Cricket legend Michael Atherton weighs in on player conduct, distinguishing between fiery passion and unacceptable aggression, while applauding the thrilling Lord’s Test match.
Passion Versus Aggression
Even as Mohammad Siraj faced a demerit point for his animated celebration at Ben Duckett, former England captain Michael Atherton offered a nuanced perspective on player expressions. He argues that there’s a clear difference between passionate intensity and outright nastiness in cricket.
Atherton believes spectators would rather see players who deeply care about Test cricket and their country, even if it leads to strong emotional displays. However, he draws a firm line at physical altercations or sustained nasty verbal abuse.
The Kohli Shoulder Barge Incident
As an example of unacceptable conduct, Atherton highlighted Virat Kohli’s shoulder barge incident during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last December. Kohli deliberately walked into Australian debutant Sam Konstas.
The ICC’s Code of Conduct clearly states that inappropriate physical contact, including deliberately running into or shouldering another player, is prohibited. Former captain Ricky Ponting laid the blame squarely on Kohli, noting he “instigated that confrontation.”
This wasn’t Kohli’s first such incident; he was previously sanctioned in 2019 for a similar shoulder barge involving South Africa’s Beuran Hendricks, for which he admitted guilt. The Melbourne incident saw him docked 20 percent of his match fee.
Lord’s Test: A Different Story
In contrast to the Kohli incident, Atherton praised the recent Lord’s Test, noting it lacked any true nastiness. Instead, it showcased “two teams full of passionate intensity, commitment and skill.”
He pointed to a mid-pitch collision between Ravindra Jadeja and Brydon Carse, clarifying that it was accidental. Even Jofra Archer’s strong reaction to dismissing Rishabh Pant was seen as part of the game’s competitive spirit, not malicious intent.
A Thrilling Finish
Atherton lauded the match as an “extraordinary finish,” drawing parallels to the epic 2019 World Cup final held at the same venue. The Test, decided by a tight 22-run margin, provided gripping cricket with key players like Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer taking center stage.
- Michael Atherton differentiates between acceptable passionate intensity and unacceptable aggression in cricket.
- Virat Kohli’s past shoulder barge incident is cited as an example of crossing the line into “nastiness.”
- The recent Lord’s Test was praised for its competitive spirit and skill, devoid of malicious player interactions.
Ultimately, Atherton’s commentary underscores the fine balance between fierce competition and maintaining the spirit of the game.
