Match-fixing just not cricket

A month ago when Hansie Cronje waved to the crowd in Cochin, everyone praised his spontaneous act of sportsmanship. The spirit of sportsmanship demands cheerfulness even in the face of defeat. The South African cricket captain was praised for his fairness, integrity and honesty.

A month later, and the whole scene has changed. Today, only bitterness is left after hearing of his involvement in a match- fixing scandal. Sportsmanship implies, first, fair play. Fairness, honesty, integrity and sincerity are the dominant marks of a good sportsman. One should not practice deception, should not bluff and should not cheat others. The people who respected him as the crowning glory of cricket now view him as the crowning glory of scandals.

The total image of the game is damaged due to such events. Match-fixing scandals are not an uncommon or a new phenomenon. A couple of months ago there were allegations against some of the Pakistani team's batsmen, and even two Australian batsmen were implicated in a match-fixing scandal. But all those things were cleanly swept under the carpet.

This matter which is spreading like forest fire in the news media will eventually go off like camphor in the air.

The competitive element in sports thrills the mind. Spectators are engrossed in the game because of its suspense and unexpected turns. But when we hear about scandals like these it makes us question whether it was due to sheer hard work or help from the other team. Cricket lovers now watch matches with an eagle eye.

Advertisers have withdrawn sponsorship for key people implicated in the scandals, but is it possible for cricket lovers to deny their love of the sport? People stand in ticket queues for hours to see their favorite players play. Some people come a day before to the ticket stand and wait through the night to get their tickets. Yet, after hearing of the scandals, one would think they wasted their money. People are dismayed by fears that the image of this noble game will be further damaged. Whether these allegations of match-fixing, match-forecasting or some of the other wrongdoing are true, part of a fact-finding mission or merely an eyewash, remains to be seen.

People are left like sheep without a shepherd. The news which is rocking the cricket world can flare again anytime. But the million dollar question is whether this corruption will continue or be rooted out. Cricket is a noble game, and the evil practice should not spoil its image.

One thing is for sure. The cricket-loving community has been dumped as fat-headed, and left to ponder why.

UMA RAMAKRISHNA

Jakarta