The 5th. ODI was washed out without a ball being played. The city was lashed by heavy rain yesterday. Even though the pitch itself was dry, the circle around it, and the outfield, was water logged and unsuitable for play. The local State Association, and the groundsmen tried very hard to dry the field but play was really not possible. With the bowlers run up, slip cordon, and areas square of the wicket slippery, players were at serious risk of injury.

When play was called off a little after 1:00 PM local time, the crowd rioted. Stones and sundry missiles were thrown on to the field. Fires were started in the stands and hoardings torn down. Inexcusably, four television cameras were severely damaged by the irate mob. These include the cameras square of the wicket employed for run out decisions referred to the third umpire. At least 12 people were injured and two policemen are in hospital with serious injuries. Typically, the police has apprehended just 2 men even though dozens had rioted. How could they do any better since they were hiding behind hoardings during most of the missile throwing? They swung into action only after the television cameras were damaged and rioters broke onto the green.

Once again, a crowd at a cricket match in India, disgraced itself and India. Sadly, such incidents are becoming depressingly predictable and invariable. This is just the reason that exemplary punishment has to meted out to both the yobs in the crowd and the incompetent state association. Perhaps, since the association cannot manage a crowd, they do not deserve to host one. Locals will have to be content with seeing matches on television.

First and foremost, nothing justifies violence of this kind. Absolutely nothing. I can understand the disappointment of the crowd, many of whom had traveled long distances for the an international game held after over 2 years at Guwahati. How does wilfull destruction of property and attacking policemen help? It only served to put Assam in the spot light for all the wrong reasons, bringing disgrace to Assam and India. Adults are expected to posses some forebearance and tolerance. 

The Asom Cricket Association has to share it's part of blame for the fracas. The crowd was not kept abreast of events on the field. The puddles around the pitch were not visible from the stands. Rain had stopped overnight and the Sun had just come out when play was called off. The crowd just couldn't understand why there was no play. The situation should have been communicated to them much better over the public address system.

Somehow, an overly optimistic impression was created early on which only served to magnify the disappointment of the crowd. Considering that crowd behaviour at many venues has been anything but tolerant, the authorities should have been much more proactive in communicating with the crowd.

The police, as we have come to expect, did a thoroughly incompetent job. They should have moved into the eastern stands early, when the trouble began and quelled it. This would have prevented the cameras from being damaged. Instead, policemen hid under the hoardings for shelter, some even threw stones right back at the crowd. Tear gas was used only after damage was widespread and the crowd had broken through onto the field. The first round of tear gas shells flew over the stands and out of the stadium, to further portray the incompetence of the police! By the time things settled down, the damage to property and reputation had been done. 

The BCCI should take some time off counting money and get some professionals in, who have a smidgen of ability. It is full of largely incompetent hangers on and sycophants. Facilities at stadia are pre-historic. The paying public that funds the game deserves to see basics like good seating, covered stands, clean toilets and friendly service. Unless these are provided swiftly, the BCCI will retain the impression of being an organization run by  greedy, classless, incompetent, uncaring, businessmen who are only interested in feeding on the game like parasites. The apparent refinement and smooth talking of people like Lalit Modi counts for nothing if there are no changes on the ground. In fact, it only serves to mislead.

A word about deterence. The BCCI should announce immediately that any venue indulging in rioting will be denied an international game for 5 years. If this means that all games end up in a few select venues, so be it. As you sow......