Big Bash League: Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond hits out Dan Christian tweet in wake of Chris Green ban
Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond hit out at veteran Dan Christian’s ‘totally unprofessional’ use of social media in the wake of spinner Chris Green’s ban for an illegal action.
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Sydney Thunder coach Shane Bond has branded experienced all-rounder Dan Christian “unprofessional” for what he believes was a stinging public taunt at banned off-spinner Chris Green.
Three weeks before Green was suspended for an illegal bowling action, Melbourne Renegades star Christian issued a cryptic tweet which has been interpreted as a reference to Thunder off-spinners chucking.
“Thunder have been good tonight!! Will make sure I get thrown some off spinners before Thursday night’s game,” Christian wrote.
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Green’s coach, former Kiwi international Bond, hit back at Christian, blasting the social media post as a cheap shot.
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Bond, didn’t directly name Christian, but inferred he should be spoken to about breaching an unspoken player code, and questioned whether the Renegade would in turn, like all areas of his life, be fair game for public scrutiny.
“As long as stuff is done behind the scenes I have no problem with it. I think when tweets are put out, subtle, or (non) subtle digs at players, I think that’s unprofessional,” said Bond.
“The players are a professional group together, who are going through the same stuff. And I just think whether it be illegal actions, or how many beers people drink, or behaviour in a social setting, that stuff … the social media platform is not the place to do that stuff.
“I’m disappointed about some of the stuff that’s come out about that. And I hope that’s addressed because players aren’t allowed to talk about that sort of thing about umpires and they certainly shouldn’t be doing it about their fellow professionals.
“I don’t know about (whether Cricket Australia should take) action, I think from my perspective, someone needs to have a quiet word and say … ‘these are your fellow professionals you’re talking about.
“If you’re prepared to put that up about one of your fellow professionals, you should be prepared to be scrutinised about all areas of your life or activities.
“And I just don’t think that’s a place you want to go.”
Christian applauded Cricket Australia on Wednesday for taking action against illegal bowling, but when asked if his tweet back on December 17 was directed at Green – he said he would be “getting some throwdowns” before Friday’s clash with the Melbourne Stars as well.
News Corp Australia understands the actions of Green and fellow Thunder spinner Arjun Nair have been a subject of conversation among rival teams.
Bond insisted there are no concerns over Nair – who has had his action tested previously – and made the point that having an illegal action did not mean Green was “cheating”.
“If teams, coaches, players, have issues about a player then there’s a process that needs to be followed behind the scenes. If that like Chris has, has been tested and found to be illegal that’s absolutely fine with me but you don’t’ want to be doing it on a social media platform,” said Bond.
“(Arjun) has done a lot of hard work and has done for a period of time. And I think once you have been called or reported or done for an illegal action, there’s always going to be questions around your action.
“From our point of view we watch Arjun every day, we’re happy with what he’s doing, and if he ends up being tested again well then that’s just what happens.”
Bond said there was no argument from the Thunder about Cricket Australia’s process and testing, but asked whether Green’s issue could have been picked up in the pre-season.
“The question for Cricket Australia is more around you don’t want this happening mid-tournament,” said Bond, who will still consider Green as a batsman this season.
“… You probably need a forum to highlight amongst the teams, any players of note or concern and those players are perhaps tested pre-tournament.
“Ultimately Chris’s action is illegal and we want every body’s action in the competition to be legal. The right decision has been made, now our job is to get Chris back bowling with a legal action.”