Former Test stars Jason Gillespie, Greg Blewett and Shaun Tait back Peace at the Crease charity match and appeal for common sense
Why charity should start at home for the planned Peace at the Crease T20 cricket blockbuster at Adelaide Oval, says Richard Earle, as diplomatic squabbling threatens to derail the visionary event.
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You can count on political power-plays to get in the way of a good cause and there’s none better than cricket’s Peace at the Crease initiative backed by Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar.
The Advertiser last Wednesday revealed plans to hold a blockbuster charity match on December 5 at Adelaide Oval. Greats including Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting are scheduled to front — raising funds for communities affected by terror attacks in Sri Lanka and Christchurch.
It takes people like South Australian Cricket Association chief Keith Bradshaw with vision, selfless commitment and nerve to turn a dream of staging cricket’s version of Live Aid into reality.
However, a shadow has been cast over the event by diplomatic squabbling.
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Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne is unhappy at event co-organiser and Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland inviting heads of government to the proposed T20 spectacular without prior Australian government permission.
Instead of helping Bradshaw lock in the final pieces of an match that could be beamed to a minimum 300 million viewers, politicians fail to see the bigger picture.
Cricket royalty including Tendulkar stepped up at short notice for 2005’s Tsunami appeal match at the MCG which raised millions in relief aid and Peace at the Crease arrives at a time of unrest in this region.
The only mistake those working overtime to stage Peace at the Crease was welcoming politicians. The availability of office holders is inconsequential to the event’s success and already proving more trouble than it’s worth.
Moreover, the Marshall government should be falling over itself to help SACA stage an event that could do more than any tourism campaign featuring “Old mate” would to promote the state.
Charity should start at home.
South Australian Test trio Jason Gillespie, Greg Blewett and Shaun Tait told The Advertiser they had committed to the T20 clash. The cricket family comes together on a handshake for the greater good. It’s about helping mates help those less fortunate.
“I think it would be fantastic to be involved, looks a brilliant concept,” said Australian legend Gillespie.
Blewett, a veteran of 46-Tests, added: “There are some great names involved for a great cause. It would be a special event for cricket and Adelaide.”
Tait — who hurled cricket’s second fastest recorded ball at 161.1 km/h — believes it is important to “get behind” the match, saying: “It is a great cause, would be a great game.”
It is always easier to destroy than create.
Petty politics is the only obstacle to Bradshaw beating a logistical and deadline squeeze then staging a sporting moment of global significance.