The Ashes 2009
- Thread starter Santino
- Start date
He looks like he's killed many a man and quietly disposed the bodies in the outback.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
It's a mental problem with England. Why is this? Why are there so many players like Harmison and Bell who have all the talent and skill yet cannot do it when the pressure's on? It seems to me that there's a systemic problem.
It's even weirder with Harmison because he used to be able to do it. Bell has always been flaky, but time was when Harmison was a valuable performer.
mattie
missing in inaction
There's a school of thought that suggests mollycoddling players up through the ranks is ultimately quite harmful as they may not actually have to perform, simply show flashes of potential. Essentially, they never have to live off their wits.
C.f. McGrath living in a caravan in his early career.
The forecast must have been revised downwards then.
Out of interest, what's your hit rate on bets? Because as I recall, you bet on England to win the last match and the Aussies at Lord's.
I always hedge. I'm slightly up overall... I bet way too much, trying to nip that one in the bud
I only put small bets on actual results - most are on number of runs per batsman.
mattie
missing in inaction
You sound just like an episode of neighbours to me.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
I remember Daley Thompson saying something similar about Dean Macey. Macey had just taken a medal at the world championships and the presenter was effusing about him and saying how the lottery fund should give him whatever he wanted. Daley basically said that he should not be getting whatever he wanted until he had achieved everything he could – basically, treat him like he's already a success and you can't expect any more from him.
Okay, so maybe pitching is up and giving the new ball to Onions/Anderson weren't the only way.
Nicely done by Harmison. I eat my words.
He's a good bowler. By far your scariest. The others are somewhat toothless.
He's a 99.
mattie
missing in inaction
That was meant reverentially, by the way.
And then they need to bat until tea on Monday.
If it gets close it'll be a competition in who can throw it away most comprehensively.
mattie
missing in inaction
It's a fine line, as it's essential to support and nurture but I feel we sometimes hand-hold too much, and not make sportspeople figure their own way.
I recall Nass reacting furiously after an interview Harmison gave after a poor Test, where Harmison essentially said he'd go away and work on whatever the coaching team told him to. Nass - quite rightly - said he should bloody well know what he needs to do and take responsibility for it himself. Mind you, that would have ben in a Duncan Fletcher team, where it seems to me that there's not a huge amount of autonomy.
