CricketBlog.com

Spirit of Cricket-Blog

I enjoy passionate cricket fans, being somewhat obsessed with the sport myself. But nothing could've prepared me for the frenzy that's consumed Cricket-Blog.com since Bollyline (I was tossing up BucknorGate or UmpireGate but they fail to encompass other elements feeding the controversy). Ironically, many bloggers accusing cricketers of poor behaviour have behaved none too politely themselves. Even more ironic are the blatantly racist criticisms such as "All Australians are racists". So I'm instituting the following "Spirit of Cricket-Blog" rules that must be adhered to in all comments:
  1. No racism - no derogatory generalising about an entire culture.
  2. No personal insults towards other bloggers.
  3. No profanity.
  4. No homophobia - using gay insults to denigrate others.
Comments breaking any of these rules will be deleted. Repeated or gross violations (the really nasty stuff) will be banned from posting.

I also notice people hijacking others' usernames. I'm contemplating adding a non-compulsory login system which gives you the ability to protect your username. Eg - you need a password to be able to post comments under your own username. Down the track, I'd add other features for registered users like optional notification when people respond to your comment. If anyone is interested in this, comment here - I'll only do it if there's sufficient demand. Also, any other suggestions on how to improve Cricket-Blog is welcome :-)
Posted by JC on Wed 9 Jan 157 comments
JC, I am a new user just reading all the stuff. Now that if you start doing it based on only mandatory username login, that will be nice.
Posted by Raghu on 2008-01-09 18:50:34
I have mandatory usernames at my other two websites (Skeptical Science and Sev) which results in a very controlled environment with very little noise or chaos. I've never needed it at Cricket-Blog and am reluctant to make it mandatory at least initially. I'll probably add it as an optional feature and see how it goes - possibly make it mandatory down the track depending on how things pan out.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-09 18:54:12
JC: Regarding hijacking others' usernames it is I who did it by mistake (on 2 occasions) and I apologize for that. I never intended to do it on purpose.
I will be happy if you add the login system.

And there's a good chance that TA was hurt when I called him stupid and I apologize for that, but TA himself would know that he was provoking me a lot.
Posted by bunny on 2008-01-09 19:09:23
Bunny: That is the same defence that the BCCI used for Singh and it doesn't fly. I'm glad you apologized but it's not much of an apology if it has a 'but' attached. Any more derogatory comments and I will request JC to have you banned. You are entitled to your opinion and for the most part it has been a spirited one if not a little fractious. I'm happy to debate things with you but I won't accept insults. I will try to do my part as well to engage you from my perspective in a reasoned manner.
Posted by TA on 2008-01-09 19:49:07
I have a feeling I am reading the script of a Bollywood potboiler - The villain attackes the Hero and insults the Heroine - passionate figt ensues between them and at the end everybody accepts their mistakes and lives happily everafter - Three cheers for cricket-blog.com
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 19:59:13
Hi JC,

I was just thinking today that a login system would be awesome here. There would be a heap of advantages to such a system, off the top of my head
- no more spambot!
- ability to click on a posters name and see a list of their comments
- build a mailing list which would allow you to send out updates when a series is coming up
- have post counts next to commenters
- possibility of avatars / signatures? depending if you want to go that way of course.

By putting these sort of features on registered users, guests would be encouraged to join in order to add weight to their opinions.

re the hijacking usernames, I worked out the one I thought was on mine was in fact my cousin trying to type "Andrew Mosey's Cousin" but it came out "Andrew Mosey\" - innocent typo. At the time I thought something weird had gone on as while I couldn't remember typing it, the point was well reasoned which wouldn't be the case with a malicious attempt.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-09 19:59:32
and we need a name for the scandal

how bout 'Bollygate' or 'Sissyfit' ?
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-09 20:01:03
My suggestion Pontigate or Symmogate
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 20:02:31
I was hoping for scandal suggestions. But it's a challenge - the whole incident includes umpiring errors, non-walking, suspicious claimed catches, racist taunts (alleged), aggressive appealing, suspensions, boycotts and general spirit of cricket rumblings. Encapsulate all that in a single word with a "gate" plonked on the end.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-09 20:06:04
TA: I again apologize because as you said no provocation merits calling someone stupid.

But, let me defend myself in that you were provocating me. You called me fractious. Now why is that not a provocation? At the same time you were being back-handed by using terms like "self-respecting fan", "not knowing your history", "pretty crappy fan", "shame on you", etc. Why use such terms when the only point I was trying to make in the beginning was that India can compete against Aussies in test cricket (not just 20-20) and you were not ready to own up to that? And after that you are the first one to call me fractious?
Posted by bunny on 2008-01-09 20:10:00
Bring on the login JC - that way we're spared the weirdos and kids AND we get STATS!

I imagine it will also free your time up vetting posts as a lot of the anonymous dullards post when we're not awake.

Like the code of conduct - any chance you can outlaw the outrageous txt typing IMHO FYI - it irritates me almost as much as Mark Nicholarse (oops, sorry, code of conduct, I meant Nicholas)...
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-09 20:14:18
Bring any rules, please ensure Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor is not the umpire and the chairman of the rules committee is not headed by Malcolm Speed....
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 20:16:30
GOOD NEWS!!! TIMES OF INDIA REPORT!!!

The ICC has urged Cricket Australia to reign in Ricky Ponting's men in the light of all-round criticism of their on-field behaviour during the ill-tempered second Test against India.

ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said CA needs to take notice of the criticism being directed at its team by the public, former players and commentators.

"The team is being criticised, members of the team are being criticised and they need to to be aware of that -- they need to respond to that," Speed was quoted saying in the 'Herald Sun'.

"All national teams should play cricket in the right spirit. We need to be clear what that means," he said.

THE GOOD SENSE HAS EVENTUALLY PREVAILED!!!!
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 20:21:41
Bunny: Point proven.
Posted by TA on 2008-01-09 20:38:02
....any comments from anybody on what Speed said about CA
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 20:42:14
MORE GOOD NEWS!!! OPINION POLL RESULT IN THEAGE.COM.AU

In an online poll on theage.com.au, more than 8000 readers had voted by 5pm yesterday, responding to the question "Are Australian cricketers bad sports?" 6288 readers or 76% of respondents voted yes.

Meanwhile on smh.com.au 45,000 readers responded to the question of whether Roebuck's opinion on Ponting was right, and 58% of respondents voted yes. In another poll question, more than 48,000 people responded to a smh.com.au question about the "monkey sledging" controversy. There were several answers but 42% of readers ticked the following option: "Australia has long used sledging. They can dish it out, but can't take it."

The Age's reader feedback section had received 70 emails and calls, mostly disagreeing with Roebuck's sentiment while a similar sentiment was expressed in more than 100 submissions to The Age's letters section.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-09 20:46:26
Slightly off topic, but ig this scandal is going to have a name, can the term "Gate" PLEASE not be part of it??? 34 years on now, and it's so American...

OK, pet gripe over...

If somone's name should be in the name of the scandal it has to be Procter. First the Hair / Pakistan stuff, now this; I'd hate him to organise putting the rubbish out...
Posted by sportsfreak on 2008-01-09 20:54:26
Why does everyone keep quoting online polls in the Age, SMH etc., like people actually believe that these represent the views of the general public of Australia, or have any basis in fact.

Has everyone not noticed that these polls have 60,000 votes compared to the average of about 2,000-3,000, while being splashed all over the front pages of Indian newspapers?

Gimme a break.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-09 21:24:15
Heh !! Homophobia on a cricket blog?

Login process seems to be a good idea. On a related note why dont you expand your list of contributors based on the perspective and level headedness they bring to their comments?
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-09 21:27:27
Jethro, I'm all for more authors/contributors. The general rule of thumb if you want to be cricket-blog author is you have to have posted at least 30 comments - that gives me a good look at your writing - not just the grammar but also whether you have a balanced view-point, a readable style and most of all, a passion for the game.

You can check out the most active commenters here.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-09 21:39:34
60,000 is a sizable population in a country of around 25 million.....Agreed Indian poll size does not represent enough cross-section of population, hence I desisted from quoting it.
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-09 22:35:32
You can't believe that 60,000 are all Australians, just because it's an Aussie website?

I'd guess there are 6,000 Aussies and 54,000 Indians.

