Australian skipper Mark Taylor, known affectionately as ``Tubby'', had made a great sacrifice for his team this week, by declaring, when the Australians were riding high with a massive total of 599 for 4, with Taylor unbeaten on 334 against Pakistan in the second Test in Peshawar to match Bradman's 334 made against England at Headingly, Leeds in 1930. Taylor was 41 runs behind the individual world batting record of Brian Lara (375). In doing so, he also gave up his chance of sometimes breaking the world record. Taylor was more concerned about trying to win the match than achieve an individual world record. Of course victory did not materialise. This was undoubtedly, the biggest sacrifice a cricketer had made for the sake of his team, which is highly laudable.
Two things happened in this sporty unselfish gesture.
Taylor paid the biggest tribute to the greatest Australian sports star, 90-year-old Sir Donald Bradman, by not erasing his record of 334, established by the living legend. ``I am proud that I have equalled Bradman's record, and that is more than satisfying for me,'' Taylor commented.
Mark Taylor showed the world, that what matters in cricket is not the individual glory or fame but the country's glory or fame. It showed the leadership quality. With this fine gesture, Taylor's name will not only live in the hearts of hundred thousand Australian people, but also, in the world over, for many, many years. People will always talk about it. For Taylor, it may mean more than breaking an individual world batting record.
The role of leadership is more significant in cricket than in any sport. There is an old Italian proverb ``If you want to know that a fish is bad look at its head''. The captain is responsible when things go wrong and any rottenness in him, spreads through the whole outfit. This happens to a selfish captain. Therefore, the duty of a good captain is not to crave for individual records or glory, but to build up oneness in the team and lead his side to victory. The captain must get the best out of his team by helping them to play together without suppressing their flair and uniqueness.
A game of cricket should not be played for the sake of breaking records. There may be instances that you sacrifice your wicket for your side. That's why cricket is such an interesting game. It should teach a student about the game, the success of a team depends on ``Team spirit,'' disciplined dedication, application and the will to win. Just for the sake of a personal milestone, you must never let your side down.
There is no place for selfish play in sport. This is the great message that Mark Taylor transmitted to his team and everybody around the world who thinks there is a place for selfish play in sport.
In cricket, what matters is how you play the game. Victory or defeat is not that important. Great gentlemen of cricket, like Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Frank Worrel and Clive Lloyd were ornaments to the game in all the years they played. These individuals never cared for records. They never went behind records, but records came behind them.
Australian skipper Mark Taylor becomes the 14th cricketer to enter the 300 club. He is the fourth Australian to score a triple hundred, following Bradman, Bobby Simpson and Bob Cowper.
Taylor's gesture reminds me of the lines in Vitai Lampada.
``And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, or the selfish hope of a season's fame, but his captain's hand on his shoulder smote - Play up! play up! and play the game!