It's (just) not cricket

Cricket is a game of aristocrats and it is really so. This thesis is known to all cricket fans, but here’s where it comes from. We will try to explain it by contradiction: by explaining the phrase’s meaning It’s (just) not cricket. Read everything in our article about what it means if you hear “It’s not cricket” or “It’s just not cricket”, and about when these expressions are appropriate to use.

It’s (just) not cricket – what does the phrase mean?

This is an Australian idiom by which the speaker condemns actions that they find dishonest or contrary to the spirit of the game of cricket.

The phrase “It’s (just) not cricket” can be heard both on the cricket field or in front of the screen where the match is being broadcast and in situations that are not related to the game, but when something unfair is happening.

For example, you might hear a dialogue like this:

– Hey, it seems to me or this guy attacked the other one from the back?

– Yes, it’s (just) not cricket.

If you hear such a conversation, know that the phrase is used correctly and appropriately, even if it does not refer to a cricket match.

Is cricket a fair game? Where did this belief come from?

Cricket is considered a gentlemen’s game, where honor comes first. Even though not only noble people played cricket, the main thing in this game is that it is played not only by the rules but also by the spirit of the game (spirit of cricket). Any action that violates the spirit of the game is considered detrimental to cricket.

For example, MCC Laws of Cricket provides the following explanations of the spirit of cricket:

• It is the responsibility of the team captains to ensure that the rules are followed. Suppose a player does not obey the referee’s decision or allows himself verbal or non-verbal criticism of these decisions or behaves in a way that could damage the game’s reputation. In that case, the referee may inform another referee or the team captain of the need to take action.
• The spirit of cricket involves respect for the opponent, teammates and the captain, for the officials and, of course, the game itself and its values. So if you see that some of the athletes do not adhere to these simple principles, you can safely conclude – it’s (just) not cricket.
• The spirit of cricket is against the use of violence, obscene language, cheating, aggressiveness. It is primarily the responsibility of the referees and captains to ensure that the match is played in accordance with the spirit of cricket. It is the responsibility of each player to contribute.

It’s (just) not cricket – are there any violations?

Of course, people play cricket, not ideal robots (at least for the moment), so violations are inevitable, sports excitement or indiscretion sometimes play a cruel joke with cricket players.

For example, an unpleasant incident occurred during a match between Australia and the West Indies, involving the famous Australian bowler Glenn McGrath and batsman from the West Indies Ramnaresh Sarwan. Australians in cricket have always had the reputation of being bullies who like to hurt their opponents with words, but this time the joke became too serious.

The conversation went something like this:

Glenn McGrath: What is Captain Brian Lara like when you get to know him better?

Ramnaresh Sarwan: I don’t know, ask your wife about it.

Glenn McGrath: Look, if you mention my wife again, I’ll rip your throat out!

At the time, Glenn’s wife was gravely ill with cancer, so the crowd immediately stopped having fun and started booing Ramnaresh.

Of course, there are also match-fixing and the use of doping in this sport, which also does not match to the spirit of the game – it’s not cricket!

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