Australian cricket is not multicultural enough- CA official

Henry wrote:

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?

That can play whatever sport they choose . . . if it isn't cricket, that's their choice. Maybe they even prefer studying and getting ahead financially? I don't think CA should be targeting Asian Aussies or any other ethnic group. If young cricketers are keen enough and good enough they will be picked. If they aren't, that's their look out . . .

So you're saying that it's only the Aussie ethnic groups that choose study over sport, and not the English, South African, and New Zealand ethnic groups?

It's fine to say that "If they're good enough, they'll be picked" but there hasnt been any evidence of that yet.

Henry wrote:So you're saying that it's only the Aussie ethnic groups that choose study over sport, and not the English, South African, and New Zealand ethnic groups?

It's fine to say that "If they're good enough, they'll be picked" but there hasnt been any evidence of that yet.

In 2000 there were around 40,000 2nd generation Aussies of Indian heritage. Let's say 50% are girls, and 50% are still under 20 years of age (it's probably more). That leaves 10,000 who might play cricket. Is it so strange that none have made it yet?

Of course, there will be 1st generation immigrants as well, but again their priorities are likely to be elsewhere.

Aye, its not strange at all.

There were no British Asians (or very few) playing county cricket 20 years ago - it was those of West Indian descent who filled county sides.

As tac says, give it 20 years and if there aren't Asians in a few state sides then it'll be time to say its not multicultural enough

And yet now there are far fewer players of caribbean descent in the county game than there were say 10 or 15 years ago - strange.

Basil wrote:And yet now there are far fewer players of caribbean descent in the county game than there were say 10 or 15 years ago - strange.

Theres no doubt young blacks in this country have migrated to following football instead of cricket - not really that strange IMO

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.

But you expect say croatian australians or greek australians to embrace cricket?

Do you even think before you post?

What you just wrote its basically backing the people you were arguing with.

Well, more Italian Australians have played cricket for Australia than Indian, Pakistani, or Sri Lankan Australians. Think Michael Di Venuto.

Do you know how few indians we have here in australia compared to say england?

Do you really think we would turn them down if they were good enough?

Obviously being from an ethnic background isn't a hindrance if you are up to scratch, you just gave a perfect example with Michael Di Venuto.

There's more Indians in Australia than there are in New Zealand, and they've had several cricketers with Indian backgrounds play for them. Jeetan Patel being the latest example.

If there was some sort of proof of discrimination,actual examples of state quality players snubbed because they were asian it might pass the laugh test.

But there are only 6 state teams which means less than a 100 players at any one time to say that a lack of asian players is proof of discrimination against asians is quite franky ludicrous.

I mean nobody from my family or anybody i know has played state cricket yet i know many many people who have played at lower levels.

Under your logic that's proof that CA have it in for me and everybody i know.

Up until recently, something seems to have discouraged them from playing cricket from the age of about 15 onwards. The obvious answer is "Booze, girls, and study" but Monty Panesar has managed to play for England as well as obtain a university degree. I gave examples of Usman Khawaja (Who actually captained Australia's under 19 team in 2005) and Kumar Sarna, who is a current Australia A player. Things have changed in the last 5 years to a certain extent. It was about 5 years ago that people were first raising eyebrows at the lack of Indian, Pakistani's, Bangladeshi's, and Sri Lankans in Australian grade cricket, so I think CA has tried to promote the game to ethnic minorities in the recent past.

It just seems to have taken cricket in Australia longer than it should have to reach the ethnic minorities.

Maybe it's the fault of the minorities, rather than CA.

Henry wrote:Up until recently, something seems to have discouraged them from playing cricket from the age of about 15 onwards. The obvious answer is "Booze, girls, and study" but Monty Panesar has managed to play for England as well as obtain a university degree. I gave examples of Usman Khawaja (Who actually captained Australia's under 19 team in 2005) and Kumar Sarna, who is a current Australia A player. Things have changed in the last 5 years to a certain extent. It was about 5 years ago that people were first raising eyebrows at the lack of Indian, Pakistani's, Bangladeshi's, and Sri Lankans in Australian grade cricket, so I think CA has tried to promote the game to ethnic minorities in the recent past.

It just seems to have taken cricket in Australia longer than it should have to reach the ethnic minorities.

You are simply a small-minded shit stirrer. Look at how few Indians there are in Australia comnpared to other ethnic groups and how recently many of them have moved there.

