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England won the first Ashes Test after a brilliant five days of Test cricket. It was just a brilliant Test match that went right down to the wire.
With one day cricketing in its last 10 years, and an overdose of T20 cricket, you can’t help but just sit back and say ‘how good is Test cricket’.
Technology in sport is overrated. Human error is part and parcel of sport. As long as the refereee/umpire isnt on the take, the idea of accepting their verdict and moving surely remains the best way a for a sportsman to behave.
The Test was full of controversy. None bigger than when Stuart Broad got a massive edge that went to Michael Clarke at first slip via Brad Haddin’s left glove.
Due to Clarke’s poor judgement in using up his two reviews earlier, Australia couldn’t review Aleem Dar’s incorrect decision of not out.
Firstly, I find it amazing Australians can criticise footballers for diving when this type of things go on and a culture of not walking even if you know 100% you hit it. Its cheating. Simple as that.
The justification that an umpire is there to make a decision is just covering up that you are cheating.
You can put whatever spin on it you want, but if you know you hit it, and Broad obviously did, and it is caught and then you are faking your way through the next bit to cheat your way to safety is no different to the footballer who dives in the box to claim a penalty.
It’s all cheating masked by the idea that ‘I don’t walk cause the umpire is there to make a decision’.
Who is to blame for cricket’s poor culture when it comes to not walking (cheating)? The answer is Ian Chappell.
If you watch the tied Test between Australia and the West Indies you will see Sir Garfield Sobers hammering the great man Richie Beneud all parts of the ground. Richie didn’t abuse him or call him a slogger. Richie can be seen applauding and appreciating some great batting, no matter what it was doing to his figures.
The great spirit of the game seems to suggest that the problem didn’t exist then.
However, when the Ian Chappell said ‘I’m not walking, I know I hit it but there is an umpire there to make a decision’ and everyone believed him as a man of influence and 30 Test captain.
It didn’t matter it was cheating, Ian Chappell was saying it.
Stuart Broad should have walked. The culture won’t change but should change.
I don’t buy this ‘it’s a big business now and they are playing for their livelihood’ line of thinking. The good players will still be good, the great players still great and the imposters (Ed Cowan) will soon get sorted out. It’s the way sport works.
Michael Clarke’s captaincy was pathetic this Test match. His use of the DRS wasn’t to fix howlers, it was out of hope of getting cheap wickets.
Both LBW appeals in the second innings were wasted, especially the one on Bairstow. Then when he needed it for the Broad decision he had nothing.
To make matters worse he used an appeal on his caught behind. He knew he hit it and then later came out and said he thought he didn’t.
The give away is how quick his head turns around after he hits it. This is instinct for any cricketer. Edge it and turn around instantly to see what’s happened. If you don’t hit it, no need to panic. This was also the give away as to why Haddin hits it for the final wicket too. But for Clarke to review something he knew was out is also cheating. The only difference is he didn’t get away with it like Broad did.
Clarke’s inability to stay calm when Broad was given not out was an indication that the Test didn’t go to how he had planned. 0 and 23 and the pathetic use of the DRS meant it was a very poor five days for the skipper. He needs to refresh and start again for Lord’s.
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