Week of disgrace for Australian cricket

Cricket has been shamed for the second time in a week. Australia batted too slowly against England on Sunday night at Adelaide, obviously manipulating the bonus point system. Through their disgraceful tactics, they ensured the exit of Sri Lanka from the VB series. Australia employed similar tactics during the 1999 World Cup.

A case can be made out against them for heaving breached clause 2.11 of the ICC code of conduct, and it remains to be seen whether the ICC will want to investigate the matter.

The (2.11) of the ICC `code of conduct for players and officials' says: "Any attempt to manipulate a match in regard to the result, net run rate, bonus points or otherwise. The captain of any team guilty of such conduct shall be held responsible other than in circumstances contemplated under C 4 (v) and (vi) above relating to betting on the outcome of any match or on the occurrence of any event."

It might be too far-fetched to imagine that the Australians conspired to make the Sri Lankans pay for what they did to Darren Lehmann (by reporting his racist outburst to the match referee). Granted even that the Australian team did not bat for their disgraced teammate, one can only pity those who beg for Lehmann's salvation - for what they believe was a `heat of the moment' outburst. Lehmann has found support from South Australia and Yorkshire - where he holds the captain's job.

Yorkshire provided Lehmann with most support. Cricket director Geoff Cope has been quoted as saying: "As far as I'm concerned the dressing room is a sanctuary for players, and nothing said there should be repeated outside it." So Cope would have no problem if one of the Yorkshire players were to abuse another in the dressing room, racially or otherwise? What kind of a message is he sending out to the world? Adding to the appalling defence of Lehmann is Yorkshire chief executive Colin Graves: "I'm just disappointed the ICC has taken it down this route. He is not a racist."

Lehmann found some support in Australia too, notably from Greg Chappell, South Australia's coach. As in his heyday, Chappell batted bravely: "He (Lehmann) is the quintessential Australian and the quintessential Australian cricketer; he plays it hard but fair and for him to be made an example of like this is sad." Greg Chappell's fair play credentials are too well known; the Kiwis would tell you how low he stooped to win a game.

So these gentlemen would have us believe that Lehmann is the victim, and that the ICC has done a grave injustice to a fair player. We should not be fooled into believing that racism is some temporary insanity that afflicts a fair man. Racism manifests itself in different forms across the world, and its justification is a far worse crime than the original.

Australia's success in world cricket is something many teams want to emulate. But recent events suggest that it is not a role model for other aspiring nations. The ACB was reluctant to take action against Lehmann - their remedy was counselling! That exposed the flaw in the Australian cricket establishment. Lehmann should have been banned from playing first-class cricket. Ironically he is now playing for South Australia!

To the average cricket fan, Australian cricket has proved a disgrace over the past week. Once again, loopholes in the law can be a hindrance to justice being served. The onus is again on Malcolm Speed to do the right thing before it is too late.