The fact that a few are starting to make a name is due to the fact that many more of the 2nd generation of Indian Aussies are now at the age to be playing senior sport. If you want to attribute everything to some racist attitude within Australian society, go ahead . . . it just confirms you as a farquit.

Cricket Australia has themselves admitted that not enough was done to prmote the game amongst the minorities. Who's the farquit? You'd argue that the world was flat if I told you it was round.

Why do CA need to promote the game to minorities? Surely they already know what the game is, especially if they've come from countries where the game is played.

Maybe minorities aren't interested in playing for Australia because they'd rather play for the country they left, e.g. India or Pakistan.

Henry wrote:Cricket Australia has themselves admitted that not enough was done to prmote the game amongst the minorities. Who's the farquit? You'd argue that the world was flat if I told you it was round.

You are the farquit. CA wants more minority groups to play cricket? That's their choice. They are in the midst of a wide-reaching drive coz they suddenly feel the need to be seen as all sensitive and inclusive . . . they have even opened up thier confidential archives to allow a history of Australian cricket to be written "warts and all". Their concerns are aimed at showing how non-racist and forward thinking Australia cricket is in case things go a bit pear-shaped this summer.

Why do CA need to promote the game to minorities?

Because my friend, the word minorities is actually a bit mis-used. 'Minorities' make up about half of Australia's population. Pretty much every other Australian sport has 'minorities' playing in them, but not cricket.

tac wrote:

Henry wrote:Cricket Australia has themselves admitted that not enough was done to prmote the game amongst the minorities. Who's the farquit? You'd argue that the world was flat if I told you it was round.

You are the farquit. CA wants more minority groups to play cricket? That's their choice. They are in the midst of a wide-reaching drive coz they suddenly feel the need to be seen as all sensitive and inclusive . . . they have even opened up thier confidential archives to allow a history of Australian cricket to be written "warts and all". Their concerns are aimed at showing how non-racist and forward thinking Australia cricket is in case things go a bit pear-shaped this summer.

So basically you're saying that Cricket Australia is trying to cover up the fact that Australia in general is a racist country because they're so sure that heaps of racial abuse is going to be thrown at the Sri Lankan's and Indians this summer? Right..... You're a bigger one eyed biggot than I thought.

Cant possibly be because they want cricket to be extended beyond your typical white, anglo, Bruce Smith Aussie follower, is it.

Maybe that's because they choose not to play cricket. Why does it have to be the fault of CA?

Henry wrote:

Why do CA need to promote the game to minorities?

Because my friend, the word minorities is actually a bit mis-used. 'Minorities' make up about half of Australia's population. Pretty much every other Australian sport has 'minorities' playing in them, but not cricket.

Hilfenhaus, DiVenuto, Katich, Pommebasch, Jaques, Moller, Symmonds, Gillespie, Kaspa, Manou, Klinger, Johnson . . . all in State teams and not an ethnic moniroty represented.

Henry wrote:

tac wrote:

Henry wrote:Cricket Australia has themselves admitted that not enough was done to prmote the game amongst the minorities. Who's the farquit? You'd argue that the world was flat if I told you it was round.

You are the farquit. CA wants more minority groups to play cricket? That's their choice. They are in the midst of a wide-reaching drive coz they suddenly feel the need to be seen as all sensitive and inclusive . . . they have even opened up thier confidential archives to allow a history of Australian cricket to be written "warts and all". Their concerns are aimed at showing how non-racist and forward thinking Australia cricket is in case things go a bit pear-shaped this summer.

So basically you're saying that Cricket Australia is trying to cover up the fact that Australia in general is a racist country because they're so sure that heaps of racial abuse is going to be thrown at the Sri Lankan's and Indians this summer? Right..... You're a bigger one eyed biggot than I thought.

Cant possibly be because they want cricket to be extended beyond your typical white, anglo, Bruce Smith Aussie follower, is it.

Did you read the link you posted? It's all spelt out. CA thinks that encouraging minorities to play cricket will help prevent/overcome racism among spectators. That is their concern.

I look forward to your next idiotic response to see how you will shift your argument. The soap box is yours, Henry.

No, their primary concern is that cricket in Australia could decline in popularity if the many different minority groups arent encouraged more, seeing as these groups make up a substantial part of Australia's population.

Also, it just happens to be the 21st century, believe it or not. And people are a lot more aware of the need to bridge cultural divides for the sake of creating a more harmonious society. I thought many Australians might have realised that after the Cronulla riots. Guess not, in your case.