- May 10, 2004
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Heres a response I put in an old thread called 'Are the Aussie cricketers whingers?' from a while back. I think the thread, and my post here are quite appropriate in the current climate....
Are you kidding me?
Mark Waugh/Shane Warne betting scandal...excuses made, token fines, swept under the carpet
Brett Lee chucking investigation...again, denied then swept under the carpet, despite the fact hes as much of a chucker as Shoaib Ahktar.
Shane Warne drugs scandal...again, every excuse under the sun made, and it hasnt tainted his image in any way shape or form, it was just 'Warney being Warney', a stupid yobbo mistake at worst.
Lets face it, Aussies have a rep for being easy going, but anyone whos played even a simple game of backyard cricket against them knows Aussies are the sorest losers going around (and ungracious winners too). I've played with Poms, Pakis, Sri Lankans, Indians, Jaapies, and they all like to cheat if they can get away with it, at any level of the game. But no one gets as high and mighty or indignant about it when they get caught out as the Aussies do.
I know i'm tipping the bucket on the Australian side like its going out of style here, but i can tell you, I have alot of respect for the mental toughness and confidence in their own ability that they display on the paddock. You can't play a good session here and there against Australia and expect to win a test match against them. You've got to be up for 5 full days of combat or you will get wiped. The fact that other countries have not more fully exploited the Aussies inability to cop a bit for their own corner is entirely their own fault. The Australians know teams cant sustain it and play accordingly (admittedly this is what cost them the Ashes last year). What is particularly galling is that I do not believe this Australian side needs to resort to the sorts of bullying tactics they do to maintain the same level of success.
I'm just as ticked, if not moreso, with the Australian off field attitude as I am with their on feild persona. They think they are the custodians of everything thats 'pure and right' in the game, even tho they themselves arent opposed to bending the rules when it suits them.
And you know, they've been like this long before any of us were even an itch in our daddy's pants. I give you 'Bodyline'....
70 years later, Aussie cricket fans are still bleating about England coming over here and not playing within 'the spirit of the rules' during this series (hell we even made a mini series about it). Bottom line is, it was a brilliant tactical move, that WAS within the rules, made by a calculating skipper who had the right weapons for the right pitches, was able to implement it and the Aussies werent good enuff to handle it. So they cry like big sissy girls. You know whats funny? I reckon the Australians were just pissed off they didnt think of it themselves. Nothing has changed since then.
Just so you all know, i'm a born and bred Aussie (and so are my parents, and their parents) who's proud of his heritage and has watched cricket for more than 30 years. There are no sour grapes involved. I've loved watching some of Australia's best on an individual level (how could anyone not be capitvated by a fiery Dennis Lillee spell, Warney slowly catching a batsman in his well crafted web, or Ricky Ponting or Greg Chappell in full flight with the bat?) But as a whole i've never liked them. I follow Sri Lanka, and have done since their first tour here in 84-85. Prior to that i just watched the game without allegiance.
I know Arjuna had (and still has) his moments, but I believe for the most part we have played in 'the spirit of the game' and looked like we are enjoying our cricket in the process. (Please do not respond here with another 'Murali is a cheat' post, it's been done to death.)
Before anyone says anything about an Aussie following Sri Lanka, I get it all the time from my mates, and even my Sri Lankan friends think im insane
However, being a Sri Lankan fan has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the game, despite the fact we have been nowhere near as successful as the Australians.
crownie said:
Are you kidding me?
Mark Waugh/Shane Warne betting scandal...excuses made, token fines, swept under the carpet
Brett Lee chucking investigation...again, denied then swept under the carpet, despite the fact hes as much of a chucker as Shoaib Ahktar.
Shane Warne drugs scandal...again, every excuse under the sun made, and it hasnt tainted his image in any way shape or form, it was just 'Warney being Warney', a stupid yobbo mistake at worst.
Lets face it, Aussies have a rep for being easy going, but anyone whos played even a simple game of backyard cricket against them knows Aussies are the sorest losers going around (and ungracious winners too). I've played with Poms, Pakis, Sri Lankans, Indians, Jaapies, and they all like to cheat if they can get away with it, at any level of the game. But no one gets as high and mighty or indignant about it when they get caught out as the Aussies do.
I know i'm tipping the bucket on the Australian side like its going out of style here, but i can tell you, I have alot of respect for the mental toughness and confidence in their own ability that they display on the paddock. You can't play a good session here and there against Australia and expect to win a test match against them. You've got to be up for 5 full days of combat or you will get wiped. The fact that other countries have not more fully exploited the Aussies inability to cop a bit for their own corner is entirely their own fault. The Australians know teams cant sustain it and play accordingly (admittedly this is what cost them the Ashes last year). What is particularly galling is that I do not believe this Australian side needs to resort to the sorts of bullying tactics they do to maintain the same level of success.
I'm just as ticked, if not moreso, with the Australian off field attitude as I am with their on feild persona. They think they are the custodians of everything thats 'pure and right' in the game, even tho they themselves arent opposed to bending the rules when it suits them.
And you know, they've been like this long before any of us were even an itch in our daddy's pants. I give you 'Bodyline'....
70 years later, Aussie cricket fans are still bleating about England coming over here and not playing within 'the spirit of the rules' during this series (hell we even made a mini series about it). Bottom line is, it was a brilliant tactical move, that WAS within the rules, made by a calculating skipper who had the right weapons for the right pitches, was able to implement it and the Aussies werent good enuff to handle it. So they cry like big sissy girls. You know whats funny? I reckon the Australians were just pissed off they didnt think of it themselves. Nothing has changed since then.
Just so you all know, i'm a born and bred Aussie (and so are my parents, and their parents) who's proud of his heritage and has watched cricket for more than 30 years. There are no sour grapes involved. I've loved watching some of Australia's best on an individual level (how could anyone not be capitvated by a fiery Dennis Lillee spell, Warney slowly catching a batsman in his well crafted web, or Ricky Ponting or Greg Chappell in full flight with the bat?) But as a whole i've never liked them. I follow Sri Lanka, and have done since their first tour here in 84-85. Prior to that i just watched the game without allegiance.
I know Arjuna had (and still has) his moments, but I believe for the most part we have played in 'the spirit of the game' and looked like we are enjoying our cricket in the process. (Please do not respond here with another 'Murali is a cheat' post, it's been done to death.)
Before anyone says anything about an Aussie following Sri Lanka, I get it all the time from my mates, and even my Sri Lankan friends think im insane
However, being a Sri Lankan fan has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the game, despite the fact we have been nowhere near as successful as the Australians.
