Lou Vincent criticises egotistical Australia
Lou Vincent has let loose a spray at the Australian team, labelling them a bunch of egotistical sledgers:
"I watched Federer the other day and thought, 'What a true champion'. He's the sort of guy you want to watch because he plays the game well and he's humble about it. You watch Australia and just their egos, you know what I mean? Sure, you're talented, you've got great players and you win most of the time, but as blokes they've got no time for you. So to take them on and stick it to them a bit is my motivation.Vincent isn't saying anything controversial in the sense that everyone already agrees with him. Australia do tend to play ugly. It's a given, like the Pope being Catholic or a bear defecating in the woods. What he is doing, as opening batsman, is opening himself to some heated deliveries (both with the ball and from the mouths of the Australians) when he next comes to the crease. Ironically, Shaun Tait has just joined the squad so Vincent is likely to be facing Lee and Tait steaming in with 150kph deliveries. I'll be making sure I'm in front of the TV when New Zealand start their innings next Sunday. So will many others, I imagine. Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young not only agreed with Vincent but was delighted with something finally happening to spice up the Tri-Series:
"It's never-ending. They're very close-knit. They hunt like a pack of dogs. There's not just one guy going at you, there's a little bit here, a little bit there. I mean, I love that part of the game, I think it's brilliant but as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring. I personally think that they think they're bigger than the game. It's all about standing up to them. Baz (McCullum) does it well. We're not intimidated by them and that's the biggest thing. If you're intimidated by Australia, you're beaten. You've got to stand up to them. You might not be their friends but at the end of the day I don't care if I'm not friends with those guys. They're the enemy."
CA spokesman Peter Young claimed it was an example of the fierce rivalry between the two countries and added further to the standing of the annual Chappell-Hadlee limited-overs series, to be played in New Zealand next month. "We make no secret of the fact that we would like one day to see the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy up there with the Bledisloe Cup, partly because there is such an intense rivalry," Young said.On a personal note, I'm not happy about Australia's ugly streak. I was embarrassed to be an Australian after the way they behaved at the Champions Trophy. On the flip side, they also made a concerted effort to clean up their behaviour and 'play nice' during the 2005 Ashes. Matt Hayden's "well bowled" to Andrew Flintoff after Freddie knocked over his stumps had me just as angry as any of their nastier behaviour. It was at that point I realised I'd rather have an ugly, winning team than nice losers. It seems with Australia, you can't have your cake and eat it too.
| Posted by JC on Wed 31 Jan |  31 comments |
...it does marginalize the country though.
Other cricketing nations have fans across the world. Australia are just difficult to like because they play, as you put it, ugly.
Or maybe most people don't like them, because they're just too good...
Posted by Omar Haq on 2007-01-31 11:44:06
Other cricketing nations have fans across the world. Australia are just difficult to like because they play, as you put it, ugly.
Or maybe most people don't like them, because they're just too good...
Posted by Omar Haq on 2007-01-31 11:44:06
I like this quote from Lou
I mean, I love that part of the game, I think it's brilliant but as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring.
Which translates to me as:
I love sledging other people in the game, but when they sledge me its unacceptable, especially if we have lost to them 3 in a row.
Is there a polite way of sledging? To me some of the "best" sledges have been crueler than just calling someone names.
I am sure NZ aren't as clean and pure as they like to make out. There is no clean way to sledge and I am sure that the New Zealanders give as good as they get.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-01-31 11:50:42
I mean, I love that part of the game, I think it's brilliant but as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring.
Which translates to me as:
I love sledging other people in the game, but when they sledge me its unacceptable, especially if we have lost to them 3 in a row.
Is there a polite way of sledging? To me some of the "best" sledges have been crueler than just calling someone names.
I am sure NZ aren't as clean and pure as they like to make out. There is no clean way to sledge and I am sure that the New Zealanders give as good as they get.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-01-31 11:50:42
Omar, it's a little from column A, a little from column B. Though I don't recall disliking the West Indies in the 80's. Fearing and hating them but not disliking them personally. Well, maybe Viv Richards, he was arrogance personified but that wasn't so much a sledging ugliness as just an aura of confidence at the crease.
