's most entertaining side, Sri Lanka. Can we even at this late hour, hope for better coverage? After all, the World Cup comes around only once every four years.

I do agree that cricket is an alien game here but it certainly is played here. All-time greats such as Fred Truman, Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Sunil Gavaskar have visited these shores to lend their support.

In closing, permit me to deliver one last short pitched ball. The Post has worked it out to a fine art in printing reports without any mention of the sport it relates to. For example, on March 5, 1996 there was a report stating that Indonesia beat India 7-1 in Kuala Lumpur. What were they playing? Perhaps a subheading mentioning the name of the sport would help.

Randy Reckerman

Jakarta