And 60k/25,000k is 0.2%. That's a sizeable population is it?
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-09 22:51:48
it confused me
Posted by oylavabeer on 2008-01-09 23:28:26
i was surprised that nines coverage of clarks catch was biast
Posted by oylavabeer on 2008-01-09 23:32:25
Total Population - 21,106,778 which is 21 million

Children below 10 years of age - 10% = 2.1 million

Chinese (2.1%), Italian (1.9%) and Greek (1.4%) won't have any views on cricket - 5.4% = 1.134 million - 10% children(as they have already been considered as part of general population) = 1.02 million

Total of children + non-cricketing nationality = 2.1 + 1.02 = 3.12 million
So, net total = 21 - 3.12 = 17.88 million

Out of this population, we need to deduct aged population who are not interested in cricket, people who are travelling all over the world on personal and professional reasons and many people who are not simply interested in cricket. My guess would be the effective size would be around 12-13 million.
Posted by no arguement on 2008-01-09 23:33:15
I stay in India so my source is australian govt web site
Posted by No arguement on 2008-01-09 23:34:34
It is a poll on a website. By the same reasoning, can we infer that everytime you open the BBC website you are a Brit, and everytime you click on cricket-blog you turn into an Aussie?

With a moniker like yours and a viewpoint so distorted, surely there cant be too many more people who would take you on.
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-09 23:53:15
Rules are good. Treate all fairly. There is something "Not in the spirit" here also.
Posted by Me on 2008-01-10 00:00:07
"With a moniker like yours and a viewpoint so distorted, surely there cant be too many more people who would take you on"

Again another classic example of "Pontism" - whenever you show facts and figures, take recourse to sledge and verbal abuse.....
Posted by No arguement on 2008-01-10 00:04:29
No Argument, all you do is change the % of Australian public from 0.2% to 0.45%. Not a good representation of all Aussies.

And any good statistian knows: "The only think statistics can't prove is the truth".
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-10 00:08:06
What? No profanity...No personal insults...I guess that also means no references to various parts of the anatomy.

But...But...But..I thought that was playing it hard but fair.
Posted by BS on 2008-01-10 00:10:46
NEWS FROM SMH.COM.AU:

Former Australian player Geoff Lawson believes the current Test team is disrespecting the baggy green with their arrogant behaviour on the cricket pitch.

Lawson says the Australians did not play within the spirit of the game in their 122-run second Test win over India at the SCG last week.

And the Pakistan coach says the Australians are considered "arrogant" by the rest of the cricket world and it is time the player were pulled into line for their behaviour.

"There's certainly been a lot of feeling from ex-players who think the baggy green has been disrespected," Lawson told Sydney radio 2KY today.

"Some of these (current) players need to be spoken to.

"I certainly don't agree with dragging (Ricky) Ponting's captaincy, I just think a bit of counselling needs to be done with how these players perceive themselves.

"As an ex-Australian player I was pretty disappointed.

"Perception is everything and the outside world thinks that this Australian team is arrogant and not well behaved.

"Whether the team themselves think that is another issue, but I can guarantee you the rest of the cricket world certainly feel that about this cricket team."
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 00:14:05
It's ok, No Argument. Most of us have read all the articles you are cutting and pasting. You don't need to waste your time.

Much of this problem since the game has ended is due to the media. Does anyone else feel this?

Of course Geoff Lawson is going to be critical of Australia, he's the coach of Pakistan. He's in the middle of a turbulent country, on the brink of civil war, who's players (allegedly, more than likely) murdered their last coach, when their "neighbor" India is fighting "the ruthless, cheating Aussies".

I feel many of the Indian supporters fail to see that the media is very biased, and treat everything they see or hear as fact.

Interesting tho that the Aussie media has defended and attacked Ponting et al in equal measures. But just because the entire Indian media is behind it's team, does not mean that is the only possible truth.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-10 00:23:19
MattyB, can i ask you a question, whether you aussies live on this earth world or out of this world. Please learn to live with the World Mate.
Posted by ME-AN on 2008-01-10 00:29:55
No argument

The "facts and figures" you have shown prove nothing. How do you infer the nationality of somebody who participates in an online poll?

Does this also qualify as "sledging and verbal abuse"?
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-10 00:30:22
"Interesting tho that the Aussie media has defended and attacked Ponting et al in equal measures. But just because the entire Indian media is behind it's team, does not mean that is the only possible truth"

Actually this is a pretty good indicator about who is right and who is wrong... when Symonds was greeted by monkey chants by a section of crowd and couple of police officers tried to downplay it, the media in India was highly divided with majority did not support what the officials said... so it is not that media and public is always biased towards indian players here. In fact, India has lost so many matches against Australia earlier, have you ever heard these allegations earlier?... there must be some truth in whatever experts are talking
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 00:32:26
ME-AN, I'm sorry that I'm actually starting/getting involved in a discussion here. Feel free to get involved yourself, to make a point and argue it based on facts.

I live in this world, and I live with the result of Sydney's test also. Funnily enough, I also live with the thought of Bhajji being suspended, and I live with ... nay relish the thought of Indian cricketers running home when things don't go their own way.

What world is it that you live in?

Any other questions you would like me to answer?
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-10 00:35:42
NA, that's good to hear, but at the moment, are any Indian papers even commenting on some of the decisions that did go India's way in the test (like Laxman and Dravid's LBWs)? Are they commenting on India's lack of batting (Jaffer or the tailenders), or Kumble's negative field placements on the start of the 5th day?

Also, I don't quite get what you mean when you say "In fact, India has lost so many matches against Australia earlier, have you ever heard these allegations earlier?..."

Do you mean the allegations against the Mumbai crowd and the Monkey chants? Yes I had heard them from the Australian media, but I had also heard the Indian media and the BCCI vehemently denying that any crowd taunting ever occurred.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-10 00:41:49
"The "facts and figures" you have shown prove nothing. How do you infer the nationality of somebody who participates in an online poll?"

There are two possibilities for this argument:
1. Except Australians everybody else is voting against Australia b'cause it's not only Indian but also people from other countries may join in the poll

2. All online polls in India considered only indians so the result is different.

Any convincing reason for guessing like these???
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 00:43:02
MattyB, I mean allegations of bad umpiring, not playing within the spirit of the game etc...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 00:45:30
JONATHON AGNEW COLUMN FROM BBC WEBSITE:

What a shame it is that the legacy of this fine team will be so tarnished by the ugly and offensive manner in which it plays the game – and has done for at least three years.

Ricky Ponting’s men have trampled all over the spirit of cricket by offering the lame excuse that they are "hard". In their world, deliberately conning the umpire is part and parcel of the game: “It’s his decision," they offer as a cop-out.

Just look at Andrew Symonds, who visibly gloated for the media when he admitted he had got away with a catch behind the wicket early in his first innings - what a miserable performance.

And what effect does that have on the umpire’s confidence – or that of the players in him?

This Australia team plays the game to win – there’s nothing wrong in that – but it has negated its responsibility to those who watch it and, more importantly, the next generation of cricketers who will inherit the battered sprit of cricket that Ponting’s team leaves in its trail.

Cricket can be an aggressive sport, but it is the ball and the bat that should do the talking. The hostile, nasty and intimidating environment that the Australians create on the pitch is a key ingredient in unsettling an opponent.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 00:52:18
Unfortunately 'No Argument' that BBC column screams of 'we got done 5-0 in the ashes'.
Whinging poms + whinging indians is a scary combination.
It's a well known fact that the australian and english teams get on very well off the field. Please refrain from posting any column/news article you can find to further defame the 2-0 series lead.
This whole situation is like a mosquito bite, you know its wrong to scratch that itch. But man does it feel good!
Posted by ShootME on 2008-01-10 01:00:56
I agree with you completely about the facts and figures, that's what I was trying to say. Online polls are useless and provide nothing of value.

Even if all 60,000 of the people in the online poll were Australian, and you worked out that there were 12-13million Aussies who are interested in cricket, that would still not even represent half of 1% of them.

The point is that online polls do nothing except 'sell' online papers. The fact you can vote more than once destroys it's credibility immediately.

On to the next point, I've heard allegations of bad umpiring, not playing within the spirit of the game, and many other things for years. I've heard allegations of match fixing, I've heard allegations of drug taking, I've heard allegations of racism. I've heard allegations of ball tampering. I've seen teams threaten not to continue on a tour, I've seen team and players refuse to travel to certain countries. I've heard them about the Aussies, I've heard them about the Indians, I've heard them about every mature cricketing nation there is.

But I still don't see your point.

My point is that every team does something that other teams don't like. I admit the Aussie team is a bit arrogant. But we've never broken the rules of the game before? Sure Warney took a diuretic, Lehmann is a racist biggot, McGrath deserved to have his head bashing in a few times, and Ponting got his beaten in once.

