Quote:
Originally Posted by pasag
Spot on. I've begrudgingly found quite abit of respect for Smith recently, something I didn't think was ever possible.
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On that note, it is nice (is that the right word?) to see a team want to beat Australia and have confidence in themselves going and trying to do it. Unfortunately, one or two comments from both sides make these match-ups - referring to Aus V SA - silly with their childish banter.
Whenever a captain says something like: "we've got a talented squad and we're going to show we can beat the best", when they're going to play Australia, I always like that. But as soon a cricketer makes that kind of comment, we have the media trying to instigate a fight with the kind of questions they ask to the Aussies in reply..."Hey Ricky, did you hear Smith said this...".
The Aussies are so dominant these days that banter between the teams gets more notice because the game is usually headed one way - an Aussie victory. But I think the banter between teams is an indication of confidence. A team that puts it's 'word' on the line has it's pride to play for - do not underestimate the importance of pride. Pride is that which transforms the greats into legends.
In regards to the thread, I think if Ponting were in Jayawardene's place we would be hearing a lot more whining. Someone stated that this is a trait of a shrewed captain, maybe, but I'm sure it is the definition of a shrewed captain. I think Mahela has got it in other places.