The Spirit of Cricket is Dead.

by Chris

Usually on this blog I post things of a positive tone, or at least bearable. Suggestions of improvement instead of downright criticism, and humorous jovialities instead of hate. Today is different.

It is but a normal test match, South Africa vs Australia. Although a few niggles in the matches previous, seeing Kagiso Rabada pick up a suspension for physically contacting Steve Smith as he walked off, and crowd troubles, it was but a normal test match and series played between two seriously competitive cricketing powerhouses.

The ball is just being recycled back to the bowler, as you do in between deliveries. The ball is thrown to the relative novice Cameron Bancroft, to shine the ball. To those who aren't knowledgeable about cricket, this aids the ball to move in different directions whilst being delivered. This is known as swing, which can provide a serious advantage to the fielding side, and increase the likelihood of taking the wicket of the batsman.

Bancroft received the ball, and inadvertently decides to pull out a so called 'foreign object'. One should think before using such an object to gain an advantage, especially in front of dozens of TV cameras. Bancroft simultaneously yet furtively 'shines' the ball using this 'foreign' object.

This foreign object appeared to be a piece of untoward yellow tape. This was of course spotted on the cameras surrounding the cricket field like an ambush ready to strike, and they most certainly did.

So all was well for Steve Smith, Bancroft and their seniors. Their plan had worked had it not? They had succeeded in gaining an advantage over South African batsman, had they not? Even when Bancroft was questioned by match officials, he revealed it was apparently just a 'black cloth' not the yellow object he adversely shoved down his underwear just minutes earlier.

This became a pyrrhic victory for the Australians. They had succeeded in their mission to tamper with the ball. And it was a mission, as it was well planned for by their 'leadership group'. Getting caught so blatantly however turned everything sour. They had won a battle, but had been crushed in the war, and I doubt they will ever be able to turn the corner away from this incident.

It doesn't just let them turn a corner, it makes us look back at the recent Ashes series. Surely this cannot be just a one-time thing, in a series of much lesser prowess. Don't get me wrong, England were terrible and I'm not looking for excuses, but is it just a coincidence that Mitchell Starc could swing the ball a mile, and possibly the greatest swing bowler of all time in Jimmy Anderson couldn't?

This is but one incident within so many which highlight the longevity of the death of the spirit of cricket. They shake hands for show, but is that really meant? Do players at the highest level really think that winning at all costs is really what it is about? Even by bending the rules? Or blatantly cheating?

These players are heroes to so many. They are heroes to children in Australia and all over the world. Everyone involved in the lower reaches of cricket envies and looks up to them. This is the example they decide to show. The entire nation should be disgusted with the side, and they have been dealt suitable punishment.

This is not an isolated incident. As I said, this is one in so many which have highlighted the destruction of the gentleman's game. Screaming in people's faces when you take their wicket, Bowling bouncers to intimidate your opponent to try to hurt them, instead of just a tactic. The direct aggression shown is out of order nowadays and it needs to stop.

The game, its officials and its players need to take a long hard look at themselves. Of course, not even a small minority intend to cheat to gain an advantage. Those miniscule few, learn from your mistakes, or get out of our game.