Fun Stuff > CHATTER
FUCKING TEST MATCH INDIA VS AUSTRALIA!!!!
Caspian:
--- Quote ---I didn't hate the Australian team until this test, when it became apparent to me just how low they've sunk.
--- End quote ---
Honestly, I fail to see why. Sure, Symonds should've walked, but the whole "walk/wait on the umpire" argument has flared up many times over the last couple of years. Nothing in this test seemed to be different from anything that's gone before, and as someone who follows this game religiously (I'm fairly good at it too ^__^) I feel like I'm in a good position to say "This is nothing new."
--- Quote --- Plus, the problem is that the Australian team doesn't need to behave so badly in order to wipe the floor with every other team in the world nine times out of ten: it seems that they choose to win nasty when winning nice would be just as easy for them, and I think that's pretty poor form.
--- End quote ---
That's an interesting point you make, and while I'd agree that they could be a bit classier- a bit more gracious in victory, that's for sure- you could also argue that much of the dominance comes from the mastery of that whole 'mental disintegration' that Waugh pioneered. Watch the Australians in the field- constantly encouraging each other, constantly applying pressure etc.- and I honestly think that's one of the main reasons why they win so matches. One could argue that the Indians have a much better/more established batting line up (Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, whoever the other opener is) but the Australian team just does not let up. Being a bit more polite on the field would be nice to see, sure, but I think that a lot of what has driven Australia to such success is this ruthlessness, this force of will.
Also, regarding walking- what is your opinion on it? I'm personally a believer in that the player does whatever the umpire says- whether wrong or right (I had this before this test, as well :-P ). In my mind, the whole 'walk when you know you're out' is a noble opinion, but what about the flipside? If you think you're not out, do you stand your ground? It's pretty strange really.
Finally: Sorry about keeping this debate going for so long, it's just something I'm rather passionate about, and other boards I go to rarely discuss cricket, so when there's a chance I jump on it.
Inlander:
I think batsmen should walk, however I don't think it should be legislated for in the rules of the game because to do so would completely defeat the purpose: cricket, more than any other sport of which I'm aware, has a long tradition of "gentlemanly" behaviour that exists outside the specific laws of the game. Personally I think that if a batsman knows he's out then he should go, regardless of what the umpire says; conversely if the umpire says he's out when the batsman is adamant that he isn't, he should defer to the umpire's decision. The golden rule of all sport is "don't argue with the officials". Walking when the umpire hasn't given you out isn't really arguing, as I don't think it could possibly cause offense to the umpire. Standing your ground when given out, on the other hand, is a direct challenge to the umpire's authority. I think it's reasonable to allow a batsman to stand his ground for a few moments just because it's a high-pressure environment, and you've got to let the batsman vent a little bit of frustration in this way. But ultimately he should leave the field without having to be told to a second time.
A related issue, and similarly divisive, is batsmen shaking their head or making some other indication believing themselves to be not out, trying to influence the umpire before he gives his decision. I don't see a problem with this at all: if the fielding side is allowed to make a big hullabaloo and appeal for a wicket when they think they've got a reasonable case, why shouldn't the batsman be similarly allowed to argue his case to the contrary? But a lot of people seem to view this as the basmsan disrespecting the umpire.
jeph:
I like curling better than cricket, when it comes to esoteric-to-Americans sports.
Liz:
I have a friend who is completely obsessed with curling, but he graduated and moved away and got a job so the chances of me learning how to curl are now slim. Never did I think it looked interesting, but he promised me that I would have fun if I ever learned.
Inlander:
Pfft, curling doesn't even go for one single whole day.
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