Sledging? No. Send Offs? No. Altercations? No. Umpiring controversies? No. Press conference pot shots at the opposition? No. On-field behaviour? Good. Cricket? Very good.
What we have seen over the past month is not what we expected when the Ashes started in Cardiff. Both teams have rarely whispered a word to each other. England had promised they were looking to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand and stick to a ‘gentleman’s game’ approach and eradicate the banter on the field.
Have they stuck to it? Well almost.
On the second afternoon at Edgbaston, Jimmy Anderson started a barrage of verbals against Steve Smith and David Warner. Smith might have said a word but Warner refused to cave in. The umpires stepped in and that was it. Anderson had wavered from the pre-Test strategy of ‘not sledging’ and the minute he stepped out of line it was clear he needed to be punished.
The cricketing gods must have been watching because within a couple of days his series was over with a side strain.
In midst of all the balls that have beaten the bat there is bound to be frustration and fast bowlers on both sides have released it all by saying a few words. But it has been nothing like the ‘broken arm’ incident. At times Mitchell Johnson has given advice on how to hook his bouncer to the English batsmen. But led by Joe Root, they have retaliated with a cheeky smile or simply turned their backs.
Even a mischievous tactic of trying to disturb Ben Stokes habitual sliding of the bat over the crease at end of each over by Lyon has been dismissed with ‘it was something stupid’. The Aussies even smiled about it and left it at that.
Warner, normally the chief instigator has acted like a choir boy. He has never trespassed into the opposition’s space physically or verbally. Even when his integrity was questioned in the press over not applauding Joe Root’s hundred in the first Test he responded in a pleasant manner with a logical reason.
There was nothing submissive or aggressive in the response.
Stuart Broad, the non-walker, even trusted the word of a fielder on a catch. Yes, he was called back but only on at the umpire’s direction. Broad, the villain, has smiled even while facing the thunderbolts from Johnson.
After the summer of cricket that has passed, it is a nice change to read and focus only on the cricket. Last summer, there was more written and discussed on the verbal banters than the actual game. It was ridiculous. People had forgotten about the contest with bat and ball.
Perhaps other teams can follow New Zealand’s heavenly path. Perhaps one team has to shy away from it for the sake of cricket.
Apart from Anderson, the only other man opposed to such path was Brad Haddin. Before the series he had stated ‘we will play our way’. Just like Anderson, the cricket gods seem to have ended his Ashes campaign. Or perhaps that is core reason why majority of the current team members have opposed Haddin’s axing.
Whatever the reasons it is simply nice to have engrossing cricket without all the baggage that we have become accustomed to in the recent times.
Behave boys and let the bat and the ball do all the talking. It is what we all want to see.
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
I have enjoyed the respect given by each team to each other, especially the applauding of centuries. However, this has nothing to do with the supporters. I'm sure there are many English fans clapping a classy cover drive from an Aussie batsman. But, if a Mitchell starts spraying it around it's their duty to let them know about it. That's not sledging, because fans can't sledge by definition. It's simply jeering the opposition and getting behind your own team...
mickh
Guest
Really, James Anderson and his "they won't drink with us" public broadcast was pretty lame. He also publicly noted that their was no longer room in the game for sledging and that he does;t do it, (any more!) then he let loose at Warner and Smith last test and was reprimanded, now he is out injured, kama Jimmy. Let's not mention the boorish English crowd at Edgbaston. Relentless sledging and swearing at our players on the field. Can English supporters please just accept they are as "vocal" as some Aussie supporters. Most of them live in an Ivory Tower.
JoJo
Guest
There are few things i like more than seeing the bowling side clap a century. Not run in and slap the guy on the back but just stand still where they are and clap half a dozen times. It just seems so classy.
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
excellent point...the Aussies have been far better at handling the defeats and the win. They have come to understand that if you bring attention to yourself in unwanted ways, you will struggle to get to clean air. The problem with losing your wick is not the same problem as having a laugh at someone's expense. You can sledge in a cheeky way or a nasty way...the choice is yours, but you have to take the fallout EITHER WAY, which may be very extreme and upset you as the sledger. I just admire cricketers who have the kind of self control and personality whereby they are not afraid to compliment an opposition player or give them a sly, but quiet dig and a smile at the same time. This is generally the sign of an individual who is calm and composed and happy with themselves as a successful person and player. The guys who are stretched so tight they cannot help themselves with nasty sledges are generally a little insecure , or deeply entrenched in the negative sledging culture from years at one club or another.
NTJ
Guest
I'm hoping for over-sledging to make up for the last 3 tests. It might actually fire our boys up and make us want to be there and play (at least look like it).
Harry
Guest
"It is what we all want to see." Not me, I like a bit of sledging.