Moeen Ali: Australia are abusive and rude — they’re the only side I’ve disliked

[Abdullah719]

The England all-rounder speaks to Mike Atherton about battling his way back into the Test team after a gruelling Ashes.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/4da4458a-b76a-11e8-9605-b6ff09b482a1

Some excerpts from this article:

“Muslim cricketers deep down want to have religion in their life,” he says. “I was a bit reluctant until I saw Hash. I was a bit hesitant. I would have got there in the end but Hash made it much easier for me. I thought, ‘If he can do it, why not me?’ ”

“I found it very difficult in Australia to switch off,” he says. “It was my first Ashes tour and I was desperate to do well and was really looking forward to it. I worked so hard on the short ball before the series began, maybe too hard. Then [Nathan] Lyon kept getting me out. I found that very hard to deal with. I never thought that I was a poor player of spin but I really struggled against him. I wasn’t getting any wickets either. Things just got tougher and tougher.

“After the third Test I’d almost had enough. You never want to get dropped but I was at that point. I probably shouldn’t have played the second Test with my finger injured; then someone got injured and I had to play the fourth Test; then I played the fifth. After that I just needed a break; needed to get away from the game.”

Ali is very critical of the Australia team, and his lack of respect for them lingers still. “Everyone you speak to . . . they are the only team I’ve played against my whole life that I’ve actually disliked. Not because it’s Australia and they are the old enemy but because of the way they carry on and [their] disrespect of people and players.”

As for the events in Cape Town that led to Steve Smith, the Test captain, being banned for 12 months, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who got nine months, Ali insists it was always coming. “I’m someone who generally feels sorry for people when things go wrong but it’s difficult to feel sorry for them. This ODI series they were very good actually; they’d been . . . ” Humbled? “Yeah, humbled.

“The first game I ever played against them, in Sydney, just before the 2015 World Cup, they were not just going hard at you, they were almost abusing you. That was the first time it hit me. I gave them the benefit of the doubt but the more I played against them they were just as bad, the Ashes here [in 2015] they were worse actually. Not intimidating, just rude. Individually they are fine and the Aussies we’ve had at Worcester have been fantastic, lovely guys.”

“The match at the Ageas Bowl felt like my debut again,” he says. “I was really excited. It was funny, I knew I needed a break from Test cricket but I found it hard to watch when I was out of the team, missed it more than I imagined.

“As soon as I started bowling I knew it was coming out well. I’d been bowling well for the club, been working with Saqqui [Saqlain Mushtaq, the part-time England spin coach]. He’s really good. Basically I don’t think we bowl enough as spinners in England and he’s always on at me to do more. I’d bowled 16 overs and didn’t have a wicket but almost for the first time as a spinner I wasn’t worried. I knew the wickets would come if I stayed patient.”

 

[hadi123]

Not a lot of people like Australia.

 

[Mamoon]

Don’t be soft.

 

[barah_admi]

Threatening to break arms and using racial slur have made the Aussies a horrible bunch. The nadir, deservedly so, came in humiliating fashion and it does seem that they are making a conscious effort, as a team, to be more sporting. Let us see how long it lasts.

 

[InziRules]

Don’t be soft.

But you support Kohli who said he's no longer friends with Australian players over a bit of cheating that never happened except in Indian heads.

 

[Hawkeye]

Don’t be soft.

Ummm, Kohli have said the same about Aussies.

Is he soft?

In general I disagree with both Kohli And Moeen. We need that kind of aggressive attitude on the field, sledging.

 

[InziRules]

Ummm, Kohli have said the same about Aussies.

Is he soft?

In general I disagree with both Kohli And Moeen. We need that kind of aggressive attitude on the field, sledging.

But that won't be the same because of some whataboutery and Kohli not being Muslim

 

[Last Monetarist]

I think it's fair to say that Moeen was a classic victim of the old mental disintegration technique favoured by the Australians. He kept getting out to Nathan Lyon, which kinda underlines that his mind had scrambled.

 

[Mamoon]

But you support Kohli who said he's no longer friends with Australian players over a bit of cheating that never happened except in Indian heads.

That cheating did not happen in the heads of the Indian players only. Smith actually admitted to it, and Kohli had every right to be miffed about it.

