Gentleman’s game

12 January 2008

CRICKET used to be called the ‘gentlemen’s game’. But I believe the meaning of the term gentleman has undergone changes over the years. If an umpire fails to call a correct decision due to error of sight or whatever reason, why does the batsman not walk off the field on his own? Andrew Symonds would have stood out if he had done just that.

I remember once seeing the great West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh putting more focus on the gentlemanly side and letting a player in a Test play on when he could easily have run him out. Little surprise that fans still have a great deal of admiration for him.

Players should remember the real essence of the game. Unfortunately these days, competitiveness is all players are concerned about. And that would be nice if other values are also respected. Racist remarks, accusations of cheating, sledging, slander, etc, do not suit cricketers.