On Tradition Nazis
February 20, 2008
This blog is bored (and pissed about having to come up with a dissertation topic). So it will indulge in some stereotyping and name calling. Yes, we’re looking at all you true blue cricket fans who prattle on endlessly about the charms of cricket. We know you are steeped in the history and mores of the game but do you have to let your love for tradition spoil it for the rest of us who wish to see the game move forward.
You look at technology as if it were the second coming of Satan; tell me, do cricket’s charms really lie in umpire after umpire making howler after howler on international television? You rightly call out the ICC for its ineptitude but did you really have to raise such a stink about the 15 degree chucking rule, one of the most progressive and sensible decisions taken by the ICC? Yes the Australia – Rest of the World Superseries was undoubtedly disappointing but were you really so turned off by the prospect of seeing Lara and Tendulkar bat together that you managed to show such scorn for the idea? And let’s not even talk about Supersubs – another poorly implemented idea but potentially a lifesaver for 50 over games.
We have had enough and this blog has decided that it’s time to break your stranglehold on cricket debate. Yes, we will call out all you Tradition Nazis every time you raise your sodden voice. You should be quaking in your boots.
February 20, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Whoa, steady on there! Stereotyping can be quite dangerous and breeds bigotry. Love for traditions of the game and a progressive outlook need not be mutually exclusive. Of course, for any cricket lover, the first is optional while the second mandatory. For myself, I would like to think that I retain both.
I do think that the ICC is often unfairly criticized. Elsewhere, I’ve likened its situation to that of the United Nations, in that it’s very difficult for an organization to take tough decisions that directly impact its own constituents. Most critics rant without appreciating all sides of the issue and conveniently omit suggesting alternatives/solutions.
The examples you cited are excellent ones. The 15 degree rule makes a lot of sense and did a lot to save the game from a dangerous situation. The Superseries wasn’t a fundamentally bad idea; hell, there had been a great precedent in the past). The Supersubs idea, well, I don’t know why the sub couldn’t be declared after the toss.
However, on technology I am still ambivalent. And the arguments are not based on love for tradition.
February 21, 2008 at 4:26 am
Having said that, down with those real Tradition Nazis wherever they may be! I know of the existence of at least one of those.
February 21, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Agree with everything!