Stuart Broad has been England’s most serviceable player this Ashes tour, without a doubt.
Some suggest that it’s a remarkable feat, given the hostile and nasty reception he’s unfairly received since entering the country.
But does a berating Australian crowd have any credence or cause anymore?
Australians over recent years seem to welcome the opportunity to scorn and ridicule far too eagerly, be-it ourselves or opponent.
As unbelievable as it may seem today, a Gabba crowd only a few summers ago gave our national captain, Michael Clarke, a horrid greeting as he walked out to bat.
It was a shameful moment and a horrible advertisement for Australian sport.
There is no doubt the end of Ricky Ponting’s captaincy stirred many emotions among the cricketing public, but the reluctance to give Clarke a fair go was unjustified. Remember, too, an unsuspecting Adam Gilchrist was jeered and taunted at the beginning of his national career (again at the Gabba).
We were fixated with the notion that national icon, Ian Healy, would be behind the stumps forever and had no peer.
Yet it wasn’t long before Gilchrist won us over and had us wondering how we ever coped without him.
The outspoken masses seem to be fascinated in hanging onto the old and not welcoming the new, until proven worthy.
This attitude is not exclusive to cricket. We need only look as far as the Australian Open tennis to find another young sporting talent finding it hard to win over the locals.
It’s true that Bernard Tomic hasn’t done himself many favours during his short journey, but the vocal home crowd expressed disdain, not disappointment, when he was forced to retire from his first round match against Rafael Nadal.
Pat Rafter, the eternal crowd favourite, would never receive such scepticism in a similar situation. He’s a proven champ, so we support unconditionally.
Tomic, on the other hand, has the unenviable task of winning the Australian public’s hearts. His support is massively conditional until he does.
So one feels Stuart Broad lost no sleep this last couple of months worrying about what was to be said, written or thought of him. Parochialism and passion are too often morphing into petulance and tantrums.
Jeering Australian audiences have become the norm. In fact, in a similar way to Clarke and Gilchrist in the past, it seems Broad has used ill-tempered spectators to his advantage and had, individually, a very respectable tour.
Josh Miller
Roar Rookie
Roger, I can't argue with your suggestion of B Stokes as England's best, but for mine he just missed too much of the series. Very impressive though. What I'm trying to share is that perhaps some sections should support our sportspeople from scratch and not have them have to earn the right not to be jeered by their own. It grates me (clearly). These same sections should not sit quietly and politely, arms in their lap, but a bit of selectiveness as to when and what to jeer wouldn't go astray, and perhaps even have an effect again. I'm not a prude, you all make valid comments, and it's interesting to hear other perspectives. I'm a stockman, and normally reserve my opinions for the kelpies, so a bit of debate is bloody refreshing!
Roger
Guest
"We were fixated with the notion that national icon, Ian Healy, would be behind the stumps forever and had no peer." Actually the booing was from people who thought he should have been given the Gabba test as a thank you for his long service and then Gilchrist given the role - but that was back in the days when selectors had both eyes on the future and cut careers short to ensure Australia remained as strong as possible. Gilchrist won everyone over through his performance on the field - as did Warner in England, as did Clarke (I do agree that Australian's booing the Australian captain is plss poor) and as Broad should have done but largely failed to. Do sections of Australian crowds go over the top at times? Absolutely, been that way for a number of years now. Should we all wring our hands and bemoan the behaviour of our fellow countrymen? Nah, we have enough of the cultural cringe as it is. To paraphrase Popeye, We yam what we yam. England's best contributor? Ben Stokes by a country mile.
Josh Miller
Roar Rookie
Aust Rules, you are right in saying Broad was happy being the villain - though I doubt he had much choice! Booing the opposition isn't a crime, and of course can add to the entertainment value of attending a sporting contest when called for, but attacking our own? That's where some seem to confuse passion with petulance. Jeering happens so readily now that its lost nearly all its effect and has gone from 'theatrical' to downright distasteful in many instances.
Josh Miller
Roar Rookie
Steve, at no point have I mentioned any crowds other than Australian, for what it's worth I don't think we're the worst out there. However, surely we can't think it's acceptable to boo our national captain when he walks out to bat? That was plain embarrassing. And, for interests sake, who do you regard as England's best contributor during the Ashes?
steve
Guest
Agree with Aust Rules. Where would sport be without jeering? The English did it to Ponting his whole career and more recenlty to Warner. Why do you imply that Australian crowds are worse than any other? If, as you say, Stuart Broad lost no sleep over all the taunts and used it to his advantage, then what exactly is the problem? For the record, I don't think he had a respectable tour nor was England's most serviceable player...
Australian Rules
Guest
A home crowd booing the opposition? Scandal! The Broad non-dismissal at Trent Bridge stamped him as the designated villain for the return Ashes series. The Courier Mail hyped up the pantomime and Broad himself seemed to join in. After being booed by the home crowd on Day 1 at the GABBA, and then proceeding to tear through Australia's batting order, he smiled to the press corp as he held up the C.Mail in mocking fashion. Clearly, Broad (at that stage at least) was enjoying the theatre and his role as the 'baddie'. That feeling didn't last long. During the 2009 Ashes series, despite having no specific cause to do so, the English crowds booed Ponting every time he walked to the crease. When asked about it, Ponting generously said that he believed English supporters to be the best in the world. Sport is theatre. Crowds boo and cheer. I'm don't know what this article is trying to say.
ak
Roar Guru
Very true