Cricket …
A game that has come under some scrutiny this week over controversial remarks, controversial behaviour and actions that have definitely made some people rethink the term used for the game “the gentleman’s game”.
It’s hard to make a clear decision as to who is at fault but one thing is for sure, that racial slurs should not be tolerated in any sport. Other taunts, personal or not, should be tolerated on the field and really just kept on the field. It’s something that just happens whether we like it or not, and those that have played sport at any level know what I mean.
In the game of cricket, the Australians have historically been renowned for their slurs or sledging on the cricket field; that should be no surprise to anyone that has followed the sport for years. The fact that they are now the team to take this matter off the field is surprising. Unless their calls for a racial slur are true then we maybe can understand why it was taken off the field.
Then there was the way that Australia won and celebrated their victory over the Indians at the SCG. No matter what anyone says, it was not a display of a gracious victory. There was no sign of the traditional handshake with the last of the pair of batsmen from the opposing side. Instead an arrogance that is not becoming for any great sporting team.
Peter Roebuck from the Sydney Morning Herald, a seasoned cricket columnist, went as far as suggesting that Ricky Ponting be fired as the captain for allowing his team to behave in such a way. I suggest you read the column in case you haven’t as yet … click here.
There have also been a few Australian sporting legends who also think that the attitude of the Australian cricket team could potentially damage Australia’s sporting reputation. John Bertrand, Herb Elliott and Rob de Castella are noted as being amongst these sporting legends that are disappointed with the cricketers behaviour … click here to read article.
Geoff Lawson also made a comment that the victory was not “in the spirit of the game”. Ron Barrasi is another to join in agreement.
One must wonder whether so many sporting personalities could be wrong?
Or is there really anything that is worth discussing about on this issue?
Either way the word is out and whether we agree or not there is a scent of bad sportsmanship in the air. Whether it’s with the Australians and their behaviour, or the alleged racial slur by Harbhajan Singh or even the talk of the tour being cancelled over the whole management of the issue.
However the sentiments seem to be leaning more towards the Indians in the last 24 hours, with Steve Bucknor being replaced by the ICC for the Perth test and Harbhajan being allowed to bowl in the test at Perth until his appeal is heard.
Now Australian spin-bowler Brad Hogg will have to appear before the umpire for allegedly calling an Indian player a “bastard”.
How about the word karma? Isn’t that an Indian word?
Filed under: Australia Sport | Tagged: Bucknor, Cricket, Harbhajan, Ponting
