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| Tuesday, 25 March 2003 |
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Sports | |
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Aussie Adam and the Adam of old by Richard Dwight It's not our intention here to sound profane, but at the same time find it difficult to resist reminding followers of cricket, that the Australian opening batsman's name, Adam Gilchrist does suggest Christian identity. His first name Adam brings to mind the Adam of old, the difference however is that whilst the Adam in the garden of Eden succumbed to temptation, this Adam, the Aussie opener displayed strength of character - when he stood up for the truth by walking away from the wicket, when he on his own volition, felt within himself that he was out. An embarrassed umpire who hadn't given him out must surely have been taken aback, with this unexpected noble act. An act that was a few and far between rare occurrence, where the umpire and the new trend current cricket enthusiasts were not accustomed to, and finding hard to reconcile with. There was much at stake for Adam Gilchrist, it was an important semi-final, he was in fine batting form and doing well, with name and fame and other benefits to accrue. But he turned his back on it all and just walked away. It was truly sportsmanship of the highest order, reminiscent of the good old days, where cricket in the purest form, devoid of the unnecessary trimmings that now pass off for cricket prevailed. Notwithstanding all this, it is disheartening to take note of the immature, irresponsible comments made by the Australian and Indian skippers on Gilchrist's sporting gesture. He may have even earned the wrath of the players in the dressing room. Such adverse thinking on something wholesome and good is a reflection of the contemporary times in which the game is played. Where the individual becomes far more important than the game and, winning at all cost is the order of the day, with exemplary virtues lying subordinate to selfish personal gains. It's against this background that we find that Gilchrist had the courage of his convictions to live out the Shakespearian dictum "This above all to thine own self be true". Come to think of it, cricket derives its glory from many a deed such as this, for such deeds are far more eloquent than words, gives the game a special kind of lustre and lifts it above the ordinary. And what's more, in a sense has life to inspire and influence others to greater heights. |
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