l hate to distract from the very real tragedy of the events in Pakistan. This sadness should be the focus and obviously all hope the cricketing community at least can find positive solutions for Pakistani cricket. The problems with Pakistan society itself are obviously too big and complex for cricket.
Anyway two of my favourite sports writers are Gideon Haigh and Simon Barnes. l am shocked that these two intelligent and talented sports writers could so completely lose it at such an important time with Gideon suggesting Australia has little interest or concern in the tragic events and Barnes implying we are cowards or previously 'weasels' (see comments) for refusing to tour Pakistan previously despite it coming from expert security advice. Perhaps l am being over sensitive but l really think it is disgraceful journalism and completely misrepresentative of Australian interests over this important issue.
For some reason both have just completely and unnecessarily slagged off Australia as a side note in this tragedy. Relevant excerpts below. Comments can be left on both newspaper sites (to agree or disagree).
The Guardian. Gideon Haigh
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blo...tacks-sri-lanka?commentpage=1&commentposted=1
Lahore attacks not the top story in Australia
On days such as Tuesday my phone usually rings hot with requests for "comment", such as it is possible to make. At such times Australia's distance from the rest of the world is strangely palpable. While waiting to speak on Brisbane radio, I sat patiently through a detailed traffic report: there might be dead police round a bus full of cricketers in Pakistan but in the meantime a ute [utility truck] had overturned on the freeway and was blocking a lane. I was reminded of an English friend's view that Australian news consisted of car accidents and community-service announcements. A television current affairs show sent pressing emails and phone messages, then an hour later had lost interest in the story. "Not enough people died," was the explanation. "And those who did were foreigners." I think it was a joke. Happy the land where such views can be expressed – stupid, too.
The Times. Simon Barnes.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/simon_barnes/article5838886.ece?Submitted=true
It is true that events and tours have frequently been cancelled out of fear, much to the gratification of terrorists, no doubt. The Australian cricket team have become notorious for pulling out of tours any time that anyone lights a match within 500 miles of a cricket ground.
Anyway two of my favourite sports writers are Gideon Haigh and Simon Barnes. l am shocked that these two intelligent and talented sports writers could so completely lose it at such an important time with Gideon suggesting Australia has little interest or concern in the tragic events and Barnes implying we are cowards or previously 'weasels' (see comments) for refusing to tour Pakistan previously despite it coming from expert security advice. Perhaps l am being over sensitive but l really think it is disgraceful journalism and completely misrepresentative of Australian interests over this important issue.
For some reason both have just completely and unnecessarily slagged off Australia as a side note in this tragedy. Relevant excerpts below. Comments can be left on both newspaper sites (to agree or disagree).
The Guardian. Gideon Haigh
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blo...tacks-sri-lanka?commentpage=1&commentposted=1
Lahore attacks not the top story in Australia
On days such as Tuesday my phone usually rings hot with requests for "comment", such as it is possible to make. At such times Australia's distance from the rest of the world is strangely palpable. While waiting to speak on Brisbane radio, I sat patiently through a detailed traffic report: there might be dead police round a bus full of cricketers in Pakistan but in the meantime a ute [utility truck] had overturned on the freeway and was blocking a lane. I was reminded of an English friend's view that Australian news consisted of car accidents and community-service announcements. A television current affairs show sent pressing emails and phone messages, then an hour later had lost interest in the story. "Not enough people died," was the explanation. "And those who did were foreigners." I think it was a joke. Happy the land where such views can be expressed – stupid, too.
The Times. Simon Barnes.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/simon_barnes/article5838886.ece?Submitted=true
It is true that events and tours have frequently been cancelled out of fear, much to the gratification of terrorists, no doubt. The Australian cricket team have become notorious for pulling out of tours any time that anyone lights a match within 500 miles of a cricket ground.
