The Decay Reaches Cricket

Michael Jennings:

Guy Herbert this morning posted a piece commenting on Australian Prime Minister John Howard's decision to "ban" the Australian cricket team from touring Zimbabwe later this year. I generally have little time for Mr Howard, but in this case I can't personally be very harsh on him. What clearly happened is that the Australian Cricket Board (which these days prefers to call itself "Cricket Australia" begged him at length the make such an announcement, and he eventually gave in despite considerable resistence, and because from his perspective the alternatives were probably worse.

Jennings talks about the political and economic reasons behind this decision. He also ties in the murder of Bob Woolmer (Pakistan's coach) and how the deterioration of society heavily affects the spirit of the sport.