Any player who plays the game hard and fair will not appreciate what Smith did.

Kohli has always given Australian players a taste of their own medicine, and have put some of them in their place to the extent where some of the former Australian players do not want the team to sledge him anymore.

So I don’t really see why you had to drag Kohli into this thread. Your attempt at point scoring has turned out to be a flat tyre I’m afraid.

 

[Mamoon]

Ummm, Kohli have said the same about Aussies.

Is he soft?

In general I disagree with both Kohli And Moeen. We need that kind of aggressive attitude on the field, sledging.

Read my previous post. Kohli’s statement was in light of Smith cheating with the DRS, it had nothing to do with sledging which Kohli thrives in.

Moeen is clearly being soft here.

 

[Aman]

I wish we had an enforcer to put these Aussies in their place.

 

[AFM]

Read my previous post. Kohli’s statement was in light of Smith cheating with the DRS, it had nothing to do with sledging which Kohli thrives in.

Moeen is clearly being soft here.

I think the poster was referring to this, not the dressing room scandal.

https://www.google.pl/amp/s/amp.the...s-no-longer-friends-with-australian-opponents

A lot of teams have had problems with the way this current gen of Aussie cricketers conduct themselves. I've heard/read similar complaints from England, India, SA and NZ.

 

[Bilal7]

Aussies are easily the most hated team in the world. Not talking about individual players, like Moeen said, but their team culture and lack of respect for the opposition has clearly not earned them many friends. It's not about being soft; a soft player would not call out the Aussies like this and put themselves firmly in the crosshairs for future meetings. It's better than Virat 'I'm not your friend anymore' Kohli doing 'qutti' with them in a presser.

Amla has clearly been an inspiration to so many. From Aleem Dar, to Moeen Ali to Sonny Bill Williams (All-Blacks Rugby star). Fantastic guy.

 

[aloo paratha]

Who doesn't hate the Aussies? Always fun to see them getting thrashed.

 

[Greenstorm]

You need bowlers like Shoaib, Wasim, Waqar and Imran to deal with Aussies.

 

[austerlitz]

You need bowlers like Shoaib, Wasim, Waqar and Imran to deal with Aussies.

Unfortunately the aussies dealt with them.They all lost.:/

 

[Robert]

Some Aussie sides are uglier than others. Chappelli’s side. Tugga’s side. Smith’s side.

Others have been more gentlemanly - Tubby’s as a recent example.

 

[Major]

Australian's know how to play sports. They know how to get in your heads.

Cricketers don't like this because they are not used to this culture. Other sports like Ice hockey have fights where punches are throw. Infact, they have specialists for this known as enforcers.

More teams need to act like the Australians. This is why Australia could always steal the game from you.

And England also has its bad boys, such as Stokes.

 

[Hasan123]

Australia have crossed the line many times that is without doubt. But what I like about them is that they play the game hard and what they are is the toughest cookies. The most resilient and that is why I respect them and like them.

 

[Pete Rose]

Well, at least he had done better than trott swann and tescothick to come running home crying after a tough tour to oz.

 

[Dulex9]

Does anyone know what kinda things are being said in a rude, abusive way?

Do the Aussies say in the line of "your teeth is looking bad, your teeth is just wrong dude" and all the other players especially the slips emphasise on the same thing laughing at the batsman that play on the batsman's mind.

Do they cross the line saying "what is that wife of yours up to now"?

It must be something bad if Ali has to say this and Trott, Trescothick to return home.

 

[James]

Difficult to disagree with Ali’s summary when the Smith captaincy era abruptly ended in the disgraceful manner that it did.

 

[Buffet]

problem with Aus - they take dish it out, but complain when some teams dish it to them.

Also, they have imaginary line in their head which they define and keep changing that line depending on if they are on receiving end or dishing to other teams.

 

[the_outsider]

Australian's know how to play sports. They know how to get in your heads.

Cricketers don't like this because they are not used to this culture. Other sports like Ice hockey have fights where punches are throw. Infact, they have specialists for this known as enforcers.

More teams need to act like the Australians. This is why Australia could always steal the game from you.

And England also has its bad boys, such as Stokes.

Different sports can have different norms and cultures.

