Profit-driven cricket bosses have ensured there can be no fairy-tale upsets

IT IS a long shot, admittedly, but there may just be a glorious byproduct of the Springboks’ inglorious loss to Japan in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup.

It may not be a consolation to South African rugby lovers, but their cricket-loving compatriots will most certainly appreciate it.

You see, such a contest will be impossible at the next Cricket World Cup, in 2019.

Japan were ranked 13th before Saturday’s match (now up to 11th) and the Springboks third (now down to sixth.)

Cricket’s global administration has decided that only the top 10 should be invited to compete at its World Cup. There are two reasons for that. First, the International Cricket Council is no longer a global administration. It is a members’ club run under the auspices of its wealthiest and most powerful members, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and the England Cricket Board.

So they do what they want rather than what is good for the global game. And what they want more than anything else is to make as much money for themselves as possible.

Which brings us to the second point — television revenue. The current holders of the rights to International Cricket Council events, Star TV, believe they can make far more money if every match is prime rated.

They can sell advertising at a far higher rate if India are playing SA than if Scotland are playing Ireland.

The game has pulled in its neck to satisfy the greed of just three nations and their appointed broadcaster.

There will be no fairy-tale upsets in future, no looking at new faces or bowling styles, no dreams for the minnows to aspire to.

Nothing to remotely resemble the stunning Japanese victory over the Springboks.

Unless … unless somebody in a position of influence has a sense of fair play, a desire to consider other aspects of the game and an understanding that growing rather than stunting the international game is in everybody’s long-term interests.

Back in the 1990s, Rugby World Cups looked a bit silly with the All Blacks routinely racking up centuries against the minnows and, infamously, once coming close to 150 against Japan.

But look what’s happening now. Georgia beating Tonga, Argentina frightening New Zealand, as well as Canada and the USA more than holding their own.

As I said, it’s a long shot in the current international cricket environment that anything will change.

Meanwhile, the Proteas are just days away from embarking on their longest tour since the 1994 tour of England that spanned 10 weeks and only three Test matches.

Times have changed but still, 72 days is a very long time to be on the road and those few who play all three formats will have to be managed carefully.

The greatest prizes and privileges for South African cricketers in Test cricket are, in no particular order, a Test at Lord’s, the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and a full tour of India. Lord’s is still available, but the MCG is not since Cricket South Africa’s refusal five years ago to be away from home during the holiday season once every four years.

A four-Test series in India is preceded by three Twenty20s and five one-day internationals, but it is the five-day matches in Mohali, Bangalore, Nagpur and Delhi that will live longest in the players’ memories and test every aspect of their mental and physical reserves, as well as their skills.

The hosts are already in camp preparing for the Proteas’ arrival. Their team director, Ravi Shastri, says it will require “nothing but sustained brilliance” to beat the tourists.

It will take the same from the South Africans, although they will do well to remember that their chances of success will be enhanced if they keep in mind that a tour of India is not just about the cricket.