Australia Star Nathan Lyon Objects To ICC’s Decision To Broadcast Stump Mic Audio
Australia spin spearhead Nathan Lyon has expressed his reservations at the ICC’s decision to allow stump microphone audio to be broadcast at all times. The governing body has taken the decision in order to cut down the verbal obscenities from the gentlemen’s game.
However, the decision has not impressed the Australia star. Lyon is of the opinion that whatever is said in the field of play should not be exposed to the outside world. At the same time, he agreed with the ICC’s decision of imposing harsher penalties on those who are found guilty of ball-tampering.
“I totally agree with the ball-tampering stuff. but to be honest with you I’m not the biggest fan of the stump mics being turned up,” Lyon said on The Unplayable Podcast. “I think what’s on the field needs to stay on the field.”
The 30-year-old believes players often curse at their own failings under pressure, which might not be the best example for young fans.
“I’m not saying swearing is OK. But when you’re competing at the highest level and under extreme amounts of pressure, sometimes you miss your skill. And therefore an expletive may come out,” he said.
“But we’re going to have young kids watching. So as grown men we need to try and pull our heads in. And realise that we’re massive role models for the game,” he added.
The Australian team is known for its sledging. In fact, no other team perhaps sledges as much as the team from Down Under. Usually, Australia ask the host broadcaster and the match officials for the stump microphone be turned down when the ball is dead as per the ICC guidelines. However, the same did not happen during this year’s Test series in South Africa. And the stump mic had caught the players saying some interesting words. The Australians had started plugging Cricket Australia sponsors Qantas and XXXX during the game perhaps taking a jibe.
Meanwhile, the ICC has announced four new offences in the Code of Conduct. It has also upped the penalty for Level 3 offences, which now includes ball-tampering.