But please don't try and tell me that India are perfect gentlemen, have never appealed for a catch or stumping that wasn't there. Have never been on the receiving end of a bad decision. It's just not true.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-10 01:01:14
I think after Warnie and McGrath's retirement, Australia has to resort to few "Innovative means" to win matches. I understand the psyche well... when you are the world champs and suddenly two of your best bowlers retire, you would still like to get the same result by hook or by crook... possibly any other country would have tried to do similar things in the same situation...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 01:17:50
Let's look how the future of australian team will pan out:
1. Mathew Hayden - on the verge of retirement
2. Adam Gilchrist - On the verge of retirement
3. Ricky Ponting - Not focussed on his game, more interested in finding innovative means to create pressure on opponents
4. Michael Clark - started showing a symptom that he would go the "Ricky Ponting" way
5. Mike Hussey - Plays only on australian soil. not proven abroad
6. Brett Lee - more interested in movies and ads
7. Brad Hogg - Downfall is iminent. anyway does not seem to be cut out for success outside australia

That leaves me with Symonds, mitchell johnson, stuart clark and shaun tait - very unenviable position as they have to carry the burden....
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 01:37:10
FFS, 'No Argument' you are the most blinded person I have ever seen. Every aussie cricket fan on here has admitted the fault of the umpires but you continue to find excuses to belittle the Australian team.
You bag Mike Hussey yet he is second on the world batting average list which requires 2000 runs, behind the Don. Mate, just give up.

p.s breaking news, Sharma is a naughty foul mouthed boy!
Posted by ShootME on 2008-01-10 03:57:44
Sad to see guys like "No Argument" tarnish the indians. I'm disappointed at the petty squabbling and inane one upmanship. Its not what most of us stand for. Get on with the game, you're not any salvation by being mad about indian cricket.

Cheers.
Posted by Indian on 2008-01-10 04:50:53
If indians are so passionate about the game, they should take up to playing, achieving and doing their country proud. Heck with so many people its disappointing we're struggling and constantly bickering amongst ourselves. I hate to say this, but aussies are better in more than just cricket.
Posted by Indian on 2008-01-10 04:58:25
I think compulsory logins is a good idea.
Lots of blogs are using openid - http://openid.net/
You can have one login you use everywhere (that supports it)
Posted by Sean2000 on 2008-01-10 07:10:35
Gauty Boy, you saucy vindaloo. Get off the toilet when you post your thoughts. We can hear the noise from here.
Posted by Magali Wailer on 2008-01-10 07:23:25
I'm no expert, but, it seems to me that the Indian team just isn't good enough. They shouldn't set out to play other teams until they can at least get to the point where they offer some kind of decent competition.
Australia plays too hard and not within the spirit of Cricket? Do they mean they want Australia to throw a couple of games to make them look better?
That's about the only way they can look better in my opinion. I wouldn't pay to go and watch them when I can watch a local and better team playing on the local oval.
Posted by ross on 2008-01-10 07:48:07
No Argument does make some good points.

Lee has been stellar the last year but at 31 for a fast bowler rather than medium fast like McGrath, the signs of age will start to creep in sooner or later and $ signs from Bollywood will look rather appealing.

Spin, as we all feared, is going to be a difficult proposition post Warne and the 2nd Indian Innings showed that Hogg is probably no better than a good One Day bowler. I hope I'm wrong, he is what the team lacks to a degree, a real character.

Gilchrist should retire sometime soon. 4 dropped catches, albeit 1 or 2 rather difficult in one match and a missed stumping or 2 and catch in Melbourne is ordinary to say the least. Only 1 great Gilchristlike batting innings (Poms in Perth) over the last year or 2. Haddin looks a ready made replacement but not when's he's 35.

Hayden is a tricky one as he's batting well but again at 36 or so, give someone else a go and retire soon.

Michael Clarke as good as he is, and an amazing last over gives the sign of a real play it too hard but not well educated, hey-I've-got-a-glamour-girlfriend professional (ie Ponting clone). He won't live down that non-walk dismissal for a while. And his "catch" in the Hobart One Dayer that was clearly a half volley should also be noted. Thankfully his catch of Ganguly looked legit.

Mike Hussey does need to make runs overseas to round out the amazing resume. He was good in Sth Africa in '06 without being outstanding and Bangladesh - give me a break. I've not much trepidation will score heavily though.

It will be interesting to see Ponting's form post this drama. No Aussie captain has been as closely scrutinised since Kim Hughes and although Kim's form determined his fate, if Ricky's form drops even marginally the dickhead knifeweilders will be on the front foot.

I'm not saying Camelot will crumble but No Arguments list makes for some interesting reading.

I'm sure you'll have a sensible take on my comments Gautam.
Posted by Ozzie Healy on 2008-01-10 08:13:03
Hey Virtualgaz, I know you hate the internet acronyms... but there's one that is perfect for 'No Argument'.

HTFU ; Harden the F*** Up.

The thing he seems to neglect is the apathy of Australians. We couldn't be stuffed voting on an online poll! If they want the poll to reflect the Australian readers then they should block all OS IP addresses. Till then it's not a big leap to expect the polls have been linked to on populous indian cricket sites.

As for you assuming your polls are only answered by Indians, probably not a bad assumption as they're probably in Hindi so it's unlikely that we'd visit.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 08:24:09
3. Ricky Ponting - Not focussed on his game, more interested in finding innovative means to create pressure on opponents
I reckon you'd struggle to find someone more focussed that Ricky
4. Michael Clark - started showing a symptom that he would go the "Ricky Ponting" way
you mean he's going to score heaps of runs, set intelligent fields and win games for Australia? Shame.
5. Mike Hussey - Plays only on australian soil. not proven abroad
He averages 64.25 in South Africa which by his standards is a bit low.. and 80.66 in Bangladesh, which is about the same as his overall average. He hasn't played tests anywhere else yet.
6. Brett Lee - more interested in movies and ads
Binga's bollywood career can start when he finishes his cricket one. The better cricket he plays, the more successful he'll be over threre.
7. Brad Hogg - Downfall is iminent. anyway does not seem to be cut out for success outside australia
Yeah, drop him. He's 36 anyway. Macgilla will be back soon, or maybe one of the south aussies.

Regardless, there are a heap of quality players in the moomoo cup ready to step up.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 08:33:41
Ponting's got a glamour girlfriend?
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 08:35:27
If by resorting to a few "Innovative means" to win matches since the retirement of Warne and McGrath you mean taking more wickets and making more runs than the other mob in a 5 day test match (if, in fact, it ever lasts that long), then I suppose you're right.

Andrew I wouldn't be holding faith in Macgill for much longer, despite his impressive record. It does highlight a problem in Australia's spin bowling stocks. What I find interesting is that Oz have a bowler in a similar mould to Kumble in Cam White. Thing is, half his deliveries hit the pitch half way down (the other half don't hit it at all). Surely the newly appointed King Of Finding Another Spinner could help him with his bowling. He wouldn't be a bad number 6 either.
Posted by jaradevans on 2008-01-10 10:21:04
Warney's already spent a heap of time with Cameron White - both at Victoria and with Hampshire. His batting is explosive, however I think as a bowling option he's a part timer at best, though like most spinners should mature with age.

I don't think the spin bowling stocks are as low as people would like to think, just that there's a gap till the next great will come though. It's not like any other teams have a devastating leggie either.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 10:33:35
I think making it a prerequisite of playing First Class cricket in Australia and England for 10 solid seasons actually works for Australia.

You look at Hussey and Clarke who has more talent?

Who makes the more of their talent and skills?

I think Clarke, though he won the last test, is not reliable and not ready for Test cricket...

Unless he matures soon - there are a lot of players in their early 30s with tons of experience who will destroy world attacks out there...

It is not a bad ploy to pick players at late 20s to early 30s - I think Jacques and Hussey are good examples of this...

Clarke would get a start in any other side in the world, but I think we have better players knocking on the door...

I wont be suprised if he doesnt make a hundred this year...

Can we move on and stop flogging a dead horse.

FACT: Sydney Test is over, Australia won, they lead the two test series 2 -0
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 10:33:48
I'd settle for a devestating offie. Haven't seen one of those since Tim May.....
Posted by jaradevans on 2008-01-10 10:43:40
I'm up for a login system JC, although I think it should be compulsory and not optional.

I have a feeling some Indian message boards are being asked to spam cricket-blog with insulting and inflammatory comments and its ruining your site.

Same as any internet poll. There are viral email campains going on right now to skew any internet poll that has to do with Ponting or Australian cricket (hence why the results are so ridiculous).

Obviously 1 billion versus 20 million, no internet poll can ever be accurate. Every Australian I've spoken to thinks India are out of line and that Ponting has done nothing wrong, yet an internet poll says the majority of "Australians" think he should be "fired"??

Internet polls are a waste of time.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 10:43:57
PONTIFICATE : To speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner

PONTYPOOPER : One who disrupts sermon

PONTYLINER : One line dogmas ( Beliefs e.g. "bad decisions even out" )

PONTYPLACATE : No offence mate !
Posted by Tail Spin on 2008-01-10 10:48:42
Hmm, how about we call the Sydney incident "Pontifigate"? Too confusing?

