It’s time the noble sport of cricket got off its high horse and realised the potential that exists in the broader population. 140 years since the first Test was played, between Australia and England, the Australian team today features similar Anglo-Saxon names to those that represented the colony in 1877.
Given the vast changes to the composition of Australian society since that time, it is astonishing to think that cricket has remained almost exclusively the domain of one social group.
AFL, football and rugby league have all capitalised on Australia’s racial and cultural diversity. AFL and rugby league, particularly, have benefited greatly from the input of Indigenous Australians.
Cricket is a hugely popular sport in the subcontinent and there are many people from that part of the world playing cricket at club level in Australia. Yet, none of them seem to progress to state or international level, unlike in the UK. The same question can be asked of Australians of Italian, Greek or Eastern European heritage. There are millions of second generation descendants of immigrants from Europe. Why are they playing at the highest level in plenty of sports in Australia – but not cricket?
sheek
Guest
I was a hopeless cricket player, but I love its rich history. It's funny how its an iconic Australian sport. I remember my summer days boat rowing at surf carnivals on the weekend. You would go for a walk along the beach, & if a test or one-day match was on, you could guarantee 90 percent of radios were tuned into the cricket. The remaining 10 percent gave up, & did likewise! However, I too am puzzled it hasn't taken off with minority groups, including Aborigines. As Roger suggests, maybe they're too smart for that!
Roger
Guest
Thanks Rick, I was trying to think of Len Pascoe. I think he was from Yugoslavia ; sincere apologies et al, because I am not sure . Len Pascoe was the first person I heard say on TV something like ' I am retiring because I want to spend more time with my 3 year old son and spend time with him watching him grow up" This it going back a bit . Blokes didnt say that. They never uinderstood nor talked about it.. At the time I had children , but like my mates had not the foggiest idea what Len Pascoe was talking about.. If you think that strange, then talk t o people from Len Pascoes era.. The Aboriginal cricket thing. Cricket is Its forevwer try ing to reinvent itself like 20/twenty. So it aint working all that well no matter what your backgrund. A cricket bat,and the gear costs...............................pick a figure. I first played with dustbins as a wickets. I never knew anybody who played tennis. We shared three bats and three sets of pads for a team on Saturday If you won the toss, your team bowled because there rwas only one ball for the match. hat was40 /50years ago Cricket gear these days costs a fortune Eespecially compared with say just one football of whatever shape. Cricket is an anachcronism perpetuated by TV. These days a Test match takes last longer than what an Aboriginal person once took to cross Australia. I have this dream. I want to see Aboriginal kids play soccer,they would be naturals. Think of Aboriginal AFL super stars and imagine that atheltic talent on a world stage playing soccer. Cricket ? Aboriginal people are too smart for that
Rick
Guest
Hmm, good point, but it's not like there are/have been no players of note beyond the 'anglo-saxon' (hate that term) realm. Moises Enriques (Portuguese I think) should be making his way into the international side soon. What about Simon Kasprowicz, Len Pascoe, Simon Katich (nee Katic), Tony Dodemaide, Jason Gillespie to name just a few of varied ethnic backgrounds? I hope noone's suggesting some kind of quota system here to somehow even up the balance. Re the appearance of players with Asian backgrounds in England but not Aust, I'd put that down to significant migration from the subcontinent being a slightly more recent event here. I expect before long there will be a number of these players coming through the ranks in Australia.
Dave
Guest
I remember when Richard Chee Quee was playing for NSW everyone thought that was the start of cricket's new diversity. But since then I don't think any Asians have made even state level.. No one can tell me why! The concern i have is that cricket promotes itself as Australia's favourite sport, yet it is played by only a quite small section of the population.. Very peculiar.. Have a look through the names on the playing lists of AFL teams and you'll see how far behind cricket is.. And, as far as Aboriginal people go, you can't tell me that there is not a single Aboriginal person who possesses the natural ability to be nurtured into a fine fast bowler.. WHAT'S GOING ON!! BTW - can anyone tell me what Michael Kasprowicz's background is??