Andrew Symonds has rung the bell.
Once an Australian cricketer brings up concerns about touring, the Australian team almost never tours there.
Shane Watson and Nathan Hauritz (I know) have said they will play, but since Roy is major big time, and the other two aren’t, he is drowning them out.
Roy doesn’t like the idea of travelling to Pakistan.
We all know Pakistan is the second most dangerous place on earth, just behind the Dandenong train station, but don’t bombs go off in other places.
Like say India.
Wasn’t Chuck Berry shaking in his boots after 80 odd people died in Jaipur?
During the IPL, Roy didn’t go to Jaipur, he did go to Mumbai, where 190 people were killed in 2006.
Never heard any comments about him being worried about Mumbai, did you?
According to this really dodgy website I found, at least 600 civilians died from Mohammedans or Christians engaging in terrorism in 2006.
The website probably isn’t reliable, but I love the word Mohammedans.
But it does illustrate that people die from bombs and stuff in India.
Roy goes to India a lot.
And I have never once heard him say that he is worried about travelling there.
What is the key difference?
Money
It can’t just be money, although, I’m sure that doesn’t help.
He doesn’t strike me as the sort of guy who is money hungry.
Media
Is it because the western media don’t cover India as a violent state?
India is thought of as a friendly cricket mad place that hippies like to visit and that like cows.
Pakistan is though of as a violent state that no one wants to visit and even Imran isn’t safe in.
Until Jaipur blew up during the IPL, most people I knew weren’t aware of major terrorism in India.
Muslims
Is it the lack of Mohammedans in India?
Over here we are taught to believe that Muslims are the key to all terrorism in this day and age, which ofcourse is nonsense.
Tamil’s aren’t Muslims, and from memory neither was the IRA.
But who is to say that a Queenslander who isn’t big on reading books would know that.
I don’t know the answers.
Cricket is full of hypocrites.
The western countries don’t want Zimbabwe in because they are led by a ruthless dictator.
Couldn’t the same argument be made against Pakistan.
So few Western players want to visit Pakistan, but they volunteer to go to India?
Australia are due to travel to India not long after the ICC knockout cup is die to be in Pakistan, will we hear Roy raise his concerns about India?
I doubt it.
Maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe Roy actually prefers violence. India has Shagwag, Gambam and Slapsanth. Pakistan has yohanna, malik and Rao. Those 3 could bore Symonds to death faster than you can say mojahideen.
Ive thought of Sysmonds as bit bit of spoilt bogan ever since I heard about his treatment of Ed Smith at Kent a few years back (can read a little about it here – http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/288475.html about 2/3 of the way down) He seems to have the tendency to turn in a whiney little b!tch every time things aren't exactly to his liking. Which is hilarious for a guy built like a rugby forwardIf was some other Aus cricketer (like MacGill & Zimbabwe) I might actually believe it – but everybody knows he just can't be arsed 'cause he doesnt see Pakistan as somewhere he can booze until he collapses. Sadly because Ricky loves him, he knows he can miss the tour and not be in danger of ever losing his spotPersonally I hope CA send a 2nd eleven. Then guys like Future PM or Ronchi can show everbody that girly man Andy isn't the only Australian player that can regularly clear a boundary in an ODI
D,Lot more than beer to it.
“Is it the lack of Mohammedans in India?”There are about 150 million muslims in India – even though thats a minority for india making up what 10% of the population, it is the 2nd largest country in the world in terms of Muslim population.
I meant as its not a Muslim nation. But i like the word Mohammedans so much, i probably wasn’t concentrating.
India is over-populated and polluted. Also, has terrorism issues. It might also have other issues that Peter Lalor or Mike Atherton would know more about.Wait! It is racist as well. It calls Symonds Monkey. Yes. It is the peanuts on the airlines that he loves.I am happy though that he is visting. I’ve always had a thing for him….Plus as Hyderabadis (that’s the Deccan for the ignorant) I think we share a connection.
Off point, but Mike Marquese (think that’s the spelling) wrote an average book on cricket, business and politics in India – post-Packer. Mike’s limited skills with the pen can’t entirely mask his insight, and anyone interested must read about an English county cricketer’s violent encounters with Tamil nationalism. Symonds cough pussy cough