Bloody Poms 2 (& fickle fans)
Luckily I forgot to sign-in yesterday as I was reasonably confident the Blackcaps would win last night's ODI. Also lucky that such confidence was not sufficiently high to plonk some readies on NZ at $1.60.
Actually I think the loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Oz will do their usual trick; step up a gear in the final and smash the Poms off the park, leaving them with the psychological problems rather then us. Then, after we've had a week off to freshen up, we'll surprise the Aussies when they make the trip across the ditch. Well, dreams are free.
However, I made the mistake of turning on the radio this morning and can't believe the vitriol spewing forth from talkback callers. Apparently Fleming should be dropped because his century was too slow. Some believe he's not enjoying his cricket and should quit Nathan Astle style. One caller is so upset he's cancelled his plans to go to the ODI in Wellington next week because "NZ Cricket doesn't deserve his $30".
It's almost left me speechless (quite a feat). Hope none of the ABs were listening - they know what they're in for if they don't get the William Webb Ellis trophy. The reaction is some evidence of what I think is a worrying trend in NZ that when sports individuals/teams do not live up to expectations, we really put the boot in.
This used to be just the domain of rugby when the ABs lost but it is spreading across the whole sporting landscape. Take stock people; while it is OK to express disappointment at a sporting loss, criticism of a performance (which actually wasn't that bad) needs to be tempered with the realisation that there are always two sides in a sporting contest trying to win and we don't have a divine right to win every contest we are favoured to.
NZ sports fans are turning into a bunch of "fair-weather friends" and have seemingly forgotten that part of being a supporter of sport is to support your team or individual when they are going through a tough time. But oh no, it's easier to kick 'em when they're down.
I blame SPARC and their "winners and grinners and losers can go and get fkd" philosophy. No doubt our Minister of Sport will open his trap again and question our cricket team's mental toughness.
Actually I think the loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully Oz will do their usual trick; step up a gear in the final and smash the Poms off the park, leaving them with the psychological problems rather then us. Then, after we've had a week off to freshen up, we'll surprise the Aussies when they make the trip across the ditch. Well, dreams are free.
However, I made the mistake of turning on the radio this morning and can't believe the vitriol spewing forth from talkback callers. Apparently Fleming should be dropped because his century was too slow. Some believe he's not enjoying his cricket and should quit Nathan Astle style. One caller is so upset he's cancelled his plans to go to the ODI in Wellington next week because "NZ Cricket doesn't deserve his $30".
It's almost left me speechless (quite a feat). Hope none of the ABs were listening - they know what they're in for if they don't get the William Webb Ellis trophy. The reaction is some evidence of what I think is a worrying trend in NZ that when sports individuals/teams do not live up to expectations, we really put the boot in.
This used to be just the domain of rugby when the ABs lost but it is spreading across the whole sporting landscape. Take stock people; while it is OK to express disappointment at a sporting loss, criticism of a performance (which actually wasn't that bad) needs to be tempered with the realisation that there are always two sides in a sporting contest trying to win and we don't have a divine right to win every contest we are favoured to.
NZ sports fans are turning into a bunch of "fair-weather friends" and have seemingly forgotten that part of being a supporter of sport is to support your team or individual when they are going through a tough time. But oh no, it's easier to kick 'em when they're down.
I blame SPARC and their "winners and grinners and losers can go and get fkd" philosophy. No doubt our Minister of Sport will open his trap again and question our cricket team's mental toughness.
Labels: post mortems
posted by Rob Crawford at 8:35 AM
1 Comments:
Yep, While it was most definately frustrating to be knocked out of the series, what with my Sky Sport getting installed literally seconds ago, I think our series over there wasn't too shabby.
I think we have started to pull together as a team again, with all the swapping that was going on, and as NZ cricket teams seem to always win on the team effort rather than the one/two individuals that some teams do, it bodes well.
So yeah, sucks - but I'd rather be us than england.
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