Dear Mr. Laidlaw, Understanding 'Why the Aussies can't not sledge' is irrelevant. I could go on and on about 'Why the Indians can't not over-appeal' or 'Why the Pakistanis can't not tamper with the ball', which is again equally irrelevant. The 'REAL' problem is, when the Indians and Pakistanis are constantly being penalized for their actions(and justifiedly so) the Australian counterparts 'ALWAYS' go scott-free. Call it racism, high-handedness or any other kind of bias, it is grossly unfair and should be stopped. It doesn't matter if you were born a sledger or your entire country is full of crooks. If you wanna play cricket, play it by the rules and the rules wont change cos you are a crook!! Regards, Rajeev.
What is the point in writing this article... ? I used to think that DL made a lot of sense... until I read this...
Don't know why people talk about culture and all such BS. Believe me five years down the line McGrath will write in some book or tell in some interview that it was a deliberate attempt to unsettle Sarwan....
The Aussis do what they have been taught to do. It is their way of doing things. Does it hurt anybody? Does it kill anybody? Does it go beyond the war zone? No.No.No. It is a technique, it is an innovation like inventing a new stroke or a new delivery. Why shouldn't they be allowed to follow their script, (which could not have been written without their cultural background)? And why the hell are they going to change it? What if they stop winning after that? Do you people know the language jawans use during training? They never use it against anybody except in the battle field. We have been taught to use this language in the battle field and, to keep it in practice (as well as to make ourselves tough), sometimes against each other also. What is wrong in that? If you can force the enemy to surrender by uttering some foul language, that is great, you have at least saved one life, his or yours. In this case you have taken a wicket or hit five fours in succession. Keep it up Aussis, you don't have to be apologetic (this is the article's weak point). Let others innovate and counter it.
I agree that sledging is a very ugly side of international cricket today. But it is absurd to just blame the Aussies. Other teams also sledge. The ICC should focus on trying to get the problem itself eradicated. Picking on just one team is not going to help. I agree that the Aussies should be punished. But so should everyone else who sledges. In that case, unfortunately, there wont be any cricketers left.
I understand all the cultural explanations. But that doesnt address anything among the current problems. Since all the Australian are thugs and their culture is boorish they can bully all other teams, huh? Then it is a pity that many of the other teams are from a better cultured society! Imagine if we had a Taliban team! Would it be ok for a Taliban bowler to take his gun and shoot the batsman when he was taken for a six? Ofcourse he can then blame it on his society and its culture?!!! Come on!! Danny, unlike your other articles, this doesnt make any sense at all!
RE:This is absurd!
by Rajeev on May 30, 2003 05:32 AM
rightly said! My response was very similar to yours.. it's high time we curb the imperial/racist nature of the authors of rediff..the least that we could do is post a stinging response..
RE:This is absurd!
by Munish on May 31, 2003 12:42 PM
I agree, this is absolutely absurd and it does not deserve public space in India. even rediff should be responsible enuff to have their discretion in selecting quality of articles. Munish
Well Mr Laidlo(a)w, seems you have gone nuts now for your arguments favouring the aussies for their sledging. You should lie low for sometime before postulating such a nonsensical theory SO from nowonwards we should accept it being a part of a country's culture - a. Ball tempering - Why do Pakisatnis always get into trouble for this? Maybe it is because of hteir culture. b. Excessive Appealing - Well Indians get into hot water for excessive appealing.Maybe it is in their culture. c. Moaning - English cricketers whenevr they tour the subcontinent. Maybe it is in their culture. d. Using expletives - Australia, South Africa, New Zealand- it is in their culture after all. e. Losing - Bangladesh. well maybe it is their culture. after all teh country is still trying to stand on its feet u know. Probably we should go deeper and maybe start doing DNA checks. After all it is more scientific way of explaining things than just inlcluding it in the garb of culture. I dont know if anyone reads the artciles before accepting it for publication at rediff. How can they publish such an irresponsible artcile. Maybe it is written by a Gora, i think. Mr Laidlaw should be laid low forever.
What was held as an offence leading to a test match ban for virendra Shewag (during India V SA series), is not so for McGrath and Sarwan. What ever is said is all BS.....
Let us accept that there is differential treatment when it comes to players from India and others...
Let the administrators first try to come to terms.. If i was the match referee, i would have banned atleast two test matches for McGrath.
