Stewart, Robert (2003) The Crisis of Confidence in Australian First-Class Cricket in the 1950s: Causes and Consequences. Sporting Traditions, 20 (1). pp. 43-62. ISSN 0813-2577

Abstract

Cricket is a resilient game, having survived many crises through its rich and varied 260-year history as a codified sport. These crises ranged from accusations of racism, illegal bowling actions, drug abuse, and boorish player behaviour, to match fixing, inept management, corporate takeovers, and political boycotts. During the early 1950s a crisis of confidence infected Australian cricket. This crisis of confidence centred on the way the game was played. In short, it was feared that the game was becoming overwhelmingly dull, and losing its hold over the hearts and minds of sport followers.1 The antidote for this crisis was seen to be brighter cricket. This paper traces through the sources of this crisis of confidence, the effect it had on the administration of the game, and the extent to which it mirrored a 'real' decline in cricket's popularity and profitability.

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