Spirit of Cricket is the greatest load of bollocks ever written: Ian Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell criticised the concept of ‘Spirit of Cricket’ after two recent events that have brought back the conversation. In the ongoing edition of the U-19 World Cup, England batter Hamza Sheikh was given out for obstructing the field. He handled the ball despite it being stationary as Zimbabwe wicket-keeper Ryan Kamwemba appealed for the same and the onfield umpire raised his finger.

Former England cricketer Stuart Broad criticised the decision on his social media platform and so did keeper Sam Billings as Spirit of Cricket once again became a hot topic in the cricketing world. Meanwhile, soon after that incident, a batter in the Sheffield Shield in Australia was given not-out despite him handling the ball with his bat. The bowler appealed to the umpire for a possible dismissal but interestingly, he faced some stick for stooping so low.

Speaking about these recent incidents and the spirit of the cricket concept, Chappell mentioned that it is the ‘greatest load of bollocks ever written’. He stated that these fictional things are not required if the players stick to the laws of the games. The 80-year-old called Spirit of Cricket as ‘crap’ and ‘rubbish’.

“I don't take any notice of people talking about 'spirit of cricket' because 'spirit of cricket' to me, is rubbish. What's wrong with the laws of the game? If you play to the laws of the game, you don't need the rest of the crap. Try another term because that's the greatest load of bollocks ever written,” Chappell told Wide World of Sports. 

“If you're batting and it's rolling to the stumps and you stop it with your foot, do not touch it with your hand. If you touch it with your hand, whatever happens to you, should happen. If you're given out like the English batsman, you're out. See you later. All this bollocks about asking the fielders. It's bollocks,” he added referring to the incident that happened to Hamza in the U19 World Cup.