Cricket

[tigerman]

Kohli and de Villiers just put on a masterclass batting together for the Royals in the IPL.
They put on 112 runs, de Villiers 61 No off 30 balls with a strike rate of 203 made Kohli look pedestrian, out for 84 off 49 with a strike rate of 171.
Stoinis has just come in to bat 9 No off 5.

Edit

The Royals made 205, Stoinis got 28 off 13 with a strike rate of 215.

 

[jb03]

http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1181098/the-ugly-australian--the-evolution-of-a-cricket-species

Long read but interesting i thought

 

[MB78]

http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1181098/the-ugly-australian--the-evolution-of-a-cricket-species

Long read but interesting i thought

Thanks for the share, it was a long read. I don’t agree with it all.

I want us to no push overs. I think if the Aussie cricketers showed that they are having fun and won’t be intimidated is the key to winning. Look at the 2017 Tigers finals. The Cats and Crows thought that they had it over us.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Thanks for the share, it was a long read. I don’t agree with it all.

I want us to no push overs. I think if the Aussie cricketers showed that they are having fund and won’t be intimidated is the key to winning. Look at the 2017 Tigers finals. The Cats and Crows thought that they had it over us.

The one thing I saw wrong with the article, and maybe I’m wrong, but the author seemed to be implying that it is only Australian players and crowds that behave in this manner, and that’s not correct. Because of one incident Australia is now being held to a level of behaviour that no other cricketing nation is.

 

[MB78]

The one thing I saw wrong with the article, and maybe I’m wrong, but the author seemed to be implying that it is only Australian players and crowds that behave in this manner, and that’s not correct. Because of one incident Australia is now being held to a level of behaviour that no other cricketing nation is.

Yep agreed.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

"Ugly Australians" was a term coined in the 1970's for Ian Chappell's side. We must be going OK.

Played in a cricket final last month against a team of Sri Lankans. The umpire filed a report at the conclusion of the match with the association, stating he had to leave the venue because the losing team's intimidation made him afraid for his safety.

Seen plenty of unsavoury things on the field and they ain't confined to Australians.

 

[lukeanddad]

http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1181098/the-ugly-australian--the-evolution-of-a-cricket-species

Long read but interesting i thought

Agree. Interesting. I played cricket for 20 years from the early '70s. Sort of coincided with the rise of ChappellI and the extreme aggression that the Australians displayed. We bullied the Windies, English and the sub-continent mercilessly during that era. And if you read some of the autobiographies (Viv Richards' is one of the best around) there were many unpleasant levels to the sledging.

And the cricket I played - only sub-district and district level - was strongly reflective of what we saw at the national level. In a sense, I don't care that Kimber has not spoken about other countries. That's for their journos to deal with, but the quotes attributed to Sutherland and Lehmann are really disheartening.

NZ is leading the world at the moment - in several spheres.

 

[tigerman]

Agree. Interesting. I played cricket for 20 years from the early '70s. Sort of coincided with the rise of ChappellI and the extreme aggression that the Australians displayed. We bullied the Windies, English and the sub-continent mercilessly during that era. And if you read some of the autobiographies (Viv Richards' is one of the best around) there were many unpleasant levels to the sledging.

And the cricket I played - only sub-district and district level - was strongly reflective of what we saw at the national level. In a sense, I don't care that Kimber has not spoken about other countries. That's for their journos to deal with, but the quotes attributed to Sutherland and Lehmann are really disheartening.

NZ is leading the world at the moment - in several spheres.

When i played sledging was mainly talking to each other about the batsman not having a clue etc, with a bowler losing his rag every now and then. There was nothing too personal.
I haven't played for nearly 30 years, so don't know what local cricket is like now.

Sledging in International cricket leading up to sandpaper gate continued to get worse and worse, and it seems, hopefully that it might have been a line in the sand moment.

Interesting to read what you said about Viv Richards, i loved both him and Greenidge. Viv was no shrinking violet, and was disqualified for 2 years for refusing to walk when he was about 18 years old. Out of interest did he mention that in his book?

 

[jb03]

Agree. Interesting. I played cricket for 20 years from the early '70s. Sort of coincided with the rise of ChappellI and the extreme aggression that the Australians displayed. We bullied the Windies, English and the sub-continent mercilessly during that era. And if you read some of the autobiographies (Viv Richards' is one of the best around) there were many unpleasant levels to the sledging.

And the cricket I played - only sub-district and district level - was strongly reflective of what we saw at the national level. In a sense, I don't care that Kimber has not spoken about other countries. That's for their journos to deal with, but the quotes attributed to Sutherland and Lehmann are really disheartening.

NZ is leading the world at the moment - in several spheres.

