Next week, the cricket world cup will begin in South Africa. Most of us are familiar with the ins and outs of this momentous event, but for those of you who need further education, Bina Shah offers you enlightened options and observations on this phenomenon. Be warned though: by the time you finish reading this you may feel more confused then before you started.

Q. Which religious festival is celebrated by the most people all across the planet?
a. Christmas b. Eid c. Divali d. The birth anniversary of Buddha.

      Never mind if you hated multiple-choice tests in school, this is a trick question. The answer is none of the above, or, more precisely, The World Cup.
    Contrary to official statistics, cricket is the true religion of the Commonwealth, occupying a place far superior to other faiths. The World Cup, its major celebration, occurs just once every four years, making it far superior to the paltry joys that are experienced through more mundane religious traditions 
     Imagine strangling yourself with the decorations for your Christmas tree, playing the Grim Reaper by sacrificing countless heads of cattle, developing chemical allergies to the coloured water thrown on your skin, or eating jalebies until you end up in the hospital with severe ulcers. You can do this every year, but only once every four years are we mortals given the chance to worship at the altar of the cricket gods.Next>