I think he has a point even though he seems to have lost money on a bet! I had Australia to win the series 3-1, am i ever the optimist? I did however, tell my (English) Wife that the English Team looked better on paper, after all thats where the game is played?
As a couple of you would Know, having met my wife, she is a pretty cluey individual and at the 2nd day of the Boxing day test she noted that the Australians were more concerned with looking good on the big screen in their media appearances than on the field! Oh and she did question why Mr Clarke wore gloves and a scarf during the daily warm up!
Essentially we got what we deserved and it is no use blaming the men on the park for their performance. Our failure as with the English success has come from decisions and programs from 18 months to 2 years ago.
The good thing about hitting rock bottom is that the only way is up but don't think it will be fixed over night. As some of the older members of the forum will remember the early eighties (while not as dark as this) it did take until 1989 for the sun to shine again!
to The younger members of the forum, i can only say Take this on the chin, remember it and stick with it, because the dark days bring perspective to the days in the sun!
A handy quote to remember is 'You are never as good as you think but you are never as bad as they Say'
Believe in the Baggy Green and those who wear it!
"As some of the older members of the forum will remember the early eighties (while not as dark as this) it did take until 1989 for the sun to shine again!"
Remenber it well. Another quote " what goes around comes around". We had Border then and the nucleus of a good team. I am worried about the men at the top. I think they have had their day in the sun and now should move on.This applies to the coaching staff as well. We need coaches who know what a good length is and where the off stump is. The current batch have not done their job. ( or else the whole team is hopeless).
England have done well since getting rid of Fletcher as coach and Pietersen as captain. I don't see a replacement for Ponting at the moment but there must be better coaches.
---------- Post added 08-01-2011 at 01:58 PM ----------
I think he has a point even though he seems to have lost money on a bet! I had Australia to win the series 3-1, am i ever the optimist? I did however, tell my (English) Wife that the English Team looked better on paper, after all thats where the game is played?
As a couple of you would Know, having met my wife, she is a pretty cluey individual and at the 2nd day of the Boxing day test she noted that the Australians were more concerned with looking good on the big screen in their media appearances than on the field! Oh and she did question why Mr Clarke wore gloves and a scarf during the daily warm up!
Essentially we got what we deserved and it is no use blaming the men on the park for their performance. Our failure as with the English success has come from decisions and programs from 18 months to 2 years ago.
The good thing about hitting rock bottom is that the only way is up but don't think it will be fixed over night. As some of the older members of the forum will remember the early eighties (while not as dark as this) it did take until 1989 for the sun to shine again!
to The younger members of the forum, i can only say Take this on the chin, remember it and stick with it, because the dark days bring perspective to the days in the sun!
A handy quote to remember is 'You are never as good as you think but you are never as bad as they Say'
Believe in the Baggy Green and those who wear it!
"As some of the older members of the forum will remember the early eighties (while not as dark as this) it did take until 1989 for the sun to shine again!"
Dan, I hope you aren't referring to Ron and myself in the above point.
Yes, I do remember the bad times when we were on the road to a hiding.
I basically remember a quote which said that you can't fully control an outcome but that you have control over the planning prior to certain events. In my work, we have to have extensive planning for events, risk mitigation and succession planning. We have no consistency at the present time and when Michael Clarke said "we have talent in the dressing room", I immediately thought they had girls in there, as there appeared to be little to proud of in respect to actual cricket
The below quote should resonate loudly in the ears of the selectors if they don't get it right shortly. "If anything is certain, it is that change is certain. The world we are planning for today will not exist in this form tomorrow."
Philip Crosby, Reflections on Quality
Dan is right in saying we can't get much lower and the next step is upwards by not making the same mistakes. The cricket heirarchy needs to take a good look at itself and sort out who is serious about their cricket, at the present time many players seem to worry too much about endorsements and preening themselves instead of being serious about the game. As spectators we expect to see a good game as we have in the past, losing isn't as bad when it is a close game, but this season was terrible. Maybe there should be a reduction in wages, a performance based bonus system with a cap on endorsements. If we continue merrily on the way we are travelling we will be destined to continue to play a second-rate game. I was shocked at the MCG to watch Michael Clarke appearing to be in obvious pain with physio treatment on the field while he was fielding "what the", he clearly shouldn't have been there. We were clearly outplayed and I doff my hat to the English side.
I hope the Aussies get their act into gear quick and get back in the sunshine, because I am 50 this year and losing my patience