|
CRICKET ROADSHOWS
 |
Week 2 Review - 19 May, Lord's
Slater: I |
Australian Test star Michael Slater has apologized for his unacceptable on-field behaviour during his country's winter series in India.
Slater, who was censured by the match referee for his reaction after disputing a catch that wasn't given during the 1st Test, told the Cricket Roadshow he regretted his actions.
"It was bad and I look back and am very disappointed in myself. There was no doubt what I was saying to the batsman [Rahul Dravid] and the umpire [Venkat] was very constructive, but it looked bad and I have to say that I was bringing the game into
disrepute," he said.
"I've come to the realization that these incidents seem to be cropping up more and more, and it's up to the players to take responsibility for their actions."
Slater, who is in England commentating for C4 on the England-Pakistan series, came clean during a Roadshow discussion on the spirit of the game and a perceived decline in players' standards in recent years.
"I think the current players realize their responsibilities," he said. "We know we have to set the example for all the supporters, and for the kids especially."
Slater was joined on the Saturday morning show by fellow Australian Tony Dodemaide, now head of cricket for the MCC, who said increased money and television coverage had been contributory factors to the recent slip in players' standards.
"The game is changing and the game is being played for very high stakes now, but the players really do have to have a good think about it," he said.
Dodemaide was on the show to promote the MCC's Spirit Of Cricket initiative which is due to be launched on July 16 when Richie Benaud will give the inaugural Colin Cowdrey lecture.
Other contributors included Dermot Reeve - "it's a hard game and sometimes you're out there all day" - and Simon Hughes - "treat others as you would expect to be treated yourself" - while England players Marcus Trescothick and Michael Atherton were also
featured during the programme.
Trescothick spoke to presenter Sybil Ruscoe about England's positive start to the Test series against Pakistan, while Atherton dropped a heavy hint about his international retirement and his options after cricket.
"You've got to pick the right time to finish and then move on to something else," said the former England captain.
"I've been doing some media work, writing for the Sunday Telegraph, and hopefully I'll do a little of that and do a couple of other things as well to keep my mind buzzing."
Atherton refused to confirm this would be his last season but said winning the Ashes would be "a long-time dream come true", adding: "it would be the perfect end to this season."
But while Atherton kept his own counsel on his retirement date, The Telegraph cricket journalist Michael Henderson said he felt 2001 would definitely be Atherton's swansong.
"I think he's had a decent net in the last five years (working for the Sunday Telegraph) and I think he'll be okay," said Henderson.
Another feature on Saturday's show was the new Jaffas and Jokers section for the week's heroes and villains, fronted by Sybil and Dermot. It will have a regular slot on the Roadshow throughout the summer and anyone wishing to nominate potential candidates
can do so by emailing the programme during the week.
Mail the Cricket Show team at cricketshow@cricket4.com
Click to return to C4 cricket shows
|
