Love us- Aussie Team

[Beny]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/105060...ry_4841015.asp

While every Aussie captain wants to leave a legacy of their own to be remembered by, Ponting, it seems, no longer wants his team to be merely respected for being the best in the world, but to be loved for it too. It is this neediness that could be the weakness to which Waugh is coyly alluding.

It certainly moves away from the win-at-all-costs culture that was brought in by Ian Chappell, modernised by Allan Border, and taken to its mentally disintegrating apogee by Steve Waugh. But while their uncompromising approach brought success it also brought criticism, which had begun to irk. Under Ponting, it seems, the Aussies want to be the best without proviso.

[Doink]

I am actually a big fan of the Aussies but I simply hate 'em when they start wagging their tongues, I can never forget what Michael Slater did in 2001...and what McGrath does every now and then. If you can just substract that from them, Aussies are the best in every sphere.

[AussieCricketLover]

Theyre the best in the world, why wouldnt they become mouthy... cept perhaps slater who was ordinary at best

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Aussie Cricket Lover

why wouldnt they become mouthy

Because there is a certain something called manners. Being the best in the buisness doesn't give you the liberty to consider your self above established norms of the society. Some times Australia's swearing gets over board, in recent times it has improved, but sportsmen and women need to understand they have a responsibility on their shoulders. Young kids watch them, and idolise them. They cannot, considering that, go around using f, o, s, and God knows what not ridiculous words in their lingo. I'd appreciate it if at least they didn't do it on camera.

[Doink]

Thats right. You say why they cant be mouthy and then you also want everyone to like them! Well its either this way or that ! You cant have both!

[Orchid]

If this is true and Ponting really means what he is saying, it may not be that hard to love the Australian team. They already are in such a position that everybody respects them for their abilities and all they need is to iron out that aspect of their team behaviour.

[Seamer]

Cricketers need to be mentally strong to make it to the top. If a batsman is susceptable to someone being "mouthy", then that should be exploited. So long as the chirping/sledging/being mouthy call it what you will is not personal, it is a fair practice. This has been going on the entire history of cricket and should not be stopped because of sensitive players having their feelings hurt. If they can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Because there is a certain something called manners. Being the best in the buisness doesn't give you the liberty to consider your self above established norms of the society.

Sportsmen and women need to understand they have a responsibility on their shoulders. Young kids watch them, and idolise them.

What about boxers then? They get mouthy (and occasionally agressive) before a fight to mentally intimidate there opponent. There's nothing wrong with trying to mentally intimidate your opponent, and as with sledging and swearing on the cricket field, I hate to say it but I endorse it. If Australia have beaten everyone on their own dung hill within the last 5 or 6 years (except Bangladesh who they've never visited), I wouldn't start to change that approach one bit.

[Doink]

I dont mind sledging if its just to intimidate the opponent but everything has a limit. What Michael Slater did in 2001, what McGrath did to Sarwan, what Lehmann did to the Lankans, cannot be justified by anyone. This is not mental disintegration. I'm sure there's no team in the world who dont adopt such tactics but they stay within limits. I know the Aussies are known to be a very friendly and jovial bunch off the field but they should also know how to remain the same on the field. Mental disintegration does not mean that you set up a bad example for the youngsters who idolize you. And the best part of all thisis that Ponting himself said that he wants the crowds to love the Aussies-that only means that he accepts and knows why they dont do so! And I pray he is successful in earning the respect & love of all cricket fans!

P.S. And by the way this is my 100th post!

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Doink

What Michael Slater did in 2001, what McGrath did to Sarwan, what Lehmann did to the Lankans, cannot be justified by anyone.

What about what Sarwan said to McGrath? And Venkatesh Prasad's little "war dance" in 1999? You've missed a couple of incidents..