"Fitness is a relative term. I mean to say that it does not necessarily mean that one who runs hard and lifts weights is fit. Cricketing fitness is different. So if you can perform, it means you are fit." Sourav Ganguly provides his unique take on what constitutes fitness Jul 19, 2008
So Australia and India are embroiled in a spat all about Australia’s favourite tactic: on-field aggression. The Indians claim Ricky Ponting’s team have been using “harsh words” to their batsmen, while Australia suggest that India have misinterpreted “what aggressive cricket means”.
I can’t help feel this has been blown out of all proportion - by both parties. Australia are renowned for their tough-talking bullshit on the field of play, and equally famous for not being able to take it themselves. Remember England in the Ashes in 2005? Simon Jones flinging the ball into Matthew Hayden; Paul Collingwood, and others, shouldering up to an incensed Hayden. The bullies are always the biggest of cowards.
But I’m on Australia’s side for once, and not out of sympathy owing to their utter humiliation by England today in the Rugby World Cup (yeehaw!). India: for God’s sake, grow up and get on with it. If the nasty Australians really get out of hand, there are enough stump mics and cameras to witness the event. There’s a sense that India are appealing to the world, that somehow they are being victimised by Australia. Australia do this to every other team and although it occasionally boils over, it’s just part of their game.
It doesn’t always work for other teams though. India should just forget about trying to out-sledge them - it is not working.
I think India should stop playing to the media and the crowds and get on with it. You’re only as good as your next game. And at the moment, India aren’t showing up too well.
As to Australia’s bullying tactics and India’s response, I thought Peter Roebuck wrote a good article on the subject
It’s about respect but it works both ways. Indians talk a lot about respect and how Australians ought to do this and ought to be that - basically be what suits the Indians. They might be better to look at their game.
Surprised Yuvraj (playing beautifully) didn’t get the man of the match though - can’t players on losing sides win the award?
I think it’s interesting that the Indians think the Australians are too arrogant. I went to India a few years ago, plus I have Indian relatives (so being part-Indian, I guess you could say, I’m allowed to say this) they are the most arrogant bunch going. Collectively. As a race. It’s true.
the consensus in the media be it indian or australian seems to be that australia is justified because they are winning and the indians are just putting on a facade. i just love the usage of the word aggression when it comes to australia and buffoonery when it comes to india. the same yardsticks have to be used in the field but then thats like wishing for world peace, love and unity, anyway, the dravids and the tendulkars belong to a different era where we were taught to be nice, especially to visitors. we need a new generation who 1. will not apologise, 2. will not to wait for somebody to start a fight and 3. when they get they will not give back quid pro quo, but worse. this should be the future and new face of indian cricket. all the sreesanth apologists in the newspapers, they should just take a look at australian media, at the australian captain who is standing by his team come whatever. they never apologise for symonds. they hunt in packs, be in media, captain, former players, they stand together and as one voice. india still has a lot to learn from australia.
Team work is one of the great strengths of the Aussies. But they are also very disciplined - Ponting certainly gave symonds a bollocking two years ago when he came hungover to mornign practice before a match. That was very public. Symonds was dropped for the match and dropped a year later from the prestigious Allen Border medal for it.
I don’t know if you can say the Aussies are “justified” in their sledging- it’s just that, unlike India at the moment, they can put their money where their mouths are.
This is perfect feed for the newspapers. They want to tap in on anything spicy on the fields. I think it was only a Sreesanth-Roy matter, and now after Ponting’s remarks, it will be blown out of proportion.
SixandOut
Ponting was reponding to Harbajan and Dhoni complaining to the media. It ’s both sides, not just Aussies. As Will says, Indians are trying to appear as victims again.
When Yuvraj got out the other night after making 121 in spectacular fashion, several of the Australians went to congratulate him on his stellar innings.
You don’t see that reported in the media. It doesn’t match the media’s agenda. Seriously, some of these reporters make me want to vomit. Pathetic.
England didn’t seem to mind the sledging in 2005, so maybe if India started winning they’d be less worried about Hayden talking about their mothers after hours business.
