Test cricket no longer a gentleman’s game

THE EDITOR: Where is our Test cricket heading? Are our International Test cricketers exemplars or degenerates of society? We are watching Test cricket traverse from a gentleman’s game to a violent sport that at best can be categorised as a hazardous occupation. If all 22 players were allowed to converge on the field at the same time during a game of test cricket, as is the practice in contact sports, mayhem would result on the field. The only other games that rival our Test cricket in subdued violence and adulterated cross-talk are ice hockey, played primarily in the US and Canada, and basketball played in the US — which incidentally are both contact-sports. The current WI/Australia Test series is an adequate barometer for the quagmire in which Test cricket has now found itself.

One viewing any one of the Test matches presently being played in the current test series in the Caribbean would find him or her having to witness the outburst of foul-mouthed players, with uncontrollable tempers, who continue to show disrespect and total disregard for the paying public. The conduct of the players has presently deteriorated to an all time low and subliminal violence to an unacceptable level. Whatever strategy we may find it necessary to implore must correct the problem. Just to illustrate my point: Lara not too long ago in a Test match in the West Indies against Pakistan, while running down the cricket pitch in an effort to score a run, was bulldozed by a fielder on the Pakistan team, which resulted in the dislocation of his shoulder, which laid him up for the rest of the season. Batsmen, for their safety, are being fitted with face-guards because of the latent heightened intensity in the game. Hooper, in a recent Test match, fell victim to a fierce bouncer from a bowler of the opposing team, which resulted in a fractured jaw. Hooper, because of his negligence, paid the ultimate penalty for failing to use his head-gear while at bat. Casualties on the field, along with unpleasant, heated verbal exchanges between opposing players with the latter being allowed to persist, without a reprimand, suspension, or fine give the impression that the officials may know the rules but are wary of enforcing them.

In order to save our Test cricket from existing displaced aggression and acrimonious confrontations that have now become part and parcel of the game. We should give serious consideration to the enforcement of suspensions, exorbitant fines and reprimands across the board — with no sacred-cow privileges. The demeanour of a few of the players in the recent WI/Australia Test series, if allowed to continue unabated, would change what could be an exciting, entertaining series into a public viewing of disrespectful, glorified gladiators with inflated egos and insatiable compulsions to show boat.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin