Tamper tamper!

Although this is supposed to be primarily a Poppies blog there are some O/T matters impossible to ignore. As readers will know, Patgod has long been an admirer of the Australian cricket team, in the same sense that we liked the way that John Terry went about his business, and felt that Shteve McClaren could have emulated Sir Alf if only he’d been given more time. 

So you can imagine our reaction to the events in South Africa, where we were shocked – SHOCKED – to learn that far from being the haloed wearers of the baggy green that they purported to be, certain members of the Australian camp are sneaky, underhand, ball tampering cheats.

Nurse, the smelling salts…

The cricketing fraternity was split in two by this sensational news.  In Australia, it was the saddest day in sport. Various politicians and ex players wobbled with emotion as they spoke about it. The rest of the world practically soiled themselves laughing.

There is a serious point though.  Was this really the first time?  Were they at it during the Ashes too?  Could we have been cheated out of losing by a smaller margin?  

Patgod is divided on the punishment that has been meted out. The young kid, Bancroft, clearly not the sharpest tool in the box, probably should have copped a few matches and be made to field with his pockets hanging out in future. Smith deserves a year and a couple of Barmy Army songs written specially in his honour.  Warner should be banished to the Afghan Premier League indefinitely.  Anyone who looks like the idiot offspring of Shane Warne and a molested koala deserves no less.  

 

Cheer-i-o!!