In a 30 match Test career which included three centuries, it will be his efforts from weekend that will be remembered as Greg Ritchie’s finest service to the baggy green. With South Africa cruising at 2/255 at the end of the first day’s play, Australia where on the ropes. Copping a roasting on account of poor tactics and a failing pop gun attack, Greg Ritchie’s racist remarks were just the distraction needed to ease pressure on the struggling Aussies. Ritchie’s efforts to defend his brand of ‘humour’ served to further divert the attention of everyone including the South Africans as the Aussies clawed back draw-worthy momentum.
What else did we expect from cricket’s David Brent? Like Ricky Gervais’ boss from hell, Ritchie believes himself to be a remarkably talented comedian/humorist. His “material”, however, is invariably unoriginal and poorly-executed, consisting almost entirely of poor impressions and banal routines. And like Brent, Ritchie is partial to self delusion. ”I think the country is out of control in terms of political correctness. You can’t say this, you can’t say that. I’m a humorist, I use satire.”
But even David Brent has some awareness of the world in which lives. Sure he’s still partial to the odd racist joke but at least he has the decency to utter them in hushed tones and hopelessly attempts to shield its delivery from the people it may offend. Even if it’s just a ploy to help boost his popularity, Brent has the social nous to judge what is and isn’t racist where Ritchie believes himself to be victim of our oppressive PC society. “It’s disappointing to think this has become an issue. I don’t feel the need to apologise because I wasn’t using it maliciously”
But where anti-Muslim jokes and liberal use of the highly offensive term, ‘kaffir’, might just see Australia through in the rain interrupted Gabba test, Ritchie will need to dig deep into his bag of ticks if he wishes to lend a hand as Dale Steyn sends down head-seeking missiles at the WACA at the end of the month. Coming from the creator of everyone’s favorite racist stereotype, the blackened faced Muhatma Cote, I’d back him in.
Muhatma replaces injured QLD hooker Wayne Bartrim with a, er, prostitute.
Muhatma confuses Boustead for “Bumstead”. For 3 minutes and 32 seconds.
This one is especially repeat worthy.
