ONE: Errol Fernando to Emil Vanderpoorten, 26 March 2019
I have heard that there is another person who shares my name and now you say that you have his address. If this is so,please tell me something about him, presuming that he really exists!
Let me answer your question about Aussie cricketers by telling you that during my school days I was an avid supporter of the Australian Cricket team. My heroes were players such as Keith Miller and Neil Harvey.When I arrived in Melbourne in 1963 I quickly found my way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and started watching the Test matches.
Within a few years and even before the arrival of players like Dennis Lillee my allegiance shifted. I began to detest the way the Aussies played their cricket and also the attitude of the spectators and the media. I found myself supporting every visiting team – India,Pakistan,West Indies,NewZealand and England. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than watching the Aussies getting thrashed! My Aussie friends regarded me as a traitor! As the years rolled on I loathed the Aussie style of play more and more.I hated the sledging, the disrespect and the all-consuming WIN AT ALL COST approach.
My attitude to the present ball-tampering and cheating is that it is the best thing that has happened to Aussie cricket. It gives the authorities an opportunity to use their brooms and do some massive cleaning. Lots of cobwebs and dirt that needs cleaning up and the opportunity must be taken. The whole Game needs strong and enlightened leadership from the central authority, cricket boards and umpires. In other words CRICKET WITHOUT BULLSHIT !
Wilhelm will condemn me for giving you a long, boring and convoluted answer to a simple question!!
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TWO: Ken Moncrieff to Michael Roberts, 26 March 2018
This type of behavior indicates that cricket in general, has yet to adjust to being a totally complete professional sport along with most World-wide professional sports like baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, golf and motor car/bike and bicycle racing, which all command huge attendances and gate takings/TV coverage, which generate billions of dollars in revenue annually.
Most of them have been thru’ some similar types of controversies, but either as club based or individual, whose administrative organizations have, over a long period of time, brought them successfully to where they are today. When non-professionally-based national sporting bodies have to do the similarly, is the same authority, power and determination or respect, really there?
Also, do cricket authorities base the captaincy roles on competency only with the bat. There is no valid reason for selecting anyone just because they happen to be the best batters at the time? Captaincy involves far most than that. In Australia’s case this time, both players involved at the top now do have major question marks over them. Experience in the real world and previous ethical behavior are two factors needed for selection in such a role.
Cricket should use this opportunity to clean up the game world-wide, not just in Australia.
Any observed or proven ball tampering should get any player involved at least a one year ban.
Also sledging MUST be banned and eliminated totally, as being far more than just un-gentlemanly conduct, but as a serious emotional affront to the recipient’s identity, ego and self-respect which can or does seriously affect his/her judgement via a major distraction, at a time of necessary high player concentration and intense mental pressure.
Perpetrators really do have no place in any sport, amateur or professional, and neither do cheats.
Only a cowardly act to win at all costs provokes such action by any perpetrator, who actually has little respect for the game they would claim to love, or their opponents, or themselves or maybe even their mates