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 11:52:34
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 11:52:34
Vincent shows through his comments that he doesn't follow the news. Just yesterday the SMH contained the following quotes from Federer:
"If I were another player, I would be amazed a little bit to see always the same guy winning"
"I mean, look, I guess I'm the best tennis player in the world. You can call me a genius because I'm outplaying many of my opponents, kind of maybe playing a bit different, winning when I'm not playing my best"
Even if we agree that these quotes might be taken out of context and accept the fact that he was trying to be self-reflexive, it all amounts to the same thing: Federer is, and what's more knows he is, the best tennis player in the world. Humility doesn't work well for champions. (It is a sight prettier, though, than a haughty losing side England!) Australia, too, are the best and know that they are the best -- that is the way things should be. Unfortunately, that is also why their future fall from the throne of world cricket will be ugly and particularly painful. Not for some time yet I'm sure but be prepared JC!
Posted by TA on 2007-01-31 12:13:56
"If I were another player, I would be amazed a little bit to see always the same guy winning"
"I mean, look, I guess I'm the best tennis player in the world. You can call me a genius because I'm outplaying many of my opponents, kind of maybe playing a bit different, winning when I'm not playing my best"
Even if we agree that these quotes might be taken out of context and accept the fact that he was trying to be self-reflexive, it all amounts to the same thing: Federer is, and what's more knows he is, the best tennis player in the world. Humility doesn't work well for champions. (It is a sight prettier, though, than a haughty losing side England!) Australia, too, are the best and know that they are the best -- that is the way things should be. Unfortunately, that is also why their future fall from the throne of world cricket will be ugly and particularly painful. Not for some time yet I'm sure but be prepared JC!
Posted by TA on 2007-01-31 12:13:56
TA: "NEVAAAAARRRRR!!!!!!"
:P
On the topic of ruthless sledging, how is our campain to free up the stump-mic going JC?
"Sledge Radio" or whatever it should be called, I'm happy to pay extra for this service.
In fact, ideally it should be part of Channel-9's coverage. I'm just not sure much of the language used on the field will be suitable for prime-time viewing. :)
That way at least when Lou talks about how relentlessy the Aussies sledge, we can appreciate what he's saying. Haydos might have called him a big girls blouse for all we know...
Posted by Timbo on 2007-01-31 14:12:01
:P
On the topic of ruthless sledging, how is our campain to free up the stump-mic going JC?
"Sledge Radio" or whatever it should be called, I'm happy to pay extra for this service.
In fact, ideally it should be part of Channel-9's coverage. I'm just not sure much of the language used on the field will be suitable for prime-time viewing. :)
That way at least when Lou talks about how relentlessy the Aussies sledge, we can appreciate what he's saying. Haydos might have called him a big girls blouse for all we know...
Posted by Timbo on 2007-01-31 14:12:01
I wouldn't mind hearing more from the stump mike. Interestingly, the ABC radio coverage seems to play more of the stump mike audio than the TV does (one other reason to listen to the radio as if superior commentating wasn't enough).
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 14:33:56
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 14:33:56
The reason why alot of international fans "hate" the Aussie cricket team is because while they are bad losers, they are even worse winners in terms of sportsmanship and being humble.
But in all fairness, it isnt just the cricketers, it tends to be most Australian sports teams.
Posted by Not even on 2007-01-31 15:14:39
But in all fairness, it isnt just the cricketers, it tends to be most Australian sports teams.
Posted by Not even on 2007-01-31 15:14:39
Sorry Not even, but arrogance knows no boundaries, especially national ones. The arrogance of Aussie sports teams is probably more noticable because it is part of the 'sporting culture'. What this means is that people place more importance on sport then, say, going to work, and the government is happy to pump money into it rather than, say, education, hospitals, and water supply. Consequently Australia usually produces international teams which are highly competitive. Talented Aussies in other non-sports fields have to go overseas to get jobs and earn respectable incomes. Still it is a better community obsession than, say, war. :)
Posted by TA on 2007-01-31 15:30:11
Posted by TA on 2007-01-31 15:30:11
Re government spending and water supply, I'm all for the Australian government supporting sport although with Peter Beatie just deciding this week that we're going to start drinking recycled sewage water here in Queensland, I might start rethinking my position.
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 15:42:32
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 15:42:32
There's sledging, there's arrogance, and then there's South Africa. They manage to take things up a level even us Aussies can't aspire to, especially when playing at home. Much seems personal and vindictive, with Andre Nel the leader of the pack. They quieten down when on the road, and even whinge about our spectators.
Go and tour South Africa, Lou, and you'll come to appreciate us mob.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-01-31 15:55:20
Go and tour South Africa, Lou, and you'll come to appreciate us mob.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-01-31 15:55:20
Considering Graeme Smith's sledging technique against England was to call Michael Vaughan gay and Herschelle Gibbs calling Pakistani fans "baboons" got him a 2 match ban, perhaps the Saffers needs a sledging coach to add a level of sophistication to their verbal barbs.
