Public Address | Cafe | Field Theory: Here's what we know

LegBreak

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:57:00 +1300

Brian Waddle in Pakistan in 2002 being another good example of that RI.

He's never been the same since.

Richard Irvine

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:36:39 +1300

Me again, IMHO there is nothing sadder than when a human tragedy unfolds at a sporting event and the commentators are suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable role of news reporter. That just kills me. Ref: Hillsborough disaster and Bradford fire.

Richard Irvine

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:10:01 +1300

That quote is v. moving Graeme. One Day In September is a worthwhile watch.

I can't add too much that smarter people than me have said already on the Sri Lankan attack. JRod from Cricket With Balls has a couple of great posts here and here.

Graeme Edgeler

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:00:38 +1300

This has nothing to do with cricket.
Much like the Munich attack had nothing to do with the Olympics.

I couldn't find video from the time, but this excerpt from a documentary about legendary sportscaster Jim McKay, has some fascinating news coverage from that event:

__When I was a kid…

Hadyn Green

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:28:02 +1300

Greg Baum has some funny ideas about terrorism and about how much a life is worth depending on your job:

But, increasingly, terrorists have shown no respect for understandings, explicit or implicit. The attack in Lahore yesterday marks a turning point. Thankfully, no cricketer died (though six security staff and…

dc_red

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:51:23 +1300

Not to mention

The driver of the team bus, Mohammad Khalil, said the militants fired a rocket at the vehicle but missed. They also threw a grenade under the bus, but it failed to explode.

He said the vehicle was fired on from several directions – bullet holes could be…

Jake Pollock

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:36:35 +1300

and until someone claims responsibility we can't rule out the target was actually the police.

I think that can pretty much be ruled out.

Sue

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:16:35 +1300

really
you don't think the policemen were there to protect the sri lanakan team?

because trust me in Pakistan a cricket team wouldn't have all hopped in a bus and drove off without shitloads of security.

Tom Semmens

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:01:51 +1300

Steve: i agree. A 30 minute ambush in which it looks like the Sri lankan team bus was hit by only acciddental fire from fourteen heavily armed gunmen indicates to me at least the possibility that they weren't the target, and until someone claims responsibility we can't rule out the…

Hadyn Green

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:01:48 +1300

Six Policemen killed and seven cricketers injured?

Yes. A bus driver was also killed. And one Pakistani umpire in a critical condition. And another umpire and a coach were injured.

are we really sure who the target was?

No. But a large amount of the bullets went towards the buses.…

Steve Barnes

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:51:37 +1300

Six Policemen killed and seven cricketers injured?
are we really sure who the target was?
Who has claimed responsibility?
This has nothing to do with cricket, unless Sri Lanka beating Pakistan is a reason and I find that really hard to believe.

Sue

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:45:27 +1300

anyone traveling for cricket in Pakistan is a potential terrorist target.
but if wasn't for the sri lankan team there wouldn't have been games on right now as india canceled their tour to Pakistan, which is hy their tour here got expanded, which is extremely lucky for nz as india…

Tom Semmens

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:43:23 +1300

I am struck by the odd elitism/racism of the reporting of this story.

1st story: "ZOMG! The Sri lankan team has been attacked"!

5 minutes later...

"Thank God, it was only six local policemen who were killed".

Naly D

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:24:58 +1300

Oh and potential conspiracy theory: apparently in Pakistan both teams travel together because it's easier to guard, but yesterday Pakistan decided to use a different van.

Naly D

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:22:53 +1300

Small consolation, but thank goodness they were only doing it for the publicity. If they'd gone into the grounds and opened fire during the match...

It's a terrible shame. Thank goodness the players are [largely] alright, but I've heard enough 'I told you so's' on the radio today to last…

Gareth Ward

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:22:01 +1300

Is there some kind of animosity between Pakistan and Sri Lanka that I was unaware of?

Bruce Wurr

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:17:30 +1300

a sad day hayden, and it's important to remember the 8 deaths and other serious injuries.........have said before I love cricket and this is just horrible for the sport and for the people of Pakistan......not sure what else to say really......

Public Address

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:17:30 +1300

Discussion from blog post.