Cricket is widely considered to be a gentleman’s game. The game that was first played in 1877 continues to draw fans even today. Cricketers are considered to be role models for youngsters. There have been cricketing icons who have left an impact on the minds of millions of fans. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Anil Kumble were great sporting icons. They not only played the game in the right spirit but also played to win. Stay with us to know about What is Cricket And Sportsmanship?
Win at all costs vs playing the game fairly
The game largely is played in fair spirit. But sometimes in the heat of the moment, teams and players go overboard in their passion to win. The example that comes to mind is the acrimonious Sydney Test of 2007. The Australians came across as a bunch of cricketers who would do everything to win but play the game fair. Indian skipper, Anil Kumble, had famously said that only a single team played in the spirit of cricket.
There have been many cricketing duels that have brought a red mark to the game of cricket. The verbals exchanged during such moments can’t be printed. The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of the game brought into cricket the “Spirit of the Cricket” award. It was meant to keep a tab on unwanted nuisances in the game. But the lines haven’t been well defined when it comes to his facet of the game.
Spirit of cricket award:
Teams have conveniently used the spirit of cricket to their own advantage. There is a fine line between playing the game hard and fair and playing the game ugly. A team that ends up giving 100% of its energy on the field, respects the opposition can be proud of itself for playing with genuine sportsmanship. On the other hand, teams that cheat just to win are on the other side of the sportsmanship parameter.
A classic example that defines this difference is the West Indies team of the 70s & 80s and the Australian team of the 2000s. West Indies played the game hard and fair, hence they were popular champions. But Australians on the other hand who were infamous for winning games ugly never enjoyed the love of the fans.
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