http://larison.org/2006/08/24/perspective-on-the-anglo-pak-cricket-crisis/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:40:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://larison.org/2006/08/24/perspective-on-the-anglo-pak-cricket-crisis/#comment-4471 Fri, 25 Aug 2006 04:33:57 +0000 http://larison.org/2006/08/24/perspective-on-the-anglo-pak-cricket-crisis/#comment-4471 The hysterical overreaction by the Pakistanis and the English press is completely over the top. The penalty for suspected ball tampering is a mere five runs - something easily made up for by any competent team. They could have continued to play under protest, spoke to the match referee at the end of the game for an adjudication and possibly have the decision reversed on appeal, in the unlikely event that the match was that close. Instead by refusing to play on the Pakistanis violated the rules of the game and brought the Game into Disrepute, as well spoiling the game for the spectators, and ground officials. Hare was obligated by the Laws of Cricket to declare Pakistan forfeit - the first time that has been done in over a hundred years. Bringing the Game into Disrepute is a far more serious offence then whether the umpire got it wrong. And in any case, I doubt that Hare the did - this hysteria seems designed to intimidate officials from penalizing them for cheating. The hysterical overreaction by the Pakistanis and the English press is completely over the top. The penalty for suspected ball tampering is a mere five runs - something easily made up for by any competent team. They could have continued to play under protest, spoke to the match referee at the end of the game for an adjudication and possibly have the decision reversed on appeal, in the unlikely event that the match was that close. Instead by refusing to play on the Pakistanis violated the rules of the game and brought the Game into Disrepute, as well spoiling the game for the spectators, and ground officials. Hare was obligated by the Laws of Cricket to declare Pakistan forfeit - the first time that has been done in over a hundred years. Bringing the Game into Disrepute is a far more serious offence then whether the umpire got it wrong. And in any case, I doubt that Hare the did - this hysteria seems designed to intimidate officials from penalizing them for cheating.

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