Cricket World Cup: Occupying crease delays inevitable

UAE's Amjad Ali takes the catch to dismiss South Africa's Hashim Amla yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

As the debate continues around whether the minnows deserve their place at the Cricket World Cup, the UAE haven't helped their cause.

In their past two outings they've shown little interest in chasing big totals as they've seemed more intent on occupying the crease and avoiding a heavy defeat.

In pursuit of 340 against Pakistan last week, the UAE meandered to 210/8 from their 50 overs and simply delayed the inevitable.

After being set 342 for victory by South Africa in Wellington last night, they rarely looked like making a run at the target, which poses the question: Should these sides try to look respectable and bat through the overs or go out on their shield?

Is there much shame in being rolled over for 180 in 25 overs if you're at least trying to make a game of mowing down a big score?

The UAE are overmatched at this World Cup by a long stretch. They're well below international standard and top Australian state sides would probably give them a decent tickle up.

They pushed Ireland and Zimbabwe before eventually losing; while they have been heavily beaten by India, Pakistan and South Africa.

So as cricket, like many sports, fights to keep viewers interested and entertained, is there much point in promoting matches that seem to resemble competitive open wicket sessions as the result is all but a formality.

South Africa probably appreciated the chance to give their bowlers a decent gallop last night, while most of their batsman took the chance to pad their statistics.

Granted, the UAE are an improving nation and will only get better with competition but surely they need games where they're actually in the hunt rather than waving the white flag on the way to the crease to start a run chase.

After the pedestrian display against Pakistan, where they plodded along at little more than four an over despite needing nearly seven, UAE skipper Mohammad Tauqir offered: "In pursuit of 350 we didn't want to get out in 30 overs and make a mockery of ourselves. Plan was to keep wickets in hand, build a partnership and in last 10-15 overs we need to attack.

"Unfortunately [we lost] a few early wickets, so we need to slow down and build partnerships."

But don't they also make a mockery of themselves buy showing such little intent?

Neutral fans could rally around a team that plays endearing cricket and shows some heart yet the small crowd who wandered through the gates at Wellington Regional Stadium last night saw little desire from the UAE.

They brought their hundred up in the 28th over as the required run rate ballooned above 11 while their batsman just seemed happy to chip away.

As pundits continue to be divided on whether minnows should be included for the future, the UAE's most recent displays haven't inspired confidence that they can produce exciting contests.

The World Cup is cricket's prized product, when many fans who have a fleeting interest in the game will tune in and see if it's a game they can get in to.

Would they rather see someone kill time and have batting practice or try to pull off a miracle?