England and India too full of beans?
No wonder Marcus Trescothick didn’t want to return to international cricket just yet judging by the antics out in the middle during the second Test between England and India.
You don’t want to be fragile in any way if you’re going to have to deal with shoulder barging, vitriolic verbal assaults and most ludicrously of all, the throwing of jelly beans onto the crease by the close fielders.
Perhaps Tresco would have been tickled by the jelly beans if he was the batsman, possibly stooping down to pick one up, eating it, and saying thank you very much to the opposition.
Mike Gatting certainly wouldn’t have missed out on an early appetiser before tea.
However India’s Zaheer Khan was not amused. Paul Collingwood laughed it all off, saying Khan must have preferred the blue ones to the pink. Zaheer himself felt it was disrespectful and insulting.
So at what point does banter become a slur? When does a childish joke become an affront? Timing is everything in comedy, and in the case of the jelly beans, the joke went on too long. The Preamble to the Laws says it is against the Spirit of the Game to seek to distract an opponent (perhaps MCC will seek to add ‘with jelly beans or other candy’).
Respect for your opponents is also integral and the danger is that one person’s quip can soon become another person’s aspersion.
It’s one reason why there is so much trouble with racism in the wider world and the same debate can be applied here: is a comment or action only offensive when it is intended to insult? Or simply when the subject takes umbrage?
If Zaheer Khan felt disrespected by the incident, his concerns should be taken seriously.
The view of most current players tends to be that ‘mental disintegration’ (as Steve Waugh termed it) is part and parcel of the game, that international cricket is a tough sport and if you can’t stand the heat then you know where to go.
When it comes to verbals, clever jibes are one thing, but we have also seen an unusually lengthy barrage of swear words spitting out of bowlers mouths in this Test.
Aggression is one thing, but this is ugly and inane, and sets a bad example to youngsters who don’t need a degree in lip-reading to fathom what is going on.
On the other hand, physical contact is plain as day, and Sree Santh’s shoulder barge on Michael Vaughan was totally unnecessary, unacceptable, and has been rightly punished.
His yard-long no ball was also outrageous and it is implausible that a professional could get it so wrong by accident.
The upshot of candy-gate is that one jelly bean would have been amusing, but there is always a point at which to stop and get on with the game.
If the aim was simply to distract the batsman then England must have thought they had won when Zaheer lost his rag and brandished his bat towards Kevin Pietersen.
Little did they know what was to come when he took the ball in his hand. A five-for later and India had their sweet revenge.
I read these remarks with interest.
Complain about this postI was at trent Bridge on Saturday and to be honest I did feel behaviour of novices like Anderson and tremlett was childish, when they werer bowling to Sachin and ganguli.These are truly one of the most successful batsman of the present era, scoring against all the teams in the world which have better bowling attack as well. They should grow up. Kevin peterson is good but he himself does not like to be at receiving end.
Fair comment as a whole.
Complain about this postI do hope that you will show same enthusiasm when critising any of OUR ballers shoulder barges opponent batters.
Are you saying that Anderson and Tremlett's behaviour was childish only because Tendulkar and Ganguly were successful batsmen? Would it be okay if they did the same thing to a pair of debutantes?
Complain about this postperhaps england should show more of cricket rather than using negative tactics or bullying players remember it all started when khan walked into bat provoked by players and india replied in a similar fashion but with more of a cricket skills, england players should raise their game in gentle way rather than behaving like school kids.
Complain about this postIndia deserve to win after English team resolved to juvenile jelly bean throwing tactics. Sree Santh got what he deserved for his aggressive and childish behaviour. Now it is for Peterson and co to admit to their juvenile behaviour and come clean. Best team won on the day and lets not forget that.
Complain about this postI totally disagree with the whole sledging thing, this is cricket not baseball or any other rowdy sport. Their is heritage and history in cricket and morals that have travelled the world. We in England used to give the world class and manners, now unfortunately all we give is Jade Goody and the Indians give us Shilpa Shetty. Lets hope our lads dont embarass us again!
Complain about this postHere is the latest buzz floatin' around in Chicago Cricketing Circles:
Tom: Hey Dick, wana play guess-the-word?
Complain about this postDick:O' yeah!
Tom: Diaper?
Dick: (thinks a bit and) NASA....???
Tom:You've got it man..your turn.
Dick: (hmmm....) jelly beans..?
A third guy, Harry, who's on his way to the oval jumps up and down: English Cricket! English Cricket!
India-1 ENGLAND-0
I watched every ball of this exciting test match and boy didnt the Indians play one hellava match!Kevin Peterson/Matt Prior and Ian Bell/Cook please pick up a book on BASIC MANNERS AND ETTIQUITE on your way back to the Hotel.Its very upseting seeing such behaviour and trust me, these guys have lost a fair amount of fans around the world for their supposedly"harmless pranks".Well done Zaheer,Team India.
Whos the Jelly bean now mate??
Complain about this postWhat I cannot believe is that the close England fielders have not been punished in any way when the barge on Vaughn is deemed to be worthy of 50% of a match fee.
Both actions have no place in cricket but I would say that a rash bit of agression is preferable to multiple events of childish antics (I would admonish a 4 year old for the same idiotic behaviour) designed specifically to put off an opponent - in my book this is cheating.
Complain about this postI am quite suprised that a cricketing nation like England had to resort to tactics like throwing jelly beans on the wicket to distract players like Khan to get him out.
Complain about this postCome on English cricketers play the game as it meant to be played like gentleman so that supporters like us can enjioy the true spirit of the game.
Thank you
The above comments about childish behaviour, abuse and swearing by bowlers (on both sides, as far as I could tell from TV), taken with Geoff Boycott's remarks elsewhere on this website against the whole practice of sledging, should make players, commentators and administrators stop and take a good long look at the way the game is played at Test level today and what kind of example is being set for young people, and people in general. Some of the squaring up to opponents seen during this match would be punishable on a football field. Do we really want to go down the road of cautions and sending-offs? As you say, respect for opponents is vital to the way cricket is played. Test cricket is not 'cricket' any more.
Complain about this posta lil surprising to see the immature behavour from the players ... jelly beans n shoulder shacking guess everybody needs to grow up.may be a lil cross culture training is essential :)
Complain about this postInteresting one this jellybean issue. If one of the said jellybeans was thrown directly onto the batting surface, possible even on a good length, would that not be tantamount to tampering with the pitch? If so, should the player/players involved face lengthy bans for such behaviour, just as the likes of Shahid Afridi have received in the past? Any thoughts?
Complain about this postWell, talk less of the shoulder-barge. We have seen that before. Talk more of the jelly beans - that's so freakish and childish. Grow up Vaughan and Co.
Complain about this postOr get back to kindergarden if you just can take defeat.
Complain about this postCome on - beamers can happen by mistake and and immediate apology should be respected. there was instances shoib akthar throw beamers and not even bothered for an apology. defenitely shoulder barge was too much and rightly chrged.. :)
its all good and well Punishing a shoulder barge, but its okay to laugh of jelly beans that another player finds disrespectful,
Complain about this postWhat is candy?
Complain about this postWell, apart from the incorrectness of throwing jelly-beans by the England slip cordon, they certainly felt the heat when Zaheer let it rip past all of them, save Pieterson, in the 2nd innings : revenge complete !
Complain about this postTo p Chaturvedi, I trust you will similarly implore "novice" Sreesanth to also "grow up". His constant chatter at the end of every delivery regardless of its quality was as childish as anything else that went on during the Test.
Complain about this postPlayers throwing jelly beans should also be penalized if Sree santh is fined for physical contact.
Zaheer Khan did the right thing.
finally, english players are successfully copying Australians in sledging if not playing cricket. way to go Vaughan!!
Vinay
Complain about this postIt is absolutely outrageous that England would use such attempts to undermine the spirit of which the game should have been played. One person's humour is another's misery, and the English fielders must have known that the jelly beans were not taken as a joke, and they should have stopped at the first one; but they didn't. I hope the umpires examine the footage and punish all parties involved, just as Sreesanth was (rightfully).
Complain about this postWhy isn't anyone talking about the beamer to KP? He was out the next over. Surely that is an example of gaining an unfair advantage through foul play?
Jelly beans won't decapitate somebody after all...
Complain about this postIn a recent Test Match Special (the Lords test I believe) I distinctly remember Geoff Boycott ranting about how bad an idea it is to upset fast bowlers...
I guess some of the youngsters on the England side just found out why!
on a more serious note I really hope the match referee deals with all of this firmly. I live in America and I'd be mortified if instead of witty banter, artful sledging and the occasional practical joke cricket began to resemble baseball with all it's swearing, posturing and arguing with refs.
The attitude of sportsmanship is something which sets cricket apart and it would be a sad day if we lost that.
Complain about this postGwilliams...
The barge on Vaughan is quite clearly a punishable offence in cricket as it says in the rules that cricket is a none contact sport, so therefore easy for the match referee to judge on..
Jelly Beans, it is childish, but if you are close in around the bat and can see that something you are doing is annoying the batsmen then you keep trying it... Fair enough they went too far... but Jelly Beans are nice!!
Complain about this postWell put Ms. Mitchell
This sport can do better without such incidents on a whole. It does get it plenty of publicity; I'm just not sure if this kind of negative publicity is worth it.
At the end of the day, each player must question themselves and ask if their conduct throughout the day has been legitimate. This introspection must be carried keeping in mind the global audience that it watching them, especially youth all over the world which would like nothing but to emulate their favorite cricket players.
Complain about this postWell, we are all talking about Indian ballers running through the crease, shoulder pushing etc - Are you telling me that England has never done this!
You only accuse or blame other people if your own corner is clean.
I am sure given the oppertunity england would have done the same (remember Sidebottom swearing and walking on the pitch - was that acceptable!)
Accept that we are not good looser. All credit to Indian Batters & Ballers - they have done a good job.
Sri Santh is young and new to cricket arena. Given time he will learn the trade and may be become another Andre Nel - rather then saying anything he will scare batsmen of his stare, rib breaking, GOOD acceptable and well directed bouncers.
Good luck India.
Complain about this postIt would have been interesting to see what would have happened if an Indian batsman was bowled by a ball that hit a jelly bean on the pitch.
Complain about this postI think the governing body have to come down hard on "non-sporting" behaviour rather than sit on the fence like they usually do.
Taking sledging, beamers, verbals, descent, throwing things onto the wicket (which to me is a kin to tampering with the pitch), it should be cut out full stop. The umpires should be able to impose a "yellow" card, then "red" card system. The first would act as an official warning, and the second "you're off" and cannot take part in the rest of the match, effectively down to ten men and an automatic one match ban.
As for deliberate physical contact, an automatic red card.
At the moment, a match referee reviews conducts of players, applies a breach level and then issues a penalty. It is too subjective. Time and time again we have seen it does not work, some offences go unpunished or there is inconsistency in the application of the penalties.
Complain about this postInteresting report. Am i the only person who finds this behaviour upsetting ? not because I believe it is disrespectful or insulting to the batsmen involved, rather because I see it as yet another example of english sportsmen being distracted from their goal ... to WIN.
Complain about this postAs an english sports fan , i am fed up with our media having to fill their sports reports with this sort of information due to the distinct lack of sporting achievements. Perhaps if our sporting represensatives where a little more focused on their performance. We might all have something positive to report .. roll on 2012
This "jellybeans" business, fiasco, sickens me.
