Cricket 2026

[weasel]

Not strictly cheating the laws of the game but, without a doubt, cheating the spirit of the game. I’ll continue to refer to the incident as cheating, thank you!

Cheating - act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage.

Dishonestly - in an untrustworthy, deceitful, or insincere way.

Unfairly - in a manner that is not in accordance with the principles of equality and justice.

I think you are right to refer to it as cheating BBGG. Cheating isn't specific to breaking the rules. Just as cheating on a partner isn't breaking any laws it isn't the right way to do something.

[nob2210]

As an Aussie, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Aussies going through with the appeal. Bairstow did something stupid, but not in any way beneficial to his team.

What annoys me most though is the self-righteous response. Spirit of the game?? Where was that when…
-Starc caught Duckett on the boundary. Clear catch, foot and a half above the ground, in control of his body, then puts ball on the ground while still in control. To the letter of the law, arguably not out. Surely Stokes looks at that and goes, ‘you know, he’s definitely caught it. Sorry Ducks, you should go.’ Or was winning more important?
-the numerous examples of McCullam, Bairstow and Stokes having similar opportunities to withdraw an appeal and not doing so.
-Broad edging Agar TO SLIP in 2019. Not the keeper, slip! Wouldn’t walking have been in the ‘spirit of the game’??

Sure, we could have been better. But don’t claim that you guys would have done differently in the circumstances.

[1964white]

As an Aussie, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Aussies going through with the appeal. Bairstow did something stupid, but not in any way beneficial to his team.

What annoys me most though is the self-righteous response. Spirit of the game?? Where was that when…
-Starc caught Duckett on the boundary. Clear catch, foot and a half above the ground, in control of his body, then puts ball on the ground while still in control. To the letter of the law, arguably not out. Surely Stokes looks at that and goes, ‘you know, he’s definitely caught it. Sorry Ducks, you should go.’ Or was winning more important?
-the numerous examples of McCullam, Bairstow and Stokes having similar opportunities to withdraw an appeal and not doing so.
-Broad edging Agar TO SLIP in 2019. Not the keeper, slip! Wouldn’t walking have been in the ‘spirit of the game’??

Sure, we could have been better. But don’t claim that you guys would have done differently in the circumstances.

Welcome back Nob

[Madron]

As an Aussie, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Aussies going through with the appeal. Bairstow did something stupid, but not in any way beneficial to his team.

What annoys me most though is the self-righteous response. Spirit of the game?? Where was that when…
-Starc caught Duckett on the boundary. Clear catch, foot and a half above the ground, in control of his body, then puts ball on the ground while still in control. To the letter of the law, arguably not out. Surely Stokes looks at that and goes, ‘you know, he’s definitely caught it. Sorry Ducks, you should go.’ Or was winning more important?
-the numerous examples of McCullam, Bairstow and Stokes having similar opportunities to withdraw an appeal and not doing so.
-Broad edging Agar TO SLIP in 2019. Not the keeper, slip! Wouldn’t walking have been in the ‘spirit of the game’??

Sure, we could have been better. But don’t claim that you guys would have done differently in the circumstances.

Gotta say, I do find some peoples 'holier than thou' stance baffling.
They seem to forget Bairstow tried the same thing a couple of days earlier but missed the stumps. The Aussies, took note, and assumed it was fair game.
Watching the clip of that is quite revealing. After the ball flies past the surprised batsman (Labuschagne) he looked up to Bairstow/slips. Root , quickly averts his eyes to look down at the ground and scratch his head. Looked like a guilty kid nicking sweets.
Conveniently forgotten though.
Its also probably the reason Bairstow stayed schtum and didn't make any fuss-he knew the score.

[nob2210]

Welcome back Nob

Thanks mate! Have never really left - been reading here for ages! Just happy to read your well-informed opinions rather than spouting my own lack of knowledge. Feeling the relegation bad though…

[Aussieleeds]

Here’s another example of England/Bairstow diligently adhering to the “spirit of the game”:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/cric ... oot!861603
Hypocrites.

[Aussieleeds]

I think Foakes would be an option too. Move Bairstow up the order and put Foakes behind the stumps.

But you'd think they'd go with Lawrence since he's been in the squad the whole time.

Yes, Foakes would be a great choice. Another Englishman who always plays in the “spirit of the game” especially against cricketing minnows.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/worse-manka ... 00905.html
Hypocrites.

[whiteswan]

Yes, Foakes would be a great choice. Another Englishman who always plays in the “spirit of the game” especially against cricketing minnows.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/worse-manka ... 00905.html
Hypocrites.

All this has certainly got you Aussies rattled.....

[Aussieleeds]

All this has certainly got you Aussies rattled.....

Yeah. We hate winning tests. But the great thing is that given your team felt like they won the first test, and now think that they ‘morally‘ won the second test - there’s a chance we could both be celebrating a 5-0 whitewash!! Win-Win.

[weasel]

As an Aussie, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Aussies going through with the appeal. Bairstow did something stupid, but not in any way beneficial to his team.