Anyhoo, I'll add the login system within the next few days - it'll initially be optional. As more users are registered, I'll probably make it compulsory to be registered.
Posted by JC on 2008-01-10 10:57:27
Hello JC

People contributing to this blog should discuss 'Cricket' and nothing but cricket. Lot of what appears in this blog is pure garbage and should be vetted.People contributing to this blog are people who like to attack other contributors and do not help this blog or cricket in any way.People should understand that others also have their own views. Let us enjoy this wonderful game of cricket and strive to make a valuable contribution to it.
Posted by Winston from Melbourne on 2008-01-10 11:56:48
One of the best posts about Sydney by Sambit Bal at cricinfo:
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/330014.html

"Harbhajan deserves his punishment if it can be proved that he threw the "monkey" barb. We can spend an eternity arguing over whether calling someone a monkey constitutes a racial taunt; about cultural differences; about monkeys being revered in India. Often words are not offensive by themselves; it is the manner, the circumstances, and the context in which they are used that make them so. After all that went on during Australia's tour of India late last year, Harbhajan should have known better."

"For justice to be done, it must be seen to be done..... For that, they must place the evidence Proctor acted on to pronounce Harbhajan guilty in the public domain. It is not enough for Procter to claim that his judgment is fair and balanced and that he hasn't based it on one man's word over another's."
Posted by Bharat on 2008-01-10 12:05:25
Time for some praise. I reckon CA's James Sutherland has conducted himself really well thus far. Exemplifying the Spirit of Cricket. (There, that qualifies this comment!!)

His comment "It's Test Cricket being played out there, not tiddliewinks!" was precious and he's been making all the right noises.

Just hope he's giving the right behind the scenes support to our players.

JC was a bit emabarrassed when I read my stats the other day. Let me know when I reach a triple century and I might retire hurt. 300 heh, more than runs scored in my entire career!!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2008-01-10 12:17:15
Dan, don't retire whilst you still have a chance of beating Lara's record ;)
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 14:14:41
That article by Sambit Bal is probably the most unbiased and informative I have read on this issue so far.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 14:23:12
Exactly, since where he got his conclusive evidence from is inconclusive, why not come public with what happened?

But complaining to the match refree certainly wasn't a matured reaction from the masters of sledgers themselves.

Such things keep happening and should be best kept inside the boundary. Why I've been racially abused even while playing street cricket!

It's part of the game and everyone knows it keeps happening...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-01-10 14:37:28
Having just recently visited this blog I'm happy to see things calming down a bit (although maybe JC's fingers are smoking from deleting posts). This is what happens when people get a bit too passionate & over-invested in what is after all just a game. Don't get me wrong, I love my country (Aus) & cricket & did get fired up when I saw us getting attacked but I realised after going through some of the comments how utterly ridiculous the people posting them looked.
I have to say I've got one foot in both camps. I believe India & other asian teams are overly precious when they get a raw deal, be it umpiring, Murali called for chucking etc. The threats of boycotts have all happened before & even the laws of the game were bent to allow Murali to play & appease Sri Lankan cricket as a whole. The race card always seems to be hovering in the background like a bad smell with these decisions too (the white devil making it hard for us). I also feel sorry for Darrel Hair (to an extent) in this regard as being the sacrificial lamb for appeasements sake but won't bother treading over that old groud.
I also believe 'tall-poppy' syndrome may be playing a small hand too, a lot of poms/kiwis seem to be all too quick to jump on the bandwagon & stick the knives in all of a sudden.
I also agree with McGrath about Speed's decision on Bucknor - capitulating to the BCCI all too quickly on this is dangerous & another massive dent in umpire confidence - possibly even affecting their decision making to swing in favour of one team to cover their arses.
All nations should be on an equal footing - bar none.
On the other hand while always being a staunch supporter of Aus cricket I can see where some opinions are coming from. I think Andrew Symonds admission on the catch was stupid & I also think Ponting is arrogant - always have done. I also couldn't believe Gilchrist's reaction to Greig's comments on the declaration. This team has obviously adopted a 'play it hard' stance & want to dominate the game which is fine, but I think they've been doing it so long now they've forgotten the initial reason (glory for the baggy green) & focus more on just the winning. I think a few retirements, a step back/some thought from Ponting or direction from a new coach (ex Aus champ - one who'd spoken out about this problem) would be a step in the right direction.
Regardless of all this I think we should just bring it back to the game, I'm looking forward to the Perth (home town) test, the tension is ratcheted up just right & barring any further controversy (I really hope it's finished) the scene is set for some awesome cricket. I'll deviate from earlier comments too & say I hope Bhaji's appeal is heard later too because Ponting v him (with all the heat on them as well)is shaping up to be 'the' contest.
Posted by Mike Hunt on 2008-01-10 14:48:07
Ajesh: I'm getting sick of answering this.

Ponting was REQUIRED to inform the match referee of any racist incidents that happened on field.

The ICC asked this of both captains before the series started (probably due to the racial abuse Symonds received from the crowd during the India tour last year).

Remember: REQUIRED. There was no choice in the matter, he is captain and if the ICC tells him to do something, he does it.

Unlike India, who signed a contract saying they would not interfere with the selection of umpires. But seem now to be selecting their own umpires by bullying and intimidation of the ICC.

Seems like India don't care what the ICC says, they now make their own rules.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 15:21:42
Update on the racism row: Apparent Harbijan called Symonds a monkey last year, and Symonds DID NOT REPORT IT but tried to work the issue out personally. It was only reported this time because Harbijan did it again.

Thats enough for me. Harbijan knows what he said and its obvious why he said it (and repeated it). Symonds offered him an olive branch man-to-man and Harbijan has chucked it back in his face.

Read the full story here.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 15:32:07
I wish people would stop calling him an alleged racist. He was found guilty by the systems in place so he is in fact a racist.

That he has an appeal outstanding doesn't make him innocent again, he has been found guilty of racism, and that charge will stand until such time as the verdict is overturned. Harbajahn is a racist.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 15:59:36
Andrew under this logic Ricky Ponting has been charged in the past with bringing the game into disrepute under the ICC code of conduct.

Therefore I can say it is fact that the ICC has felt in the past that Punter has not played in the spirit of the game...

So we have a fact that Ponting has proven he does not play in the spirit of the game...

Does everyone who has been charged by the ICC keep the label for the rest of their career?

Will Harbhajan now be considered a racist forever - much like Murali is considered a chucker, because of the ICC...

The ICC then decides to change the rules to allow him to chuck - so is Murali still a chucker?

On a side note looks like Jaffer and Dravid are finding some form - hope India puts up a fight in Perth...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 16:07:45
Ace: To answer your query, yes, Murali is still a chucker.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 16:12:13
My point is guys that the ICC has limited credibility...

I am not convinced yet that the Harb. decision is not just another error in a catalogue of errors that they have made...

I am sure more will develop on this story...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 16:26:11
I reckon Murali as one of the finest exponent of spin bowling the game of cricket has ever seen. Had Neville Cardus been around, he would have composed an epic. Bradman possibly would have saluted him.

However I like warne as a carefree person, he is no match. Just to prove this point, I request everybody to dust off their shelves and take out India-Australia DVDs of earlier series. I have never seen any bowlers so badly treated ever. The way sachin, laxman, dravid and ganguly treated warne is amazing. Whenever India used to be under pressure and warne used to be around, we used to heave a sigh of relief. Even McGrath was destroyed completely in Kolkata test where Laxman made 281 and dravid made 178.
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 16:30:47
i still didnt get any answer for this. why does ponting and his boys hurl abuses at opponents but go crying to mummy if the opponents hurl back the abuse?
Posted by australia_sucks on 2008-01-10 16:31:05
Change your handle name and I might grace you with a comment.
Posted by TA on 2008-01-10 16:41:14
Is 'sucks' a "derogatory generalising about an entire culture"?

Might have to delete it ;)
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 16:51:57
"australia_sucks": The difference between sledging and racial abuse is thus:

- What Australia says is sledging.
- What Harbijan did in Mumbai and Sydney was racism.

One requires a complaint to the ICC (as per the player code of conduct), and the other does not.

Answer your question?
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 16:54:48
Great knock from "Bahji". :)
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 16:55:58
Indian batsmen choking in Canberra as usual I see.
Posted by TA on 2008-01-10 16:57:50
OMG, not only was he out for a 3 ball duck, check out the first ball!

"74.5 Ritchard to Harbhajan Singh, 3 leg byes, on the off and coming in, Harbhajan struck on the pads , plumb in front rather. But not given. Ahem! Does the obvious need to be stated"


TIME TO PAINT DONKEYS, BURN EFFIGIES AND DEMAND THE ICC SACK THE UMPIRE!!! RAAARRR!!!!

