A blip of intelligent insight
July 7, 2011 in Uncategorized
The perfect host requires the perfect parasite…
Sri Lanka have failed to impress me during their tour this summer. Ok, so they were billed as an ‘ideal warm-up’ for the Indians coming later on, but this should have been a motivating factor for them to become so much more - rather than an excuse not to turn up.
The Test series was an embarrasingly one-sided affair, the chaps from Ceylon were saved a 3-0 drubbing by weather which refused to allow England more than 3 days worth of play to press victories. This was not unexpected, Engaland are formidable on their own patch, but the arrival of the key players in the Sri Lankan team too late to adapt to English conditions was a shambles. If they wanted to play in the IPL, then don’t play in the Tests. Simple.
After that, we were subjected to The Sanath Jayasuriya Tribute One Day Series. In which the great man could be revered for one last time by a nation in which he has frankly had zero impact. The 43 year old relic of a man played up to the crowd and took his reputation of trademark dashing innings’ to an extreme, making a glistening 2 and then 8. He had no ties to either of the venues he played at. His presence completely cheapened the occasion of International cricket. It was embarrassing. Even leaving aside his political career, where he has of course become part of a government widely condemned for a mass genocide against a significant part of it’s own population, this was pointless and felt like a rip-off. I was hoping for some quality cricket when I parted with my hard-earned to go to The Oval, not this circus act.
Thirdly, the saga of the Chandimal century. Sure, he played really well and he is new to the international arena. However we will not remember the innings due to the antics of compatriot Angelo Matthews, who blocked out 1 run from 21 balls, in the process bringing the game into a much closer contest than otherwise, in order for Chandimal to get to three figures. Any professional outfit, as per England with Cook left stranded on 95no yesterday, would have closed the game out. Sri Lanka showed a lack of respect, no doubt about it.
Just when I was composing a strongly-worded letter to the Members suggesting that we do not invite these curious fellows back to England for a while if they cannot be bothered to perform with dignity and grace befitting these shores, up steps Kumar Sangakarra. I’m not talking about his excellent knock yesterday, but a ‘Spirit of Cricket’ lecture given to te Members at Lords. The following is the close of the speech, I appreciate the entire thing is quite long but it is certainly worth a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_1hiXm1WHk&feature=related
A phenomenal speech; heartfelt, intelligent and well presented. This chap must have an English grandfather somewhere, surely?
Wingate
CobaltZulu said on July 7, 2011
Whilst some of your blog makes good valid points and was a good read, to whom did Chandimal show disrespect in your opionion? His own team mates sure I can see that but I hope you were not referring to the “English” cricket team. On the issue of respect there is no more disrespectful, unsportsmanlike player anywhere than Stuart Broad who is only still allowed on a field anywhere through strings his dad pulls. He is a serial ball tamperer and constantly verbally abuses and threatens opponents and umpires. His actions in this series have been deplorable and all this from a bowler who in four matches has notched up a whole very fortunate 2 wickets. Now that is disrespect!
Wingate said on July 7, 2011
He and Matthews acted in a way which did not respect the contest that is international cricket. This was not a child’s game, this was a one day international. It was ridiculous.
As for Broad, yes he has once again stepped over the mark of acceptability in terms of his conduct. He’s not playing well and he does get frustrated. Though quite what relevance he has to my blog I’m not too sure. Perhaps I will do a blog post on him one day, as it seems you chaps like talking about him.
Wingate
CobaltZulu said on July 7, 2011
You could say that or considering they still won the game comfortably they showed great respect in creating some excitement for the ticket paying crowd.
The relevance of Broad to the blog is you brought up respect and he shows more disrespect to the game, his team mates, his opponents his countries fans infact to the cricketing fraternity in general than any player past or present.
Kitchener said on July 7, 2011
You just have to mention the word “cricket” around here and these Yarpie chaps start going all purple in the face as they launch into a tirade about how much they hate Stuart Broad.
It’s quite bizarre . . . and it’s not just CobaltTwit. Some of these chaps seem rather obsessed and you’d swear Stuart Broad is their first waking thought and the last thing they think about before they fall asleep.
CobaltZulu said on July 7, 2011
Yip Crotch we tend to dislike cheating scum here quite alot almost as much as we dislike unwitty, uneducated welfare grabbers professing to have knowledge about sport and then conclusively proving otherwise!
Unicorn007 said on July 7, 2011
Sangakarra, a class act on and off the pitch. Wish our captain could take notes.
Wingate said on July 7, 2011
For sure, Sangakarra was remarkably eloquent. Apart from Strauss who obviously has the advantage of being English and the benefits of a top drawer education, I don’t think anyone else could have presented a speech that well in world cricket. Top class.
Unicorn007 said on July 7, 2011
Yes, it would be interesting to see how eloquent Strauss would be if he has to do a speech in Sinhalese, Hindi, Urdu or Afrikaans.
CobaltZulu said on July 7, 2011
Dar, Wingate must wholeheartedly agree here Sangakarras speech was awesome and a real eye opener. I think Strauss would probably just about cope with a speech in Afrikaans though
backwardpoint said on July 7, 2011
I’m still busy reading through the transcript of the speech, and I’m enjoying it immensely.
I can’t agree with you with regards to Chandimal though. I don’t always agree with it when players start blocking out to give another batsman runs, but like you said, Chandimal is new. In a years time when he is struggling, he can fall back on this innings for confidence. He won’t remember that he needed help to get there, he will only remember that he scored a century against one of the strongest bowling line ups in the world.
Mathews didn’t show anybody any disrespect. He only helped to blood a young player. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.
Unicorn007 said on July 7, 2011
I am still waiting for Wingate to indicate how Strauss would do with a speech in Sinhalese, Hindi or Urdu…or Afrikaans.
Wingate said on July 8, 2011
I was unaware you were waiting on me. As for the answer, it is probably quite poorly, but these are not worldwide tongues unlike English. I was putting Strauss and Sangakkarra’s elocution skills above the likes of Ponting, Smith, Dhoni and the rest (maybe Vettori – but his profile as a Kiwi is somewhat lower). I am told, however, that Strauss has an excellent grasp on French – another language used throughout the world.
Wingate
Wingate said on July 8, 2011
Perhaps you are right. I think maybe if it wasn’t for the Jayasuriya affair and the pisspoor Test performances I wouldn’t have picked up on it so strongly. I do much prefer when a pair just simply win the match, I would have been frustrated if Cook and Kieswetter did similar.
My post was actually intended to give more light on Sangakkarra than it did.
Wingate
backwardpoint said on July 8, 2011
I think some people took your post as a personal insult. With the line “This chap must have an English grandfather somewhere, surely?” I think it might have been seen as you saying that if you don’t have English blood in you, you’re of an inferior breed. Your Strauss comment to Dar probably didn’t help either. Nothing to do with you, it’s just self defence installed in some of the bloggers on these pages because of Kitchener.
Wingate said on July 8, 2011
The “English grandfather” comment was meant to poke a bit of fun at our selections of Kieswetter, KP, Trott etc – as Sangakarra bats as well as he does, and talks as well as he does, surely we can have him playing for us too!
Wingate
backwardpoint said on July 8, 2011
Yeah, I got that, on the second read. I’m not sure other people did though. I’ve always enjoyed your posts.