Do The Crime - Pay The Fine
By Danny Morrison
From Xtramsn, December 28, 2001

When you're out in the middle and in the heat of the game it's fair to say emotions can run high. And it's amazing to see what can push your buttons in a given moment.

It was the final match of my whole career when playing for Auckland - ironically against Otago at Alexandra's breath taking Molyneux Park when I 'snapped'. It was late March 1997 and Auckland was fielding.

Every wicket taken is a victory but when obvious decisions are turned down, particularly if you're having a tough day you can be on edge!

There was a huge nick off Chris Gaffney's bat as Auckland wicket keeper Jason Mills took the catch in front of first slip. We all leapt in the air in jubilation (as you do when a wicket is taken!) and were congratulating one another when we realised the umpire had called 'not out'.

I couldn't believe the batsman didn't walk and consequently the usual expletives came out. But what really made me 'snap' as it were, was when the assistant groundsman on the boundary yelled 'get on it with you whingeing Aucklanders'.

Molyneux Park is a gorgeously landscaped cricket ground with rustic mountain ranges in the back drop right in the middle of Central Otago.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on which way you want to look at it!) there were only 3 men and a dog at the ground that morning and the abuse that was expelled from my lips after that comment echoed all around. It wasn't pretty.

I well remember Richard Boock NZ Herald sports journalist (and brother of former NZ spinner Stephen Boock) wrote an interesting piece in the Otago Daily Times referring to my 'out of character behaviour'.

I might add I had just had my head shaven for a child cancer fundraising event. He penned 'Casper the friendly ghost turned into the prince of evil darkness'.

Dion Nash lost his cool during the Auckland vs Otago match at Carisbrook a couple of weeks ago and has also lost his appeal to have the 13 day suspension reduced leaving him in doubt for next months tri-series in Australia.

NZ Cricket's national commissioner, Nick Davidson said the suspension would stand given the volley of abuse Nash gave during the match. Umpire Dave Quested said in his report that Nash had told him to 'f... off' then later told Otago player Lee Germon that he was 'a f...... cheat'.

To take it even further when Dion was told by Quested he was considering a code of conduct report against him Nash replied 'I don't give a f...'

It's like Nash became so consumed by the emotion of the situation that he literally lost his cool and let it get to him.

Earlier in the year CEO of NZ Cricket, Martin Snedden went around the country expressing the hard line approach the national body was adopting on player conduct breaches.

So is it any wonder the committee hearing Nash's appeal were not about to get lenient? Sadly for Dion, to snap so badly in a State Championship match his behaviour has been seen to be completely unacceptable.

Whatever it is that makes a player 'snap' there has to be a general rule that applies to everybody. In the match where I was playing in 1997 I was fined my entire match fee (which given the circumstances I reckon I got off quite lightly!).

I felt my career was coming to an end having been dropped by Steve Rixon earlier in the year. And could see there was very little opening for Danny Morrison ever again.

I could blame it on the emotions I was feeling - but it doesn't matter. It wasn't acceptable behaviour.

Dion Nash may have a very good reason for his behaviour but again it has no relevance does it? At the end of the day there is a set of rules in place for all players of the game.

If you compare it to the Hanse Cronje debacle - it's a clear directive for the players that if you do the crime you do the time. Suspensions have a stronger impact than fines affecting not only the player but also the team and the Cricket Association.

Dion Nash has always been known for his feisty, combative and competitive attitude. This is a real strength for him but has also caused him problems through his career.

Hopefully this is another learning process - not only for Dion - but for all first class cricketers throughout NZ.

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