From Slaps In India To Ryder's Wrists: The 5 Worst Cricketing Decisions of 07/08

In the first of my weekly 'Top 5s', I take a look at my Top 5 worst cricketing decisions of 2007 and what's been of 2008.

5. The ICC: "Of course it's light enough to play, it'll be a good final"

Much has already been said of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with expensive tickets, banning of instruments in grounds, and the tournament lasting so long that youngsters growing up watching the group stage were eligible for the semi-finals.

But surely the ICC's greatest error was in the staging of the final; the showpiece of world Cricket; the advert for the sport that will convert atheists into believers. Two major forces in one-day cricket, Sri Lanka and Australia, lined up in what looked set to be a classic.

However, in reply to Australia's imperious 281, the Sri Lankan innings ended in complete farce as light and rain caused halts to play and their batsmen were ordered to finish the match virtually by the light of the moon.

An horrendous call by match referee Jeff Crowe saw Sri Lanka groping around in almost total darkness like fumbling teenagers at a house party. The match, and with it the tournament, ended with a whimper. A catastrophic judgement call that compounded a miserable time for the ICC.

4. Andrew Flintoff: "That pedalo look like a laugh; no-one will see me at this time of night"

Following a disappointing defeat to group rivals New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup, Andrew Flintoff and a few of his team-mates decided to drown their sorrows ahead of the next match with Canada. Having had one too many, he proceeded to the beach and stepped into a pedalo, paddling out to sea.

With all the grace expected of a drunken Englishman, Flintoff had to be rescued from sea and come the morning he was left with more than a hangover. Banned from the side for the next match and stripped of the one-day vice captaincy, Freddie will be thinking long and hard before he goes back in the water.

3. Mohammed Asif: "They'll never look in my wallet; I'll stroll straight through customs"

On his way home from the first IPL, Pakistani paceman Mohammad Asif went through customs at Dubai airport expecting to swiftly be home to rest up his elbow ahead of the Tri-Series and Asia Cup.

Things took a turn for the worse, though, when the quick bowler had his wallet searched by Customs and they turned up a bag of 'herbal matter'.

Whether this was medicinal, as claimed by the PCB, or otherwise, Asif made a terrible decision to store the drugs in his wallet and attempt to get through the airport.

Having been detained for eight days now, he could face up to four years in jail should he be found guilty. Not the best preparation for a major tournament.

2. Jesse Ryder: "This toilet window is no match for my hands of steel"

Another tale of drunken antics, New Zealand big-hitter Jesse Ryder decided to go out boozing in Christchurch to celebrate a one-day series win over England. Having been out drinking until 1:30 am the night before the game as well, two nights in a row clearly took a toll on the portly Kiwi.

Deciding that the best course of action was to smash through a bar window, Ryder severed tendons in his right hand and then abused hospital staff who were attempting to patch up the batsman's claret-covered limb.

The injury has ruled Ryder out of action for three months, including the tour of England in which New Zealand have repeatedly failed with the bat. Oh, the sweet irony.

1. Harbhajan Singh: "I'll show that Sreesanth for celebrating a victory"

The Indian Premier League had its share of thrills and spills, but nothing came close to the moment of madness that almost cost Bhaji his cricket career.

After a match between Singh's Mumbai Indians and the King's XI Punjab, Harbhajan took exception to national team-mate Sree Sreesanth, a member of the victorious King's XI.

So incensed was Singh, he followed Sreesanth into the changing rooms and gave him such a dressing-down that the young bowler was later seen by cameras in tears. The action that the BCCI took most exception to, though, was the story of Singh face-slapping Sreesanth like a jilted lover after a night on the tiles.

Those five minutes of pure insanity cost Harbhajan Singh the princely sum of $750,000, his entire IPL fee, and his place in the remainder of the competition. The BCCI also banned him for 5 ODIs and has the threat of a career ban should he commit any further indiscretions.

That and he won't be getting any birthday cards from Sreesanth anymore.

Have there been any worse decisions made in '07 or '08? Disagree with my selections? Please comment below.