Six and out, your right as always, but you missed something, its not just fodder for newspapers, but also for bloggers.
The Aussies play hard but they are good sportsmen - most of the time. I might be mistaken but no Indian player congratulated Clarke on his hundred in Bangalore (the crowd didn’t exactly go bonkers either) although it can be said that being gracious is easier when winning.
The dominant team of every era leaves its own stamp on the game - Holding Garner Roberts Marshall Croft hardly uttered a word. I am sure Australia were never shy of a mouthful even then. The point is that there is no need for India to imitate the way Aussies go about their business. The only way to gain respect (and thus shut them up) is by performing, not by regressing to Neanderthal shows of aggression - especially when the opponent is wiping the floor with you.
Uthappa retort to Pontings comment that being aggressive is not about jumping up and down. “they are experienced in it while we are just late starters. Give us some time and we’ll definitely catch up with them.” It pretty much sums up the entire scenario.
Uthappa’s retort to Ponting’s comment that being aggressive is not about jumping up and down. “they are experienced in it while we are just late starters. Give us some time and we’ll definitely catch up with them.” It pretty much sums up the entire scenario.
Can someone explain to me, why there is an Indian umpire for the Australia-India series? I thought there was this rule about not being able to umpire your own nationality? Has this changed, then?
What goes on in the media and the blog-world is fine as long as the Match Refree does not act on it. Neither team’s bid to be portrayed as the victim, where neither are blameless, should sway him. He should act only on evidence placed on record.
And screw the Aussie and Indian media. We’re deluding ourselves if we believe that either plays a significant role in the outcome of a sporting competition.
“Australia do this to every other team and although it occasionally boils over, it’s just part of their game.”
Well Will, I must say that is a rather lame argument. The fact that the Aussies do this to every team does not mean they can keep doing it. The key here is that the Indians claim that the Aussies used abusive words. That claim cannot be verified for sure, but if that’s the case, surely you don’t believe that that is right? or do you? they may be casual remarks made nonchalantly, but that doesn’t detractfrom the fact that those comments have actually been made.
That said, I think Sreesanth behaved like a moron the other day, no doubt about that. His reaction to Symonds’ dismissal was totally unwarranted. But at least, he had his own team mates say that it is not acceptable. Yuvraj even said that Sreesanth needs to let his cricket do the talking.
On another note though, I agree with Alex. People should stop comparing the Indian youngsters’ attitudes with that of the Tendulkars and Dravids. The youngsters in India, like Alex said, will not take sh*t from anybody, and what they get, they will give back in kind. I think people should just get used to that. Gone are the days when an opponent would glare at an Indian cricketer, only for the Indian guy to turn away.. forget it…
Pod - Tendulkar and Dravid don’t take shit from anybody, they prefer to let their cricket do the talking. For someone like Sreesanth to carry on like he does, then spray the ball around like a Sunday amateur just looks stupid. Tendulkar will turn away, face up to the next ball and cream it through the covers. For him, that says enough, and it gets the point across better than screaming and snarling.
Agree with the comment made about Indian youngsters and how their attitude in this differs from the previous generations, I can’t say if its right or wrong, or even if they were just “always” like this from the start, media playing you up as the savior of the world sometimes drives you into getting that kind of attitude, but yes, that’s increasingly what I have begun to associate with them. That’s why the like of Dhoni and Harbajjan of all people in the Indian team complaining to the media about the Australian behavior is more then just a bit odd for me. Its not like they exactly retract them selves from firing off their share deal of verbals. That’s not to say that I buy into the whole “Aussies are nice sportsman” argument either. They’re terrible losers and that is a proven fact, but in this case, they’ve only just lost so you can see why Pointing may be trying to clarify. I think what we have here is two teams with more then a few people with an extremely short temper, or how just don’t bother being very nice to each other just for the sake of being nice, I don’t mind them mouthing off to each other so long as the stumps mic are off and I don’t have to bear listening to any of their stuff. And complaining to the media is just way too irritating, sledging has been a part of the game for centuries, what do the Indians expect, especially from an Australian side that has a reputation of being tough on the field. Bit of an over reaction from both sides I’d say in the end, and of course, the media will be all too happy to enjoy the spoils.
