Atherton’s ridicule of baggy greens leaves Australians simmering
By IANSTuesday, January 4, 2011
SYDNEY - Former England captain Mike Atherton’s ridicule of the Australia’s traditional baggy green cap has left the former World No.1 side simmering with anger, reveals their batting coach Justin Langer.
Atherton’s newspaper columns during the ongoing Ashes series have trivialised the significance of the Test caps treasured by every Australian player.
Atherton has referred to Australia as “a sorry lot in their saggy greens” and ridiculed past players under Steve Waugh’s captaincy for wearing them in support of countryman Pat Rafter in the 2001 Wimbledon final.
“It’s annoyed a few people, including me, that Mike Atherton has come out and demeaned the baggy green cap,” Langer, also a former Test opener, was quoted as saying in the media here.
“Wearing our caps to Wimbledon was some harmless, patriotic fun but understating the overall significance of the baggy green cap is a bit rich. Who’s he to say that? How would Mike Atherton know what is important to Australian cricketers? I don’t know if he was saying that back when Australia were kicking his arse series after series. Maybe that’s why he is sharing his opinion now. I’m amazed, but not surprised, he’s said that.”
Langer said the emotion of the cap presentations to Australian debutants Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer at the SCG Monday proved the significance attached.
“Try telling every young kid playing in Australia that a baggy green isn’t something to aspire to,” Langer said.
“It’s like telling your own kids there’s no Santa Claus, monarchists that the crown jewels are a load of rubbish or a Christian that there is no God. Before Steve Waugh, Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath came along, the symbol of the baggy green cap was important for young kids. The image of Sir Donald Bradman, Ian Chappell or Rod Marsh wearing the baggy green cap gave normal Australian kids like me something to dream about and aspire to.”
“Look at the looks on the faces of those two young blokes when they got their caps,” Langer said. “Try telling me that wasn’t special and that these young kids don’t find an extra leg when they pull on the baggy green cap.”
