There is a school of thought which holds that a batsman should never rub his arm when an umpire is weighing up whether or not to call him out, caught behind off the glove – not even if the ball did indeed hit his arm.
The theory goes that the umpire won’t know whether you’re being honest or not, so better not to put him in an invidious position by over-egging the reaction.
Some cricketers observe the theory, others don’t. And, in truth, you can’t blame a chap for helping along the umpire in his decision-making when he knows he hasn’t gloved it.
But it is an altogether different situation when a batsman knowingly, deliberately and quite dishonestly rubs his arm in dramatic fashion when he knows full well that the ball did in fact hit his glove.
This is what Michael Clarke did during the Headingley Test, and it is one of the worst examples of dishonesty that I have ever seen on a cricket field.
One expects players not to walk nowadays. The game is prolifically dishonest.
But much of this dishonesty is impersonal – players don’t seek actively to hoodwink the umpire. They merely refuse to help him along in his decision-making.
Michael Clarke’s behaviour was of a different order.
His was the action of the confidence trickster, the man who preys on the credulous and the naive, and bends their response to his will.
He asked Asad Rauf to trust him when he rubbed that forearm – and then he pocketed the trust like an urchin in the East End pockets a City gent’s wallet. It was a low, base action. He made Rauf look a fool.
The question for Cricket Australia – an organisation which has long taken the brave course of seeking to uphold the Spirit of Cricket even when other, more boorish elements have criticised it for doing so – is whether a man of such dubious moral fibre is the right sort of chap to captain the team when Ricky Ponting retires.
I would suggest not.
The Australians have taken many brickbats for their behaviour over the years but they are not, generally, a dishonest team. It would be a profound shame if that were to change.
And if the umpires of the world conspire – quite by accident, of course – to hand Mr Clarke a series of horror decisions over the next year or two, then we shall merely have to shake our heads and smile and mutter: ‘ah, it couldn’t happen to a nicer chap’.
eric
Guest
Well done Dave & Vinay for not rising to the Viscounts pathetic bait. Viscount thinks Aussies shouldn't appeal loudly in close decisions because that would be deceiving the umpire, meanwhile Strauss claims half volley catches, not only to the umpire, but directly to the enquiring batsman.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Sorry,Viscount,your "mooting" on siddle is not vindicated. I see him as the enforcer..someone collingwood does not like to engage. Siddle,I have contended,is a stout performer and though down on pace at Leeds still had the bad wolf "huff and puff" about him. Albeit he was blowing down castles of sand. Interesting observation..Hilfenhaus bowled the fastest ball at Leeds..94.6 MPH. The Stealth Bomber.
Dave
Guest
Viscount better that you say what exactly in the posts you dont like instead of making some "kumble come down from the mountain to judge the unwashed" like statement...... thats when the problems start in international cricket.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Incidentally, chaps, I'm rather disappointed by many of the responses to this article. One doesn't justify wrong-doing by pointing to other wrong-doing. That's what five year olds do. It is completely the wrong way of approaching matters. Frankly, I think England have turned into a ghastly little team, full of horrid little flat track bullies like Cook and Prior. But that's England's problem. If they wish to betray their glorious heritage of fair play, then let them. But let's not encourage Australia to do likewise. A Baggy Green Captain ought not to be deceiving Umpires. It is simply unacceptable. Clarke is not morally fit for for the job. Give it to Katich or Hussey or Siddle or some other solid and honest citizen.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Quite so, old bean. I was bang on the money, wasn't I? I also mooted the idea that Peter Siddle might struggle somewhat on flat English pitches. He's improved over the course of the series, but I stil tend to think my prediction was vindicated. I really do not understand why the Australian selectors seem to have such a problem with Clark. The chap averages 18 against England. Pick him. It's not rocket science.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Viscount,totally off topic but I wanted to let you know you were prescient in relation to Clark being effective and Collingwood being devoid of suitable technique. Kudos to you.
Lewie
Guest
I agree with those comments Colin N. Johnson looked plum, and despite what Hawkeye showed, Broad was very wide from around the wicket and it appeared to me the ball had to come back in substantially to Hussey for it to hit the stumps. Hawkeye is a very ordinary guide. I noticed when Clarke was out at Headingly, he was hit on the full in line with the stumps (therefore definitely out), however when they showed the Hawkeye graphic, they went on to show where the ball would have pitched, and miraculously it also appeared to show the ball straightening somewhat. Truly bizarre.
Colin N
Guest
And what have the Australians been doing since Lords?
Colin N
Guest
Hawk-eye suggested he was out, but Matthew Hayden seemed adament that the decision was a wrong one. It did look dubious in real time, but Mitchell Johnson's at Edgbaston looked plum in real time, and was shown to be too high by hawk-eye.
Colin N
Guest
One's given out, one isn't. One was trying to avoid being given out by pointing at his arm, which in your book is cheating, one has already been given out. You can't compare the two incidents.
davido
Guest
Viscount loves a good prod and knows how to get things going doesnt he.
Tom
Guest
I've been playing cricket for 15 years and I have never heard of this 'school of thought' of rubbing your arm. To say this article is clutching at straws would be an understatement.
Jameswm
Guest
Great call skull! Compare that error with Strauss being given not out on the first ball of the match, which is conveniently forgotten! Having said all that I reckon McGrath copped more dud decisions than anyone - I think the umpires decided to put him out of his misery!
AndyS
Guest
Uh huh....and what was your take on the Hussey LBW?
skull
Guest
Ah Poms. Only they can winge about a no 11 getting a rough decision in an innings loss. Hope it didnt cost you the match Sam.
Lewie
Guest
one of the worst examples of dishonesty that I have ever seen on a cricket field was an English captain filling his pocket with dirt so as to tamper with the condition of the ball.
Lewie
Guest
replays will also show the wrist bit is part of your arm.
Justin
Guest
Love it... Maybe not for much longer ;)
FIsher Price
Guest
In fairness, Hussey leaves one foot in the dressing room these days.
FIsher Price
Guest
I wonder if Spiro "Strauss is a cheat" Zavos will be posting...