2nd Test match between India and Australia in the Gavaskar-Border 2008 trophy at Sydney. Aussies register their 16th straight test win.
Yeah, it was another tail-order collapse. But not one that would make the Indian fan upset because of the performance of the Indian players. The sadness would be attributed more towards the horrendous umpiring decisions which went against the Indians. The umpiring blunder score finally stood 6 - 1 in favor of Australia at the end of the fifth day's play of the 2nd test match at Sydney. It was a pity to witness even third-umpire decisions going against Indians.
Indians played remarkably well and especially captain Kumble stood ground and set an example. The test result is an agony. The Indians did not deserve to loose this test match but for the poor decisions. Yes, accepted that the Indians should have been able to wade of the Australian challenge. They were just 7 balls away when the "golden" Clark spun the match with his 3 wickets in a span of 5 balls.
Yeah, it was another tail-order collapse. But not one that would make the Indian fan upset because of the performance of the Indian players. The sadness would be attributed more towards the horrendous umpiring decisions which went against the Indians. The umpiring blunder score finally stood 6 - 1 in favor of Australia at the end of the fifth day's play of the 2nd test match at Sydney. It was a pity to witness even third-umpire decisions going against Indians.
Indians played remarkably well and especially captain Kumble stood ground and set an example. The test result is an agony. The Indians did not deserve to loose this test match but for the poor decisions. Yes, accepted that the Indians should have been able to wade of the Australian challenge. They were just 7 balls away when the "golden" Clark spun the match with his 3 wickets in a span of 5 balls.
But, it's hard to digest the fact that the Australians have enjoyed this Godly treatment every now and then. It was interesting to read this snippet from today's daily "During an informal chat, some months ago, Shivnarine Chanderpaul made an interesting point: if the umpires don’t rule all the 50-50 decisions, or even some of the 40-60 ones, in Australia’s favour, most of the Test teams can beat them. He might, of course, have been exaggerating the beating part a bit. But the fact remains the current Australian lot, whether while batting or bowling, invariably seem to enjoy the benefit of doubt more. It’s like a protective cover that comes to their rescue whenever they are in trouble, or when the opposition is on top".
If they were Gentlemen, Ponting and Symonds should have walked as soon as they nicked. They stood ground. So, what brought about this change to the Gentlemen of cricket? Did they hold ground then since they were pinned to the walls? That doesn’t speak well about their genleman-nism. The so-called "Sportsmanship" has been missing very clearly from Ponting's men for quite some time now.
It was ridiculous to see the umpire go to the same guy (Ponting) to ask if Ganguly's catch was cleanly taken. What does he expect as the answer from a person who stood ground after cleanly having nicked the ball? He never even bothered to contact Bucknor or the third umpire. (Let me not talk about Bucknor and his decisions against India. That would be separate article by itself.)
I hate to see a indifferent treatment to players of different nationalities from ICC. Especially when it comes to Australians, they being pulled up for dissent or quarrel or intimidation never seems to happen. Are they gods? Or are they considered as Gentlemen and given this special allowance? Their act on the field doesn't seem to suggest so.
Cricket, Gentlemen and Australians? Nice Joke!
News/Columns: Sack Ponting * Aussie sportsmanship draws flak * India laid low by Bucknor-Benson duo