Any merits in this particular game -ie the England batting & bowling - are totally nullified by some pathetic attempts by England to demonstrate their "hostility" & attempts to show aggression.
These examples are only worthy of school playground play.
Can't we show our ability to play international cricket against good teams, without resorting to
continous bellowing / from a "mouthy" wicketk-eeper ?
This non-stop sledging from the keeper & others close to the batsman is frankly over the top. For goodness sake, let's stop this crap & start to play cricket - at Test Match level.... !!
If this be the modern "professionalism" -then so be it ... here in England ...
But if this current abuse & so-called "toughness"
displayed by England bowlers & batsmen is to be taken seriously, then they should start winning matches.....
Sorry, the Aussies are way ahead. Way ahead...
But they have class ............
From numbers 1 - 11
+++++++++++++++
England don't. ( have class ... 1 - 11)
Wake up, everbody !!!
Way to go .....
Peter - Bexley / Winchester
Complain about this postBoth teams require far more decency. Specifically England players should learn 1000 fold.
Complain about this postI have read too many reports that mentions the jelly bean incident as childish humour. That is rubbish. The English fielders intentionally altered the state of the wicket and that amounts to cheating. If Zaheer had not cleared the wicket, would that not have been tampering if the ball had hit the jelly beans and deviated? Tampering with ball = cheating, tampering with the wicket = cheating. Funny thing is double standards.
Complain about this postThe reason Boycott didn't suffer from any sledging was that most of the fielding side fell asleep about five minutes into his innings, as did most of the crowd
Complain about this post"it is implausible that a professional could get it so wrong by accident."
I also think it would be implausible for a bowler to bowl a wide that is caught at second slip, especially for the first ball of a test series. Oh hang on... These guys are professional but they are also human, mistakes do happen, and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Complain about this postI doubt your article would be so light hearted if the England team had been distracted by Jelly Beans.
Complain about this postWhen considering what is acceptable behaviour on the cricket pitch, then parity with other sports, seems to me, to be worth thinking about. As a previous comment reminds us swearing is not tolerated in football, and John McInroe's famous words at Wimbledon that earned him condemnation, were much milder too.
Complain about this postI am very saddened to see England descend in their sportmanship, no matter what provacation. I do not think Gary Linnaker or Tim Henman would have done so.
What is the point of showing Pietersen's face next to the "candy-gate" headline? What exactly did he do wrong?
I think there is slightly too much "high and mighty" criticism" of the England players.
How do you think youngsters would feel seeing Khan brandishing his bat at the England fielders? Or seeing a bowler purposefully try to decapitate a batsman, or shoulder barge the opposing captain?
Verbal jousts are part of the game. You need to wake up and smell the coffee here. This isn't 22 vicars playing on a village green, it is tough out there - so how about letting the players get on with it. Why be so quick to condemn England, when the best team in the world, Australia, are past masters at it.
The typical journalistic tendency in this country is a self critical holier than though "we will rise above all of this and never try to seek an adge on an opponent...blah blah...WG Grace....blah blah".
With this attitude, why do you think we under achieve so badly in all international sports when our own journalists come down so hard on any attempt to seek an advantage on the other team. There is no way journos from other countries, at ANY sport would do the same.
Welcome to the real world - this is how cricket is played
Complain about this postEngland need more Jelly-Bean practice!!
Complain about this postI wonder what would have been reaction of English media if this was done in India by the Indian players!!
Smile all Indian team supporters!
This test was won against Eleven English "Juvenile" Jelly bean throwers (cricketers!! ooops!) + Simon Touffel !
Forgot about Sidebottom's Sledging? I think you should show same kind of enthusiasm to criticise English Players in near future.
Complain about this postWhen Vaughan clearly edged before reaching 50 and refused to walk, isnt that cheating? True the umpires couldnt tell for sure but as captain does he not have a sense of responsibility to play fair? In fact he was out twice in his 'magnificent century' knock and was lucky to escape. What kind of example does that set in front of the whole world. Cricketing world needs to wake up and decide which path it wants to take ... win at all costs (including lying, cheating and abusing) or play with some dignity, self-respect and style.
And he also says the jelly beans were left around during the drinks break (on the pitch?), now seriously .... the lies ...shameful
Complain about this postEngland's sledging and general aggression have been childish and counterproductive, and I hope they're quickly put to bed. I'm saddened and astonished, though, by the number of one-eyed Indians who are defending or justifying Sreesanth's actions. He bowled a bouncer on an *enormous* no-ball as well as a beamer, and his apology for the latter should be taken with a pinch of salt in the light of his bouncer. On top of that, he very deliberately walked straight into Vaughan in an attempt to rough him up.
Outside the laws of the game, an attempt to unsettle a batsman mentally is on the margins of legality, but attempting to unsettle him physically (successfully, it seems, it Pieterson's case) is most definitely deserving of punishment. Some of what happened yesterday verged on assault. I believe some of England's actions crossed the line, but Sreesanth's took a running jump over it. I'm only glad he stopped short of Roy Gilchrist-like lunacy.
Complain about this postOnce again, with nothing particularly worthwhile to report, the media has made a mountain out of a mole hill.
Here are the simple facts, sledging occurs in kids cricket, in senior cricket (friendly and league) and its happens in international cricket. If you can't hack it don't play, simple as that...
As for jelly beans Khan was distracted by something a centimetre by half centimetre in size? why? everyone knows Englands bowlers aren't even remotely capable of landing a cricket ball that accurately! Furthermore if he was annoyed by the first one he found and showed it even slightly then it was ineivtable that he would find more, 'mental disintergration' only works if those targetted allow it too... thus the simple answer is ignore it.
Complain about this postAgree with P-belly, the jelly bean stuff wasn't trivial but a serious breach of the laws and spirit of the game. Tampering with the pitch is the correct term and it should be punished just as harshly as ball tampering (remember pakistan?). I can't believe that the BBC should choose to trivialise that incident - "one jelly bean would have been amusing"? No way.
Complain about this postThis is why I often stick up for the opposition up against England in any sport; as a nation we are thuggish, lacking in humility and have a strutting superiority complex. On top of that we are brainless: If we can't outthink them, lets just get childish. To be able to get under a player's skin, you first have to know them. If you get that wrong, you just end up firing them up. Ignoring someone when they expect to be sledged is the best form of mental disintegration. Dominating them in the form of runs and wickets is even better (Strauss, Bell, Collingwood etc... take note).
Complain about this postone of the things that got Me closer to English cricket has been the way they play their cricket. Cricket had its beginning in England, and all throughout, it has been a sport played in the right spirit . the art of Sledging has been an australian contribution to the game!. English foot ball has this tendicy, but never in English cricket!. a bit of give and take is OK, but within the spirit of the game!. so Michael Vaughan keep Your boys in check, and don't really hurt Your fans with such nonsensical behavior!!!!!.
India in general played the game much within the spirit of the game, and people like Rahul dravid really represent the real spirit of cricket!. and it is extremely surprising to see Rahul permiting such idiots like Sreesanth to really bring the game down to such lower levels. he should have been banned from the next match!.
Complain about this postLet the teams sledge one another as much as they want (if you can even call it sledging).The fact remains that both India and England are third rate teams who would be thrashed by any 11 the Australians put out ( I am no Australian fan) and surely that is more important that jelly beans and bouncers.
Complain about this posti agree shoulder barging was not the way to go but i am sure the beamer was not intentional. as an indian fan it was great to see the indians being aggressive on the field and sledging back. the indian players of the past were too gentle and friendly even when confronted with rowdy behaviour but the younger players hit back and hit back hard and i absolutely love it!
Complain about this postTime for light trivia:
One main reason why English cricket team lost 5-0 to Australia ?
Complain about this postAnswer- they ran out off "Jelly - Beans" !!
Typical racist article from British Press. What else can we expect from you folks.
Complain about this postThe test match was of high quality and both the teams were competing well. Notably Zaheer's stupendous spell, Vaughan's classy batting in the second innings is really a treat to watch. But the behaviour of Sreesanth, Prior, Pieterson is unacceptable in cricket. At one stage Sreesanth looked very deperate, out of focus. He started behaving like Andrew Nel of SA. The jelly incident shows that a team like England can stoop to a new low reflects that there is a dearth in the quality players. Will they dare to do the same thing with Australia? They will get thrashed by ruthless Australians. Their record against Australia speaks volume of that.
Complain about this postIndia deserved to win this match, no doubt about that, so congratulations to them.
One thing I would say is that I am yet to see any footage or evidence that jelly beans were actually thrown, and Vaughan claims that his players did not throw any. There is a picture of one on the ground, but no evidence that is wasn't just dropped, or that the throws were persistant. If this is proved to be the case, I would be very disappointed in the England team, and would say that they deserve to be punished, but I'd really like to believe that this isn't true!
Complain about this postHeading Contest :-
I got one...
England tried every arsenal in their disposal including “JELLYBEANS” to save the 2nd test against India.
Complain about this postThe English gave us the game. It is time for the English to show how to play it in a gentlemanly fashion instead of mimicking the antics of the Aussies and thus enshrining Waugh and his dubious logic.
Complain about this postWould be quite interesting in watching English play similar kind of cricket against Aussies, the result would be same of course. India did the right thing in returning abuses with abuses, but what Kevin forgot and Zaheer remembered was you got to perform after all that happens. It would be harsh on Indian to term English batsman behavior as candid, they rather behaved like wild idiots out there. There are limits to sledging, if you term Sreesanth behavior as kiddish, he was atleast brave enough to accept what he did with pride, thats what sledging is all about.
Complain about this postLessons for Kevin include, you are a elegant and wonderful batsman, how about being human ?
The shoulder-barge was one thing - intimidation gone too far - and 50% of Sree's match-fee was suitable punishment.
The deliberate no-ball - last time I recall seeing it was some Pakistani idiot trying to pin Devon Malcolm - is damn close to cheating, warrants a stronger punishment. It's beyond "intimidation gone too far" but not quite at the level of cheating, so I don't know where the ICC come out on this but they ought to have a sanction (eg, suspended one-match ban)
The jelly beans on the pitch is deserving of a ban - this is not sledging or intimidation, it no different from speaking at a batman while the bowler is delivering, and it is cheating. If Pietersen and friends were throwing beans on the pitch, they should be fined and banned.
I feel sorry for Vaughn however, because as captain he'll take the rap from the ICC for not controlling his players. Hopefully certain team-mates will be man enough to take responsibility for what they did, because it was pathetic and blatantly unsporting.
Complain about this postI would like to commend the Indian team for a fantastic display and they were well deserved winners.I agree with all the comments below re juvenile behaviour. England should concentate on playing cricket not mind games. What I would like to say to those gloating is that were it not for the weather it would be 1-1 and even in this teat they had the better of the conditions.
Complain about this postMental disintegration as an excuse for insulting and degrading your opponent has gone on for too long in this game. We want to watch good cricket hard fought but fair. The attitude of the administration in this regard is found lacking. Penalizing overt physical actions and ignoring verbal abuse that leads up to it is short sighted and will never bring about the desired results.
Complain about this postCollingwood's remark about the pink & blue beans is rude. Have you noticed that whenever non-White people dont find the 'jokes' played on them funny, they are accused of not having a sense of humour? Its sad.
