By BENNY PIKE
SOMEBODY once said ‘that behind every great man, is a great woman’ or the other good one is ‘happy wife, happy life’. Unfortunately, neither appear to be in the superlatives offered for the Australian Cricket Team performance in losing the Ashes. The dust hadn’t settled before former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy was being attacked for his opinion of the value or not of having the wives on tour. Yes, maybe not politically correct, but he may have a point. Ian, a member of the 1989 Ashes winning Aussie side, recalling his early days said, ‘All the partners are here, and some of the most respected cricketers I played with hated that distraction’. Cricket is a sport that requires complete concentration. You need everything going for you, and I am not sure they’re pushing for that hard enough’. Apparently in Allan Border’s day, he banned families of players from team hotel rooms until the series was won.
He didn’t win many friends especially some wives, but he did win the Ashes.
That approach has been adopted by many other teams/sports/clubs, but I suppose it depends on how much emphasis is placed on winning. I think Australia and cricket in general have a much bigger problem at hand, if the story on last week’s Four Corners relating to the power base in world cricket is true. Startling facts of a game for the people being taken over all because of the money and power it wielded. I think the Wag’s story will die, but the Indian, English and Australian power play for money could ruin the game as we knew it. Before we know it, there could be only six to eight nations playing the game, certainly outweighing the issue of wives.
I know Noosa surfboard manufacturer Peter White is happy to have his wife Janet’s support, especially since the horrific fire in January. The pair have stood steadfastly since they lost about 400 surfboards, irreplaceable surfing memorabilia and a showroom of clothing. Janet was always positive ‘Peter was always going to keep making boards’. That is certainly the case, with a new showroom and new beginning, their company Classic Malibu have started exporting on the Chinese market.
Their luck started from an on-line order and some discussions, then Peter travelled to the venue Hainman Island off China, packed with 20 boards which sold immediately. The boards were mainly the Classic Malibu long boards, and they have just started writing out orders for new ones. The former Melburnian couple are all smiles, and Iam sure Peter couldn’t have done it without Janet’s support. I’ve noticed lately some letter writers complaining or suggesting that sport gets too much publicity and that education isn’t given the kudos it deserves. I agree, but not at the expense of people who are genuine sport lovers, with most just having a go and making life-long friendships. I am aware that Australia is a world competitor, and there needs to be a change or shake-up of school systems. It’s a wonderful world we live in.
Until next time…
