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Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania: The second Ashes Test ended in tense scenes on Sunday following the controversial dismissal of English batsman Jonny Bairstow. His stumping infuriated a pro-England crowd at the famous Lord’s ground and divided the cricketing world. While the Australians would no doubt have preferred to win with less controversy, did they actually do anything wrong? In answer to that question, it’s widely accepted, even by the English team, that his dismissal was within the laws of cricket. But critics then invoked the “spirit of cricket” to suggest the Australians should not have asked for the dismissal to be upheld. So what is the difference? The laws of cricket detail the rules of the game of cricket worldwide. They have been owned and maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London for over 200 years. The rules are clear and the many English fans and past players, along with the current captain and coach, have acknowledged the umpires were correct according to those laws. That’s when we get to the “spirit”. Since the late 1990s, the laws of cricket have also had an introductory statement or preamble. It states that cricket should be played not only according to the laws, but also in the “spirit of cricket”“. This preamble is aimed at reminding players and officials of their responsibility for ensuring cricket is played in a truly sportsmanlike manner. The two captains have the main responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play is upheld. This primarily involves making sure players show respect for other players, officials and the traditional values of cricket. It is against the spirit of the game to do things such as dispute an umpire’s decision, verbally or physically abuse a player or umpire, or cheat. The problem is the "spirit of cricket” is a subjective and slightly hazy concept. Respected English cricket writers have even suggested it has not existed since 1882, using an example of conduct by the “father of cricket”, W.G. Grace himself. While cricket is united under its laws, cricket is a global game and the idea of the “spirit” differs around the world. Consequently, opinions about Bairstow’s dismissal have been highly polarised. Many English players and fans are very angry at what has occurred, accusing Australia of going against the “spirit of cricket”. The fact they narrowly lost the match no doubt intensified this feeling. Their anger is reflected in the front-page stories in numerous English newspapers and in social media posts. Twitter has had tens of thousands of tweets under trending hashtags such as #Ashes, #Bairstow and #SpiritofCricket. Interestingly, a look at these hashtags also reveal numerous accusations of hypocrisy by the English, backed up with examples of England’s questionable, and sometimes very similar, conduct. These examples have included central figures such as English players Stuart Broad, Jonny Bairstow and coach Brendon McCullum. Additionally, the only player who has been fined for displaying conduct contrary to the spirit of the game in this Ashes series is English player Moeen Ali. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting noted that a key part of the spirit of cricket was respecting the umpire’s decision, which in this instance he said the English players, fans and press had not. Indeed, several MCC members have been suspended over their abuse of Australian cricketers returning to their dressing room. Perhaps the key lesson that both sides could learn can be encapsulated in the old saying that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, particularly in the modern age when evidence can be quickly found on the internet. Neither country has a clean slate when it comes to the “spirit of cricket”. Both should be careful about trying to take the moral high ground. Trevor Chappell’s underarm bowl is one of the most infamous Australian examples, still remembered over 40 years later. Bairstow’s dismissal is the most recent controversy and unlikely to be the last. As the Australian team heads to Leeds for the third Test starting on Thursday, there are concerns tensions could boil over, on and off the field. Leeds is known for its raucous atmosphere. Cricket Australia has increased security for the Australian team and reportedly told players to remain extra vigilant when dining out in restaurants during the remaining weeks of the Ashes. We may never get complete agreement on the “spirit of cricket” and whether the Australians breached it on this occasion. Perhaps the closest we can get is to agree with former Australian bowler and Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie, who believes that by playing within the laws of the game you are playing within the spirit of the game. Let’s hope the remainder of the series sees a cooling of tensions and more focus on the last three Tests being played hard but fair, without reigniting “spirit of cricket” debates that no one wins.
