Breaking down the bully

The Big Bully of world cricket is breaking down, and it is not a pretty sight.

At the end of day one of the second Ashes Test at Adelaide, Ricky Ponting had a long animated chat with Andrew Strauss, ostensibly to protest about the "sledging" carried out by the fiery English bowler James Anderson when the Aussies were batting. If that is what Ponting was really complaining about, a very loud "Yesssssss!!!" is in order. For a long time now the Aussies have been the big bullies of world cricket. Their dominance over the last 10 years was as much due to their skills and cricketing ability as due to their systematic bullying of their opponents with their on field behaviour. Who can forget Michael Slater's disgusting protest against Rahul Dravid, and the constant shenanigans of Mssrs McGrath, Hayden, and Warne. Over the years the Aussies have perfected the art of sledging to a point where it has become an accepted part of the game. Until they started getting it back with interest!

The first ones to give it back to the Aussies were the Indians on the famous "Monkey-gate" tour of Australia. As soon as Bhajji stood up to these bullies, the two big guys - Symonds and Hayden - ran straight to the authorities to complain! Then Gambhir took it a step further by sticking out his elbow at Watson during the series in India a couple of years ago. He didn't get away with it, but it sent out a strong signal to the Aussies - expect to get shit in return when you dish it out!

I am rooting for England in the Ashes series. I hope they win the cricket contest. And I also hope they win the bullying war. When the contest is over, I will happily applaud if the big bully ends up with a bloody nose!