Wisden editor fears physical brawl

Wisden editor Scyld Berry thinks that increasing on field feuds between players can flare up into brawls.

Fearing that increasing on-field confrontations could lead to physical brawls on a cricket field, editor of 2008 Wisden Almanac has advised the ICC to crack down on erring players.

Scyld Berry, editing cricket8217;s so-called bible for the first time, mentioned a couple of 8216;flashpoints8217; which he felt sullied the name of the game, including the Sydney racial row and two others involving Indians.

8220;I fear the day is approaching when a high-profile, televised cricket match will see an outbreak of physical violence on the field, and nothing could be more injurious to all concerned,8221; he said in his editor8217;s note.

Berry said the Trent Bridge Test when Indian pacer Zaheer Khan, incensed to find jellybeans in his batting crease, pointed his bat at Kevin Pietersen during India8217;s tour to England last year was one of the 8220;flashpoints8221;.

8220;Another flashpoint came at Sydney in the New Year, when the Second Test between Australia and India was so filled with umpiring mistakes, player misbehaviour and hatred most overtly between Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh that the game stared briefly into the abyss,8221; Berry said.

8220;While India threatened to call off the tour if Harbhajan was not acquitted of racism, in a complete violation of the judicial process, and while the world8217;s most experienced Test umpire, Steve Bucknor, was forced to stand down from the Perth Test and the authority of umpires was eroded. 8216;Bollyline8217; was as serious as Bodyline,8221; he added.

Berry said there was an alarming increase in the amount of physical contact between batsman and bowler last year. He cited England fast bowler James Anderson shoulder-charging incident with West Indies batsman Runako Morton at Edgbaston.

Story continues below this ad

But the worst example, according to Berry, came in the Kanpur one-dayer last year when Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir ran straight down the pitch and into Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Berry said it was up to the International Cricket Council ICC to police the game. 8220;It has also done well to stamp out the contemptible practice, pioneered by Australian fielders, of throwing the ball in at the striker instead of to the wicketkeeper,8221; he said. 8220;Now the ICC must be no less effective in preventing physical violence. For once this taboo is broken, it could rapidly spread, just as sledging has spread from international teams downwards.8221;