What annoys me most though is the self-righteous response. Spirit of the game?? Where was that when…
-Starc caught Duckett on the boundary. Clear catch, foot and a half above the ground, in control of his body, then puts ball on the ground while still in control. To the letter of the law, arguably not out. Surely Stokes looks at that and goes, ‘you know, he’s definitely caught it. Sorry Ducks, you should go.’ Or was winning more important?
-the numerous examples of McCullam, Bairstow and Stokes having similar opportunities to withdraw an appeal and not doing so.
-Broad edging Agar TO SLIP in 2019. Not the keeper, slip! Wouldn’t walking have been in the ‘spirit of the game’??

Sure, we could have been better. But don’t claim that you guys would have done differently in the circumstances.

But what a great opportunity it was for the Aussies to show their words, after sandpaper gate, weren't just words. They could have said look we are going to lead the way in fairness, we don't care that others could have acted better we are Australia and this is how we are going to act. They would have set a great example and others would have followed. Instead they showed it was win at all costs and likelier now that teams playing against Australia won't walk etc cos they know Australia won't - which was the case before like in the Broad incident as he knows the Aussies wouldn't walk so why should he?

[weasel]

Yeah. We hate winning tests. But the great thing is that given your team felt like they won the first test, and now think that they ‘morally‘ won the second test - there’s a chance we could both be celebrating a 5-0 whitewash!! Win-Win.

Even if you win 5-0 the only thing people will remember is that incident. If you would have acted better the series would have been remembered as the series where Australia had showed they had truly changed and played fair, regardless of the score. I think any neutral now wants England to win the series and that is a shame as it was shaping up to be a great contest for the right reasons. As it was if Australia hadn't got Bairstow out the way they did I think they would have comfortably won the match as it wouldn't have inspired Stokes so likely he doesn't even make 50 and then the tail crumbles.

[whiteswan]

Yeah. We hate winning tests. But the great thing is that given your team felt like they won the first test, and now think that they ‘morally‘ won the second test - there’s a chance we could both be celebrating a 5-0 whitewash!! Win-Win.

Like I say.....rattled

[White Riot]

Like I say.....rattled

Wait til tomorrow morning Swannie, that's when you're gonna see what a rattled Aussie looks like.

I can't wait

[White Riot]

In South Africa we used to say that yogurt has more culture than Australians
(I can only imagine what they think of South Africans.)

I will say though (as tough as it is to say it) I think Australia are - per capita - one of the strongest sporting nations in the world.
Cricket, rugby, swimming, etc. Their medal count in the Olympics is always impressive, given their population.

But they do play hard (and can certainly squeal when they lose). Also, their commentators are by far, the most biased on the planet - Especially Tony Greig - after he turned Ozzie.

The modern epitome of their style is Greg Norman. His near psychopathic, pro-Trump approach to this LIV Golf fiasco has been disgusting.

They will still have more culture than Canadians Malcolm

Yeah, I was staying up all hours of the night watching the last Ashes tour down under.

The bias from their commentators was that bad that I had to mute the stream. Absolutely no class at all, and their players are just the same.

Adam Gilchrist was the exception, his comments were largely, intelligent and worth listening to.

I always say, save your good manners for those that deserve them, and this Australia team, like many before them does not deserve any good manners, or respect from us.

With your South African background you will understand that sometimes you have to show your teeth.

When I've encountered South Africans every single one has been polite, respectful and well mannered

A credit to their country

[nob2210]

But what a great opportunity it was for the Aussies to show their words, after sandpaper gate, weren't just words. They could have said look we are going to lead the way in fairness, we don't care that others could have acted better we are Australia and this is how we are going to act. They would have set a great example and others would have followed. Instead they showed it was win at all costs and likelier now that teams playing against Australia won't walk etc cos they know Australia won't - which was the case before like in the Broad incident as he knows the Aussies wouldn't walk so why should he?

Yep that all makes perfect sense, it was a great opportunity. But what you (and others more harshly) are saying there is also ‘Australia should have held themselves to a higher standard than everyone else, and because they didn’t, they did the wrong thing, they cheated and they deserve abuse and threatening of injury’.
Seems quite over the top (again, more so from others than yourself)

[Barlow Boy]

https://www.motforum.com/phpbb/download ... w&id=11741

[1964white]

Thanks mate! Have never really left - been reading here for ages! Just happy to read your well-informed opinions rather than spouting my own lack of knowledge. Feeling the relegation bad though…

Good to hear you still read MOT

With regard to your lack of knowledge, I'm sure that is not the case.

[1964white]

https://www.motforum.com/phpbb/download ... w&id=11741

I'm sure the atmosphere will be rousing, as opposed to the lukewarm Lords crowd at the 2nd test.

[White Riot]

England team for the 3rd test
Duckett
Crawley
Brook
Root
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Ali
Broad
Wood
Robinson

Good to see Woakes and Wood come in. I'm not sure how Robinson retains his place over Tongue though?

[Kennyb41]

England team for the 3rd test
Duckett
Crawley
Brook
Root
Stokes
Bairstow
Woakes
Ali
Broad
Wood
Robinson

Good to see Woakes and Wood come in. I'm not sure how Robinson retains his place over Tongue though?

Yeah same here, i like the team but surprised at that.