Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Gilchrist calls on players to find balance
Amid the soul-searching over Australian cricket’s culture, former Test star Adam Gilchrist warns that players relying on “aggro” have “lost the battle”.
May 2, 2018
Being aggressive on the cricket field is good but if pre-planned, “aggro” sledging is a strategy, “you’ve lost the battle”, Adam Gilchrist says.
The former Test star has told Fox Sports that while there needs to be aggression, it also has to be balanced with the spirit of the game.
“There’s got to be aggression, there’s got to be the balance … We want that as sports fans and players and participants but the balance has got to be there,” he said on Tuesday.
“(If) sledging and that aggro become part of your … pre-planned strategy, you’ve taken your eye off the ball.”
Gilchrist’s comments followed Cricket Australia’s announcement The Ethics Centre had been tasked with carrying out a four-phase review of the organisation.
It follows the one-year suspensions of Steve Smith, David Warner and nine-month ban of Cameron Bancroft over the ball-tampering scandal during Australia’s tour of South Africa in March.
The probe will determine if there are any cultural, organisational or governance issues within CA and the sport and if there are links between that and player behaviour.
“It’s going to be really interesting to see what comes out of it,” Gilchrist said.