Symonds, modern day cricket's latest victim
Posted on Sep 04, 2008 at 09:39 | Updated Sep 05, 2008 at 11:19
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New Delhi: Whether or not Andrew Symonds plays for Australia again, the entire episode has raised a disturbing question -- behind the razmattaz and glamour, has cricket lost its soul? Is there no place in the game for those who who don't fit the bill as a "modern day cricketer?"
How would you describe Andrew Symonds? A man of few words who likes the easy life, sample this response when we asked him what he intends to do with the megabucks he was purchased for by the Deccan Chargers.
"Maybe I will buy fishing rods," said Symonds.
It is this love for fishing that has put symonds' international career in danger. In the Australian team, that puts a premium on team over self, Symonds is perhaps a misfit.
Australia's captain in waiting Michael Clarke is clear that Symonds has to either fall in line or give up his ambition to play for Australia. Symonds can smell a confrontation when he sees it and his response has been short but telling.
"I have been asked to think about what is important to me and I will take this time to do that," he had said after action was taken against him for indiscipline.
Symonds is just the latest to have been consumed by the treadmill of constant cricket. Once touted as the fastest bowler in the world, Shaun Tait walked away earlier this year, saying he was mentally and physically exhausted. He is making a tentative comeback only now.
Marcus Trescothick, once England's most prolific batsman, reduced to tears on an Ashes tour as the ghosts in his mind took control. He is back, scoring runs at county level but an international comeback, he says is out question.
"In county cricket, you know, it's matter of getting into a car to get home. If I was playing a game today, I am confident that I could play. But I can't sustain it on winter tours," Trescothick had said.
The Symonds saga is perhaps a reflection of a ruthless new age where sport is method rather than passion. It has created supertars and glitz and bucketfuls of money but has devoured the meek.
"When it gets tough mentally, which it eventually will, it will be the time to move on," Symonds had once said in an interview.
It may not be a game for the faint-hearted but will cricket make a place for the feeble of mind?
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Posted By Samantha
\"feeble of mind\"?? That comment kind of ruined the whole point. A big problem is our insistence that \''strength of
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