Weekly Update from week commencing 31/08/10
Posted by Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, at 17:02, Fri 10 September 2010:
Since 1980 my father and I have usually attended a day of the Lord’s test. The first time we went was to watch the West Indies and was almost a Somerset match in that three of our greatest players were involved – Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Joel Garner. Last week no Somerset player was involved, although Stewart Broad’s grandparents live at Wrington which is at least a connection. Sadly the day we went this year has turned out to be one of shame for cricket.
Before the allegations of foul play were raised Thursday has been a poor day. Only thirteen overs had been bowled because of poor light and rain. Yet in this hour’s play cricket was besmirched.
Perhaps those of us who have followed Somerset cricket from childhood are the most likely to be shocked. We have never won the county championship and this has inevitably accentuated the enjoyment of the game for its own sake. Any form of cheating, therefore, lessens the whole experience.
As Taunton welcomes the Pakistan team it is difficult to know what the solution is to these allegations. However, the sanctions must be severe so that those who have profited from wrong doing lose more by loss of earnings. Otherwise test cricket will be devalued and will not provide the income the sport needs. I am already due half of my money back because there was so little play, if it were fraudulent I should want the rest back too.
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Posted by John Doran, 20:19, Fri 10 September 2010: (Is this post abusive?) #
Well said, Jacob. But wagering on cricket is not new. Sir John Major's book "More than just a game", the history of the early years of cricket, gives a fascinating insight into some of the truly mega wagers which took place that helped the game to become established. Whilst "bending the odds" fraudulently is cheating and to be deplored with maximum sanctions applied to the cheats, genuine properly regulated wagers can do as much good for the game as they do, for example, in horse racing.
John Doran