One thing that I learnt from my experience is that the Australian sporting community demands high standards of its players – particularly, the captain. My transgression was not of the playing conditions prevalent, but, against the spirit of the game.
Indulge me for this long-winded explanation:
There was a lot going on around the team at the time and without much support, I was involved in a host of off-field discussions around such matters as scheduling, touring, and even conditions of the MCG pitch – which had been sub-par for three to four seasons.
All of these things contributed to my frustration and anger, which overflowed in the latter stages of that game, leading to my momentary folly.
But, none of them is an excuse for what happened.
Never having considered anything like this before, I was not prepared for the ferocity of the backlash, following my spur-of-the moment brain fade.
My first indication was when a young girl, who had jumped the fence with thousands of other youngsters to rush out to the middle at the end of the game, came up beside me and tugged on my sleeve as I jogged towards the players gate. I looked down at her and she said, “You cheated”.
I knew then that this was going to be big. When the New Zealand Prime Minister joined the melee, it dawned on me that the implications were much broader than just the game of cricket.
The fact that people still have strong feelings about my action, 40 years later, should be a lesson to us all. What I failed to do on that day was to maintain my equilibrium and equanimity in the face of changing and challenging circumstances. Had I been able to take a step back from the issues swirling around me at the time, I might have made a different decision.
What I didn’t appreciate then, was that my decision set off a chain reaction that still pokes it’s head to this day. It affected my brother, my teammates, opponents in that match, the rest of my family, the game and possibly the standing of our country in the eyes of the rest of the cricketing world.
Sustain one’s poise
It is always an honour to represent the country: it is a huge privilege to be invited to be the captain. Along with that privilege comes great responsibility. The Australian captain is scrutinised more than almost anyone else in this country, because sport, especially cricket, has been an integral part of the fabric of our community for 143 years.
We are rightly proud of our sporting success during that time, but with that comes a requirement to set and maintain high standards.
Yes, my long and painful recounting of the above history lesson has a point:
The captain is expected to uphold the highest standards, through his actions and restraint even under extreme pressure.
I failed to do this 40 years ago and I urge you to bear this in mind for the future.
The events of the last Test match must have been frustrating, and the pressure of back-to-back Test matches is more challenging than any other sport demands of its participants. It is important to sustain one’s poise and perspective at all times.
Apart from anything else, our actions on the field have an impact on the actions off the field. Cricket grounds are “sacred” spaces in my opinion, so how the team behaves will set the standard for how patrons behave. If the field is turned into a cauldron, then spectators will feel that they have the right to be boorish, as well.
It is incumbent on the hosts to ensure that visiting teams are shown respect. If it is permissible for players to disrespectfully engage with their opponents, then the public will feel that it is acceptable for them to join in. If the players show their best side, it is more likely that the spectators will follow suit.
Some by-play and back-chat has always been part of the game, but one thing that has increased in the modern era is the targeting of select opposition players for constant chatter or banter.
What happens at the highest level has a cascading effect to lower levels. As the Australian captain, you have a responsibility to the wider game for setting satisfactory standards of behaviour.
The best teams that I played with and against did not use their mouths as weapons. They showed by their actions that they were there to play and would apply pressure by doing the basics of the game better, for longer, than their opponent. In fact, the teams that chatted the most, were usually the ones most prone to collapse under concerted pressure.
Abuse is not acceptable in any workplace and talk, in my opinion, is cheap. It does not show one’s strength. Rather, it displays a weakness of character.
I urge you to impress on the team to let the bat and ball do the talking and set better examples to millions of impressionable little boys and girls, lest they start imitating the worst instincts and actions of their sporting heroes.
This will be the greatest legacy that you can leave.
You have led Australia with flair, courage and humour and have contributed immensely in rebuilding the image of Australian cricket following the events in Cape Town, three years ago. I urge you to keep leading in the way that you have been, since taking over the captaincy.
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I would hate one bad day to undo all of the good work that you and your team have done.
Your mea culpa and promise to do better after Sydney is a step in the right direction. It shows contrition and a resolve to get things back on track. I have no doubt that you have a year or two of good cricket left in you, and detractors who are piling on right now, should judge you in time, and not on the basis of one mad afternoon.
Best wishes for the Brisbane Test.
Kind regards,
Greg Chappell
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