Australians forget their manners

In the past, the appropriate response to any dispute between sportsmen and officials was to support the blokes wearing the sandshoes. But times have changed. Players no longer catch a tram to the MCG or cadge a lift to the SCG. They do not play for a few years and then go off to work for a brewery. Nowadays they have share portfolios, tables at sumptuous restaurants, books on the shelves, shows about wine, chart-topping releases, computer games on sale and dress not in blue singlets but in designer suits. They are advised by managers, promoted by agents, enticed by vast corporations and protected by unions cunningly disguised as associations to placate the right-wingers running amok off the field.

One of the gripes about Martyn during his career was that he was insular and didn't make the effort to spread the wisdom gained from nearly 20 years of first-class experience. He was Australian under-19 captain but never displayed the leadership qualities that could easily have led him to the Test captaincy if his career had taken a smoother course after his debut at 21 in place of Dean Jones. One of the first things Martyn did this year was to sign up for a leadership course. Go figure.