Kumble's claws are out

So Anil Kumble has been bitching about the Australians so-called lack of sportsmanship.

From what I can gather, it's because (most) Australian batsmen don't walk.

I've given this considerable thought lately. I admire Adam Gilchrist for always walking, but then when I heard Michael Hussey defending himself by saying that he takes the good decisions with the bad ones, I also thought that was fair enough.

I think the real issue in this game was the umpiring. Is there any disputing this? It was shocking. And while I agree that the bad decisions naturally affected the outcome of the game, I don't think it's fair to blame the opposition for the poor umpiring. I think that in itself comes across as bad sportsmanship. (I also doubt that Kumble's team are all so honest. It's easy to be self-righteous when you've lost.)

I've also noticed some people whinging in other blogs, most notably lately over at The Corridor, that the Australian players are "childish" and "bullies" but no one who makes these claims ever really backs them up. Is complaining about a racist mark being childish? Because the Indians would be the first to jump up and down if the shoe was on the other foot. And I believe that if an Australian player made a racist comment to any player from any country, that player and their team would be entitled to, and should, make a complaint and pursue it as far as possible. There's no room for racism in cricket, and nor should there be.

There is a difference between sledging and a racial slur. Does anyone disagree? I'd be interested to hear exactly what is meant when people say to grow up, in reference to the Australian cricketers. Because unfounded accusations just resonate remarkably like tall poppy syndrome.