“Entertainment in any sport is determined by the standard of play in that sport and not by what’s happening on the stands,” Holding, One Of The Most Respected Voices In World Cricket, Said In An Exclusive Interaction To A Leading Media House:
Spectators certainly add to any high octane contest but the entertainment value of any sport can only be determined by its quality as the English Premier League has shown since its resumption amid the COVID-19 pandemic, feels fast bowling great Michael Holding. International cricket will be resuming with the much-awaited Test series between England and the West Indies at the Old Trafford from July 8 in a ‘bio-secure’ spectator-less environment.
Should cricket be deprived of fun and entertainment with fans being held away 19 times in the COVID? “Entertainment in any sport is determined by the standard of play in that sport and not by what’s happening on the stands,” Holding, one of the most respected voices in world cricket, said in an exclusive interaction to a leading media house.
Holding, who spends much of his time in the UK, gave an example of how, despite matches being played in front of empty seats, the standard of EPL ‘s games did not take a hit. “Crowds are really important to add the excitement, just like football, which has resumed in the UK, the entertainment was the norm played in football,” said Holding.
While the whole world is debating on the ban on saliva to shine the ball, one of the greatest of all time believes that it won’t be that big a problem. “As I have said before, I don’t see the ban on using saliva being a problem. Perspiration does the same unless the polisher has anything other than saliva in his mouth, “Holding said, referring possibly to the sugar candies or mint used by fielders to make the saliva heavy.
Asked if the economic consequences of COVID-19 would affect Test cricket in the days to come as boards may be inclined to play more bilateral white ball, he replied in negative. “I don’t see how the style of cricket that was played would impact that,” Holding said. He assumes that because television broadcast money is the main source of revenue, the problem will be sorted by the number of live match days.
“I’d imagine the most money coming into the cricket boards’ coffers would come from television contracts. That being the case, it’s supposed to be supplying the number of cricket days that the contract says, “he said. Holding has never been a member of the IPL bandwagon all these years, despite being among the top three analysts on world cricket.
The explanation was his concerns, with the game’s shortest format. “You haven’t seen me in the IPL and you haven’t seen me (commenting) on any T20 game because I don’t do the game form,” Holding said, who isn’t known for slimming words.
Holding last commented back in India in 2014 in a truncated series between India and the West Indies where the Caribbean players dropped out with their cricket board due to a pay dispute. Asked why he wasn’t included in the group of international experts at the BCCI, Holding said he works primarily in England and South Africa.
“As for doing cricket that India is involved in, I am sure you’ve seen me on India-England series and India versus South Africa series. “I work in England and SA so if they are in those countries I work on those series. I worked on the 2014 abandoned India-West Indies series, “said Holding, who played 60 Tests and 102 ODIs for the West Indies.
Next year is the last year the 66-year-old will be regarded as an active commentator. So, what are the plans for post retirement? “My retirement post will consist of the smallest amount possible.
