BS: Another Aussie cry baby

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 06 Apr 18 - 03:02 PM

Vegemite.

Just trying to refresh the thread with a bit of vitamin B.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 09:29 PM

If you want to check out a real Aussie sportsman, have a look at this:

Anh's Brush with Fame: Kurt Fearnley

Anh Do is an Aussie-Vietnamese comedian, author and artist. The show is set up so that while Anh is painting someone's portrait he also interviews them so you get to see the painting and understand the person simultaneously. It's a good show.

Kurt Fearnley is a good, straight-up, genuine, honest, and determined man. A fantastic role model for anyone. And he currently lives locally, which I didn't find out until a couple of weeks ago.

He is planning to give up competing for Australia and the current Commonwealth Games in Oz are supposed to be his last. Onward & upward, mate!

Kurt Fearnley - article on page 24

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 09:16 PM

Back to topic, I just saw the news and two of the Aussies have decided to "man-up" and take the rap without appealing against it. The other one, David Warner, is considering appealing against it. Er, why??

So, the saga continues - maybe.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 07:54 AM

(As for the box, I’ll roughly chop the tomato with scissors, cube the cucumber, chop the lettuce leaves up a bit, etc. Some salads can be quite leaf dominated but I go heavier on some of the other bits )

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 07:29 AM

Possibly the most popular sandwich here would involve my salad boxes when I do them for the fridge (I didn't last year). As the season progresses, at least the tomatoes, lettuce (Little Gem which I believe is a small cos variety) and cucumber will be home grown. I'd most likely have Cheshire cheese with this.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 06:52 AM

I very rarely have Vegemite (except this morning - thanks for nothing, you guys!) so when I do have it I tend to slather it onto the bread. When I was young I wouldn't have noticed the salt content, but now I do.

It's definitely vitamin B in Vegemite, and there are lots of good things in P/B.

How about some thread creep within thread creep? My favourite sandwich is peanut butter with lettuce. I dare you to try it. Cos lettuce works particularly well, and Cos has some good nutrients too. My hubby refuses to try it. Doesn't know what he is missing. I crave those sandwiches more often than Vegemite.

So, BTW, are Aussie cry babies yesterday's news now?

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Senoufou
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 06:49 AM

Ah you could be right Jos. I always believe that one's body knows what food to choose, and what nutrients are needed. If one listens to it, one can top up on the right vitamins etc. The trouble is, my body is always telling me it would like some toasted crumpets dripping with butter and some chocolate creme eggs...

My rather eccentric but funny Irish Aunt Lil used to add a teaspoonful of Marmite to her casseroles, soups and stews. She was an absolutely excellent cook, but I've never tried this myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jos
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 06:20 AM

The 'trace element' is probably vitamin B of various kinds.

Helen, the marmite should be used as a subtle flavouring, not a main ingredient. Maybe you are (or have been) using far too much.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Senoufou
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 03:22 AM

I like Marmite, but, as with peanut butter, it's something I suddenly crave after quite some time. Once I've had a slice of bread with one or the other on, I don't feel the craving any more.
I wonder if there's some trace element in them that the body needs from time to time?
The quantity of salt in Marmite is 11g per 100g, which is very high.
I've never tried Vegemite.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 03:22 AM

What a delight to chance upon such a friendly and constructive thread down here in the 'below the line' badlands! Less common than it should be.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 04 Apr 18 - 02:07 AM

"My mate Marmite" used to be the Marmite advertising slogan in the U.K. many years ago.

Helen, personally I wouldn't worry about the salt content of Marmite/Vegemite - it's such a tiny amount you use, I can't imagine it would cause a huge spike in your salt-intake (unless you're eating a dessert-spoonful at every meal!). Like you, I'm on a controlled-salt-intake regime, but I permit myself the occasional couple of slices of toast and Marmite - TBH I'm more worried about the fat in the butter than the salt in the Marmite!

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 10:36 PM

Vegemite/Marmite - now that definitely is thread creep, and I guess I have to own up to being the thread creeper.

I once, a few decades ago, was very adventurous and tried some Marmite. It has a slightly different flavour, but not much different from Vegemite. My problem now with Vegemite is that it is way too salty to my taste, now that I have cut my salt intake (which never was very high anyway) due to health concerns.

