It is time everyone grew up

 Symonds indiscipline and its aftermath.

The rabid Australian press have attributed Symonds indiscipline to "monkey gate' and its aftermath. According to them, Symonds believes that by failing to support him to the hilt,the CA betrayed him. This, the Australian press say, made him disenchanted with the authorities.

One does not know where the truth lies. However, it is surprising to see a supposedly tough as nails sporting nation  accept one of their star players is 'precious' and just not there.

While accusations and counter accusations are flying thick and fast, Symonds, the man at the center, has requested for privacy and ducked the issue.It would have been better if he had made a honest statement and put to rest any false conjectures.

Instead it has set of a series of  sensational innuendoes. Both the press and the Australian players have been imputing uncalled for motives. Granted that Symonds indiscipline deserved censure, but its incomprehensible why his team mates and his acting captain had to rush to the press. To a disinterested watcher, it appears that the 'think tank' of the Australian team made a misjudgement and to thwart a backlash have run to the press.The press expectedly sensationalised it by casting doubts on Symonds mental strength.

This is where CA's handling of the whole issue comes in for praise. In response to his reported disenchantment with them, the CA issued a statement asking Symonds to grow up, which is exactly what everyone concerned should do.

The players, media and even to an extent CA should show restraint and not behave as if there ulterior motives behind every action.

Do you agree that everyone is behaving childishly?

Why Cricket SA supports India

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Recently ECB tried to upstage India by promoting another League similar to the Champions League. At that time I had wondered on this blog whether Cricket Australia and Cricket SA Cricket would support India.

I need not have worried as in the end both the cricketing nations backed BCCI's Champions League.

Truth to be told, I was a bit perplexed at their support. The reason being, it was a heaven sent opportunity for them to stand up to the supposed dominance of the BCCI.

Anyway the truth is out, according to this report, "Three matches against India in Northern Ireland last year helped to substantially reduce the losses incurred by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in its last fiscal.CSA financial chief Hentie Wyk said here the loss of 16.3 million rands was much lower than the 72 million rands loss that had been budgeted."

If just 3 matches that too in played in Northern Island could reduce Cricket SA loss by 50 million rand, is it a wonder that they supported the BCCI.

It is evident that Cricket SA knows which side of the bread is buttered.

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ICC accuses Cricket Australia of hiding behind Player’s Association.

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The conduct of Champions Trophy in Pakistan is proving divisive.

On one hand, the ICC stands accused of cowing to the powerful Asian bloc by insisting on Pakistan as the location. On the other hand, Cricket Australia stands accused of folding under the pressure brought on them by the powerful Player’s Association.

However, yesterday’s statement from the Player’s Association that they will not play in Pakistan has added a new twist to the story. ICC feels that Cricket Australia is using the Players Association to escape making a decision.

In fact, an ICC source, who refused to be named, questioned whether the governing boards were hiding behind their "players" so as not to further antagonise India and the powerful Asian bloc which effectively rules the game.

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A bomb blast is still a bomb blast

Whether it occurs in Pakistan,India or Sri Lanka, a bomb blast is still a bomb blast.
May be one can differentiate by their intensity and the number of people it harmed.
Every bomb is threat to life and limb so how can Cricket Australia say, Nothing hypocritical about touring India.

There is no way one can say a bomb blast in India or elsewhere is not a security threat.The very statement is hypocritical.

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Champions Trophy – Will Cricket Australia and South Africa Cricket back India?

England is to go ahead with its own plans for a rival Champions League and most probably will not be a part of the IPL backed Champions League.
At the same time, IPL has announced its plans to host the Champions League in India.
However, to be successful, both have to have the support of Cricket Australia and South Africa Cricket.
IPL has an edge as they already have most South African and Australian cricketers signed on for 3 years. This does not mean that the BCCI can take their support for granted.
It is common knowledge that they, particularly Cricket Australia, are chaffing under the ignominy of being sidelined by the BCCI.
Now with ECB projecting itself as the one to take on the might of BCCI, the BCCI should be wary, as both Cricket Australia and South Africa Cricket are natural allies of the ECB.
So the question is will they continue to support India?

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Racism - Cricket Australia advocates mediation over persecution

Cricket Australia has come around to the view in cases of racial vilification, it is better to mediate rather than persecute.

The Harbahajan - Symonds racial row and its fall -out has made Cricket Australia realise directly trying to persecute the offender is not the means to end racism in Cricket. They have come around to the view the offender must be given a chance to rectify his behaviour or atleast prove his innocence.

Those who had followed that unsavory incident may remember that Ricky Pointing had gone straight with his charge to the Match Referee despite Anil Kumble asking him to give him an opportunity to sort it out within themselves.

It is good that saner heads in Australia have realized the value of mediation. If they had thus instructed their hot-headed Captain earlier, one of the most deplorable incidents in the history of cricket would never have happened.

Technorati Tags CA,Racism,Cricket

Cricket : R.I.P.

- 06/01/08

A four-pronged pace attack?

Cricket Australia's selection chairman, Andrew
Hilditch, said he did not rule out the possibility of playing four specialist
pacemen with part-spin coming in from Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke.

I say,bring them on.

Is that all you have?

The worry for Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia is worried about the dwindling attendances during the recent Sri Lanka series. Plus, they see no reason to hope for a revival in their fortunes.

“the position won’t improve in the coming weeks. Before Christmas, Australia
will meet New Zealand in three one day matches and a Twenty20 match. New Zealand
is currently ranked fifth on the One Day International ratings table so another
lopsided series looms.


Then Australia and India will
player three Tests, the first starting on Boxing Day in Melbourne. While India
ranks third on the Test ratings table, England ranks second! If Australia scored
an easy clean sweep against the Poms last summer, what will it do to India this
summer?”

Our expatriates will be at the stadium in full force so that is the least of their worries.

However about what Australia will do to India, anyone willing to hazard a guess?

Expletives welcomed. :)

"Aussie-fied"

"Aussie-fied"- The art of swearing like a sailor at your opponents and then acting 'precious' when you get an earful in return. Also known as sledging and mental disintegration.


Hat tip: ArthurVandelay

First Test boycott?

Meanwhile, there is brinkmanship at its best in Australia.

Cricket Australia and the media have come into conflict over
CA's new policy which includes charging news organisations to take news photos
at games.

Major news organisations may resort to a print news
blackout of this week's first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in
Brisbane.

If someone has to back off, it is going to be Cricket Australia.