[billah]

After watching the Aussies perform in their glorious best on the green yesterday, I am just appaled by our sheer lack of cricket knowledge. The Aussies are by far the most informed in cricketing rules, regulations, behavior and temperaments in the field. I watched in admiration and awe at their judicious application of the rules, regulations, laws and bylaws in the field. At times, when no one else seems to know what to do, the Aussies came through, again and again, in sheding a light on the subject. They showed us how to play.

So, without further delay, here are my questions. I hope the ignorant cricket world is listening. To Mr. Ricky Thomas Ponting:

Regarding the treatment of umpires during a test match

1. Can you hit the umpire with the bat also, as well as with the ball?

2. Is there enough flexibility given in the present ICC Ruling on your rights of hitting an umpire during a test match,for the purpose of getting necessary intimidations into him/her?

3. What do you plan to do to make the ICC understand the value of this essential tool in a match?

4. How many times can you hit the umpire in an innings?

5. How many times can you hit the umpire in an over?

6. Can you also hit the leg umpire with the ball, or bat?

7. What can you use to hit the umpire with if you do not have a ball or bat in your possession?

Regarding the decision made by the umpire in the field

1. How many "Out" decision by the umpire can the bowling side (i.e. captain of the side") force to change in an innings?

2. Aside from intimidating an incompetant umpire in the field, can you also threaten him/her with physical punishment, to get these guys to have a decision go correctly in your favor?

3. Can you point to them why thier incompetent decision is being negated, while you do it?

4. Can you also point to them why your call is far supirior and must be forced on the opponent, in the field?


Regarding the inconvenience the umpires cause in the field

The venerable Aussie fast bowlers, for example, Brett Lee, has always been subject to the torment by the umpire while in bowling action. We, the spectators, were amazed at the candor with which, Mr. Lee finally pointed out, in yesterday's game that the umpire, Aleem Daar, was actually blocking Mr. Brett Lee's run up. We hail you and your pioneering teammates for finally breaking the shackl and making the playing field even between a fast bowler and an umpire.

1. Now, to the very important question, how far beyond the 30 yard circle, do you think this umpire should stand, so, Mr. Lee can exact his bowling rights on the helmet of the opponents?

2. Why have the umpire at the bowler's end, at all? specially if highly reputable team such as Australia is taking the field, what is the reason for having him there?

3. As we all know, Mr. Brett Lee and many more Australian pace bowlers, with their immense experience, do not deliver wides or noballs. Why then, does the Aussie team not protest against the umpire in the field, posted like an obstacle in the run-up of the bowlers? How long before the ICC will do something about this problem?

Regarding good code of conduct in the field

Yesterday, in that cricket ground in Chittagong, you and your brave teammates, have re-written cricket history, by pointing out so many fallacies of the rules and regulations of cricket. The world of cricket is ever greatful to these bold steps taken by your organization of civil, even-tempered individuals. In just one match, you have set the standard so high, it would be impossible for any other team in the world to live up to it. The spirit of sportsmanship is held high by your noble organization by yesterday's examples. We sincerely hope that, like the other cricket training facilities, the pace academies of Australia, you also create a training center on the finer details of the game. Along with bowling, batting and fielding, you should teach the young trainees the essential art of keeping a decision in your favor, the methods of keeping the officiating personnels in-line, the legal methods of physical neutralization of the threats posed by an umpire etc.

So, for the sake of the sanity of this great sports of cricket, how soon can we expect Australia to open such an academy?

Thank you Mr. Ponting.