The honour of every Australian is at stake!!

...no? :)
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 16:59:02
ALL TIME GLOBAL RANKING OF SPIN BOWLERS:

1. EAS PRASANNA
2. BS CHANDRASEKHAR
3. BISHAN SINGH BEDI
4. LANCE GIBBS
5. SUBHASH GUPTE
6. VENKATARAGHAVAN
7. DEREK UNDERWOOD
8. ABDUL QADIR
9. KUMBLE
10. WARNE
11. HARBHAJAN SINGH
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 17:03:35
CORRECTION:
ALL TIME GLOBAL RANKING OF SPIN BOWLERS

1. EAS PRASANNA
2. BS CHANDRASEKHAR
3. BISHAN SINGH BEDI
4. LANCE GIBBS
5. MURALI
6. SUBHASH GUPTE
7. VENKATARAGHAVAN
8. DEREK UNDERWOOD
9. ABDUL QADIR
10. KUMBLE
11. WARNE
12. HARBHAJAN SINGH
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 17:06:28
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

That is the funniest ranking I've even seen in my life. Don't worry I think Harbhajan has it in him to crack a bowling average of 50 this tour. No hang on, they are going to Perth from here. Not a bleeding chance.
Posted by TA on 2008-01-10 17:07:48
I agree with you Timbo in that it was pathetic of India to threaten boycott over a simple umpiring issue.

It sets a dangerous precedent where each team chooses whom they want and whom they dont.

The umpiring was horrendous but that doesn't mean you can sack whomever you want by holding the ICC to ransom.

I think India got their way only because a certain BCCI is backing them. The ICC wont have enough money to pay their electricity bills without the BCCI. OK, that maybe exaggerating a bit :) but I think I got my point accross...
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2008-01-10 17:17:48
Harbhajan is one cool dude, I reckon. When was the last time India toured with any sort of 'personality'in the team.
Personally, i reckon it's up to the Aussies to adopt a much better spirit when they get to Perth. Imagine if the players actually walked out onto the field mingling as one, smiling and generally enjoying the atmosphere of test cricket. But I'm sure silly little-boy Ponting will think it is a time for stern-faced stubborness. This 3rd test is doomed already.
Posted by Yandi on 2008-01-10 17:21:29
MALCOLM SPEED'S PRESS RELEASE:

Malcolm Speed has insisted the ICC will not bow to India's demands on the Harbhajan Singh issue and they will have to accept any ruling on his case. India have threatened to call off their Australia tour if the hearing does not clear Harbhajan, who has been banned for three Tests, of racial abuse.

"We can't have one set of rules for the India team and another set for everyone else. We will follow the process and I hope whatever the outcome all parties will be able to say they have had a fair hearing."

Malcolm Speed has to realize soon that his loose talk is damaging world cricket more than anything else!!!
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 17:23:18
how about ICC branding hogg a racist for using the bastard word?
Posted by australia sucks on 2008-01-10 17:34:09
No Arguement and australia sucks your opinions are highly charged and extremely light (like Philly cheese) on fact...

It makes your posts in some cases a joke and in other cases as a cricket fan just makes me cringe - are all Indian supporters like this?

India scored quickly in ACT which is good to see - hopefully we have a good hard test which lasts 5 days and ends in a result and a few smiles..
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 17:42:30
Errr... something's just struck me - monkeys are a species, not a race so Harbajhan is ACTUALLY a speciesist...
Posted by virtualgaz on 2008-01-10 17:45:45
Hogg's comment can't possibly be called racist, based upon the fact that he didn't call Kumble a bastard because of his race, he called him a bastard cause he's a bastard!

Actually it's a term of endearment in Australia, I call my mates Prick, Ball Bag, and many more not suitable for an all ages blog all the time.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 17:50:04
"TIME TO PAINT DONKEYS, BURN EFFIGIES AND DEMAND THE ICC SACK THE UMPIRE!!! RAAARRR!!!!

The honour of every Australian is at stake!!"

My dear ACE, don't you find this highly charged and a joke? Open your eyes and read the blogs... you will get it...

I have restricted myself only to cricketing events... even now I am saying warne is not among best five spinners in world cricket. I also reiterate that Malcolm Speed does not think before commenting... if you are an avid follower of cricket, you will find he has talked many rubbish in last few years starting from spat with dalmia, inzamam fiasco etc etc...
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 17:57:01
Ricky Ponting pushed Sharad Pawar during presentation ceremony in India

EXPLANATION: He just got carried away and very eager to be part of the photo session.

McGrath charged at Sachin and used choicest of words.

EXPLANATION: Being highly competitive, he showed his tough nature.

Symonds slams at dravid in India

EXPLANATION: He is a tough guy... what do you expect him to do moron?

Ganguly comes late for toss and Steve Waugh waits at the crease

EXPLANATION: Bad manners. Does not know how to play cricket

Harbhajan reacts to Symonds

EXPLANATION: Racist

I can write a book on this. Had I been an aussie supporter, my explanation would have been\

"C'on.. he is a highly competitive cricketer and plays very hard... that's why he did what he did... he likes to win... isn't it?"
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 18:05:51
No Argument - here's an Aussie term you may not be aware of: 'flogging a dead horse'.

Get over it mate, you lost a test match, 1 test match! Suck it up sunshine, it happens in world cricket - umps make mistakes, teams get a raw deal, when a big match is on the line competitive teams will make the most of any chance (this by the way is not bullying an umpire - how can you force a decision, the umpire is an individual capable of free thought), sledging will happen - it is a psychological tactic used to unnerve the opposition (the modern game is extremely competitive involving big salaries etc. with people striving to keep their positions), etc. etc.
Akram, Gavaskar etc. have asked us to stop being cry babies & let racist comments go like water off a duck's back so why don't you do the same...
Posted by Mike Hunt on 2008-01-10 18:23:11
Mike... I agree with what you said.. let the game go on...
Posted by No Arguement on 2008-01-10 18:58:39
>> etc. have asked us to stop being cry babies & let racist comments go like water off a duck's back so why don't you do the same...

Mike Mike - fine by us mate - bastard, monkey, monkey-bastard, bastard-monkey, anything goes, both ways of course. Now, there's just the small matter of conveying this to your mates Ricky and Symmo. No running to teacher, k?
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-10 19:35:35
No argument

The more you keep repeating your point, the more irrelevant it is becoming. Stop whingeing and get on with it.
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-10 19:50:36
Hey No Argument.

I think Warne should be there in the top 5 spin bowlers.

Rest:

I agree it is just a test match and thats it. But you guys must realize something. India has lost earlier. Even lost the boxing day test. Was there any hue and cry about it. I think not. In this test we lost not because we deserved to loose. We lost because the umpires was soooooo bias towards one team that they won that team the match. Forget the first 4 days, do u really think that had justice been done to
Dravid and Ganguly, would India have lost. Of course keeping in mind all days, India should have probably won. I do not think the best team won the test match. As a fan (yes an Indian but a fan of Cricket) the series would have been much more interesting had it been 1 all or at max. 1-0. I think, cricket was the biggest looser here.

I would also like to add that yes Australia is the best test playing nation. But India is the most unpredictable team in the world and is the only current team capable of beating Australia in their home ground. Traditionally we have been outplayed in the first Test and then improve immensely. The same had happened in SCG.

Now for Harbhajan issue, I do not think he even used the word monkey. There is no concrete proof of what was said. No vedio or audio proof. It was the word of one party against the other. Both parties are not neutral, both have vested interest in that particular game and series. How can the word of one party with vested interest be taken and not the others. At max both parties should have been given a strict warning , especially Bhajji and let go.
How can any sane person hand over such a harsh ban without concrete evidence is beyond me.

As far as ICC's comments, it is only half mentioned here. Speed also had some words for Ponting which has not been written about here.

As far as Aussie's behavior on field is concerned, some former Aussie players and some Aussie writers have given it all. (Pls read Geoff Lawson and Peter Reobuck's comments. For him I have a few lines in Hindi which I picked up form one of the channels in India. I hope someone will translate it for the rest:

Champion wo hote hai jo dil par raj karte hai,
Champion wo hote hai jo dil par raj karte hai,
varna to murge ke sar par bhi taj hote hai.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 20:25:44
Peter Roebuck is a Pom, not an Aussie. I used to think he was half decent, but he's done a solid job of changing my mind on that count.
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 20:59:11
And Geoff Lawson???????????????????/
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 21:01:01
you mean the Pakistani coach? Probably shooting for a pay rise
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-10 21:06:31
Totally agree on Roebuck. Used to hold him in very high regard as a balanced writer but he lost it when demanded Ponting's sacking.
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-10 21:12:34
Peter Roebuck is an excellent analyst and Geoff Lawson has started providing very balanced opinion to say the least. Peter's article is informative, insightful and based on sound logic and argument. I expect him to write more good articles in future.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 21:25:29
I have just now discovered a win-win situation - that is dropping Yuvraj Singh from next test - India would get a batter who would score double digit and Yuvi would be able to spend some more time with his latest sweetheart Deepika...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 21:34:59
Aussie he is. He might be the Pakistani coach right now, but he is not the Indian coach to expect pay raise. I think the on field behavior of Aussies needs to be checked or else they should not complain if they get a piece of their own pie.

