Bat and ball / Paul Moon / 29 June 2008 / 1

Pablo Luna - Moonlighting for Betfair. Paul Moon gets his teeth into the infamous incident at The Oval involving his namesake. In the cold light of day, just who was to blame?

For me cricket changed the day that Mike Atherton and Geoffrey Boycott admitted that ball-tampering is part and parcel of the game. But cricket lost something extra during the 4th ODI between England and New Zealand. It was not cheating but it was pretty close. The decision not to rescind a run-out appeal against Grant Elliot after a collision with Ryan Sidebottom was quite a sickening mistake!

The fact that Collingwood later apologised by walking into their dressing room straight away and say 'listen fellas, I'm sorry, I don't think I got it right' gave him some credit but I strongly disagree with Peter Moores that it has not damaged his captaincy, of course it has!

Quite rightly the Elliot incident provoked a furious reaction from the tourists in a fractious ending to the 4th ODI, which New Zealand eventually won by one wicket. Poetic justice was served.

Some say that senior figures could have stepped in to help to help the skipper - nonsense, I am afraid he made a captain's decision and he was 100% responsible. He tarnished the spirit of the game and I cannot find a silver lining! He needs a break physically and mentally.

Moores offends when he misrepresented and said "we always play within the spirit of the game" and "I think we've played our cricket fairly all the way through". If that is true why did Collingwood apologise to the Kiwis for the run-out fiasco and why did Collingwood get a four-match ban for slow over rates in the same match, which finished well past its scheduled 1830 BST finish?

The ICC said it had to ban Collingwood (and quite right too) because he had previously offended in the same way in the preceding 12 months - in a match against India in Bristol on 24 August 2007 which renders Moore's comments absolutely worthless!

The umpires were not responsible in any way. Benson asked 'are you upholding the appeal and are you are sure you are making the right call?' This was after several minutes had elapsed so time to clear one's head. The umpires were duty bound to follow the written law once the appeal was upheld.

Vettori felt the controversy could have been avoided, hence his angry balcony celebrations. In light of these happenings I do not think Vettori's celebrations were over the top. He felt justice had been done. We must not forget the unsavoury end to the washed-out game at Edgbaston, which also left a bad taste in the mouth.

Vettori later apologised himself for his reactions saying that it 'may have been over the top and wasn't the way he wanted to act'. There are no comparisons to be drawn between the actions of the two captains. We have to distinguish the difference between bringing the game into disrepute, sharp practice and cheating.

The run-out incident reminded me of the controversy of Australia's underarm delivery 27 years ago. Technically within the laws of the game but despicable nonetheless. That cowardly action rates the worst piece of cricket in my lifetime. Does anyone disagree?

Ridley Jacobs once stumped Virender Sehwag knowing that the ball was in his other hand, which did not come in contact with the stumps. Match referee Denis Lindsay had noted that although Jacobs did not appeal, he made no attempt to have the batsman recalled. Callous cheating indeed!

The fool Shahid Afridi was banned for damaging the pitch against England. He was caught on TV blatantly scraping his boots on the surface and on a good length when play was held up after a gas canister exploded.

Some cynics would quickly remind me of Kiwi McCullum. In 2006 Muttiah Muralitharan stupidly (the ball was still live) left his crease to congratulate a team-mate and centurion Kumar Sangakkara and he ran him out. Was this within the spirit of the game?

I realise and accept that modern day sport has moved boundaries with financial incentives, acclamation and pressure but when cheating or deceit casts its shadow we all lose. Everyone is affected, not just the perpetrators! So at what stage does winning become more important than playing the game in the right spirit? I am not sure but I know Collingwood stepped over the line on 25th June 2008 at the Brit Oval and cricket sanctity suffered.

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1. Christo | 02 July 2008

   Must admit thought it was a bit rich Athers condeming Colly after what he did with ball tampering.AGree Colly needs a break like Strausy recharge his batteries and then come back.
   NZ deserved there win, what is your opinion of SA,do you think whietewash is possible?

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