I have immeasurable respect for Kumble during this series. Lionhearted bowling, spirited captaincy and determined batting.
BUT "only one team playing in the spirit of the game?". My contention - NEITHER team was!
Firstly Australia: (a) not walking when obvious - I agree that walking is optional but "it's just not cricket" when Clarke edges to first slip and stands his ground. Symonds however was honest - "yes I nicked it on 30, but I could also sit here and tell you about the number of bad decisions I have got" (b) aggressive appeals - pioneered by Indian spinners on home tracks (ie appeals for bat pad catches with the bat held high in the air), improved by Sri Lankans and Pakistanis, and perfected by Mr. Shane Warne. But really, what team pushing for a world-record equalling victory doesn't aggressively ask the question at any opportunity? I'd bet my life that most Indian fans would kill to be in the same position as the Australian juggernaut! (c) Catches - I will discuss in my next instalment
Now India: (a) aggressive appealing - ie Kumble appealing for LBW when Hogg drove through the offside for 2 runs (b) Over rates - deliberately slowed down - such as calling for shinguards for ball 6 of an over! (c) Ishant - coming out with 2 left gloves with 9 minutes to go, followed by Pathan laughing with the replacement glove!
If you want to take the moral high ground, your own house needs to be in impeccable order. IMHO, India doesn't have a leg to stand on.
RE:The true SPIRIT of the game
by Indian on Jan 09, 2008 06:21 AM Permalink
Mr. Mammen:
If India doesn't have a leg to stand on, then does Australia have the Sydney Watch Tower to stand on in your (not so humble) opinion?
Listen to the Aussies rant: "We did nothing wrong"! "Indians are poor losers"! "We played hard and fair"! etc. etc. etc. etc.
If a team cannot uphold some decency when they are supposed to be the undisputed and rarely challenged leaders; then I don't know when they will uphold any decency at all. And all the so-called spirit of the game just started evaporating the moment another team slightly tightened the screws on them, despite bearing the brunt of phenomenally adverse decisions. I don't know how would your precious champs have behaved, had even 50% of those decisions gone the other way.
RE:The true SPIRIT of the game
by Michael Mammen on Jan 09, 2008 07:35 AM Permalink
Kumble's words "only ONE team was playing in the true spirit of the game".
If Kumble had said "I don't think Australia was playing in the true spirit of the game", I wouldn't be as fussed.
But his carefully chosen words take on different meaning altogether.
You should read my other comments - I am completely critical of the Australian's behaviour and amazed that so many people on this forum seem to think I have condoned it. For the 21st time - the Australians were childish, churlish, embarassing, lacking in grace, humility and need a good whack over the head. But when the heat dies down and people start thinking with their HEAD instead of their HEART, logic will prevail and appropriate action will be taken.
I have never said the Indians were poor losers, rather I congratulated Kumble on his superb leadership in adversity. My only comment extended to the Indian batting line-up, who, notwithstanding the Dravid decision, couldn't survive 72 overs on a decent track!
Your comment "I don't know how would your precious champs have behaved, had even 50% of those decisions gone the other way."
I can tell you exactly how they would have regrouped. They would have battened down the hatches, and come out wanting to prove their point on the field, not in the media or by stomping off throwing a temper tantrum or holding the ICC to ransom.
One thing Australians generally are not cursed with is a victim complex. We cop it on the chin and move on to the next battle.
RE:RE:The true SPIRIT of the game
by Indian on Jan 09, 2008 08:32 AM Permalink
Michael:
Kumble surely actually meant "Aussies didn't play fair". Bill Woodfull had meant the same during the Bodyline series.
Gentleman that Kumble is, he didn't go for point blank accusations, of the "you shouldn't be standing in this room" variety. But direct accusations are a strict no no in Indian culture (as an Indian, you know what I mean).
As for the moral high ground concept: Going by this token, (vocal as they are) Aussies should never complain about any verbal exchange anytime. So no case against Bhajji, all are happy and that's that.
It's good that Australians don't have a victim complex (or at least believe they don't so suffer). Indians will surely learn this gradually as they grow up in the game.
RE:The true SPIRIT of the game
by Michael Mammen on Jan 09, 2008 09:11 AM Permalink
Indian If Kumble meant that, then I'm happy to agree the Aussies didn't play fair. But he said it very specifically. You may recall Woodfull said words to the effect of "I'm sorry sir, but only one side is playing cricket out there". The meaning was very clear.
With the current mentality, I agree 100% that Aussies can't complain about any verbal sledging. But racial comments have always been viewed as distinct from this (in every country of the world), rightly or wrongly.
Again, if Harbhajan didn't know what he was saying was offensive, I have no problem with that being a valid defence (due to cultural considerations). But given he appears to have had his warning, all that remains is to establish what evidence there is, and to clear Harbhajan if there isn't enough!
I should note that for many years, even decades, Australians did have a victim complex, hating tours of the subcontinent and just wanting to get out and get home. It's only since Steve Waugh and the Indians willingness to embrace him, Gilchrist and Lee that Australia has just played the game hard (and sometimes too hard), but enjoyed the fruits of its labour.
Here's to hoping Perth is a great spectacle for cricket, sportsmanship and international relations - it also may mean I cop a little less anti-Christian, anti-Australian, anti-migrant criticism :)
RE:The true SPIRIT of the game
by Indian on Jan 09, 2008 09:24 AM Permalink
Dear Michael:
Here's to Perth! I too hope to see a great match.
You have not, and certainly won't cop any unjustified anti-anything criticsm from this Indian :)
Has been a pleasure exchanging comments with you sans the usual vitriolic outbursts! BTW I am in Sydney myself and am trying to sort out this chaotic mess with some logic.
I do hope current ongoings will spark the Indians into giving a tougher fight at Perth.