I think the Aussies will still be the best team without abusing and acting rowdy on the field. Aussies might be the champions today but they certainly are not the most respected team in the world. However they can the most respected team if they get their attitude right. People still talk of the Windies in the 70's and 80's and that is because they were the most respected team then. I was too young to see them but in the 90's I remember that a smile in the face of Walsh and Ambrose conveyed the same msg as is conveyed by the current Aussie team shooting their mouths off. N if you shoot your mouths off then why do you not expect others to do the same. You can't have both sides of the coin. Why run to the match refree like a bunch of cicies.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 21:36:13
No argument, please read my choice of team in Perth test pick your team. What is ur opinion.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 21:39:05
"Totally agree on Roebuck. Used to hold him in very high regard as a balanced writer but he lost it when demanded Ponting's sacking."

Jethro, Peter has become more respectful for expressing his opinion without fear or favour... He knew this would antagonize many people still he stuck his neck out... now we know Peter is not only wise but also extremely bold and courageous...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 21:41:36
My team:

Jaffar, Dravid, Laxman, Sachin, Ganguly, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 21:45:39
Champion wo hote hai jo dil par raj karte hai,
Champion wo hote hai jo dil par raj karte hai,
varna to murge ke sar par bhi taj hote hai.

For the benefit of people who do not speak Hindi:

Champions are the one who wins your heart
Champions are the one who wins your heart
Otherwise diamond sparkles even at the head of a Chicken

THIS IS NOT MY STATEMENT... I HAVE ONLY TRANSLATED...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 21:49:53
Do u really think Bhajji will be effective in Perth??? Plus Dravid a class act is ineffective as an opener. Apart from 2 centuries on extremely flat Pakistani wickets, he has never excelled as an opener. Its just the same case when Laxman use to open. I think he will be rendered useless as an opener. We need either Kartik or Sehwag to open. Seeing today's innings, my vote goes to Kartik.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 21:51:36
No argument

Roebuck played to the gallery here mate.

He might have antagonised a few million Aussies but became the favourite writer for hundreds of millions of Indians. His books should do very well in India from now on.
Posted by Jethro on 2008-01-10 22:11:30
Jethro, It is already selling like hot cakes and I am running from srores to stores to grab a coppy...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 22:28:42
ssukhdial... you are right about dravid..even I would not like dravid to open... i thought about karthik, but on second thought, i felt that if karthik fails with bat, he can't contribute any more whereas pathan can bowl also and pathan has scored 38 odd runs today... only other option is to drop bhajji and take karthik and bolster the batting... then the problem will be bowling... we will only have 2 quality bowlers - kumble and RP... Ishant is too raw and pathan is most unpredictable.. pathan can't be a 4th bowler... he is ok as a 5th bowler... i think india has a issue with one slot here...rest 10 are ok...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 22:36:10
No Arguement... hang on, I thought burning effigies and painting donkeys was the proper reaction to the umpire making a mistake???
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 22:47:20
Timbo, it is one way better than calling Jonathon Agnew as "Whining Poms", Geoff lawson as "stooges of Pakistan" (even though i fail to understand how pakistan has anything to do with all these) and Peter Roebuck as "paedophile" - it is also better than remaining completely blind about the world opinion at large
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 22:53:39
Ponting Speaks: He said that his family was getting threats. I think the people who r threatening r ridiculous idiots.

Apart from this serious thing he spoke, here r some jokes from him.

'The Daily Telegraph' also quoted Ricky Ponting of being very conscious of the team's image. Ponting said people appreciate and enjoy Australian cricket that is tough and very competitive but his side was ready to work on grey areas if there were any.

"I don't think anyone wants the way Australia plays cricket to change. Everyone likes to see a tough, uncompromising brand of cricket," he said.

"But if there are areas in our game to improve then obviously we need to address that."

"I think we can all look back at that last Test and realise there were some little areas in that game that, if we had our time over, we might have done slightly differently."

Ponting was dumbfounded at some of the reaction since the finish to the second Test, which Australia won by capturing three late wickets with minutes to spare to seize their 16th consecutive Test victory.

"What I want is for the Australian cricket team to be the most loved and the most respected sporting side in this country. That's always been one of my aims and it will continue to be," he said.

"One thing I've been conscious of over the last five years I've been captain is that this team is going to be recognised as one of the all-time great Australian cricket teams.

"But what I've also been conscious of is making sure the guys are remembered as being good people as well as great cricketers.

"In the last two or three seasons especially we've actually started to change the perception, the way in which the public see us. There have been less (players reported). We're ultra conscious of how we play the game and the spirit of cricket which we all signed on to."
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 23:11:23
Geez, reading these comments I realise Peter Roebuck is not just a flaming tosser. He is a very smart business man. Sledge Australia and kiss Indian ass = 1 billion book sales.

Australia sucks, India rules!
Posted by TA on 2008-01-10 23:18:48
I don't see the similarity "No Arguement", what on earth are you talking about??
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 23:19:39
Oh no, look at this. Another case of India appealing for a catch that was rightfully theirs, and mean old Mr "Nasty" Bucknor denies them their right to a wicket.

Damn him!! He should be banned from umpiring any more Indian tests until he starts giving India the wickets they rightfully deserve!!

Its just because India are so darn honest that they get such awful treatment from Mr "Nasty" Bucknor. He's really picking on them he is!! Shame on him.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-10 23:24:45
How many of us here know that Ponting was thrown out of a night club in Kolkata when he came withSteve Waugh's team (the same test where laxman scored 281)for eve teasing??? That too when australia lost badly.... This news was splashed in front pages in newspapers
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-10 23:27:57
I saw Ponting's interview on ACA he came across as extremely naive and stubborn. I didnt expect much else from him.

You guys might think there is nothing wrong with the way the Aussie cricket team plays but a lot of Australians do including myself...

Also Neil Harvey and other sporting greats have voiced their concerns on what values this teaches young kids - breeding a win at all costs mentality...

I am not for one minute saying India plays their cricket in any better a light...

Just felt that there are a reasonable number of Australiansthat I have spoken to that feel there are certain things that can be improves on - I hope the team works on their perception...

Indian players are a big bunch of hypocrites and need to think past $$$ and actually care more about the game - I think the South Africans are prolly No.2 and not India...
Posted by Ace on 2008-01-10 23:41:22
Timbo,

About honesty between the two teams in the series, there is no comparison. Sadly the honest team was on the losing side at SCG.

And about Bucknor, every one in the World expect the profiting team saw the blunders. N why would'nt the hosts want Bucknor against India. Then each player will be assured of 4 lives before being given out. That is why they r making a hue and cry bout Bucknor being sacked.

I think ICC should pass new laws:

Law no.: 999.1 - There is only one way to get an Australian batsman out. That is cleaned bowled. Rest of the ways are not allowed against Australian batsmen.

999.2 - For an Australian Player to be given out the opposition will have to get his wicket 4 times (only cleaned bowled)

999.3 - If the umpire wants he can give the 4th time out as a no ball even though it is not.

999.4 - Every time the Australian bowler passes the edge, the opposition batsman is out.

999.5 - Everytime the Australian bowler hits the opposition batsman's pad, it is LBW even though the ball will miss the stumps.

999.6 - Australian bowlers are allowed to overstep by 2 yards.

999.7 - Australian players can say what they want on the field but if the opposition open their mouth, it will be called racism and a ban of 3 matches will be slapped on them.

999.8 - Umpire must ensure that Australia win at all costs, else he will be dropped from the elite panel of umpires.

And finally rule 1000. - To implement rule no. 999 Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson will umpire in all Australian matches.

Then I think Australian team will feel secure.
Posted by ssukhdial on 2008-01-10 23:47:51
The Bollyline Series has such a nice ring to it. (It's not mine, I think I saw it on one of the Times Online blogs, maybe Doosra)
Posted by daniel, the cuban cricket fan on 2008-01-10 23:49:50
Harbhajan hits Lee on the rear and Symo gets enraged. Does Symo believe he owns Lee's rear?
Posted by australia_sucks on 2008-01-11 04:54:04
When Dwayne Bravo filed a complaint against Graeme Smith for supposedly uttering a racist epithet in the fourth Test in Antigua three years ago, the case was not proved because nothing was picked up by the stump mikes or heard by the umpires. That left Bravo's accusation against Smith's denial. Result? No case to answer.


