Not cricket

Administrators must recognise the new realities of the sport

The biggest irony of the recent ball-tampering controversy involving the Australian cricket team is that politicians, fans, players and sponsors appear to be more exercised about it than the International Cricket Council (ICC), the body responsible for governing the game. The Australian prime minister berated his national side, terming “sandpapergate” a “disgrace”. Cricket Australia banned the captain and vice-captain for 12 months. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, scarcely reputed for probity, took the cue and summarily expelled the duo from the cash-rich IPL. Some sponsors have withdrawn support to Cricket Australia. But the ICC? It went strictly