 Vaughan Cruickshank, Program Director – Health and Physical Education, Maths/Science, Faculty of Education, University of Tasmania This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. |
Inspiring Cricket Player Competes Doing Everything Without Arms -Watch (2024-03-20T14:31:00+05:30)
 A Kashmir boy lost both of his arms in a sawmill accident when he was eight years old, but that hasn’t stopped him from excelling at his favorite sport–and becoming captain of his cricket team. Now age 26, Amir Hussain Lone has learned to do everything with his feet–from folding his laundry, to washing his face–even writing letters. The young amputee fell in love with the sport after watching games on the neighbor’s television through the window. “I ended up watching a whole innings from outside, spying through a crack in their window, and it was at that moment that my feelings for cricket crystallized and I pledged that I would play,” Amir told the BBC. “I struggled hard to develop my technique, whether it was bowling or holding the bat. Thanks be to God, I have done pretty well.” Despite people’s prejudice against his disability, Amir has become an accomplished player.“Nobody can predict what will happen tomorrow but my hope is that I will one day become an international player, and I’m working really hard to make that happen. God-willing one day I will take my place in the national para-cricket team.”Inspiring Cricket Player Competes Doing Everything Without Arms -Watch
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Meet Dhoni's first love (2016-10-01T09:34:00+05:30)
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 Actress Disha Patani plays the Indian captain’s love interest Priyanka Jha, who died in an accident
By Nikhita Gowra: Disha Patani is going places. She will soon be seen playing Dhoni’s first love, Priyanka Jha, who died in a tragic car accident in 2002, in the much awaited film, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. Disha says it was great working with co-star, Sushant Singh Rajput in the Dhoni biopic. “I never felt that this was my first film. He makes one feel so comfortable. He is hard working and always in character. When he was on the sets, he became Dhoni.” She is also all praise for director Neeraj Pandey: “Neeraj sir was very clear about what he wanted from me and the character, right from day one. He was always there to guide me.” Her other upcoming film is a multi-lingual Indo-Chinese film in which she acts alongside Jackie Chan. “I never imagined that I would get to work with someone like Jackie Chan so early in my career, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” she says. Describing the film, Disha says, “It is an action-comedy, so I have fight sequences. They were looking for a girl who could do action. In fact, I bagged this film because I was into gymnastics and kickboxing.” So, does she think the trend of women-centric action films are picking up in Bollywood? She says, “I don’t understand this concept of women oriented films or stories based on women, because nobody uses the term, a ‘man-oriented’ film. Why do you have to separate girls from boys? For me, acting is an art. It doesn’t matter if I am the lead or a man is the lead actor in a film. What really matters to me is that I give my 100 per cent to my job.” The 21-year-old started her film in Tollywood with Loafer, and says that she is glad to have worked with Puri Jagannadh for her debut film. “He is someone I really trust and I felt like he was the right person to start with. I learnt so much from him about acting, directing and even about how to be a good human being,” she says. “Language is not a barrier for me. I am mostly concerned about the script. If I get something that excites me, I will do it,” she says.Source: The Asian Age
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Brett Lee to retire from all forms of cricket after BBL season (2015-04-02T18:00:00+05:30)
Sydney, January 15: Former Australia Test fast bowler Brett Lee on Thursday announced that he will retire from all forms of cricket following the conclusion of the Big Bash League (BBL), thereby drawing curtains to his illustrious 20-year career. The 38-year-old pacer quit from international cricket in July 2012, but has continued to play Twenty20 cricket for Sydney Sixers at the domestic level in the BBL and the Indian Premier League. The final-round BBL clash against cross-town rivals Sydney Thunder next Thursday at the SCG could be Lee's swansong match if the Sixers lose and fail to book a play-off berth. While announcing his decision, Lee said he was both emotional and excited. "After this year, there won't be any more cricket," Lee said. "I'm excited, I'm emotional, I'm happy, but I'm certainly not worried because I know that I've made the right call. "I didn't bother to do the math on it, but it's a lot of ice baths, a lot of training sessions, a lot of cricket balls bowled, there's a lot of flights. But there's also been a lot of fun," he said. Lee played 76 Tests for Australia, taking 310 wickets at an average of 30.81. He also made 221 appearances in ODIs and claimed 380 dismissals at average of 23.36. Lee is Australia's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker of all-time behind Warne, McGrath and Dennis Lillee. The 38-year-old is also Australia's leading wicket taker in the 50-over format alongside Glenn McGrath. PTI, Source: tribuneindia.com, Image: http://photobucket.com
