Sporting standards in cricket

Press, 4 March 1978, Page 14

Sporting standards in cricket

Sir, —As a member of the last rugby supporters’ tour to the British Isles, let me assure your readers that I have heard much worse expressions of opinion directed at the All Blacks at Murrayfield, Cardiff Arms, and Twickenham, than those I heard directed at the English cricketers in the so-called "notorious” Number 5 stand at Lancaster Park. Let me assure Mrs Boag ("The Press,” March 1) that what they should have said was: “Not all Poms are bastards.” As the good lady said herself, “A lot of us can prove that this is not so.”—Yours, etc. K. MILLER. March 2, 1978. Sir,—l was particularly pleased to see Mr Briitenden’s condemnation of the recent backing-up run-out by Chatfield in the second test To my knowledge this has happened at least twice in senior cricket this season in Christchurch. Only one of these occasions was reported, and without real comment. I had felt that “The Press” condoned this practice.—Yours, etc., P. S. WILD. March 3, 1978.

Sir,—Why the outcry at the “disgraceful” dismissal of Randall by Chatfield? The man was cribbing ground, was he not? Where is the outcry against fast bowlers injuring batsmen? “A brutal ball,” announces the radio commentator calmly, and the batsmen put on their crash helmets. This violence is condoned and now cheating (let us not call it “ever eagerness”) is defended. It is a gentlemen’s game, cricket.— Yours, etc., G. CREIGHTON. March 2, 1978.

Sir, —With reference to the English newspaper writers’ comments about Randall’s dismissal and Chatfield’s socalled unsporting behaviour, I make the following points. The English press appears to be incredibly parochial if it fails to see that. Randall was blatantly' cheating. Cheating has no part in sport. Cricket should be no exception. The English writer reminding us of the incident when Chatfield was knocked out by an irresponsible, unsporting England bowler would perhaps do best to forget such a shameful act. Deliberately bowling bouncers to tail-end batsmen is not only unsporting, it is dangerous to life and limb. AU good sportsmen learn to accept losses as well as wins, but not the English press, as shown after the first test defeat. Only poor sportsmen blame the wicket, umpires, and anything else they can think of except their own standard of play. Perhaps the English press writers should consider putting their own house in order.—Yours, etc., PHILIPPA LUSH. March 3, 1978.