It's been a controversy to say the least, something that could even have been expected on an Australian tour.

Things were said in the Sydney Test and charges were brought on Harbhajan Singh, who allegedly racially abused Andrew Symonds by calling him a "monkey".

Harbhajan has been cleared of the racial abuse part but will be penalised for a lower classification of abuse as he did plead guilty to using some abusive language.

'Has competition, sponsorship and commercialisation of the game made it ungentlemanly?'


I sometimes wonder what has happened to the gentleman's game. It used to be that cricket was a game and nothing more. There was an element of respect and a good delivery was acknowledged by the batsman, while a good shot was acknowledged by the bowler, all in good spirits. Umpires would intervene only to conduct the game, the batsman would walk if he knew he had hit the ball.

So where has that game gone now? Has competition, sponsorship and commercialisation made it ungentlemanly in some way? The game has grown in popularity and it might just be because of the gossip and antics by different players and officials.

You never know, it might just be a way to hype up a series or generate more revenue from newspapers and websites. But it's not cricket any more, a huge money factor is involved as well.

With Twenty20 and day-night Test matches coming into the frame and more money getting into the game, has cricket lost its charm? I sincerely hope not.