Checking if I have Kiwi ties

CRICKET SCANDAL

IS there a worse scenario in sport than to be called a cheat? Probably not, but then to be proven so in professional sport is the ultimate betrayal of an entire country. To watch a petulant Steve Smith admit to cheating and in the next breath say it won’t happen again under his watch is mind-boggling. Surely Steve Smith and the entire leadership group in South Africa need to be sacked and sent home without the possibility of representing their country again in a sporting contest, be it cricket, marbles or whatever. This action by just a few has tarnished the reputation of an entire country. For the first time ever I am embarrassed to be Australian. Time to delve into my heritage and see if there is a possibility I might have Kiwi ties. ure to act seriously and consultatively on the grave disadvantages faced by indigenous Australians? The list stretches out like a Centrelink call queue. And like Steve Smith, when caught out ministers refuse to resign. As the Brits would say, it’s not cricket. When will human values guide our public institutions in the land of the fair go?

Win at any cost

HOPEFULLY the Australian cricket team and especially Steve Smith will face the harsh reality of their willingness to win at any cost. Every Australian looking at this debacle is shaking their head and asking why would you throw away your reputation, respect and credibility? When you get to elite sports level are your egos so fragile, is the big money so persuasive, or the pressure so great that nothing else matters? Well Steve, when your future son or daughter asks about your proudest sporting moment or what you want to be remembered for, how will you answer that question now? Will your answer be “it was the time I embarrassed my country”.

Buck stops here

I AM most certainly not a fan of cricket or any other sport of that nature, but I am most certainly utterly opposed to cheating in any shape or form. I don’t know what the accepted behaviour is now but I am old enough to have been bought up in a world that was dead against cheating in any shape or form — you just didn’t do that in A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. any field of behaviour. It was a one strike and you were out and that was the end of the matter. To hear the captain of the team suggest he was still the best man for the job was staggering. If he had any integrity he would have resigned and taken full responsibility. A famous US president once remarked “that the buck stops here”. A sentiment the captain of the Australian cricket team should adhere. One wonders if the remuneration these sportsmen get is of such an order of magnitude their greed overcomes their integrity. The offenders should retire immediately and not just from this Test series but the game itself.

Defies understanding

I MAY not have all the facts, but I am intensely embarrassed by the actions of the Australian Test team leadership group in the third Test in South Africa. The total lack of respect to those players who laid the foundation for the honour of representing our country in the past as well as presently representing our country as an honourable sports-playing nation defies comprehension and understanding. Profound embarrassment.

Cricket Australia needs to be strong. Those involved in the leadership group party to this deplorable action should lose their lucrative ACB contracts and their test spot selection and be subject to whatever sanctions are deemed necessary. Our nation has to step down from any high moral ground taken in the past and make appropriate restitution. It is all so unbelievable.

Standards

THE scandal in Cape Town is not just about cricket. It’s about the Australian nation. It’s about how our standards of fair play, integrity and leadership have gone through the floor in recent times. It’s time to lift our game. We should start by resolving the international shame over Nauru and Manus. Maybe even find a new captain.

Cut southern clubs

HERE is one simple solution to the footy crisis in Tasmania: cut the number of clubs in the south from five to three. This would result in both a stronger competition and less travel for two North-West clubs.

Labor seats?

THE Labor Party is nominating a candidate for the renamed seat of Prosser next year. But it makes you wonder why they don’t contest seats like Hobart, Murchison, Rosevears and Mersey. Is it possible that these seats are already in the Labor camp? Past house votes suggest yes. I hope the voting public realises who they are voting for.

Losing pets is soul-destroying

DISMAYED to read that as a consequence of the current housing crisis in Hobart some families have had to surrender their beloved pets in order to secure a roof over their heads. This is appalling and a heartbreaking choice no one should have to make. Soul-destroying and placing extra burden on overloaded animal shelters at the same time.