If australia are crossing the line all the time. why aren’t they being reported by the umpires? Why aren’t they being fined? It’s just other team s who are telling us about their sledging, not the officials. How do we know the other teams aren’t also being abusive, especially if they are speaking in their own language?
The Australians don’t target those they respect.
As to your argument, pod, you’re commenting on the Aussies being abusive, but then say the younger Indians have a right to give it back!
“They’re terrible losers and that is a proven fact”. And I wonder, on occasions, why I bother reading this sort of tripe.
Will - “The bullies are always the biggest cowards”? What’s that about? Have you ever had a ball thrown at you? Did it hit you? Did you get annoyed? Did the ball thrower apologise? Jones didn’t.
I know it’s your blog and all, but the chauvinism and gross generalisations about an entire nation don’t sit well for someone aspiring to a career in journalism. Having said that, reading the jingoistic garbage about sport printed on a daily basis by journalists of every stripe, surprise should be the least of my reactions.
“Chauvinism and jingoistic garbage” are important as they are catalysts for debate. Imagine reading a perfectly balanced post where all you can do is applaud the author or give further examples to highlight how right he is. Where is the fun in that?:D
i have said that the young indians have a right to give it back.. i have not said that they have a right to abuse.. you’ve misunderstood me here.. all i feel is that there should be no abuse involved…
if the aussies didn’t do what dhoni claimed they did, then it is rather hypocritical on the part of the indians… i have no issues in accepting that..
what i’m saying is that for too long this has continued.. i don’t buy the argument that because the aussies do this to every other team and no one makes an issue, the indians are being childish. i’m okay with any amount of talk on a field.. abuse is wrong… and what sreesanth did on that one occasion when he got symonds’ wicket is in my opinion, unacceptable..
and chris, you are right.. tendulkar and dravid let their bat do the talking… but what of the rest? the guys who’ve just made it to the indian team and not yet proven themselves at the highest level just yet? it is not as easy for them to let their bats do the talking.. they are playing arguably the best team in history.. being faced with a lot of talk, hostile receptions.. of course they should give it back… they can’t sit meekly and just watch things…
True Pod, but I’m not saying they should sit back meekly. I’m talking more about Sreesanth, game after game, going way over the top. Harbajan and Dhoni do it right, they exchange a few words and the odd gesture here and there, but Sreesanth doesn’t seem to be able to manage that.
Interesting to note that yesterday Ponting refused o leave the crease after being given out by the third umpire who makes his decision after seeing multiple television replays? Does this not constitute showing displeasure at the umpires decision? Or is the game brought to disrepute only if Sreesanth appeals four times. What about Gilchrists son, what lesson does he take home after seeing the Aussie captains example? This is bordering on the farcical and I think ICC should set down different sets of rules and specifically state that you can get away with anything provided you belong to the class who more equal than others.
pod
I know exactly what you meant, I’m just being pedantic at your expense because you used the word “sh*t” to describe what the young Indians players had a right to give back - it’s an expletive that could be described as foul or abusive language.
Try to lighten up, everyone, about the subject. Most of it’s conjecture or hearsay, anyway. Aussies’s aren’t going to act like Indians and Indians aren’t going to act like Aussies - it’s called cultural difference. You can all point the finger at each other ad infinitum but it is not going to result in the teams or the fans opinions changing, so we might as well all move on.
fiona
glad we agree on something
but at least we have the makings of a good series as a result of india’s win yesterday… and all this incessant chatter between the two teams has made a supposedly meaningless series quite meaningful after all…
If only it were true that this new breed of Indian cricketers ’stood tall’ and ‘gave as good as they get’. As an Aussie - I’d back ‘em to the hilt as I think the onus is on the superior team to be the more gentlemanly. Pretty much all my mates loved the comment by the Zimbabwean lad when asked by McGrath why he was so fat.
