Six and Out - Some Serious Cricket

A week away and…?

by SixandOut on August 1st, 2006

You’d think going away for a week might turn up something interesting to talk about. I’m not sure why you’d think that, but it’s possible you might think it. I certainly thought it. And maybe I’m being too critical, but it seems like a same old run-of-the-mill cricketing week has passed. For starters, England thrashed Pakistan in the 2nd Test at Old Trafford. I’m not saying England thrashing Pakistan is typical OR run of the mill, but the responses to it have been typical. Hurrah for the emphatic win, certainly - Alastair Cook and Ian Bell both posted more centuries and for once, Steve Harmison was firing on all cylinders, with match best figures of 11 for not many runs. And Monty Panesar took the rest of the wickets (save for a run out) so now all the popular pundits are banging on about how great Monty is. Read the headlines of any of the big sites, and you see lines like:

“Pietersen thinks Monty can be great.”
“Marsh thinks Monty can be great.”
“Woolmer thinks Monty can be great.”
“Giles worried, because Monty can be great.”
“x, y and bloody z think Monty can be great.”

Awe-inspiring journalism there chaps. Only England coach Duncan Fletcher attempted to buckle the trend, by saying Monty’s still young and early in his career and he has to keep a sensible turban on his head. I don’t know, no doubt parts of that are true, but since Giles is about as likely to go on the Ashes tour as my mum is, then Monty ought to be pretty confident of a place. In the face of the defeat, the Pakistani journalism has typically reacted with a “how Pakistani cricket has fallen apart” reply. Premature, if you ask me. The usual propaganda of England being back on track to win The Ashes after this solitary win persed the lips of many an English fan. Let’s win the series before we start thinking such ludicrous thoughts.

Speaking of injuries, though, as if that’s an interesting and exciting new subject, the latest round of silly ideas for the rejuvenation of the depleted Ashes squad is out - send them to Australia to play in grade cricket. Call me cynical, but send our already injured players, to play against a bunch of fired-up Aussies who want nothing more than to regain the Ashes - seems logical enough to me. Injured players + Cricket Balls + 90mph = Perfect Recovery. It’s a foolproof formula. (Look at McGrath - he’s already said he’ll be using Strauss and Cook as target practice during the series. Assuming he’s fit. He wasn’t last year and we won, so fingers crossed he’s won’t be this time.)

Elsewhere, Geraint Jones has finally been given the arse from the Test side, in favour of puny little Chris Read (who’s actually not all that puny). Yet another decision I don’t agree with - if they were going to drop him, they should have done so months ago - not straight after one of his most competent performances behind the stumps in his entire England career. Way to boost his confidence, guys. I just hope Chris Read doesn’t try and duck any more bouncers.

And whilst I try to wean myself off San Miguel and the sight of beautiful Spanish ladies, and back on to the pouring rain and 12 hours a day in front of my computer, I will smugly finish with the fact that, it feels good to be right.

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