SCANDAL!

Scandal has recently scorched the reputation of the venerable game of Cricket.  There’s been a major set-to in the leading Australian team.  Ball-tampering, they’re calling it.  I find it quite distressing.

I really wouldn’t care except we have a Cricket bat hanging in our den.  It brings back good memories.  It came home with me after the summer I spent in England with my college roommate.  During that time, we were fortunate enough to be invited to garden parties, house tours and Cricket matches.  All terribly British and we loved it.

If you’ve ever been to a Cricket match…..and really, who among us hasn’t?…..you’ll know that they represent the epitome of manners, graciousness, proper decorum and demeanor.  That applies to players and spectators alike.

While Cricket players have always claimed a moral high ground, apparently, they’ve been at this cheating thing since the 1800’s.  Gambling, match-fixing, doping.  “It beggars belief,” say the Australians.

The media voice of Australian Cricket, according to the press, was reduced to tears over the latest scandal.

Furthermore, the Australian Prime Minister states that, prior to this egregious act of poor behavior, Cricket stars were held in considerably higher regard than politicians.

Well, now.  That took the wind right out of my sails.

I got to thinking about all that and wondered: Just exactly how far was the descent from Cricket star to politician?