Nice take Luke

 

[IanG]

Agree. Interesting. I played cricket for 20 years from the early '70s. Sort of coincided with the rise of ChappellI and the extreme aggression that the Australians displayed. We bullied the Windies, English and the sub-continent mercilessly during that era. And if you read some of the autobiographies (Viv Richards' is one of the best around) there were many unpleasant levels to the sledging.

And the cricket I played - only sub-district and district level - was strongly reflective of what we saw at the national level. In a sense, I don't care that Kimber has not spoken about other countries. That's for their journos to deal with, but the quotes attributed to Sutherland and Lehmann are really disheartening.

NZ is leading the world at the moment - in several spheres.

Well said Luke, I do think this article is about Aust. cricket culture and doesn't need to be about other nations. The only real issue I have is the sentence stating that no other crowds are like Aust. crowds which is manifestly untrue given the crowd behaviour seen in South Africa, obviously we can't take the moral high ground on the issue though.

 

[MD Jazz]

You only have to have played against Grand United (club in Sunshine) at some stage to realise how *smile* some blokes can be. They forced clubs to leave competitions with their intimidation of umps/administrations and poor on-field conduct. They were also known to have damaged opposition club rooms. Worst thing was they were actually good cricketers and could win without resorting to some of the tactics they did.

I recall a "Spirit of Cricket" flyer that came out from CA some time in the late 1990's early 2000's that was posted on all club room walls. I found it laughable that not only did the local clubs completely ignore the words but the Aust team failed to live up to the principles espoused.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Well said Luke, I do think this article is about Aust. cricket culture and doesn't need to be about other nations. The only real issue I have is the sentence stating that no other crowds are like Aust. crowds which is manifestly untrue given the crowd behaviour seen in South Africa, obviously we can't take the moral high ground on the issue though.

Maybe the writer has forgotten the riot that robbed Australia of a Test win in Jamaica. There have also been riots and crowd invasions in India.

I don't have a problem with Warner & Smith being dragged over the coals. What they did brought shame to Australian cricket. But if there were others (apart from Bancroft) who were complicit, then prove it or STFU. And don't use it denigrate the history of Australian cricket.

Unfortunately the article is dripping in the political correctness that emanates from Cricket Australia nowadays, and is usurping the military and other institutions. Seeking to tear down a lot of what makes us Australian and replace it with some generic soulless *smile*.

 

[MD Jazz]

Maybe the writer has forgotten the riot that robbed Australia of a Test win in Jamaica. There have also been riots and crowd invasions in India.

I don't have a problem with Warner & Smith being dragged over the coals. What they did brought shame to Australian cricket. But if there were others (apart from Bancroft) who were complicit, then prove it or STFU. And don't use it denigrate the history of Australian cricket.

Unfortunately the article is dripping in the political correctness that emanates from Cricket Australia nowadays, and is usurping the military and other institutions. Seeking to tear down a lot of what makes us Australian and replace it with some generic soulless *smile*.

I think the issue is we pretend to be something different than our actions. Let's not write these documents & release these flowery statements. Let's own the fact we are highly competitive and generally will do whatever it takes to win.

Maybe we should say we play like a bunch of *smile* but we aren't a bunch of *smile*?

 

[IanG]

Maybe the writer has forgotten the riot that robbed Australia of a Test win in Jamaica. There have also been riots and crowd invasions in India.

He's talking about ongoing systematic poor behaviour.

Unfortunately the article is dripping in the political correctness that emanates from Cricket Australia nowadays, and is usurping the military and other institutions. Seeking to tear down a lot of what makes us Australian and replace it with some generic soulless *smile*.

I don't see how criticising the behaviour described is remotely PC at all. I think you're injecting your own biases into your interpretation.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

He's talking about ongoing systematic poor behaviour.

I don't see how criticising the behaviour described is remotely PC at all. I think you're injecting your own biases into your interpretation.

We all see things through our personal prism. Must admit I only read part of it before skimming through the rest. It read to me like a big long cultural cringe/whinge.

And it was a slur on club cricket. Yeah there are sh!t blokes around, and guess what - some of them play cricket. But it's not an exceptional sport in that regard. Cricket has more than its fair share of introverts and suicides - there's a book about it.

I gave three teammates out lbw in the space of 25 minutes this season, but after his own career of cheating, tampering and sledging the author wants to preach to me from on high. No sale.

 

[lukeanddad]

He's talking about ongoing systematic poor behaviour.

Plus, the author is focusing on the behavior of cricketers, not the fans

And it was a slur on club cricket. Yeah there are sh!t blokes around, and guess what - some of them play cricket. But it's not an exceptional sport in that regard. Cricket has more than its fair share of introverts and suicides - there's a book about it.

