"Awful": Shoaib Akhtar On Numbers And Names On Test Jerseys
England and Australia have become the first nations in the history of Test cricket to wear names and numbers on their jerseys.
Highlights
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Akhtar said that the decision was taking away the traditional spirit
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Gilchrist had termed the ICC's idea as rubbish
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R Ashwin had also registered his disapproval of the ICC's idea
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is disappointed with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) new idea of Test jerseys with players' names and numbers printed on the back. Terming the idea as "awful", Shoaib demanded the reversal of decision. Before him, former Australia cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee and India spinner R Ashwin also registered their disapproval of the idea. Shoaib took to Twitter and said that the decision was taking away the traditional spirit from the longest format of the game.
"Player's name & number on the white Test Match kit looks awful. Should not be there. Takes away from the traditional spirit in which the game is played. This decision should be reversed," Shoaib wrote on his Twitter handle.
Player's name & number on the white Test Match kit looks awful. Should not be there. Takes away from the traditional spirit in which the game is played. This decision should be reversed. #TestCricket #Tradition
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 4, 2019
Earlier this year, the ICC made an announcement that players of Test-playing nations to sport their names and numbers on their jerseys. The idea left many in discomfort.
"For what it's worth I'm strongly against the players numbers & names appearing on the back of test cricket shirts! I think it looks ridiculous. @ICC I love the changes you've made to cricket in general, but on this occasion you've got it wrong," Lee wrote on his official Twitter handle.
For what it's worth I'm strongly against the players numbers & names appearing on the back of test cricket shirts!
— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) August 2, 2019
I think it looks ridiculous. @ICC I love the changes you've made to cricket in general, but on this occasion you've got it wrong. #tradition #cleanskin #nonames
"In fact, I'll take my apology back. The names and numbers are rubbish. Enjoy the series everyone," Gilchrist tweeted on Thursday. He also wished luck to the players for the Ashes series.
In fact, I'll take my apology back. The names and numbers are rubbish. Enjoy the series everyone. #Ashes
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) August 1, 2019
In another tweet, the former wicketkeeper-batsman wrote, "Outstanding. We are underway. Sorry to sound old fashioned but not liking the names and numbers."
Outstanding. We are underway. Sorry to sound old fashioned but not liking the names and numbers. #Ashes #cmonaussies
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) August 1, 2019
Indian off-spinner R Ashwin also took a jibe on ICC's move. "Should the sweaters have numbers on them too??#ashes2019," Ashwin tweeted.
Should the sweaters have numbers on them too??#ashes2019 #WorldTestChampionship
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) August 2, 2019
Australia Cricket Team
England Cricket Team