Just Bad Sports!!!

Watching his winning streak come to a sudden halt, a sportsman can stoop to such levels as to become an evil competitor. That's what I call Ricky Ponting. Don't get me wrong, I admire him as a batsman. No doubt he is one of the world's finest in that field. But as a player I feel he lacks the integrity and spirit that's required to become a sportsman.

That was clearly indicated during the Sydney Test. An Australian win would equal a record set by them for most consecutive test wins, set when Steve Waugh was the captain. Seemingly, that streak was coming to an end. India were well and true on their way of at least saving the game, and maybe even winning it. With Ganguly and Dravid at the crease, it seemed a good bet that they can get through a couple of sessions and save the day and rub the Australians' noses after halting their streak yet again.

I wouldn't say that the umpires were also considering not letting India enjoy that feeling again. But Steve Bucknor has had a poor umpiring record when it comes to Indians. And I think he likes it when people appeal more aggressively, then he puts his slow finger up. And who can do that better than the Australians.

A player like Ponting should know that a catch is not a catch when you ground the ball immediately after catching it. But that rule seemed not to apply when he started shouting even before he made an attempt to reach for the ball. Then, Dravid given out. We have seen it so many times that a knick cannot be heard by the umpire, but to hear one even when there isn't one is unusual. Even more unusual was the appealing from the Aussies. The went up even when they could see that the ball had gone through untouched. Sourav stood his ground when he was caught, but had to be on his way when the umpire consulted with a player and Ponting pointed that he was out. Now I was under the impression that if the umpire isn't sure about a decision, then he either talks to his colleague on the field, or to the colleague in the stadium, or just plainly says 'No'. But he didn't do either thing. And the catch is so dubious that even today none are convinced if it was cleanly taken.

The game didn't stop here. The Aussies then revolted against Harbhajan for racial slur. I agree that Harbhajan may have or may have not said all those things. But now when it is clear that Symonds initiated the abuse, no action has been taken against him. Moreover he and the other Aussies are angry at the minimal punishment handed out to Harbhajan.

The Australians have been guilty of sledging for decades. And don't feel that they say nice polite things during these frequent sledges. No action has been taken against that sort of behavior. Nayan Mongia was reprimanded when he shouted from behind the stumps when Kumble bowled, but Healy was let go every time he did so when Warne bowled.

They may be the best team out there, but the players need to be sportsmen first. Players with the right spirit. But the Australians don't seem to be the sportsmen kids would and should hang posters of in their bedrooms.