The incident is shocking – but hardly surprising.
It is common knowledge that Australian cricketers are not exactly known for their reticence – on the contrary, they have quick, cutting tongues and a certain contempt for the opposition.
By way of extenuation, the best you could say is that this business of shooting from the lip is not confined to the Aussies – if that is any consolation.
But even by the standards of what has become acceptable from a cricketer, Steve Waugh’s performance today, at the end of his team’s eight wicket win over South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a stunner.
At the post-match press conference, journalists were quizzing Protean skipper Shaun Pollock about the fate of Steve Elworthy, who had been felled by a vicious bouncer from Glenn McGrath during the South African innings.
“He has gone to hospital and had the first scan (a CaT scan to determine internal head injuries) and it’s come back clear…” Pollock responded.
At which Waugh, seated alongside, turned with a smile to Australian Cricket Board media manager Brian Murgatroyd and in a stage whisper, said, “I bet you they didn’t find a brain either.”
Firstly, to speak when your opposing captain is answering questions smacks of a certain lack of respect – unlooked for, and unwelcome, in Steve Waugh who makes such a fuss about the traditions of the game.
But what is worse is the comment itself. A fellow cricketer takes the kind of blow on the head that can cripple, even kill – to come up with such a facetious remark when that player’s well-being is being discussed argues insensitivity of the highest order, coupled with arrogance.
Equally arrogant was his behaviour when it came to his own turn to answer questions: “You can write what you want, mate,” the Australian captain reportedly said, before walking off
AK