I am fairly down the middle with this one.
Mr. Striker is going far to far into the realms of the extreme but also I have never believed the propaganda of cricket as the 'gentlemans game'
silentstriker said:
I have problems with remarks regarding race or religion as those are slippery slopes and can lead to hostility not only between the players, but outside of that as well. But calling the batsman's mother a stinking whore? That's all fine, if it gives you an advantage.
I would personnaly take more offense to a comment about a family member than my race or religion. Im a big boy and can look after myself and comments about me do not bother me but it is far worse to insult a loved one who is not there to answer back or reply.
silentstriker said:
Why? NFL fans (and I am one) are amazingly involved with their team, and absolutely love it and follow it with a passion thats rare.
Living in the US for many years and having a number of big NFL fans as friends I can reliably inform you that compared to Premier League football fans they have less passion. Sorry. In fact I dislike how English football fans are so it is not as if I am proud of it.
silentstriker said:
because as soon as he starts batting, there will be shouts of 'kill him...kill him'
?????? do people really act like that? Thats ****ed up.
silentstriker said:
Yea but thats just a farce then. If you don't respect the opponent or the game enough not to be a dirty ******* during the game, what's the point in shaking the hand after? It's all for TV, and thats what I mean by it being a load of BS.
No it is not. Life is Life and the game is the game. Players can generally differentiate between the 2. Understand that players are part of the same profession and share a Union. There is no reason to hate each other and not shake hands or share a beer. In fact in the US sports you talk so much about the players are very close with each other and often hug each other fter games. As a proffesional, it is a players duty to understand that what happens on the field has nothing to do with real life and very few hate each other.
silentstriker said:
People need to wake up and come into the 21st century. Traditions are dead.
How can you talk about US sports and then make that statement? US sports are full of them. Retiring jerseys, no bunts during a no hitter, and a thousand others. Same as how tradition exists in cricket and will continue. People enjoy them and respect them.
silentstriker said:
I wouldn't care if Freddie was gloating in his face after they won.
I would. It comes down to how you want to be viewed as a person and what values you have. If FF had gloated in Lees face he would have shown the world what a prize **** he was. It is to his credit he acted like a decent human being.
silentstriker said:
People don't like college basketball and football because of the sportsmanship. If you look at some of the football factory schools, you'll know that the desire to win there is the SAME as the desire to win in the pro's.
Of all the things you have said, this is the least accurate. People LOVE college sport because it is the kids who do it for the purity of the sport (90%+ do). Many, many people do not watch basketball or allow their children to play because of the characters that play at the pro level. If you are talking about a balance of trade between those that are tuned off or on because of sportsmanship then you are fighting a losing arguement.
On the Flip SIde
I do not believe a 'spirit of the game' is that important. You just act on the field like you would in real life. Acting like a **** on the field means everyone knows what a pain in the **** you are and that is enough punishment for my liking.
I believe treating you're opponents with respect. You do not have to be nice, but after spening a long day trying to **** each other up thenthere is nothing better than to sit back and share a beer.
The professional aspect of the sport is very important to me. Im all for cricketers getting theirs rather than a guy in a blazer and nice accent picking up the check. If you paly to watch then you must pay the players and as much as possible.
Ive got a fair bit more to add but my fingers are hurting.
Congrats and thank you to anyone that actully reads all this, oh and the post is too long to check through for spelling mistakes. If there are lots sorry.