‘A weakness of character’: Aussie cricket legend’s open letter to Paine after SCG meltdown

Source:Coupler

Watch the series decider between Australia and India LIVE on Fox Cricket, coverage every day from 10am AEDT!

Former Australian captain Greg Chappell has penned an open letter to current skipper Tim Paine after his performance in the third Test at the SCG.

Paine has been widely condemned for his foul-mouthed spray towards the umpire as well as his words to Ravi Ashwin behind the stumps in the frustrating draw in Sydney.

He publicly and privately apologised for what happened since but has admitted he won’t shy away from sledging in the future as a result, more that he just needs to be more aware of the stump mic.

But Chappell has urged him to be a leader and steer clear of the harsh words to opponents and focus instead on letting his and the team’s cricket do the talking.

“Abuse is not acceptable in any workplace and talk, in my opinion, is cheap. It does not show one’s strength. Rather, it displays a weakness of character,” Chappell wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I urge you to impress on the team to let the bat and ball do the talking and set better examples to millions of impressionable little boys and girls, lest they start imitating the worst instincts and actions of their sporting heroes.

“This will be the greatest legacy that you can leave.

“You have led Australia with flair, courage and humour and have contributed immensely in rebuilding the image of Australian cricket following the events in Cape Town, three years ago. I urge you to keep leading in the way that you have been, since taking over the captaincy.

“I would hate one bad day to undo all of the good work that you and your team have done.

“Your mea culpa and promise to do better after Sydney is a step in the right direction. It shows contrition and a resolve to get things back on track. I have no doubt that you have a year or two of good cricket left in you, and detractors who are piling on right now, should judge you in time, and not on the basis of one mad afternoon.”