The trouble is that these blokes DON’T stand tall. They instead act like two year olds - run up to someone they don’t like, give ‘em a verbal slap and run to mumma when they don’t like the retailation. What I’m sick and tired of is South Asian cricket always claiming the mantle of victim.
Murali was the victim for breaking the rules…
Packistan was the victim for tampering with the ball…
Sri Lanka was the victim for sledging despite being caught on mike calling the Aussies ‘white c”nts’…
And now India - supossedly in an effort to ’stand tall’ are the victim of some ‘harsh words’?!? Gimme a break! For goodness sake - live up to the hipe and ’stand tall’; give it to the Aussies, take it on the chin when you cop it back and in the end just play the damn game without whining like a bunch of little bitches.
The “harsh” words was a reference to abusive language that was supposedly used. And irrespective of what you say or feel, abuse is not something that should be tolerated.
We don’t know what was said in there, but if it wasn’t abusive language that was used, then sure, you’ve got a valid point, and there is pretty much a consensus on that here as well.
On the other hand, if it was abuse, then the Indians had every right to whine “like a bunch of little bitches”… in fact, if language such as the kind you choose to use here was used in the game, then I’d be really glad that the Indians were “whining like a bunch of little bitches”…
The question I guess is ‘what is abuse?’ - and hence, did it occur?
For mine - the definition of abuse is its personal nature. For examply, upon missing a shot, for first slip to say loudly to keeper - ‘jeeze, what a shit shot’ is not abuse. To say directly to the batsman ‘jeeze you’re shit’ is treading a fine line and to say ‘jeeze YOU are a real shit’ is definitely abuse (ie its about the man rather than the game).
Ideally - I’d love to see the game played genteely - the congradulations of an opponants innings is something I’d love to see ALL teams do (not just the Aussies - occasionally lol). However, in today’s elite game I think this is a little naive - mind games are definitely a part of elite competition.
I guess what I’m getting at is simply swearing on the pitch, while unsavoury is not abuse. Its just part of the Australian way of speaking - especially in the country.
In short - its the context, not the words themselves that are the definition of abuse. Hence merely ‘harsh words’ aren’t in themselves reason to whine like a little bitch.
Thanks for your point Richard. This only a discussion if abuse was involved. If not, we have pretty much the same views, so there’s not much to discuss anyway
But if it was, and if such language is the Australian way of speaking, then the Aussie cricketers should speak it in Australia, speak it in the dressing room too by all means, keep mouthing off when they are playing domestic cricket in Australia, and get it out of their systems before doing the same in a game where the opponents may not think that it is a right way of speech. And if it was just swearing on the pitch, I don’t think it would be an issue at all. Since the Aussies (and in fact, almost all teams) do it all the time…
And enough of the whining statement already man… You need to look no further that the 3rd ODI to see that the Aussies are akin to whining too… Ponting’s reaction to his dismissal in the Chandigarh game for instance, or his outburst after being run-out by the English substitute fielder in the Ashes of 2005… if that wasn’t whining, then what was it? barking perhaps?
I’ am very bored with this subject, and I wonder at your desire, Will, in wanting to keep it going.
It’s not “debate”, just emotional knee-jerk, whatever language people are wrapping it in, and it’s not promoting informed comment and goodwill on this blog.
One I did not make a generalization about the Australian nation, but about the cricket team, if what I said earlier gave the impression that I said that with respect to the entire nation, then that’s note the case, that would just be my poor English, you see its kind of my 2nd language.
Two, the fact that some Aussie fans like your self like to live in oblivion to how Australian teams have reacted to whatever few loses they’ve suffered in recent times, and how they quickly label others pointing this out as “tripe” is in my view just further proof of how the Australian team doesn’t take defeat all that well. Its probably understandable though, since you guys don’t lose very often, its not hard to see why you may lose the plot when you do occasionally lose.
I’d peruse my argument more, bad sadly that’s rather off topic for this thread which is meant to be a discussion about sledging. But I couldn’t resist saying, in response to your observations about the sporting journalists, how you could not expect all of the world media to be just as nice and sympathetic to the Aussies as their own press are sometimes.