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 16:03:31
Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 16:03:31
"as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring."
WHAT A WIMP!!!
The way I see it, he has just exposed a massive weakness. I hope the Aussies sledge him even more now. Bloody whinger.
Posted by Chris on 2007-01-31 18:53:53
WHAT A WIMP!!!
The way I see it, he has just exposed a massive weakness. I hope the Aussies sledge him even more now. Bloody whinger.
Posted by Chris on 2007-01-31 18:53:53
TA at 1530 makes a really good point. Not only is sport our national obsession but, being peace-loving people it is also our equivalent of war. Aussies generally don't want the country involved in real-life wars, in fact many left their homelands and came to Australia to escape just that. So our battles are in the sporting arena, which is where we display the true ANZAC spirit (of which Lou's New Zealand was also a major part!!) Mateship, close-knit, hunting in packs. Sound familiar. Yeah, war. But give me bat and ball instead of bullets any day.
Having an opinion and then trying to make it sound convincing is draining. Time for a beer!!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-01-31 22:10:15
Having an opinion and then trying to make it sound convincing is draining. Time for a beer!!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-01-31 22:10:15
Can just see the Aussies licking their lips at Lou Vincent's whinging. Vincent hasn't heard sledging yet...
Matt Hayden has popped up with the expected response (article on Cricinfo website). Kick the cockroach LOL. Now we know what they do in the change rooms during rain delays.
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-01 04:03:57
Matt Hayden has popped up with the expected response (article on Cricinfo website). Kick the cockroach LOL. Now we know what they do in the change rooms during rain delays.
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-01 04:03:57
These Aussies do behave like a pack of hyenas. They are all talented enough to win easily by just playing good cricket but instead they have to gain an additional unfair advantage by putting their opponents off and distracting them. Stupid. Most of the comments on here are miles away from the spirit of cricket. Would Gary Sobers have ever behaved like them? He was good enough to murder the bowling without resorting to abuse.
Posted by Ruby Alaska on 2007-02-01 07:15:27
Posted by Ruby Alaska on 2007-02-01 07:15:27
When I see Australia demolished on the rugby field against the All-Blacks, my first response is to wonder how we Aussies can emulate the skill of our Tasmnan neighbours...you will find that most Aussie Rugby players worth their salt, revere New Zealand as a team to learn from. As a nation it doesn't bother us too much that The All-Blacks seem to take particular pride in beating us - and they beat us a lot.
While we are beaten and stomped all over the ground by puff-chested testosterone monsters, most Aussies view our opposition with envy rather than spite but, as usual with Aussies and Kiwis, we could never actually admit our mutual sporting respect...It just wouldn't be in the Anzac spirit, people!
Lou Vincent has jumped the gun with his school-boy tirade. The fact is that the Kiwis are currently our most formidable opposition and Lou Vincent should remember that, prior to the WACA match, the highest one-day score at that ground was 310 and the Kiwis beat that record like we did on the day.
Go ask your Mum for a hug Lou. Anyway if that doesn't work, you can always revert to the under-arm incident. It would almost be un-Kiwi not to do so.
Posted by Aaron on 2007-02-01 08:48:54
While we are beaten and stomped all over the ground by puff-chested testosterone monsters, most Aussies view our opposition with envy rather than spite but, as usual with Aussies and Kiwis, we could never actually admit our mutual sporting respect...It just wouldn't be in the Anzac spirit, people!
Lou Vincent has jumped the gun with his school-boy tirade. The fact is that the Kiwis are currently our most formidable opposition and Lou Vincent should remember that, prior to the WACA match, the highest one-day score at that ground was 310 and the Kiwis beat that record like we did on the day.
Go ask your Mum for a hug Lou. Anyway if that doesn't work, you can always revert to the under-arm incident. It would almost be un-Kiwi not to do so.
Posted by Aaron on 2007-02-01 08:48:54
Agree with you Ruby that the almighty Spirit of Cricket no longer graces us much with its presence. However, before you get your feathers ruffled too much remember it is not necessarily the players but professionalism that drives 'excessive' competitivism (if in fact any of JC's readers actually believe in the existence of such a thing -- after all we are all cricketing fanatics and proud of it). Also, remember Gilly still walks, Haydos still congratulates bowlers for getting him out, and Hussey says that his long wait for the chance to play for Australia is the 'way it should be'. Treating them like a 'pack' of bad sports who use sledging to get an unfair advantage is not the entire story.
Posted by TA on 2007-02-01 11:24:59
Posted by TA on 2007-02-01 11:24:59
"Nice guys come last."
