Does Playing Cricket Make You Immune From Being A Serial Killer?

[Fisherman]

I once witnessed a full hour of cricket at a lawn in Spean Bridge, Scotland, without understanding a single bit of it. After that, I had a completely hideous dinner at the local hotel.
It is things like these that make you remember your holidays!

Fisherman
non-cricketing Swede (we all are)

[Robert]

Fisherman, real cricket is the kind played in test matches over a period of five days. It's a test of skill and character. I suppose non-cricketers don't like it. In fact, I think it was Shaw who said that god invented cricket to give the English an idea of eternity.

[Monty]

Cricket sayings.

Things Monty has heard on a cricket pitch includes....

...Never run 2 to the man in black shoe. However, always run 3 to the man who ate tea.

Yes, no, wait, f*ck, sorry.

Its never an easy wicket to play on.

Bowlers name? P.I.E Chuker.

Bowlers name? Needermann, I Needermann.

He was on the Bakerloo and I was on the Picadilly.

Stop yer beggin.

Ive lost it Danny, I just cant get it over anymore.

Technically speaking, Im officially classed as blind.

....Only in England.

Monty

[Fisherman]

Robert writes:

"I think it was Shaw who said that god invented cricket to give the English an idea of eternity."

You know, Robert, that may well apply to the show that was put on in Spean Bridge; I could not make out whether it was the beginning or the end of the game I saw, and I never understood why the crowd that watched applauded when they did. I have, though, tried to improve on my knowledge Youtube-wise, and was much impressed by some of the acrobatics displayed there. No such thing about in Spean Bridge, though ...
We Swedes play a very simplified and less dignified variant of this sport, but we call it "brännboll". Two odd minutes and you know all the rules. Promise!

By the bye, was it not Shaw that named Jack the most important social reformer in the history of Britain ...?

The best,
Fisherman

[Fleetwood Mac]

The Druitt family letter writer more validly, suggested, (without apparent special knowledge) that MJD may have become terminally depressed by the realisation that his worsening diabetes would begin to interfere with his chances of playing so much cricket.JOHN RUFFELS.

There are plenty of people who for one reason or another can't play their favourite sport - they don't go out an mutilate people.

In order to kill people....you have to have a serious lack of empathy for another human being.....not being able to play a sport will not cause such a lack of empathy.

[Fleetwood Mac]

To add...why is Druitt even considered a suspect?

I mean....Bury....yeah something there although probably not.......James Kelly....yeah something there....but nothing to place him at the scene of the crimes.......but Druitt? the effette public shool boy?? he'd have trouble boiling an egg let alone cutting someone up!

[Robert]

Hi Fisherman

I think Shaw does say something about an independent genius taking matters into his own hands. The most important social reformer? Wouldn't this demote Shaw to second place?

[Johnr]

Wonderful Response. Well Done. Not Finished Yet Though..

Some marvellous responses there. Thanks for sharing.

I particularly liked Mark's logical explication of the mystifying rules of cricket.

Monty,
It seems I have unsettled you on several scores. Sorry old chap (oops, there's another one!).

Anyway, I am sincerely pleased Diabetes is more manageable these days.
Cricketers, sadly, less so.
I was interested in your remarks about Douglas Jardine.Especially regarding McCabe.

I live in Australia, so am well aware if the Bodyline Cricket Tests.
Locally made t.v. documentaries demonise Jardine. And from a moral standpoint, I'm, afraid I will have to disagree with you about his character.

Aloof maybe, but I think the b---- bit is still relevant.
Where did Harold Larwood retire too? And he was from Jardine's own cricket team.

Anyway, to sum up so far, O.J. Simpson and Christie seem to be the only(?) sport-playing murderers thus far. And like JTR, I think O.J. has not been found guilty by a jury has he?

Surely, given the extreme pressure on sports people even amateurs today, there must be more cases we can cite?

JOHN RUFFELS.

