It’s Just Not Cricket!
Living by our values
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To reflect upon the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ and core values at the heart of this sport.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides accompanying this assembly (It’s Just Not Cricket!) and the means to display them.
- You will need the video clips below and the means to play them:
‘Cricket’s Core Values’ - This can be found at: https://www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/values
‘Latest: Australian ball-tampering trio sent home and sanctioned’ -This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffgBtmT63ok
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Welcome students to the assembly. - Show Slide 2.
This month, two of the world’s best cricket teams will go head-to-head for a five-day men’s Test match. Edgbaston in Birmingham will be the location for the England versus India event. - The athletes playing this match will all be familiar with the phrase, ‘the Spirit of Cricket’. This phrase refers to the values at the heart of cricket; values such as respect and fairness. Most cricket fans will know that there are general principles that the sport of cricket promotes.
Show Slide 3.
These include respecting the captain, team-mates, opponents and the umpires, and showing self-discipline, even when things go wrong. - This video, produced by the English Cricket Board, helps us to understand more about the Spirit of Cricket and the values that are central to the sport. Show the video clip ‘Cricket’s Core Values’ - This can be found at: https://www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/values
- The Spirit of Cricket sounds good in theory, but there have been instances when players at the very top of the sport have not kept to these values. Let’s take time to look at 3 examples of when players have acted in ways that are just ‘not cricket’.
- In March 2018, during the third Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, Australia captain Steve Smith was involved in a ball-tampering scandal, along with 2 other players.
The following video explains what happened.
Show the clip ‘Latest: Australian ball-tampering trio sent home and sanctioned’. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffgBtmT63ok (watch around 1 minute of this). - Something else that is against the Spirit of Cricket is called ‘sledging’. Sledging is verbal abuse of another player to upset their concentration. A notable example of this was when Australian captain, Michael Clarke shouted ‘Get ready for a broken xxxx arm’ at an English player. Clarke was charged under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct for using ‘language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting’. He was fined 20% of his match fee.
- Finally, it’s important to mention the ways in which racism can damage the Spirit of Cricket. Ex-England international Gary Ballance has said he regrets using racist language towards his former Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq when they were part of the same team in the 2000s. In using such language, Balance did not show respect for his teammate, nor for the Spirit of Cricket and the values of the sport.
- These three examples all stand out as very much against the Spirit of Cricket.
Time for reflection
Whether we enjoy cricket or not, we can all consider the values that are part of the Spirit of Cricket and consider how these apply to our own lives.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) lists several values that are part of the Sport. Let’s consider these values and the parallel teachings that we find in the Bible.
Firstly, the value of Fairness.
Fairness means treating people equally or in a way that is right or reasonable.
In the Bible, Jesus calls on people to treat others fairly.
In Matthew’s Gospel we read: ‘In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12).
This principle calls for us to treat others with the same respect, kindness, and consideration that we would expect from them.
Let’s consider to what extent we aim to treat others with fairness.
Let’s consider the questions:
Can you call to mind a time when you have been fair to others?
How did you feel about this?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Secondly, the value of respecting diversity.
This means to be appreciative of difference, to value all humans, and to celebrate, rather than fear, the ways in which we are different. It is the different qualities and experiences of each individual person which helps bring variety and different ideas and approaches to a team.
In the Bible, we read, ‘Live in harmony with one another’ (Romans 12:16). Christians believe God created us all as equal, and that all humans, whilst different and wonderfully diverse, have equal value.
Let’s consider the questions:
To what extent do you value difference?
How can you be more curious and interested in people who are different from yourself.
How can you celebrate rather than fear difference?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Finally, the value of teamwork.
Teamwork involves people coming together to work towards a common goal. Teamwork means cooperation and collaboration.
The Bible speaks of the importance of teamwork. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 we read: ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up’. In other words, doing things in partnership can be an effective and supportive way to get things done.
Let’s consider the questions:
To what extent do you value teamwork?
How can you be a supportive and collaborative friend to others?
Can you use the value of teamwork in how you approach your relationships with family?
How do you feel when you are included within a team?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Prayer:
Dear God,
We pray for the players and the professionals involved in this months Test Cricket event.
May the two teams demonstrate the Spirit of Cricket both on and off the pitch.
May their conduct and values inspire those who watch the play.
We pray for ourselves, that we may find ways to reflect upon our own values and make choices in line with these values.
May we have opportunities to be fair, to respect differences and to be team players.
Give us courage and strength to live our values.
Amen.
