IPL Twenty20 shows South Africans what the world thinks of us

I’m sure that by the time you read this I will be either undergoing my operation or sleeping off the anaesthetic — possibly on the morphine drip (YES!! — top stuff). Notwithstanding I would like to once again thank you all very much for your kind words at this time. In respect of emails my server has been on the blink for a couple of days so please be patient I will be getting back to those who are wondering what happened to my replies (laptop is not getting past security password — keeps rejecting it).

While I have been told I should be released on Wednesday — election day — that’s not a certainty at this stage. I’m sure the cardiologist will be monitoring the progress made after the stents and if he is satisfied they’ll let me out on “parole”. Regardless I hope that all of you who are eligible to vote enjoy a peaceful carefree day exercising this democratic right to vote for the party of your choice.

On the home front my daily fare has consisted of finishing Grisham’s latest book, The Associate, Gerald Seymour’s The Walking Dead and started James Sheehan’s The Law of Second Chances. As you may have noticed I made absolutely sure there was nothing educational or uplifting in that lot, just pure escapism. Just what the doctor ordered.

In addition the government (Mrs Traps) took pity and has allowed me to start hogging the sports channels. This has seen a glut of Super 14 rugby, football and my, the Indian Premier League Twenty20 which has been swopped to South Africa for security reasons (the government keeps calling Shane Warne’s team the Rajbansi Royals). Apparently there were concerns that due to the month-long elections in India they might not be able to cope with policing that and the IPL at the same time.

Whatever the reason it has been great for the country and if you haven’t been watching this you don’t know what you’re missing. It really is something special with all the teams made up of players from around the world and those who normally confront each other in internationals playing together. While many purists of the game may dismiss this as eye candy. Twenty20 is here to stay and the sooner they get used to it the better. Personally there is nothing better than a Test match between South Africa and Australia but this is still loadsafun.

Importantly for me as a South African is the fact that the IPL considered South Africa worthy of hosting their prestigious tournament. Like the Confederations Cup, World Cup 2010 and past cricket and rugby world cups the planet has given this country a huge vote of confidence. They believe that we are capable of hosting the biggest sporting events in the world. This means that they consider us of sufficient standard when it comes to infrastructure, safety and stability in allowing the planet’s wealth of sporting talent to grace our shores.

Like us, probably far more than most, they are acutely aware of the problems that beset this country. Due diligence is performed ahead of these tournaments on an ongoing basis before they allow the fans and players to step into South Africa. Which tells you that the planet may well have far more confidence in us than we often do ourselves.

While you’re placing your cross and swearing at our politicians under your breath you might want to give that some consideration. They get a whole lot wrong but they also do get a whole lot right.

As Matthew Hayden, that wonderful Aussie opener (now retired), said last night. The IPL is great fun and South Africa is the greatest place in the world to host this tournament.