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Diplomacy in sport

I am often tempted to start up a blog exclusively about cricket, but that would definitely be to the detriment of this blog.  Being a cricket journo must be the easiest job in the world – there is always something happening on and off the field and this summer has been no exception. The series between Australia and India has been full of controversy, with India accusing Australia of not playing in the spirit of the game.  A lot has been written about how India positions itself in the cricket world – both India and Pakistan often portray themselves as the victim of white bullying, while the white world (England and Australia) conversely see India as the cashed-up bully who wields television rights as a bargaining chip. 

Ricky Ponting, Australia's number one diplomat

Like China, India is on the rise and I think countries are still adjusting to this change.  After India’s controversial loss in Sydney, cricket journalist Peter Roebuck said that Australian captain Ricky Ponting should be sacked.  That’s a pretty harsh call on someone who has captained a team that won 16 successive games and averages a very high 58 with the bat.  I think Roebuck was mostly influenced by Ponting’s bad attitude in the Sydney test – he became grumpy when Australia was in a dangerous position and placed the umpires under pressure.  Most of all, Roebuck doesn’t think that Ponting is a good statesman for Australia, especially within the important context of Australian-Indian relations.  Roebuck believes that Australia needs to be more aware of Indian sensitivities.  That’s a big call, especially when you consider that India has some very complex feelings towards the Western world.  Like China, this massive country of over one billion people wants to prove that it is as good as the West, a sentiment which surely poses a minefield for opposition sporting teams to traverse. 

Diplomatically and economically, I think that Australia’s relationship with China is more developed than the one with India, which is surprising since Australia and India are both members of the Commonwealth.  However, Australia’s sporting relationship with China will be tested this year in World Cup qualifiers.  The captain of the Socceroos can learn a lot from Ricky Ponting’s experience with India – you’re welcome to beat the rising power, but always play fair and don’t be overly exuberant when you win. 

Posted: 12:16 PM, 20/1/2008 in Australia

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Australia and India

Don't forget that India has been a very politically unstable country for a very long time. This is usually bad for trade.

And as for cricket, I won't say anything as I don't usually like it...

Posted by AngelaJames at 3:23 PM, 20/1/2008
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