Quite some years ago, while sitting under the green roof of the members stand at the SCG, my wife and I watched as an Australian wrist-spinning understudy stood at the top of his mark, flipping the ball belligerently from hand to hand.
His contemplative countenance was splashed onto the big screen. You could almost see his nimble mind calculating revolutions per second and measuring acute angles as he formulated his fiendish plan.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice, rich with comic distain, was heard from several rows behind us: “He’s got a face I just want to slap!”.
The remark was so loud – and so apt for the circumstances – that everybody around us began to convulse with laughter.
You have to love good-natured crowd banter. It’s as old as the game itself.
Most cricket-lovers, steeped in the game’s long folkloric history, will know the story of bodyline architect Douglas Jardine swatting flies away from his face while fielding.
“Hey Jardine! Leave our flies alone!”
While I rebel against mean-spirited crowd-behaviour, like booing a brave combatant even after he’d been knocked to the ground by a bouncer, clever crowd heckling enriches the game.
Which brings me to this.
I was worried about how Nathan Lyon would perform in the Old Trafford Test after he fumbled a returning throw to the bowler’s end during that thrilling climax at Headingley and bumbled a certain run-out that would have won Australia the Ashes.
I was, however, amused when the English fans gave Lyon a raucous cheer – replete with pompous Pommy mockery – whenever he successfully pouched a throw from the outfield during his bowling stint at Manchester. And my spirits took flight when Lyon acknowledged the joshing by waving his hand and permitting himself a self-deprecating smile.
That missed run-out must have been a soul-destroying, sleep-depriving low point in Lyon’s career. That he could accept the opposition crowd’s semi-affectionate admonishment does him credit.
I can’t tell you how much I adored that exchange between player and spectator.
Crowd banter, like on-field chat, is at its best when it subtly exposes a player’s foibles by reminding them of their imperfections and by needling them for a past blemish – provided it doesn’t cross the line into malicious abuse.
Unlike the Steve Smith incident, I think mocking Lyon for the egregious error he made during the extreme heat of a spine-tingling battle is fair game.
And, not for nothing, Lyon’s response was perfect – take the jesting on the chin before returning to combat in earnest.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Peter. Take a deep breath, mate! My article was about a very specific exchange between Lyon and the English crowd. Hence the focus on Nathan. Did the title not give that away! I don't believe Lyon was solely responsible for Australia's loss at Headingley. If you've calmed down and are interested in my broader views, read this article: https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/09/04/after-the-heart-breaking-loss-will-the-aussies-recover/ Or even this one: https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/08/26/ben-stokes-the-ecstasy-beneath-the-agony/ In the meantime, I hope your day is getting better...
Peter
Guest
Lyon lost the Test blah blah crap crap. Paine’s stupid reviews? The “brilliant” batting from Australia’s “top” order? Dropped catches, anyone? And don’t tell me you didn’t say Lyon was solely responsible. True. But did you mention any other contributors? No you did not. Fix that and I might be bothered with your period piece about cheerful banter. Hilarious items like “I’m going to break your effing arm” and “How’s your wife and my kids?”
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
I wonder how the Aussie crowds will warm to Jack Leach…?
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
The Poms aren't laughing much now, U...
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Spanner. That's good to hear. I attended the Lord's Test in 2015 - which Australia won comfortably - and the crowd there was very well behaved. That said, this is pre-sandpaper-gate, so they didn't have much to worry about beyond an instinctive dislike for David Warner and a visceral fear of Mitchell Johnson's moustache. Well, I have to agree with you, if somebody like Stokes cheated they would cop it in Australia. He may still do, for the nightclub incident. Although Australian crowds respect a competitor so his recent heroics may counter the any ill-will.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Paul. I hope we see more of it. For me, the best part was that Lyon took it in the right spirit.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
My brother has just returned from the old dart and he was at the first test with a few mates who are definitely not "shrinking violets". He tells me the pommy crowd was fantastic - witty, welcoming and knowledgeable. If Stokes had done what Warner had, could you imagine what we would be giving him out here - haha
Paul
Roar Guru
Another really good piece, Peter. You're completely right, a bit of banter, if given and taken in the right spirit, only enhances the atmosphere and experience for those in the crowd.
U
Roar Rookie
The Pommy crowd are the ones laughing at Lyon at the moment
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
I missed this... but that sounds pretty awesome. He will have to put that moment out of his mind. It feels like his whole career has been about proving someone wrong - so I think he'll manage to.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
It's good to see! If there's an underlying respect, then good natured ribbing is part of the theatre.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
+1 That kind of cheering is almost the Platonic ideal of good natured crowd banter.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Let’s hope he has the last laugh this Test!