good to see the Australians embracing not just the spirit but history of cricket. W.G. Grace was well known for his 'gamesmanship' - a public school term for cheating.

"Gamesmanship" is not cheating, for every move in gamesmanship there is usually a counter.

So when WG Grace bullied both the umpire and bowler in a match in allowing him to bat on even though he had been caught by saying to them "look sonnies they have come to see me not you." that gamesmanship is not cheating? Gamesmanship as practiced in English public schools is basically pushing the boundaries and as long as you don't get caught it is fine. Cricketers have been engaged in ball tampering for a long time, but they rarely get caught. The real crime here was that they got caught and that it was clearly planned.

I am disappointed that athletes who represent our nation cheated. However, I am more disappointed that the media thought this was a bigger story than wars, floods and famines. Can we please move on?

Baygon,

"So when WG Grace bullied both the umpire and bowler in a match in allowing him to bat on even though he had been caught by saying to them "look sonnies they have come to see me not you." that gamesmanship is not cheating? "

That was not Gamesmanship but pure bullying and a bit of gutlessness on the part of those bullied.

they went...they played....and they cheated....did I miss something?....silly me, of course I did!....they got caught!
Australia went from mediocrity to stupid in one easy lesson....can't point the finger at the Indians any more......