Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has "hit back at claims" by Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop that the Socceroos were "now the only national sporting team that 'truly represents' a diverse Australia, insisting Michael Clarke's side was still the country's most popular team -- 'followed by daylight,'" according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Cricket has "long held dear its status as a true national sport amid the competing football codes, with it often said that the Test captaincy is the second most important office in the country behind the Prime Minister." Historically a "sleeping giant football is now flexing its muscle as a contender on the sporting landscape," and the Socceroos' victory in the Asian Cup was "another huge boost for the code." Sutherland, attending the Cricket World Cup quarterfinal between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the SCG, "defended his turf." He said, "It was either a tongue-in-cheek comment or David woke up this morning thinking he was living in Brazil" (SMH, 3/18).
