The New Nation - Internet Edition

Thirty years back we used to see Test Cricket players in all white dresses. I do not remember any Test cricketer (even from West Indies) wearing any jewelleries, whatsoever in size or matter.

Now things have changed a lot. In ODI and Twenty 20-the latest crazy version of the game-every thing is colourful. The latest addition is the cheer girls-what a display of girls in their unveiled cuts and curves.

It is simple commercialisation of the game. However, that is not my point of the day.

Yesterday I was watching (on TV) ongoing South Africa-India (Future Cup Series) Test and naturally observing the dress-up of the players.

Players of both sides were in designer wear with lots of promotional logoes of several commerical products. Some were in hair make-ups. Some say it gives the boys a more sexy look that draws more young female visitors. Another thing that was almost common to many players was the use of gold-chain on neck. However, Shanta Kumaran Sreenath, the Indian pacer, bypassed all the guys on the field. He wore 2-one small and another big-gold chains, two rudrakkha-chain made of wooden ball used by the Hindu clergie and several coloured hand-bands. He was, in fact, dressed like a roadside Romeo.

As an individual person anybody may have a passion or dress-choice. I would not say the Test players should not have any personal choice but as a cricket player one must abide by the rules (dress code) and traditions of the game.

These days, ICC seems to be less interested or reluctant to uphold the tradition of this once classic game. It seems ICC now promotes things weighing its money value.

Cricket lovers, particularly those who still love to see Test matches, should keep a watchful eye so that ICC at least cares for keeping the classic character-in all format and application-of Test matches.

Otherwise, Test matches will lose their gentlemanship character.

Abu Musa Munshi

Lalbagh, Dhaka.