Complain about this postSome of you lot could do with a sense of humour
At the end of the day, did it make any difference at all? Sport is meant to be fun, have a good time, if someone threw a jellybean towards me when I was batting I'd laugh it off, because it's quite funny, its hardly a hanging offence
Complain about this postWhen they drop Anderson say it was his behaviour and at least try and set low standards.
Pathetically insulting opponents should be banned. The moment it starts the umpires should have the power to order someone off the field for 20 over till end of the match depending on the offense.
There is no need for it. It is for babies. Even the so called clever insults are cheap.
Complain about this postWithout playing the race card (its been beaten to a pulp in many circles), I think there's been and continues to be a double standard in cricketing circles when it comes to sledging. It is sometimes painfully obvious that the boundaries for 'western' cricketing nations are a lot wider and limits a lot less stingently enforced. If it werea cricketer from the subcontinent describing sledging as 'mental disintegration', disrespect would have a whole new meaning. But, from Ponting...they are sometimes taken as words of wisdom. I agree with Ponting, that one should be tough in the competetive world of cricket...but, then, by that token, be prepared to take it in the chin as readily as you are to dole it out. Sometimes it may hurt a lot, particularly now that one sees retaliation (verbal or otherwise) from all corners of the cricketing world...brown skin or white. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments about things going too far with the jelly beans...one never knows where or when that line is crossed...its one thing to intimidate and another to insult. Credit goes to Zaheer for letting the ball do the talking. The perps and the 'victims' can all learn from this. Cricket is a game that's played on the field with the bat and the ball...leave the frills and crap for another venue (particularly when you tout the country to be the birthplace of the game). Its insulting to all of us when one has to stoop so low. They come across as fools with not a lick of credibility in the sport. BTW, I'll repeat...it sucks when you have to take it on the chin!
Complain about this postRemember Shewag was suspended for a match for excessive appealing. It was nothing as compared to what the English players were doing in this match. It only happens to players from the sub continent to remind them of the colonial legacy. The Jelly beans if they contain any pork gellatine can have serious religious connotations. A Vaughan has the audacity to lie when Colly says probably Zaheer likes Blue ones.
Complain about this postThe English players will not be punished because all the media experts call that getting under the skin and adding to the intensity. The same thing repeated by an Indian player will be branded as over the top. How many times have we seen Sidebottom using the choicest of expletives and nobody panned his actions. Very biased reporting ................
Cricket which is a England's own game is supposed to be a gentleman's game, or so they claim.
The two Test matches against India, prove how much of a gentleman are these English people, no more than their step-brothers in Australia.
It is delight to see the English beaten in their own game, on their own ground.
Such disgusting tactics by people claiming to be the most mannerly ones, they instigated India, and they paid for it.
Complain about this postI understand this from both sides. If Zaheer Khan felt 'disrespected' then that is a shame given that (in my opinion) there was no intention to insult.
However, that does not mean that the throwing of Jelly Beans, runner beans, any other foodstuff or any other object for that matter should be condoned.
The key is for the players of both sides to understand that respect between players of a sport at inernational levels is almost (and I mean almost) automatic.
Where that is not the case is with players like Sreesanth who has only played 10 test matches and yet feels capable of shoulder charging the England captain. That demonstrates a lack of respect from him towards England (as by targeting the Captain, he is aiming his insult at the whole team and arguably even the country) and prevents him from earning any respect in the process. The subsequent beamer didn't help either.
That said, sledging and the things that go with it are a part of cricket now. They've been going on long enough to be an integral part of the gme and although certain players don't like it, they must learn to put up with it. If they react, that only spurs the sledgers on.
Zaheer Khan, as a relatively senior player, should have been able to deal with the situation without running to the umpire like a child saying mummy mummy he's throwing things at me. Nobody likes a tattle-tale and in the end you just make yourself a target. England know that they can get under his skin now. At Trent Bridge he bowled well following Bean-Gate. The pitch was green and the ball was swinging around and the breeze only helped. It might not be the same story at The Oval, but you can be sure that when he gets out there to bat he's going to get some stick. Or mybe bean...
Complain about this postBeautifully written Alison! Reading this convinces me we need to have more female journalists in cricket - there definetely is space for it. The way Alison wrote this article is an example to how a third party should be writing an article ignoring which team they support. You for sure can give Gilo a lesson here.
English seems to be obssessed in trying to be 'Aussie Style' and play hard cricket. Dont forget this is an English sport, we defined the spirt of it and how it should be played! Theres a reason to it being called a game of gentleman! And if we wantto change our ways and play 'hard' - tell me how did England gained anythng out of it in this match? All it did was inspire Zaheer to produce match winning spell. Lets be clever not silly! Be ourselves for once and let the Aussies be what they are, lets not get draged into the way they play, we play and take pride in the way English play the game. I am not saying dont show the passion and patriotism of how much you want your team to win, but dont bend the sprit of this beautifull game.
No doubt both teams crossed the line in this match and its not the way it should be played. Sreesanths fine is totally justifiable as his actions were just not right and I think KP needs to stop getting involved with every incident that seems to happen, talk less do the job mate.
Though reading this article was a breath of fresh air. Atleast some people still know how this sport should be played.
You have a new fan in me Alison, and I am sure I am just one of many new ones. Again, well written!
Complain about this postHey alison i think yuor overall message in the article is really good and something i agree to.
However, i would just like to ask, when has india ever done something like this during the test- i agree it was ugly at times- however, india only give what they have been getting and a bit more if anything.
Indian team is known as 'too nice' and rightly so because we never start sledging players even let alone what santh did (which i too believe was appauling and he shouldn't be in the team for Oval).
If england want to be 'hard' india will be go to the next level but in the cricketing sense (except that guy called santh who is only in for m. patel). I think cricket is changing and that too for the worse. i think if you do not bother throwing your beans during a match, then you wouldn't be getting four cherries...
Complain about this postOne thing is now 100% guaranteed. India will be deluged with jelly beans at the Oval, especially after the deliberate beamer.
Complain about this postWith all the crap that went on at during this test, guess what?
At the end of day its India 1 England 0.
Some of the England players should remove their head out of their rear end and focus on playing cricket...you may win the little meaningless "battles" on the field but you might end up losing the WAR!
Complain about this postSreesanth should learn that starring, shoulder barging, yelling sweet words won't fetch him nay wickets. It will only bring disgrace to him.
Complain about this postHi,
I think the administrators have to get a little more strict about tactics used by teams to distract a batsman's attention, be it sledging or any other means. Its going way too far and is definitely having an influence on younger players who play domestic cricket. Did the West Indian players of 70s and 80s indulge in sledging? By far, they were the greats of the game. At the end of the day, cricket is just a game and must be played in the right spirit, respecting the opponent.
Samir
Complain about this postI am not bothered even a single bit by the sledging but as Karthik pointed out, it should stop once the batsmen is ready to face the bowler.
As far as Jelly beans are concerned, with apology to Zaheer, I found it very funny and couldn't stop laughing by the antics of whoever it was fielding close.
Zaheer - Spurred on
Complain about this postSanth - Idiotic immatured
England close fielders- Childsh
Totally agree with P-Belly, abt altering the pitch which should not go unpunished.
Funny how the camera men seem to pick up every little thing but missed the fielders throwing the "beans"!
Have 2 also agree sanths behaviour was a joke, its 1 thing talking when youve just done the batsmen but to go on when ur all over the place is just too good 2 b true.
Anyway im off to get sum KP Baked Beans on toast......luv-ley
Complain about this postHere is what Prior said after day three:
"The importance of 11 people hunting together on the pitch and creating an intensity and an environment that is uncomfortable for people to bat in is very important."
What? Hunting together?
Complain about this postWould it not serve the English cause if Prior et al. devoted more time to their cricket than to 'chirping' and 'mental disintegration' tactics. At the least, such rubbish (both physical and verbal) does not belong on the pitch.
As others have rightly noted, India (with the crass exception of Sree Santh) responded with class and a well-deserved victory. Hats off to Zaheer.
Complain about this postSledging is both inappropriate and (as far as I understand from Aggers yesterday) against the rules. I am disappointed that umpires have not stepped in to stop this behavior where they encounter it. Players who openly boast about it should be penalized accordingly. It's stupid, childish and not part of the game. A team should win or lose through its batting, bowling and fielding skills, not through it's abilitity to be insulting, offensive, and foul-mouthed in the hope of distracting the opposition. Sadly, it seems the powers-that-be are happy to turn a blind eye to this schoolboy playground behavior. To cricket's loss, as far as I'm concerned.
Complain about this postwhy did the Umpire not notice the jelly bean thing going on?
Complain about this postRe.Second test.What a game inspite of bad Umpiring,sledging,banters,beamer etc.Most serious of them is Jellybeans incident which MV denies,just left there at drink time and then Gone over the line,which world is MV living or may be this is his modus operendi.Jelly beans saga is serious offense it need to be investigated by ICC & MCC,if one found guilty should be punished severely so no one dare in future.KP is very good batsman but he is egocentric & immature.S.Santh got whwat he deserve.Lastly I will suggest MV & Co. along with english fans to grow up and play cricket as gentlemen,s game.Thanks-Alam
Complain about this postThese antics are becoming utterly pathetic and destroying any interest in the game. Those involved should receive their P 45s and told to look for employment elsewhere.
Complain about this postWhen behavior like this happens as what ocurred at Trentbridge it takes out of the victory achieved by the team. I hope that the final test would be played in a great spirit
Complain about this posti totally disagree with some of these comments.....cricket ultimately is a sport and a competitive one at that....its not scrabble....if a player cannot handle jibes, he should go bk to his mothers house and wait for breast milk....the player in question zaheer khan has a long history of childish behaviour, especially on the sub continent...a largely over rated bowler, he does'nt command enuff respect on the field to make this a topical issue....the aussies are master sledgers, no one gives them any trouble....so pls zaheer needs to go bk home and cry to his mother...this is a mans world...toughen up
Complain about this postThere is a persecution complex amongst Indian players and fans that probably stems from their clashes with Australia and South Africa (where there has often been a suggestion of racial undertones). Ridiculous suggestions that Tendulkar's incorrect LBW dismissal was the sign of corruption ignore the fact that most decisions in this series have gone against England (including a MATCH-WINNING LBW last weekend).
Even in victory, the Indian fans are finding something to whinge about. You need to take a look at your own players and ask why so many of them are prima donnas with anger management difficulties -- is it because you raise them on a pedestal and idolise them?
When our fast bowlers act aggressively, it is part of a planned strategy of intimidation (a very traditional part of the fast bowler's routine). When your players act up, it seems to be something more primal than that, in the sense that it isn't just restricted to the cricket field.
Criticising Tremlett is a little bit rich when his bowling figures at least show that he has a right to back himself. Sreesanth should get in the nets and learn to bowl before he struts about like a peacock.
Complain about this postCome on guys! shoulder barging and jelly beans...this is childs play... both teams just need to forget these antics and move on to oval. india deserved the win but no arguements about the significance of the toss.
Complain about this postIndia really deserve for this brilliant vuctory... they learnt a lot from their previous test and did gud bat and bowl tooo acoording to pitch and dravid also use their bowlers wel.. on other hand badluck 4 England as they lost it due to bad performance both in bat and bowl even they r dominant in 1st test match and lost the match which they deserve it to win!
