The slapper and the pest

As I was getting information together on the IPL's first scandal of sorts, I kept thinking to myself how drearily predictable it was. If the bookies had been offering odds on the first players to become embroiled in some sort of controversy, you can be sure the names Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth would have been near the top of the list.

What can you say about these two that hasn't been said before? Harbhajan has been an accident waiting to happen for years now and had the Indian board shown a little more resolve, a good kick up the backside might have put his stalling career back on track. Instead, he's down for the count. And it could be a long count.

Few tears will be shed for Sreesanth though. I was in Jaipur to watch the King's XI play the Rajasthan Royals, and the way he carried on after dismissing Mohammad Kaif was an absolute disgrace. This wasn't Andre Nel or Andrew Symonds he was trying to humiliate, it was someone he has shared the national dressing room with. You just don't do that sort of thing.

I'm all for a bit of banter, but also a firm believer in the Ian Chappell philosophy that if a bowler comes too near with a leering face and abusive words, the batsman's perfectly within his rights to give him a good tonking. Hopefully, this slap in the face will make Sreesanth focus less on the idiotic and more on what he should be doing with the ball.

As for Harbhajan, throw the book at him. And make sure it's a heavy one. At least then, we'll never have a repeat of the Sydney charade.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Cameron]

Homer,

From my perspective I think it is clear that it would be the preference of both England and Australia not to play against Zimbabwe. This would be a protest at both those running the game in Zimbabwe who are corrupt and have run the game into the ground but also the broader political landscape in the country which is subject to one of the most brutal, corrupt and incompetent regimes currently in power anywhere. It is specifically beacause the sub continent and Africa vote as a block on this issue that the ICB is forced to impose punative monetary sanctions on anyone taking a collective moral stand. Therefore it is left up to individual players which is not particularly fair.

In an ideal world there should not be such voting blocs and each issue should be treated on its merit in the view of what is best for the game as a whole. If this were the case I am sure there would be many areas of agreement between countries such as India and Australia.

Sadly, I believe that at the international level there is far to much patronage and self interested deal making for that to be the case. The attampt by the ICB to cover up the KPMG report into the finances of Zimbabwean cricket is but one example of this.

[Homer]

Cameron,

Thanks for the reply.

I feel as strongly as you do with respect to the Zimbabwe situation.

But, with respect to the criticism of the BCCI, I respectfully differ.

The BCCI is forced to back Zimbabwe because, as with everything ICC, there is a stupid rule that requires a 2/3rd majority to get things passed.

And given the rigid posture taken by the non Asian/South African bloc with all matters BCCI, the Zimbabwe vote becomes deal maker/breaker.

You state that the ECB and the CA are flirting with taking a moral stand..

I ask,is it that difficult for the CA/ECB to know what side of the divide they are on and then have the courage of conviction to back that stand, come hell heaven or high water? Or does money become such an over riding concern that morals and morality take the back seat?

However skewed the BCCI's morals are, the BCCI can atleast boast of having morals.. Can the same be said about the ECB and the CA?

Cheers

[Cameron]

Homer,

I think you really fail to see the issue. The ICB put the various relevant boards in a no win situation by imposing huge penalties on them for boycotting tours. This is the case even when in the case of Zimbabwe cricket has been overrun by the goons of a despotic leader who loot the coffers for their own benefuit. Continuing to support these goons and covering up reports outlining their criminaslity and fraud, as the BCCI has done, is unforgiveable. At least the ACB and ECB are flirting with taking a moral stand. I retain a particular level of admiration for Stuart McGill who made himself unavailable for a tour of Zimbabwe based on his personal moral stance.
What has happened to the days when the cricket world united to take a stand against apartheit? I fear that could never happen again.

[Homer]

Cameron/Smith,

We have to only look at England and Australia for the leadership shown by their respective Boards in dealing with the Zimbabwe situation - like the flip flops by CA till the Howard government bailed them out ( and saved them a potential $2 million). Or the waffling by the ECB during the 2003 World Cup.

There are no saints here.. Every single cricket board worships at the altar of Mammon.

