“Players should be allowed to say what they like in the middle unless it becomes racist.”

- I fail to understand why racism is such a big deal for the Aussies and not insults to one’s family esp. females. Is it cultural difference?”

As I have pointed out in previous posts it is cultural differences, but more than that it is a world wide thing that Racism is unacceptable- however I would punt that it is more of an issue in less homogenous cultures ie. Australia, U.S, etc.

“Anyone that has played half-decent cricket knows players and umpires don’t want to end sledging….it’s part and parcel of the game.”

Man, you’re so wrong. This may be true in Australia but nowhere else in the world is sledging a part or parcel of any game.”

I am sorry, but on which planet are you watching sport? who could forget Zinadne Zedane’s response in the World cup final to a bit of sledging, who could forget the “Dream team” being held aloft as the ultimate guttersnipers (basketball folks), how about Valentino Rossi’s use of MSD (thanx Mohankaus ) to reduce Sete Gibernau to a quivering mass on a motorcycle, or Michael Schumacher doing the same to anyone in the F1 world, do I need to continue??

Seriously, I do believe that some blinkers need to be removed, again I am not condoning the Aussie teams behaviour, but I do believe that you are protesting a bit more than is warranted…

You do seem to know a lot about what is sledging or what it is not! You also contend that all teams sledge, some more than the others – giving them an unfair advantage over the other teams.

From this description, it appears to be a fairly acceptable widespread tactics for all practical purposes. So why don’t you give us all an operational definition that could help in regulating it?

After all, people still smoke and drink because others respect their choice to do so but there are laws and rules to ensure they don’t cause any inconvenience for the others.

Both comments re Bhajji are totally consistent. That you refuse to see it merely confirm that you have taken a position and refuse to accept logic.
Lets put it mathmatically

In a four man bowling line up you are effectively conceding that 25% of your asset are limited to taking 10% of the wickets

For a five man attack the ratio is 2 to 1.

Taking the odd wicket (Ponting) still leaves nine to go.

If you reckon it is not a bowlers job to take wickets we must be talking about a different game. What’s next batsmen whose job is not to score runs (having just watched the Aust batting against SL perhaps they agree with you) & fielders to drop catches?

I have yet to see a batsman score runs after he’s out!!!
As to the 12th man issue there is a world of difference. Sledging from the sidelines is the worst kind of cheap shot and if you can’t see this an accept it then there is little more I can do to help .

Of course, in a similar vein, the Indian team is a bunch of talented but unproven youngsters. We have our own set of spoilt brats like Bhajji & Yuvraj. And the BCCI is probably one of the most loathed organization in India – full of politicians and their cronies, many of whom have not even a remote connection with cricket.

There you go, feel better now?

I am not going to buy in to your debate with Vandy and others.

You say, “You’re wrong if you think how many wickets Bhajji takes isn’t relevant.”

And yet, in response to ‘Teri Maaka Pav’, you wrote, “To say Bhajji made a mess of Pointing sure, but so what. Ponting is not the team.”

Make up your mind Pav. Which side do you want to get out of bed today?

In general, my view is that Harbhajan has bowled well. His job is to steady the runs. If he takes wickets, it is a bonus. Then again, that is only my view. There are more Indian fans that will disagree with me than agree.

You say that the 12th man situation is different and that a fielding 12th man can sledge while a drinks-carrying-12th-man can’t sledge! How ridiculous this is!

Next you’ll say “a player who wears a size 38 pink underwear can’t sledge especially if it is a Thursday and if Joe Blog’s mother has a headache, but that it would be ok if that player wore a size 39 green underwear on that same day particularly if he got permission from Sunny Pew’s mother-in-law”

Get real. Who makes these rules up? But then, I forget. These rules are all made up anyway, aren’t they?

Stay with the rules mate.

The ICC Rule Book doesn’t have any rules on appropriate code of conduct while sledging. So, anything goes.

The mafia can’t whine about appropriate forms of killing. Once you are in there, you are in there. One day you get the horse’s head. Another day, you get your own son at the doorstep.

– Mohan

I hope you name is a variant on what Bhajji said in Sydney.

You wrote “If you are willing to be fair in accepting their dark side, you’d find us Indian equally (even more) willing to share ours with you.” yet in my posts I have made clear acknowledgements that the Australian behaviour needs to improve & criticised Hayden in particular. I suspect that you have either not fully read them or under stand them but would rather wish to continue the ill will.

I am still waiting for anybody on this site to comment on Kartiks behaviour in Adelaide when he carried even tho’ the umpire was right.

I am still waiting for a comment on a previous post when I noted the team manager & Ishant said two totally contradictory things so one had to be lying.

I have acknowledged failings so will you now do so!!

Vandy,

Your response shows the apparent paranoia of so many Indian supporters . Either that or it is a joke so subtle I can’t get it.

Please re -read my comment. It was based on comments from India that many areas had poor cricket facilities & yet the BCCI was not investing in this infrastructure.

Investment in stadiums could also be on the agenda.

Again read my comment I was not telling anybody where to spend money just an opinion that perhaps Indian cricket supporters might find it more profitable to take an interest & that some may consider it more important than a spat over name calling

If there are lavish offices in Dubai my comment is ” So what” other than that I would consider it a waste of money& more an indication of the management skills of the ICC.

It is certainly not something I would be jealous of or even consider a matter of pride.

Curiously tho’ when I saw the TV program “guru Greg” about Chappells stay as coach there was a scene where he visited what was stated to be the BCCI’s head office. It certainly didn’t look like they had spent any money there. It was positively Dickensian. I sure would support a significant spend there assuming the TV reporter got it right (not always a given as I sure we can both agree)

Your final comment is hardly worth bothering about but I’ll try again.

Banning sledging is the “simple solution” however I have learned over time simple solutions to complex problems just don’t work.

To ban something you have to define what you are banning.

To say Bhajji made a mess of Pointing sure, but so what. Ponting is not the team. If Bhajji is there just to bowl at Ponting the I think you’ve got the tactics wrong. By the way how many did Ponting get in Adelaide?

- I fail to understand why racism is such a big deal for the Aussies and not insults to one’s family esp. females. Is it cultural difference?

“Anyone that has played half-decent cricket knows players and umpires don’t want to end sledging….it’s part and parcel of the game.”

Man, you’re so wrong. This may be true in Australia but nowhere else in the world is sledging a part or parcel of any game.”