By absolute sheer coincidence I happened to turn the TV on this morning and an old re-run of The Bill was on. Next thing I know, the screen is totally taken up with a big shop sign painting of a jar with the brand name My-Mate written across it.

Jos, that sandwich definitely falls into the "what was he thinking" category, but I guess until I have tried it I am not qualified to pass judgement. Does it fall into a kind of satay category, maybe, like peanut butter with soy sauce added?

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jos
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 06:46 PM

Take a slice of bread, spread with butter, then marmite (or vegemite), then cream cheese. Take another slice of bread and spread with butter, then peanut butter, then chopped celery. Put the slices together to make a sandwich.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:41 PM

Jos, in the UK, Marmite have even used the "love/hate" in their own advertising and I think it's reasonable to suggest that there are few with a sort of half way point. I assume the situation is the same with Vegemite in Australia?

Me, as said before would enjoy either. and I'd go for Backwoodsman's dish or perhaps to me, even better, mashed potato on the "Marmited toast". One could even melt some grated cheese on top of that...

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:34 PM

Cheers Helen!

I love Marmite - on toast with grilled cheese on top. Yum!

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jos
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:33 PM

What's wrong with vegemite? I rather like it, even though I've been eating marmite for as long as I can remember.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 04:34 PM

Backwoodsman, after a few experiences of people doing the wrong thing, it's hard not to react when you think it is happening again. No harm done.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 03:00 PM

Can't argue there, Helen - Mea Culpa, went off half-cocked! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 02:39 PM

Re Vegimite: There can be a bit of debate over our Marmite (which I'm in the "love" camp on) and Vegemite with Australians and Ukers often claiming their own is vastly superior. I got my brother to send me a jar of Vegemite to try. As far as I'm concerned, while there are differences, I could happily use either.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 02:09 PM

I have to say, Backwoodsman, that in all the many years that I have read rich-joy's posts I have only ever seen courtesy, respect and thoughtful responses, so that's why I would have been very surprised to see a deliberate wind-up.

All's well that ends well.

Jon Freeman is right about the beer. No self-respecting Aussie would be seen drinking Fosters, and as for XXXX (known as 4X, not the same as the condom brand) only Queenslanders drink it and it can be compared with the other Aussie phenomenon Vegemite, in that unless you grew up on it, you cannot stomach it. (Sorry Queenslanders!)

I think we are the lucky country for a whole bunch of reasons relating to a society aiming for cultural inclusiveness and respect (despite the redneck push in the other direction), and escape from the UK social class system, and the wide brown land can be treacherous but also beautiful, and, and, and ...

But no country has it all on the positive side. There are pluses, and also minuses like our internationally embarrassing indigenous health record and indigenous social inequalities, but on the whole it is a good place to live for most people, in my opinion. Now that really is thread-creep.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 08:05 AM

Thanks R-J, I appreciate you coming back on my complaint - all's good, understood, and no harm done!

And I apologise to you for allowing my hackles to rise - 'Backwardsman' is an insult resorted to by several of the more unpleasant types who foul-up the BS Section when they have no answer to my arguments, so my dander's up the moment I see it. I've read your post - if I'd read it properly the first time, I would almost certainly have realised it was just a silly typo!

So....still friends, and On With The Motley! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 06:57 AM

Trying to think on conversations with a brother, I suppose a bit inland of but more or less Sunshine Coast, N of Brisbane. He's UK but must be around 15-20 years there.

I had a conversation with Senofou on the cat's thread a few days ago about "Australian nasties". It started with brother getting bitten by a carpet python that had joined him and a cat on the bed. He doesn't really seem over concerned by such things.

His daughter (my niece) has visited a couple of times recently and a "mini (OK early 20s) Californian" was certainly not an impression I got but maybe she's more absorbed in her climbing interests and I doubt I've watched those Australian soaps since Joe Mangel was in Neighbours...

I'm racking my brains over beer but brother sort of reckoned somthing on the lines of "no self respecting Austrailian liking the Fosters and 4XXX we get in the UK". Can't come up with what he might have thought as good though.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 06:56 AM

I offer you a sincere apology, Backwoodsman (2:41am), for any insult that I've inadvertently given you in this thread.
It's never been my intention to denigrate you, or any other 'Catter, (though I confess I was often sorely tempted by Martin Gibson and Clinton Hammond, back-in-the-day!)
and the fact that I now seem to have done so, to you, means that I'll probably slink back to the safety of only writing about MUSIC in the threads Above the Line.
Yes, I'm a wimp, but I've noticed that it's all too easy to accidentally upset folks Below the Line, not to mention all the "on purpose" stuff that actually makes me cringe .......
and Heck! I don't even like Cricket!   

R-J (= both parts of my real name, BtW)

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 06:33 AM

'Did you get a laugh out of The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, back in the day, or did it ring too horribly true to be funny? At least we can laugh at ourselves, and Dame Edna Everage/Les Paterson (Barry Humphries) is one of our harshest - and funniest - critics.'


Yes indeed, Helen, I loved Barry McKenzie and Dame Edna, and especially Sir Les in his truly outrageous days. I practically memorised 'Let Stalk Strine', 'The Castle' is one of my favourite films, and I even had an Aussie air-hostess girlfriend while I was at Heathrow.

Two little puzzles remain, though. If Australian culture is so vibrant, how come the kids in 'Home and Away' talk like Californians with a different accent? Just try mentally transposing - it works about 90% of the time (though the disadvantage is that you have to watch the programme to try this.)

Secondly, given that the Australian landscape is so inhospitable that you can only live round the edges, floods and wild-fires seem to be common, the beer is awful and the wildlife includes a high proportion of the most dangerous creatures in the world, how come you call yourselves 'the lucky country'?

Just wondering - my admiration for the nation that gave the world the circular clothes line remains undimmed.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 06:23 AM

Backwoodsman, I'd be surprised if rich-joy intended to twist your name. I expect it was just an unfortunate typo, judging by the nature of his accompanying comment which seemed to agree with your observations.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:54 AM

Had missed Backwoodsman's serious post in between mine. A ball at 90+mph bouncing randomly would not be funny.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:32 AM

Oh, and while there would be several to choose from, thinking back to when I first took an interested in test cricket. Can I please have the ball that would make me bowl like Michael Holding?

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:25 AM

Al....

When a ball from a slow/medium bowler hits a batsman, there's little or no damage done, the batsman gives the spot a rub and carries on.

When a ball from a pace attack bowler hits a batsman, the batsman may suffer serious injury, or may even die. It's happened.

That's why not.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:24 AM

I'd disagree of course but it's certainly an interesting and amusing theory, al.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 05:18 AM

its a load of rubbish.

it would liven up the game no end if everybody could do what they wanted. the bowler could have a choice of balls and the batsman wouldn't know which one was going to come wizzing at him.

lets face its a lot better when someone like Shane Warne is playing and no one really knows what the ball is going to do.. And the thing is, very few people have that level of skill. So why not, allow ball tampering etc, strange shaped balls - and then bowlers of more moderate skills could produce Shane Warne type bowling?

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Senoufou
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 03:14 AM

Helen, I do the same. I read the words aloud and all is revealed.
I must be a bit dim, because it was only yesterday I realised that even the name of the 'author' is a spoof. It's Affbeck Lauder. (alphabetical order) I've assumed for years it's a real name!

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 03 Apr 18 - 02:41 AM

"Backwardsman 11:38am), you may have a point."

No need for insults, Rich-Joy. Some of us are trying to keep this discussion friendly.
I haven't twisted your handle for piss-taking purposes. Please don't twist mine.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 07:58 PM

My last post (6:36pm) was, of course, a reply to Rusty Dobro's!

Backwardsman (11:38am), you may have a point.
Older Aussies (Crikey! As a Pensioner, I am now classed as one. OMG!), like to blame America for most of our perceived problems and faults.

But I guess the world has changed everywhere, particularly since the end of WW2 (which, as we all know, was won on behalf of the Free World by the glorious United States .... er, wasn't it??!)

That thought brings a tear to the eye of this Aussie Cry Baby (just to get the thread back on track!!)

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 06:36 PM

My partner and I arrived in England by boat, in the 70s, but via backpacking overland from Australia, having tried hard to avoid other young Aussies, LOL!

However, it seems to me that whatever the country, "Team Sports" ironically often attract packs of rabid, tribal, (mostly male) followers of the arsehole variety (British Football springs to mind), and yes, sometimes within the Team itself (Aussie Thugby anyone?!).

But of course that's just my observation from the outside, eh!

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 06:29 PM

Hey Senoufou, that is a funny book. I read it when I was at school. Sometimes the only way I could figure out what the expression means was to read it aloud a few times, even though I speak the language.

The Aorta expression is very common. Everywhere, perhaps.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Senoufou
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 06:24 PM

Complete thread drift (I'm always the worst offender) but I'm currently re-reading a book called 'Let's Talk Strine' a sort of dictionary of the Australian accent. It's very funny.

Some examples:-

Dismal Guernsey (which was introduced in 1966)
Terror Souse (a modest dwelling)
Aorta (as in "Aorta mica Laura genst it'")
Gunga Din (I gunga din, the door slokt)
Rye-Wye (where trines run)

Australians seem to me to be good-humoured and fuss-free, always ready to laugh at themselves and with a good dose of a rather endearing humility.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 05:30 PM

Thanks for that, Rusty Dobro. LOL. We're not all like that, though.

Did you get a laugh out of The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, back in the day, or did it ring too horribly true to be funny? At least we can laugh at ourselves, and Dame Edna Everage/Les Paterson (Barry Humphries) is one of our harshest - and funniest - critics.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 04:33 PM

When I worked at Heathrow in the early 70's, we met citizens of literally every country in the world over the course of a year. I once overheard a tea-room discussion about whom we liked least, and I remember that the unanimous vote went to young Aussies. They typically refused to join the Commonwealth queue on the grounds that their ancestors had been British; they resented having to carry a passport, and were rude and aggressive.

Some forty years later a group of us met up again and the same discussion took place. Same result, and unanimous again.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 03:57 PM

rich-joy, I did consider watching the ABC doco and I trust the ABC to tell it like it is, no punches pulled, but cricket-schmicket, ho-hum!

I once upset a work colleague who had been waxing lyrical about the joys of cricket, when I said, "Cricket's all right - if you want to have a good sleep."

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 12:02 PM

It’s not clear to me when sledging started but perhaps things took a tougher line after Alan Border decided to take a harder edge? To quote wikipeida:

“I made a personal choice to have a harder edge as captain, be more stand-offish towards them [the English] ... It was a hard thing to do and they all got the shits, but it was all part and parcel of what I wanted to achieve.”

But to single out Australia as win at all costs baffles me a little.

Our James Anderson seems quite pleased with the results of sledging here

Stuart Broad’s (quite legal but) refusal to walk is quite well known whereas Australia’s Adam Gilchrist was well known for having the opposite view.

Where do we begin and can we get too partisan?

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 11:38 AM

I wonder if it's a product of the 'Americanisation' of Australia that has manifested itself over the past 20-30 years? That's how it appears to an outsider from The Old Country - the two things certainly seem to have followed a parallel course, if nothing else.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 09:10 AM

NOT that I am s'posed to be interested at all :))   but tonight there was an interesting ABC-TV background doco on the Oz cricket debacle :

"CAUGHT OUT"
"When did Australian cricket adopt a win-at-all-costs culture? When did it turn toxic?
We investigate what led to the cheating scandal and why Steve Smith, the man with the country's highest sporting honour, played a key role."

Not sure if it can easily be viewed from O/S, but here's the link :
https://iview.abc.net.au/programs/caught-out/NS1861V001S00
It's up for 1 month .....

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 02:58 AM

"I can't see the sense in paying a cricketer [ or any SportsPerson ] millions of dollars and all the real heroes live on a wage, scrabbling to make ends meet."
Couldn't agree more, Helen.

Something to do with their importance as money-making pawns for those "Gentleman" Politicians and Businessmen, I suspect!!

Might be a slight "thread creep", but WHO are the REAL creeps, one wonders .....

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 11:27 PM

Hi rich-joy, maybe they took the Barnaby Joyce: Art of Crocodile Tears 101 course. I agree about having better pastimes than sport, politics and business.

I'm sure that the current batch of cricketers are privately whingeing to each other about having cameras every which way they turn. How can a man do his thing in private when there are cameras pointed at him from all sides? It's just not cricket!

And Senoufou, those Bondi lifesavers are real heroes, along with the firies (firemen and women), ambos (ambulance officers) and police, nurses, doctors, teachers, farmers etc who keep the world turning on a minute fraction of the pay received by sports people. I can't see the sense in paying a cricketer millions of dollars and all the real heroes live on a wage, scrabbling to make ends meet. But that comment might be off topic, I suppose.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: rich-joy
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 08:10 PM

Thanks for those explanatory links, Helen.

NOT to condone the recent actions of the 3 Oz reprobates at all, but it would seem from those Wiki listings, that most countries have had national cricketers not above using questionable tactics "in a game that was supposed to uphold gentlemanly traditions".   Perhaps they're all following the examples often set by their gentlemen Politicians and Business Leaders?!    After all, apparently all is fair in Love, War and Business :))

Yet another excuse for me to eschew Sport, Politics, Business - and News broadcasts - and prefer the pastimes of Music, Books, and the Net, LOL!

R-J

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Thompson
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 07:58 PM

How cricket has changed. Used to be that a good catch was greeted by "Well held, sah", and a good hit by a polite ripple of applause, no matter which side made either.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Helen
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 02:45 PM

My (Aussie) opinion is that they were weeping, wailing and gnashing their teeth at losing their lucrative contracts, worth millions. Whatever crushing blows they suffered in front of the media can't possibly compare to the crisis they suffered at home from their families, I'm sure. And now their future as bread winners, at the prime of life, is very much in doubt. Their whole lives have come crashing down in an instant, and all I can say is, "What were they thinking?"

Yes, I think the tears are for being found out, but I also think it is for suddenly being hit with consequences which will affect them for the rest of their lives. It reminds me of the speeders and drink drivers on the road who try to weasel out of it because now, when it is too late, they have had to stop and think about their actions, and they don't want to take personal responsibility for the consequences - which they never thought through in the first place but cannot ignore now - and they cry "poor me".

I think Backwoodsman 01 Apr 18 - 03:34 AM, said it all in a nutshell.


Wiki explanations of ball tampering, sledging & bodyline:

Ball tampering - I had to read that to understand what the issue is all about, not being a cricket fan myself.

"Sledging (cricket) "is a term used in cricket to describe the practice whereby some players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing player. The purpose is to try to weaken the opponent's concentration, thereby causing him/her to make mistakes or underperform. It can be effective because the batsman stands within hearing range of the bowler and certain close fielders; and vice versa. The insults may be direct or feature in conversations among fielders designed to be overheard."

"Bodyline, also known as fast leg theory bowling, was a cricketing tactic devised by the English cricket team for their 1932–33 Ashes tour of Australia, specifically to combat the extraordinary batting skill of Australia's Don Bradman. England's use of a tactic perceived by some as overly aggressive or even unfair ultimately threatened diplomatic relations between the two countries before the situation was calmed.

"A bodyline delivery was one where the cricket ball was bowled at the body of the batsman, in the hope that when he defended himself with his bat, a resulting deflection could be caught by one of several fielders standing close by. This was considered by critics to be intimidatory and physically threatening, to the point of being unfair in a game that was supposed to uphold gentlemanly traditions."

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 02:42 PM

Then, maybe we could have ready made rough patches on the pitch for spin bowlers to aim at too…

Being a bit silly there but I think the (“untampered with”) changing condition of the ball (new one available after 80 overs in a test match), changing state of the pitch and I suppose for that matter weather conditions (eg. overcast conditions can help the ball swing) are all part of the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Thompson
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 02:20 PM

Many sportsmen cry; I remember Gazza weeping. Mostly, if I'm not being too harsh here, their tears are for themselves.
What surprises me is that the authorities don't simply change the texture of cricket balls, roughening them all so there's no longer any advantage in sandpapering them.

Subject: RE: BS: Another Aussie cry baby
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 01:16 PM

well i think it was a bit harsh treatment. all the bowlers keep rubbing the ball. they just did the intelligent thing and rubbed the ball with an abrasive.

and anyway we should let the colonies win. after all they live in hot places, with insects and snakes. letting them win at cricket is the least we could do.