The Fifth Column

18th February 1996

Any More Joint Teams Please?

"Thaaththa", Bindu Udagedera asked, "What do you think of the World Cup?"

"We haven't done badly, have we? We have won two matches without playing a single game..." Bindu's father Percy said.

"But we lost to the joint India-Pakistan team..." Bindu pointed out.

"We may have lost that match" Percy said," But we showed everyone that we could stage a cricket match here."

"We have to thank India and Pakistan for that, "Thaaththa" Bindu declared.

Of course" Percy agreed, "But it was great for those two countries who are fighting each other to come together at a time like this."

"Can't we apply the same situation to Sri Lanka, Thaaththa" Bindu wanted to know.

"How can you do that?"

"Can't we get Prabhakaran and Satellite to field a joint cricket team?"

"I don't think that is possible" Percy observed. "Besides, that is not how it should be."

"Then, what do you propose, Thaaththa?" Bindu asked.

"Satellite and the Leader of the Opposition should field a joint team against Prabhakaran."

"That will never happen, Thaaththa" Bindu said.

"Well" Percy said, "If India and Pakistan can come together why can't our two parties do that?"

"Because" Bindu said, "there will be a fight among Satellite's team and the Opposition's team even before the match gets started."

"But can Prabhakaran field a team of his own?"

"Of course he can" Bindu said. "If he can't he can always get help from Thonda," Bindu said.

"It is more likely that he and Thonda will also field a joint team," Percy argued.

"No, Thaaththa" Bindu said, "Prabhakaran won't use that strategy."

"Then, what will happen?"

"Thonda will find a place in Satellite's team; then he will play for Prabhakaran by missing all the catches and stumping chances."

"Then we will have to No-Ball Thondaman and declare that his action is illegal."

"No, Thaaththa," Bindu said, "not even Darrell Hair can do that."

Percy reluctantly agreed.

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