Complain about this postI think this has all got a bit out of hand to be honest. As a spectator and avid follower of cricket, this will happen in any form of cricket. Maybe not jelly beans, but in terms of "sledging" or "mental disintigration" - I believe it is part and parcel of the game whatever you call it, and I enjoy it. You look at some of the best players in the world, and they are the most competitive and often the guilty culprits of trying to distract.affect batsmen. The australians are without doubt the worst, and it is no coincedence that they are the best in the world - as well as being extremely talented, they want it more. And maybe some english players have learnt from this tactic. Lets not forget Adam Gilchrist calling Ian Bell a "scrawny little rat" on his debut Ashes. I personally love seeing it and experiencing it as a player and spectator, and I am sure Khan's 5 for, will be even more satisfying after all the events that occured. In fact I am sure he is probably sitting in the bath now, eating a bag of pink jelly beans laughing. What happens on the field is left there in any proffessional sport with all top sportsmen, and this will be no different. England probably did go too far, but only to more Indian satisfaction. A brilliant test series so far, and I wouldnt want anything to change.
Complain about this postHow can youtalk down on the fact that Pietersen tried to get into the head of Kahn
He is only saying it was disrespectful because he got out in the very near future.
what is cricket without a bit of bantar and psyching the opponent out???????????????you old folks reminiscing nostalgically on the times when no1 dare say boo to a goose. Hate to break it to you but we live in the 21st century and lets be honest KP is even english, he can be excused.
Complain about this postDid anyone actually SEE jelly beans being thrown? Was it shown on TV?
Vaughan says no-one threw anything. Is this just another case of people believing what they read without actually seeing it for themslves?
I didn't see the game so I don't know.
Complain about this postI think this has all got a bit out of hand to be honest. As a spectator and avid follower of cricket, this will happen in any form of cricket. Maybe not jelly beans, but in terms of "sledging" or "mental disintigration" - I believe it is part and parcel of the game whatever you call it, and I enjoy it. You look at some of the best players in the world, and they are the most competitive and often the guilty culprits of trying to distract.affect batsmen. The australians are without doubt the worst, and it is no coincedence that they are the best in the world - as well as being extremely talented, they want it more. And maybe some english players have learnt from this tactic. Lets not forget Adam Gilchrist calling Ian Bell a "scrawny little rat" on his debut Ashes. I personally love seeing it and experiencing it as a player and spectator, and I am sure Khan's 5 for, will be even more satisfying after all the events that occured. In fact I am sure he is probably sitting in the bath now, eating a bag of pink jelly beans laughing. What happens on the field is left there in any proffessional sport with all top sportsmen, and this will be no different. England probably did go too far, but only to more Indian satisfaction. A brilliant test series so far, and I wouldnt want anything to change.
Complain about this postNever taunt a fast bowler. England learnt their lesson alright.
Complain about this postA gentleman's game!
Complain about this postCricket is synonymous with English. Does the decline in the quality of the game reflect the same for the English; I hope not.
Anyone who saw the game and noticed the scoring will realise when and why taunts, both verbal and physical (jellybean throwing) started. Allowing frustration to result in, not petty childish, schoolboy pranks as some would like made believe, but rather in the destruction of the game, is a huge insult and disrespect to current and bygone greats who have made cricket what it is today.
The shoulder incident, I am sure was provoked, was visible and hence penalised; how could professional umpires allow physical objects to be thrown onto the alter of the game without remorse.
The after comments are not childish, but downright ignorance of the code of conduct and etiquette due the game of cricket.
yeah agree with u Ricky :)
but like Dravid rightly said in his interview after the match we like to be tough in the game in itself and i guess we have proven it well .
Match the toughness not in word spitting but in the great game !!!
Complain about this postInteresting read.
Complain about this postBoth sets of bowlers from each teams were childish.Full stop.
But this is called aggression. The funny thing is that A.Donald has coached the England bowlers to be more agressive and guess what. A certain Mr A.Donald also gave words of Advise to Sreesanth on India's last tour of S.A to be more agressive. The result is that both sets of bowlers who have aggression.
Sledging is different to what went on that pitch. Jelly-Gate has been the funniest thing since the sledging between the W.I and Aussies. Both captains know that and will have a word so hopefully next match should be a bit more relaxed...yeah right.
what with all jelly bean comments!. And what with im such gloater jsut because india won a match in england big whoop. it getting rather boring hearing all snide jellybean remarks yes proberly not very good thing to have done but surely indian batsmen should be professionals and petty things like that would not stop them making there goal hense they won so what is point harping on about it?
Complain about this postSince when did throwing jellybeans on to the pitch become a quip or part of the "mental disintegrations package"? Or is it one of those quaint english customs so that you have to downplay it by saying how Gatting and Tresco would have taken it in their stride ?
Complain about this postSreesanth's action is inexcusable and he has been rightly punished , one only hopes that throwing things on to the pitch is also viewed with some seriousness and attempts to laugh it off stopped.
What what what?
Jelly Beans? Absolutely hilarious! Didn't diminish the quality of cricket in the slightest. One of the best Test matches I've seen in years, even though we lost. Also Matt Prior calling Sree Santh Daniel Radcliffe coz of his glasses? Brilliant. Certainly put him off. Bring it on! Love it!
We all love sledging, we'd love to know what's being said out in the middle, admit it.
Complain about this postStop whining people and take off your rose tinted glasses. I think that banter or whatever u call it adds to the game. Who doesn't enjoy a good stand off be it in cricket, tennis or any other sport. I think that cricket is no longer the bastion of stodgy gents in starched shirt sleeves pottering about. I do agree that there has to be a limit but how do we police it. Racist slurs, personal comments etc should not be allowed, but we have to get real it is international cricket, if u can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Despite former players insisting that things were differnt back in their days, I don't beleive them. Denniss Lillee, Ian Botham, Javed Miandad, Harold Larwood and the likes were not exactly known for their manners but everyone remembers them for their abilities and rightly so.
Complain about this postSreesanth got what he deserved. He acted like a child and got what he deserved. Without a doubt, however Prior and KP or whoever the culprit was deserve a talking to and be cautioned. Would the English team ever listen to sledging quietly. If they cant take it they should not really be dishing it out. They act like spoilt children.
Complain about this postI see there is a bias in the comment. When KP and other team members from Eng team didi with jellybeans it was shruged of as childish but when Indian players did something it was 'rightly' punished? That shows unprofessionalism of writer. If you are commenting be unbias and write for cricket rather who did what..
Complain about this postInteresting, no one seems to notice that Vaughan has said that the jelly beans were left after a drinks break.
Complain about this postSo maybe your all moaning about something that didn't happen.
England deserved to lose as they were undone by their own mental disintergration in the face of an opponent they helped steel.
The 'spirit of the game' is not something that can be bent by sharp operators or tarnished by shabby unprofessional behaviour - it is something that rises in the face of adversity to reveal the culture and character of the players on either side of the divide.
Fredalo, stress-related injuries and the hyberbolic hysteria of much of the cricketing media underlines the failure of an old-school reactionary mindset exemplified by the weak-mindedness of jelly-bean incident.
Whether onlookers considered it offensive or either party saw insults directed in any way in the behaviour, any injury was overcome by the outcome, in accordance with the indelibility of said spirit - that by concentrating on one's own game will lead to getting your best possible result.
India did, doing it better than England - and India got a better result: India won.
Complain about this postIf the cameras can spot Atherton rubbing dirt on a ball then surly the same if not improved cameras can spot who the dreaded jelly bean thrower is.
Complain about this postThe Aussies are the masters of sledging. Is England and India learning the art from them? If so, shame on them both. Both England and India can set the example and resolve not to engage in unsporting behavior. Matt Prior, Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Zaheer Khan did what cricketers ought to do if and when opponents resort to unsporting behavior. He was determined to strike back and did by taking five English wickets.
Complain about this postCecil (California)
There is too much leniency when it comes to western cricketers. They get away with almost anything. Look at Prior
Complain about this postCollingwood, SideASS. These ppl got away clean and will be more encouraged to act like jerks in the field. I think this is something sreesanth is aware of and he knows that there is no board in the world that will question them which is why he is trying to find alternate ways to deal with them. So one thing leads to another, Now Sreesanth is fined but none of the English jerks are. Wow, this is the spirit of western cricket, Protect your own and victimize the other. Sachin Tendulkar was hit in the head many times but no one including him complained about being shaky. And now KP gets a beamer and all of a sudden he is shaken and gets the great western sympathy. What happened to his "Making Me Cross" bullcrap? Looks like all he has made himself is a pussy. I think this leniency might have even extended into the umpiring decisions too. Whats more irritating is that english fans are talking of toss factor. If thats the case then the English team were probably complete misfits for not taking advantage of the suitable conditions they had initially.
Wow, as a newcomer to cricket (only been watching a year or so), I must say it looks like grown men can be juvenile, irresponsible and downright pathetic as cricketers, just like footballers and all the rest.
Honestly, regardless of influencing the play in progress or the outcome, how do some of these guys look at themselves in the mirror? Ever listened to two 12 year olds slagging each other? The lack of wit and intelligence... thats what sledging is like. Wasn't it Imran Khan who said "You don't get good players out by sledging"... maybe he should have added "and it makes the sledger look like a prat too."
Two things need to happen. The authorities need to grow a pair and say things like "You're throwing stuff on the pitch, thats your match fee, and half your teams.", or "You, loudmouth behind the stumps, match fee and three match ban". Land some body blows, not meek admonishments. Look at the power of a rugby ref... rugby players aren't any less capable of juvenile rubbish, but there are genuine consequences for indiscipline. I'd side with the batting team, remember, its two men alone against 11 in the middle.
Also, these men need to grow up. They look ridiculous. Maybe they're happy to sacrifice credibility, but they shouldn't be. It seems to be okay to use the "he hit me first" argument. Or to laugh it all off afterwards. If it was your mate doing it in a match, you'd be telling him "lay off the verbals, you look like a plonker".
In short, everyone needs to grow up. Jelly beans on the pitch? Rubber chickens are funny too, but I wouldn't laugh if one landed in front of the crease if Anderson was firing down bouncers. The indefensible is just that... indefensible.
Have they no self-respect? Are they happy to look back at this Test match and say "I played as best I could, for myself and my country"?
Complain about this postI quite enjoy the banter and think that it makes the game more interesting. The abrasion and attrition is fascinating. It enhances the mental side of the game. I think they should broadcast the comments as they add value to the game - think of those classics like Glen McGrath to Rob Key and Fred Flintoff to Tino Best!
Complain about this postWhy is it that when the likes of your Brett Lee, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison(when he isnt behaving like a petulant schoolgirl), Allan Donald, Andrew Flintoff are allowed to show whats termed as nutural aggression and just a way of pumping them selves up, but god forbid Wasim Akram, Zaheer Khan or Murali show these same qualities ,its deemed unsportsmanlike??? when Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis used Reverse Swing, or as plenty of learned commentators termed it the "Dark Arts", all people could talk about was cheating an ball tampering, but now that Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard know how to use it ,it now a beautiful thing, I am in no way condoning what Sreesanth did as it was stupid and deserved a match ban of some form, and i will also point that I hate the way certain factions are so quick to use the "R" -word, if you dont know which one I am talkin about ,it was the one bandied about when Pakistan toured earlier in the year... but you do see a slight difference in attitudes, feel free to correct me if I am wrong. This is just what I see having been brought up in India by an English mum and Portuguese dad, and now residing in Hampshire, I love cricket in all its forms, as its was my second religion when I was growing up, I love the way the Aussies play thier cricket and wish more teams would have the guts to play the way they do, and maybe those teams would try a bit harder if attitudes in the media started to change.
