Only the ICC could come up with a format that turns losers into winners and other than a trophy, treats first and fourth place teams as equals. Last Saturday evening under the floodlights of the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Ireland produced the fourth highest team total in the history of T20 International cricket on their way to demolishing an Afghanistan team, that is regarded by some as Ireland's equal in Associate cricket. Only the outrageously biased could now deny the pre-eminence of Ireland at this level.
Earlier on Saturday Nepal beat UAE to relegate the host nation to fourth place in the Tournament. Ireland's reward was the trophy, $250,000 and a place in Group B for the first round matches in Bangladesh next March. UAE for their fourth place finish also got $250,000 and a place in the same group B. Somewhere in the myriad ICC rules and regulations there probably lies buried in the small print a definition of meritocracy that is the antithesis of that which is understood by normal literate people.
The ICC version of meritocracy extends to the format of choosing Player of the Tournament. This is decided by aggregating the 3-2-1 point's formula for the top three players in each match in the Tournament. It is selected by the match officials at different venues, in variant conditions and a significantly diverse standard of opposition. This process resulted in several jaw dropping moments during the Tournament none more so than when Kevin O'Brien was awarded Man of the Match in the first UAE game. Kevin had got a run a ball 47 but was outgunned by his partner Gary Wilson in their match rescuing partnership. Gary made 53 off just 43 deliveries, effected a smart stumping and participated in a crucial run out. The look of astonishment on Gary's face at the announcement was a sight to behold particularly when it was accompanied by good natured ribbing from his team mates.
The final outcome takes no account of the number of matches played e.g. Nepal played 10 matches while Ireland played just 8 giving Nepalese players two extra chances to accumulate ranking points. Effectively Ireland were penalised for being successful. As detailed elsewhere on this website Samiullah Shenwari was awarded Player of the Tournament yet the CricketEurope formula, which is akin to that employed by ICC and PCA had Paul Stirling as the runaway winner. In their only encounter in the Tournament, Paul scored 12 runs off six balls facing Shenwari and together with William Porterfield smashed the Player of the Tournament out of the attack and reduced him to a meagre two overs.
The 2012 edition of this event saw almost universal recognition of Stirling as Player of the Tournament. Almost that is apart from the format that awarded it to Raymond van Schoor of Namibia because of points awarded in the African Regional Qualifier. Ireland of course did not have to pre-qualify and effectively played 8 fewer games than the Namibians.
Since their defeat to Namibia in the opening match of the 2012 Tournament Ireland have won 18 straight matches yet no Player of the Tournament award. In that period Paul Stirling has accumulated 649 runs at a strike rate of 153 with 6 fifties including the second fastest 50 in T20 Internationals. He has also taken 20 wickets with a strike rate of 15.5 and an economy rate of 5.57. For good measure he also pouched 8 catches and effected 2 run outs. Impressive you would think but hey my boy you will have to up your game if you want to contend.
I have started my rant so I might as well finish it. There have been six ICC Associate Player of the Year awards since Associates were recognised in the annual awards for the first time in 2007. Ryan ten Doeschate has won it three times while William Porterfield, George Dockrell and Thomas Odoyo have one win apiece. Since 2007 Ireland have won eight World Associate titles across all formats and qualified last week for their seventh successive limited overs Full Members World Cup. In the World Cup finals they have beaten four Full Member nations and tied with another and twice qualified for the second stage of the Tournament.
In the same period ten Doeschate's adopted country, the Netherlands, have shared one World T20 Qualifier with Ireland in a washed out final and beat England in the 2009 World T20. That's it, yet enough to justify three Players of the Year for ten Doeschate and a total of two for Ireland players. Go figure. I can't but then I don't sit on ICC committees. They couldn't possibly be trying to downplay Ireland's achievements could they? Surely not!!!
Last week while I was in Abu Dhabi the sad news reached me of the passing of Bernard Burke after a long illness. Bernard was a stalwart of Phoenix CC for some forty years as a player, President, and supporter both vocally and financially. He captained many Junior club XI's in Phoenix and insisted on giving young players their chance. My first encounter with Bernard was in the mid- eighties when he brought a very young 5th XI to my then club North Kildare. He described the team as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When I say brought that is not quite accurate.
He arrived when the match had already started and when the stand-in opening bat for Phoenix saw Bernard's car arrive he suddenly developed a limp. Bernard, who always opened when he was captain, had given instructions that his deputy was to retire hurt once he appeared. Despite a frank exchange of views between the captains Bernard took his place at the non-strikers end and promptly managed to run himself out without facing a ball. He was given a less than generous send off and then proceeded to send his "injured" deputy back to the wicket.
I moved to Phoenix a couple of years later and was captained by him and subsequently I was also his captain. I discovered that the incident described above was out of character as he was a stickler for the spirit of the game. When he umpired he invariably gave the benefit of the doubt to the opposition often to the chagrin of his team mates. Lee Bradley, son of Cricket Leinster President -Elect Roland, had the dubious honour of being sent off by Bernard during one midweek match in the Phoenix Park.
Lee bowled with a fair bit of pace and was not best pleased to be called for two successive wides by Bernard, who was umpiring. Mind you show me a bowler who is pleased. Lee deliberately then bowled the next ball wide and spun around and signalled wide to Bernard, who proceeded to order Lee to the pavilion for the rest of the game for "bringing the club into disrepute". Following a series of committee meetings the matter was resolved but no one overtly challenged Bernard's umpiring decisions again.
Bernard loved the club and few summer evenings passed without him holding court in the old pavilion sipping a "fizzy orange-no ice". Those conversations invoked many a laugh with Bernard uttering one of his many bon mots. He was very astute, as his business career demonstrated, but he often hid it by a studied vagueness. On one occasion when the conversation turned to the subject of memory Bernard chimed in with "I have a great memory. I can remember things for hours".
That "vagueness" extended to the pitch at times. He told me to warm up one day as he was bringing me on to bowl at the end of the over. As I walked to the crease, removing my sweater, he called across "Thanks Odran. I will give you a rest now". The many young players in the team, including my son Ruairi, collapsed to the ground in stitches of laughter while I wandered away bemused.
He was also the clubs unofficial official photographer which was something else that he loved with a passion, although on one occasion he took his responsibilities to the extreme. In the summer of 1991 I was captain of the team and Bernard was one of the four regular members over the age of 17. We were playing our home match at Civil Service as the thirds were also at home and President Mary Robinson arrived down to watch her son play for the thirds.
Between innings we went back for tea to Phoenix and Bernard, identifying a great photo opportunity grabbed his camera and went snap happy. After tea the match resumed and the first ball was flicked to long leg for what I presumed would be a single. Only then did I realise that the long leg was still doing his David Hockney impression 300 meters away. When he arrived fifteen minutes later his excuse was that "The President needed him". For his dedication I gave him an over at short leg until common sense overwhelmed me and I returned him to long leg.
When I became Phoenix President a couple of years later he gave me tremendous support and sage advice and I was delighted to help persuade him to take on the role himself later. He revelled in it and was immensely proud to lead his beloved club.
In Phoenix Bernard's memory will live on. Rest in peace.