Ive been reticent to write about cricket for some time, as it seems there is a plethora of pedants offering their opinion on developments in the sport lately, but one issue close to my heart seems to be flying under the radar, save this article.
As a background to this post, Im an appalling cricketer but am engrossed by the sport, mostly because it is so un-engrossing. In fact, I am not so willing to call it a sport as a pastime, such are its demands.
I adore the pace, tactics and nuances of the game. It is a game that is open to all and does not glorify itself, or dominate. It is inclusive and within the grasp of anyone.
You can read the paper while the cricket is on. You can watch an over and feel immediately relaxed at the rythmic flow. You can even spend five days absorbed in the multiple variants (weather, pitch condition, ball condition, field setting, batsmans batting arm etc) that converge to produce a result.
Whats more, as a national game it is removed from the ugliness of club sports and assists in highlighting the world at large. Witness anyone, the rising supremacy of India.
This facon de vivre, or even Zen, is what has kept me from writing about it but something is happening that is challenging its status.
Amongst the issues currently threatening the game (mis-administration including over-scheduling etc), it seems that sledging has been singled out and could find its way out the door.
Not being a pedant, I agree that there is no call for personal abuse in life (including cricket), but sledging is one of the highlights of the game. The verbal interplay between opponents, and even team-mates, is what helps make this game so unique and keeps it from the brainless 'trash talk' that has overcome so many other sports (although some have tried to raise themselves by borrowing from it).
I watched a New York Mets game last year and found it quite enjoyable, though had to agree with an American friend of mine that the standard of heckling was poor at best (the standard was yelling "you suck!" which was followed by a self-satisfied nod to ones neighbour). I could only imagine that this is reflected on the field and wept a little, on the inside.
'Chatting' is part of cricket. It ensures that the participants arent taking themselves or the game too seriously, which is what makes it great. Whats more, expecting someone to stand in a field for 5 days in perfect silence isnt so much cricket as an affliction.
So lets stand up for Sledging; next time you wrap a batsman on the pads, tell him if he was any more plumber he'd be fixing toilets. Next time a team-mate drops a catch (which they are certain to do if you play for The Quokkas) ask them if they could catch a cold.
Dont let the marketers and administrators take this and the prospect of the odd relaxing over away from us, life is already far too busy for us to stop talking.
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