Complain about this postishan
"the aussies are master sledgers, no one gives them any trouble....so pls zaheer needs to go bk home and cry to his mother...this is a mans world...toughen up"
Which is my KP is the biggest pusssy. He chickened out according to many of ur English Fans.
The english players can give it but they cannot take it. I think sreesanth should throw a couple of more beamers at these fools. Dravid needs to start throwing away his ridiculous soft attidude to the English players. Insult them while they are on the field. Gluet personal, or they will get on top of u. And most importantly forget the sprit of cricke, the english don't follow it it why should we. For once what happens in the field, save it and bring it back next day. Only a grudge against these english players can improve our focus. Show complete hatred and agression towards them just like the aussies did. Only then these fools will think twice. Like collingwood siad a little banter is good. Well I say a complete all out aggression of any form is good.
Complain about this postThere was a time when "that's not Cricket" was a figure of speech for disparaging less-than-exemplary behavior of any sort. It was the English who gave us the game and the metaphor, so it is particularly shameful that an English team would exhibit and condone such behavior.
Sree Santh behaved badly as well, and he was penalized for it. But Prior, Collingwood, Pietersen and others got off scot-free.
That's not Cricket.
Complain about this postWho cares about jelly beans and sledging?
The best team won. Zaheer Khan used it as motivation just like any top class sportsman should.
Get over it. Some of these comments are just as juvenile as England's sledging's meant to have been.
Complain about this postI lived and played my cricket in England for 18years for Barclays Bank All london banks against MCC/young pross/Cross arrow. We fought hard for a win and had some tough time with young pross like Gower /gatting/embury to name some.I now live and play in Calif.usa. I pay $299.a year to watch cricket. I am totally
Complain about this postamused from both India/England behavior in the current test match. All I can say is this guys are paid too much for how they perform. More
excuse then talent. I bet Boycott must be pissed.
For future not only I but some of my friends will think twice before we pay $299. and put up with sleepless night. I think your commets are great and I hope these idiot from both teams read them.
I saw my first Test Match in 1968 when England were struggling to save a game against West Indies at Bourda. Cowdrey, Knott and others resorted to "pad cricket" against Gibbs, and this resulted in the LBW Law being changed. Cricket was then a gentleman's game. There wwas nothing called "sledging", and the field of play was a very friendly atmosphere. Ask anyone who played in those days.
Steve Waugh's theory of "mental disintegration" is bull crap. For too long the impotent ICC has allowed the noble game of cricket to get out of hand. Players receive a pat on their wrist for behaviour that simply stinks. The Australians are the worse sledgers in the game but what happened at Trent Bridge makes the Aussies look like choir boys.
It was a totally disgraceful and disrespectful show with England being the chief culprits. They went too far by throwing jelly beans. Their vocal sledging was also totally unaccepted. Sreesant's bumping of Vaughn was treated by the Match Referee as a joke! The bloke should have been suspended for the rest of the series.
The time has come for the feeble ICC to get tough on those who behave like asses on the field. Fining players is a total waste of time. Players who infringe on the code of conduct need to be suspended for an entire series so that a message is sent that those who bring the game into disrepute .
Oh how I wish that I was a match referee. Maybe the ICC should seek my services as I am very qualified for the position. I guarantee that the game would be cleaned yp in no time!
Victor Ramphal
Complain about this postACU Qualified Umpire
Florida, USA
I agree, they do need to grow up. Did you also hear that Matt Prior had been making silly comments behind the wickets while Dinesh Karthik was batting. Comments like "Dhoni would have never played a shot like that" because he knew they are both also wiket keepers. I think this behaviour along with the throwing of jelly babies is not at all appropriate and players should be fined as was Sreeshanth for barging Micheal Vaughn. Their attitude is very childish and they should grow up and respect the game and those who have been playing it far longer than themselves. Well done Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar (unlucky with the bowling), Sourav Ganguly,Anil Kumble and the rest of the team. Keep up the good cricket!!! East or West INDIA r the BEST
Complain about this postNo wonder your article kind of sides with your siblings. Cricket is a gentleman's game and has it's roots from England. And look at the so called 'gentlemen''s behaviour !! First the english started it with 'spilling' the beans. No one said anything about what Petersen started! And the verbal barrage... probably only the (uncivilized, like someone said) aussies are the right match to the english verbal barrage... they only can retaliate the way the english deserve and give it back with a whitewash... first manners should start at home, then only we can point at others... Look at Vaughan, "we didn't throw any... they were left there during drinks time... yeah right, the english beatles were carrying them to the crease..." I wish they could find some footage, if it's not already been erased... if anything, the english team should have been penalized. They started it, and the indians answered! Of course the english have the 12th man playing for them too!!! We are all adults and should behave like one! Don't ruin the spirit of the game! Players who misbehave should be banned from the game. Then only they will learn !! Of course ICC is spineless, so...
Complain about this postCome on the Aussies will be laughing if you Indians don't like the banter then I don't fancy your chances when the Indians play the Aussies later on in the year. Just because they put jelly beans on the floor.
I admit the swearing has to stop that goes to far and the physical contact is when it is going to far. But this is going way overboard, if you can't take it what we are dishing then I worry for your mental safety when Aussies take you on later in the year. The game is a man's sport and sledging is very much part of the game. Play the game like men and realise that sledging is very much part of the sport.
Fair play to Zaheer Khan because he channeled the sledging he received the right way and used it to help India to win the game. Full credit and well done India on a deserved win.
The worrying thing is everyone now wants us to go soft. Bloody hell the Aussies will just go to town on the opposition if that is the case.
Complain about this postWhy is there such a big deal regarding the sholder barge when Sreesanth but when Anderson did it against the Windies. Both deserved to get fined but that muppet Collingwood defended him. He will never be a good captain if he cannot control his team and let them get away with things like that. he might have said a word to him in the dressing room but he should not have defended him in the press
Complain about this postthe english team are absolutely flummoxed by the left arm swing bowling coming both around and over the wicket...........their batsmen just do not know how to deal with the ball coming in from zaheer khan suddenly out of the blue. in fact, atherton commented yesterday that he had not seen anything like this (quality left arm swing) since wasim akram in the 1990s (though not at wasim's pace). plus, india had a fantastic opening partnership in this match that was better than anything the english could offer. and the poor chaps thought india had only a middle order to offer in this tour. to top it all, india is playing without coach -- remember the outcry over fletcher early this year. clearly they never bargained that the indian team would produce this quality of cricket and fight back after the lords test with only three days in between. hence, the juvenile pranks with the jellybeans, the inane excuse about losing the toss (india can say the same for the lords test where batting conditions in the first day were quite different to the rest)and the rather farcical instances of showing aggression. they are actually trying to "mentally disintegrate" a team that had mentally disintegrated steve waugh and his aussies themselves -- remember the toss at eden gardens and what happened thereafter?............
Complain about this postEngland got a drubbing from Australia and think that they have to play it tough to be the big kids on the block.
They play at sledging though , it isn't really in their hearts and it is embarrasing and degrading.
I want the gverning body to stamp this rubbish out - it is not the way I want to see cricket go - it should not be accepted we play a game that is "in your face"
This kind of behaviour in lieu of ability will just trickle its way down until on a sunday afternoon game on the village green will become a verbal and physical barrage of swearing and barging from all and sundry with the remark "well Michael Vaughan " does it.
I know cricket is chasing the money now and is happy to dumb down its product to bring in the football crowd ... but is that what we really want
The jelly beans were obvioulsy an insult to a guy who as a bowler looks a little portly (there aint no mystery to its intention)
India has maintained its dignity and not belittled itself by becoming inflamed by this rubbish
I hope they do so again if we cannot play this game with some sort of self respect for ourselves and the opposition
Complain about this postThis is meant to be a gentleman's sport! Seriously, i'm against sledging completely, whether it's witty or not. Nothing wrong with having a laugh on the field, just not when it gets insulting. Swearing is too extreme and so is physical contact. If you want to show that you mean business, bowl a jaffer, or whack them out of the ground! And jelly beans... sriosly? No wonder we got hammered by the aussies...
Complain about this postThis is nothing new in current time. Australia started it, followed by SA and now England. The sledging has become success MANTRA for cricket now a days.
The Impotent ICC is not doing anything and will not do anything becasue the aim is to make billions and no t the cricketing standard and later is the least priority for them. They can work / think on bringing stupid ( innovative for them ) rules like free hit or replacement but can not think how to bring back the game what once called gentleman game.
So why players should care for it.
Australia team is most disrespected team in the world right now and the austrlian spectators too.
Well players can motivate ICC but who wants to beat the drums.
In short i think at this point all is left up to Captain of the team to control the situation. But if cpatain it self believes in such standard like austrlian cpatains then only GOD can save this game at this time.
The umpiring and match refree has become joke now a days where every now an then there is a smell of racism of what happens on On-field.
Umpire like Steve B. should retire gracefully. Who are good for nothing.
Complain about this postInteresting you're all making assumptions about jelly bean throwing before any film footage has shown that they were thrown. The influence of the media I suspect who want a controversy.
Vaughan said that he was assured they hadn't, but that if video film around the ground showed they had, then it would be another matter; and I'm sure it will be.
If proven, it will be more of an insult to him given that he ground out such a fantastic innings....... I also understand he was off the pitch at the time of the alleged incident and Strauss was standing in.......
So don't rush to judgement too quickly!
Very well played India, and in quite a few patches, very well played England (though the batting worries me considerably).
Complain about this postVery Surpsrised that Michael Vaughan didn't see anything. Anyway if there is no video footage then we can't exactly believe anyone. I'm very pissed off with KP at the moment coz he feels he cud sledge when he get's a poor score. When he get's a 50 ora 100 then he wouldn't take anything out on anyone. I find that despiccable and to England trying to put off a TAILENDER is pretty embarrassing.
It just shows the huge difference between India's bowling and Englands. My friend's all thought that India's not good because they went out of the first round of the World cup but look what happened now..Well done India....But england deserve to win the 1st test.
Complain about this postI think that childish behaviour is the least of the worries. Shoulder Barging!!!!!
Complain about this postJelly beans were not thrown. For one, at no point in the Test has footage been shown on Sky showing this happening (rather like the situation last summer when it was no obvious no Pakistanis had tampered with the ball, but nonetheless were accused). Secondly, Vaughan has explained that they were probably left there during a drinks break, which would explain why Khan said there were many beans, yet could not name anyone who he'd seen throwing them.
Complain about this postJelly beans were not thrown. For one, at no point in the Test has footage been shown on Sky showing this happening (rather like the situation last summer when it was no obvious no Pakistanis had tampered with the ball, but nonetheless were accused). Secondly, Vaughan has explained that they were probably left there during a drinks break, which would explain why Khan said there were many beans, yet could not name anyone who he'd seen throwing them.
