Who the hell does Laidlaw think he is to rebutt a great personality like Sunil Gavaskar? Not only does he dare to question the legend's statements, he also distorts it for his own purpose. The only instance Gavaskar blamed the Aussies was sledging, which is spot on. He didn't blame them for any of the other modern evils. But then such is the Australian inferiority complex that everyone from Lilee to Laidlaw jumps to defend the "Aussie spirit" and attacking a great personality. Maybe that's a reason for their unclutured behavior on the field - lack of respect for any non-Australian (or non-white?) cricketers. Just for the record, I'd like to see how many Australian sites would feature an Indian journalist attacking that over-rated Bradman about his views. Take that, "may-te"!
RE:Don't forget your place
by saf on Aug 09, 2003 08:11 PM
i am an australian and i would like to say u have every right to criticise players on australian websites since we live in a democracy and are entitled to freedom of speech (and our cricketers practice that right on the field- no big deal!!!!!!!)
First of all the author is not clear as to what he wants to say, just simply he wants to say something against the fact that Australians do sledge to an extent to irk the other player's feelings... Initially the author tries to blindly defend and later comes to accept the fact. Second thing is Sunil Gavaskar has played the game for more than 10 years and has been in the thick of the action most of the time and he knows what goes on in the pitch. Finally i would to request rediff not to post such articles without any evidence and arguing just for the sake of arguement.
Whether Sunny had a "specific if unnamed object of criticism in mind -- the Australians" or not Mr. Laidlaw surely was specifically critising Mr. Gavaskar. Is Mr. Laidlaw trying to tell us that Australians don't sledge, no, cause thats not true. Is he trying to tell us that sledging is good, no, cause thats not true. Is he trying to tell us that Australians are not the only ones who indulge in such ungentlemanly activities on field? well thats what sunny said anyways. So it will be king of Mr. Laidlaw to explicitly state what was the purpose of such a long artcile (half of which was spent in quoting Sunny) besides critisizing one of the best openers in the world produced by India.
If these comments of mine are not posted on rediff.com because they may ne found too critical, why is this article posted on this site in the first place.
It is very unfortunate that u took the side of Australian side completely and ignored many facts. First of all, u should learn manners, u should not use words like "FOOLISH" in ur column when u r talking about a legend like Gavaskar. U want all the world to accept that sledging is part of Australian culture and everybody should appreciate that? If sledging is Australian culture, then slaping the opposition would be somebody's culture, would you accept that? I don't know how u support such an indecent culture, which makes people to lose decency andabuse others. Your views are completely wrong. You should think from a broader perspective.
Well you covered everything what Gavaskar said but didn't touch the core issue "Sledging".Tell me simply, why Australians Sledge? and why they are not asked or punished for it. Do you remember the drama caused by match referee to punish Indians for excessive appealing? Wasn't that ridiculous? He was concerned about the personal abuse. Write the things in proper perspective, don't write it because you have some personal grudge against him or because you are Australian. Just imagine, if these things goes on and every team start adopting these sledging tactics (How Sourav gave it back to Steve in India and they couldn't handle it)then there would be total chaos. I think Gavaskar was right to raise this issue and ICC should do something to stop this cancer spreading around. Man, you are bias.
Its really stupid statement by daniel.I think these people are not yet civilized and do not know how to behave and speakout.They really are need of elementary teacher to put them into discipline.Daniel should first know about this.If he doesnt the just never try to give atatements
I think Australians will use thier mouths to win if required. Daniel I guess you should see that point. So many incidents have been occuring in the recent past which for most of the time involves Australians.
Moreover I think the Australinas don't walk at all, except Gilchrist I think by mistake he walked once. I think the Aussies hold the most not-walks even if the players claim a catch, they wait to see if the camera has caught it and then try to send the decession to the third umpire.
It is certainly true that bad sportsmanship encompasses other issues besides sledging (such as excessive appealing, for instance). I agree with you on that completely. But Daniel, we must keep in mind that Sunny delivered his lecture to the ICC. The ICC is the type of organization that clamps down on violations like excessive appealing but does not deal appropriately with sledging (to the detriment of subcontinental teams?). Or that was what Sunny probably felt and being from the Indian subcontinent himself, he decided to focus on this issue to remind the ICC of its failings.
If Daniel Laidlaw keeps writing in rediff, I am going to stop visiting rediff.com. I know of other websites where I can get news without tolerating Daniel Laidlaw.
