Panning Australian Cricket

There's an arrogance about Australians.  Not a quiet arrogance but at times an in your face one.  It permeates all Australian society.  Yes in most cases they have very good reason for oneupmanship such is their makeup of their colonial background.  But what of that arrogance?  How does affect other aliens that have to face up to that ballsy never-say-die attitude?

Many cases could be brought to your attention, but my one direction is aimed at Sports, and more importantly Cricket.  Since the start of international cricket Australia has been at the forefront of results and have grown their arrogance over those years.  Knowing they could beat anyone, and consistently meant they had a right to be cock-a-hoop and to express their attitudes both on and off the field.

I'm sure that arrogance was given a dent from time to time (Bodyline series and Windies sides of the 80's) but all through those era, one thing survived, and if anything has grown.  No longer "quietly arrogant" and with the aid of televised cricket, one aspect has become prominent, Sledging.

Now don't get me wrong.  I know full well cricket from club level to international cricket has sledging and mostly done with intelligence, wit and guile in all countries.  But the Australian case is different.  How so?

Well it used to be intelligent.  It used to be visual as well as verbal (and still is) but it's becoming excessive for my liking.  In the name of sanity I'd like to see the nasty stuff got rid of out of the game, across the board.  Cricket is a gentleman's game, always has been, and should always be.  I want all players and administrators made to remember the game is about effort, reward, loss, and a handshake at the end.  That is sacrosanct!!

How to combat it?  Firstly those playing international cricket need to take an oath.  That oath is Honour above endeavour.  Honour your fellow players, honour the officials, honour the game.  And what of breaches?  If in the field, a warning to an offending player in the form of a yellow card.  If another player offends, another yellow for that player and a Green Card for a Team Warning.  If a third player transgresses he gets a Team Red card and can't take any further part in the game for one hour if a test, 10 overs if an ODI, and 3 Overs if a T20.  That player can't be replaced by a substitute. Similarly if a Batsman transgresses twice a Red Card and stood down for same rates as the Fielders. The only problem I do see with this system is the frailties and individual make up of those that would have to police this - the Umps.


Accompanying that, individual players getting a Yellow faces a fine, if a Team Card then match fee fine, and if Red recipient, loss of his match fee and if he gets two Reds consecutively (can be different games) stood down for three matches of any variety.  It should go someway towards bringing the gentlemanly aspect back to the game.

And my Last word goes to that champion team of sledgers.  Respect the Game as you respect the death of a fellow player.  Let Phillip Hughes passing be a chance for you all to show the world you are indeed a great team, and one others can look towards for change for the better.