Growth vs Consolidating Cricket in Established Markets
Over the past couple of weeks, my YouTube Algorithm has been driving 3 Forms of Content. One, I am getting a lot of Classic European Football Matches. Two, Portland Trail Blazers Basketball (mainly Clyde Drexler). Three, I am getting a lot of Classic Cricket Matches and Performances. One such recommendation included Murray Goodwin. While I recall Murray Goodwin being a Talented Batsman, I was unaware of how staggering his data was until I perused his Cricinfo Page. Here are a Few Numbers.
1. Goodwin Averaged 42.84 in 19 Test Matches for Zimbabwe
2. Goodwin Played a Staggering 320 FC Matches
3. Goodwin Scored 23,723 FC Runs at 46.69 with 71 100s and 98 50s.
In his Final Test Match for Zimbabwe Against England at Trent Bridge, Goodwin made 148 Not Out in the First Innings and 1 Not Out in the 2nd Innings. But Goodwin wasn't the only special player in that team. In Neil Johnson, Zimbabwe had a Genuine All Rounder and in Andy Flower one of the best Wicketkeeper Batsman of his generation. Today, Zimbabwe Cricket is a shadow of itself despite being a country and a people of immense talent.
Finally, while the ICC has done a good job of growing the game, but there are questions around its ability to consolidate the game. In the past 20 Years, Cricket has lost Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and to an extent South Africa. These markets and countries need to be protected. With that in mind, I encourage you to watch Murray Goodwin's Brilliant 148 at Trent Bridge.