The wash up

Ohh, sometimes i love the ambiguity, the backtracking, the fingerpointing, the argumentative posturing of protagonists...

Many an argument have I had with firends, associates, workmates, complete strangers - debating the merits of what happened THAT day v IND, 2nd test 6/1/08.

It has led to many a question: "How can you say that and then say this?" "Yes, but you have to apply that argument to the nth degree" "Suffice to say, that this, and that..."

And so it goes! Rarely has one been able to let fly with joyful abandon at the merits of the individual, the questionable integrity, the singularty of a moment recollected that might crystalise for someone a certain point, yet profoundly raise another's ire with similar want and reason.

Look, let's remember this. Who remembers the boxing day test? Will the Perth test be remembered as well? I doubt it...

So, if nothing else, come away with this in mind. We, collectively, were witness to possibly the most controversial test in recent history; people will be talking about this test FOR YEARS. The reprucussions are just starting to be felt.

What the role of sledging? What the role of techniology? What the role of the umpire? What the role of the captain? What the role of the media?

These quandries have surely been brewing in elite cricket so long as it has been a marketable TV commodity, and the want therefore of advertisers, and those of us with the luxury of slo-mo replays. We were just priveledged to be here to see it.

Let us for 1 second admit that. I look at the Swans '05 premiership in the same light. The dust is still settling, people are still backtracking, journalists are still claiming the morale high ground - what else would you expect. Groundbreaking moments are few and far between - this is up there with the best of them.

Look, I love cricket. And I love it as a representation of the highest of sportsmanship. But are we also unfairly judging the participants? These people have a net in the morning, then spend the rest of the day justifying their actions to an expectant media. Not to mention the corporate pressure. NO TEST IS EVER PLAYED ANYMORE WITH MERE SPORTSMANHIP IN MIND.

I'm a simple man with simple pleasures. I know what I want, but I'm also brave enough to admit when I'm a mere spectator, and a lucky one at that.

So, maybe, for now, argue all you want, but keep in mind that nothing has rocked test cricket like this for 70 years.

That, in and of itself, surely, is reason to again celebrate the game where one man hurls a leather entwined ball at another man with a plank of wood...

The differences with dialogue...

Ok, Close your eyes. Take a beath. For just a second...

Flashback to around 6:45pm Sunday the 6th of the new year. Michael Clarke runs into bowl and takes a wicket that crystalises the finish to one of the most memorable modern day tests.

Decided in the last ten minutes of the final day, against the pressures of news tv and ratings, the two present superpowers of cricket are pitted against each other on one of the biggest stages; ANY cricket fanatic could harldy be but spellbound by the ball-by-ball darma. And it had been like this for FIVE DAYS!!!

Sufficce to say that a few notable present Australian cricketers have said that this rates with the 2nd test comeback v ENG last year. And a others might say this is their best ever win.

What a contest. Really, no-one was a passenger. EVERY wicket, every run had a tale. Tons by Symonds, Laxman, Tendulkar, Hayden, and Hussey. Outstanding rearguard innings under pressure by Hogg and Harbhajan. 1000+ runs in the first 3 days. Wickets by Lee, RP Singh, Harbhajan, Clark et al. Rejoice the game that holds us all in such captication for 5 days. What other sport can announce such a claim!

And yet, with such joy, comes such heartbreak, such sorrow. And it's unfortunate cousin; finger pointing and blame-laying...

The Indians are BY FAR the most gentlemany guest to our cricketing shores in many a long year. Never have compatriots been under such scrutiny by their own countrypeople, yet so composed as we know it is here. That, as Australians, demands an understanding on the grounds of the bollocks. That stone was locally quarried by AB, carted by Tubby and cut by Steve Waugh.

And no-one can complain the want of a contest. Remember 2005? the Ashes? I recall a bitter loss, but i also remeber the actual FEELING of the game. The fact there was finally a CONTEST. It's now rare.

Look, to come to a pont. Umpires make mistakes. And maybe it's a thing of nature that the home team gets the run of the green. That's what makes winning away so sweet when you get there.

Things have been said, decision mades - all of which can't be taken back. But maybe this is better that a 5-0 whitewash vs the Shettland Ponies Club Open 12? What other game has been so discussed recently?

Having said that, once the dust has settled, people might reflect and wish they had it over again...underarmbowl...

But should a fielder appeal to the umpire for a field catch in the same way umpires are asked to adjudicate on fine catches by the keeper, and LBW. Or should we allow the slo-mo replay to 'clarify' the outfield catch along with the stumping and the run out?

Questions not easily answered. Maybe Technology!! Yeah, but interpretation... Think Hawkeye. Super slo-mo. And let's throw in claims of 'depth-of-field', 'benefit-of-doubt', etc. All just and fair.

Suffice to say, I have doubts. Should M. Clarke have claimed THAT catch? Should A. Gilchrist or A. Symonds have appealed for THAT caught behind v Dravid 2nd innings?

Have I lost a little bit of faith in the presnt and future state of Aussie cricket? Maybe . . .

I hope not...