Sledging and other "things"...

[IceTemple]

England & SA with the involvement of the Pakistani's and others seem to be going for it at the moment. I have noticed though that the Australian media are not making a big deal out of it.

If an Aussie player was involved they would be sticking it to the team and calling them bullies. Why the double standard? Why does the modern Aussie media not like the Aussies?

I remember when we were useless. In those days the media called us a laughing stock and that they should pull their fingers out and become competitive and also play that way. As soon as we do they want us to fail?

Anyone know why?

 

[danny rooboy]

There is a definate line between being competitive, aggressive and passionate - and launching harmful personal attacks on individuals through sledging (even if it is just in jest to try and unsettle an opposition).

Unfortunately our current national team has had a bad reputation in this regards over the past couple of years. The fact that we are world champions also should put us in a position of responsibilty.

International cricket is international relations. Teams should be more sensitive to other cultures. Also, the national team, the media and authorities helps set standards for the game at a local level. Some sledging at this local level is really quite sickening and distasteful. This happens in cricket, footy, soccer, and other sports - and im sure puts many people off from playing these sports.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

There are certain sections of the cricket world who would like to have us believe the Australians are the only people who sledge on the cricket field. Of course, this is ridiculous, they all do it.
However, it seems to me that the only times when people point an accusing finger at the Australians is when the Aussies are kings of the world.
I can't believe Viv Richards had a swipe in his book at the Australians when the West Indies served it uop to all and sundry in his time as captain.
Each country is guilty of sledging, and yet apparently it is only the Australians who do it ... remarkable. Let's face it .... it's a racist issue, and it's very difficult to say what you really mean in fear of being branded a racist.
As has been correctly pointed out, there are ugly things happening all over the world of Test Cricket, but are not being highlighted ..... why? ...... because the Australians aren't involved.
I had a laugh one time in England, I can't remember the tour now, but there was talk once more of the ugly Australian, so some of the British media took it upon themselves to put microphones around the ground so they could hear all this "nasty" language. The Aussies were unaware of the bugging and went about business as usual. The only really bad language they heard all day was 2 English batsmen talking about a certain Aussie fast bowler. The British press were apparently very embarrassed about the whole affair, and the Australians lodged an official complaint.

 

[RogerC]

Yeah, but.....

I remember clearly when the Windies were on top they were accused of bullying other test line ups with aggressive bowling. That was considered unfair because they were the best.

My feeling on this is that the only time a team is in a position to change the game is when they are on top. If we really feel that sledging is wrong, the Australian team can make a public and largely symbolic gesture by reducing or eliminating it. Because we are the best, we become the de facto ambassadors for the game. When you're on top, people really listen to you.

Had Steve Waugh come out and said, at the start of his reign when he had inherited a world-beating team, "We are going to set the example for the spirit of the game," I really think the rest of the world would have taken note. We still would have won, you can see the level of talent playing for us (does anyone believe sledging makes a team more talented?). But we could have also set a new standard for on-field behaviour.

We seem to have gone the other way, though. Very defensive about accusations, ready to turn a blind eye to indiscretions on the field. And apparently (until about three or four weeks ago) unaware that there was even an issue. And then, only a token gesture.

I should make it clear here - it's not an obligation. The Australian team were not required to do anything other than what they did. I just feel it's an opportunity missed. Other teams are very unlikely to reform their behaviour when the best in the world regards sledging as common practice.

 

[llosis]

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/27/1067233095629.html

NZ's Scott Styris reckons we're not out leading the world of sledging like everyone thinks. Says we're no worse than anyone else.

Styris believed the Australian players never pushed it too far, despite allegations to the contrary. "They'll always talk and we always talk. In my experience, they've never gone over the top," Styris said. "It's a load of crap, to be honest, what other people have said. I don't think they overstep the line very often.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Originally posted by Adelaide Hawk
There are certain sections of the cricket world who would like to have us believe the Australians are the only people who sledge on the cricket field. Of course, this is ridiculous, they all do it.
However, it seems to me that the only times when people point an accusing finger at the Australians is when the Aussies are kings of the world.
I can't believe Viv Richards had a swipe in his book at the Australians when the West Indies served it uop to all and sundry in his time as captain.
Each country is guilty of sledging, and yet apparently it is only the Australians who do it ... remarkable. Let's face it .... it's a racist issue, and it's very difficult to say what you really mean in fear of being branded a racist.
As has been correctly pointed out, there are ugly things happening all over the world of Test Cricket, but are not being highlighted ..... why? ...... because the Australians aren't involved.
I had a laugh one time in England, I can't remember the tour now, but there was talk once more of the ugly Australian, so some of the British media took it upon themselves to put microphones around the ground so they could hear all this "nasty" language. The Aussies were unaware of the bugging and went about business as usual. The only really bad language they heard all day was 2 English batsmen talking about a certain Aussie fast bowler. The British press were apparently very embarrassed about the whole affair, and the Australians lodged an official complaint.

I think that if I was playing in that Era, and I had Joel Garner bowling bouncers at me from the other end, the absolute last thing on my mind would be what their bloody slips cordon was saying