No game for gentlemen

Cricket - South Africa vs Australia - Third Test - Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa - March 25, 2018 Australias Cameron Bancroft REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

CRICKET used to be a gentlemen’s game where the fielding side would welcome the opposing batsman when they come out to bat by applauding them.

But times have changed and sledging (the practice of insulting or verbally intimidating the oppo­sing player) instead of applauding is now very common in international matches. Thank goodness it hasn’t come to a stage where the cricket ball is intentionally thrown at the opposing batsman as they run between the wickets.