The curious codes of the gentlemen's game

[CSK Fan]

I have heard people talkng about cricket being "the" gentlemen's game and how sporty behaviour is encouraged over win at all cost. there are some unwritten rules of conduct which , in case you go break, cause you to be labelled as unsporty. In fact, cricketers are among the biggest hypocrites on the earth. Here's why While 'sledging', its ok to call the opponent's mom, sister, wife or any other relative, the vilest of names, but it is totaly not cool to use one racist word against another player in retaliation Clearly the roots of this is in the difference between the European/Aus culture and the subcontinental culture. Abusing a relative, particularly a female one, is considered the ultimate of insults in the sub-continent and we are definitely as touchy about it as a colored person would be about racist abuse. That this fact and the provocation is ignored makes it hypocritical A fielder claiming a disputed catch is unsporty but a batsman not walking or acting most surprised when given out rightfully, is not an offence Somewhere along the line, the great tradional keepers of the game drew a fine line. A fielder putting on a show was considered as a bannable offense while a batsmen acting was considered a part of the game though both equally mislead an umpire into making a wrong descision. Also, in the former case, the batsmen can stand his ground causing the umpire to go for a third umpire while the hapless bowler doesnt have the same luxury if a batsman is reprieved A player is 'sporty' and 'honest' if he walks after nicking even though he claims the most dubious catches and LBWs while on the field This one is obvious. A batsmen once walked after nicking when the dismissal was not very obvious. The commentators, never having seen such an act of honesty (most likely having spent their childhood among the shady lanes of a Dickensesque neighbourhood), claimed it as the greatest sporting act ever. Thus was born the distinction between walkers and non-walkers. Even great players like Sachin were questioned over not-walking. The players thus branded honest, automatically become immune to being further questioned. The playacting and animated appeals while they are fielding are allconsidered a part of the game. Surely a truly honest player would walk AND not claim any dubious catches (and pay his car fines honestly)? at least non-walkers don't put up the pretense of being 'honest' A captain can be banned for being a bit behind in the overs but players are let off with fines when they deliberatley hurt the opposition players Running overtime is somehow considered to be a greater crimer than throwing a ball at a batsman. Clearly we are more concerned with not giving the sponsors an inch more of screen time and if a batsman cannot get out of the way of a well aimed missile, tough luck for him Green pitches are good, rank turners are not Spin has always been considered a poor cousin to pace. it requires as much skill to face a good spin bowler on a turning track as a good fast bolwer on a green pitch but you dont see stumps flying or batmen injured . You might see both teams getting out for below 100 on New Zealand pitches but God forbid if a pitch starts turning on a 4th and 5th day of a test. Captains always chose to bat second and have a higher win rate when they do, on a green pitch but its the sub-continent practise of batting first which is always questioned. A collorary to this is the batting averages of players on different pitches. Clearly on a good fast pitch, batting last is advantageous and so a batsman is likely to have a good 4th innings average when compared to a turner where the 4th innings average will dip Most of the unwritten code of honour is a vestige of a time gone by and is created by the likes and prejudices of the countries who created and dominated them. As time changes and the power centers shift, is it a wonder that we are having more power clashes and a change in codes of honour?

[rainy day]

Very good post mate, the second point comes to my mind a lot too and i find it massively hypocritical as you said.

[DomainK]

Yet another brilliant post MTC. Correct on every point. There is a lot of hypocrisy going on at the moment and ICC needs to sort it out. Thumbs up for the post. :nice:

[EnterTheVoid]

Good stuff. Can't really dispute any of the points raised.

[Gunner_Mania]

MTC puts in his entry just in time for the POTW:P

[gaurav92]

Terrific post once again.I agree with all these points, its a shame really we have to live with this reality in Cricket.

[gaurav92]

MTC puts in his entry just in time for the POTW:P

All set for his Second POTW award in a row.May be a time will come when he will not have enough place in his profile to allocate all those stars :P

[SachDan]

MTC puts in his entry just in time for the POTW:P

I believe he already has one http://www.indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=239236 Good post MTC. As sree said can't really argue with any of those points.. 'adipoli' :two_thumbs_up:

[Zap_Brannigan]

Trying to win another POTW? Might as well rename it MTC POTW shall we??:--D Brilliant as usual!Gilly was always a hypocrite

[Roshanrocks]

Fantastic post MTC, but u posted a bit soon.. if u have waited fer a few more days, it wud have been nominated for POTW 3 :((

[ravishingravi]

brilliant stuff

[achilles]

This thread is brilliant. You are a legend, MTC !

[gaurav92]

^++