Hypocrisy and hysteria
By Mat Thompson - Fox Sports News
People are by nature, emotionally driven, and no sport provokes emotion quite like cricket. Behind the hysteria surrounding India’s tour of Australia, lies a mountain of hypocrisy.
The game is full of it, especially when it comes to the Australian cricket team. Calls for Ricky Ponting to be sacked as Australian captain are nothing, if not laughable. The central point of this saga has essentially been forgotten, perhaps by some, conveniently and deliberately.
Regardless of how a team plays, and how much their opponents object to that style, there is no excuse for racism on a cricket field, let alone in society overall.
There are inevitable cultural divides and problems in translation between the respective nations. Make no mistake though, Australians, Indians, the English, West Indians, Portuguese and Norwegians alike, universally understand that racism is unacceptable. There are no grey areas.
The Indian cricket team should, of all groups be acutely aware of the impacts of racism.
Had Andrew Symonds fired off a racial attack in the direction of Harbhajan Singh, a three test ban would have been labelled a slap on the wrists, and demands for more serious action would be deafening.
How much of India’s threat to boycott the tour is a smoke screen, to disguise the fact that one of their players has been charged with racism?
India’s captain might have been correct when he suggested Australia had acted outside of the sports intended spirit. Indeed, forgetting to properly shake the hand of an opponent after a match is not acceptable and indefensible. India’s players enjoyed similar euphoric celebrations after they defeated Pakistan to win the Twenty20 World Cup.
The lines have been blurred, and somehow, the errors of the two men in white coats, standing at opposite ends of the pitch, have been turned around as being the fault of the Australian cricket team.
India are within their rights to suggest they have been unfairly treated by the umpires.
Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson didn’t deliberately set out to make a series of abhorrent calls, but in reality, they did.
However, Indian memories are short.
In home test matches, where crowds exceed 100 thousand people, India has long used excessive appealing tactics as a means of influencing umpires. They have made no secret of that.
It is a tactic that has worked. They have received the “rub of the green” at home for many years. You only need only examine the 2001 series against the Aussies to see that on that occasion, the tourists were ‘ripped off’ to an equal extent as India were at the SCG.
Great people, not just sporting teams, play the hand they are dealt and don’t dwell.
They don’t rue misfortune, they use it as a challenge to make success even sweeter.
Had India’s lower order applied itself on day five in Sydney, they would have survived the further eight minutes required to draw the test match. Had they held on, this melodrama wouldn’t have happened.
Should Andrew Symonds have walked when he was caught at the wicket in the first innings? Well, should Sachin Tendulkar have walked when he was plumb LBW to Michael Clarke early in his innings, that eventually returned a memorable century?
Should Australia have recalled Rahul Dravid, who was the victim of a Bucknor blunder on the final day? Well, should Anil Kumble have recalled Ricky Ponting in the first innings, when he smashed the ball onto his pad, only to be adjudged leg before?
Australia plays hard, and yes, at times they’re not a gracious lot. However for the most part, there can be no argument that the Australian cricket team has been a fair one.
India’s cricketers are a frustrated group, their under pressure administrators even more so. They must admit that a significant portion of their reaction to the SCG test is triggered by disappointment and a concession that their opponents have their measure.
Australia’s captain is stood accused of blatant disregard for the game itself. India’s captain and authorities must face the same criticism if they scrap a series that features what is now, cricket’s showcase contest.
Perhaps the point should be that in order to be considered among our greatest cricket teams, Ricky Ponting’s men must place less emphasis on practising in the nets, and spend more time addressing a lack of humility in victory.
| > | Symonds told Harbhajan to f**k off |
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| > | Mat Thompson: Hypocrisy and hysteria |
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| > | Ian Chappell: ICC to blame for mess |
| > | ICC gets it right as crisis surely eases |
| > | Bucknor sacked, Harbhajan appeal date unkown |
| > | India cricket crisis: Even TIME weighs in |
| > | Tony Greig: What did Symonds say to Harbhajan? |
| > | India gone swimming |
| > | Ponting has no regrets reporting Harbhajan |
| > | Benaud: Tour will go on and Ponting is a good captain |
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| > | Australia can break streak record |
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| > | The Grill: Shane Warne |
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Mr Thomson, sorry to say that you are hardly making sense in your article. Indians are NOT propagating Racism, rather its Mr Procter who has passed the judgement without any valid proof. It looks like you have already branded Harbhajan as a racist, show me ONE proof that he has uttered the M word.
