Categories: News

Aussies playing cricket in right spirit: How does that matter?

Their game had been an asset of perfection for the world and has received laurels. The latest interview with former coach Darren Lehman was simply interesting. As everybody knows, Australian team has been known for their utter aggression on field. It has been a much talked about topic, at times more than their game. However, former coach Darren Lehman said his team never crossed the boundaries of the game spirit.

He believes that during his time, the team always played in the right spirit. While Justin Langer replaced Lehman, he proudly announced that the team will play the Australian way. This itself was enough for everyone to realize the meaning. The Aussies have changed their approach, and it has made their games more enjoyable, as any mobile pokies for NZ fan would tell you.

No More Sledging

Darren Lehman also shared that sledging was worse during his times of the game. According to him, the media had portrayed it in a much exaggerated manner since the beginning. It had never been that bad as it was shown. Indeed, Australia had their own style of perceiving the game but they never violated the rules. There have been many situations where referees have been present to control sledging on field.

Australia as the former coach felt just needs to maintain the right balance between fair game and tough portrayal. To some extent, it doesn’t matter if the Australian team has been aggressive. It’s their form of game that has not created any harm to the cricketing community.

The only motive is to win the games and encourage youth to play this gentleman’s game. If the game is played fairly, a bit of temperament just floes more energy. The interview also focused on how the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner would affect the team’s performance. The depth they provided to the team was incomparable.

But the balling has a lot of variation and that’s their strength currently. Playing with dedication is the priority for every team. Lehman believes that the team will perform tremendously well with their energy. Even if the Aussies play with aggression, it makes no difference when they play well.

Their game is more important than the fact that they certainly are different on field. Focusing on their behavior side lining their game will be a disappointment. Fans have always loved the Australian team for their spontaneous game and that makes them special. Their energy and perseverance towards the game is excellent. No matter if they play the Australian way, they ought to get results. At the end of the day, it’s the  results that matter. Playing together against the competing team brings the energy on field. Exaggeration of that energy has been done always as the Australian team aggression.

Cricket is a gentleman game and that’s what Darren Lehman meant. His perspective towards the Australian game is very straight forward. As long as the team is playing ethically, their aggression is nothing but a tough approach towards the match. The question for many people remains the same : does it really matter if the Aussies play within the spirit of act tough ? Till the rules are obeyed, everything and anything is acceptable.

Australian Times

For, by and about Aussies in the UK.

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