Mark my words, unless the umpires are less reactive, nay less cowardly, the England-India ongoing Test series will descend into a sledge-fest. The quality of cricket will be forgotten in the debris of our memories
India skipper Virat Kohli and England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler were involved in a verbal spat on Day Five of the second Test at Lord’s in London on Monday. Pic/Getty Images
The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
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India’s stunning victory at Lord’s was pure theatre. A Test for the purists. A Test worthy of this famous ground.
Actually, I disagree. As an MCC playing member, I despair at the way cricket is played whenever these two countries (or Australia) lock horns. The quality of cricket is not in doubt but the spirit of cricket renders this a bitter-sweet moment.
Before this Test began, I texted the Sports Editor and expressed my fears that this series would continue its inexorable slide towards a spiteful conclusion, culminating in bad blood between the teams. I singled out Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson and Jos Buttler as my main culprits for England; Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul as the Indians who would most likely retaliate. Five days later, I wasn’t too far off the money although clearly something was amiss if Jasprit Bumrah was so incensed.
What is it about the Big Three (England, Australia and India)? India in particular don’t seem to raise their hackles much when they play anyone else. They’re perfectly well-behaved against any other opponent. Something about this trio sets off sparks.
NZ have set the benchmark
Why is it that India, including the fiery Kohli, bristling with self-righteous aggression, don’t get hot under the collar against New Zealand? Even the final of the World Test Championship was played in an atmosphere of grace and humility, despite the fierceness of the actual cricket. Is it something about NZ that makes it impossible for even the most feisty opponent to fire up? If so, my admiration for the Kiwis has grown even stronger because they have set the benchmark for excellence against the canvas of decency. World champions by every measure.
That Team India were provoked is not in doubt. That they took the bait so readily was disappointing. Mark my words, unless the umpires are less reactive, nay less cowardly, this series will descend into a sledge-fest. The quality of cricket will be forgotten in the debris of our memories. It deserves better.
Clever Williamson
England were just plain dumb. This is no longer the timid Indian team who shrivel up when the blowtorch is applied to them. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy comes to mind? When will they cotton on that sledging no longer intimidates the modern Indian cricketer? A not dissimilar match situation to the final morning of the Test Championship final; were NZ stupid (or churlish) enough to start the verbals and invite India back into the contest? Kane Williamson is not only a gentleman
but a clever man too. Unlike Joe Root and Tim Paine who are unable to shut their own mouths, take important catches and rein in their toothless attack, Williamson has the smarts to not prod an injured tiger. As Sun Tzu said in The Art of War, “victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
And in that spiteful, swirling sea of anger, emotion and triumphalism, the serene and dignified Ajinkya Rahane can be seen in the shadows. As this series lurches towards a gripping but vengeful conclusion, India might need to look to someone like Jinks for ancient wisdom. With apologies to Sun Tzu again...pretend humility and encourage fatal arrogance.
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Michael Jeh is a Brisbane-based former first-class player
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