[Robert]

Hi John

I thought the Aussies were always going on about the English being soft, but when a guy goes over there and plays to win, they're still not happy.

[Monty]

John,

You mustnt believe all you see in an Australian docudrama.

I dont take to this 'morally questionable' arguement. Especially as the Australian fast bowler Jeff Thompson admitted that he loved hurting batsman, he wanted to make them bleed. The Aussies kinda lose the moral high ground on that one.

Larwood emigrated on two counts. One was the fact that times were hard for him once he quit the game. He wanted a better life for him and his family in a proporous Australia.

Secondly his treatment by the higher authorities in the English game was disgraceful and caused his depression. He simply had to get away from the pressures. The Australian nation were good to him and welcomed him warmly. As the did Jardine when he visited towards the end of his life.

Theres a lot of propoganda regarding that series, most of it by those who solely analyse the series itself rather than in context. Leg theory was only used for around 6 to 12 overs. Compared to the all day onslaught the Windies dished out in the 70s and 80s, Bodyline was mild.

Incidently, I recently had communication with Larwoods Grandaughter and nephew. They are very proud of him, as they should be, but maintain that despite the fact that they consider themselves Australian, Harold never did.

Bradman stated he was never struck during Bodyline. Larwood stated that was a lie. Apparently he'd ask anyone who care 'do you know where I hit him?'. At which point he'd turn around, bend over and point to his left buttock. 'Right here' he'd say, 'right on his arse'.

And that sums up the Australian tactics. Larwood was simply too fast.

Monty

[Adam Went]

Wasn't it you, Monty, who was asking a while back about members of the MCC who had been convicted of crimes? I might have imagined that it was you but I know somebody asked, and there's been a few, though I can't recall coming across any that were murderers.....

Cheers,
Adam.

[belinda]

I would like to point out that one member of the Australian Cricket Team Bert Oldfield, had his skull fractured.

The Australian team Captain also cosidered withdrawing from the game over the excessive use of this kind of play.

His comment was "There are two teams out there, one is playing cricket. The other is making no attempt to do so

I didn't think cricket was supposed to be about one team trying to inflict as much injury on the other as possible.

[Monty]

I would like to point out that one member of the Australian Cricket Team Bert Oldfield, had his skull fractured.

The Australian team Captain also cosidered withdrawing from the game over the excessive use of this kind of play.

His comment was "There are two teams out there, one is playing cricket. The other is making no attempt to do so

I didn't think cricket was supposed to be about one team trying to inflict as much injury on the other as possible.

I would also like to point out that Oldfield himself immediately stated it was his error (infact if you see the footage he had completed the shot before the ball had arrived), that he had lost sight of the ball and placed NO blame whatsoever on Larwood.

He, along with Vice Captain Richardson (and later senior pros Pondsford and Fingleton with youngester McCabe) expressed their embarrassement at Woodfulls comment.

Nothing like a whinging Aussie.

Its not about inflicting injury (though Australian Thompson disagreed), its about intimidation, bullying.

Monty

[Adam Went]

Don't worry, Belinda, we've got our revenge back many times over for Bodyline (Lillee/Thommo ).....and so we will again in a few months time....

Cheers,
Adam.

[MrTwibbs]

I would also like to point out that Oldfield himself immediately stated it was his error (infact if you see the footage he had completed the shot before the ball had arrived), that he had lost sight of the ball and placed NO blame whatsoever on Larwood.

He, along with Vice Captain Richardson (and later senior pros Pondsford and Fingleton with youngester McCabe) expressed their embarrassement at Woodfulls comment.

Nothing like a whinging Aussie.

Its not about inflicting injury (though Australian Thompson disagreed), its about intimidation, bullying.

Monty

Bert Oldfield was a gentleman and very philosophical and magnaimous.
He always took things easily and let it ride over him. Untypical Aussie and a damn good wicketkeeper. One of the best imo.