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Adieu, Hansie, and thanks for the memories

There are times when one finds it hard to come to a clear-cut stand on unfolding events. For example; should Charles marry Camilla? No, because she's too old and ordinary and we want to see someone larger than life, like Diana, to fill the void she left. Yes, because she makes him happy.

Or, should there be a final war to end all wars between Pakistan and India? No, because if nuclear warfare is applied it could mean devastation. Yes, because it's time we stopped all that meddling and constant needling in Kashmir and elsewhere.

And (this was yesterday), should Hansie Cronje be found guilty by the Indian police? No, because if he is, it would mean a loss of trust so acute as to be painful to the cricket fan. Yes, because this would lead to a dressing room of worms being unearthed and a long overdue visit by the pest-control.

And finally, should we continue to support liars and cheats by going to the grounds to watch them play a supposedly competitive game of cricket? No, because no amount of money should be large enough for them to sell their soul and make us witness to it. Yes, because the whole barrel of apples should not be dumped because of a few gone bad.

I confess I owe an apology to the Delhi police. Despite knowing that they had proof in the nature of taped voices, I thought it was going to be tough to nail charges against Cronje. Particularly with the South African government ready to stand behind him, and our own Lele itching to swear on the Holy Book that Cronje is innocent and the police guilty of fraud. However, it was all made easy by the accused himself. And for this, if nothing else, we have to thank the man for expediting the enquiry by the government into L'affairs de BCCI.

Could there be sweeter news than reading that Dalmiya and Lele have been 'summoned' to appear before the sports minister? This is even more heady than the thrill of seeing India chasing 300 plus and winning after Klusener 'helpfully' dropped a dolly.

To end, I would like to ask this question. Should we show some charity of thought for Hansie as he goes out in a haze of ignominy? I suspect most of you will say 'No', and be justified. If there is a minority of 'Yes' sayers, then count me in. Yes, because I believe that for some time, he stood proud and committed to his country and his team.

It's still hard to juxtapose the current 'greedy' Hansie with the former 'idealistic' Hansie. I think I would prefer to remember the man I feel sure he was once. I must, for I watch cricket not just for the runs scored and the wickets taken, but also for that manly but gentle way of handling the stresses of life so unique to this game. And he was one of the individuals who exhibited that trait so well.

So, goodbye Hansie, and thank you for the good times. You let us down, but history might be grateful to you for proving to be the catalyst for change, for being the last bit of darkness before light dawned.

Postscript: In my last article 'Baying for Blue', I had suggested that people should turn out en masse in blue to spur the team on. A reader, Chan, perplexedly wrote to ask why 'blue' and not the 'tricolor'. Why not indeed? It left me wondering if we are the only country which does not adopt a color from the national flag for our sports uniforms.

Sujata Prakash