Once regarded as the quintessential American holiday, July 4th is now attached to a nation becoming increasingly difficult to identify with. America finds itself rapidly shedding its skin and trying to transform itself into something new, but what exactly that will be is the question.
English cricket—and some would say society— is going through a similar transformation. Its code name is ‘Bazball’.
America was once defined by a dominant middle class—middle class suburbia, in middle America. Now, it is a flagship for inequality and disempowerment.
Much of the middle classes have slipped down the social ladder, widening the gap between the affluent and the disadvantaged, while some seem to have created a false sense of prosperity by living beyond their means.
In my view, this is the most perilous group of all.
Gone are the strong unions; churches remain, just not their congregations.
Sports maintain their popularity, however, consumption has evolved, and fans now engage through many mediums, fragmenting the audience.
Political viewpoints have become polarised and appear poised to challenge the very fabric of American family life—unity.
I raise this in relation to the paradoxical vacuum enveloping the cricket world currently.
A one-sided debate between the virtues of sportsmanship and gamesmanship. The ensuing tensions have been around as long as Father Time.
English cricket seeks to reinvent itself as the saviour of cricket’s most iconic format, Test cricket, while battling its perennial rival, Australia. Both sides are vying for possession of cricket’s oldest prize—The Ashes.
England has too much on its plate!
And Australia, if you believe the English, is not playing within the ‘spirit of the game,’ which is, of course, an ambiguous phrase and a ridiculous position to take given its hypocrisy.
Tensions have escalated to the point that the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has intervened, echoing the populist view that Australia is not playing within ‘the spirit of the game.’ Absolute bollocks Mr. Sunak. Please look after your own back yard first.
It's time to bring President Biden into the debate—he and Mr. Sunak would share a similar cricket IQ.
In a short statement to the nation after being briefed on the ‘not unlawful’ dismissal of England’s Jonny Bairstow. President Biden said this:
"Launch the fackin’ Nukes; they swindled us with that dodgy out at First base! Those Aussie sons of'" Goddam, Pat Cummins. You woke conspirator.
Remembering when President Biden referred to the then Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, as "That Fella Down Under"
The current Prime Minister, Anthony Norman (Albo) Albanese, responds swiftly and with clarity, as you would expect from a born-to-lead individual.
"It’s just Australian; it’s what we do, we just win and keep winning."
‘Albo’, you might need to offer more than that. Or he could give up woke captain’ Pat Cummins as a political prisoner—I’ve also lost my mind! Sorry.
Biden took ‘Albo’s’ call, which was surprising as it came up as a no-name number. The two chatted cricket, and a truce was found. A nuclear catastrophe was averted. Sunak wasn’t available to join the call; he was busy counting his money.
So, ‘Bazball’ is stalling and in need of minor (or major) readjustments. I will also offer that it needs to take into account the skills and resilience of its opponent before hitting the default button and hoping for the best. Baz, Stokesy, and the Bazites have some work ahead of them when the third Ashes Test starts later today. And do not send Paul Collingwood to the press conference.
President Biden and Albo must keep bumbling along; there is no rest for the wicked. Leadership is an exhaustive pastime. Effective leaders continually make decisions, manage people and resources, and navigate through complex situations. Balancing the demands of their position with their own self-care is imperative to longevity—Biden is well placed here, while Albo will always be looking over his shoulder.
America, oh America. Where to now, our dear friend?
This ongoing American revolution embodies a renewed manifestation of the guilt-ridden and self-obsessed fanatic spirit, driven by a simultaneous aspiration to establish a ‘perfect America’. While still American, it challenges the social and cultural norms of the previous three centuries. Fanaticism is a revolutionary and totalitarian movement whose beliefs are sacral and uncompromising. America will have to choose between its founders and the wilder versions of what they brought to bear.
And those ‘Bloody Australians’. What to do with them.
Just let them be.
“We are friggin’ winners mate, win at all costs. Stuff this ‘spirit of cricket’ crap—”we’re all about the gamesmanship.” ‘Bloke wants to go walkabout, he’s fair game as far as I’m concerned.” “Fair dinkum Bluey, stay behind the line cobber, till we tell ya it’s OK to wander.” “As far as the bombs go, there’s no way they’d make it down here, no fackin’ way, Bides.” “Have a go ya mug.”
Well said ‘True Blue’.
OK, I am better for getting that off the keyboard.
I sincerely hope our North American readers are not offended in any way. I feel some tri-lateral solidarity between the contributing parties here. I hope so!
It’s on like donkey kong tonight. Sunak’s Pom’s take on Albo’s Aussies, it promises to be another ripper, with Stokesy and Pat ready to spin the coin at 10.30am local time.
By the way, I expect to see Prime Minister Sunak at the game; a little known fact is that his constituency is Richmond, North Yorkshire.
PS. I had a Twitter thread running for the Lord’s Test, planning the same for Headingley. Follow me from the button below. I promise to be less serious than the above!
Very impressive Nick. I think you would not be out of place in the Canberra press gallery beyond your cricket days. A good grasp on reality. Sadly lacking up there at present.