Stepping Up to the Plate: America, and Australian Democracy

Abstract

Australia's former prime minister, John Howard, was keen on telling people 'to step up to the plate'. Why not 'to stride out to the crease'? It takes no more syllables, and resonates with Australia's national sport. Mr Howard was often called a 'cricket tragic', whatever that may mean. He was nominated (unsuccessfully) by Australia and New Zealand to become the head of international cricket: vice-president and eventually president of the International Cricket Council. Why then, when he calls on someone to make an extra effort, does he fall back on a baseball image? Nowadays just about everybody is using it.