David Leggat from The Herald has approached Reid for comment over the Pakistan crisis, and he hasn't disappointed - check this out:
Former New Zealand captain and match referee John Reid says Pakistan should be thrown out of international cricket.
As the International Cricket Council gathers its evidence on the spot-fixing allegations against several members of the Pakistan team in England, Reid said it was high time decisive action was taken on those found to be involved in illegal activities.
"I would make an example of them. You've got to," the always forthright Reid said yesterday.
Not only would Reid support red-carding Pakistan for a period, he believes individuals, if found guilty of being involved in fixing, should be kicked out for good.
We agree 100%. Match-fixing, even for stupid things like bowling of no-balls at particular times is a blight on cricket, which of all the sports we follow is our first love. And for some reason, Pakistan and match-fixing are irretrievably linked.
Where Reid's opinion differs from hours is with regard to Pakistan's young star Mohammed Aamer. We expressed the view yesterday that it is a pity that his career has been cut off almost before it began. Reid is far more pragmatic than we are - read on:
Captain Salman Butt looks to have no hope of surviving the inquiry, and while there is a measure of sympathy in some quarters for the gifted 18-year-old Amir, there is none from Reid.
"No, I'm not sad about these youngsters. You've got to penalise them, and make a job of it.
"They're good bowlers, but if it's their career that goes down the drain, too bloody bad. They've got to be banned, and for life."
"[Butt] as captain, has to be involved in all this stuff. He can change the bowlers at the last minute, then the whole bet's gone down the drain."
Reid is not surprised at the latest dark developments in the game. "But I am surprised it has taken this long [to come to a head]".
These are wise words from a wise, no-nonsense lover of the game. We hope that they are relayed to someone very close to the ICC's epicentre.
6 comments:
Interestingly, I've just seen a bloke from Wisden (on Sky TV from the UK) arguing that the players should not have their careers destroyed. His point was that the problem needs to be attacked at the roots of illegal bookmaking in the region and not the "flowers" - the players.
"Round Up" the lot of 'em I say.
Quite so JS; that argument might be valid, but without the players being complicit, the rorts can't happen. They are equally guilty.
Not just Round-Up, but a weed-eater as well!
As you say - what to do with Aamir poses a problem. At 18 it is hard to say if he was duped by the easy money.
The question is how good is he - 4 for 0 off 8 balls or should we be looking at the England batsmen because only two came out of the match with any credibility.
I see on the Beeb that `flat track bully' Pietersen has been dropped fot the one dayers and 20/20. It may be a long way back for him.
Yeah, I saw that pdm. You don't get to be #1 one day batsman by luck though. I'd say it's a timely reminder not to believe his own press...
How thick are people who make or take a bet on "the first ball of the third over" being kosher. It seems to a simple old rustic that the stench would have me moving away not getting involved. FFS
I am firmly in the camp of lifetime bans for anyone found to be complicit in fraud within the game. Sorry about the young 18 yo but unfolding events such as those no balls, any schoolboy bowler would know he was going over with his front foot and hold the ball. 18 inches when most are millimeters of a sliding boot. As for all those dropped catches in the Sydney test, I was left wondering if the Pakis had the same drama coaches that diving football players employ. Even most Hollywood stars can do better than that
The problem with banning them is that over the years Pakistan has fielded some of the great players that have contributed to the rich texture of Test cricket. Do we want to lose that?
It would be far better to destroy the betting industry....but I could not even begin to offer a suggetion as to how to do it. Pakistan is not the only Asian country heavily involved in betting.......
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