~~ Ian Chappell. (Probably channelling Les Favell.)
Posted by Tony.T on 2007-02-01 11:35:32
~~ Ian Chappell. (Probably channelling Les Favell.)
Posted by Tony.T on 2007-02-01 11:35:32
From the England camp: Ed Joyce believe the Aussies deserve to have a confident swagger.
Can't say I disagree with him.
Posted by Timbo on 2007-02-01 16:13:10
Can't say I disagree with him.
Posted by Timbo on 2007-02-01 16:13:10
Re Ed Joyce's comments, yes, he is right but maybe that's part of the problem with England. They seem intimidated and cowed by Australia whereas New Zealand are belligerent and competitive. Yes, Australia is #1 and unbeaten this summer. But they can at least have a crack like the Black Caps are.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-01 16:30:10
Posted by JC on 2007-02-01 16:30:10
Lets face it, Australians are, on the whole, prats. The best prat normally wins. It's not about cricket with the Ozzies, but applied pratishness.
Posted by Jonny on 2007-02-01 20:51:35
Posted by Jonny on 2007-02-01 20:51:35
Applied Pratishness - I think that's a subject taught at the Centre of Excellence.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-01 20:55:13
Posted by JC on 2007-02-01 20:55:13
Hello everyone, the aussies should seriously be given a kick up the backside. theire behavior is totally unacceptable - they are arrogant winners and the are sore losers. they sledge to the point of cheating and they've got dodgy ozy umpires. add to that, the last match was the closest thing to match fixing i've seen - so it appears they're hungry for money too. symonds and ponting are the bloody worst. i feel sorry for the nobler members (or member, i can only think of gilchrist). long lose australia - the most disliked cricketing nation in the world.
Posted by AussieSuck on 2007-02-04 09:30:26
Posted by AussieSuck on 2007-02-04 09:30:26
"aussie suck",dude youre screen name makes you sound like a Phillipino hooker,if youre going to come on here with youre blatantly obvious self esteem problems (probably to with the amount of runs we pulverised youre pathetic team with last time),at least dont set yourself up for humiliation from the get go.
Posted by DinkiDiDude on 2007-02-04 15:47:11
Posted by DinkiDiDude on 2007-02-04 15:47:11
I didn't see any mention of Lou Vincent gesturing to Andrew Symonds that he was a wanker after Symonds took at shot at Vincent's stumps from cover. After which Symonds came and had a nice quiet chat with the Kiwi about the state of the pitch ;)
Playing ugly? Playing fiercely competitive cricket more like it.
Lou is the spade calling the kettle black.
Australia are fiercely competitive on the field and fight for each other as a well drilled team should.
Posted by Ian on 2007-02-10 15:35:43
Playing ugly? Playing fiercely competitive cricket more like it.
Lou is the spade calling the kettle black.
Australia are fiercely competitive on the field and fight for each other as a well drilled team should.
Posted by Ian on 2007-02-10 15:35:43
Na he was calling a spade a wanker
Posted by Shane on 2007-02-14 23:08:36
Posted by Shane on 2007-02-14 23:08:36
Shane is living proof that dickheads can type.
Posted by Ian on 2007-02-15 13:42:47
Posted by Ian on 2007-02-15 13:42:47
I must say I adore all australian sporting teams except for one. The cricket team. They are a bunch of egotistical, pig headed, manipulative dickheads who make the image of cricket terrible. I must admit some of them are very decent and play in the spirt of the game, but many of them fall well below par.
I support the blackcaps with pride.I've never crossed the tasman in my life, but I love them, becasue I find many of them to be humble and pleasant.
Of course every team at one point or another sledges a bit, but to Australia it's a part of the game plan. It's all about the mind games with them and whether it is within the rules is not an issue. It just isn't in the spirit of the game.
Lou Vincent voiced what I've been thinking since the first time I set my eyes upon the Aussie's.
I'm 15 and alot of the aussies I find aren't really the role models I want to be looking up to.
What really gets me rilled up is the treatment of Shane Warne. The man has 'some' talent on the field, but his actions off are appauling. How do so many people in this country like him when knowing his behaviour? How can we call him a great when him and people like mark Waugh match fix? It's disgusting the way the media and people in general push him up to make him look soooo much better than he is?
And on their 'super' record. Please, how many of you can deny Australia have had a fair share of ump calls go their way? And I'm not talking about the occasional, I'm talking bout the almost every game 50/50 going the Aussie's way.
I think I'm the only person in this whole country that doesn't look at that team with rose tinted glasses.
