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

[Adam Went]

Monty:

Sent your 50 quid off to the McGrath Foundation yet?

Saw a bit of the Pakistan VS England match yesterday, seems a few of your bats, particularly Traitorsen, are struggling with his form a bit....oh dear.

Steven: Herbert Sutcliffe? When was he around, about the 1920's/30's?

English cricket fans have absolutely no defence for themselves when I mention the following name: Phil Tufnell.

'Nuff said.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Johnr]

Oh Well, I DID bring it up...!

Oh Dear!

What have I done?

My throw-away line of examples of shaky morality in cricket, has unleashed an avalanche of "You DID!", "No We DIDN'T" responses.

And, despite Montague Druitt having been a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club, he didn't ever play for England.

But, I can't help feeling that all the heart-felt posts by you 'cricket tragics' on both sides, illustrates my question, that underneath all the surface civility of cricket players (and fans) there lurks an almost murderous zeal, you are almost providing the very ammunition Druittists are looking for by the one-eyed elastic morality you display.Not all of you though.

Justified dangerous missile throwing at the upper body, would be outlawed if it occurred in a suburban street.

And yes, Monty, I too have met Bill Oldfield the famous Australian wicket-keeper. I went to his home for lunch. Aged ten, and unfortunately, not interested in his cricketing prowess, I was more interested in the noisy white cockatoo in the cage in his back yard. Bill warned me not to poke my finger through the bars or the parrot would bite my finger off like a pair of wire cutters!

Oh well! Historical missed oportunities....Sorry Monty. Got his autograph though.

Now back to Montague Druitt and serial killers in sport.

JOHN RUFFELS.

[belinda]

My Great Grand Father was a friend of Don Bradman.

[Roy Corduroy]

Now back to Montague Druitt and serial killers in sport.

John, all I can come up with is Dial M for Murder

[Christine1932]

Of course sports does not stop murderers! OJ anyone?
Here in Finland young boy killed young girl by drowning her to mud and if I remember right, he came from sports exercise.

[Johnr]

I have traversed this way before

I apologise to all our non-cricketing friends out there, reading my provocative and dangerous generalisations, igniting a sector of the readership whilst the remainder have stayed silent.
I did try a similar exercise on a thread "Did JTR Wear Cricketing Shoes" -(which were a new thing in rubber soled footwear back in the 1880's).

Sensible posters will have despaired at my condemnation of all sports players as potential killers. But that was not my real intention.
However, the exercise was useful in showing the fervance with which many many spectors and players view their sport today.

I shall copy the England versus Australia cricket debate to General Discussion.
It was me who steered us off course with a touch-paper about W.G.Grace.
Sorry Monty et al.

Now, thanks Christine 1932, Roy Corduroy, and Belinda.

I recall reading of a 'recent' murder, like Christine, where the killer murdered his girlfriend/wife(?) and then - presumeably sated- went out and played a game of cricket. This was mentioned on the old boards: pre-crash.

And yes, Monty I too, AM a big fan of "Sir Les Paterson" alias Australian "genius", Barry Humphries.

JOHN RUFFELS.

[tnb]

Not a serial killer, but a sportsman and a killer nonetheless:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/26/2964236.htm

[belinda]

And yes, Monty I too, AM a big fan of "Sir Les Paterson" alias Australian "genius", Barry Humphries.

JOHN RUFFELS.

I prefer Edna ,for the clothes

[Johnr]

A Sportsman and killer ..

Thanks t_n_b,

And in my own backyard too! Well, only a few hundred miles away.That's nothing in Ausatralia. Practically neighbours!

So, we now have about three sporty killers, (if we include OJ).

I'm sure I can find more. And it is fairly obvious if Macnaghten and Farquharsoin knew of Montague Druitt's crickewting passion,they would have (possibly) believed a sportsman was capable of playing a game calmly, after quenching his evil passion to murder unfortunate women.

Whilst most critics say there is insufficient evidence to condemn Druitt, I think part of the reason for that is his life has not been sufficiently researched.

There must be more out there.The cricketing records helped show his movements; and cricketing photos listed some of his associates.
Why we even know he wore proper cricketing boots-with cleats - on the field (of course he would have); and his physical stature can be assumed from photos.

But, what other 1880's interests did he have?

JOHN RUFFELS.

[belinda]

Leslie Hylton convicted of killing his wife in 1955

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Hylton

[Johnr]

A fast Right Hand Bowler, like Montague Druitt! That settles it then.

Thanks very much Belinda,

One example is good enough for a one-eyed arm-chair detective like me.
If cricket fans can be one-eyed, so can sofa 'tecs.

He would have been pretty washed up by the 1950's poor bloke. And poor wife.

What about baseball and basket ball, were there no female sporting persons who killed?

At this pathetic rate, people will start believing that very British homily that playing the game, and carrying a clean handkerchief, and going to church regularly. Oh, and eating regular meals ...would absolutely exclude one from ever being capable of such intemperate behaviour - such as murder.

Next they'll be saying "Montague Druitt is innocent!". Mercy me!

JOHN RUFFELS.

[Johnr]

A Rare Poem on Sports Fans By John Ruffels...

O.K.

You've driven me to it. All those impassioned posts about Leg Theory and Bodyline ....and Whingeing Aussies....

THE SPORTS FAN.

By John Ruffels (2010).

[I]An amazing bird is the Sports Fan;

Who,

From the stands

Can see more than the Ref. can!

Now,

It's not for one minute

I think that he'd lie:

But

How amazing

With only one eye![/I]

[Robert]

All cricket fans would be jolly good batsmen, once they've got their eye in.

[Steven Russell]

John,
As you know, in cricketing parlance, a "two-eyed stance" is generally regarded as a bad thing.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Johnr]

One Eyed Sport Only Acceptable in Rifle Shooting..

Yes Robert. Very funny! Read the above.

Yes Steven, two eyes open and the tongue lolling from the side of the mouth.

Oops! I think we're straying from the topic.

JOHN RUFFELS.