Richard,
If the Aussies are used to this kind of language, whay did Glenn McGrath (the father of sledging) snap when Sarwan gave it back to him? He went and provoked Sarwan and got back what he deserved and then started whining like a little bitch.
Personally, I feel as long as it’s not personal, sledging should be encouraged. However what Sreesanth does in the name of sledging is a disgrace to the art. Maybe, we should send him to an Oz academy to fine tune his sledging skills. I am from the same town as him and feel ashamed of his antics.
Glenn McGrath should have thought of that before asking Sarwan what his teammate’s c*ck tasted like.
I’m sorry but I think this whole thing is a rather futile exercise. There have been enough (rather unsavoury) instances in the not-too-distant past that can be dug out (and will be) and used to show how certain teams or their players have gone over-board.
I think the whole point is that no one is free of blame. Will stated that he sided with Australia on this one. Fair enough. There are others who look at it the other way. The Australians will look at this series in isolation, which is their choice. The Indians will look at it in the context of incessant excessive attempts at bullying by the Australians, which is their choice. Ponting complains about the Indians’ “fake” aggression, he is free to do so. He then throws a tantrum at being given out by the third umpire, which is again his choice. The Aussie media thinks the decision was controversial, its Indian counterpart thinks otherwise.
We are all partisan to an extent (or maybe a little more!). As much as we try and deny or avoid it, it is almost inevitable. These discussions make for a lot of fun.
But in the end, like many other things in this great game, it is extremely difficult to arrive at some common ground while we dwell on this issue.
Will, I say bring on another controversial one, and get us going!
mcgrath asks sarwan what brian laras c**k tastes like and sarwan replies to go ask your wife.
and then mcgrath and the aussie media took on the role of the whining victim or the whining b***h as more colourfully described by richard earlier and brought in his wifes cancer bit and the moral outrage and all that bull shit, conveniently forgetting that mcgrath does not have any business to personally enquire about another persons privates. if i remember even john howard got involved in this nonsense.
and aussies dont know how to play the whining victim? u should see michael clarke and how he got away after the chris gayle incident. gayle was find and clarke was let off.
the good news is that sreesanth gave symonds a mouthful after yesterdays match on his way back to the pavilion, the guys got chutzpah! thats what i like about him, like sarwan, he doesnt wait to he abused, and he does not gives as good as he gets, he gives more, and unwarranted too, the guys a delight and indian cricket needs more guys like him.
His Chutzpah got him demoted to running drinks. I would have thought some quiet reflection as to why he wasn’t playing might have been more appropriate.
Well, pod & Alex have answered on my behalf:-). However, I don’t agree with Alex’s opinion of Sreesanth. A McGrath or Waugh (almost) always backs up their words with deeds unlike Sreesanth who seems to think he’s in the team solely for his antics. Till the time he learns to back his antics with words, he’s wasting a spot in the Indian XI. Maybe, he should try to emulate Zaheer Khan and learn to channelize his aggression.
there seems to be a general consenus that aggressive behaviour or sledging is justified if you are 1. part of the winning team and 2. you take wickets or score runs.
this is a wrong premise to begin with, onfield behaviour should be the same for everybody, if u r wrong u should be punished, if ricky ponting shows dissent he should be punished since he captains the side and sets example.
if u go by this example u r saying that against bermuda or canada any other team can remind them in not very favourable terms about their mother sister wife girlfriend and they should lie down and take it simply because they dont have runs or wickets to show on the board???
so in a playing field where ricky ponting gets away with murder, i will always support sreesanth simply because he is everyones favourite boy for the inquisition to be hanged till death until further notice.
he is not shying away, he is taking on the big bullies, he is selecting his targets and and he is doing an allround good job at starting fights, no apologies.
and in the end, how posterity will recall sreesanth will be purely on his performance, there is a merv hughes and and andre nel whom we will promptly forget, there is dennis lillee or a javed miandad who will always remain legends of the game.
Pod - no worries mate (tounge was firmly in cheak with that last bit anyway :)) - & yes, Ponting was induldging in that great tradition of whining about getting out.
