Cheering the Opposition

[pasag]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

I don't remember what happened in the tour thread, but here's a question for the Aussie posters...

Did you cheer/support Brendan Nash in the recent series? This is a genuine question, not meaning to incite anything, or imply that you should've. Just curious as to the Aussie perspective toward him.

Nah, was too worried we'd lose to actively support a member of those other side.

[Richard]

You seriously thought there was a serious chance of Australia losing a three-match series at home to West Indies in 2009/10?

[aussie]

Sometimes i would cheer, sometimes i wont. It all depends on the circumstances of the opposition players performance for me.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Richard

You seriously thought there was a serious chance of Australia losing a three-match series at home to West Indies in 2009/10?

WI played well enough (although some could argue AUS played below par) to win the 2nd & 3rd tests.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by aussie

Sometimes i would cheer, sometimes i wont. It all depends on the circumstances of the opposition players performance for me.

And who you've chosen to support this time?

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Originally Posted by aussie

WI played well enough (although some could argue AUS played below par) to win the 2nd & 3rd tests.

You could definitely argue the Aussies were below par. They allowed WI back into the 3rd Test. No question about it. WI were dead and Australia refused to bury them. What WI did with that lifeline was quite admirable though.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Richard

And who you've chosen to support this time?

What do you mean by "this time"?

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

You could definitely argue the Aussies were below par. They allowed WI back into the 3rd Test. No question about it. WI were dead and Australia refused to bury them. What WI did with that lifeline was quite admirable though.

Word..

[Richard]

Originally Posted by aussie

What do you mean by "this time"?

You often seem to support all of England, West Indies and Australia, and when they're pitted against one-another it sometimes seems a toss-up who you're supporting.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Richard

You often seem to support all of England, West Indies and Australia, and when they're pitted against one-another it sometimes seems a toss-up who you're supporting.

I support ENG & AUS in cricket. But when they clash in Ashes series i've seen from 97-2009 i dont support anyone of these teams - but rather good cricket. (except for 05 Ashes when i did want AUS to win).

I never support WI. I just have a soft spot & strong interest & understanding in what happens with them by default. Since culturally thanks to family, i am heavily linked to the WI.

[Uppercut]

Graeme Smith coming out to bat at the SCG with a broken hand is the notable recent example of this. The whole Aussie crowd seemed to get behind him. The whole context of that match- the dead rubber, the quality of cricket throughout the series- contributed to that though. It's a very, very unique set of circumstances where fans will actually cheer for the other team.

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Funnily enough, I don't know of too many English players during my time that stir the senses in quite the same way. KP is one, maybe Simon Jones when the force was with him, Gough at a stretch, but after those...?

You can't help but get a bit swept away with the current attack when they do that Power Rangers transformation thing where they all turn into all-time great bowlers for one session.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Uppercut

Graeme Smith coming out to bat at the SCG with a broken hand is the notable recent example of this. The whole Aussie crowd seemed to get behind him. The whole context of that match- the dead rubber, the quality of cricket throughout the series- contributed to that though. It's a very, very unique set of circumstances where fans will actually cheer for the other team.

I wonder if that applause was actually "we're hoping you don't get out because you deserve not to for showing that sort of selflessness" or whether it was just "we're recognising and admiring your selflessness, but we still want you to get out".

I'd interpret "cheering for the oppositon" as actually actively wanting their players to do well - and thus, by chain, their team. Merely acknowledging the calibre of their play and\or their conduct is a bit different - any decent set of fans should IMO do that and if they don't they're not fans of the game but merely of their team.

[Uppercut]

I'm aware, but there did genuinely seem to be a lot of fans at the ground who wanted to see Smith bat the last few overs out.

[zaremba]

I was at Edgbaston last summer and saw Ponting getting booed to the crease, which was much reported and condemned by some as an act of unspeakable crassness by lager-lout England cricket fans. What was less reported was the fact that during that innings he went on to pass 20,000 FC runs and to become Australia's record run-scorer and both achievements were greeted by standing ovations from the entire ground - including those who had booed him to the crease.

Basically cricket fans (in the places where I've watched cricket, at least) are sporting and fair. The contrast with football is pretty stark.

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by zaremba

Basically cricket fans (in the places where I've watched cricket, at least) are sporting and fair. The contrast with football is pretty stark.

Completely true, in this country anyway.