South Africa vs Pakistan Day 1, January 19, 1995, Wanderers Johanesborg

World Series Cricket and Mc Donalds

 

World Series Cricket — featuring teams representing ‘Australia’, the ‘West Indies’ and the ‘Rest of the World’ (World XI) — ran for two seasons, 1977–78 and 1978–79, after which Packer negotiated a settlement with cricket’s old guard that was resoundingly in his favour. In the process, he infused the sport with a spirit of innovation it has never lost.

World Series Cricket was masterful at marketing itself, producing colourful brochures, magazines, player cards, rewards, cushions, caps, badges, it contrasted sharply with a drab and conservative establishment, and won favour with cricket fans.

Sports Coverage During Covid Lock Down

Covid 19 has affected almost every industry , every job or even every person. Post COVID world may not be the same compared to the one we used to live. Covid has seriously impacted restaurants, tourism, entertainment, education and sports alike. With almost every major sporting event either begin canceled or postponed Sports channels are virtually out of work in broadcasting live coverage. All the major leagues in the world are suspended/cancelled. EURO 2020 that was supposed to take place in June July is shifted to year 2021. Similarly Pakistan Super league knock outs are postponed till indefinite period. Indian Premier League is also delayed till clarity of the situation.All major football leagues in Europe that were about to end in the final stages are on hold.Some associations have awarded titles to the highest ranking team such as in Scottish Premier League while a few others have been declared as null and void like Women's premier League.It is definitely harder to pass time alone at home when no sport is televised. But fans should not despair. There is always a silver lining. With no live coverage it has compelled Broadcasters to dug deep into their archives and play out good old retro stuff bringing memories of child hood.For Example ITV's Euro 96 Relived coverage has caught the public's imagination with year-high viewing figures on ITV4, high levels of watching hours and more social media viewership. Watching old stuff in digitized form is good for any sports lover. 

More Over on  cricket front fans are treated with retro stuff of 80s and 90s by different broadcasters all over the world. ICC after announcing that they have opened their archives.  Here is a brief list of a few Sports channels that have televised past Cricket Stuff. 

Star Sports Network (India) 

Ball By Ball Coverage

World Cup 1992 India vs Pakistan

Titan Cup 1996 Game 3 India vs Australia 

Titan Cup 1996 Game 9 India vs Australia 

ICC Knock Out 2000 Quarter Final India vs Australia  

World Cup 1996 India vs West Indies 

World Cup 1996 India vs Pakistan Quarter Final 

World Cup 1999 India vs Kenya

World Cup 1999 India vs Pakistan Super Six 

World Cup 2003 India vs England

World Cup 2003 India vs Pakistan

Doordarshan Sports (India)

Ball By Ball Coverage

India vs South Africa One Day Internationals 2005 

India vs Sri Lanka One Day Internationals 2005 

Highlights 

TVS Cup 2003 Highlights India, Australia, New Zealand

Extended 4 hour review of India vs Australia 2nd Test 2001. This was only the 3rd instance that a team has won a test match after being asked to follow on.

Sony Six (India)

The Blue Revolution. All Games of World Championship of Cricket 1985 in HD quality

Super Sports (South Africa) 

Ball By Ball Coverage

South Africa vs Australia 5th ODI 2006 

Australia vs West Indies Whole Test Series 1997  

Highlights

Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test 1994 

Ashes 1994-95 Tests 

Australia vs West Indies Test Series 1984-85 

Sky Sports (England)

Ball By Ball Coverage

Ashes 2005 2nd Test Edgbaston All Days

England vs Australia 2005 T20 

Ashes 2015 

Similarly Fox Sports Australia and Sky Sport New Zealand have re televised World Series and Test Matches from Aussie Summers in very good HD form. 

ICC opened its Cricket Archives and Fans were treated with

India vs Zimbabwe World Cup 1999 (Whole Match Ball By Ball)

World T20 2009 Final (Whole Match Ball By Ball) 

World T20 2016 Final (Whole Match Ball By Ball)

World Cup 2015 Final (Whole Match Ball By Ball)

Also a few Cricket Boards dug out their retro stuff. For Example Cricket Australia live streamed the following on their Social Media Platforms Youtube, Facebook and their main web page.

Carlton and United Series 1998 Match 3rd Australia vs New Zealand

Australia vs Pakistan T20 2010 at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Last Day of 3rd Test Australia vs South Africa 2009 at Sydney

Amazing Adelaide 2006 where Australia snatched victory from the jaws of a routine draw. 

Australia vs India Match 7 Tri Series 2004 

Australia vs England 2nd ODI Brisbane 2014

Then Lords Cricket Ground Official Channel treated Fans with Diana Memorial 1998 whole match and a host other internationals Tests and ODIS played at the home of Cricket.

County Cricket Clubs were not far behind either as various counties bringing out their old stuff and put on their channels. 

Other Sports like Formula 1 Channels showed some memorable encounters on racing tracks. Wimbeldon official channel also brings us back to some thrilling contests. World Rugby Union and Fifa also live streamed certain matches for the fans to enjoy

While I hope corona effects vanish sooner than latter. The absence of live sports has definitely hit Boards, Broadcasters, Sponsors alike. The Silver lining is fans are getting some retro stuff on the screens with the comforts of their homes.