Cricket Explained: A Netflix Special

By: Aashay Chavan

​A new Netflix special has been released - it’s a documentary series in collaboration with Vox. Each episode is a 15-minute explanation on various topics. Topics include Cryptocurrency, Why Diets Fail and of course, Cricket. You can check out the full series here.
 
Brian Lara, Stephen Fry, Mihir Bose (author of A History of Indian Cricket) were just some of the big names interviewed for this documentary. Whether you are new to the game or you’re a longtime fan, I think this episode is worth a watch. It’s concise, succinct, and not overly complicated. If you’re a fan of the sport, you know it can be difficult to explain to those not familiar enough with the game or its terminology. This is one of the few reasons I’d recommend it. The short episode does a good job providing information, history and some thoughts for the future of cricket.
 
The producers do an excellent job of using diagrams and terminology to explain to newbies. The ability to simplify and break down the rules is key. A brief history is also provided, and how we as fans can expect the past to mold the future of the game.
 
My favorite part is when Stephen Fry lists his words for hitting the ball. Flicked, hammered, bludgeoned, smashed, guided, timed. It’s fun to come up with these isn’t it? He left out clobbered and toed, but included far-fetched ones like spooned, squirted, and rinsed. 

​As a bowler, I’d like a list of all the words that can be used to describe a ball that hit the stumps. How about we start with castled, cartwheeled, crashed, and uprooted?
 
A big positive in this documentary: there is no snobby attitude that judges the newer forms of the game. No one is looking down upon the natural evolution of the game.  
There’s an excellent quote in recognizing how the game’s past, and the game’s legends, will be able to pass on lessons to upcoming stars.
 
“The future of the game will certainly not be decided in an English boardroom, by old Englishmen. It will be decided in the Subcontinent”.
 
I don’t doubt that (given the billion and a half fans there), and as much as we like to bemoan the money situation driving change, it has provided us with one of the most successful and entertaining leagues in the IPL. It’s hard to complain about getting the best entertainment when it’s combined with better global outreach for the game.
 
The IPL model has proven that it works, with many copycat leagues around the globe. I don’t see why countries and their cricket governing bodies wouldn’t maximize their own profit and fan base. After all, it’s another revenue stream for players and more cricket viewing parties for the fans.
 
My hope is that the documentary is able to give you a better understanding of the game and that this sport continues to grow in popularity in the future, tea breaks and all.