C_C
International Captain
I am actually not generalising or even presenting a first person opinion- I am just informing the person i quoted (and others with similar sentiments) the only logical option left in forming the conclusion. Ie, if his/her idea on 'most' of the aussie fans is true, then 'most' of these Aussie fans would be the least educated and most pigheaded in matters of cricket amongst all cricket fans.[Well this thread has certainly got the sweeping generalisation meter going off the scale. Why even the very thread topic kicks off with one.
Besides, 'contemplation' is not the same as 'acceptance'.
As a personal policy, if the matter is not criminal, i cannot criticise someone for acting in a way i'd have in similar circumstances.It was his attitude in declaring that he would never tour Australia again because the fans didn't show him respect that coloured my opinion. At the time, I saw that as a sign of a player who saw himself as being bigger than the game and more important than his team. So the crowds called 'No ball' when he bowled? Please...he is a professional sports person. What the crowds say to him should be irrelevant. Crowds say all sorts of things (I've heard some doozies). And calling 'No ball' is NOT rascist. Rascism doesn't even enter into it. If he was being racially abused, then it might be different but I don't believe he ever complained about that (not that it may not have occurred - we seem to be breeding a redneck element in Australia at the moment).
In my perspective, cricket (as is any form of sport) is entertainment first and foremost.
Ie, the players are playing to entertain- that objective by itself may encompass winning and agression but by itself is singularly the most important reason for existance of sports as an international franchise. As far as i am concerned, the audience-be it at a theatre or an opera or in a stadium- each and every one of them,regardless of their rank or position in society- is priviledged to see the masters perform. If the public does not have appreciation(an early warning for potential pedantics: i am not speaking in terms of 1 or 2 or even a dozen fans-but entire sections of the stadium) then the master owes it to himself/herself and the art itself not to perform.
I dont think you will see Barishnikov ballet in a chorus of boos or Pavarotti sing over hootings. They'd stomp off the stage and quite rightly so.
The audience must always realise its position- below that of the master and not on the same level- if they were, then they belong in the spotlight with the masters. And if they arnt, they should feel previledged enough to have the opportunity to see a master perform in person. Not only do i not disagree with Murali's 'i shall not tour OZ again' comments, i fully endorse them.
Amidst ultra-commercialisation of sports and blind wooing of the public for the cash revenue they collectively bring, the elavated position of the performers and the extremely priviledged and 'something to be grateful for' station of the audience has been forgotten.
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