Posted in reaction to Australian test cricketers being caught ball tampering during the March 2018 tour of South Africa...
26 March 2018
26 March 2018
So many quotes from Cricket Australia saying the ball tampering is ‘disappointing’, and ‘standards have not been met’. Talk about an understatement! Many Australians are outraged and downright disgusted that an Aussie cricketer would ever consider doing such a thing - let alone plan and carry it out! As Australians we pride ourselves on playing hard but always playing fair. This behaviour is cheating, plain and simple. It’s unAustralian, and unacceptable. What happened is appalling and embarrassing! The ICC’s sanctions are fine, but CA should hold a much higher standard, and act accordingly. Those responsible should be sacked by CA immediately and never play cricket for Australia again. CA needs to set an example that nobody is greater than the game, and as Australians we hold our cricketers to the highest standard. I feel sorry for any parents having to explain to their kids that their heros are cheats.
This article sums up how a lot of Aussies feel about it. Good article. Definitely worth a read: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBlucherAuthor/posts/1271410132990073
#aussiesdontcheat #nationalembarrassment #cricketaustraliasetanexample
1 April 2018
ReplyDeleteFor all those people wanting Australia to 'get some perspective', I understand. You're sick of your Facebook newsfeed and the mainstream media continually throwing the ball tampering saga in your face. You just don't think it's that big of a deal, and it doesn't compare to the off-field criminal acts by thugs who happen to play sport at the highest level. You've seen grown men crying on national TV and think we should all leave them alone. You're keen for your newsfeed to return to normal, with posts about MAFS, cute baby animals and how much exercise it takes to burn off an Easter egg. I get it.
But ball tampering by the Australian cricket team certainly IS a big deal. Why do you think the media have made it the headline for the past several days?
If you've never played a game of cricket, never stood on the hill at Adelaide Oval, proudly cheering on the Aussie team as the claw their way to a draw when staring down the barrel of defeat, you probably don't understand. Ever had that conversation in a pub with a New Zealander and they inevitably bring up the underarm incident yet again? "Dude, we weren't even talking about cricket. Anyway, that was 1981 and it was technically within the rules (but clearly not in the spirit of the game) - will we never live that down?"
What the ball tampering incident of 2018 has done is brought shame to our great country. Aussies pride ourselves on playing hard but playing fair. We fight to the end, and if we lose, we lose with honour. We don't cheat. Until now. This will live on for a long, long time. Cricket fans being up in arms about this are not unjustified. It certainly IS a big deal. We are right to feel ashamed, let down, and even angry.
The ICC ruling was appropriate. The incident didn't affect the outcome of the game. But Cricket Australia sets a very high standard for those that wear the baggy green, and they needed to act accordingly. Their much harsher punishment of the players involved was totally justified and sends a clear message.
Like many of you I felt for Steve Smith when I watched the press conference. I know he is really hurting. I know this has done untold damage to him and his family, and will take them a long time to recover from. Even though this is all self-inflicted, I hope Smith, Bancroft and Warner get the support they need to deal with this and move forward. I also hope the media will now leave the players alone and let them deal with this and move on. It is a shame Darren Lehmann resigned as Australian coach over this. The consequences are so much broader than just three guilty cricketers.
Australia does have perspective. While ball tampering does not compare to the horrible crimes committed by some sportspeople in their private lives, it did bring into question who we are as Australians, and what we stand for. It is a big deal. Unfortunately it will live on as an embarrassment to Australians for many years. But don't worry, your Facebook newsfeed will resume normal programming very soon.
#getsomeperspective #cricketaustralia