Disagree. And this is the fundamental point. I played baseball, tennis and footy (as well as cricket) and the behavioral codes were worlds apart. From your commentary, you don’t think Australian cricket has much to answer for over the last 3-4 decades. I reckon that puts you in a minority.

 

[MD Jazz]

Plus, the author is focusing on the behavior of cricketers, not the fans

Disagree. And this is the fundamental point. I played baseball, tennis and footy (as well as cricket) and the behavioral codes were worlds apart. From your commentary, you don’t think Australian cricket has much to answer for over the last 3-4 decades. I reckon that puts you in a minority.

It's funny, I have played footy (mainly over 35's), basketball, tennis and cricket and behaviour was the worst in cricket as far as in game opposition chatter/sledging goes. And even after games footy was probably more social with opposition sides. Perhaps it was the fact you had both survived the physical challenge that garnered a level of respect.

But, on the flip side, the club camaraderie/atmosphere was easily the best in cricket. Thursday nights after training were the best place to be. Magic. For men they are almost sacred places. I still miss those warm summer nights having a sausage and a beer sitting outside chewing the fat. We had 4 sides when I played and players of all ages and grades mixed with each other. Cards were often played and it was a hard place to leave.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

From your commentary, you don’t think Australian cricket has much to answer for over the last 3-4 decades. I reckon that puts you in a minority.

I don't think the hand-wringing in that article is required, no. Given the Chris Gayle interview counts as a scandal these days, I don't think the team's behaviour was notably worse prior to the sandpaper thing than that of any other Test nation.

And he does target the fans. "Somewhere along the road, Australian fans changed from cricket fans, well turned out, polite clapping, the odd cheeky word, to more abusive and violent."

His contempt for the pub rock culture of the late 70's/early 80's is palpable, without quite having the guts to say what he's inferring. Jimmy Barnes shouted? Well, what a *smile* he was! To be honest, the writer comes across as a snivelling cuck. Reckon even Gerard Whateley would disown him.

One bit I agreed with was, if you want to get personal with your sledging then don't complain when it escalates to the point that it becomes upsetting for you. Don't let it unbalance you so that you resort to blatant cheating, and don't then try to blame the administration for your cheating because they put pressure on you to win.

He has apparently lived in England for a while, and it actually reads as though he's trying to ingratiate himself with the locals. He might want to consider not coming back.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

It may only be club cricket, but that is not how it feels. My father played for his team until he needed two knee replacements because of his frequent 30-over days. My uncle would toss his bat when he was out, and used his knowledge of the laws to push the limits of cricket. Once, when I was 13 and my finger was snapped at slip, I went off the field, someone got some electrical tape and taped my fingers together and sent me back out.

That is what you did. It was your club, your mates, it meant something, so you put in. You risk your body, or sledge until you get a lifetime ban.

It was about winning, at any cost.

This part was especially pathetic. It conflates putting your body on the line for the team with bending the rules and sledging. It makes mateship and belonging to a club seem dirty. I'm not sure Jarrod ever got it.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

From the sidebar in the article:

Ugly Australians: a brief history

1981 Greg Chappell, Australia's captain, asked his brother Trevor to roll the last ball of the tri-series final on the ground so that Brian McKechnie couldn't hit it over the fence for the six runs needed for New Zealand to win. Richie Benaud called it "one of the worst things I have ever seen done on a cricket field". Acknowledged by all as incredibly unsporting
1981 The image of Javed Miandad, bat raised, ready to smash Dennis Lillee over the head, after the two had words in the wake of Lillee obstructing Miandad while he took a run did not, thankfully, translate into actual physical violence. Javed was the bad guy, then?
1995 Curtly Ambrose had to be pulled away from Steve Waugh after the Australian swore at him in the Trinidad Test. He swore? Well I never!
2003 Glenn McGrath v Ramnaresh Sarwan could have turned uglier than it actually was, after McGrath needled Sarwan with homophobic abuse and Sarwan retaliated with a comment about McGrath's wife Sarwan wins the sledging match. Presumably McGrath is the evil one because his sledging was homophobic
2004 and 2009 Two Australian players (Justin Langer and Brad Haddin, now both on the Australian coaching staff) have knocked the bails off "accidentally" and had their teams try to claim wickets. Can't remember these. Very dodgy if they happened as described. Any action by CA or the ICC?
2013 David Warner got in trouble when he took a swipe at Joe Root in a pub in the UK. Bad off-field behaviour. We all agree that Warner's a peanut
2017 Steve O'Keefe was suspended and fined A$20,000 for a "drunken rant" aimed at fellow New South Wales player Rachel Haynes. Presumably this is heinous because the rant was directed at a female?
2018 Warner again, this time in an argument that nearly led to a fistfight with Quinton de Kock in a stairwell after de Kock said inappropriate things about Warner's wife. de Kock wins the sledging match