Why, then, wasn't the result the same in Sydney?
Posted by australia_sucks on 2008-01-11 10:52:39
No one knows yet, as there has been no transcript or public explanation, but the main difference as I see it is 2 other people heard it, and Bhajji has a history of making racist comments.

But in reality, no one knows what happened in that room except the people who were there.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-11 11:27:21
While we're on the topic of what's different between 2005 and now, it seems the WICB have some very legitimate questions.
In a letter to ICC president Ray Mali, Julian Hunte compared the situation to the way the ICC handled a similar complaint lodged by the WICB during West Indies' tour to Australia in 2005.

"The ICC's reaction by Dave Richardson [the ICC's cricket manager] was to acknowledge that errors were made but to insist that 'the overall standard of umpiring has improved in recent years, particularly with the advent of the elite panel'.

"It would be interesting to know what made this situation any different." The match referee during that series was Mike Procter, who is again at the centre of the storm following the Sydney Test.

Hunte has asked Mali to provide information to the WICB to enable it to consider what action it might want to take. It has asked for copies of all communication between the ICC and Bucknor, the ICC and other parties and the report of the match referee.

"There is no question that even the best umpires make mistakes," Hunte concluded. "They are human and there are circumstances which may affect their judgement. What worries us is whether the action of the ICC in the case of Bucknor might create even more problems for the ICC and international cricket down the line."
Perhaps they need to work on the sub-continental dummy spit - if you want to pick your umpires this seems the only way
Posted by Moses on 2008-01-11 11:36:41
Just read a great article on smh.com.au. Just a couple of points I noted:

"Fact 1: The Australian team was one of four nominees for the ICC's own Spirit of Cricket Awards at the September 2007 awards ceremony. With Ireland being one of the other nominees, the Australian team was considered to play the game in a better spirit than at least seven other full ICC members.

Fact 2: The Australian team is the only team in international cricket that has taken it upon itself to introduce and live by its own Spirit of Cricket pledge."

It then goes on to talk about all the charity work that the Aussies do outside of the spotlight.

(http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/a-team-second-to-none/2008/01/10/1199554831780.html)
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-11 11:46:50
'Australia_Sucks', you're starting to bug me now. At least 'no argument' occasionally makes sense, whereas you're completely bonkers.

Posted by Moses on 2008-01-11 11:55:26
Imagine if the elite umpires spat the dummy and went on strike against umpiring in Indian games.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-11 12:44:12
It's ok, Sunil Gavaskar would be able to umpire all the games. That doyen of intelligence, honesty and cricketing knowledge would finally have a role, other than playing the stunt double in the new Wombles film.

P.S. I made up the Wombles film bit. I've always thought he looked like one.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-11 13:16:56
Don't imagine Hanuman, I bet you this is coming very soon now.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-11 13:22:30
It would give the Indians a chance to test out the use of technology.

How is that!

Computer says no.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-11 13:33:22
Or even better,

How is that!

Viewers press the red button on your remote to indicate if you think the stinking cheating Aussie was out.

Press the green button if you are blind.
Posted by Hanuman on 2008-01-11 13:36:39
Press the button with the painted donkey on it to spark an internation indicent, throw a tantrum and request that the umpire be fired.
Posted by Timbo on 2008-01-11 13:44:01
And the results are in:

1,000,000,000 vs 21,000,000. Oh, he must be out.
Posted by MattyB on 2008-01-11 13:44:13
Or option c. Have a nice warm cup of shut the hell up.

Funny how we're the 'cry-babies' but it's the Indians carrying it on. Let it go, put it to bed, harden the f*** up, whatever you need to do. We're the champs, you clearly are not - accept it, move on & beat us on the cricket field. Then you can claim the sporting, moral & whatever other high ground you want & gloat all you like.

Leave the burning of effigies & so on to Hamas etc.
Posted by Mike Hunt on 2008-01-11 15:01:13
finally, yuvraj is into the 20s.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvind/engine/current/match/300768.html
Posted by jaradevans on 2008-01-11 16:05:28
It seems no effigies have been burnt.... it was created by media with the help of multimedia to create stories....
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-11 16:56:28
Glad you mentioned the effigies burning thing re. Mike Hunt.
1.Did no self-respecting Indian cricket fan/official notice this? Along with the burning of our country's flag and pictures of our players. The silence was deafening. In 1 image I think some1 was wiping something that resembled dog shite from a boot onto Ricky Ponting's face. Is this acceptable behaviour in India? If so the cultural divide between our 2 nations is so great that normal relations would seem impossible. I thought that this kind of misguided, vulgar behaviour was solely the domain of religious extremists. CRICKET FANS? What's that famous line that goes something like, "True evil is done when good men refuse to act on the evil of bad men?"

2.Does the average Indian really believe that there are circumstance which mitigate racism? Because I for one think racism in all it's forms to be the worst and most divisive form of abuse. It's totally unacceptable under ALL circumstances and those that condone it are blight on humanity whether they be Indian or Australian. Remember the sins of the father are alway revisited upon the sons.
Posted by JJJ on 2008-01-11 17:23:05
JJJ, A bit of sense of proportion would do world of good to everybody in the blog.... However I condone racism, I could not resist the temptation of pointing out the difference between "african kids toiling on Johannesburg suburb and being denied every conceivable economic opportunity and subjected to social evils" and "an arrogant spoilt insensitive cricketer who jumps to controversey like "flies to fire" and being called "monkey"...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-11 18:24:01
You have show good spirti in removing my pics while not this . Great.
Posted by ME_AN on 2008-01-11 19:08:36
2 U "No Argument",

Got your point loud and clear about racism be ok under certain circumstance (do you deem them?)

Like to hear you thoughts on burn effigies of umpires and Australian players and also the Australian flag. Are there circumstances where this is appropriate in your humble view? Say a cricket umpire make a few/many/how many do you need, bad calls??? Or say a cricket team doesn't walk when out batting, appeals a lot when bowling and gets excited with a very unlikely victory, Is burning that countries flag and pictures of it's players a "proportionate" response.

Indian cricket supporters and officials that know better were deafly silent on these matter even though they had plenty to say about the Australians and the umpires short comings. I guess what my point was, "NO Argument", that by doing and saying nothing you are at best condoning such actions and some could see it as licence to go further (It's called passive incitement). It is my belief that the BBCI's denial of the on field incident in India during Australia's last tour and the subsequent spectator problems which were also denied (even though caught on camera?) deeply contributed to the drama that has played out over the past week.

"No Argument" In the Western hemisphere it is NEVER OK to call a person of African origan a monkey or make monkey noises at him, that is at the core of this argument. If you don't believe me go to LA or London or New York find yourself a Blackman and start your monkey business, ouch!!
Posted by JJJ on 2008-01-11 21:06:55
JJJ,

>> Is this acceptable behaviour in India? If so the cultural divide between our 2 nations is so great that normal relations would seem impossible. I thought that this kind of misguided, vulgar behaviour was solely the domain of religious extremists. CRICKET FANS? What's that famous line that goes something like, "True evil is done when good men refuse to act on the evil of bad men?"

India is a nation of a billion people, not all of them with grace or an education and goodness knows, plenty of them with too much time and (self-)righteous indignation on their hands. There are also plenty of decent, educated, knowledgeable, reasonable folks who've got (a) better ways to express their feelings and (b) better things to do with their time. So please get that tar off your billion-bristled brush, else by the same token all Australians are to be responsible for Cronulla. (Did you write to the press expressing your disgust at THAT particular display of vulgar, misguided behaviour?) I'm as embarrassed by my country's donkeys as you should be of yours. (In absolute numbers we may have more, but that's to be expected. :))


>> 2.Does the average Indian really believe that there are circumstance which mitigate racism?

Mate, I don't think so; we've been on the receiving end for as long as this particular stick's been around. What I think is a revolutionary concept to some Indians is the concept of reverse racism. While we've all been accustomed to obsequiousness and subservient servility to our white colonial masters, it's somewhat of an astonishing concept (to some) to be accused of racism towards others. You know - how could we - we are at the bottom of the melanin barrel - types. It'll take a process of evolution for the majority of us to reach the part of the political correctness circle that you are at after centuries of whipping, White Australia and condescension.

I can only hope a shrinking world will hasten that process.
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-11 21:40:33
JJJ, The following few points you may not be aware of:

1. BCCI and Indian Govt has zero tolerance policy for racism... the people involved in India were arrested after the match (if i remember correctly 3 gentlemen and 1 lady) and they are still regularly visiting court premises causing pain to themselves and their families...

