Crafting a Cricket Match: Flags and Anthems

They weigh 120 kilograms each, must not touch the ground or be displayed incorrectly, and are now symbols of national pride. These are the flags of the 20 countries at the men's T20 World Cup. Made from around 11,000 recycled plastic bottles each—the size of three doubles tennis courts—they are held taut by 50 young volunteers and unfurled before every match alongside the ICC's "Cricket for Good" banner.

The flags have been giant-sized since the 2023 men's World Cup. Accompanied by the new ICC anthem, debuted at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the display signals a special event. While the match may not always live up to the moment, the spectacle is designed to stir emotion.

On Sunday, the flags of India and New Zealand will be displayed before the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, seen by up to 132,000 attendees and millions more.

The initiative, part of the sustainability campaign Maidaan Saaf (translating loosely to "clean earth"), was conceived by Coca-Cola India's Anandana Foundation. Larger flags mean more plastic bottles diverted from streets.

Devyani Rana, Coca-Cola's vice-president for public affairs, communications and sustainability, told Cricbuzz: "When you see the flags… it's a moment of pride. Secondly, it's recycled plastic… That brings awareness… The civic sense of duty starts working… The idea is to keep pushing that forward."

Maidaan Saaf workers, wearing jackets made from recycled plastic, have collected rubbish at large events like the Maha Kumbh Mela. Rana said, "The idea is to enable effective segregation and structured recovery [of plastic waste]… and channel that responsibly to close the loop."

Regarding corporate responsibility, Rana stated, "Naysayers will always be naysayers. But as a company we have to continue to work in a very responsible way… When you are a responsible company this becomes a part of your being."

Creating the ICC Anthem

The ICC sought to stamp an identity on its events through music, inspired by UEFA's Champions League anthem. About 20 proposals were narrowed to three, with Scottish composer Lorne Balfe's submission standing out.

Balfe, known for scores in films like Mission: Impossible and The Lego Batman Movie, recorded sounds at a cricket match in Hollywood. The anthem's length is timed for flag carriers to get into position, with a crescendo and pause for match officials. Shorter versions are used for broadcast.

Selecting Balfe's anthem took about a year, as it needed to embrace cricket's diverse formats, cultures, and countries. It was recorded by a 98-piece orchestra at London's Abbey Road Studios, following necessary approvals.

So, when you see the flags and hear the anthem, consider: the plastic in your drink may be part of the display, and music helps create the magic.