Also let's not forget that whilst England players may have gone too far with the cursing, the Indians were even worse with their more demonstrative tactics - e.g. Sree Santh's absurd shoulder-barging and deliberate two-foot long no-ball! England would NEVER go that far.
Complain about this postPitiful to see such pathetic childishness and poor sportsmanship. As usual no real action taken. Within five years there will be a fight on the field.
Complain about this postAs a punter who paid to watch all of this match I am getting fed up enough with the players to say that it may be the last time for me. It seems to me that they are all either cheating or trying to cheat. No-one walks any more and many cannot keep their mouths shut even in the "friendly" cricket that I play. I would like all players to be miked up and the results broadcast over the tannoy. That would show everyone the extent of their wit and humour. As for the jelly beans it seems that sugar was used in a previous ball tampering controversy so it may not be as innocent as claimed.
Complain about this postHello and thank you for all your comments.
In response to Alistair and Luke, I wrote the piece prior to Michael Vaughan's post match press conference, in which he stated that the jelly beans were left on the pitch, rather than thrown onto the wicket while Zaheer was at the crease. From Zaheer's point of view, he said after play on day 4 that a number of beans had been thrown at him while he was batting, and that even after he'd cleared the first few away, more of them were thrown onto the crease by the close fielders. So we have conflicting stories and no video evidence to prove things either way....
In response to Prem, no this incident should not be shrugged off, and I was critical of the bowlers who have displayed over-the-top verbal aggression in this Test - that includes the England bowlers. Anderson and Sidebottom in particular.
Best wishes
Complain about this postYou said it right. Totally agree with you. Both team should be ashamed of the behavior they showed through out the test.
Complain about this postWere the jelly beans bowled in the right areas? And can we look forward to the exciting new tactic being tried out on R. Ponting?
Complain about this postNowadays, you really have to come at the opposition hard. its all about mind, patience and skill in test cricket. if u saw sreesanth bowling in the second innings, he was absolutely horrible. he was bowling like a madman ,probably blinded by something in his mind. he really needs to concentrate if he is to be successful.
There's nothing wrong in playing mind games as long as its in the spirit of the game.
Complain about this postDidn't exactly work all this 'jellybean' stuff if indeed that is what happened.
Only made the Indians more motivated and pumped up.
No sport should having player rowing and throwing things at others for no reason.
Get back to the cricket lads!
It may just be 'a bit of fun' but in reality its childish and does nothing for the image of our great game.
Complain about this postWhat I found annoying about the whole incident was that Zaheer didnt complain the first time he saw the jelly beans. To repeat the prank left Zaheer with no choice. What was he expected to do .. sweep the pitch of the jelly beans after every ball. That is certainly showing lack of respect to your opposition.
Its not like I am interested in punishing someone, but I am certainly surprised that there is nothing in the moral code of conduct to admonish someone for not showing respect. Showing respect for your opposition must remain an integral aspect of test match cricket. Its not just for tradition sake, but in a world where institutions like Tour de France have lost credibility, its also a good marketing ploy to retain the integrity of the game.
Imagine if Roger Federer's opponent throws something at him just as he is preparing to serve just to distract him and Federer has to clean up his side of the court. Worse than that, assuming Fereder does it once, his opponent throws again. What happens next ?
Complain about this postSimon James Arthur Taufel -- the member of the ICC elite list of umpires -- from New South Wales should be sent a couple of packets of Jelly Beans for the role he played on behalf of the England cricket team. Awful and biased umpiring. How on earth do they choose these umpires? Aside from the players, should the ICC give yellow and red cards to bad umpires as well?
Complain about this postForgive an old man's ( 71 yrs.) initial reaction. I have been following cricket for last 60 yrs.
So CRICKET the gentleman's game, now has Jelly Beans to put off opposing batsmen. When will IED's and dynamite stcks come into play?
Complain about this postHere's the bottom line on all of this non-sense. It is all wrong. The jelly beans, the shoulder-shove( echoes of John Snow and Sunil Gavaskar 1971 )the no-ball, the bat-raising. Grow up and remember you are playing a Test match. That means you are representing your country. There is no higher honor than that.You can't justify stupid behavior by saying it was in retaliation for stupid behavior. How pathetic is that.
Complain about this postin general both teams never crossed the line, but in the end one gets a feeling English looked like ‘indecent hosts’.I can never remember an incident when England came to India, where Indian fielders were throwing any thing at the England batsmen.
Aggressiveness is great but out of proportions and over the top it looks like a attitude of ‘bad losers’ especially in this English side’s case. Let’s fight it out in the next test match, hopefully with out the help of English’s jelly beans’!! don’t get me wrong, we Indians have a lot of respect for English cricket!!
Complain about this postany way indians had a sweet taste of victory jelly babies or not.on serious note peterson and co should be shamed of their conduct on field and what would you get out of winding up a bowler who is not a recognised batsman.well zaheer khan had the last laugh and he let his bowling do the talking not jelly babies...good on you india..mr Boycott get use to beating because in next test england got no chance forget test @Lords....
Complain about this postUntil the introduction of the stump microphone
Complain about this postvery little of the on field banter was available for public consumption.
Now the Sky team are the conduit for the information with comments like"You won't believe what he just said."
The constant repetition of "Bowled Monty etc" is enough to drive the most fanatical of cricket lovers mad.
Perhaps the ICC should look at turning them off between deliveries.
Incredible and childish. I've followed almost every Test series in my life
Complain about this postsince the early 1930s.
Indisciplined behaviour on the pitch or out of the venue wherever it maybe is a lousy example to lovers of the game. Neither team deserve to win any series.
The future looks bleak and I'm sure the Ashes will remain in Australkia for many series to come.
By the way I like jelly beans to chew on but not to throw about.
Anyone notice that KP and Prior have massive ego's that need to be stroked?
Where are they from?
South Africa!
They aren't 'English' they just play for England. What English values do they possess? Modesty? Empathy? Respect? ... Don't think so!
There seems to be a given assumption that England can only be beaten upon/sledged by the Aussies ... only they are afforded the due respect to carry out these practices, it is the norm.
All teams need to stand up to England and Australia ... they seem to be so peeved when others try to play their game.
To match Eng/Aus the other countries need firebrands/sledgers and world class players.
Bravo Zaheer and Sreesanth
Complain about this postBravo Murali and Sangakkara
Bravo Kallis and Nel
Incredible and childish. I've followed almost every Test series in my life
Complain about this postsince the early 1930s.
Indisciplined behaviour on the pitch or out of the venue wherever it maybe is a lousy example to lovers of the game. Neither team deserve to win any series.
The future looks bleak and I'm sure the Ashes will remain in Australkia for many series to come.
By the way I like jelly beans to chew on but not to throw about.
Few of them become spoilt and uncivilized enough and we should deport them now to Australia in James Cook's ship..
Complain about this postWhere was the captains when this was going on ???
Guess Vaughn will demand an apology for any one daring to point out the rudeness, poor manners, and low crass behaviour of English Cricketers...
Complain about this postEngland got a drubbing from Australia and think that they have to play it tough to be the big kids on the block.
They play at sledging though , it isn't really in their hearts and it is embarrasing and degrading.
I want the gverning body to stamp this rubbish out - it is not the way I want to see cricket go - it should not be accepted we play a game that is "in your face"
This kind of behaviour in lieu of ability will just trickle its way down until on a sunday afternoon game on the village green will become a verbal and physical barrage of swearing and barging from all and sundry with the remark "well Michael Vaughan " does it.
I know cricket is chasing the money now and is happy to dumb down its product to bring in the football crowd ... but is that what we really want
The jelly beans were obvioulsy an insult to a guy who as a bowler looks a little portly (there aint no mystery to its intention)
India has maintained its dignity and not belittled itself by becoming inflamed by this rubbish
I hope they do so again if we cannot play this game with some sort of self respect for ourselves and the opposition
Complain about this postIt is not possible to draw a line as to where "sledging" becomes unacceptable: there are cultural and language differences between the teams, which makes it very difficult to define the fine line that would be considered acceptable.
Imagine how it would it would look if every tennis or a golf match allowed "sledging" to make the sport look more competitive:
` Maria Sharapova, could say to Venus Williams after executing a successful passing shot. "Got you ol' cow!'
I am afraid that that international cricket has descended to this sot of level, due to the current attitude to "sledging", which both Indian and England captain were unwilling to condemn as unacceptable.
We the public want to see a well contested game of cricket, but have no interest in an all out `no holds barred' bare-fisted fight or a slanging match in the middle of the pitch!
The so called psychological tactics (sledging, jelly-beaning or whatever) should be banned and gioven appropriate penalties to prevent them. The Umpires should be given the authority to nip such things in the bud, rather than allowing the offenses to build up before they are put up to the the match referee for judgment.
Confucius
Complain about this postCould someone please explain the reason behind 'sledging' tail ender batsmen? Its hardly very difficult to get them out and anyway at best they will score a few less runs and at worse get really pumped up and skittle out most of the team as revenge. Well done Zaheer Khan for rubbing England's noses in it. I'm embarrassed by the antics of Pietersen, Prior and Collingwood. They should stop acting like annoying chavs and behave with a bit more dignity; otherwise their antics could further backfire on them and England's chances of winning at the Oval.
Complain about this post"It’s one reason why there is so much trouble with racism in the wider world and the same debate can be applied here:"
How on earth do you get from jelly beans to racism in the same article?
Complain about this postThis is for those writers who are asking to see video proof of jelly beans being thrown at the crease by English players, while Zaheer was batting: Where do you think they come from? Did the umpires throw them? Did the Indian players throw them? Does it rain jelly beans in England? How did they got on to the crease, if they were left from drinks break? May be the English players were tempering with the pitch while the Indian batsmen were taking the drink break and thus they fell out of English players' pocket! Not only that, but they reappeared after Zaheer removed them once. What is your explaination for that? What is English captain's explanation for that?
Complain about this postCome on guys find some believable excuse, if you must steep that low!
I thought the game was the best test of the summer even though England lost. Take away the first day and the element of chance with the toss and these are two evenly matched sides. While I am sure every team sledges it stops becoming an amusing aside when each action esculates. It is a bad example to set when you represent your respective countries. However I do think it was a massive over reaction to a jelly bean, he should have just picked up and eaten it and it would have killed the prank dead. I have heard of a couple of funny food related incidents at the crease the best being when a batsman was out for a duck first innings a pear was waiting when he made a second visit. Now lets look forward to the Oval test, hopefully a full five days and an England win.
Complain about this postOh come on lads. Do we ever bother this much about a test match ? Jellybeans..shoulder barges..sledging...that's what makes that 5 day boring game some fun! I'd say, encourage more sledging, but put microphones on the field so that we can have more fun!!!
Complain about this post"I say! Jelly good fun old Bean, but hardly cricket, what?!"
Complain about this postIndia play out a draw in the next and the series is gone one nil or the win and its 2 zip. another loss and all the rubbish with the jelly beans wont be put in the record books, just the result
Complain about this postI am a Durham supporter but,unfortunately I think the little bit success Collingwood has had has gone to his head. He,along with Pietersen are the main offenders and are so Big-Headed and arrogant I dread to think what proper Test Batsmen of the Past like Peter May or Len Hutton would have thought of their antics. Why don't they follow the example of the likes of Panesar,Cook and Strauss and just get on with the game? Play hard,but fair that is what Test Cricket is all about, not the ridiculous antics that are going on now.
