Bad Hair day

So where are we with the Darrell Hair saga? I’ll tell you. The game is much poorer due to the insensitive and inconsiderate actions of one man. Hair is not the only one in the dock. The ICC needs to also take heed and ensure that they as the governing body do not allow such cheating to take place ever again.

Now, listen carefully. When I used the word cheating I had one thing in mind and let me make myself perfectly clear. The cheating I am referring to is the cheating of the public of enjoyment. That test should never have been forfeited. Millions of cricket fans around the globe were left disillusioned and empty as the ICC failed to act and overrule Hair to ensure that the entertainment continued. That should have been the number one priority as five hours of meetings numbed the brains of those involved after the fourth day’s play of the test.

The fallout of the saga is puzzling. Inzi has copped a four-match ban, which means he will only be able to play in the Champions Trophy should Pakistan reach the final, and believe me that is a distinct possibility in my book. In retrospect, he would have been expecting to be found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute following the much-chagrined sit-in, but I am puzzled as to why he did not receive a test-match ban. After all, he was punished for his actions in a test match and surely there is a pattern to follow. So again, by specifically handing down that punishment, the public will be robbed of a uniquely talented individual on the one-day stage over the next month.

What about the central character of the debacle? Hair has been withdrawn from the Champions Trophy due to “safety and security concerns”. In my book, and millions more I might add, Hair has quite correctly been withdrawn! He should have been withdrawn though because he was inept at his job. Inzi has been sidelined and publicly chastised but Hair has not been officially censored! It does not make any sense to me at all. In my report card it results in another black mark for the ICC.

It is time for the ICC to take control of the game once and for all to ensure they don’t have any more bad Hair days.

Before signing off this week I would just like to add a note.

My very good friend and constant travelling companion, Robin Jackman, is not in ‘showroom condition’ at the moment and I would like to wish him a speedy recovery. I am sure it will not be long before the ‘Silver Fox’ is back to his normal form and slipping into ‘Flying Fox’ mode!

All the best Jackers.