tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post8985762660995541386..comments2024-03-16T08:40:32.311+00:00Comments on Different Shades of Green: Look in the BookBrian Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-55111275936310982242012-02-26T11:29:44.656+00:002012-02-26T11:29:44.656+00:00Chris, belated thanks for your comment.
I definit...Chris, belated thanks for your comment.<br /><br />I definitely got carried away last week in describing Cook as a 'great'. This was partly because I really admire him - and especially what he's done since becoming one-day skipper - and partly for effect. <br /><br />I don't think he'll ever quite be one, no matter how many runs he makes, although I could be wrong.<br /><br />FWIW I think England's last two greats were Botham and Gower. Botham is unarguable, Gower for his style (almost unique and completely unmatched today) if not quite weight of runs, or the element of dependency you mention. Gooch was unquestionably great for a short period, relatively late in his career <br />(1990-91), but, overall, not really.<br /><br />I suspect England's last truly great batsman was Peter May, although I'm only going on what I've read.<br /><br />Last Tuesday brought the focus right back on to KP, though. He could certainly have the elements of greatness that Cook lacks. I always knew this, but his form in one-day cricket had been so poor for so long that the doubts inevitably started to creep in.<br /><br />This is giving me an idea for a post...Brian Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-81870767052351921602012-02-20T22:08:15.818+00:002012-02-20T22:08:15.818+00:00It's a long time since England last had a '...It's a long time since England last had a 'great'. The other major Test nations have had one or more since Botham (Gooch?) retired. I've often wondered why England hasn't had someone we can count on, if not match after match, then series after series. I don't think we need to define 'great' - we'd know it when he shows up.<br /><br />I need Cook to show up against S Africa next summer, India in the winter and twice in quick succession against Australia. I watched Hilfenhaus bowl 144kph outswingers yesterday morning (10kph faster than Jimmy A). The Aus attack hit India with bowling like that in all 4 tests. Cook and co only had a couple sessions at Perth last winter to contend with.<br /><br />I had greater doubts about Cook as skipper than batter. This last week has allayed some of those fears, which is good as I suspect he'll be leading the team in at least one of those Ashes series. By then, I hope, I'll look back at your article and appreciate it not just for its interest, but also its prescience.chrishttp://chrispscricket.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com