tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post2610690431964153952..comments2024-03-16T08:40:32.311+00:00Comments on Different Shades of Green: The Fragility of AcclaimBrian Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-78262507548026136182012-02-14T13:53:52.295+00:002012-02-14T13:53:52.295+00:00As far as Bell goes I've always been a believe...As far as Bell goes I've always been a believer, but the recent series probably indicated again that he's not the mentally toughest out there.<br /><br />Cook's improvement as an ODI player bears out what you were saying previously. People will query his strike rate, or his supposed lack of style, or whatever is fashionable that week, but he dismisses it all and just makes runs. In the end, it's what batting is all about.Brian Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-60847283098686199652012-02-13T22:11:13.466+00:002012-02-13T22:11:13.466+00:00bell has always put me in mind of private pike fro...bell has always put me in mind of private pike from "dad's army".<br /><br />when bell trips out to bat one doesn't have that "uh-oh" feeling that sangakarra or laxman elicit—that sense that these fellows could dismantle the bowling and take the test away from you.<br /><br />also it never helped that, until recently, the 'higher-ups' kept pitching bell in at no.3: the place reserved for the best batsmen in the history of the game. didn't do him any favours there.coffeesnobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07085484301616614262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-37590851088718692042012-02-13T20:00:44.859+00:002012-02-13T20:00:44.859+00:00I agree.
But with the players you name there'...I agree. <br /><br />But with the players you name there's something else at work. Trott and Pietersen are South Africans playing under a flag of convenience, so people in this country will always like Bell more. <br /><br />He's a good English lad and one who comes across as a bit vulnerable.<br /><br />People like that. The old English love of the 'underdog'.Brian Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-60425117891731272522012-02-13T07:54:01.342+00:002012-02-13T07:54:01.342+00:00the bell-shaped problem.
there's an inveterat...the bell-shaped problem.<br /><br />there's an inveterate tendency among 'fans' to over-estimate the aesthetic element (grace and style) in sport over straightforward efficacy (scoring/winning). because little (ian) bell-end has a correct technique and looks withal an accomplished batsmen he must, the thinking goes, be the real deal. it's dodgy reasoning. runs (and run-rates) are more important than technique.<br /><br />in any case there aren't that many mark waughs or david gowers in the game at any one time (players who combine grace and high achievement). two of the south africans—trott & pietersen—don't look as correct as bell, but they contribute a lot more.coffeesnobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07085484301616614262noreply@blogger.com