Great insights PL, and an ongoing issue for journalists of any ilk, no? The difference between being a "caught" one (by players or management) and one able to really tell the story. I remember years ago being at Royal Melbourne and seeing G. Norman surrounded by a bunch of caught ones, none of whom once mentioned anywhere the "gossip columnist" reports about who was allegedly accompanying The Shark on his travels. It turned out to be a great subject of conversation with my students over ethics etc in writing about sport.
What is and isn’t reported on is fascinating. Sometimes it is about the story you don’t write. I had the luxury of not having to report on the tawdry scandals and not having to beat something up every day. Not everyone is able to do that and I have enormous respect for the tabloid writers who walk the fine line. John Ethgeridge at the UK Sun was a master, so too Crash Craddock and Ben Horner is v v good in difficult situations.
Quite so, and another interesting angle (and the point of the Norman story) concerns those who get so close to a player/s that any real sense of analysis starts yielding to hagiography - and as we know that characterises way too many sports biographies. Thanks again for sparking all this.
In newspapers it was traditionally the job of a sub or an editor but with the wholesale cleaning out of production staff the journos now write a lot of the headlines themselves.
Gideon would divorce me if I wrote anything resembling a “memoir”. I’ve often thought about it, fortunately for everyone I have a crap memory, no notes and better ways of occupying my time (there’s always something needs doing around the house).
A great piece, probably the first time I’ve ever read an account of the fine and difficult line a travelling sports journalist must tread on tour. In my 50 years following Test cricket the really great cricket writers have been Bill O’Reilly, Jack Fingleton, Peter Roebuck, Greg Baum, Gideon and yourself (yes, despite our occasional differences on your Ashes reporting!). All have had the courage to apply constructive criticism to both players and Australia where necessary, and all can paint a picture beyond mere scores and events on-field. Too many cricket writers now are just content providers, beat-up merchants or jingoistic aussie chest beaters. As someone else said on here, you should write a book (unless you intend to return to being a touring cricket journo again…?)
Thanks Greg, we haven’t given up cricket journalism, we’ve just left the paper. We’re going on the road again and hoping to support our efforts through this site.
Well done on explaining yourself Pete, when I read this, something Bukowski said came to mind:
“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.”
In this case Peter, I’m grateful for your indulgence. Brilliant piece.
Thanks Brett.
Great insights PL, and an ongoing issue for journalists of any ilk, no? The difference between being a "caught" one (by players or management) and one able to really tell the story. I remember years ago being at Royal Melbourne and seeing G. Norman surrounded by a bunch of caught ones, none of whom once mentioned anywhere the "gossip columnist" reports about who was allegedly accompanying The Shark on his travels. It turned out to be a great subject of conversation with my students over ethics etc in writing about sport.
What is and isn’t reported on is fascinating. Sometimes it is about the story you don’t write. I had the luxury of not having to report on the tawdry scandals and not having to beat something up every day. Not everyone is able to do that and I have enormous respect for the tabloid writers who walk the fine line. John Ethgeridge at the UK Sun was a master, so too Crash Craddock and Ben Horner is v v good in difficult situations.
Quite so, and another interesting angle (and the point of the Norman story) concerns those who get so close to a player/s that any real sense of analysis starts yielding to hagiography - and as we know that characterises way too many sports biographies. Thanks again for sparking all this.
Peter as a matter of interest, who writes the headlines appearing over articles? Is it the journalist or someone else, an editor perhaps?
In newspapers it was traditionally the job of a sub or an editor but with the wholesale cleaning out of production staff the journos now write a lot of the headlines themselves.
Excellent piece, Peter. As I read I kept thinking 'surely there must be a book in here.'
Gideon would divorce me if I wrote anything resembling a “memoir”. I’ve often thought about it, fortunately for everyone I have a crap memory, no notes and better ways of occupying my time (there’s always something needs doing around the house).
<LOL!!>
Too bad, I found that little taster quite moreish.
Hyperthermia? Were you in a hot tub?
And speaking of the Border-Gavaskar, you played a blinder during Monkeygate.
Fark. Thanks.
A great piece, probably the first time I’ve ever read an account of the fine and difficult line a travelling sports journalist must tread on tour. In my 50 years following Test cricket the really great cricket writers have been Bill O’Reilly, Jack Fingleton, Peter Roebuck, Greg Baum, Gideon and yourself (yes, despite our occasional differences on your Ashes reporting!). All have had the courage to apply constructive criticism to both players and Australia where necessary, and all can paint a picture beyond mere scores and events on-field. Too many cricket writers now are just content providers, beat-up merchants or jingoistic aussie chest beaters. As someone else said on here, you should write a book (unless you intend to return to being a touring cricket journo again…?)
Thanks Greg, we haven’t given up cricket journalism, we’ve just left the paper. We’re going on the road again and hoping to support our efforts through this site.
All strength to your arms Pete and Gid!
I enjoyed that, Peter and look forward to more. Many thanks.
Thanks Peter. I could bore you for the next 10 years with tales from the road but nothing I write will be as good as Andrew Ramsay’s The Wrong LIne.
Great article Pete and a nice peek behind the curtain.
A question.
You said you screwed up writing about Michael Clarke’s resignation - what was the issue? I can’t recall.
That’s a bit of a tale. I’ll tap it out for you. Not my finest hour. Shane Warne was furious
I look forward to hearing it!
Well done on explaining yourself Pete, when I read this, something Bukowski said came to mind:
“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.”
Great quote. Oh to be that brave.
Brave, crazy …………. stupid ? Everyone is a bit of this at some stage - the main thing is to persist mate. You win then and get to have a laugh !
Fantastic piece, PL. How have you seen your counterparts in the Indian cricket journalism deal with these dilemmas over the years?