
Steve Smith, captain of the Australian cricket team, has admitted to pre-meditated cheating in a game against South Africa, and the resulting fallout has prompted one op-ed to call it cricket’s #MeToo moment.
Smith stood down as captain after admitting to trying to change the condition of the cricket ball illegally. His cheat was spotted on TV cameras.
Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnball called it “completely beyond belief”, but a column from journalist Malcom Knox for The Sydney Morning Herald is raising some eyebrows.
The Australian cricket team cheating is many things but it is not a #MeToo moment. This comparison cheapens a movem… https://t.co/LaaRxr44TJ— Jill Stark (@Jill Stark) 1522014416
He declared:
this is cricket’s #MeToo moment
Some people took offence to the comparison between sticking tape on a ball at a cricket match and a global movement to end discrimination and sexual assault.
This is not, of course, cricket's #MeToo moment. It may come as a surprise to some men, but violating women and cri… https://t.co/5GaNWP7CTY— marquelawyers (@marquelawyers) 1522023986
How dare @theage run a #metoo headline about cricket! Either read the bloody room or leave it. Stupid, insensitive word choice!— Ruth Wykes (@Ruth Wykes) 1522050122
People insist the two things really aren’t comparable.
This is how little men understand sexual harassment and sexual assault: they compare #metoo with someone tampering… https://t.co/A2G70muLBc— Lauren Ingram (@Lauren Ingram) 1522012087
Dearest Lolstralia, the Australian cricket team getting caught cheating is not a "#metoo moment".— Liz 🦑 (@Liz 🦑) 1522013298
In fact, comparing them, they argue, simply confirms the need for #MeToo in the first place
The very fact that you somehow thought it clever or appropriate to liken this ludicrous incident with a goddamn cri… https://t.co/93x4YAdKJj— Sarah (@Sarah) 1522023458
More: What are the #MeToo and Time's Up movements?
More: Germaine Greer thinks Me Too is failing to protect women