Sledging back in business

Sledging is back in business if what happened in the First Test between England and Bangladesh in Bangladesh is an indication. England won the Test by 181 runs.

Sledging which can be described as casting remarks at the opponent so as to upset his concentration, was first made a fashion by the Australians, who called it mental disintegration or mental disorientation.

The kangaroos were masters at this, until they over did it which, made opponents complain. The International Cricket Council had to finally step in and curtail the sledging business.

The Aussies made sledging a nicety during the reigns of Ian Chappell, Alan Border and Steve Waugh. They gave their players the license to sledge and upset the opponents and the opponents did not seem to have an answer to this.

At one time opponents unable to give as good as they got considered sledging being racist and the Aussies were asked to refrain from doing this. But yet they did it very cleverly and still continue to do.

Swann and Broad accused

In the just concluded Test in Bangladesh, off-spinner Graeme Swann is alleged to have sworn at Junaid Siddique after getting his wicket, while Stuart Broad, the opening bowler had failed to look at the umpire when appealing for a successful lbw decision against Abdur Razzak.

However South African born and former England captain Kevin Pietersen jumped to the defence of his team mates who were accused of over stepping the fair play line. Pietersen has said that the England players must stand up for themselves, because this is a ‘man’s game’ he says.

Pietersen says that Test cricket is a man’s game and not for girls. Probably the Bangladeshis unable to pocket their big defeat may have complained which finally made Swann and Broad to apologize.

A bit of sledging is good for the game as long as team’s don’t over step doing it. When opponents find it difficult to get a batsman out they try every trick and mouthing words is one of the tricks.

As long as sledging does not get out of hand, an exchange of a few words should go to make the contest more interesting. Players must give back as good as they get and not do the cry baby act and run to complain.

Clarke hits back

At the time of writing, the First Test between Australia and New Zealand is in progress at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and what was interesting was to watch the brilliant century -100- made by the kangaroos vice captain Michael Clarke.

Clarke had to abandon the Aussie cricketing ship and fly back to Australia to sort out his girl friend’s problem. Thankfully the problem was sorted out amicably and Clarke returned in time for the First Test and to bludgeon a majestic hundred.

Like in life, even in sport one must have peace of mind to perform. If that vital ingredient is lacking, then an individual is not in the proper frame of mind to perform and Clarke would certainly have been a worried man when the incident involving his fiancee broke out.

Good understanding

His team mates showed good understanding and gave him all the support and it was this team spirit that raised the confidence and gave Clarke the peace of mind to return and smash one of the best centuries seen at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Watching Clarke bat and fielding at first slip when New Zealand was batting, it was obvious that, that incident had not gone to break his spirit and determination. He seemed beautifully relaxed which was good for him and for the team as a whole

On the contrary, the incident seems to have made him all the more determined and if the manner in which he put the Kiwi bowlers to the sword is an indication, then the homesters are in for more leather chasing.

Bob Woolmer remembered

Bob Woolmer, the former Kent,England player and coach of Pakistan was remembered on his third death anniversary by Pakistan, who have described his coaching as progressive and which made an huge impact on their game.

Woolmer, 58 was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica on March 18, 2007 after Pakistan was surprisingly ousted from the world cup by Ireland who earned a shock victory.

I was there in Trinidad covering Sri Lanka’s part of the tour in the company of Sarath de Silva a former cricketer who did a lot for cricket in Kurunegala when the shock news of the death of Woolmer was flashed, much to the chagrin and dismay of the whole of the world and the Caribbean.

For a moment cricket in the Caribbean stood stunned and shocked unable to believe what had happened to Woolmer who was a likeable fellow and understanding coach.

Illegal betting

His death was initially treated as murder and Pakistan players were intensely investigated. Stories that did the round after Woolmer’s death was that it was done to stop him from exposing the illegal betting that was going on in Asia.

But after a long investigation the Jamaican Police which first thought it was murder, finally declared that Woolmer had died of natural causes much to the relief of the organizers, the players and all concerned.

The Pakistan Cricket Board in paying tribute to their former coach said – ‘Wwoolmer was a distinguished cricketer and coach whose contributions to the game and especially Pakistan cricket will never be forgotten.

‘ More importantly Woolmer was an excellent human being who enriched the lives of all those that he came in contact with. He is and will always be missed. The entire Pakistan cricket community’s thoughts and prayers are with the Woolmer family’, the PCB release said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board to honour Woolmer has dedicated their indoor cricket school at the national cricket academy in Lahore to their late coach. The academy was inaugurated in October 2007 by Pakistan and South African teams.