Cricket has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons these days.
Just when it was thought that the Andrew Symonds-Harbhajan Singh controversy had died down, out came Matthew Hayden with some unwarranted comments on the Indian spinner.
Young Indian paceman Ishant Sharma was docked 15 per cent of his match fee for giving Symonds a send-off,
Then there was the pathethic sight of promising New Zealander Jesse Ryder, arm in a sling, apologising for going berserk after a night of drinking.
Bad behaviour is even affecting the Under-19 World Cup tournament in Kuala Lumpur. An Indian bowler has been reprimanded for giving a send-off to a New Zealand batsman.
Aggression is a vital part of cricket, or for that matter, most sport. But it seems cricketers are stretching the limit these days despite a strict code of conduct laid down by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Hayden should have kept his mouth shut and instead concentrated on getting his form back. Character-assassination should not be accepted in any form. It is shocking that Hayden, who professes himself to be a religious man, did exactly what he was not supposed to do.
It is not surprising in the least as Hayden is among the leading sledgers in the side. It is also unfortunate that Hayden got off with just a rap on the knuckles.
Sharma has every reason to feel hard done by because Symonds instigated him. But the ICC deems all things Australian pure as driven snow.
These unsavoury incidents have taken away from the good cricket played by both sides. It has also proved that the ICC is incapable of taking the right decisions.
India must also learn to accept that sledging has become a vital part of the game and they must look beyond it. If it is an unfair world, then so be it.
The battle can be taken up once the series is over, even if it is futile. Playing the game must take precedence over such incidents. It is easier said than done. But some of the best players in the world have turned a blind eye to sledging and let their batting or bowling do the talking.
Ryder's case is sad as he was within an ace of being picked for the Tests against England. The burly left-handed batsman is a character who has run into problems with the authorities before. He is not the first cricketer to have a drink problem nor will he be the last. Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Symonds and England's Andrew Flintoff have all had their share of drinking problems.
Fortunately, the New Zealand cricket authorities are aware that Ryder needs help and are willing to sort out his problem. Ultimately, The onus will be on Ryder. Else a shining star will fade away on a shaky stool in a dingy bar.
As some wise men would say - 'That's cricket!'