2. I started my statement with "However I condone racism" which means I am against it... isn't it?

3. You may need to distinguish 3 basic elements here - players and officials, govt and administrators and general public at large.
Out of these three, govt or administrators do not have control on every single agitatition being hold by public... but public gets punished for their wrong action... you hear the first part of the story i.e agitation part not the subsequent activities like arrest, court cases, fines, suspension of officials etc

4. Let's not make a heavy weather out of flag burning... it's public behaviour and people get arrested for it... does not it happen during WEF summit? Doesn't US flag got the flak in last WEF summit? Doesn't chinese flag get a bad treatment during Dalai Lama's visit in US?
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-11 21:48:44
>> 2. I started my statement with "However I condone racism" which means I am against it... isn't it?

Erm, actually, it means you endorse it. :P I'm sure you meant you *don't* condone racism.
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-11 22:05:06
One good way to understand and interpret the real intention and meaning of public behaviour is to observe how do they behave otherwise.

1. The donkey painting was not done as Bucknor is of african origin and Benson is a white man... it was done by public as they, at times, protest like that even for domestic reasons. I am not supporting that, neither authorities encourage this - the culprits get punished for it... you may say that the punishment is not as harsh as it should be... so people do it again and again... that's the folly of a democratic set-up in a developing country... still we are happy that we are not in an autocratic set-up where you cease to exist suddenly.

2. The effigy burning is again has happened for Indian cricketers earlier.... i understand that you should be "extra nice" to people of different culture than your own people... but everybody does not have that polishness in a vast country... but their behaviour has been same for domestic issues as well as international issues. It is not done because the issue belongs to a different country...
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-11 22:09:56
2. I started my statement with "However I condone racism" which means I am against it... isn't it?

Erm, actually, it means you endorse it. :P I'm sure you meant you *don't* condone racism.

Ouch!! typo!!! I don't condone it......
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-11 22:11:28
Thank you,Boo & No Argument,
finally some balance and a bit of home truths to the discussion. Australian and Indian cricket fan need to hear the thoughts of moderates through the voice of reason. It humanises what other have sort to dehumanise and lays the foundations for future normalities.I believe people need to hear this rather than all the divisive crap that's been splashed across the media (and this forum). That's all I was trying to achieve by posting. Smokum out!!

Boo, It's my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, that your "reverse racism" defence would only be relevant if Symonds was white or if the Indian players were racially vilifying a white player. I think we both know that across Asia, amongst people taunted with raciest beliefs, that Africans are below most on the "bigot's scale".

Boo~"So please get that tar off your billion-bristled brush, else by the same token all Australians are to be responsible for Cronulla. (Did you write to the press expressing your disgust at THAT particular display of vulgar, misguided behaviour?)"

Yes, many times and I am still doing it today whether it be by letters to the ed, forums or just standing up to raciest bulls in my work place. I WILL NOT TOLERATE IT WHEREVER IT COMES FROM and nor should you.


No Argument~"2. I started my statement with "However I condone racism" which means I am against it... isn't it?

Erm, actually, it means you endorse it. :P I'm sure you meant you *don't* condone racism.

Ouch!! typo!!! I don't condone it...... "

Thanks, I was starting to doubt my comprehension abilities
Posted by JJJ on 2008-01-11 23:22:19
>> It's my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, that your "reverse racism" defence would only be relevant if Symonds was white or if the Indian players were racially vilifying a white player. I think we both know that across Asia, amongst people taunted with raciest beliefs, that Africans are below most on the "bigot's scale".

Yes you're right, though it wasn't meant to be a defence, simply a considered opinion.

As far as the Symonds-monkey issue is concerned, allow me to cut and paste something I wrote on another forum:

I was born and brought up in India and can lay a reasonable claim to
being able to read into Indian thinking.

Without the slightest attempt at disingenuousness (though I'll be
accused of it for sure), I'm willing to wager Symonds being called a
monkey has more to do with his general appearance - dreadlocks and the
ridiculous ever-present white zinc cream around his lips (which I'm
told he wears even in day-night matches because he's sponsored by the
company that sells it) coupled with his theatrics on the field than
his race.

To the Indian eye, Symonds is not obviously black - as say Gladstone
(No-Neck) Small would be - and I'm perfectly willing to accept that
any Indian's taunt of Small as monkey would undeniably be due to
racism. But Symonds is more brown than black and few Indians (at least
prior to this incident) would have been aware of his Caribbean
ancestry.

The monkey-gestures in the stands at Wankhede were at worst a boorish
reaction to a player who had the combination of (a) being in great
form, (b) being ever-ready himself to indulge in sharp talk on the field and
(c) a comical appearance. I'm not condoning boorish behaviour, but it
certainly wasn't racism.
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-12 02:01:36
Boo, You have pointed out a very pertinent point which, sadly, all of us missed... thanks for it... he is called by "M" word (I am really scared of using the full form due to disproportionate hue and cry raised over this issue)more due to his tantrums and zinc cream than anything else...It is high time he needs to change himself...By the by, does he use zinc cream while sleeping also?... I am getting ready for a party in anticipation of Bhajji's acquittal.
Posted by No Argument on 2008-01-12 02:17:38
Boo & No Argument,

whether you realise or not (and I'm starting to have my doubts) you are at best condoning racism by falling to recognise it. In my book anyone (one-being individual, organisation, government or governing body, ect) that ignores, attempts to hide or disguise, or tries to rationalise racist activities, whether they realise or not are condoning racism and/or being racist!!

"No Argument" I know your zinc cream comments are mostly tongue-in-cheek but please remember Australia has the highest incident of skin cancer in the world. We have invested 10's of millions of $ over the past 25 years trying to educate our kids to protect themselves from the sun. Your comments even tho lite-hearted are counterproductive and should be with drawn before they find an impressionable ear.

Finally, I know to many on this forum I'm coming across as a bit up-tight but I'm a white Australian married to a beautiful Indian woman, I have 3 children, My 2 oldest sons are playing cricket this weekend in Sydney for there respective junior teams. What do you thinks going to be said to them & how does that make their oldman feel as I drive them to the game?? RACISM IS THE SCOURGE OF HUMANITY WHEREVER IT COMES FROM. Andrew Symonds has been racially abused as have many Asian cricketers that came before him. It's 2008 let's get on with playing cricket instead of dividing people on ethnic lines!!
Posted by JJJ on 2008-01-12 09:36:44
>> In my book anyone (one-being individual, organisation, government or governing body, ect) that ignores, attempts to hide or disguise, or tries to rationalise racist activities, whether they realise or not are condoning racism and/or being racist!!

Good god, ease up man. :)

As a pigmentally-enhanced individual myself (blackie, anyone?), I am all for your admirable reach for the ideal of colour-blindness. Face it, it's not going to happen.

Unlike artificially created distinctions like caste, tribe or class which I can envisage being hammered out of existence through education, social reform, legislation, revolution and time, race and skin colour are very in-your-face, inherent dividers.

I for one, would like to see a world where a vast majority of people inwardly realize that many of their long-held stereotypes about a particular race / skin-colour have broken down. Again a shrinking world *will* hasten this process, simply because as more of 'us' mingle with more of 'others' (some like you doing a little more mingling than others ;)), we'll realize we're not so different after all, or at least that our differences have little to do with our skin tone. I suspect though, that even for a single individual, this is going to be more of a creeping realization than Zen.

I want an equitable, decent world, not a boring, hypocritical one filled with pretentious political correctness, where we're all treading on egg-shells, forever dreading the next lot of hypersensitivities we might offend. I want people to retain their sense of humour and Russell Peters jokes are as funny as they come.
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-12 13:46:59
you tel'em Boo, shut up JJJ. I like jokes about the Holocaust and ethnic cleansin'. Besides it's my cultural right toooo, I'm of German ethnicity.
Posted by Skinhead # KKK on 2008-01-12 14:21:05
>> you tel'em Boo, shut up JJJ. I like jokes about the Holocaust and ethnic cleansin'. Besides it's my cultural right toooo, I'm of German ethnicity.

Bye-bye, troll. :)
Posted by Boo on 2008-01-12 15:27:40
Why not a "spirit of cricket" code of conduct for the Aussie cricket team?
Posted by Aussiedunnie on 2008-03-03 09:08:56

Post New Comment

You need to be logged in to post a comment. If you're new, register here. Existing users, login via the right margin.

Home
About Us
Contact
Links
Spirit of Cricket-Blog
Think you can cricket blog?

 Subscribe in a reader

Username
Password
Keep me logged in
New? Register here

Enter your email to have new cricket-blog.com posts fresh in your mailbox:

Your email won't be sold or used for anything other than blog posts.