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World Cup 2015: Grant Elliott powers New Zealand to World Cup final (2015-03-25T22:46:00+05:30)
New Zealand’s Grant Elliott realised a childhood dream when he belted South African speedster Dale Steyn into the stand for six at Eden Park on Tuesday to get his adopted homeland into the World Cup final. South African-born Elliott gave a brief celebratory wave as the ball sailed into the crowd before running to comfort a distraught Steyn, who lay sprawled on the ground. Elliott said it was a nerve-wracking experience sealing a four-wicket victory with probably the best shot of his career, given what was at stake. “I guess it was. I really did feel the pressure,” said Elliott, who finished on 84 not out. “I had two balls to try and take us home. I knew that four runs would do it because a tie was as good as a win. “I think the chase, we probably left it a little bit late and it was stressful towards the end. It would have been nice to win with an over to go” Elliott said he had always wanted to play in a World Cup since 1992 when his mother let him stay home to watch Australia play SA in Sydney in what was the Proteas’ inaugural appearance at the tournament. “I got suspended from cricket and from school for a while because I did that, but it left a massive impression on me,” said Elliott, who turned 36 last weekend. “I thought that tournament, the coloured clothing and everything was what I wanted to do and it’s funny how life works. It’s amazing to be at Eden Park today to hit the winning run.” He said he still felt sorry for the Proteas, adding that was why he tried to console Steyn and helped him to his feet. “You have to feel compassion. Humble in victory, humble in defeat. I felt quite sorry for him. I felt quite sorry for a lot of the South African guys,” he said. Source: The Asian Age, Image: http://photobucket.com
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World Cup 2015: India storm into semifinals by thrashing Bangladesh (2015-03-20T23:49:00+05:30)
Mar 20, 2015, AFP, Sydney: India cruised into the World Cup semi-finals on Thursday with a crushing 109-run win over Bangladesh, setting up a possible showdown with bitter rivals Pakistan for a place in the final. Rohit Sharma’s 137 helped the defending champions shake off Bangladesh’s shackles to pile up 302 for six at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In reply, and trying to become the first team to successfully chase a 300-plus run target to win a one-day international at the MCG, Bangladesh were never in contention, slipping to 193 all out in the 45th over. Source: The Asian Age, Image: http://indian-cricket-team-updates.blogspot.com/
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Saif Ali Khan and Riteish Deshmukh gripped by Cricket Fever (2014-05-30T22:16:00+05:30)
Saif Ali Khan and Riteish Deshmukh who will be seen in triple roles creating mad chaos in their forthcoming fun film 'Humshakals' together just got along like a house on fire on the set thanks to their quirky sense of humor, but for the love of cricket too. Both men are extremely passionate cricket fanatics and used all their shoot breaks to play the sport in between the shots! The moment they got a brief respite from the shoot, they would take up the cricket equipment and descend on any free open space. We hear that in between the takes Saif and Riteish indulged in the game along with the crew and more than competition it was mere fun and laughter that dominated the game. In fact entire day most of the conversation between Saif and Riteish used to be about cricket and their current players. We are sure that their talks would be in depth as cricket is ingrained in Saif?s blood thanks to his illustrious father and Riteish who plays for CCL. In an added treat to their fans, the duo along with Director Sajid Khan will be seen at IPL Extra Innings today. So get ready as the temperature and the fun in today's IPL match is definitely going to increase by 9 times. Source: News Track India, Image: http://photobucket.come
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