And talking about 2001 tour, remember Michael Slater’s appeal for a catch off Dravid. It was such a shameful act and he again got away after bad mouthing the umpire and the batsman!!!
And talking about playing in right spirit, it is not about walking after edging the ball, it is rather about claiming the grounded catches and complaining to the officials about something which has happened on the field like cry-babies.
Mr, thompson , i think you dont know exactly what are you are talking about.
have u forgotten the nicks pointing before he was given leg before,
not once symonds was let off thrice,
what do u have to say about the third umpire decision for stumping, what makes you believe that we are still in colonial times,
grow up address the fact rather than talk about fiction.
look at the attitude of ricky pointing at the press conference after the match he cannot answer a question in right spirit & he talks how hard and fair the aussies play
its joke.
Interesting article, possibly with some valid points, but in my opinion ultimately flawed.
The central point in this horrible mess in my opinion is the attitude of Australian cricketers and all of those players from around the world who have felt compelled to copy their Australian competitors.
If I were playing against Australia in todays climate I would feel the need to research each individuals background for any ammunition I could throw, just to compete on an even footing.
This issue was bound to explode at some point and if it remains unchecked will explode again and again until the game implodes.
F****** ASStralians…
Mr. Thomson….
Being an Indian I stongnly agree with Bajji’s ban… If possible he should be banned for 3 more tests…. how dare he has to call a BASTARD as MONKEY and insult all the living monkeys on this earth.
1)From when onwards ‘Monkey’ became a racial abuse…. haven’t everybody on this earth evolved from monkeys??? Do u know the meaning of the ‘Bastard’ or ‘M***** FU****’ which were normallay used by all the cry babies in ur cricket team.?
2)From when onwards ricky ponting was employed as 5th Umpire? He started giving advises to On-feild Umpires.
3) Why did Adam Gilchrist appealed for a catch, when ball is going away from the bat. Probably he is too old and needs a pair of spets.
good point
“India’s captain might have been correct when he suggested Australia had acted outside of the sports intended spirit. Indeed, forgetting to properly shake the hand of an opponent after a match is not acceptable and indefensible. India’s players enjoyed similar euphoric celebrations after they defeated Pakistan to win the Twenty20 World Cup.”
—————————————–
Mr Thompson, don’t you think that the Indians rightly celebrated after winning the Twenty20 world cup fair and square ? and don’t you really think that the aussies knew about how they won this test hence the euphoric celebrations ? Mr Thompson I’ve read better and you seem to have already condemned Harbhajan singh as racist after that farcical hearing ? I for one would like the ban to be for more than 03 matches only if the ICC can come up with better proof for this ban untill then I’d still call you a blogger.Thanks but no thanks
Mr Thomson, Aussies are hypocrites too. Ponting for years has been advocating sorting out close catches on the ground, claiming that fielders word should be taken, didn’t the aussies clain two grassed catches, now you are a cricket expert so I hope don’t have to explain the rules to you, was that truthfullness. Aussies have always complained against the excessive appealing, werent they doing the same on the last day. Also werent they the ones who always stated that what happens on the field should stay there, noone is saying that if harbhajan actually used the word he shouldnt be reprimanded, but shouldnt ponting have approached Kumble first. For years Australia has dished out to other teams. Mcgraths sledge to Sarwan, Ponting dirty sledge to Cairns about his sister. You know mister Thomson in India and many other countries respect for our families is the most sacred thing, swear words more condemnable than racisim, but did any other team create such a huge furore over any of Aussie sledges over the years. Not walkin after edging it, Ponting said during the presentation ceremony in India that Karthik should have walked after he edged a ball, but did any of his players walk to thicker edges. Thats hypocricy too i supposse. For years Aussies have had 50-50 chances go in their favour, but they are the loudest when complaining about decisions and umpiring in the sub-continent, never heard an english team or SA complain, but then they also dont have the spirit that the aussies have. Chanderpaul commented that if 50-50, even 40-60 decisions dont go in favour of the aussies most of the times most teams can defeat them. I am sorry, Autralian teams have been great to watch, loved them, but this present team of yours not the best ambassadors. You talk about hypocricy, but i have to say that you are one too for you compare dravids dismissal to pontings(who was out on 17 already) and fail to mention Hussey, symonds 5 lives in total (he scores 200 runs didnt he in the match) and turn a blind eye to the opinion of aussie experts and fans who are also chiding the team. Thats hypocricy too!
