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The pressure on the captains, Joe Root and Tim Paine, will be intense, with every strategic and tactical decision subjected to rigorous scrutiny by cricket professionals and fans alike.
The media has been virtually unanimous in its commentary. The photo has been widely applauded, while criticisms of it on the net have been almost universally condemned.
It is about religious belief, honesty, integrity, the corruption of sport by commerce, the corruption of commerce by personal interest, and the duty of individuals to stay true to their own moral code, even against overwhelming pressure.
Has Australia dropped the ball? As a country, we're less competitive and fewer of us are participating. Sport used to be about building character and mental toughness through competition and yes, failing. Like life.
