try as i might there's no avoiding the BIG issue of these days
shock, horror - the australian cricket team is in trouble
not because they are losing but the manner in which they are winning
seems the old school has determined they have crossed some invisible line
that which determines the spirit in which the game has always been played
their win-at-all-costs approach and attitude has now gone too far
and the australian psyche has been embarrassed by their behaviour
there's calls for sackings of captains
and dumpings of umpires
and abandoning of tours
and intervention from above
i can only begin to imagine what talkback radio is like at the moment
sighting a few letters to the editor gives an indication of the stirred passions
no doubt the old saying re 'it's just not cricket' has been aired repeatedly
but that to me is the point
it is just cricket
which is why i'm with leunig
his fine sarcastic wit rises to the occassion
and delivers yet another piece of incisive commentary
beautifully illustrating the silliness of all the fervour
surrounding this over-rated (and all over the ratings) game
and at the same time suggesting how ineffectively
the seriousness of racial vilification
is being dealt with in the game
typical leunig double-edged stuff
sledging is not permitted
the word monkey is particularly forbidden
the mimicking of apes, chimps and monkeys in front of opponents
is a matter for the umpire's discretion
snide looks, leering, funny walks and all whooping and knuckle-dragging
will come under intense scrutiny
supercilious gestures, back-flips, tongue-dangling
and running in small circles in a crouching position while screeching
will warrant a caution
laugh out loud
brilliant
as usual