For all the moral grandstanding here on Zimbabwe and the BCCI's support for the ZCA, it will be interesting to see how the ECB ( that paragon of all cricketing virtue) handle the potential loss of the Twenty20 World CUp because of the British Government's stance over Zimbabwe.

Cheers

[Pontings_Baldspot]

Agree with Oscar the grouch, I would be surprised to hear if Sreesanth was as unpopular with the other teams as much as Bhajji.. To take Sreesanth at face value would be mistake..He s just busy making a mockery of himself.. Bhajji's case is more serious.. He s mental and he doesnt know it and he seems t ohave far too many handlers and apologists

[Cameron]

The willingness of Indian and Australian fans to have a crack at each other shows no bounds. There were no Australians involved in this incident!
The events of Sydney are relevant only in so far as determining the correct sentence once he is found guilty. And lets remember the only reason he avoided a suspension in Sydney was that the ICC in all their incompetent glory didn't provide the judge with Harbhajan's full disciplinary record.
A hefty suspension for this turkey would be nothing less than he deserves. No doubt there are still some who would see that as part of a race related conspiracy.
I don't think anyone really objects to the concept of India gaining power in world cricket. Many, however, do object to them using that power to support the thugs and criminals ruining cricket in Zimbabwe for their own personal gain. With great power comes great responsibility.

[Smith]

This farce is a great advertisement for Indian cricket and the BCCI. They have used their financial muscle and new found power for cheap commercialism and ugly nationalism; they defended the Indian crowds until their racial taunts were caught by an Australian cameraman, they bullied the ICC to sack an umpire (which is against constitution of the ICC) in part because they lost a match and threatened call off a tour in defence of the worst behaved player in modern cricket history (who is now facing a long term suspension) they play the race card in a multiracial sport with flippant indifference to its corrosive effect and they defend the cronies of the brutal Zimbabwean despot for purely political purposes. BCCI and Indian cricket wants the power but not the responsibility; they want to cloak themselves in victim’s rages rather than demonstrating some restraint and statecraft that as a leader cricket desperately needs. Good help international cricket.

[Delhi Jon]

Harbhajan couldn't knock the skin off a rice pudding. Neither could Sreesanth. Lock them up and throw away the keys. That should teach these overrated prima donnas a lesson. I'm sick and tired of reading about their infantile antics.

[John]

He should just take the Sydney option. First time around deny everything and threaten to go home. When that doesn't work change your story to suit, and admit to a minor infraction, whilst still threatening to go home. Then charter a plane and threaten to go home, just in case they don't understand that nothing happened.
It'll help but is not essential to also get Sachin in on the gig.
Habitual offenders will just keep offending. The BCCI can defend him till the cows come home. He'll just let them down again and again. Keep supporting his behavior and Indian cricket will be exposed as the "independent" authority we all know it isn't.
Then again that's their problem.
I still think Jeff Thomson had the best answer. "Come out the back of the sheds and I'll show you %^&#$! monkey"

[Krishna]

Why bring Sydney episode into this issue? That episode was investigated and Bhajji was not found guilty. Period. Australians are not saints-Symonds provoked the Sydney incident and Ponting and his obnoxious mate, Hayden orchestrated the aftermath of "righteous" indignation. Let us not forget that. I am sick of Australian fans exhibiting a holier than thou attitude.

[bunty]

very well written indeed. amen.

[Roy]

Once the Sydney incident was properly and independently investigated, Harbhajan was found guilty of using abusive language. But it was also found that Symonds' belligerence ignited the whole affair. No one ever denied that Harbhajan was a hothead who had over-reacted. So this new incident sheds absolutely no new light on Sydney.

[Rusty]

Sanjayn- typical male exploitation of the supposed behaviour of little girls. Why don't you little boys just own your own behaviour?

V-man, (v-boy?)

so slapping a fellow player in a fit of pique and bursting into tears from a face tap is a sign of growing Indian power?

I knew the Indians would get out their handbags sooner or later.

[rohit]

One must realize in Oz the allegation was serious and as in all things in life you need evidence and not one word against another, or this way someone will feel let down
In Oz I agree with the BCCI asking for evidence , not just circumstantial heresay.

