The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Sledging must be eradicated from cricket

Roar Rookie
31st December, 2014
Advertisement
For all the plaudits Mitch Johnson received, Brad Haddin's bladework saved Australia on numerous occasions in the 2013 Ashes. (AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN)
Roar Rookie
31st December, 2014
257
2341 Reads

Ian Chappell was recently criticised for comments saying that sledging was becoming too personal. But I think he is right and it is having a negative effect on a lot of Australians.

We Aussies have always prided ourselves on being tough but fair and nobody is denying sledging used to happen. Generally sledging was lighthearted and full of wit instead of outright vitriol as it is now.

The argument about who started it could be brought up, but that is not the point.

When Ian Healy, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne departed I did think we would settle, but no, we got Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and David Warner. All of them appear gabby, mean spirited and full of bad humour. Worst of all, if the opposition retaliates they are spoilt or arrogant and not in the spirit of the game.

Several weeks ago Virat Kohli had the temerity to criticise Australia’s practise wickets and food, resulting in Johnson’s behaviour on the field being justified. Kohli again crowed a bit after a terrific knock and along comes the highly verbose Haddin, the so called ‘funny man’.

The upshot for me is that I turn against my own country and hope they will be dished out a hiding to show them a little humility. I hate that feeling because I feel betrayed by my country’s very poor behaviour and lack of sportsmanship, in fact I feel hostile.

To conclude, I feel cricket associations around the world should enforce a code of conduct that umpires can police. When Johnson hurls a ball in spite, striking a batsman at the crease, that is poor form.

Impose a fine, if it occurs again, double it or else somebody may just get struck with a bat one day.

Advertisement

To the new players coming into the side, don’t be influenced by the old brigade, they are not the types you want kids to follow.

close