A little respect goes a long way
England's Alastair Cook is bowled by Dale Steyn of South Africa during the Investec first test match at the Kia Oval, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday July 20, 2012. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: Daniel Hambury/PA Wire. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
When your main strike bowler is delivering jaffer after jaffer at the worried batsman at the other end of the crease, the wicketkeeper and slip catchers are encouraging from behind the lonely figure that is the run-scorer, it can be difficult, in the heat of the moment, to control the adrenalin and the emotion when that wicket finally does fall.
Whether it is the winning wicket or the break-through required to open up a game on a Saturday in the Coast League at Peterlee or at Lord’s against Australia in the Ashes Test Series, standing at two-all, one thing should remain constant throughout.
When your bowler has scattered the stumps, wrapped the pads straight infront or a fielder takes a stunning catch then when the batsman departs, head down and dragging his bat, he should always be shown respect from his peers whether he has scored zero or 100. I was taught as an 11-year-old to always applaud the outgoing batsman and I still carry that on today. I always take note of which teams do not applaud (probably because I am the batsman who has been dismissed) but the statement remains the same. Cricket is a gentleman’s game and that is how it should remain. The sport can get people wound up and frustrated and I have seen it boil over into arguments on the field but one thing should remain the same and that is the respect of your peers. When the innings comes to a close and the players depart for tea or a post-game pint, the batsmen should always be allowed to leave the field first and be applauded by the opposition. This must be taught to the youth of today. Any views or opinions, please get in touch.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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