CRICKET is a hard game; when players are out on the field it is a battle for victory yet there seems to be a growing – and worrying – trend of sensitivity creeping in.

Just like in society in general, the cross word can, apparently, cause the most offence.

I am not condoning bad behaviour on the field and players shouldn’t cross the line.

But the odd word said in the heat of battle shouldn’t lead to a disciplinary meeting and draconian calls for lengthy match bans from sensitive souls who are so far away from the action that they don’t actually know what is said.

On Saturday I watched Anwar Ali demolishing Cherry Tree’s batsmen when sub-proing for Ribblesdale Wanderers.

Cherry pro Paul Turner withstood Ali’s attack. As Ali left the field to the applause of everyone, he looked for Turner and congratulated him.

It was a nice touch – and a proper touch...because you know full well that any words exchanged between the pair on the field would not have been printable in any newspaper.

So don’t get too upset when a player says something...and don’t go calling for bans.

It’s called emotion. Take that away and you kill the game.