D Cork urges wavering nations to play cricket in Pakistan

Karachi: Former England paceman Dominic Cork on Monday urged foreign teams to play in Pakistan, where three major events were cancelled over security fears last year.

Australia refused to go on a scheduled Test and limited over match tour in March last year.

They agreed to reschedule the tour and visit for one-day internationals in 2009 and Tests in 2010.

But earlier this month they forced Pakistan to play the one-day series at neutral venues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in April-May this year after the Australian government refused permission to tour.

Australia, who also played Pakistan in three Tests at neutral venues of Colombo and Dubai in 2002 over security fears, have not toured here since 1998.

India also refused to send its team across the border amid heightened tensions in the wake of attacks on Mumbai, which New Dehli blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was forced to move out the Champions Trophy after three top teams pulled out, saying touring Pakistan was a high risk for their players.

Cork, 37, said teams must play in Pakistan.

"My simple message to teams is 'play cricket in Pakistan'," said Cork, who is here as a television commentator for the ongoing two-Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan incurred a huge loss of 40 million dollars over cancellation of the India series, scheduled for January-February this year.
Sri Lanka agreed to replace India and split their tours in two visits -- playing the three-match one-day series last month.

"I had a nice feeling in Karachi and said this before when I came for the one-day matches last month. I have a great time as a commentator. It is a fantastic experience with top class hospitality and arrangements," said Cork.

Cork, who played 37 Tests and 32 one-day internationals for England between 1995 and 2002, said he hoped the ICC would resolved the issue.

"I, as a cricketer, would hope that the ICC get together with Australia, England and South Africa and try and entice the people to come back to Pakistan," he said.

"I am sure if the ICC helps, the likes of Australia, England and India would come back and play here because people of Pakistan love their cricket."

Asked if he was approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to give his feedback on the situation in Pakistan, Cork said: "If the ECB approaches me I will give them my feedback."

http://www.cricketnirvana.com/news/...090223-565.html

BTW Simon Taufel is one of the umpires in the ongoing match, the other one is Steve Davis


Both happen to be from Australia

Cork - ' so where do I pick up my cheque?'

besides non-cricketing reasons, this karachi test match is not a great advertisement for cricketing reasons either. an exciting test match could have done wonders for pakistan's cricketing image

And Dom so popular with Pakster crowds too. How I remember them chanting "We hate Corky" in 1996.

A potential world record might get a bit of attention though....

JKLever wrote:Cork - ' so where do I pick up my cheque?'

Lever your "jokes" are so lame and predictable that they are actually funny

Rob I wrote:And Dom so popular with Pakster crowds too. How I remember them chanting "We hate Corky" in 1996.

haha...

It was quite a "sport" to hate Cork back then

That series was good for cricket though, because Wasim and Athers were Lancy team-mates and were able to heal some of the Anglo-Pak arsiness of the previous 15 years.

Wasn't it Cork who was telling teams not to go there...or was that India?

Agree, though. This match is not a good advertisement for either Test cricket or Pakistan.

PlanetPakistan wrote:A potential world record might get a bit of attention though....

Every time a batsman walks to the crease it is a potential world record.

Karachi: Former England paceman Dominic Cork on Monday urged foreign batsmen to play in Pakistan, where they stand a chance of batting so long they quite literally forget how to get out.

Cork, 37, said teams must play in Pakistan.

"My simple message to teams is 'play cricket in Pakistan'," said Cork, who is here as a television commentator for the ongoing two-Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. "You can quite possibly save yourself a fortune by only bringing your batsmen. On these pitches, it doesn't matter much who bowls, there's runs on offer ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball, after ball..."

Pakistan incurred a huge loss of 40 million dollars over cancellation of the India series, scheduled for January-February this year, but due to an innovative sponsorship arrangement, where they get 10 dollars for every run scored by either team in Test matches in the country, they're well on the way to making up a sizeable proportion of that lost revenue.

"I had a nice feeling in Karachi and said this before when I came for the one-day matches last month. I have a great time as a commentator. It is a fantastic experience with top class hospitality and arrangements," said Cork. "And being a commentator for matches like this sure as shit beats being one of teh poor bastards who are flinging the leather down in the middle. I mean, honestly, why would you bother bringing your bowlers? Bring six or seven batsmen, a keeper, and grab a couple of locals to make up the numbers when you're fielding. Should do the job."

Asked if he was approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to give his feedback on the situation in Pakistan, Cork said: "If the ECB approaches me I will give them my feedback. Imagine how Skunkhead would go here. Even Ian Bell and One-leg-Fred would make runs here. They could cement their places as all-time greats, and maybe even score higher honours than MBEs"

When Dominic Cork speaks - everyone else laughs

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:A potential world record might get a bit of attention though....

Every time a batsman walks to the crease it is a potential world record.

.

Dominic Cork, who is commentating on the match in Lahore, spoke to Sky News:

"I won't be coming back here while I'm still living. I don't think international teams should come back to this country, whether it's 10 or 20 years."

Corky should just shut up. Everything he says turns out to be wrong.

Henry wrote:Corky should just shut up. Everything he says turns out to be wrong.

Channelling Red?

"I won't be coming back here while I'm still living."





"After that, who knows?"

Is this the biggest woof in history?

Should they be known as Corkys from now on?

It was a Corker.

Dello wrote:Is this the biggest woof in history?

Should they be known as Corkys from now on?

Dello in trying to get a delloism into the glossary shocker!

It's all a bit Alan Partridge.

No Alan You Kant (Saffie accent).

No - THIS is.