My mind is made up. From today onwards, I’ll be boycotting cricket. All cricket. Even “one hand bounce” played on a Saturday afternoon in the garden. Whether South Africa is playing matters not, if it’s a five-day Test or a day-night game, I refuse to engage. I’ll neither watch cricket, participate in cricket – not that high a risk – or speak about cricket.
Much like Dr Naledi Pandor, cricket is dead to me. And the fact that it’s the most boring sport on the planet by a six has nothing to do with my decision.
For reason alone of giving me cause to do this, David Teeger deserves the Rising Star Award. In my books, anyway.
I cannot believe I never thought of this before. For years, I was shamed into spending a day or five at the cricket. I would pack enough snacks for an average family to live on for a week, ensure that I had at least two Myprodol in my pocket for the inevitable heat and dehydration induced headache, sunscreen, after sun, an umbrella in case it rained – it always rains – a charger for my cellphone, and a book that would never open, but gave me some comfort just to have it. We would speak about seats for weeks before, strategise about parking, and then land up walking 6.7km on average to the gate. Carrying more than just the pantry.
The return walk to the car was always easier.
This was all to watch a “short” eight-hour game that might not even conclude with a winner. And if it did, it would be based on an actuarial calculation requiring a logbook that some legal firm of Duckworth, Lewis, and Sons had decided made the most sense. To nobody.
In all my years of watching cricket, I never understood Duckworth and co. But knew enough to know that it wouldn’t work in our favour. Ever.
Cricket is a game for numbers-people. Not word inspired ones. Who else would choose to spend days at a time calculating run rates, averages, and then doing it all again when it clouds over and starts to rain.
And then, just as progress is being made on the overs played, someone decides it’s time for tea. Yet, in all my pre-boycott years, I don’t believe I ever saw a cup of tea being steeped, poured, or drunk. Not ever.
Which is weird.
As a rule, I’m not a fan of boycotts. I didn’t support the Woolworths one – who boycotts the purveyors of Chuckles? I still listen to Michael Jackson, and would happily shop at the Oriental Plaza – because a deal is a deal. Boycotts in general push us further apart instead of closer, and they achieve very little at the end of it all.
But in this case, I’m prepared to make an exception. Not because of the appalling behaviour of Cricket South Africa. Not because of alleged government intervention. And not because the removal of David Teeger, the deserved captain of the team, is based on him being Jewish. But because cricket has stolen more of my time than TikTok has, caused more frustration than Eskom. And because this might be pretty much the only good thing that the African National Congress has ever done for me.
Cellie
Jan 18, 2024 at 5:08 pm
Brilliant Howard 👏👏👏👍👍👍💥💥💥
Lorraine
Jan 19, 2024 at 2:16 pm
I love you I’m a cricket fan no more lets watch the briggtest teenager with the next chess game
Joe
Jan 19, 2024 at 8:12 pm
More fool you. CSA may not have done the right thing and that deserves criticism. But cricket is one of the most difficult and appealing games. It requires patience, skill, analysis, and numerous other skills. Perhaps too much for you.
Abdulgani Rahman
Jan 19, 2024 at 9:58 pm
To say that Teeger was dropped because he is Jewish, is a lie. If a Muslim cricket captain showed support for Hamas resistance fighting the occupation of their land, what would your response have been? ” Supporting terrorists “
Andrew Grice
Jan 20, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Its a disgrace what they have done to this youngster being of gypsey origins i feel his pain its appalling no different behaviour than a group of people 80 years ago in the 1930s to mid 1940s shameful
Joe
Jan 18, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Naledi is the driver of antisemitism in S.A
Cedric Lakey
Jan 19, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Supporting free speech is one thing. Boycotting cricket is petty if not buckling to political machinations. Sad that people boycott an activity that gives pleasure. Give the bedroom a miss if you are persuaded this easily. Coward
Cliff Eliason
Jan 19, 2024 at 6:50 pm
Boycotting cricket is a way of showing repulsion at the cowardice of CSA. I love cricket but will never attend another match in South Africa. Kudos to you, Howard and up yours Cedric Lakey
Andy
Jan 19, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Absolutely spot on Howard. I too am not Jewish and have no ties with Israel, but go Israel. We are 100% behind you. We do not support our goverment. They do not speak on behalf of many South Africans.