hi mate,
gr8 article… u haven even tried to ask the question y de hell harbhjan would hav told the monkey…
we dont accept being called as “bastards” easily in our country..
but monkey is used to tease small children.. can u equate this..
No the point is that they should rely more on their cricketing skills to win matches than on deplorable tactics like behaviour designed to intimidate umpires and players of the other team and (what a joke) motivated charges of racism.
New Rules For teams Visiting Australia….
After the test match, I feel some rules have to be incorporated by ICC to give the other teams a perfect clarification
(1) Ricky Ponting – (THE TRULY GENUINE CRICKETER OF THE CRICKET ERA AND WHOSE INTEGRITY SHOULD NOT BE DOUBTED) should be considered as the FOURTH UMPIRE. As per the new rules, FOURTH UMPIRE decision is final and will over ride any decisions taken by any other umpires. ON-FIELD umpires can seek the assistance of RICKY PONTING even if he is not on the field. This rule is to be made, so that every team should understand the importance of the FOURTH UMPIRE.
(2) While AUSTRALIAN TEAM is bowling, If the ball flies anywhere close to the AUSTRALIAN FIELDER(WITHIN 5 metre distance), the batsman is to be considered OUT irrelevant of whether the catch was taken cleanly or grassed. Any decision for further clarification should be seeked from the FOURTH UMPIRE. This is made to ensure that the cricket is played with SPORTIVE SPIRIT by all the teams.
(3) While BATTING, AUSTRALIAN players will wait for the ON-FIELD UMPIRE decisions only (even if the catch goes to the FIFTH SLIP as the ball might not have touched the bat). Each AUSTRALIAN batsman has to be out FOUR TIMES (minimum) before he can return to the pavilion. In case of THE CRICKETER WITH INTEGRITY, this can be higher.
(4) UMPIRES should consider a huge bonus if an AUSTRALIAN player scores a century. Any wrong decisions can be ignored as they will be paid huge bonus and will receive the backing of the AUSTRALIAN team and board.
(5) All AUSTRALIAN players are eligible to keep commenting about all players on the field and the OPPONENT TEAM should never comment as they will be spoiling the spirit of the AUSTRALIAN team. Any comments made in any other language are to be considered as RACIALISM only.
(6) MATCH REFREE decisions will be taken purely on the AUSTRALIAN TEAM advices only. Player views from the other teams decisions will not be considered for hearing. MATCH REFREES are to be given huge bonus if this rule is implemented.
(7) NO VISITING TEAM should plan to win in AUSTRALIA. This is to ensure that the sportive spirit of CRICKET is maintained.
(8) THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: If any bowler gets RICKY PONTING - “THE UNDISPUTED CRICKETER WITH INTEGTIRY IN THE GAME OF CRICKET” more than twice in a series, he will be banned for the REST OF THE SERIES. This is to ensure that the best batsman/Captain will be played to break records and create history in the game of CRICKET.
These rules will clarify better to the all the teams VISITING AUSTRALIA.
Hey Mat
Accept the facts - “power lies with the richest establishment”
If Australian Cricket Board was the highest contributor to ICC in terms of revenue , and a similar issue cropped up - The Australians would be no angels either.
Everyone tries to defend their own - there is no universal right or wrong. The narrow minded would always perceive RACISM to be the only offense.
I say - when a sport is being played - there is no need for the mothers,sisters and every other possible friend & acquaintance to be dragged into sledging.
