Whatever the reason – whether it’s a clash of cultures, or conflicting styles of play, or even a long-simmering, multi-generational feud the reason for which has long been forgotten – whenever they step onto the field together, the Australian and Indian cricket teams just seem to straight-up not like each other.
The recent Test Series was marred with a series of verbal clashes, both on and off the field, with the Australian’s characteristically – let’s call it “aggressive” style of play and sledging a particular sticking point.
Now that we’ve moved into the One Day International Tri-Series featuring Australia and India along with England, ahead of the Cricket World Cup that kicks off around the country in February, those tensions are showing no signs of easing, even moving into decidedly uglier territory.
During yesterday’s game at the MCG, emotions again boiled over following an overthrow run taken by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina. Following a delivery by James Faulkner that was pushed to mid-off by Sharma, David Warner fielded and fired a return in to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. The ball went between Sharma’s bat and pads – it remains unclear whether the ball deflected off Sharma. Haddin missed the ball and Raina called Sharma through for an overthrow run.
Taking an overthrow off a deflection is unwritten no-no in cricket, and Australian players confronted the Indian batsmen to remonstrate. And then things took a nasty turn.
David Warner, in getting in the face of Sharma, appeared to mouth the words “Speak English.”
I’m no fancy big city lip reader, but even I can see that fairly clearly.
The internet didn’t miss it either.
pretty sure a bunch of us just saw Warner say ‘speak english’ a couple of times to Rohit. What a fuckhead. pic.twitter.com/ORrfggrwdA
— Bec (@Brocklesnitch) January 18, 2015
Warner appeared on Big Sports Breakfast radio this morning and admitted he was in the wrong, claiming he’d been fined half his match fee.
But even a quiet monetary fine doesn’t change the fact slinging epithets like that is totally unacceptable anywhere in this world, let alone on the sporting field where so-called “professionals” play.
As fine and magnificent the game of cricket can be, bullshit like that only serves to needlessly hold it back.
The ODI Tri-Series continues tomorrow in Brisbane when India take on England.
via Herald Sun.
