Like any other sport, cricket has its own set of ethics that govern the players’ behaviour on and off the field. These ethics are not just a code of conduct but also a reflexion of the sport’s spirit.
Cricket’s principles are built on the foundation of fair play, sportsmanship, and integrity. They are considered more important than the rules themselves, as they define the very essence of the game.
However, in recent times, traditional cricket ethics have lost their relevance. Winning has become the ultimate goal, and players are willing to compromise on their ethical values.
The commercialisation of cricket has only added to this problem. The pressure to perform and the lure of money have led players to put their personal interests ahead of the game’s spirit.
While cricket ethics are still an essential part of the sport, their relevance and significance have diminished recently. Revitalising these values is crucial to preserving the true spirit of cricket and ensuring that the players play the game with integrity and sportsmanship.
Slipping through the loopholes of the rules
Although rules and regulations are put in place to maintain order and ensure safety, people have an innate ability to identify and exploit the loopholes in the system.
Unfortunately, this behaviour is not a commendable accomplishment. Instead, it only leads to stricter laws and regulations. By taking advantage of the weaknesses in the legal system, individuals are only causing more harm than good.
As a result, lawmakers are forced to tighten the laws, making them more rigid and less flexible.
ICC Test Championship
The One Day International (ODI) series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has recently concluded with a thrilling finish.
Bangladesh emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 after a tough competition between the two teams. However, Sri Lanka managed to win the T20 series with a 2-1, giving them confidence heading into the ongoing Test series.
The Test series is highly significant for both teams as it is held for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship, a crucial tournament in cricket.
The stakes are high, and the teams leave no stone unturned to emerge as the ultimate winners. It will be interesting to see how the remaining matches play out and which team manages to come out on top.
No good relationship
The relationship between Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi players has been characterised by hatred and antagonism, with players engaging in provocative behaviour on both sides. This has been observed in the ongoing series and is a cause for concern.
What started as a one-off incident has now become a recurring issue. The core of the problem lies in the aftermath of a tournament in which Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, being at the pinnacle of international cricket, could not accept the defeat, and Bangladeshi players began to jeer and taunt Sri Lankan players by performing snake dances.
This behaviour has since become a fixture for Bangladeshi players, who repeat it whenever they win a match. Similarly, Sri Lankan players also mock Bangladesh by performing snake dance when they defeat them in a match. This mutual hostility is not only unbecoming of professional cricketers but also detracts from the spirit of the game.
Controversial Incident
In the previous edition of the World Cup, a significant and regrettable incident occurred during the match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh timed out Angelo Mathews under the time-out rule, which triggered a heated disagreement between the two teams.
During a media discussion after the match, Mathews strongly disapproved of Bangladesh’s decision. Despite some time since the incident occurred, the controversy between the two groups remains unresolved.
Vanidu Hasaranga
Vanidu Hasaranga is a highly valued player in the Sri Lankan team and currently serves as the captain of the T20 team. However, he does not take his role as captain seriously.
Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) punished Hasaranga for his undisciplined behaviour during the last Afghanistan tournament, which resulted in a two-match ban.
As a consequence, he missed the first two matches of the T20 series against Bangladesh, with Charith Asalanka took over as captain.
Regrettably, Hasaranga repeated his mistake in the last one-day match against Bangladesh by getting into an argument with the umpire, leading to another four-match ban.
This situation will hurt the Sri Lankan team, mainly since the T20 World Cup is still away. Until then, Hasaranga will not participate in any other matches, making the ban he received even more consequential.
As a result, he will miss the first four matches of the tournament, and the Sri Lankan team will lose his leadership. This could be a miserable situation, especially given the importance of Hasaranga’s contribution to the team.
Retired Hasaranga again in the Test team
In 2021, Hasaranga, announced his retirement from Test cricket and expressed no desire to return. However, his sudden inclusion in the Test team for the two-match series against Bangladesh has raised eyebrows.
The reason for Hasaranga’s inclusion in the Test team remains a mystery, with only Upul Tharanga, his selector, having the answer to this question.
However, one possible explanation could be the four-match ban imposed on him by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This move may allow Hasaranga to avoid losing the first four matches of the T20 series, thereby minimising the ban’s impact.
Despite his inclusion in the Test team, Hasaranga is now unable to play in the two Test matches against Bangladesh. However, this has no repercussions for Sri Lanka’s Test team, as Hasaranga is not a permanent member of that squad.
Escaping the law
Sri Lanka has employed a cunning strategy to avoid a ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). They recently named Hasaranga in the Test squad, knowing full well that the ICC would impose a ban on him.
However, just because a player is named in the Test squad does not necessarily mean they will play in the match. In this case, Hasaranga is banned from playing the first two matches of the series, which limits his ban to just two Test matches. As a result, Hasaranga is now free to play in the T20 tournament.
This incident raises questions regarding the integrity of the game. While Sri Lanka did not violate any laws, some may argue that they acted dishonestly by exploiting a loophole in the system.
This situation highlights the weaknesses of the current ICC laws, which need to be updated to reflect the highly competitive nature of modern cricket. A slight misstep can cause a significant loss in the current big-money cricket game.
If this situation were to arise again, Hasaranga would have missed the first four matches of the T20 World Cup. Updating the law would help avoid such situations in the future. It should be mandatory for every team to name their final squad at least one week before a tournament.
This system is already in place for ICC tournaments and should also be extended to include the ICC Test championship. However, adding a player to the Test team at the last moment would not be feasible.
