No Winner, Yet We All Win

One of the most often discussed differences between American sport and elsewhere is America's perceived need for a result. While English heritage is prepared to applaud the gritty 0-0 draw in football and celebrate the dogged last men standing draw in cricket, Americans will stay all night to find a winner...and a loser.

In 1968, the New York Mets and the Houston Astros battled through 24 innings to find a winner. Worse, they battled through 24 innings to find a run. Houston finally scored in the 24th, to win 1-0. And they say that there isn't enough scoring in football! In 1981, a AAA game went until after 4am before the game was eventually suspended after 8 hours, but even then they came back 2 months later to try and find a loser. Which duly happened after 18 minutes, with Pawtucket defeating Rochester.

In the past few days the cricket World Cup has neatly illustrated in three games just how different a tie, a draw and a win can be. First of all, we had arguably the greatest World Cup match ever, with an ebb and flow battle between England and hosts India that finished in a tie. Did the crowd feel cheated there was no result? Given the patriotism of Indian supporters, I suspect they were disappointed they didn't win, but I doubt anyone went home feeling they were short-changed for entertainment.

Contrast that result with two matches in the last two days that have barely got through thirty overs. Bangladesh were crushed by the West Indies in a match that only lasted just over 30 of the allotted 100 overs, as the Windies swept aside their hosts, bringing forth a shower of resentment, and stones. And then we had the much anticipated Sri Lanka-Australia clash that was washed away after just over 30 overs with the match tantalisingly poised.  

Of the three matches, there is little doubt that the all day tie between England and India was the place to be. Like the tied test of  the Australian-West Indies1960-61 series 50 years ago, they will be talking about this one for years to come. If they are talking about the Bangladesh-West Indies match in 10 years time it will only be in reference to broken windows on a tour bus.