Australian cricket is not multicultural enough- CA official

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/culture-shock/2007/10/26/1192941341403.html

You'd think that at least 1 Australian cricketer of Sub Continental background would have at least played state cricket in the last 20 years. FFS even New Zealand has had several cricketers of Sub Continental background play for them. I definetly think there is a culture of unacceptance in Australian cricket. Anyone who is a bit different, or doesnt come to the pub with his teammates because he has to attend prayers is seen as a loner who isnt trying to fit in. NSW rookie Usman Khawaja, who's family is from Pakistan, could well make his debut for NSW this season if he keeps up his good early season grade cricket form. In Melbourne, Indian born Kumar Sarna is talked about as one of the best young batting prospects in the country, so maybe things are starting to change. It's about time.

So, how many black, oriental, or white people do you see playing for subcontinental teams? I only see brown and there has to be people of other colours those countries.

Australia is a first world country that has thousands of people from other countries arrive every year because of the increased opportunities it provides. This is the same with England, South Africa (To an extent) and New Zealand. Ardent cricket fans from overseas may not know that Australia has one of the most multi cultural populations in the world. Right up there with the USA and Britain. The Aussie cricket team doesnt represent Australia's multi cultural society at all.

When they are good enough they'll play.

As well detailed in the article you link to, playing sport is not top priority for immigrant families, so it might take an extra generation before these players start coming through.

Plenty of players of mediterranean descent (from those who immigrated in the 50s) playing leeeg, Aussie Rules and cricket.

JB wrote:So, how many black, oriental, or white people do you see playing for subcontinental teams? I only see brown and there has to be people of other colours those countries.

Since when has oriental been a colour?

Since 'Subi' became a nationality, I guess.

"I definetly think there is a culture of unacceptance in Australian cricket."

Eric, I DEFINITELY think you should learn to spell the words that already exist, before you start making up your own (eg 'unacceptance').

Oh wow. Here's Fred Nerk arriving to be a smart arse. Who'd have thought? Got anything relevant to say? Didnt think so. Now go back to your cave.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/never-mind-the-curry-were-in-this-game-together/2007/10/19/1192301041975.html
If they are good enough,they will get a place.

You lecturing about relevance is a bit thick, I must say.

In what way exactly, is any opinion you may or may not have (such as that piece of drivel of yours I quoted in my last post), 'relevant' to anything or anybody?

Well good on them. Like I said, things seem to have been changing in the last 5 years or so.

Fred Nerk wrote:You lecturing about relevance is a bit thick, I must say.

In what way exactly, is any opinion you may or may not have (such as that piece of drivel of yours I quoted in my last post), 'relevant' to anything or anybody?

Err, it's relevant to the subject of this thread, buddy. This isnt a spelling forum. Maybe if I had started a thread titled,"How do I spell xxxxxx?" your post would have been relevant.

It is a complicated area this. It doesn't of itself indicate racism within CA. It may (but does not necessarily) indicate racial problems within cricket in Oz, if only by the perception of the Aussie Subis.
It would seem to be analogous to the UK who have and have had no British Asians in the National Football team and precious few in football at any professional level. British Asians are well represented in many other UK sports, Cricket obviously, badminton, squash (I think) etc.

I am sure that if Aussie Asians were good enough, they would get into the national side. The question is whether there is something in Oz society that discourages them from taking up cricket seriously, or if they do, gets in the way of their progress at a lower level.

It would seem to be analogous to the UK who have and have had no British Asians in the National Football team and precious few in football at any professional level.

But football is nowhere near as popular as cricket in countries like India and Pakistan. It's understandable that the British Asian kids show more interest in the sport that is loved by their parents.

doctorspin wrote:It is a complicated area this. It doesn't of itself indicate racism within CA. It may (but does not necessarily) indicate racial problems within cricket in Oz, if only by the perception of the Aussie Subis.
It would seem to be analogous to the UK who have and have had no British Asians in the National Football team and precious few in football at any professional level. British Asians are well represented in many other UK sports, Cricket obviously, badminton, squash (I think) etc.

I am sure that if Aussie Asians were good enough, they would get into the national side. The question is whether there is something in Oz society that discourages them from taking up cricket seriously, or if they do, gets in the way of their progress at a lower level.

Again, it is a matter of priorities and how much time immigrant families (and in Oz your talking 1st generation) are prepared to give to sport as opposed to making a financial success of their lives. As mentioned above, Australian sport is full of players European/Mediterranean descent, give it another 20 years and I'm sure there will be a number of players of subi descent playing state cricket.

But why has it taken so long in Australian cricket? Like you said- AFL, Rugby league, and Rugby Union have all had players from ethnic backgrounds for a number of years now. Why is cricket only just starting to change from a predominantly white culture in the last 5 years?

Henry wrote:http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/culture-shock/2007/10/26/1192941341403.html

You'd think that at least 1 Australian cricketer of Sub Continental background would have at least played state cricket in the last 20 years. FFS even New Zealand has had several cricketers of Sub Continental background play for them. I definetly think there is a culture of unacceptance in Australian cricket. Anyone who is a bit different, or doesnt come to the pub with his teammates because he has to attend prayers is seen as a loner who isnt trying to fit in. NSW rookie Usman Khawaja, who's family is from Pakistan, could well make his debut for NSW this season if he keeps up his good early season grade cricket form. In Melbourne, Indian born Kumar Sarna is talked about as one of the best young batting prospects in the country, so maybe things are starting to change. It's about time.

Mark Lavender ....

Henry wrote:But football is nowhere near as popular as cricket in countries like India and Pakistan. It's understandable that the British Asian kids show more interest in the sport that is loved by their parents.

I know sh!tloads of Brasians.... every single one likes footers.

Really? Hmm. Then I guess there could be something there with football. But why would there perhaps be prejudice against British Asians but not English-Caribbean footballers?

Henry wrote:Really? Hmm. Then I guess there could be something there with football. But why would there perhaps be prejudice against British Asians but not English-Caribbean footballers?

What the fark are you on about now?

Henry wrote:Really? Hmm. Then I guess there could be something there with football. But why would there perhaps be prejudice against British Asians but not English-Caribbean footballers?

Not sure about there is prejudice. The best players get picked. A few of my Brasian mates were damn good at footie, there's just plenty of teams about with decent players.

But not in the top leagues. I for one hope that young British Asians dont get lured towards football like the English- Caribbean kids have been. Thankfully we have guys like Monty and Owais Shah as role models for young British Asians.

Henry wrote:But not in the top leagues. I for one hope that young British Asians dont get lured towards football like the English- Caribbean kids have been. Thankfully we have guys like Monty and Owais Shah as role models for young British Asians.

But you blame Australia for not luring Aussie Asians into cricket?

Henry wrote:But not in the top leagues. I for one hope that young British Asians dont get lured towards football like the English- Caribbean kids have been. Thankfully we have guys like Monty and Owais Shah as role models for young British Asians.

Nah, just Michael Chopra. I can't really comment to generalise, but every single one lost the desire to be serious about the game about 15-16 when drinking*/smoking/shagging became a bigger priority and the hunger in their early 20's to play competatively at all. Bit like most lads, I reckon.

*The non-Muslim ones. Well most of them.

But you blame Australia for not luring Aussie Asians into cricket?

Yes I do. Just like I hinted there might be prejudice within the FA in England for there not being any British Asians playing in the top leagues, im suggesting that the same thing happens with Australian Asians in cricket.

As an English cricket fan, I dont want English cricket to be deprived of an exciting source of talent because of the $$$$ lure of football.

In general, what sport is a young Indian or Pakistani living in Australia most likely to want to play, do you think?