Cricket Update: Andrew Strauss deflated in the face of another loss to Pakistan
In what could be termed as the most controversy ridden series that both Pakistan and England have been a part of, it could be stated without doubt that all the allegations and muddle of the field affects the spirit of the players on the field. This has gone
on to affect the game of cricket would be an understatement.
Fixing and bookies have always been a part of cricket, and to come up with excuses justifying a wrong with arguments that base their reasoning on the impoverished backgrounds of some players is also completely uncalled for. At the end of the day, it is indeed
a matter of integrity and character. Hansie Cronje, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Salim-c88143 Malik, Shane Warne, or Steve Waugh none of them were from impoverished backgrounds and yet compromised their principles once approached by bookies.
The fact of the matter still remains, that strict action must be taken by the ICC against the network of bookmakers with the help of international security organizations so that corruption is rooted out for the game. As far as tabloid journalism and sensationalism
is concerned, it could be highly demoralizing but an intelligent and strong captain and coach can always play the allegations down and promise to take action against those accused if there is ample evidence to support the argument.
In absence of any condemning evidence, it was very immature of the ICC to have leaked information of their investigation to the media, who then go on to suggest that a certain team did in fact fix the match in the absence of any evidence to support the claims.
The chairman of a cricket board represents the game of cricket in a particular country, he must be wary of the statements that he makes, and the repercussions these statements could have on the very game of the gentlemen. The accusations of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 against
the English players accusing them of taking large amounts of money by bookies are extremely uncalled for.
Keeping in view the fact that Giles Clarke has time and again accommodated the Pakistan team to use the facilities of the ECB to host series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 is also heading the ICC task force for Pakistan.
Andrew Strauss and his men were upset by the remarks by the PCB chairman, and the 4th ODI at Lords did not start on a good note following a scuffle between Jonathan Trott and Wahab Riaz, not to mention the defeat that they had to face at the end
of it all.
"We were very absolutely outraged by the allegations yesterday," Strauss said.
"We refute them completely and we were very disturbed that someone would come out with those allegations without any proof to back them up.”
Strauss scored an impressive 68 to lead the team from the front however; his team mates could not capitalize on his innings and collapsed despite looking set for a victory against Pakistan. Given another successive defeat despite his heroics, Strauss was
pretty much deflated following http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s win.
"I'm pretty deflated, really. It has been a long and arduous and difficult 24 hours and to lose a game of cricket at the back end of it, which we were in a good position to win, is very disappointing.” Strauss said.
Strauss acknowledged that there was a lot going on off the field and there was plenty of raw emotion in the dressing room; however, that should not serve as an excuse for the defeat of the English side.
The last ODI of the series will now decide the fate of the two cricket playing nations, as to which one of them will eventually take the trophy. However, if Pakistan does manage to win the last ODI, it will be something very special for the team given the
nature of this tour which has given the morale of the team a serious bashing.
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