There has been a lot of talk in the press this week about fairness in sport and specifically about playing cricket in accordance with “the spirit of the game”. These days professional sport is big business and players are under unbelievable pressure to perform. Human nature being what it is, many players now break, bend or otherwise distort the rules, so much so that it is quite clear that nothing matters save for the result. Winning is everything.
Imagine a game of top flight football where on the last game of the season only a win will seal the league title for the title-chasing team. They are 1-0 up with five minutes to go, the opposing centre forward shoots at goal and though the goalkeeper “saves” the ball it is six inches over the line by the time he gets his hands on it. The goalkeeper knows that it is a goal but none of the officials had a clear view and the goal is not awarded. Does the keeper stand up and say “Actually, the ball crossed the line. It was a goal”. Of course he doesn’t. What would his team mates say? What would you, as a supporter say? Does that make him a cheat? Probably.
The reality is that the stakes are now too high for players to be trusted to police themselves and their honesty cannot be relied upon. However, there is now widespread technology available and it must be used – in every professional sport without exception. Forget about gentlemen and the spirit of the game. Sad though it may be, times have changed and changed forever.
Common Sense 