Comparing cricket to ice hockey is a poor choice since the latter is a contact sport while the former is not.

Cricket will always be played in a different spirit to football, rugby or hockey. And there is absolutely no need to change that.

 

[the_outsider]

Australia have crossed the line many times that is without doubt. But what I like about them is that they play the game hard and what they are is the toughest cookies. The most resilient and that is why I respect them and like them.

Have to disagree there. Resilient teams don't end up doing what happened in South Africa. That is a sign of a desperate team, not a resilient one.

 

[Buffet]

Does anyone know what kinda things are being said in a rude, abusive way?

Do the Aussies say in the line of "your teeth is looking bad, your teeth is just wrong dude" and all the other players especially the slips emphasise on the same thing laughing at the batsman that play on the batsman's mind.

Do they cross the line saying "what is that wife of yours up to now"?

It must be something bad if Ali has to say this and Trott, Trescothick to return home.

Aus define crossing the line depending on situation. They can say whatever they want, but have an imaginary line in their head which other teams shouldn't cross when playing against them. To answer your question precisely, later version is true. Look up McGrath's wife episode with a WI player.

 

[shaz619]

Don’t be soft.

Moeen Ali is a thoroughbred gentleman who brings so much honour to putting on an England search so how dare you side with junglees! but I will excuse that because you're still doing the pro India gimmick and that typical peshwari pathan fire seems to come out every now and then

 

[Hitman]

Moeen Ali has always been an extremely nice person on the field. So when he says something like this, I'll believe him. Not that we already don't know about the Aussies.

Funny how the Aussies had serious problems with Harbhajan all throughout his career, even before the MonkeyGate saga. And Hayden called him an obnoxious little weed on radio during that tour, specifically mentioning that he has always been the same throughout his career. It's fine when you do it, but when someone dishes it back then you have problems. No wonder they hated Arjuna Ranatunga's guts.

 

[Hasan123]

Have to disagree there. Resilient teams don't end up doing what happened in South Africa. That is a sign of a desperate team, not a resilient one.

That was uncalled for and very in Australian but there are plenty of times in the past where Australia have shown in believe resilient. Can't 1 use incident to say they are not resilient when they have proven it plenty of times.

 

[Junaids]

Some Aussie sides are uglier than others. Chappelli’s side. Tugga’s side. Smith’s side.

Others have been more gentlemanly - Tubby’s as a recent example.

I disagree about Chappell’s team.

That’s how Tony Greig got his WSC and Channel 9 jobs - he was very close to the Aussies.

Border’s 1989 tourists were totally obnoxious too.

 

[James]

Australian's know how to play sports. They know how to get in your heads.

Cricketers don't like this because they are not used to this culture. Other sports like Ice hockey have fights where punches are throw. Infact, they have specialists for this known as enforcers.

More teams need to act like the Australians. This is why Australia could always steal the game from you.

And England also has its bad boys, such as Stokes.

Yes, more teams need to know how to play sports and get in people’s heads, let’s act like the Australians and create a mass ball tampering / cheating culture within the team then get caught on camera planning it all and carrying it out.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Yes, more teams need to know how to play sports and get in people’s heads, let’s act like the Australians and create a mass ball tampering / cheating culture within the team then get caught on camera planning it all and carrying it out.

Murdered by words. Especially the last part.

Abuse can get your behind kicked and in certain parts of the world jail or premature death.

What Aussies say ain't trash talk; it's abusive attitude.

Zidane will always be the champion and the Italian guy will always remain the one who insulted and fake dived.

 

[James]

CA is now investigating fresh allegations from Ali that one of the Australian team called him “Osama” in the 2015 Ashes.

Disgusting if it’s true, but sadly not surprising.

Cricket fans from outside of Australia who worship their “playing hard” approach really need to stop being so sycophantic, and wake up to what Smith’s team were really doing out there on the field.

 

[the_outsider]

That was uncalled for and very in Australian but there are plenty of times in the past where Australia have shown in believe resilient. Can't 1 use incident to say they are not resilient when they have proven it plenty of times.

Allegedly, the SA tour was not the first time the Aussies might have engaged in ball tampering.

There is video evidence of Cameron Bancroft putting sugar in his pocket in the dressing room before coming on the field during the last Ashes series in Australia.

I watched that series and can attest to the fact that the Australian bowlers were getting the ball to reverse much earlier than the English counterparts could.

Back then I put it down to superior skill in the Aussie camp. But now, I have to doubt it.

Then there was the whole DRS-gate saga in India in 2017.

Australian teams of the past may have been resilient. But I don't see that in the current Australian camp. All I see is a desperation to win - and not the good kind.

 

[wrongun]

Does anyone know what kinda things are being said in a rude, abusive way?

Do the Aussies say in the line of "your teeth is looking bad, your teeth is just wrong dude" and all the other players especially the slips emphasise on the same thing laughing at the batsman that play on the batsman's mind.

Do they cross the line saying "what is that wife of yours up to now"?

It must be something bad if Ali has to say this and Trott, Trescothick to return home.

One of the most famous sledge banters of all time is Oz keeper Rod Marsh & Ian Botham.

RM: (as the bowler is about to run in) "So Beefy, how's your wife and my kids?"

IB: (after the ball) "Wife is fine, kids are r*tarded."

 

[Minnowbasher]

Don’t be soft.

The most pathetic comment I have ever seen. If someone has been racially abused you can't expect them to just keep quiet about it and not bother. It clearly hurt moeen ali on a personal level.
Who the hell are you to call him soft? Have you been abused during a cricket match in front of a crowd of 20,000 plus?

 

[wrongun]

For what it's worth, Smith's team isn't getting much sympathy or support back home.

The media has been against the teams attitude and suggests the ball tampering scandal is just the end result of a badly degraded team culture, a bunch of arrogant jerks who think they are bigger than the game and better than they are basically. Many in the public agree. The move to forge a new team culture out of the circumstances is being cautiously supported.

Aussies will always be in your face, aggressive and have a word. It is how sport here is played. But there should be standards and a time and a place. For what it's worth I had no problem with Clarke telling Anderson to get ready for a broken *ahem* arm- that's intimidation and letting them know we have a lightning fast bowler in good form. Fear is a tool.

I DO have a problem with racial or religious abuse, cheating or umpire abuse.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Aussies are the most racist and disgusting side in world cricket when it comes to abuse. I loved it when kohli exposed them in both Australia and India by firstly mincing their bowlers and then catching them cheating several times. Lol and what's left of them. Smith and warner are gone for now.

 

[Torborg]

CA is now investigating fresh allegations from Ali that one of the Australian team called him “Osama” in the 2015 Ashes.

Disgusting if it’s true, but sadly not surprising.

Cricket fans from outside of Australia who worship their “playing hard” approach really need to stop being so sycophantic, and wake up to what Smith’s team were really doing out there on the field.

According to Ali, he was told that he was called part timer rather than Osama.

I may be in the minority here, but I can see how those terms could be confused.

The English way of 'playing hard' isn't any better imo.

Lollies, anyone?

 

[Torborg]

Aussies are the most racist and disgusting side in world cricket when it comes to abuse. I loved it when kohli exposed them in both Australia and India by firstly mincing their bowlers and then catching them cheating several times. Lol and what's left of them. Smith and warner are gone for now.

Kohli minced the Aussie bowlers in India with an average of 9.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

What's the problem with just letting your skill speak for itself?

Personally I see no need for sledging in the game.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

I don't agree with those who condone it either - saying that it adds spice or whatever.

The thing that adds spice is a good contest between bat and ball.

The emotions of the faces of the players already show what is being felt.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Once you start condoning a culture of sledging, well then it is a slippery slope to outright abuse.

 

[Hasan123]

Allegedly, the SA tour was not the first time the Aussies might have engaged in ball tampering.

There is video evidence of Cameron Bancroft putting sugar in his pocket in the dressing room before coming on the field during the last Ashes series in Australia.

I watched that series and can attest to the fact that the Australian bowlers were getting the ball to reverse much earlier than the English counterparts could.

Back then I put it down to superior skill in the Aussie camp. But now, I have to doubt it.

Then there was the whole DRS-gate saga in India in 2017.

Australian teams of the past may have been resilient. But I don't see that in the current Australian camp. All I see is a desperation to win - and not the good kind.

There is no proof or investigation going on in more ball tampering by Australia so I won't comment on that

My comments about them being resilient had nothing to do with them ball tampering and the lengths they go to win.

 

[Hasan2K8]

Australian players are more than capable of saying that to him. No doubt in that, they have bad sledging. But he brings this up now, all of a sudden? Is to sell a book?

 

[Last Monetarist]

Well, he's had a great day in Birmingham today. Leading an unfancied club to win the T20 Blast for the first time in their history. Hussain was waxing lyrical about Moeen post-match with Ward, on how the entire country should be proud of an individual like him. Richly deserved.

 

[Hawkeye]

According to Ali, he was told that he was called part timer rather than Osama.

I may be in the minority here, but I can see how those terms could be confused.

The English way of 'playing hard' isn't any better imo.

Lollies, anyone?

Yeah, I read the other reports and the guy himself says he probably misheard.

Facepalm!!!

Why would you even bring up this probability if you're not sure. It's a bold accusation.

Maybe the purpose was indeed to spice things up and sell his book. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Minnowbasher]

Kohli minced the Aussie bowlers in India with an average of 9.

In Australia he minced Aussies and in India he caught them cheating and gave some huge shots at the Australian cricket team and Mark Taylor during his press conferences. Sadly he couldn't convert his form in press conferences into form on the wicket.

 

[ManFan]

Can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

 

[hadi123]

Can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

Disagree. There's a huge difference between sledging and abuse. You should NEVER get personal when sledging.

 

[James]

Can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

This is not tough talk or cool.

Racial and / or religious hate crime is not excused because it comes under the banner of sledging.

In fact just thinking about England and Wales law, if it is proven that the “Osama” comment was made by a particular individual and directed with hostility at Ali, then the offending individual might even be viewed as having committed a crime under our law, and who knows - this could lead to some serious consequences.

 

[Mamoon]

Can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

Well he did get out of the kitchen in Australia.

 

[MMHS]

Can’t stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

It’s a bit different. Aussies are the dirtiest, filthiest cricketers around and as we come to know cheat as well. There is a thick line between banter, leg pulling and abusing players to gain advantage. And these shameless Aussies can’t stand own medicine, which makes them even worse.

I told a story sometimes back. Our Shahriar Nafees played a glorious 137 at 75+ SR in 5 hours against Aussies in a Test and he was barely 20-21 then. That was at Fatullah and AUS almost lost that Test.

Anyway, as Nafees told - at the start when he played some shots, Aussies (there were few in that team almost 12-15 years senior and world class players) started to taunt him. After lunch it became spicy and after tea, as he said it went to wag & mother level. This guy comes from A level back ground - english wasn’t an issue for him and later he said that such was the filth of dirty Aussie mouth that at times he wanted to throw his wicket and leave the field!!! And, he eventually got out trying to hit a ball he should have left, which he was doing for whole day. When under threat, these Aussies doesn’t consider anything and throws everything that you can utter.

Teams should make sure that they make the best out of this “caught red handed in act” - let’s see how thick is Aussie skin. I am sure, at least for few years, you’ll see quite decent Aussie team for their standard - and I expect players to scratch in their undi while playing against Aussies.

 

[InziRules]

Well he did get out of the kitchen in Australia.

So what have you done in life?

 

[Reverse Sweep]

There is no evidence that the player said that. I remember when Joe Root got a fake beard to laugh at Amla and Dave Warner hit him to stop Root from doing that

 

[Mamoon]

So what have you done in life?

Maybe nothing, maybe something or maybe a lot, but I would like to teach my children (if I have them) the following: If someone discriminates against you, try to be strong enough so that it does not have an impact on you - complaining about it will not take you anywhere.

Try and reach a level of perfection where the world is in awe of you and cannot think of discriminating against you because they are too busy imitating you. If you are black, be like Obama, who would have never become th President had he spent his time whinging and complaining about racism.

Moeen was bullied by the Australians and he cowered. He did not have the cricket skills or the sledging skills to fight back, and now here he is talking about how he doesn’t like them because they are rude boohoo. Australians should be loving this.

He seems like an easy target for sledging. Apply a little pressure and target him verbally, and he will melt like candle. However, he will be sure to talk about it later on in a book.

 

[Mamoon]

There is no evidence that the player said that. I remember when Joe Root got a fake beard to laugh at Amla and Dave Warner hit him to stop Root from doing that

When people claim that they have been discriminated against, they are usually relieved of the burden of proof because these things happen and they must be right, and that is what is wrong with the world today.

People are too quick to side with the so-called victim because of the fear of being labeled racist or a racism apologist.

 

[ManFan]

Disagree. There's a huge difference between sledging and abuse. You should NEVER get personal when sledging.

Yes which is why my all time favorite sledge is Flintoff’s “mind the windows” to Tino Best.

I really do not like the whole “spirit of the game” mantra in cricket and believe it is one of the reasons why it has not become popular.

Sport is an exercise where the the viewer is to escape his/her own realities and it brings out our inner animal which is why you see so many sports fans involved in a group mentality. It’s US vs. THEM.

The issue I have with Moeen is that he received a lot of abuse in Australia but that was to be always expected. The best way to respond is either to give equally as much (then you lose before even starting as you begin to focus on the player and not the ball/bat) or you perform beyond the point the Aussies think that sledging will hinder your game.

The latter was accomplished by Khan and Miandad when they toured Australia throughout the 1980’s because Border and his men realized that they liked the fight. Not to mention the all-too clever Miandad having a slithering tongue of his own (sometimes bat as DK found out).

We were all there when Australia disintegrated after their first win in SA earlier this year. Was it poor batting, bowling, or fielding that led to their demise?

No.

It was their mentality ultimately that caused them to cross a line for which there is no excuse.

But before the Second Test, AB de Villers stated that this would be “ a series to remember”. And he proved a man of his word by demolishing the pacers with the bat and it looked rather humiliating when he was tonking Lyon around the park who had just a week earlier thrown the ball on top of him.

Moeen may have every reason to feel adgitated but he must realize that he is bigger then any sledge. His position in cricket has been a remarkable advertisement and inspiration for his fellow Brummies who may be going through a hard time.

 

[MMHS]

When people claim that they have been discriminated against, they are usually relieved of the burden of proof because these things happen and they must be right, and that is what is wrong with the world today.

People are too quick to side with the so-called victim because of the fear of being labeled racist or a racism apologist.

Aussies didn't call him Osama (terrorist) because they believed he was one, rather those dirty Aussies knew that using such words will make Moeen upset, which'll effect his game. They used such words to gain an undue advantage in the game.

You can say that Moeen should have been tougher enough to ignore and play his game, or bite back - but that's not his weakness, rather personality trait, not everyone can go down to Aussie level in cricket field, but that doesn't mean he is weak. In a western country, within a secular society, the way he has maintained his religious beliefs, his life style - shows the inner strength of the man. It's not that he didn't bark back at some dirty Aussies, he is weak - it's just not his style; not everyone has the taste to reach Aussie level.

I tell you a story from a club game in my mohalla. One of the WK was extremely rowdy and he'll sledge left, right & centre to anyone, and hardly anyone will go for a verbal spat with him for his filthy mouth. One weekend game, we were batting and he started to do his antics from ball 1 - 2/3 batsmen fell for it and they complained back at tent. SO, we sent our No. 10 at 5 for a purpose and this guy was absolute trash in his mouth ..... he started batting and immediately that WK started as well - but this time after few minutes, our guy absolutely cleared his lungs with everything that can come from human mouth, so loudly that we could hear from tent. That WK didn't expect that someone would utter such words to him (& family) with examples and such loudly - he lost his temper and went for a physical contact ....... ended in hospital with broken bones, because our guy used his bat, while the WK's teammates & umpires left those two to settle in between.

After that day, we never heard that WK even talking much in the field - he left the club in a year to another area and keep himself decent there after. Aussies need such treatment - few times, their batsmen did get some medicine from WIN fast bowlers, and I can tell you in writing here - Ugly Aussies of 80s were quite polite against WIN those days, relative to their standard. For some reason, they didn't feel the need of "mentally disintegrating" WIN fast bowlers, while batting.

 

[Torborg]

Yeah, I read the other reports and the guy himself says he probably misheard.

Facepalm!!!

