Here's the problem with cricket today

Is there a more meaningless top-level competition in world sport than the Indian Premier League cricket?

A qualifier - I might not be the best authority here as the Twenty20 game leaves me cold.

It's frothy entertainment, which is bastardising the real game. It quite obviously lacks meaning for the players as well, if some need to corrupt the sport for greed.

What a pathetic indictment on the individuals and the meaning of the competition.

It also doesn't reflect well if an Australian cricketer feels the need to broadcast his displeasure over some cricket writings with rude, personal attacks on journalists.

David Warner will apparently be disciplined by Cricket Australia over his poisoned rants on Twitter, but this goes to the heart of respect and a great schism in the game.

Some Australian cricketers seem to be aloof, wallowing in their own greatness.

And the ruling body, given the ructions in India and the disciplining of four players, doesn't seem to engender too much respect. In a professional set-up, surely players on big, fat contracts, responsible for nurturing and promoting the image of the game, would have had the riot act read to them on many occasions, highlighting their part of the bargain.

If Warner has truly come up with this lack of judgment, then Cricket Australia can share some of the blame.

Tonight on ABC Grandstand on News 24, former Australian cricketer and now Cricketers' Association president Greg Dyer opens up on the failings of cricket at national and international level.

Despite liabilities, Cooper a real talent

It’s a bittersweet Wallabies squad for those who like to see pure, unpredictable talent rewarded.

Sweet for the inclusion of Israel Folau, who’s a form player in the Super Rugby competition – regardless of his minimal time in the game.

Folau demanded selection and there would have been a riot had he not been included in the 25.

One has to feel sad, though, for both Quade Cooper (above, second from right) and Kurtley Beale.

They are outrageous talents, who obviously need a special touch to mould them and associated behaviours into the mix.

Beale, after slipping up again in his recovery, had to be left out.

Australia coach Robbie Deans had his decision made for him.

That doesn’t change the fact that one of Australia’s premier talents isn’t there.

As is the case with Cooper.

He has done enough to warrant a recall.

His combination with Will Genia enhances the Queensland team.

However, Deans’ reference to needing Cooper to ‘‘defend the front line’’ and his qualification that past Test matches came into the selection criteria worked against the Reds No10.

Which is a shame. 

Deans wants frontline defenders against what will be a brutal Lions outfit. Passengers aren’t allowed.

Cooper is a confidence player who’s had his shaken at the top level and is seen as a liability in the big games.

That’s extremely disappointing.

To these humble eyes, one has to bend a personal philosophy of the game, to mould truly exhilarating players into the system and provide some protection for the greater good...and entertainment.

That’s obviously why I don’t select national teams.

Despite Cooper’s aberrations, he would have been one of my first picked.

Becks earned respect

It was poignant that David Beckham, football’s rock star,  should end his distinguished career in Paris, just like The Doors’ enigmatic frontman Jim Morrison.

 Thankfully Beckham had a chance to salute the city and his fans, and shed a tear. Morrison  chose another  path, or if he didn’t choose it, certainly succumbed to the lifestyle of the rich and celebrated when he died at just 27 in 1971.

In this light, Beckham’s achievements can’t be underestimated.

Only a select few know how hard it is to exist  in the  harsh,  constant spotlight, without a moment’s peace.

Beckham has been football’s most glorious ambassador in this regard  across nearly 21 years at the top level.

On the field he’s delivered to his maximum level. He won’t be remembered as the greatest player,  but parts of his game, if broken down, would certainly figure in the top echelon. 

But Beckham had from the outset - both on and off the field -  the X-factor, which has served him well alongside a modest, unassuming nature. 

Swinging fans, particularly women, were drawn to the game because of Beckham. He was not just a pretty boy, he was likeable as well as talented.

Sure, Beckham has been his own brand and has reaped massive rewards. 

But  in doing so he’s always had the game front and centre and has spread the message with simple, effective aplomb. 

In trawling some of the British reaction to Beckham’s retirement, it was disconcerting to see so much animosity. 

It has to be jealousy. 

Because without doubt, Beckham has been football’s greatest frontman. Not the most prolific musician, but the performer every top band needs to achieve  greatness. 

And he hasn’t  left the stage prematurely because he couldn’t cope with the stardom.

Beckham has lapped it up and kept on delivering year after year with that toothy, genuine smile.

Tiger still paying price for fall from grace

The undercurrent surrounding Tiger Woods (pictured above) over the last few  months has been fascinating,  to say the least. 

 Woods’s integrity has been challenged over questionable drops at three tournaments. 

He was penalised two shots in the first instance in January and then at the Masters, when many pundits felt he should have disqualified himself or been disqualified. 

Then Sergio Garcia leapt into the equation when he complained about Woods’s alleged ‘‘gamesmanship’’,  when Garcia was distracted while executing a shot  during the Players Championship.

One of this nation’s leading columnists went on the front foot saying he hoped Woods didn’t win the Masters because he didn’t like him. 

Hardly the sort of balanced approach one should apply to one of the world’s greatest sportsmen.

Now the rules enforcers have deemed that Woods’s on-course decisions haven’t been worthy of disqualification. 

He’s played within the rules and been penalised when transgressing – again, as the rule book has dictated.  

Yet the subtext, without evidence, is  that Woods is a cheat of sorts. He has bent the rules to his advantage. 

But golf is a game that does not allow that to happen – the rules police are always on watch.  

Tiger still seems to be  paying the price for his  fall from grace over personal issues and his  competitive nature. 

Unlike David Beckham, he’s not the likeable, peaches-and-cream  lad. But one shouldn’t let personal  dislikes dictate the agenda, however difficult that may be. 

Woods has won four tournaments this year. He will win another major this year. He will be the greatest golfer ever. May the unfounded undermining of his character not diminish his status in the realm of international sport.