"Playing in the Spirit of the game" is the most popular debate in the cricketing world in the recent times. This debate reached its pinnacle during the great Sydney Test match between India and Australia. India captain Anil Kumble said that "Only one team is playing in the Spirit of the game" a statement reminiscent of Bill Woodfull's(Australia) words after the 1932/33 Bodyline series against England. This Issue was again raised during the IPL by Rajastan Royals captain Shane Warne after the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Today this debate is back in the lime light thanks to the incident that took place during the England and New Zealand ODI match last week.
Actually I thought of writing this article after watching a catch claimed by Pakistan wicket keeper Kamran Akmal during the India-Pak league match in the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh. But he wasn't penalized for that act by the match referee. Some years ago South African Match Referee Mike Proctor gave former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif a 5 Test match ban for claiming a catch which wasn't clean as he had grounded the ball. Both Kamran Akmal's catch and Latif's catch were almost similar but one gets a ban and the other is let off the hook. Today Almost all the referees concentrate only on the Players' Showing dissent towards the umpires' decision . Even during the Sydney Test match Mr.Proctor didn't give even a warning to Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke for claiming wrong catches. But that does not mean that all players those who claim wrong catches should be penalized. Penalty should be given only in cases where there is enough evidence to suggest that the player's claim is clean.
Such incidents are famous only in Football and not in cricket. But times are changing and the gentleman's game invented by the English.....Wait a minute...English....Are the English players really playing in the spirit of the game? The simple answer is NO.
The runout incident that took place during the England New Zealand series is mainly responsible for reigniting all the debates about Spirit of the game. No expected such an act from Mr.Paul Collingwood, an inspirational captain of the English Cricket team. By assuming that Ryan Sidebottom didn't do anything wantedly then Mr.Collingwood should have solved the issue on the field itself by recalling the appeal.
This doesn't stop with the fielding side. Most of the batsmans don't walk out of the field when they are really out but the umpire's decision is otherwise.They should remember that "At the end of the day this is just a sport". So playing with true sportsmanship is more important than wining.
My final question is Are there still cricketers like Adam Gilchrist those who walk when they think they're out irrespective of the situation? If yes then I'll start pleading to my television to show them. Else God should save Good cricket.