Gert Nieuwenhuizrn
Jan 18, 2024 at 7:43 pm
I am behind you all the way. CSA should be feel like thugs to bully a boy. CSA always stuff around before a mayor event. These thugs are useless. They should take over TRANSNET because they could polish of TRANSNET in the next week. Stuff CSA. Regards
Anna Turner
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:19 pm
I am totally off SA cricket…they ruined the game I loved…very sad..
Johann
Jan 19, 2024 at 3:59 pm
David should stand up and withdraw from the team,if he is not good enough to be captain, then he is not good enough for the team. David your opportunity will come from out side of South Africa. Stand strong young man.
Sans
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:16 pm
It’s a bloody disgrace. I echo your sentiments. CSA should be ashamed of themselves .
Zameer
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:52 pm
CSA and the South African government are totally correct!!! The boy man a stand that he stands with a Evil government that’s been killing innocents for 75years. The boy brought this upon himself. If it was about his religion then I would be the first person shouting but it’s not. Don’t lie please.
Joel friedman
Jan 19, 2024 at 8:41 pm
You don’t lie this is about antisemitism , antisemitism at its worst , Muslim antisemitism .
We as Jews are a mere 15 million in this world you Muslims are 1.5 billion yet you are so afraid of us and your propaganda and lies are no longer believed in by the west .
Long live Israel the beacon of light in the Middle East .
Rodney Taylor
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:38 pm
I agree entirely, I do think that it’s not so much cricket but rather a way to try and cover up the debacle that is our country before the election
Riaan Kruger
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Hear, hear. CSA can kiss my a%$e.
Brian
Jan 19, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Hilarious, thank you 👌
Michael
Jan 19, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Same here not interested in SA SPORT NO MORE….EVERYTHING IS ABT RACISM, COLOUR ETC IF U DONT SUPPORT THEM YOU ARE OUT!!!IF U SPEAK THE “TRUTH” U A RACIST OR WHATEVER… POLITICS HAS NOTHINGGGGG TO DO WTH ANY SPORT…. IF U GOOD AT A SPORT NP, DOES NOT MATTER WHAT COLOUR YOU ARE, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!
Cedric Lakey
Jan 19, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Do you know your exact words were often used back in 70’80’90s. Nothing came of it. Must feel pretty bad right? Then the races were the other way round.
Barrie
Jan 19, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Well said. While I am net yet at the boycott stage, it’s getting damn close. And CSA has a lot to do with it.
Merle Gouveris
Jan 19, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Well said! It’s a crime against all sports lovers and participants. Have to admit I stopped watching CSA about 18 months ago. Enough is enough.
Hartley Pieterse
Jan 19, 2024 at 6:25 pm
I agree, I am also finished with cricket.
Andre
Jan 20, 2024 at 8:09 am
I knew this was going to happen. The Anc is in bed with the enemy . And as the bible says if you are against Isreal you will be cursed . David God’s with you . You don’t need Sa cricket anyway . They are cursed on their own . Can’t even win a world cup . For me I support the West Indies all these years . God bless you David and family.
Steve Marks
Jan 20, 2024 at 10:51 am
Cricket/Schmicket is the Miss Daisy of sport anyway, however I am proud that Teeger stood up for Israel.
Helene Esterhuyse
Jan 20, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Yep we are Christians, and Jews are Gods people, so Palestine started boming Israel and raped, burned Israel woman and children etc first. Israel wont sit on their hands but will retaliate. Now Palestine is crying. They attacked God’s people. We will never give up a Jew, I love them, all Christians should not watch or support cricket now eeven Christian cricket players must stop playing aswell
Frik
Jan 20, 2024 at 1:32 pm
It took you long to realise cricket in SA is a political sport and make the decision to leave it alone to die by itself. BLM made me decide to use my time more productively.
Gordon
Jan 21, 2024 at 9:03 am
I am done and dusted with cricket