From afar: It's about how we use our second chances

What a week of second chances.

The Black Caps made the most of their second chances when rain and the Duckworth-Lewis calculations put a stop to the rampant batting of AB de Villiers and gave New Zealand a still-daunting 298 in 43 overs to chase.

On a not-so-ecstatic note, Jordan Kennedy and Jack Bell, members of the St Bede's Maadi Cup rowing team, were also granted a second chance by a High Court judge thanks to their parents stepping in.

The tune for a nursery rhyme comes to mind: Jack and Jordan went on the carousel to have a bit of a laugh, both boys fell off the (entitled) ride and lost their rowing seat, and their fathers came to help after.

In today's hyper-sensitive security environment, any tomfoolery in an airport is not tolerated.

Just ask anyone who has tried to make a bomb joke in an airport how funny others think they are.

Their behaviour can be explained as immaturity, a lack of self-control and general naughtiness expected of teenagers.

But what is more intriguing is how the behaviour of their fathers has been interpreted.

Is it appropriate to protect your children, to fight in their corner with all you've got, so that they get a second chance?

There seems to be more anger directed at the parents rather than the boys, because they've set a precedent for the parent-school relationship (giving parents the upper hand).

Did those boys deserve a second chance or were they on their third or fourth chance? Whether we agree with second chances or not, it is what people/athletes/teams decide to do with that second chance that matters.

Grant Elliott, the man of the match in Tuesday's semifinal, made the most of his second chance when South African fielders JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien collided with each other under what many thought was a sure catch.

Elliott went on to become New Zealand's favourite adopted son overnight when he hit a whopping six off the second to last ball.

With his second chance, he gathered his nerves and made 41,000 fans at Eden Park and thousands of New Zealanders around the country very happy. Maybe his move to New Zealand from South Africa was also a second chance for him and his family as well.

What will Jordan Kennedy and Jack Bell do with their second chance?

Many people support the decision of St Bede's rector Justin Boyle to pull the boys out of the rowing regatta initially. Others have been damning of the actions of their parents in taking this to the High Court to overturn the school's decision.

And a number have suggested these young men do not deserve a second chance because of the actions of their parents, or because their behaviour reveals a flaw in their character.

It is taking things too far to punish the boys for what their fathers decided to do. How many of us have been able to persuade our parents not to interfere?

How many of us have been embarrassed by what our parents do?Do not punish the child because of the acts of the parent.

Many young people also have ''flaws'' in their character and selectors will surely take this into consideration in the selection process.

Ultimately, they're looking for people with athleticism and with mental toughness on the water. Let's be honest - much of what athletes get up to off the water is overlooked or ignored.

What is ironic is that the publicity and the backlash as a result of the High Court injunction may be more punishing for these young men than the initial low-key exclusion St Bede's first dished out.

Their parents will also have to deal with people making an assessment of their parenting skills.

Duminy, Behardien, de Villiers and Dale Steyn will also have to cope with assessments of their performance, and deal with the wrath of a nation that tends to wear its heart on its front lapel.

In the meantime, the Black Caps have their ''first'' chance to show what they're made of in a Cricket World Cup final.

Take that chance with both hands, boys, and stay clear of the baggage carousels in Australia.

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