Playing hard but fair

Australia's cricketers have always been renowned for their competitive attitude, but now they are to be known for their fair play as well. They have been awarded the 2004 Ausport Prize by the Australian Sports Commission for their contribution to the "integrity, good sports and fair play of Australian sports" in last year's Spirit of Cricket campaign. The awards recognise and reward the achievements and behaviour of individual players and teams in the Australian sporting system.

`The Spirit of Cricket campaign has had a positive influence on the conduct of players and participants, to ensure the spirit of the game stays alive," said Mark Peters, the commission's chief executive. The program, supported by a public pledge from the Australian players to play hard but fair, involved Cricket Australia, the state cricket associations and local clubs working together to promote and uphold the spirit, traditions and values of cricket.

At the end of the 2003-04 season, the ICC said that the on-field behaviour of the Australian players was exemplary and a good example of how to play the game. Their good behaviour seems to have filtered through every level of the Australian game, and several players and teams have been recognised through the Benaud Spirit of Cricket awards for their good conduct and fair play.

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive, congratulated Australia's cricketers, captains, coaches and umpires for their collective effort in winning the award. "In thanking the ASC for today's honour, I would like to acknowledge that it was due to the collective effort of thousands of people in Australian cricket, from remote country town ovals through to Australian international cricketers.

"We also again thank Richie Benaud for lending his name to the annual Benaud Spirit of Cricket awards inaugurated last summer," added Sutherland. "The challenge for all of us in Australian cricket now is to build on the Spirit of Cricket work we did last summer to ensure the way the Australian game is played both within its laws but also within the spirit of the game."