Complain about this postThe article was a nice read. India played much better cricket than its opposition and deserved to win the test. However, the game I'm afraid, was not played with the right spirit. There were too many incidents, involving players from both the sides, which could have been avoided. It was preposterous to see two of the most well-behaved teams in international cricket being so peurile on the field. What both teams must understand is, they are representing their country and the whole world is watching.
Complain about this postThis is in response to Mathew's question about relation between racism and jelly beans:
Complain about this postLets face it there is a double standard, as has been pointed out by many writers. The press in the Western world, particularly England and Australia does not see anything wrong or at least they laugh it off as inocent prank, if the perpetrator is one of their own: but brandish that as childish behavior or even worse if the perpetrator's skin is of darker shade than their own. So called expert cricket commentrators are hardly exception to that trend. That is how my friend, these two issues are related. Again I suppose one needs to be in other person's shoes to realize that.
Do you think English playes would have carried out that kind of prank against likes of Mathew Hayden, Ricky Ponting or Glenn McGrath?
When you bring players and technical staf from South Africa , you are bringing with them all of their vices , tactics and defects .Pietersen and his coleagues from South Africa should be ashamed .They have to mold their attitudes to compliment the English way of fair play and resist their unsportsmen behaviour .
I include in this coment the new arrival Mr. Donald , of past history with bad behaviour I am sure he is responsible for some of the blame ..
Beware of what you get from "imports" that do not have regard for old traditional codes of conduct . They just do not now how to behave andwill let you down .
Complain about this postTo be fair i dont think its that bad really. As a cricket player myself i know and every body else that plays know's that theres banter here and there. Oh well its a bit over the top but its a game and a bit of a laugh isnt it?
Complain about this postI hope England have the guts to continue with the "mental degradation" when the Aussies come over next year. It's OK do this with the West Indies and India but will they be able to continue with it when they are getting walloped 5-0 ;)
Complain about this postWhen the authorities (ICC) failed to back the umpire over the Pakistan ball tampering incident,
Complain about this postthe effect on the umpires position and desire to control breaches of dicipline have been lessened (and who can blame them). The chickens have come home to roost and the bully boys will act as they will. So much for sportsmanship
I bet it took you ages to think of the Gatting quip.
Tresco was once caught with boiled sweets falling out of his pocket, so he probably would have picked up the jelly beans, put them in his pocket and hoped the extra sugar would help lacquer the ball when England were bowling.
What I can't understand is how no-one can pinpoint the jelly bean culprit, despite the gazillion tv cameras.
Complain about this postCollingwood . He knew his glove has touched the ball he should have walked away.
Complain about this postAnd please stop praising vaughan's century. It was not clean.
Alison,
Complain about this postYour analysis of this test match is very insightful and quite interesting.I always respected the English cricket players who all these years maintained the sanctity of the game.After all,cricket is a gentlemen's game and it should be played in that spirit.When Mr.Proir tries to defend what he had done,it raises the issue : is he a true gentleman ?Just playing a gentleman's game does not autimatically qualify one as gentleman?
My advice would be to advise the two opposing captains to keep a watchful eyes on their teammates so that such incidents do not recur.And try to weed out those unruly,uncivilised players from playing gentlemen's gome in future.
Matt Prior. 4 tests and suddenly he can tell accomplished test players how to play. All Sachin need to do is turn around and ask polightly, "Who are you?".
Get some respect before you dishing it out Prior, you are as bad a Nixon. Bring on Chris Read, the only real keeper in England.
Complain about this postIn all this "candy-gate" saga, I am amazed no-one seems to consider throwing things onto the pitch as blatant cheating. It doesn't matter that these are sweets. Clearly the writers and posters have never been at a batting crease. I would like to see their reaction at having sweets thrown at them with a paceman running in to bowl, quite apart from the fact that a 90mph ball might take deflections from sweets as much as pebbles. Would chucking ball bearings be an okay joke as well then? Just bizarre that this is not classified as cheating. People can swear all day but throwing anything onto the pitch is totally unacceptable. If the umpires had punished England for it, maybe the Indians would not have taken matter (wrongly) into their own hands.
Complain about this postCRICKET IS SAID TO BE GENTLEMANS GAME.WHATEVER HAPPENED ON THE FIELD DURING 2ND TEST IS NOT JUSTIFYING THIS PHRASE.
Complain about this postwill i think sanath behavior was a little bit over.. Its the english players attitude which make players like sanath to do things like this. and please don't quote Aussies every one knows how racist they are.. every one still remember what they did to Murali and Shoaib Ahthar...
Complain about this postIt's always good to see England Lose!!!! Go India
Complain about this postI enjoyed listening both Gooch's and Agnew's commenteries. But both teams require little more concentration on game rather playing silly games.
Complain about this postWell done India. Sree Sant got what he deserved. What about the guys who threw jelly beans on the pitch ? As per the reports the match referee Ranjan Madugalle stated to the Indian authorities that he is going to write to ICC and get back. Why write to ICC Ranjan? This match referee is only there because of English and Australian authorities. He never fails to charge the Asian players but ignores what the others do because he is scared to loose his bread and this is not the first time. Shame on you Ranjan. You are a blot on refereeing. ICC should kick this guy out from the panel. England should know that colonial rule is over. Most of the top businesses are being taken over by the Indians in U.K. If you want respect then learn to to give some. KP and Matt Prior will put England to shame with SA blood.
Complain about this postGood luck to Indian at Oval
English who taught everyone to play the gentle man game needs to re-visit their strategy.
How about playing good cricket? Rather than showing these sissy activities on the field.
Zaheer did the right thing. Sweet revenge.
Santh was doing sledging did the english forget that soon. Often part and parcel of english and aussie cricketers. Too bad an indian did the ensligsh sledging oops fined.
All the jelly boys are good english boys who need a pat on their back. Grow up sissy boys!
Complain about this postcricket is not a gentle man game now. Australian player using sledging upset oposite side. and win the game. it pushing every team to do so and get succses. and now so many team doing so and getting succses. this time england taking the path of aus team and want to get succses. And india team too is following the same tactis to win the game for india. I don't thing this is fair play anyway.
Complain about this postinternational cricket counsil should take action agaist this kind of behavior. If ICC will not be hard it will be happen in future too. at end I want to say all the international teams and specilly australian, india, engaland and pakistan. please stop these kind of sleding, you are the leader of all cricket play nation.and show some great beahavior like sachin, rahul, stephn fleming murlitharn inzmamul huq mikal vougan anil kumble, soun pollak, monti panesar santh jaysurya, brian lara they do on field and out of field and show some great way to your young star. who want to come in international cricket.
I have to laugh, the comments regulary on these blogs from some users are often very childish and on occasions close to being racist. When the Ashes series was going on the blogs became very nasty and insulting, so much so I was ashamed to be associated with some comments made by my fellow countrymen.
Complain about this postSo for this blog or any other blog to make comments on the bad behaviour of both Indian and England players is somewhat ironic.
There is no place in cricket for these antics alas it has been here a long time this is nothing new despite the the furore. By the same token the antics of a few bloggers need to be curtailed to.
I love to watch India play and they have great skills and it gives me, like Monty great satisfaction to be able to beat great players, as there is less satisfaction to beat lesser players.
India had the luck of the toss and first day conditions and it was very helpful indeed, but with Strauss batting like that, does not help. Well done India.
I believe justice was done.. KP got the beamer and Colly got hit in the box by a jaffer flick :)
Beans were split, though luckily not for colly ;)
Well done India. I like this outfit that doesnt take things lying down.
Complain about this postWell if sreesanth deserved to be punished, then more so with the England players who tampered with the pitch by placing jelly beans on them !!!!
Does anybody know how does a ball behave when it lands on a Jelly Bean ????
So technically it's tampering and England should have been given a punishment for that. But the match referee did not even speak a word on it .
why??????????
If the English players were so fond of Jelly beans they could have them at thier leisure in thier dressing rooms or with thier children when back home. In India we are fond of "fire crackers", so what do you call placing fire crackers on the pitch !!! Mental disintegration ..Eh ! Where do you draw the line ?
Some thing thats acceptable in England isnot in India !!!
Mental disintegration is a farce and a term invented by the great sledger Mr. Steve Waiugh to supoort his player's childish behaviour on the filed.
Complain about this postFunny how England do it and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. The Aussies have been doing for years. Lets not get into this wholier than thou approach, the Indians over the years aren't exactly angels, ie scuffing pitches, constant appealing etc etc.
All this over a jelly bean, Zaheer Khan, Sree Santh and Parthik ought to grow up and get on with it.
Great cricket from India and a deserved win but lets not go over the top over a jelly bean please.
Complain about this postFirst of all i have to say that was a good article Alison! But I don't think there was any thing wrong with what was done by the bowlers. Ganguly and Dravid said that it is even part of the game. For Young sters certainly its bad but to put opponents under pressure, who were getting away with the game was ok. Just recall the Graeme Smith and Kevin Pieterson incident in the worrld cup. If those Insults were aimed at unsettling K.P then they worked coz he didn't last long did He (K.P.)?
Complain about this postSo thats why the gamme is called Test, it tests your cool.
There were some jelly beans at the crease while Zaheer was batting and he tossed them off the pitch. When he faced the next ball there were again some jelly beans on the pitch again, so obviously someone was throwing from behind.
Complain about this post“Zaheer didn’t like it, and he went up to players and told them ‘Guys what is this all about, I am here to play cricket.’ He was upset about it and he just reacted in view of that.
Beamers can happen by oversight and immediate apology should be appreciated. You may take examples from Shoib akthar / Bret Lee and others throwing beamers and not even bothered for forgiveness. But Sreesanth immediate reaction for an excuse should be appreciated…if you do not accept that is up to the ICC and the team management…but should apply same rule to all countries, all creeds, all races…
here here DANNY.its about time we put a stop to all this sledging.Its got totally out of hand.Do they think the public like it? We want to watch cricket
Complain about this postOh come on. The point of 'sledging' is to put batsmen off their game - to get them thinking about something other than the next ball. In that sense, anything that was said or done by England was successful, regardless of Zaheer Khan's later performance. There never was a golden age where all batsmen walked and nobody sledged opponents. What has happened is that modern technology has made it more visible to the viewing public. The beauty of the game is that Khan was able to seek his revenge later in the match (and that England will have a chance to return the compliment at the Oval)
What I find really incredible here is a) that Khan threw his toys out of his pram in the way he did. All he has done is ensure he gets more chat next time he walks to the wicket; and b) that people find England's behaviour unnacceptable but say nothing about the catch Dhoni claimed behind the wicket in the first Test. If you want to look at an example of poor sportsmanship that is about as clear as you can get. I would suggest most of the 'childish' and bad-tempered behaviour in this series could be traced back to that, and Sreesanth's verbal send offs directed at every England batsman when there were dismissed at Lord's (probably most forcefully at that renowned Test batsman, Monty Panesar).
Test cricket is a hard game, mentally and physically. Long may it remain so.