And to all of the who believe it is the international team supporters who are sore losers, give me a break. Every time the Aussie's lose some excuse is made. The first time the pom's won against them this summer people were like 'it's becasue punter wasn't there' in the finals 'Symonds is missing. Of course Australia isn't going to be at their best.'. Rubbish.
Yeah well suck on this Yesterday Australia suffered its worst loss in their one-day history to the brillant Blackcaps. Yeah suck on that. :D :P
Posted by Cindiya on 2007-02-17 15:11:07
I support the blackcaps with pride.I've never crossed the tasman in my life, but I love them, becasue I find many of them to be humble and pleasant.
Of course every team at one point or another sledges a bit, but to Australia it's a part of the game plan. It's all about the mind games with them and whether it is within the rules is not an issue. It just isn't in the spirit of the game.
Lou Vincent voiced what I've been thinking since the first time I set my eyes upon the Aussie's.
I'm 15 and alot of the aussies I find aren't really the role models I want to be looking up to.
What really gets me rilled up is the treatment of Shane Warne. The man has 'some' talent on the field, but his actions off are appauling. How do so many people in this country like him when knowing his behaviour? How can we call him a great when him and people like mark Waugh match fix? It's disgusting the way the media and people in general push him up to make him look soooo much better than he is?
And on their 'super' record. Please, how many of you can deny Australia have had a fair share of ump calls go their way? And I'm not talking about the occasional, I'm talking bout the almost every game 50/50 going the Aussie's way.
I think I'm the only person in this whole country that doesn't look at that team with rose tinted glasses.
And to all of the who believe it is the international team supporters who are sore losers, give me a break. Every time the Aussie's lose some excuse is made. The first time the pom's won against them this summer people were like 'it's becasue punter wasn't there' in the finals 'Symonds is missing. Of course Australia isn't going to be at their best.'. Rubbish.
Yeah well suck on this Yesterday Australia suffered its worst loss in their one-day history to the brillant Blackcaps. Yeah suck on that. :D :P
Posted by Cindiya on 2007-02-17 15:11:07
LMFAO- So much material and so little time to write it. How the mighty have fallen... and as unfortunate as it is to call any Australian team mighty it must be acknowledged that for a long time both players and umpires alike were scared to let the Australians lose. Now however it seems the worm has turned after this season's unprecendented 3-0 blackwash to us KIWIS. Not once, not twice but three times were the larakins of the cricket world beaten in record breaking games. Gone are the days when Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne will stride to the bowling crease to eliminate oppositions, and the replacements they have found need replacing themselves, Shaun Tait can bowl fast but what is the point in that when he can't take wickets, slow it up and get some accuracy idiot.
And 'Glillie' aka JUGHEAD after hearing of the drumming didn't do his team any favours 'oh, we've played alot of cricket this summer, no one really wanted to play the series anyway' stop smoking the grass-after all it's what you get paid to do and to say that all the injuries is mainly the reason why your team lost is even worse because that just means that the Australian team has three or four people who can play the game and the others are there just to make up the numbers... no such trouble in the NZ camp, when our team strides onto the field we have 11 match winners.
I could drone on and on about just how pathetic it is to watch somebody beaten fair square try and wrangle some angle that makes the victory seem hollow: no hollowness there MATE... if you lose try retaining what dignity remains and give the winning team the accolades. There is still dignity in this game, it personifies itself in the form of Stephen Fleming.
Posted by Al Kayda on 2007-02-25 12:39:49
And 'Glillie' aka JUGHEAD after hearing of the drumming didn't do his team any favours 'oh, we've played alot of cricket this summer, no one really wanted to play the series anyway' stop smoking the grass-after all it's what you get paid to do and to say that all the injuries is mainly the reason why your team lost is even worse because that just means that the Australian team has three or four people who can play the game and the others are there just to make up the numbers... no such trouble in the NZ camp, when our team strides onto the field we have 11 match winners.
I could drone on and on about just how pathetic it is to watch somebody beaten fair square try and wrangle some angle that makes the victory seem hollow: no hollowness there MATE... if you lose try retaining what dignity remains and give the winning team the accolades. There is still dignity in this game, it personifies itself in the form of Stephen Fleming.
Posted by Al Kayda on 2007-02-25 12:39:49
I think Louie has a point...and the recent stuff with India shows it. Australia are sore losers and a pricks when they win cause they rub it in your face like no tomorrow. I'm Glad Glilly left the team and i hope Ponting follows with Lee right behind him
Posted by KH on 2008-01-30 19:51:29
Posted by KH on 2008-01-30 19:51:29
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