Here , we have in on record I hope , its on TV and if there is no official complaint you can not implement the complaint policy rules

Yes , one can indirectly take it on board, and act in the games and persons best interest, becomes a closed doors scene.
In the interest of the game an official apology / explaination on TV will do wonders.
As for Bhaji , well a good "thaper" and a kick up the gluteus maximus by each and every member of the Indian team, followed by BCCI decision .
As for Sreesanth well , he is youung , insolent and needs direction . Get a strict coach for him and toughen him up. There are no place for tears in an international arena when you play .

Just my thoughts

[Strohm]

Is it just me, or would you agree that Sreesanth deserved a good tight one? My only critisizm of Bhajji is that he didnt follow it up with a nice kick on his backside.

[zain]

hmm okay .. lets get this right .. you r article gives tghe impression that sree santh got what he desreved but letgs throw the book at harbajan also doe to his indiscretions in australia.. Smacks of old colonial hypocrisy old boy!

[V-Man]

England would love to have him as their spinner (sorry Monty, you're not there just yet, but soon hopefully!). And hearing Aussies whinge is always entertaining. (Let's face it, the Indians get their competitive dander up more than the English have over the last 10 years.)

As for he "innate very mean streak", it must be said that this line could describe Australian cricket from about 1970 onwards....

No excuse for bad behavior, but let's provide the appropriate context here. There is a mass concern about the Indians becoming powerful. Ah well. Just please buy a Jaguar while you're gnashing your teeth!

[Tasmanian Devil]

Diversify the IPL machine to include freestyle fights between dissenting players. Oh and give all the proceeds to charity for a change. All bets on the Turbanator!

Frankly this is a serious yet silly situation at the same time. A serious breach of behaviour and yet a silly indicident in terms of degree of assault. Harbajhan should know better, both as an international cricketer and a role model. For these reasons he really should have the book thrown at him. If it were up to me I would also impose a painful financial penalty on him too.

[SanjayN]

Well, this incident doesn't retro-actively change the Sydney affair but it gives plenty of ammo to people who felt the BCCI flexed its muscle (unfairly) over the issue. Harbhajan must have been acutely aware that he was walking a tightrope and yet still found himself in the middle of an ugly controversy. Let's not forget he was also made skipper by the clueless Mumbai franchise.

He's let a lot of people down including Tendulkar who must have played a role in bringing Bhajan to Mumbai, a move that raised eyebrows for the excessive amount of money paid for his services, even by IPL standards.

Sreesanth? At the risk of making the "victim" sound like a villain, I wonder how many of his colleagues were lining up to slap him ala "Airplane"?

During the recent India-SA Test series, he was carrying out his staring antics. Yet I'm constantly surprised at how many of the Indian youth see him as some kind of a symbol.

The praise he received for bowling well in one Test (Joburg) went straight to his head. It wasn't the talk about his seam position but the immature public reaction to the embarrassing jig against Nel that impressed him. And since that day, he has been playing the fool - superbly.

Somehow bawling around the field like a little girl is what we've come to expect from this prat. And then he makes up with the insolent one, claiming all is well and he doesn't wish to lodge a complaint.

The heavy book should be thrown at both of them, and neither will be missed.

[David]

I think it's very enlightening to see the reactions of pleyers from other nations when they dismiss Harbhajan or tonk him to the boundary. He is clearly a very unpopular individual, which is fine (this is International sport and not a tea-party) but he clearly riles everyine he plays against

[Oscar the Grouch]

Dileep - I don't wish to drag up the whole Sydney thing again, but perhaps some of your Indian readers will understand better why Aussies who knew of Harbhajan's record found the depth and breadth of screaming umbrage and pan-nationalistic defence of him to be more than a bit rich. Let's leave it at that.

Sreesanth is without doubt a bit of an over-the-top irritating little tit on the field (although I enjoy watching him bowl) - much like Nel, really - but he doesn't have the innate very mean streak that Harbhajan emanates far too often. I will be interested to see how the self-appointed international spokesperson for Indian Cricket, Peter Roebuck, reconciles this one with his 'proud Sikh Warrior and father of nine' defence of Harbhajan.