tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post8852677768094793956..comments2024-03-16T08:40:32.311+00:00Comments on Different Shades of Green: Little Boy LostBrian Carpenterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-83553984799780754102013-09-29T22:45:06.883+01:002013-09-29T22:45:06.883+01:00Thanks, Anon.
You bring home just how bad it wa...Thanks, Anon. <br /><br />You bring home just how bad it was, and I wouldn't like to bet on whether he'll ever get another chance. I suspect he'd be unsure whether he wants one or not.Brian Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-20593110228663312512013-09-28T16:52:49.651+01:002013-09-28T16:52:49.651+01:00I was there, which doesn't necessarily mean on...I was there, which doesn't necessarily mean one has the fullest idea of what is going on, psychologically or otherwise. There was a complete absence of visible captaincy fuss, whether supportive of Kerrigan or designed minimise damage to the scoreboard. It looked to me as if this was someone so shocked by being asked to bowl for England that he couldn't even start his run up in the normal place (at least, I assume he doesn't normally try to bowl of two and half walking paces). Nor did this get noticeably better when he returned for another try. He had apparently forgotten how to bowl, except in general outline. In fact, his "muscle-memory" of his own usual method of bowling had completely deserted him, leaving only the outline available. This didn't look retrievable, and it was not surprising when he didn't get a bowl in the second innings. Sad isn't a sufficient description.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-15923111181956075012013-09-02T13:57:44.254+01:002013-09-02T13:57:44.254+01:00I thought it was all very sad - which probably com...I thought it was all very sad - which probably comes through in the piece, although I wasn't all that happy with it.<br /><br />It's very hard to judge Cook as I wasn't there (and didn't even see it live on TV). Obviously it could be argued that he should have given Kerrigan more overs, but that was always going to be a difficult call after the first two, and he was still going at four an over when he came back on, which wasn't what England wanted from a front-line bowler. With the way the Australian second innings panned out I don't think he was ever an option.<br /><br />Those at the ground might know whether Cook put an arm round him (literally or metaphorically), although most of the work to rebuild his confidence would have gone on behind the scenes, via Flower and, perhaps especially, Saker. It would be interesting to know what Mike Brearley might have done.<br /><br />A regrettable sign of the times, but it was very annoying that both Kerrigan and Woakes were instantly written off as sub-standard, both on Twitter and by certain members of the 'established' media. Those with little knowledge of the county game seemed to have no idea that Woakes could bat (as if hitting Brett Lee for six on your ODI debut wasn't enough).<br /><br />Interesting to see what the future holds for both. I've always liked Woakes but a long Test career? Probably not. However, if Swann retires post-Australia and Monty's still struggling, who else, apart from Kerrigan, is there?<br /><br />The hunch is that he'll be seen again for England, but if he thought the pressure was on this time...Brian Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336241250446877498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30531601.post-78875311350345771772013-09-01T22:22:58.771+01:002013-09-01T22:22:58.771+01:00Brian, I've not seen the likes before on an in...Brian, I've not seen the likes before on an international cricket field. Good to see that Kerrigan is back taking wickets and bowling maidens for Lancs. <br /><br />Interested in whether you think Cook handled it as well as he could have done. <br /><br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com