Cricket - A Gentleman's Game ?

This is the question that is running through my minds after two indecent acts that have occurred over the past week or so...

The first incident was the one in England involving Stuart Broad and Haider, Pakistan's latest wicket-keeping find. Broad hurled a ball intentionally at Haider at such a great pace that the batsman got injured and is now doubtful for the next test. Anybody else would have picked up a two or three match Test/ODI suspension for sure, but, Broad being Broad was let off lightly. And what was all the more shocking was that people actually supported Broad saying that he was only being aggressive on the field and it was not deliberate.

The second one took place yesterday in the ODI between India and Sri Lanka. Sehwag, having blasted 29 of the required 36 runs , was on strike with 5 runs needed yet. The first ball was wide and the keeper didn't collect it resulting in 4 byes. This was followed by two dot balls and then, Randiv deliberately bowls a one foot one ball ! Shocking !!

This is not the first time it is done by Sri Lanka. They did the same sometime last year when Sachin was on some 90 odd... Malinga bowled 4 wides and finished the match. Also, Viru's six was not added to his score because the match was over before that. My question to the ICC and the umpires... Why not award those runs to the batsman !??! Its absolutely pointless !!

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Posted in: Columns,England,India,Pakistan,Randiv,Sehwag,Sri Lanka,Stuart Broad,Zulqarnain Haider