Bad role models

As a young and aspiring cricketer I sat and watched the 2nd day of the Australia Vs West Indies test match, both Haddin’s quick fire 88 and Gayle’s 5th fastest test 100 were inspiring innings and they made the test a pleasure to watch. However the incident between Brad Haddin, Sulieman Benn and Mitchell Johnson was a disgrace, is this really the image of test cricket that should portrayed to upcoming cricketers? No! It’s not in the spirit of the game. These players are in the spot light, representing their country, they’re role models and they should know better.


The issue has been dealt with now by the match referee (Chris Broad) but I think he was far too lenient. A message needed to be sent to all players and young cricketers that this will not be tolerated at any level. Sulieman Benn received a two match ban, Haddin lost 25% of his match fee while Johnson lost just the 10%, how could this possibly be enough? I believe all players involved in this incident should have been banned for 2-3 matches. It’s not matter of ‘he said’, ‘she said’, they’re all to blame (including the umpire).

The umpire should have also concluded this incident before it developed. He left it until too late to interfere, he is also partly to blame, and if he dealt with the incident earlier we would not be in this situation now.

As I come out to bat each Saturday morning I assess the field, mark in middle stump with my bat and watch the ‘fast’ bowlers run back 50 metres as though they are Brett Lee. As they reach the crease they are gasping for air and they chuck up a pie which I hit back over their heads for six (I wish). This is all jolly well but the thing I’m getting at is I don’t want to see young cricketers copying their idols which are obviously not the best role models.

Take a look and decide for yourself: