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Spare the rod...

I am not completely familiar with the legalities of cricket. The correctness of a bowling action is not an area where I can boast expertise. Here, I plead guilty of ignorance. In fact, I also plead disinterest, as it doesn't really alter my life in any significant way, nor does it take away from my enjoyment of the game, if the angle of the bowling arm of one chap is a mite deviant from where it should be.

Not that these details are not relevant to the traditionalists and the technicians. I am just a follower of the game, unabashedly enamoured by it. But, to those who've played the game or are well versed with the subtle nuances of technique and what have you, I suppose God is in details. So it doesn't matter that an athlete entertains, his correctness is more appropriate. And, yes, I agree. Playing at the international level, one must be capable of more than just playing to the gallery. One must have the basics right. So, if bowler X has his action wrong, then it must be corrected. For the good of the bowler, and for the good of the game.

Nobody disagrees with this. I certainly don't.

But what leaves a sour taste in my mouth is the manner in which such operations are conducted. Think about it. Even when we get a tooth removed or undergo any such minor corrective operation, the doctor uses some local anesthesia to ensure that the pain is minimized. It's not much joy, is it, when such anesthesia is not used, and your pain is visible for the world to see? A child may want to scream out, and have his mother attend to him, but an adult, I think, would cringe at the prospect of pity from the world. Wouldn't you?

And if a doctor messes up thus, how many patients do you think would go to him? Especially if he hadn't made much of an effort to alleviate the pain? They'd either go to another doctor, or wouldn't get this correction done. They'd live with the problem for fear that it would be exposed for the world to see.

Humiliation is ugly. And if it happens to a public personality, a sportsman who prides himself on his capability, it would be rather unbearable, wouldn't you say? Not only would this affect the individual concerned, it would initiate a process whereby others of his ilk would have to face similar flak and criticism. Not a desirable state of affairs, would it be? For young talent in particular, and the world of sport in general?

But such seems to be the destination to which this current controversy over Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action is leading. A young man, touted to break all speed barriers in fast bowling, enters the cricketing arena with much to do. Everybody seems have something to say about him or for him or even against him. The believers are excited, and the ostensible 'non-believers' in speed are skeptical and even, critical. "He's fast," they say, "but will he pick up wickets?" He's fast for certain, albeit a mite over-enthusiastic, which makes him not the most accurate of bowlers. "Ah! See, knew the guy would be loose and expensive. Not effective, just fast". Almost so that fast became a four-letter word.

And, then when he seemed unperturbed by these comments, came the final cut. "The action does seem to be suspect." That can spell doom for anybody, and for a young gun out to prove his worth, it's a terrible prospect.

That could have been the end of that. The matter could have proceeded such that he could have been informed of the problem, and suggested measures for correction, without the furore created. Not only would it have saved him heartburn and embarrassment, it would have served as a notice to other such talent, that if you have a problem, we'll help you take care of it. Because, you're young, talented and enthusiastic. We won't malign you or humiliate you. We're a governing body, and we're here to help and facilitate. Not to create more problems for you.

The media space and time saved by this line of action is another story altogether, which we'll deal with on some other occasion!

Needless to say, we're quite in tune with what actually happened. Will not bother repeating facts, barring these: Akhtar banned till action improves and Lee's action being scrutinized. (That he's been cleared is another story) But it has initiated an ugly precedent. Two wonderfully exciting bowlers, these two, and it would have been great to see them pitted against each other like healthy rivals. Not in such a manner that if Akhtar gets a ban, so should Lee. It doesn't help anyone or the cause of the game.

My contention is simply this. A manner of operating like this simply sets a precedent. A country whose player (or a sub-continent whose players) have been made to go through the rigmarole of proving themsleves worthy of playing the game, would have the tendency to retaliate. And, while this is a natural reaction, the repercussions of such a vicious cycle is not pretty.

In this case, we're talking of fast bowlers. Think about it. Post this drama, there would be a doubt in the minds of all those who yearn for speed and deathly effectiveness. And they will then slow themselves down to fit a mould where one is normally above suspicion. That or throw themselves open to scrutiny, which will abate after mindless debate and discussion.

Any person who claims to enjoy a game should be mindful of talent. That it belongs to another nation is not as relevant, as is the fact that it adds to the enjoyment of the game. And if you are in a position where you can help nurture talent, then use your authority such that you help, and not retard their growth process.

This is not about the ICC or about Australian umpires or an other person in particular. It is about all of them and more. Those who have a voice and can be heard, should be cautious about the way they use it. If you have an opinion, voice it if you really believe. Don't mirror populist sentiments, or generally accepted views, because you're an opinion builder. And when you're throwing opinions about people, you're affecting careers and lives. Consider the magnitude of such an impact.

And for those who have a voice, and the power to back it up with action, I really have not much else to say. You're a custodian of what a game stands for. Nurture the game and those who want to be part of the game. Pass judgment so that it sits lightly on young shoulders, and doesn't weigh them down so that they can't get back on their feet again.

The Spare Crib/Abhilasha Khaitan