- Received diagnosis in 2016
- Has been rarely sighted since then
- Trolls have mocked his speech at Perth Test
Former Aussie Test skipper Allan Border has made a brave appearance at Optus Stadium for the first match against India, only to be cruelly mocked by trolls over his voice.
Border’s name adorns the Border–Gavaskar Trophy that both nations will compete for over five Tests this summer.
The former Test great was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016 and has shunned public appearances since then.
However Border was a welcome guest on day one of the first Test in Perth, carrying out interviews with media and having a stint in the commentary box.
His speech has slowed and slurred since 2016 and he is not as sharp as he was before developing the degenerative condition, but he was a welcome addition to the commentary box nonetheless.
Except for a pocket of cruel trolls, who chose to mock the Aussie cricket legend’s speech on social media.
‘AB with a few cold ones under the belt,’ one cricket fan posted, including laughing emojis and images of glasses of beer.
‘Allan Border sounds hammered,’ added another.
Even when told that the former Test champion was battling the deadly degenerative brain disease, they doubled down by posting, ‘Yeah can’t understand what his saying.’
‘Note to self- don’t do interviews after a few beers,’ another troll posted.
‘He’s got Parkinson’s disease, you absolute gronk,’ a cricket fan replied.
‘Wind your head in. The man is unwell,’ added another.
Fortunately, those choosing to have a laugh at Border’s expense were in the vast minority.
The majority of cricket fans praised the Queenslander for his bravery in speaking publicly in the midst of the greatest battle of his life.
‘Gosh. You can hear the changes in Allan Border’s voice with his health issues. Good to know he’s healthy enough to work though. The epitome of Australian cricket for anyone of my generation,’ one fan posted.
‘AB is truly one of our greatest ever. Inspiration for me growing up, and continues to be. A national treasure. A great man,’ another posted.
‘That’s so bloody good, and as someone who watched my grandmother suffer with Parkinson’s disease I wish Allan nothing but the best, him coming out and telling everybody his suffering can only bring more awareness to a bloody horrible disease,’ said another cricket fans.
‘So good to see Allan Border in the commentary box, probably the first time I’m listening to him after learning about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. Legend with a terrific record all across the world, fine leader and a fierce competitor. One of my long time heroes,’ added another.
In April, Allan Border urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take action on Parkinson’s disease, which affects over 150,000 Australians daily.
After his diagnosis, Border shared that the disease diminished his confidence to continue his work in cricket commentary for Fox Sports and strained his relationships with family, friends, and former teammates.
In a video released ahead of World Parkinson’s Day, Border appealed to the Prime Minister and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to prioritize increased funding and proactive measures to address the condition.
‘I remember when I was told, my first image was of [champion boxer] Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic torch,’ Border said in the clip.
‘I just thought people with it [Parkinson’s] suffered with a tremor. ‘There’s a lot [more] to this disease, we just need a little bit of help.’
