Australia has always defined itself on the world stage through sport. It doesn’t have the history of Europe, the military might of America, or the financial clout of Asia, but it does have some bloody good athletes.
Success, as they say, breeds success, and whether it’s down to the climate, the lifestyle, or even the affluence of the society, Australia’s countless sporting triumphs have engendered in its people a sense of optimism and a healthy dose of self-confidence.
Last month in Sydney however, during the second Test Match against the touring Indian side, Australia’s all-conquering cricketers took things more than a little too far, and its supporters began to question their side’s win-at-all-costs mentality.
Chasing their own world record for consecutive Test wins, the Australians justified insulting their opponents as acceptable tactics, revelled in umpiring errors which favoured them, and petulantly disputed any that didn’t.
When yet another poor decision by umpire, Steve Bucknor, delivered Australia an unlikely win, the home side’s celebrations had more to do with rubbing their opponent’s noses in the defeat than enjoying the victory.
“Make no mistake, it is not only the reputation of these cricketers that has suffered; Australia itself has been embarrassed,” according to the respected cricket journalist, Peter Roebuck, writing in the Melbourne Age.
For Australians raised on the story of how the English shamed themselves and the game of cricket, when they resorted to Bodyline during the 1930s, choosing between their country and their cricket team is not something they’ve ever had to do.
Despite this, the anecdotal evidence is that many Aussies were secretly supporting India in the following Test, suggesting that while they like to be thought of as winners, the Australian public is not willing to go as far as their cricketing compatriots to do so.