Enjoyable piece by Jim Maxwell on his Ashes blog:
Comparing the conduct and behaviour of cricketers and footballers has won respect for cricket, as football opens its doors to more of the same histrionics that demean the integrity of the game.
Yes, sledging or the art of mental disintegration can be distasteful and unnecessary, though it’s occasionally leavened by subtlety or humour.
One of the outstanding virtues of cricket is the acceptance of the umpire’s decision; Damien Martyn’s leg before dismissal in the second innings of the Third Test a prime example.
Steve Bucknor erred in not seeing or hearing a serious inside edge, but Martyn took his leave, surprised but not hysterical with rage like footballers who have become perennial dissenters.
And then there’s the image of Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee after England’s gripping win/Australia’s narrow loss at Edgbaston.
Lee reciprocated at Old Trafford, when a weary Flintoff couldn’t take the last wicket.
These chivalrous acts have revitalised faith in sporting ideals.
Football’s own goal has been a failure to address the ugliness of petty cheating and indiscipline. Moves aiming to restore order and integrity are occurring, with a structural review by the English FA, but that won’t come soon enough to stop players and managers from disrespecting referees’ decisions.
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The contest between Australia and England has been tough going for both teams, but good sportsmanship has not been lost and I for one am greatful. The image of Flintoff with a distraught Lee will remain with me for a long time.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was as close to a football match as I’ve ever encountered in a cricket crowd – especially on the Saturday. It does seem that there is a certain decorum and class amongst cricket fans which is absent in most football crowds, though.
The series has been played in an outstanding spirit, incredibly competitive and yet fair and sporting throughout. The contrast with the thuggish petulance of football couldn’t be clearer. Which sport would you rather your son played?
I can’t watch Football. I’ve tried so many times, but I just can’t “get into” it and I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I appreciate a good game, but appreciate is about as excited as I can become.
Cricket, on the other hand, is just so interesting, for so long. There’s never a dull moment. Its complexity is its charm, and also perhaps its downfall in terms of a dwindling following in this country (which is now, thank God, on the up again..but for how long?)
I can watch football but I get irritatd with th way it is hyped up to be “the beautiful game”. I don’t buy into that crap one bit. What could be less beautiful that Mr Rooney (I could just stop there
) effing and blinding at the ref. Rugby players refer the ref as “Sir” (as opposed to w@nker). Compare, then, the beauty of a Michael Clarke off drive or Vaughan’s hooks and, indeed, the good grace of Martyn in the last test, not to mention the compassion between Lee and Flintoff.
Yet the last two tests have had more of a football atmosphere to them; not something I mind at all. Curious given the mentality of “moronballers” which irks me so.
I hope this isn’t the thin end of the wedge though……
I appreciate the sportsmanship of cricketers, but still, if someone offered me a deal where in exchange for winning the World Cup we’d never win an Ashes match for the rest of my lifetime, I wouldn’t hesitate. And Rooney may have a potty-mouth, but the things he does on the pitch are just as beautiful as anything Michael Vaughan can do.
I’m glad that cricket is managing to compete with the footy for media coverage, because it’s boring living in a sporting monoculture; but I enjoy both, and the constant football-bashing of cricket fans looks a bit like sour grapes, frankly.
football, or soccer down here, isn’t that popular but as i love my sport i follow it as well as anyone from australia. It isn’t a patch on cricket. The skill and art in cricket is matched by no other. There are so many parts that make up the great game, and that’s what like about it. Whether a very athletic run out, an incredible shot, an amazing leg or off spinner, an extremely fast yorker, or indeed a slower ball, everything is just a real art.
I live in Germany where football is revered next to God. Cricket has a realy hard time – nothing on TV or radio and the newspapers treat us as a strange cult. Brian Lara’s PC game was toted as “cultivated boredom in white”. My youngest daughter plays football and I have tried to teach her the Spirit of the game, unfortunately this means she still puts the boot in but is polite with it.
But there are some positives. During the last World Cup, cricinfo did free Internet commentary. My boss caught me at my desk listening when all my colleagues were watching the football World Cup. He is very proud of his English ablilities but declared the commentary to be “not proper English and totally boring” so am officially allowed to follow the game in office hours.
What’s more, have finally trained colleagues to ask not “are England still playing?” but rather “what’s the score?”
Hope for the Krauts yet.
Love of sport is completely subjective. It all depends on one’s tastes. I cant get into Soccer but I can appreciate and respect it. I hope comments or comparisions such as the ones posted are not taken as soccer bashing but as constructive criticism and an insight into what we like about a particular sport or dislike.
One has to admit that soccer can come accross as anti-climatic to many sports fans even slow. I think it is the level of popularity of soccer in Europe that may prove to be its worst enemy. Too much hype, too much commercialisation and over exposure.
yes but in a football stadium the atomsphere is delightful the shouting for there team or country and the support to the players for cricket the croud just sits there and claps even if there is no reason. like man united(the best team) they have supporters just shouting and chearing boosting there confidence. what would you rather be a footballer or a cricketer. i agree thought footballers should respect the refs disicion.
John, the atmosphere at the Third Day of the Old Trafford test did have fans chanting, shouting, cheering and singing for no real reason, even when there was no play.
It might have had something to do with the beer…
In India, sports means Cricket