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crowds
Crowd behaviour and racism at cricket grounds
2 years ago, at the start of FebruaryWe’ve started a new discussion and debate at our popular Wicket to Wicket blog. This time round, racism and crowd behaviour are the topics, and Peter English, our Australasian Editor, has kicked things off. See here, and leave your comments and thoughts at the blog.
70% of the Lord’s crowd will be Australian?
3 years ago, mid-JulyDean Jones, writing for the BBC, says 70% of the Lord’s crowd will be Australian, and that it’ll feel like playing at home for Australia. I know there are a lot of Aussies in Britain these days - they might bash us poms, but they love Britain! - but I think 70% is a little OTT. 40% perhaps.
The anti-Australia English crowds
3 years ago, mid-JulyEnglish crowds are at their most anti-Australian since 1981, says Geoff Lawson [via Jagadish]. I’ve certainly picked up on this having followed the games thus far this summer, although I feel Lawson’s opinion smacks of paranoia slightly.
What I disagree with is his thought that the crowds aren’t “respecting” (by applauding) good cricket by Australia. English crowds have traditionally always honoured and respected good cricket - be it a fine innings worthy of a standing ovation, a good catch or a clutch of wickets. When Glenn McGrath took 8 wickets at Lord’s in 1997, he received (I seem to remember) a huge standing ovation: obviously, the crowd were devastated that the home side had been blown away for 77, but that didn’t stop them acknowledging a very special performance, by a bowler who was then reaching his peak.
In India, a four or six hit by opposing batsmen is generally greeted with stunned, funerial silence - much as it is when opposing bowlers dismiss Sachin and Sehwag. That is India’s charm (!)
According to Lawson, the “well played old chap” sentiments of English crowds have clearly changed
Gone is the friendly rivalry, light-hearted banter and genuine respect for the skilful efforts of the opposition.
This has been replaced with some deep-felt dislike of Australian players that have not simply been a dominating world force for 16 years, but are depicted as unsmiling bullies. Batsmen have been booed on to the ground, Ricky Ponting booed at the toss and some outstanding play gone unrecognised by any applause.
As Jagadish points out “I’m quite surprised it has taken them so long. If a team starts whipping every other team, I’m fairly sure they will be hated very early and very easily.” I don’t doubt for a second that, come the first Test at Lord’s, the usual warm applause for this great (but waning) cricket side will resonate around the grounds of England. It is true that we, the English, no longer fear Australia and are now able to stand toe-to-toe and look them in the eye as equals. Perhaps that is Lawson’s fear: for so many years, the English just haven’t had the opportunity to even bother thinking about beating Australia. They do now, and aren’t going to hide their optimism - least of all in the crowd.
The crowd at Lord’s
3 years ago, at the end of MayI’ve seen quite a bit of Test Cricket at Lord’s, but never have I seen so many kids as there were today. It was brilliant. One bloke I spoke to, as he was blocking my way down to the bar, pointed to a long line of school children stretching back forever it seemed.
“They’re my lot, sorry - we’ll be out your way in a minute,”
“Your wife must be exhausted - how many are there?”
“80″
“And you’re here on your own?”
“I am. Am I mad?”
I laughed and went to the bar, and almost felt like buying him a whiskey to calm his nerves. 80 10 year olds and only one teacher looking after them - crazy!
Anyway, they were very loud and vocal - but it was great to hear/see. Over in the lower Compton stand, where I escaped to from the sun, were about 100 kids - almost exactly, so I reckoned, 50/50 between England and Bangladeshi supporters. They chanted “Eng-ger-land!” “Bang-la-desh!”, competing and gradually getting louder and louder. Lord’s was never like this, not 5 years ago even - it was great to see, and I hope it continues…especially throughout The Ashes, although the availability of tickets is..well..they’re all sold out.
Also chatted to this RAF bloke who was being paid £100 just to stand around like a traffic-warden, and point people to their seats. What a job! And yes, he was a cricket-nut.
