Tourists throw a wobbly over 'chuckers'

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Now, 'Calm down dears! Its only a cricket series' (ok, maybe not and profuse apologies for paraphrasing a poor advert starring Michael Winner)

AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!

I CANNOT STAND THAT ADVERT, IN FACT I'D RATHER HAVE A BRETT LEE BEAMER IN MY FACE AND NO APOLOGY !!!!

[Lemming]

Originally Posted by Beny

From what I understand the debate is over weather...

Oooooh, us English like to talk about the weather too!

Originally Posted by Beny

From what I understand the debate is over weather half the ball touched the ground after Lee had caught it. That is not against the rules. So long as Lee still had control of the ball and it had not touched the ground before Lee caught it then there is nothing to worry about. Even Botham said it was a fair catch...

Well maybe you and Botham could huddle together and have a little look at the rule book which you would find to state - quite clearly - that a fair catch can only be completed once the fielder has complete control over both the ball and his body. Lee sliding along the floor does not constitute having control over your body as far as I'm concerned! Also, in the process of bringing control over the ball and body the ball cannot touch the ground which it quite clearly did!

Originally Posted by Beny

...I imagine it would be as he is somebody who would know... Unless you got your information from somebody else who plays in the Aussie team...

As I said before, I was under the impression that Vaughan popped his head around the corner of the dressing room and enquired about the well-being of the batsmen. Apparently Ponting was annoyed at that for some reason. You're damned if do and you're damned if you don't!

Originally Posted by Beny

... As I remember there we're 4 or 5. two were out as proven by technology and the others were all very close.

Ahhhhh, but they were given "Not Out" by the all important umpire. That's what matters, there is no excuse for disrespect of the umpires by shouting in his face, whether (?weather?) it looked to be out or not!

[Paoli]

I've just opened up Steve Waugh's book (an absolute shocker, written by Peter FitzSimons), and he said:

"We play hard and we play to win. Unfortunately, this sometimes is out of the realms of fair cricket". Steve Waugh said it himself. This was probably in regards to sledging. As for the short pitched bowling; customary really. I think it's good to see the cricket being played in such a 'play-to-win' manner from the Poms. Although, he should've gone and given Ponting a bit of courtesy...and Langer....and Hayden. A bit poor on those three fronts.

[greg]

I liked Merv Hughes comment when asked what his tactics were when he played.

"I just bang it in short and sledge."

Shown by Channel 4 just before the Test match last week.

[Victor Frankenstein]

I'd rather we played to the spirit of the game, although if we ever won against australia then i'd probably take it however it came, such is the hypocrisy of a winner

I did think it was poor form not to see how he was or show any concern, yes the aussies have done far worse in their rise to the top but that doesn't mean we should do the same. Under ponting they've tried to go back to playing to the spirit of the game (must **** shane warne off something chronic) which is something that should be applauded and emulated, and they still win so it can't be bad for the team.

I think it's entirely possible to play aggressively and passionately without losing the basic spirit of the game. I was very impressed by how we treated bangladesh and how respectful of them vaughan and co were in the press interviews etc.. seems a shame that's been lost in the name of rivalry for the ashes series.

One thing i do disagree with though, i don't think the throwing the ball back thing is entirely about intimidation, it's always been done in cricket to keep the batsmen on their toes, there have only been two incidents this summer of a bowler throwing it at the batsman directly, one was an accident that was apologised for straight away (jones to hayden) and the other one was someone being a sore loser imo and should have resulted in censure by the umpires.

This concept that we have to be ********s on the pitch in order to compete with the aussies is nonsense, if you're good enough you're good enough, you shouldn't have to hit a batsman or be rude to people.

[Beny]

Just doing something the Aussies have been doing for many years. It's OK when you do it but not when we do?

No it's not but we aint doing it...