“Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Cricket.”
This passage is taken from the MCC Laws of cricket and is expected to be applied by all countries, including the Australian cricket team, which is copping some flack for sledging during the first Test at the Gabba.
The main incident was Michael Clarke telling Jimmy Anderson to “Get ready for a F****** broken arm.”
But what is the spirit of cricket and why doesn’t any other sport live by such a code?
For instance, I doubt anyone would care if a rugby league player or an AFL player told his opponent to get ready because his head is about to be knocked off, but this is the gentleman’s game and we expect it to be played by gentlemen.
But what if we’re not gentlemen? What if we love to bowl bouncers and swear at our opponents?
Sledging is a huge advantage for the Aussies, as no other nation can compete with us in this department. The South Africans come close, but the English certainly do not.
It’s something that has always given us an edge but it seems we haven’t been doing it as much of late.
Maybe it’s a confidence thing that comes with winning, something we do when we’re on top to grind the opposition down.
Whatever it is, it works.
Test cricket is as much a mental battle as a physical one and the English boys are rattled, so the Aussies would be smart to keep the pressure on.
I love to see banter on the cricket field, even when it’s directed at us. It adds to the theatre, it’s one of the reasons I will always take Test cricket over any other form of the sport.
The ICC have fined Clarke for using obscene language, but I hope that doesn’t deter the men from both sides from engaging in a bit of banter.
More importantly, I hope Cricket Australia doesn’t over-react and put a muzzle on Clarkey and the boys, as it could be what stops us from bringing home the urn.
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