Complain about this postI think the more serious part of the jelly bean prank is that it goes beyond being a harmless joke, it is in breach of both the laws and the spirit of the game. If the ball were to deviate off one of the sweets, in the course of play, it might have been very un-funny.
As for sledging in general, I think a bit of "chat" is fine so long as it is within normal social norms, and doesn't happen when the batsman is, say, in his stance.
Insulting behaviour is not acceptable.
Apart from anything else, would anyone insult a person, who was obviously tense (as a batsman probably would be), walking down the street with a bat in his hand? I would think not, if he valued his teeth. Why should a cricket field be different?
Complain about this postDanny Boy, because i thought english team are a lot decent than the Aus.team.But with your new imports it looks like you are lost it with cheap tactics like these 'jelly' incidents.They are bad examples and provoking others decent players to react.
as far as you comments on indian teams reputition is concerned, i can tell you that Indian team over the years, is one of the most diciplined and dignified team on and off the cricket feild.
Whether they host the teams in India or they travel out side irrespective of the results they always well behaved.thats the impression around the world.prove me otherwise!!
Complain about this postLudicrous tactics from BOTH (Yes Indian fans your players aren't saints either) teams.
If England have to resort to such pathetic tactics as this then we are in big trouble.
Cricket wise, both teams have dominated a Test each, India 1-0 up. I don't think this series is over yet as many Indian fans seem to be suggesting.
Don't forget that England are missing Flintoff and Hoggard. (I don't mention Harmison as he is truly no loss at the moment, and Simon Jones is so injury prone it is ridiculous to say we miss him as he never plays).
With Flintoff and HOggard I don't think India would have got away as much as they did in their innings but that is all 'ifs'.
England 2nd team have to try to win the last Test. If they do it will be a total embarassment to India to fail to beat a vastly understrength England team for the 2nd series in a row.
Complain about this postJellybeans on the crease are never funny, ever. It is simply cheating. If the bastsman failed to notice one it could have dire consequences. I am all for witty sledging, but actions that I would find stupid if committed by a five year old have no place on a cricket field.
Complain about this postVery well written article Alison, spot-on with everything.
Keep up the good work and hopefully you get more of a run, rather than some of the few mediocre writers who spill filler-junk nearly every time.
Complain about this post
Complain about this postOh get a grip!
It's competitive sport, you moan when we lose yet when the team show real fire you then bemoan them!
This article encapsulates bad journalism with no grasp of the reality of competitive sport.
i think sledging is great! it makes the game funny and interesting to watch. although some cases do get a bit too rough and i heard one story where k.p. was flicking jelly beans at him which in my view is unacceptable.
Complain about this postTo me, this all seems to be blowing it WAY too far out of proportion. First, nothing has been proven that anyone did 'throw' it onto the pitch while he was batting, it could have been dropped. Even if it was thrown, come on, what is so serious about someone throwing a jelly bean? Surely its just as much childish and silly the way Zaheer reacted? Surely a 'professional' and ,as such, requiredly mentaly strong, cricketer would not be affected by such a trivial thing?
Secondly, almost everyone seems to be jumping on the 'dirty english tactics' wagon. To me, it seems that a lot of this is by the Indians and supporters to hide the fact that they were just as much guilty, if not more. How can a again, 'professional', 'test quality' bowler, manage to no-ball by 2 feet? How can he manage to bowl a beamer that high? To me, they are much more serious issues, and I feel people are throwing in and building up the 'jelly bean incident' to cloud the issue.
RE p Chaturvedi "Kevin peterson is good but he himself does not like to be at receiving end."
Kevin Peterson is world class, one of the best batsmen around at this moment of time in test cricket, that is why he was at the receiving end of LOTS of insults/banter etc. If you don't think he likes to be at the receiving end, look at what he put up with for instance in South Africa when he first played, look at what he got this test, the beamer etc. For me, I can't remember him once reacting badly or not receiving it.
In the end, its a pity such things ruined what was a very good test match, a good bowling performance by the Indians, and a lovely century by Vaughan. The better team won, I think England scored too few runs first innings and should have restricted India more in the first innings.
Complain about this postWho honestly gives a monkey's? The press is getting exercised once again about nothing. Can we only start worrying when it becomes violent and physical? Don't you think Bodyline, Holding et al in the 70s were a bit more dangerous?
The behaviour, if it happened, was childish on all sides. Including the indignant press.
The press and the players are all equally pathetic. Grow up the lot of you.
Complain about this postFair enough, the jelly bean throwing is a bit silly and, i believe, wont be copied after all of the bad publicity but whether you like it or not, sledging, swearing, or abusing the batsmen is now part of the game and has, to be honest, been for a while. Everyone is slagging off England for the abuse but the Aussies have been crossing that line ever since Lillee and Thomson were firing their deliveries in at 90+mph and everyone admires them. The physical side of thing is a bit too much and should be punished, as it has been this time but people should just get over the bad mouthing and sledging, it has been part of cricket for a long time and will be so in the future.
Complain about this postDid anyone actually SEE any jelly beans being thrown around? It seemed to me that Zaheer just went around accusing KP without any actual evidence.
Of course, England were no doubt sledging, and Zaheer came up with the perfect answer in his bowling, but it seems everyone has rather jumped on the bandwaggon following a quite hot-headed reaction to something Zaheer may have imagined. Or been told was happening as a sledge.
Anyway, I'm prepared to be told I'm wrong - I just think it's an overreaction within the media based on the fact that England were beaten by the better team over the 5 days.
Complain about this postEngland oh England,
since the poms have proved they are the real deal winning over the ashes and doing that stupidity parade looking drunk and unprofessional. Kevin Pieterson an English?? what a joke he is South African, Patel English?? he is Muslim or Indian whatever.. the list goes on to see what such team is England having refugee's being selected in a squad.. Fired up and ready to take on the Ashes in my precious country AUSTRALIA.. what was the result!!! 5-0 whitewash AND we didn't have that parade we needed to look like FOOLS also we are pure Australians in the blood not having to beg for class players from another country to play for us.
Very last thing.. Grow up England and accept the jelly bean involvement to save more embarrassment and play real professional cricket if u wanna domminate the sport again.
Very proud to be an Australian
from
Complain about this postBammo
To even call this juvenile is far off the mark. I am a coach and manage teams at under 10 and under 11 levels. If any of my charges threw anything onto the wicket they would be advised that their behaviour was not acceptable and would not be picked for the next game. To see grown men resorting to such behaviour whilst representing their country was appalling and embarrasing. KP thinks that he is bigger than the game - it's about time he grew up.
Complain about this postBeing an Aussie, I don't mind a bit of sledging. We're brought up with it and if you aren't tough enough to handle it take your bat and ball and go home.
What I find most amusing about discussions on sledging is that there always appears to be a team that is the villain (normally australia, but england in this case) and a good guy. The truth though is that all teams sledge, its just that some are better than others and the one's that aren't good, whinge. And india can't claim to be the good guys here, I do recall that harbijan singh at one stage was calling the australians all sorts of nasty stuff that he would never utter in front of his mother.
I feel that if you are test player and you can't handle or ingore the verbals, what the hell are you doing out there, you are certainly not up to the 'test'.
Complain about this postI read these remarks with amusement.
I note that the vast majority of people here have no sense of humour and therefore would not understand what amusement is.
The true offender must be the one who was found guilty and fined!
Jelly Beans v Shoulder barges, 1 yard no-balls and head high beamers?
Want to make it right India? Try Parental control instead of blaming others take responsibility yourselves!
Enjoy The Oval everyone, I will for sure.
Come on England!
Complain about this postDear TMS
Its an appalling state of affairs when both captains aren’t concerned about the behaviour of their teams. They are the role models for all our youngsters and should be very embarrassed to have made such comments.
The behaviour in this Test Match will be copied throughout the game by players all over the world. I’m now an ex player and coach and have experienced this myself at first hand. Only this season at under 11’s level did we have to ask the opposition captain to refrain from making unsportsmanlike comments to our batsman.
I don’t think that players understand the importance of good behaviour; unfortunately we have to thank The World Champions of Sledging for that, The Australians.
Timbers
Complain about this postCuriouser and curiouser!
Complain about this postFirst, we have the facetious comments by Collingwood and Prior on the sweets incident. Then Vaughan denies that the sweets were thrown by an England player, offering to review his position if there is video evidence to the contrary. Then Moores offers an apology for the incident prompting yet another immediate and embarrassing volte-face by England's captain. Now today, Graveney asserts that the incident did not cross the line (even though the match referee felt that it was necessary to speak to both captains). Contrast this mess with the statement by Dravid that Sreesanth would be spoken to about his behaviour. England need to get their house in order and start thinking about playing better cricket, as the Indians have done already after their poor showing at Lords. They also need someone sensible to handle their relations with the media who, no doubt, are having tremendous fun with England's boorish behaviour during this match.
What's the beeting the outfield at the Oval will be covered in Jelly Beans at the next test? I feel certain that some fans will find it impossible to resist chucking some on. Maybe a blanket ban on all hard-cased sweets should be brought in by the ECB....
Complain about this postI feel this is getting out of hand, it may just be me but every game that involves india or pakistan and some times sri lanka these days they give it all out with the verbal and the rough balls to shake up the batsmen be it with-in the laws or bending them a little but as soon as the other teams give it back its always the same comments the main choice's being "its a sign of disrespect" or they claim its cheating.
It seems they can do it because its in the rules but they don't want to get the same treatment.
If you cant take it don't dish it. After all its only a game and like the role models in rugby what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.
Complain about this postSunil Gavaskar, commentating on TMS, at the time of the "beamer" said, " I cannot accept that the head-high beamer is not deliberate in international cricket. Possibly belt-high, ot at the head."
Complain about this postSledging is not and should not be any part of cricket. Its tantamount to cheating.It should be expressly against the laws of cricket and umpires given the power to send off players guilty of improper conduct.
Complain about this postDoes anyone else think KP is a softie? I mean if he lets a beamer put him off then what are things coming too. Get a grip Kev, you have all the body armour you need. What are you frightened of?
Complain about this postThere was no jelly beans on the pitch.There is no video evidence of players throwing jelly beans,and we know that there are cameras everywhere,even in the sky,so there was no jelly beans thrown on the pitch.The batsman must apologise immediately to the England players and restore their honour,or provide video evidence of players throwing jelly beans on the pitch.
Complain about this postI am from India. When I played for my college, cricket was a gentleman's game. Later an English friend quoted this saying,"Football is a game for roughs, and played by roughs. Rugby is a game for roughs, and played by gentlemen. Cricket is a game for gentlemen, and played by roughs." The last is becoming worse. I think Andre Nel of South Africa is the most obnoxious of them all, but India's Sreesanth is getting close to him. I think commentators have to change their attitude towards the shenanigans on the field. Stop excusing obnoxious actions as aggression needed in present day cricket. I have admired David Gower all through his career, but disappointed that he says,"English players have not overstepped". "Overstepped" from whose point of view?
Complain about this postThe Authors blog reflects her hypocrisy. Its better to set some things in black and white instead of grey . I donot think "beans"on the ground is "funny", or at least its not the way we play cricket in India , and defending it is as ugly as doing it.
Complain about this postinteresting comment regarding where the jelly beans landed being critical
if they truly were landing on a length, then clearly the person responsible should be asked to give Harmison a few pointers
Complain about this post