Why would you even bring up this probability if you're not sure. It's a bold accusation.

Maybe the purpose was indeed to spice things up and sell his book. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

Few people seem to be sure, which is the whole point. I'm not making an accusation, but rather raising alternate scenarios.

Why are you so quick to assume Aussie racism as the cause without a thorough investigation?

I'm confident that Moeen wasn't lying. I suspect that he misheard an insult. I can see how 'part timer' could be misheard as Osama.

 

[Torborg]

Aussies didn't call him Osama (terrorist) because they believed he was one, rather those dirty Aussies knew that using such words will make Moeen upset, which'll effect his game. They used such words to gain an undue advantage in the game.

You can say that Moeen should have been tougher enough to ignore and play his game, or bite back - but that's not his weakness, rather personality trait, not everyone can go down to Aussie level in cricket field, but that doesn't mean he is weak. In a western country, within a secular society, the way he has maintained his religious beliefs, his life style - shows the inner strength of the man. It's not that he didn't bark back at some dirty Aussies, he is weak - it's just not his style; not everyone has the taste to reach Aussie level.

I tell you a story from a club game in my mohalla. One of the WK was extremely rowdy and he'll sledge left, right & centre to anyone, and hardly anyone will go for a verbal spat with him for his filthy mouth. One weekend game, we were batting and he started to do his antics from ball 1 - 2/3 batsmen fell for it and they complained back at tent. SO, we sent our No. 10 at 5 for a purpose and this guy was absolute trash in his mouth ..... he started batting and immediately that WK started as well - but this time after few minutes, our guy absolutely cleared his lungs with everything that can come from human mouth, so loudly that we could hear from tent. That WK didn't expect that someone would utter such words to him (& family) with examples and such loudly - he lost his temper and went for a physical contact ....... ended in hospital with broken bones, because our guy used his bat, while the WK's teammates & umpires left those two to settle in between.

After that day, we never heard that WK even talking much in the field - he left the club in a year to another area and keep himself decent there after. Aussies need such treatment - few times, their batsmen did get some medicine from WIN fast bowlers, and I can tell you in writing here - Ugly Aussies of 80s were quite polite against WIN those days, relative to their standard. For some reason, they didn't feel the need of "mentally disintegrating" WIN fast bowlers, while batting.

Pfft.

Some of the stereotypes about Aussies that are portrayed here are blatantly racist, including yours.

In this modern era, if any Aussie cricketer called Moeen "Osama," they would be ostracized by most of their teammates.

Welcome to the 21st century.

 

[MMHS]

Pfft.

Some of the stereotypes about Aussies that are portrayed here are blatantly racist, including yours.

In this modern era, if any Aussie cricketer called Moeen "Osama," they would be ostracized by most of their teammates.

Welcome to the 21st century.

May be - but before the underwear gate, we used to hear that Aussies play hard, but plays fair ......

Welcome to 2018.

 

[Hawkeye]

Pfft.

Some of the stereotypes about Aussies that are portrayed here are blatantly racist, including yours.

In this modern era, if any Aussie cricketer called Moeen "Osama," they would be ostracized by most of their teammates.

Welcome to the 21st century.

That's true. Shocked to see so much hate, stereotypes and borderline racism against the Aussies here.

I love how Australia plays their cricket. Solid, ruthless, sledge where appropriate. How cricket should be played.

 

[James]

That's true. Shocked to see so much hate, stereotypes and borderline racism against the Aussies here.

I love how Australia plays their cricket. Solid, ruthless, sledge where appropriate. How cricket should be played.

Do you support ball tampering by the Smith team (proven) and the alleged slur of “Osama”? Is the former solid and ruthless, or just wrong?

Where is the line for you?

 

[Hawkeye]

Do you support ball tampering by the Smith team (proven) and the alleged slur of “Osama”? Is the former solid and ruthless, or just wrong?

Where is the line for you?

No, I do not support ball tampering. Neither if someone REALLY said that word. Even Moeen says he don't know and is not sure.

Though every team does tampering. It comes to light when someone's caught. South Africa were caught, not once but twice.

Did you see the same outcry? punishments? No.

On the contrary, the Australian cricket board, the nation, the government there, all were super mad and shocked. They did not want the involved cricketers to play at all.