We say Empty vessels make the most noise - how true of Aussie team - they dont even have faith in their skills and resort to such tactics
You talk of India’s short memory - what about yours dude
You are so generous to confer the “inside edge” LBW to ponting’s sportsmanship
that Idiot was out 38 runs before that. You talk of sachin’s LBW - yeah right - if he had eyes in back of his head - he would have walked
You know what - talking to morons like you is a waste of time
I refrain from posting as much as I can - but when too much is said about India being sore losers
I can only tell you one thing “BODYLINE” - the fact universally known but not to you is cricket is the only source of national pride for Aussies- and when someone outthinks them on the field in the sport they are supposed to be Masters at - then you go around complaining about others
Mat - you should cut down on your beer and write when you are sober
You know what they say ” Alcohol kills your brain cells” - May be you should try to get some implanted
Re: Article by Mat Thompson:
I take issue with Mat’s point that a batsman should walk when he is “LBW”. What a stupid suggestion. How would a batsman know that he is in line when the ball hits him? This, like no-balls is for the umpire to judge which is COMPLETELY differant if you clearly hit a ball with your bat and it is caught. In the latter case, one should indeed walk as Symonds was about to do before he stopped with a smile.Ther s a running joke that Australians will stand their ground if they are bowled and all 3 stumps are hit, awaiting the umpires’decision. Thank God that at least Gilchrist is the only “decent” professional. Maybe the Australians should take a page from the West Indies Book of cricket. Bad as they are now, they play in the true spirit of the game.
Thomson
Some valid points, but you talking of incessant appealing by Indians to get advantage - that was mid 90s dude. The age of home umpires. I am sure Aussie umpires were equally biased then. (No this is not a hollow argument).
This Indian team simply wants to win abroad - and is a capable outfit - they have won tests in England, WI and South Aftrica, which was not done by any other Indian teams in past. (If you are shrugging your shoulders - you also need to be told to show some respect).
The only reason we could only draw the series last time and not win it was because of the umpire in question - Mr Bucknor. Ganguly gave him 0 in his report - so there must have been something there - Right? Only Steve Waugh was wise enought to know he could not go for whole mix - Sledging, Umpires intimidation and the Match Scheduling working for you. So we had a drawn series.
But this foolish kid Ponting wants to have everything. And holds no respect for anyone - so thats what you get. He is behaving with his bent mind where he probably sees Indians as undeserving of beating them. Wonder if this foundation of thinking is racist itself ?
Learn to respect Mr Thomson in your mind. Else there is always a hard way which time brings.
Well, should Sachin Tendulkar have walked when he was plumb LBW to Michael Clarke early in his innings, that eventually returned a memorable century?
How many times do you see a batsman WALK to a LBW decision?, when a batsman missed a ball, it could have hit him anywhere on his leg, he is in no position to judge. So he did the right thing by staying. Some of your questions are ignorant.
u cannot judge on LBW its not the same as getting asnick
should Kumble have called Ponting back in the firt innings?
Dear Precious Holy,
Should Ponting have walked when he nicked one much eafrlier in the same innings?
You repeatedly talk of short memories in this article - how short is yours?
“Should Andrew Symonds have walked when he was caught at the wicket in the first innings? Well, should Sachin Tendulkar have walked when he was plumb LBW to Michael Clarke early in his innings, that eventually returned a memorable century?” ( I have not heard or read of an incident where LBW batsman walks off)
“Should Australia have recalled Rahul Dravid, who was the victim of a Bucknor blunder on the final day? Well, should Anil Kumble have recalled Ricky Ponting in the first innings, when he smashed the ball onto his pad, only to be adjudged leg before?” (Atleast this is better you are comparing LBW with LBW)
I donot want to list any of the other disputed appeals. The “so called” threat of tour being called off was pure media frenzy…..
Yes, Let us wait for the Honorable Judge for Appeals pass the judgment and then listen to who is right and who is wrong - who is racist and who is not?
The pandora’s box is open and Australia will also feel the heat and the pulse, the moment words like “BASTARD”, “FUCK OFF” are made strict no - no because in many Asian cultures they are not accepted words.
The game will be cleaner for the problems at SCG. I thank Ricky Ponting for the decision of opening the Pandora’s box.
best wishes Australia in the Perth Test