Sportsmanship

I wonder sometimes if it's just my age making me look back at distant events and bemoan their modern day equivalents in comparison. It wouldn't happen in my day.

This week the pleasing way that England managed to negotiate a draw against the Aussies was tempered by the accusations of cheating (or gamesmanship at least) levelled at them. It's certainly a far cry from the image of Flintoff and Lee 4 years ago, although there is a parallel with the Aussie captain whinging when things don't go his way. Maybe the phrase 'It's just not cricket' should be struck from the language.

Perhaps, with a certain Potuguese leaving these shores for Madrid, football may have taken a turn for the better in this country, but then again.....we will still see players apparantly mortally wounded by a stray little finger. I don't think football will ever recover to be the contact sport it was. And it isn't only the foreigner players, is it Mr Gerrard?

There are still some bright spots, of course. Andy Roddick was clearly distraught at his loss to Roger Federer at SW19, but maintained his composure, was gracious in defeat and even managed a touch of humour. More please.

I'll finish with the inspiration for this post. 32 Years ago Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head to head at Turnberry in the 1977 Open Championship (not the British Open). For two rounds they battled for the title, and finally ended as the only two players in the tournament under par. As they walked off the final green the vanquished Nicklaus put his arm around Watson's shoulder and said "I gave it my best shot, but it wasn't good enough. Congratulations. I'm proud of you".

As the Open returns to Turnberry on Thursday lets hope it can provide the backdrop for more sporting drama.