Evin Lewis' treatment in the CPL is the latest evidence that the 'spirit of cricket' is a myth. Photo: Ashley Allen - CPL T20 via Getty Images.
Along with golf, cricket has been marketed as the “gentlemen’s game” over the past century.
Given that it’s not a contact sport and it’s middle-class roots, people believe it’s a sporting code with inherent good sportsmanship.
But as T20 cricket has gained popularity and money has streamed in, there’s increasing evidence that the so-called “spirit of cricket” is dead.
The latest episode occurred in the Caribbean Premier League match between the Patriots and Tridents.
Patriots opener Evin Lewis was on his way to a whirlwind century before Kieron Pollard, who will play for the Bloem City Blazers in the T20 Global League later this year, showed him a symbolic middle finger.
Chasing just 129 for victory, Lewis smashed 97 off just 32 balls – including 11 sixes.
With one run needed for victory, the left-hander could’ve reached a sensational hundred with another boundary.
But Pollard was having none of it and decided to bowl a no-ball, which looked suspiciously deliberate.
It was a sad way for the match to end.
At least Lewis could still bask in the glory of a brilliant batting display:
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