Test match cricket is an intense sport. Concentration levels are tested as players set for and then relax after an incoming ball 540 times in a day’s play; 540 times a day for up to five days.
Stress levels are often compounded when things are not going well for the fielding side, so things are invariably said to put the batters off their game.
Likewise, some batters prefer to keep the silence, while others may be inclined to remind the bowler of their current form.
We as mere spectators understand it is tense, but seeing the footage of David Warner spewing language at Quinton de Kock as they were making their way off the field in the first Test was ugly.
Warner is relentless in the field. He sees it as part of the game and, like many players, feels sledging is an integral part of the game. He wore the ‘attack dog’ moniker with pride.
Therefore, Warner must have a guide for what are acceptable ‘attack dog’ jibes and what are not, likely guided by the people he answers to – or they would have reprimanded him.
Somewhere, at some time, Cricket Australia must have held discussions on what is acceptable. Apparently, the ‘line’ is mentioning families.
I’m not sure if Australians involved in the think tank for on-field jibes took into account cultural differences from other nations when they determined the only sacrosanct item to be families.
Personal attacks seem to be acceptable, as Warner’s comments on the boundary to his South African opponent have largely been dismissed by the Aussie hierarchy.
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Australia have decided that De Kock was out of line in his apparent comments about Warner’s wife. If De Kock did say those things it was poor form, but possibly justified based on South Africa’s code of conduct.
But this arbitrary line of not mentioning families is ludicrous. Warner has no idea how personal some of the barbs he slings at others are taken. Do they bite as hard as a throwaway line about his wife, which Warner finds offensive? Did Warner not expect some retribution?
Was Warner upset that his wife was mentioned, or that De Cock was finally tired of the personal insults and put the Aussie in his place?
Simply put, De Cock beat Warner at his own game, which may be why Warner reacted the way he did – best served cold and all that considered.
I recall years ago witnessing a young guy, just starting out at a company, who was constantly being chipped away at by an older, more senior employee. Some might call it sledging.
There were suggestions, but no direct accusations, about the young staffer’s manhood, sexuality, demeanour and the like. To top it off, the younger man was always referred to as “boy” by the senior staffer.
After weeks of daily taunts, the young staffer was abruptly addressed one day as “boy” in front of a group of other senior staffers by the antagonist. The young staffer made his one and only retort to the senior staffer that day: “At least your wife calls me ‘big boy’.”
The senior staffer fumed and made a lunge at the junior. Colleagues grabbed him and led him off. The junior continued to drink his coffee.
Lessons were learned by all that day and the senior staffer was finally seen in the ugly glow of his incessant nastiness – what people would call bullying today.
I wonder what that then-young staffer thinks of David Warner today.
Neville
Guest
Quinton can hardly string a sentence together, in Afrikaans or English.
Neville
Guest
Hear hear
George
Guest
+1 Every time, without fail.
George
Guest
Why? Because my opinion differs from yours? Punter spoke in public, claiming Australians were fairer than anyone else - nationalistic, offensive BS.
George
Guest
Playing the victim like he always does. And the nationalistic Roarers make out he maturely moves on.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"workplace"? "bullying"? Spare me!
Simoc
Guest
Since Warner would know for sure that deKock doesn't know his wife (as SBW does) then he knows for sure that the vitriol is designed to upset him. To carry on in the pretence that he is offended reveals him to be somewhat short in the spine department. Able to dish it out but a snowflake in the sun when it comes back at him. What a woose!
rasty
Guest
You have revealed your true colours Jeff, thanks for that. Now every word you type can be taken with a grain of salt, if it wasn't already.
Savage
Roar Rookie
spruce moose Roarers will always accuse of you of being biased if you are not defending anything related to Australia.
Savage
Roar Rookie
Sheek 100% Agree.Easily the most sensible comment in this article.
Jeff
Guest
Nope, I suggest you learn how to read. I didn't even come close to saying that Warner's missus was a sl#t. The crux of the post was about Warner needing to grow a thicker skin and to accept the abuse if he wants to dish it out himself. As for the PI player BS...yawn. If you still believe that nonsense, then it's more a reflection of your ignorance about the make-up of NZ society than anything else.
Jeff
Guest
Nope, Kiwis get upset because this idea of PI players being plundered is factually incorrect. Anyone who spends 5 second researching the ethnic breakdown of Auckland and Wellington would straight away come to that conclusion. You on the other hand seem to represent a fair number of Aussies (not all) when it comes to standing up for your brilliant but disgracefully behaved cricket team , and that is to defend first and look at the facts later. What teh Saffer poster said is true if you think about it. W
elvis
Guest
No, he didn't attack Warner's wife, he attacked Warner using words about his wife. Totally different thing. It's not like he went up to the wife and started abusing her, I'd actually have some sympathy for Warner's actions then.
Drago
Guest
Warner Spruce. You have made a few disparaging remarks, you are not Crusoe though.
Drago
Guest
Ok Tin man thank you for the sage advice. Hope you enjoy the 2nd test.
Good Game
Guest
100%
Gordon Smith
Guest
In reply to Drago - I understand why you might think that but what if we don’t help our young men learn resiliency and how to react and they react in ways damaging to themselves and others. I did this as a father out of kindness and my 3 adult sons are happy self sufficient fully functioning members of our society
DaveJ
Guest
Agree Rhino although i think any kind of sendoff is not on. After getting out the natural reaction would be to want to clock with the bat any bowler who gives you an aggressive sendoff, unless perhaps you’ve scored 100 and can just say look at the scoreboard. I wonder whether Rabada picked that up playing international crickets rather in domestic cricket in SA.
Kurt S
Roar Pro
Marshall, I am in no way defending de Kock and I'm unsure how you came to that conclusion.
JoM
Roar Rookie
Who cares what she was TC123. What a disgusting thing for you to say about someone who is now happily married with 2 kids. I hope your wife was pure as the driven snow when you married her, or maybe you don't know the half of it.