Not even once in the history of cricket such punishments were handed over. No other country would have done the same for ball tampering.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Do you support ball tampering by the Smith team (proven) and the alleged slur of “Osama”? Is the former solid and ruthless, or just wrong?

Where is the line for you?

I think those are two separate issues. Ball tampering is definitely an issue but it's controversial since the home broadcaster caught Australia in the act whereas have the same home broadcaster kept an eye on the Saffers who have been caught tampering thrice atleast in the last 5 years? I don't think so.

There is no justification for the use of the Osama slur if proven to be true. However, if moeen was just using it to sell his book that would reflect very poorly on moeen. If this was such an issue why didn't Moeen and the ECB take it up with the CA when it happened?

 

[Robert]

No, I do not support ball tampering. Neither if someone REALLY said that word. Even Moeen says he don't know and is not sure.

Though every team does tampering. It comes to light when someone's caught. South Africa were caught, not once but twice.

Did you see the same outcry? punishments? No.

On the contrary, the Australian cricket board, the nation, the government there, all were super mad and shocked. They did not want the involved cricketers to play at all.

Not even once in the history of cricket such punishments were handed over. No other country would have done the same for ball tampering.

Two separate issues.

Yes, I admire the righteous stand on cheating by the Australian people.

But sledging is still ugly and the wrong way to behave.

 

[Hawkeye]

Two separate issues.

Yes, I admire the righteous stand on cheating by the Australian people.

But sledging is still ugly and the wrong way to behave.

Sledging is also fine, rather good for the game. Waism, Imran, Shoaib Akhtar, all were sledgers. Previous Australian teams were also excellent at it.

As long as it's not racism or bigotry. It's okay.

 

[BaankeJi]

Sledging is also fine, rather good for the game. Waism, Imran, Shoaib Akhtar, all were sledgers. Previous Australian teams were also excellent at it.

As long as it's not racism or bigotry. It's okay.

Sledging is ok as long as it is not abusive. A player cannot do mother sister of opposition team player. But unfortunately that is considered as being tough now a days.

 

[Hawkeye]

Sledging is ok as long as it is not abusive. A player cannot do mother sister of opposition team player. But unfortunately that is considered as being tough now a days.

Yeah, it's not a good thing. But every cricketer in every team uses the F word, and in Urdu/Hindi the B and M words.

Imran/Wasim/Waqar/Amir/Kohli/Rohit/Stokes/Starc etc etc. All of these are already seen on TV using those words.

And it's a small list. Every cricketer does in frustration or anger. minus maybe Amla or Moeen.

 

[IMMY69]

Mild swearing or cracking a joke is slightly different to “he’s going to break your arm” and other malicious stuff...

 

[Hawkeye]

Mild swearing or cracking a joke is slightly different to “he’s going to break your arm” and other malicious stuff...

And shoaib, other past legend bowlers used to say I'm going to target your head.

It's important in cricket.

 

[princeuk]

problem with Aus - they take dish it out, but complain when some teams dish it to them.

Also, they have imaginary line in their head which they define and keep changing that line depending on if they are on receiving end or dishing to other teams.

This. Why dish it out when you don't like receiving it, hypocrisy at its finest. This is why the aussies are so disliked, they don't have the same benchmark for themselves, its only for other teams to follow.

 

[Bilal7]

And shoaib, other past legend bowlers used to say I'm going to target your head.

It's important in cricket.

"Important"? No, it is not important in the least. If you want to follow a sport where threats of physical violence have a place, I suggest you watch UFC or boxing.

Cricket is not a contact sport and threats of violence have no place here. As far as racism, bigotry, etc. are concerned, there is no place for those things in any sport.

 

[Hawkeye]

"Important"? No, it is not important in the least. If you want to follow a sport where threats of physical violence have a place, I suggest you watch UFC or boxing.

Cricket is not a contact sport and threats of violence have no place here. As far as racism, bigotry, etc. are concerned, there is no place for those things in any sport.

You have your opinion, but cricketers don't agree with you neither does real life professional cricket.

It happens everywhere.

It's not a threat to violence but getting under the skin of opposition. All aggressive and legendary fast bowlers do it.