Is someone trying to foment discord between Aussies and Poms? Methinks that there’ll be plenty of that over the summer, but hopefully it won’t degenerate to this level. And, although I hate to admit it, English cricketers were sort of OK last year (!).

OUCH! - but ‘cosign’!

The way Australian team behaved with the Chief Guest in India shows the unruly and bad behaviour about their team. Its not the standard of International Cricket.

Even allowing for the context - a bunch of players wanting to celebrate their win - the tap on the shoulder from Ponting and the nudge in the back from Martyn were discourteous. Pawar’s original comments - which we can take it he meant sincerely - that it was a minor thing and he didn’t want to make an issue out of it were spot on.

Unfortunately, a whole host of people in India (most of whom at each other’s throats the rest of the time) ahve sought to exploit this tiny incident into a mega event.

Hopefully, two lessons will be learned from this nothingness: first, for presenters, make presentations short and snappy, and, secondly, for players, never touch a presenter.

Not seen the footage - had to make do with stills which I hunted down courtesy of Google. I think, anyway, we are in agreement. From the Indian point of view, these ceremonies ARE about the “dignitaries” who officiate at them. That’s why, of course, the Aussies are being made to do obeisance after making Pawar “lose face”. It’s pathetic, but it’s politics. CA is getting into bed with ACC and ICC in many areas (e.g. participating in training courses for coaches, curators, umpires, etc, as well, of course, as “developing the game” in China), so expect the irrational, disproportionate grovelling to continue.