What do you do to your countrymen who tend to disrupt your history? What should be the fate of such men who tarnish a holy history ? What punishment do they deserve for their shameful act of disobedience? Should they be punished or should they be acquitted for demonstrating a chinchy style of celebration?
If they deserve to be punished, then Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson of England should suffer the same fate for disgracing the cradle of English test cricket. The triumphant English trio peed on the consecrated Kennington Oval as part of their victory celebrations after their team drew the final test to win the series 3-0 in the process retained the Ashes.
Kennington Oval, also known as Kia Oval due to commercial sponsorship, is of great significance to English as well as the world cricket. Oval is the ground where it all began for England. The first test match on English soil was played at the Oval in September 1880. The first test victory at home for English in its very first test match at the ground makes it even more significant. The ground witnessed a classy century on debut by the legendary W.G Grace. Above all, Kennington Oval is the park where the legend of ASHES was born in 1882.
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| James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen |
Kennington Oval, also known as Kia Oval due to commercial sponsorship, is of great significance to English as well as the world cricket. Oval is the ground where it all began for England. The first test match on English soil was played at the Oval in September 1880. The first test victory at home for English in its very first test match at the ground makes it even more significant. The ground witnessed a classy century on debut by the legendary W.G Grace. Above all, Kennington Oval is the park where the legend of ASHES was born in 1882.
Having recalled a few facts and the grandness of Kia Oval lets take a snort at the feckless trio. There's no halting the victory celebrations especially, when it is an Ashes victory. We all understand the blood rush in the veins of English cricketers after the exhorting Ashes victory. The exhibition of responsibility by their batsmen and the ascendance of the bowling attack certified their tag as favourites for the tournament. But what followed as part of their merrymaking was an inglorious act of indecency that would make every cricket admirer and every Englishman's head fall in shame . For once it made me feel cricket is no more a gentleman's game. Isn't it?
As the English team celebrated by drinking beer on the ground, Broad, Kevin & Jimmy Anderson broadened their celebrations as they micturated the pitch for the delight of fellow men as few fans and journalists gazed in disbelief. The irony of the fact is that none of the English cricketers present there bothered to intervene the scandalous act. Surprisingly, not even Alastair Cook made any attempt. What sort of Captain is Cook if he doesn't carry respect for the soil that is domicile of English cricket?
The job description for a team's captain is most eminent as he shoulders the responsibility of team's success and conduct on the field. The latter left dangling, warranting me to pity on Captain Cook ! The betise act can only be described as a childish act by mature so called "gentlemen" of the game. The gentleman's game and the profession calls for a little more maturity and decency.
Had the incident taken place in other nations where cricket is much more than just a game ! In India, bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan was banned in Wankhede following a spat with a security official at Wankhede. Had the English incident occurred in India, a country where cricket has become more of a religion, it would have immediately ended the cricketer's career. Pakistani players perform "Sajdah" on ground on reaching a milestone. A symbol of thanks giving to God.
Pietersen, Broad and Anderson aren't new to controversies. Last August, Pietersen was in news for sending provocative text messages to South African captain Graeme Smith and his team members.The text contained derogatory comments on South Africans following which, Pietersen was dropped from the squad. Broad made headlines in the recently concluded Ashes as he refused to walk after edging a ball to the Australian wicket keeper. Darren Lehmann urged the Aussie fans to make sure Broad goes home crying when England next visits Australia. James "Jimmy" Anderson was a part of the ball-change controversy in the champions trophy game against Srilanka, 2013.
Pietersen, Broad and Anderson aren't new to controversies. Last August, Pietersen was in news for sending provocative text messages to South African captain Graeme Smith and his team members.The text contained derogatory comments on South Africans following which, Pietersen was dropped from the squad. Broad made headlines in the recently concluded Ashes as he refused to walk after edging a ball to the Australian wicket keeper. Darren Lehmann urged the Aussie fans to make sure Broad goes home crying when England next visits Australia. James "Jimmy" Anderson was a part of the ball-change controversy in the champions trophy game against Srilanka, 2013.
The English players have not only bruised the sentiments of cricket lovers around the world but have also provoked football fans worldwide by showing disrespect to the ground that hosted the first ever FA cup match and the first even FA Cup final. The stadium is also an important place for other sports as it witnessed several international rugby matches, rock concerts and even ice-skating. Now, England is to face wrath from every sport protagonist. Whether England Cricket Board (ECB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) put these men to trial remains to be seen. Since, if this act goes unattended by authorities, it might mark the beginning of the end of the gentleman's era in cricket.
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