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[Stratts]

Probably lots of discussion on this already but was wondering what everyone's opinion is of current cricketing etiquette, sportsmanship, etc.?

I was watching an appeal against Cook this morning that was given not out where he probably gloved it and it prompted me to think what I would have done...

I play lower eleven cricket in the Essex League and in general the sportsmanship is pretty bad.  Very few players walk, lbw's are quite rare and some of the on-field behaviour is quite bad at times.  I appreciate not having official umpires makes a difference but what are your views and experiences?

I remember edging behind last year and being given not out, but I walked anyway.  I find it difficult to 'cheat' and there is always the danger that if one team does it, the other gets nothing in return.

[tbarnfield99]

I think it often starts before the game. "They won't give anything, so why should we".

I always used to walk and halfway through last year I stopped.

[Simmy]

i never walk,

said before u get that many bad decisions it makes up for it,

but we have proper umpires,

[Stratts]

Imagine if you were umpiring for your own team in a game, usually just 10 or so overs from one end.  In most lower eleven games this is the norm.

In the games I have played it is often the umpires that have caused the problems, they never give anything against their own team and I have often heard youngsters being told before umpiring not give anything.

Maybe it's the moral high ground but I find this sort of thing annoying, and for me suggests that sportsmanship in the game is nowhere near where it should be.

[Stratts]

And I'm not necessarily talking about walking, that's been discussed before.  I was more interested in your attitude on the field in general, not just do you walk, but if you umpired would you give your own team out, call dodgy wides or no-balls to keep the score 'ticking over'?

Some clubs get the reputation as 'cheating clubs'.  Again, probably much more relevant in lower eleven games but even for you first-teamers, what would you be like in theory?

[stevie_94_]

When I am umpiring I try and call everything down the middle. However if we are batting second and the other team have given us nothing and to be blunt cheated I will gladly do the same

[Number4]

Even if the opposition aren't giving fair calls I will always be as fair as possible. I want to win fair and square and if you have to cheat to win what's the point of even playing the game

[tushar sehgal]

Even if the opposition aren't giving fair calls I will always be as fair as possible. I want to win fair and square and if you have to cheat to win what's the point of even playing the game

I agree..

[Joe]

I never walk. I like batting waaaaay to much to just go when I don't have to.

[Dan W]

I certainly don't cheat per se, I genuinely won't be able to tell most of the time.

So many time I think I'll have made the 'nicked it' sound when the balls nowhere near the bat (i.e. bat's hits pads), and frankly I'm so 'in the zone' I'll walk when I'm told.

Anything obvious (or if I feel it) I'll hold my hands up though they point where that's happened and not spotted by the Umpire is pretty much impossible.

A victory won by cheating is very hollow.

[Bruce]

For me it depends on my oppo. - I guess that makes me/people similar part of the problem.

Play against a lot of friends in my league and will always walk if have nicked it.
LBW's are difficult to judge generally, tho sweeping back on your stumps, you'll know if you're a goner.

[Colesy]

I always have walked in the past, but so many bad decisions last year and too many opposition players being bell ends that I'll just stand my ground this year in league/cup games. Friendlies don't matter so much so will walk.

I hate cheating but why should I benefit the other team with my honesty when they nick it to first slip and are given not out (it happened).

I've always been honest when playing, saying a catch has dropped short, or not appealing when I know it's not out. However when my team are suffering because of our honesty then I don't think it's worth it anymore which is sad.

[pacman75cricket]

Don't walk myself, but don't claim chances in the field unless its out.

Even less likely to walk against oppo who don't especially when you turn around + there worst batsman for it is at 1st slip.

[Talisman]

Always walk, if you hit it and don't you are cheating yourself as much as anybody else.

[Johnny]

Always walk if you know you've hit it. It is possible to nick off and not realise