Are Proteas getting death threats?

For those who though cricket madness is essentially a sub-continental trait, time they get rid of their prejudice. Chances are that the Proteas are getting death threats after returning home from the World Cup.

Skipper Graeme Smith did a flip-flop by first claiming that the team, after their World Cup semifinal exit, was getting death threats. Realising he had dropped a bombshell, Smith claimed his version was misconstrued and he was actually referring to India’s hostile reception on their return from the West Indies.

This was what Smith said to a radio talk show;

“We are still recovering from our semi-final defeat to Australia and the threats are hard to deal with.”

Later his statement read: "I was referring to the reception India got when they returned home from the tournament and reports of incidence of violence that occurred in that country.”

The King has been slain, hail the Minnows!

Top dogs beware, the Bangla tigers are out on prowl. Those who believed Bangladesh's win over India was a mere fluke are now busy disowning their statements.

Suddenly the World Cup has come to life with Bangladesh's 67-run win against South Africa,
currently the numero uno ODI side, and you can't take anything away from Habibul Bashar's boys.

Mohammad Ashraful chose the big stage to fire, while their phalanx of left-arm spinners -- Abdur Razzak, Mohammad Rafique and Saqibul Hasan -- proved they are more than handy for any side. And that chirpy stumper Mushfiqur Hasim who must be having a soar throat after cheering relentlessly throughout the South Africa innings.

Even from this distance, I can see Michael Atherton, Michael Holding and Ricky Ponting
with egg all over their face.

Atherton's stonewalling hardly won him any admirer throughout his career and same with his
predictions that the minnows would produce a lot of "rubbish" cricket.

"Is Ireland's participation in the World Cup really going to grow the game there? Are they
really going to benefit from being hammered in front of a global audience?" Atherton had asked.

Microphone Holding, as he is known these days, went one step further and lambasted
organisers for including minnows which, he felt, would devalue the tournament and throw up
"a whole series of mismatches".

And Ricky Punter Ponting wondered what Scotland, Bermuda and Canada were doing in the
Caribbeans! It must have been for holidaying, he thought.

"There are probably places and times for the minnows to be involved, but this tournament
shouldn't be one of them," Ponting preached.

For Atherton, my suggestion would be instead of peeping at other's bed room, set your own
house in order. Spare a thought fot the poor Poms, who threaten to acquire the minnow's
status in the near future.

In Holding's case, I stick to my view that he put all his common sense on this side of the sill before entering the commentary box.

And Ponting's words are essentially the quintessential larrikin arrogance and you can't expect vision from a person whom success has turned myopic.