And for the record - absolutely all teams (including Australia - some might say especially) have a history of abuse rather than sledging.
Proper sledging is good fun and usually light hearted - the best sledges are good jokes ’cause its damn hard to try to hit the ball when you’re laughing at a joke from 1st slip to the keeper.
My point with the first post was more to do with the overall attitude of the ‘new’ Indians. I firmly believe that for them to live up to their prodidgious tallent they need to learn to be aggressive. NOT by getting involved in slanging matches, and certainly not by running to the ref when they think they’ve been called names (which is certainly a possibility). They will only realise their potential when they harden up a little - give as good as they get (without complaining or going stupidly over the top) and at the end of the exchange do what McGrath did so well - walk back to his mark (muttering as much as you want) and send down another crackin ball.
McGrath’s and Lillee’s (old Merv wasn’t too bad either or Lee) eyeing off of the battsmen held no fear in itself - its not boxing after all. The fear comes from the certain knowledge that you’re in for a spell of fast and accurate bowling where you’re going to need to be totally on top of your game just to survive. That’s what aggression is. Its making your opposition know without doubt that they are in for the most torrid time with bat and ball.
So that’s my opinion - India need to toughen up; Australia could do well to shut up and I aggree with the rest of the stuff on abuse that’s been put up.
For me, the point is simple. You are playing for your country to win. If there is any activity that is detrimental to performing at your best, then you should stay away from it. After all, a series is won or lost based on how many cricket matches you won, not on how many sledging matches. If sledging makes you a better player, go ahead and do it as long as you are not abusing somebody’s mother/sister/wife et al.
I agree with what you say with regards to aggression. I think whatever the Indian team is doing now, is perfectly fine. I think that barring Sreesanth, no one is going over the top. I too mind Sreesanth’s antics primarily because he seems too engrossed in that, rather than his bowling. He is damn good bowler when he puts his mind to it, but at the moment, he seems to have lost it.
And it seems that we do agree that others whine as well
There isn’t much left to disagree about any longer, and that’s a pity.. haha….
I really hope we get to see a great game tomorrow.
Well I think Sreenath going up to Symonds after he walked off when he got out, and clapping in his face is the most unsportsmanlike act I have heard of in cricket. And from a little boy who was dropped to 12th man because he wasn’t performing. No, Symonds didn’t report it, onlookers did. The Indian denies it but that action speaks volumes about the quality of the person.
I didn’t mind him til that incident but as far as I’m concerned now, he’s a absolute disgrace. I don’t usually get uptight about all the boys running around like juveniles, but that takes the cake. And Symonds is the worse possible person for him to pick on. The Australian public don’t care much for Ponting as a person, and don’t worship the way Indians love to - it doesn’t bother most of them when others criticize the team, because they ‘re usually agree with the criticism. But Symonds holds a special place in a lot of fans’ hearts. Perhaps because he has been less at ease in the team as a country boy amongst a lot smart mouths, a bit of an outsider for a long time as he struggled with his form, perhaps because of his West Indian heritage and being adopted - I don’t know. But I do know that when India tour in the summer, Sreenath, if his form is good enough to be there, is going to get hell, for being so arrogant and derisive to such a favourite.
Sreenath, not Symonds is the bully here. Taunting someone when they are most vulnerable, having just come off the pitch after losing your team the match (as Symonds would see it) knowing you’re smaller and you’re safe from the eyes of your team or the umpires - oh yes, what a fine example of the “gentlemanly” Indians.
JII, Don’t be petty. I saw it was a misspelling but couldn’t be bothered to change it. You yourself probably can’t spell your way out of a paper bag. And I’m sure you couldn’t pronounce my name properly, either.
Then how come none of the Indian media reported it, then, Fiona? Sree has enough baiters in the Indian media. Ajay Jadeja recently referred to him as a “fly-by-night” operator on TV, and he continues to be under intense scrutiny after the tour of England. Now, given the intense scrutiny that Sree and his antics are under, I refuse to take the word of an obviously partisan media for it. I will wait for the Indian media to report it.
