Former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey on Wednesday recalled the “values” of Australian cricket and called for the current side, beleaguered by the ball-tampering saga, to have a “character first, skill second” approach to win back the trust of the followers of the sport.
In an article for the playersvoice.com.au, Hussey mentioned former greats of the game – including Indian legend Rahul Dravid – who are remembered for the way the played the game than the records they broke during their careers.
“What’s the first thing that springs to your mind when someone mentions Rahul Dravid? I’d be surprised if you said, ‘He scored 28 hundreds,’ (or however many it was) but in no way surprised if you answered, ‘He was The Wall. He had an incredible technique and temperament. He played the game with great integrity.’ And so on. That’s how you’re remembered – and it carries over into your life after cricket.”
He recalled his Test debut and what the baggy green cap, first presented to him by Australian legend Bill Brown, meant to him.
“The Australian cricket team wasn’t just me and the ten blokes taking the field that morning. It was an institution that spanned eras and generations. Bill and I were born more than 60 years apart but we were members of the same club – me as the 393rd player, Bill as the 150th. I was now a custodian of that tradition, as he had been before me. This is what makes the cap so unique in my eyes.”
He said the cap was supposed to be worn with dignity and with it, the game must be played with the right spirit.
Some of these principles, Hussey wrote, are lost on the current team even if there are a few exceptions. The following few months, the former batsman reckoned, will be a hard time for the team. But it will also provide the team with the chance to remember the lost values.
“We can reconnect with the spirit Australian teams have played with in the past, a spirit that was once a source of great pride among our fellow countrymen and respect among opposing teams around the world. We played hard, certainly, but also positively and fairly.”
He added that during his time, the team never thought about doing anything illegal to help the bowlers reverse the ball.
“We would definitely talk about trying to get the ball to go reverse – every team in the world does – but it was always by doing things like bowling cross-seam. We didn’t talk about scratching the ball, or doing anything illegal.”
“I am surprised guys like Warner, Smith and Cameron Bancroft were open to the idea of playing outside the rules.”
“No matter the league, wherever the country, the same rules for creating a successful, sustainable culture apply: character first, skill second.”
Despite the pledges of those who were associated in the wrongdoing, Hussey reckoned it will take time to regain the belief of the followers of Australian cricket.
“Only actions will convince them to give this team another chance. There will be many tests along the way. When the players next find themselves in a confrontational situation, how will they react? Will they consider the spirit of cricket? Or will they let their egos and emotions take over again?”
You can read Hussey’s full article here on playersvoice.com.au.