BACK ON THE BANDWAGON

Hi all. I'm back. Well rested after a Christmas break.

No rest, though, for Australia's Test cricket team, who happily thumped Pakistan in the First Test at the MCG. And wattobout Watto? Yes, I know I berated him in my previous blog over his carry-on in the Perth Test against the West Indies, but that was then. Watto wasn't embarrassed about his behaviour, and neither am I about my assessment of his actions.

It never ceases to amaze me at how sensitive sportsmen can be over criticism. In cases like this, when widespread acclaim follows shortly after universal criticism, commentators and the sports-watching public are often accused of being turncoats, or jumping on a rollicking bandwagon.

Not so, I'm afraid. Credit where credit is due and criticism where the reverse applies. And so it is with Shane Watson who responded from a childish act in the previous Test to complete a breakthrough and well-deserved century at the MCG. No-one begrudges Watson success in the Test arena after all the setbacks he's endured. So long as he keeps his nose clean, commentators and spectators alike will applaud his achievements.

To be fair, Watson hasn't been heard to complain about commentators who pass judgement in the negative one day, only to swing positive the next. But this is a typical situation where the apparently aggrieved would give the verbal bird to his critics.

Take Dave Mitchell, another affable bloke who coaches A-League team Perth Glory. After beating Newcastle this week, Mitchell referred to non-believers who'd been 'throwing darts'. The win, he said, might silence a few of them.

The reason the darts had been thrown, as Mitchell suggested, was because his side had suffered a run of outs leading up to the Newcastle victory. Lose and the critics will ask or suggest why. Win, and the same observers will acknowledge excellence.

It's not a case of being fickle. It's the role of a commentator, critic, observer or Joe 'general public' Blow.

Anyway, well done Shane Watson. Well done Dave Mitchell and Perth Glory. We're all delighted to see you succeed. Please accept our congratulations.

And should you not succeed, or should you stuff up in any way, simply draw a deep breath and look in the mirror. Are you happy with that? If not, should the rest of us?

That's just the way it is. Nice to be back.