And as for Aussie hatred. I think Sree will take it any day. Need I remind my Aussie friends of Ajit Agarkar’s redemption song at Adelaide?
Sreesanth is a sweet boy, you should read his interview a couple of days back where he says he is in awe of bowling to Hayden and Ponting and how he idolises Steve Waugh. Once you get to know him you will love him, he plays and speaks from the heart. There is no double standards about him. And for that I am sure he has more fan following in Australia than in India. And no worries, he will be in Australia this summer, the kids got the swinging yorkers to back up his antics and he will rattle a few timbers.
I agree with Alex on this one. He will be there, and he’s got all the talent to back up his antics. And I’ve read those interviews of his as well… this guy is just getting a little carried away. I mean give the guy a break… three years back he was a boundary-rider ball boy at the Kochi stadium… he’s come through in leaps and bounds… his rise has been phenomenal… there are lots of things that come into play here..
I am NOT supportive of his actions, but he does not deserve as much flak as he is getting now. He has a sensible captain to rein him in, and the presence of a few other seniors in the squad will also stand him in good stead.
Anyway, time and again Ricky Ponting has said that this will backfire for India and they will be the worse for it and it doesn’t disturb the aussies at all.. so fine, then what’s the complaining about? Get on with it..
at the end of the day… we have lots of people throwing brickbats at him… but how many of you really think his actions are reflective of genuine animosity and hatred??? I mean, come on… gimme a break… bring on the next game. I really wish he plays…
And I know someone or the other here will say that he will get hammered… fine with me, he’ll be better for the experience…
And Fiona, YOU think that Symonds was the worst person for him to pick on… As an Indian fan, I think Symonds and Hayden were the best persons he could have picked on… i wouldn’t want him to pick on hopes or hogg… if you are getting the flak, might as well get it for unsettling the supposedly “don’t-mess-around-with-players”…
anyway, has symonds said anything about the incident? no.. sreesanth has categorically denied having teased symonds by clapping in his face.. we read that “observers say…”… i say, who are these observers? it’s so easy to go with the flow and assume anything that is written or said…
and i’ll repeat myself again… this whole thing can go on and on without any agreement…
John
Fiona didn’t say anything about “Aussie hatred” - that’s YOUR biased take on what she said.
I love this defense here of Sreesanth as a poor little lovable boy! How sentimental! Aren’t they all lovable little boys at heart?
But if he’s old enough to play on the world stage, he’s old enough to take responsibility for his own actions. Indulging him won’t make him a better bowler.
I saw Irfan Pathan at 19, just as talented, at the SCG in Steve Waugh’s last series in ‘04. He acted the adult.
It is not a defense of him. Seems like you either haven’t read what has been written, or have decided to read selectively. The point is that it’s enough. You can’t go on and on and on and on… Take a break.
He did something. Fine. You talk of his actions, his responsibilities.. well, the consequences are his also… let him be… I’m sorry it’s coming to this. Most of us here have already gone on to say that sreesanth did go over the top (including myself). Even then every second post talks of how sreesanth is an ass, or its equivalent.. I mean come on.. read for God’s sakes man… almost all the people here have commented that sreesanth went too far.. i mean, what’s your point in the first place?
Pod, this is your 9th response on this page, my 3rd - one might wonder what your point is, endlessly. You are going on and on and on. Who are you to say who should have a point and how often they may view it? Obviously you read selectively too. Unlike you, I don’t have a problem with Sreesanth, It’s the fans attitude to him I’m commenting on, not his.
Finoa,
The smiley has got nothing to do with a space between 0 & :. It is just that html forms don’t support the smiley like a Word document. try 50:-) in a proper editor like word. Also try 50 here.
