by sussexpob » Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:21 pm
I dont think its Paine's fault that his board scrambled out of a crisis of identity by setting themselves an unobtainable standard to live up to in the future. This is professional sport, sometimes people toe the line, other times they blow straight past it; regardless of whatever flowery, cuddly image you want to project. I dont think this is a particularly bad instance worthy of particular merit, calling someone a d*ck is far from outrageous. Yeah, it doesnt reflect well on Paine as a person maybe, but I have zero faith in many professional sportsman acting like gentleman or being nice blokes to their opponents now ( on the field. yesterday when the Indian lads complained of racial abuse from the crowd, Paine came out of the dressing room to gather with the Indian players in a move that looked to be one of solidarity - so we cant confuse or judge people on what they do in the heat of a test match in the balance when maybe as a guy in private he is a shining example for humanity).
I think if anything its the fact the Aussie ironically had their plan backfire. Paine was full of words all day trying to break Indian concentration, but then every time an opportunity arose, Australia fluffed it. So it appears the whole exercise if anything got Australian fielders carried away and lose focus on the job at hand; you could argue as well they only did it because they suddenly felt under pressure with the game possibility slipping away from them. If I am a coach or higher up, Id really be less concerned with swearing and demand to know why my captain lost his mind in the crucial moments.
As for Smith, cheating is a strong word. I guess we will never know what his intentions were, but its hard to call what he has done cheating. Idiotic, surprising considering his position, needless.... but not cheating. Of course I will admit that I do question whether removing the footmarks is why we find him in the crease, or whether or not he was walking around the crease hoping to create further damage and maybe realises the batsman and umpire are coming to the crease. But thats conjecture based on his previous willingness to engage in the dark arts, you still have to judge him on what he did..
Although I concede I don't know the rules concerning damage to this area of the pitch, as the ball is unlikely to pitch that far and be effected in anyway.
No doubt Smith is going to live to regret his actions though, a lot of people will jump on this like a drop of blood in a shark tank.
Last edited by
sussexpob on Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!