This Aussie is getting sick of all the war talk

THERE is a lot of commentary in the Australian media, especially the newspapers, relating to cricket and Australia’s approach to playing it given their recent poor form and the upcoming matches against their traditional ‘enemy’ England.

I was disgusted with a cricket article in the national paper, The Australian, in October: “Batsmen know it’s a risky game, so let the chin music play,” relating to fast bowling and the dangers involved in facing it.

Any activity has its own risks, including sport and especially contact sports.

I even know of a heart attack and subsequent death from playing table tennis and, foolishly playing a staff/student netball match, I once ripped my ankle apart.

The important thing is to prevent or at least minimise the risks and that was the basis for a recent State level cricket match being abandoned due to the conditions and potentially dangerous bouncers.

To glorify the aggressive bowling designed to intimidate the ‘enemy’ is a poor approach given the level of aggression that we see in the world in general.

The word “bravery” has no place in a sporting event. It should be reserved for police, soldiers and fire-fighters who face real dangers in order to protect us.

Cricket has much to offer as a participant and spectator at all of its various levels but potential injury should not be why we watch the games.

This is no longer the time when gladiators fighting in arenas as a blood sport was the highest form of entertainment for the masses.

Bring on the batting, bowling and fielding not the stretcher bearers. DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia