Cricket first!

Cricket must not tolerate the sort of insults heard from players and supporters in Brisbane. Apart from anything else, it is rude. As if the world does not have enough troubles of its own. Nor can the calls of the crowd or the passing remarks of a disappointed player be dismissed as idle chatter.

Only those born and raised in minority groups can speak with any authority about the impact of such comments. These matters must be confronted to avoid bad blood between nations and teams. The game was obliged to state its position. All men are to be treated equally regardless of colour or creed. Alas, authorities can discipline players but cannot force spectators to give visiting players a fair go.

Cricket is a broad church or it is nothing. It embraces, black, white, brown, Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist and surely knows there is nothing to fear. If harmony cannot be found at the highest levels then there is not much hope because these fellows have travelled around.

Darren Lehmann is fondly referred to as "lemon" by subcontinental followers impressed with his skills. These Sri Lankans are an especially mixed bunch. Sanath and his boys may look more or less the same but their backgrounds are diverse, and include wealth and poverty, education and illiteracy, north and south, country and city, not to mention a range languages, faiths and nationalities. Considering all the bombings and so forth, it is wonderful that Sri Lanka can field a team that plays with its heart and commands widespread support.

Sport is supposed to build bridges between nations. When it does so, the spirit soars and, in some small way, the world becomes a better place. Only the worst amongst us cannot appreciate Tiger Woods. Hurricane Carter's fight against oppression was turned into a movie. Cathy Freeman has touched hearts and Sachin Tendulkar is appreciated.

Now and then sportsmen overstep the mark. For years Vivian Richards nursed a grievance with a fast bowler who had called him a black something or other. West Indians reacted strongly to Tony Greig's announcement that he intended to make them grovel, an uncharacteristic slip from a fair man. Not that the West Indians are immune to criticism. Indeed, their "A" team that visited England last year was regarded as the most unpleasant to set foot in that country. These things cut both ways.

Reporters exposing corruption in Pakistan cricket were called racist and replied that they were showing faith in Pakistan by helping to root out its criminal elements. No country or player can be wrapped in cotton wool merely because of colour or creed.

Consistency is the vital ingredient. Australia must put its house in order. It is not enough to point out that the board assists subcontinental countries, that the captain supports a charity in Kolkota or that its greatest fast bowler coaches pace bowlers in India. More is needed. Captains, umpires and leading players must play their parts in stamping out any hint of vilification, no matter how harmless it might sound.

Not long ago Anurag Singh, a batsman of Indian extraction nowadays living in England, spent a season playing cricket in Sydney. Furious about the abuse hurled at him, he complained to the authorities. He wanted to draw attention to the problem. As a graduate from Oxford University and a trained lawyer, he could take care of himself. Others are less able to defend themselves and simply put up with it, or go away. Sport is not supposed to be conducted along these lines.

Doubtless, Darren Lehmann's outburst was out of character but his remarks were overheard and hurtful. They could not be ignored. Of course, dismissed batsmen routinely growl about umpires, pitches and opponents. Disappointment can lead to extreme reactions, but there are limits and Lehmann ignored them. In the heat of the moment a dark part of his soul was revealed. By and large Lehmann is a good natured fellow and his reputation will ensure that this outburst is soon forgotten. Nonetheless, the authorities were right to intervene.

Cricket is trying to make its way in a world full of conflict. At various times war has raged between Tamils and Sinhalese, Shonas and Ndebeles, Afrikaaners and Zulus, Hindus and Muslims. The surprise is not that cricket has been damaged by these disputes. The miracle is that the game has survived them. Fortunately, it is a fine game and played to a set of rules that do not mention faith or tribe, rules that allow the game to proceed in all sorts of conditions. Cricket can be entertaining and dull, frustrating and inspiring, mathematical and poetical. It ought not to be cheap.

At such times it is well to remember the great men the game has produced, many of them West Indians -- Constantine, Worrell, Hunte and Hall springing most readily to mind. Every cricketer has a part to play in maintaining this tradition. Things are improving. England is captained by a man born in Chennai and raised in an Indian family. Sri Lanka's leader has broken the mould in his country by emerging from a humble background. He is a practicing Buddhist who sent the bookies packing. Australia's Test skipper enjoys himself in India and Sri Lanka and provides some relief for the disadvantaged. Doubtless these fellows also have their faults. Cricket has come a long way, and clearly has further to travel.