I’m not ripping into Rusty. I have no intentions of doing so either. And yes, I’ve read all the posts
and
Rusty,
I admit I got carried away. But what I’m saying is that we can never arrive at some sort of a conclusion in the case of something as subjective as this. It is just an endless argument…
John: Agarkar has one five-for in his career. He averages 47 with the ball. In 26 matches he was part of a winning team six times. Two of those came against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. I’m sorry, what was your point? To cling onto the very few victories is my guess…
Alex: Sree is going to need to be picked first…
Pod: When you win virtually everything, it’s always nice to have a new challenge come up. The Poms short lived in-your-face aggression and now India’s gives Australia something new to achieve. I say bring it on, and bring it at your own peril…
No, Michael. My point is only that the Bombay Duck stood between the Aussies and victory at Adelaide. He cost them the series. Not many cricketers get to do that you know?
Now Ponting joins the whining chorus saying Sreesanth said words to him. This is the trouble when you are led by a captain without stature. And not so veiled threats too that if Sreesanth was playing he would have been taught a lesson. And to think this was the same guy who said that the Aussies had very strict codes of conduct in sledging. Maybe the time has come for the Aussies to develop codes of conduct for handling sledging from other teams.
“giving someone hell” doesn’t mean you hate them, John. Aussies give Warne hell, sometimes, but they don’t hate him. Fiona used a strong term - i think she got carried away - but your comments show an obvious bias, because anyone who thinks their own media isn’t partisan, is biased - or very naive. Every countries’ media is partisan.
Alex: “This is the trouble when you are led by a captain without stature.”
Beautiful! Lack of stature is precisely Punter’s problem! Everyone loves the Australian Cricket Team/Dad’s Army comparisons- I think Ponting’s a mix of Capt. Mainwaring and Warden Hodges- a Napolean Complex up to his ears, but he’s not above making rude noises when he gets ticked off. Plus, like the Warden, he’s actually a pretty decent cricketer, unfortunately.
that he is “pretty decent” is an understatement, he is phenomenal with the bat, how many hundreds has he made in the last two to three years, 15 plus? they jail people in some countries for lesser offences.
Not sure why everyone thinks Australians can’t take sledging and agression - they may fire up, they may respond, on or off the field, but they pretty much only need point to the scoreboards to show they respond pretty well to whatever is thrown up. South Africa tried it…lost 5 nil! Even England, who dished out a bit in 2005, couldn’t back it up long enough to avoid humiliation next time round. (Again, 5 - nil).
Maybe ask the Kiwi’s - Craig McMillan got under their skin and did really well.
C’mon now Will, Aussie’s are often accused of sour grapes, but really??
Steve,
Not if you are in the business of Indian cricket reporting. Cricketers are worshipped, but their every move is scrutinised and criticised. They may lack subtlety, but they are very balanced in their extremities. I don’t know if you follow the Indian media too much, but there were at least four articles criticising Sree after the Symonds dismissal ‘incident’. Every now and then, there are also articles instructing cricketers on how best they could spend their free time too!
Because funnily enough, the Australian media, and many of the public, are very balanced in their assessment of the Aussie cricket team, though always quicker to criticize, than praise. Amazing, isn’t it! And you thought we were all raving nationalists.
The Indian press is not unique. Not all media responses are made through the globally accessible Internet. Wee see and hear all sorts of things that other countries don’t have access to. It’s the same in all countries. Noone living outside a country can have the full picture of the media reporting.
And I think you’ll find that all types of media reporting are present in all countries with free speech. The good, the bad and the ugly. And many of them get all partisan and defensive when other countries criticize them. It’s human nature, you know.
Sun Tzu would be proud. The Australian cricketers practice ‘total war’ on every team. Why limit yourselves to the confines of the gentlemanly game when you can defy the rulebook by sledging, pressuring umpires, “Bodyline” bowling at the ribs and heads of the opposition batsman, and not walking when clearly out? Ironically, the rulebook is insisted upon when the chips are down - a la underarm bowling. Their behaviour only makes them the team everyone loves to hate throughout the cricketing world. As ambassadors for all Australians, they are doing a disservice to all of us. Would it still be the beautiful game if every team behaved like the Australian cricketers?
haa haa u Australians are always in the right… or so it seems… when pushed to a corner u succumb to childish tactics .. And when that behavior is reciprocated… you try bullying… and when all that fails. .. you complain to the match referee…fight your own battles guys…
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