This is just the Aussie way

They always play this way. Always have, always will. What matters is winning, nothing else. The Aussie team won't see the victory as "tarnished", neither will their supporters. You do whatever you can to win. Whether its devious, sneaky, underhand....these concepts are irrelevant. I think the Aussies are genuinely baffled by the reaction of some because they just don't understand why these things matter. If the laws allow it, its fine. Otherwise change the laws.

What we have to do is decide whether we are willing to do the same, or not. I mean, to a degree, all teams do stuff a bit like this these days, appealing for things you know probably aren't out. It is arguably a question of degree. FWIW I dont think either the de Grandhomme or Labuscahgne are remotely similar to Carey/Bairstow. Entirely different events with clearly different circumstances. Batters not walking when they (arguably) know they've hit it (c.f. Broad in Australia, which they are clearly still outraged by).....that's a bit more morally questionable.

What's clear is that the Aussies push things more and more often and more completely than most sides. Because they want to win, and winning is all that matters to them. And let's be honest, as a result of bringing that attitude to all aspects of their game, they often do win.

Maybe the time has come for us to take the gloves off too when we play Australia. Are we willing to match them in areas like this? If not, we will continue to see moments like this crop up, although they do seem pretty rare. (I see much less need to do so when we play other nations. For now at least. But the time is probably fast approaching when cricket will be played like football, i.e. to maximise every conceivable advantage.)

Posted By: Under soil heating on July 3rd 2023 at 11:53:00

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