Saturday, September 26, 2009
Post #1400: Why I don't care for Jacob Oram
I think I first disliked Jacob Oram when I first saw him play live for the BC's, possibly in Napier in late 2002 (Yamis also in attendance - we both witnessed that rarest of events, Mathew Sinclair scoring an international century).
Here was this beast of a man ... who lumbered in to bowl at little more than a gentle trot, and never seemed to put his back into it.
I quickly got over it. In the end, if a guy can take wickets why should I give a fuck what his action's like? In cricket, this is called the Sri Lankan principle.
And for a while, take wickets he did.
But, over time, Jacob's attitude seemed to soften, and with it his form became less firm than it previously was. The slightest ill-wind would sink his battleship, if you will.
And now there's this 1.98m chump who can muster little more energy than that required for 4 quick overs and a hopeful swish or two.
Too bad about the Champion's Trophy ... Big Jake's services are strangely unavailable!
Look, I know the guy's not terrible when he does take to the field. 'Cos Chuck Z told me so.
Sure, in almost 100 ODI innings he's scored just 1 century and 11 half-centuries, and averaged just 24.40. But hey, his opportunities for big scores would be reduced by coming in late in the middle order (we'll overlook the fact his opportunities for not outs are increased ... oh, and that this year - admittedly in just six innings - he averages just 10.16).
His batting records for 2007 and 2008 are very solid: across 24 innings he managed 8 half-centuries plus his one century (vs Australia), 6 not outs, and an average in the mid-high 40s.
With the ball, he averages about 8 overs & 1 wicket per game over his entire ODI career.
Economy rate of 4.3, and averages 31 runs/wicket.
He hasn't taken 4 or more wickets in an innings since 2005. But still performed reasonably well in both 2007 and 2008.
This year (admittedly in just six innings) he's taken 4 for 220-odd.
So, to conclude:
His record isn't bad by New Zealand standards, and at times he's contributed significantly.
What bothers me about the guy his never-ending list of inexplicable injuries, his apparent unwillingness to play through the most minor of niggles, his inflated sense of self-worth (channelling Mathew Sinclair), his money-grubbing attitude vis-a-vis the Indian T20 comp, his increasingly apparent disregard for the true form of the game (on the basis it requires sustained effort on his part), and his constant whining to the media.
Here was this beast of a man ... who lumbered in to bowl at little more than a gentle trot, and never seemed to put his back into it.
I quickly got over it. In the end, if a guy can take wickets why should I give a fuck what his action's like? In cricket, this is called the Sri Lankan principle.
And for a while, take wickets he did.
But, over time, Jacob's attitude seemed to soften, and with it his form became less firm than it previously was. The slightest ill-wind would sink his battleship, if you will.
And now there's this 1.98m chump who can muster little more energy than that required for 4 quick overs and a hopeful swish or two.
Too bad about the Champion's Trophy ... Big Jake's services are strangely unavailable!
Look, I know the guy's not terrible when he does take to the field. 'Cos Chuck Z told me so.
Sure, in almost 100 ODI innings he's scored just 1 century and 11 half-centuries, and averaged just 24.40. But hey, his opportunities for big scores would be reduced by coming in late in the middle order (we'll overlook the fact his opportunities for not outs are increased ... oh, and that this year - admittedly in just six innings - he averages just 10.16).
His batting records for 2007 and 2008 are very solid: across 24 innings he managed 8 half-centuries plus his one century (vs Australia), 6 not outs, and an average in the mid-high 40s.
With the ball, he averages about 8 overs & 1 wicket per game over his entire ODI career.
Economy rate of 4.3, and averages 31 runs/wicket.
He hasn't taken 4 or more wickets in an innings since 2005. But still performed reasonably well in both 2007 and 2008.
This year (admittedly in just six innings) he's taken 4 for 220-odd.
So, to conclude:
His record isn't bad by New Zealand standards, and at times he's contributed significantly.
What bothers me about the guy his never-ending list of inexplicable injuries, his apparent unwillingness to play through the most minor of niggles, his inflated sense of self-worth (channelling Mathew Sinclair), his money-grubbing attitude vis-a-vis the Indian T20 comp, his increasingly apparent disregard for the true form of the game (on the basis it requires sustained effort on his part), and his constant whining to the media.
Labels: blackcaps, bracewell sucks shit, chuck z, jacob oram
Friday, January 23, 2009
New Zealand Cricket, a Hazard to your Batsman's Health
After an exhaustive study lasting for about 3 hours spread over 3 nights and 9 beers I have come up with the following statistics PROVING beyond a shadow of a doubt that being selected for the Blackcaps and going into their 'environment' is a bad career move if you enjoy gripping a wooden tool.
Essentially what I did was go back and look at all our batsmen that have played test cricket for NZ post 2000 and compared the first half of their careers with the second half of their careers.
Now you would expect that when a player first plays test cricket they are a bit inexperienced, raw and prone to performing a little below their ability. And as time goes by they gain confidence and experience and improve on their performance. There is an expression often bandied around in the NRL that players don't become really useful until they have played 100 first grade games. For most players that would be in their 5th season. Now I'm aware that batting in cricket is for the most parts a game based around eye sight and reflexes on the back of a solid foundation of being able to play cricket strokes but all the same, I expect NZ batsmen to improve after being called into the Blackcaps. They have access to the best coaches, facilities and technology in terms of analysis. They also get to face the best bowlers in the world and should become more comfortable facing them over time, NOT LESS.
But indeed ladies and gentlemen, out batsmen as a whole have worsened while being a part of the Blackcaps setup.
And here is the proof. Of the 24 players I looked at, 14 have seen their average go down and just 10 have improved over the second half of their career. The 'average average' for the first half of their careers is 33.53 and the average for the second half of their careers is 30.04. Bare in mind that those stats would look even worse if they didn't drop players for crap form.
Here's the stats fo yo ass in alfabetakill orda.
ASTLE 35.94 to 37.06 improved with age until Bracewell fucked him off (or told him to fuck off).
BELL 14.7 to 33.9 I don't think you could do worse than 14.7 but that's a respectable second half from Bell. A shame about the 3 ducks in his last 5 innings.
CAIRNS 27.78 to 39.41 As raw as hell when first selected as a 19 year old, he started to own that shit late in his career and went from a pie chucker to quite a skillful bowler as well.
CUMMING 27.89 to 23.75 A 74 on debut and then fails to pass 50 thereafter. Probably a bit limited for this level. Solid (and I mean that in a nice way) failure.
FLEMING 37.18 to 44.92 No point commenting on this guys career. We all analysed it to shit.
FLYNN 38.8 to 46.17 Helped by not outs. Limited ability, relies on Yamis's stock shot of the angled bat down through gully for a single or better yet a 4. Expect him to crash and burn and never been seen in a NZ shirt with black stripy arms again beyond 2009.
FULTON 29 to 19.6 Lacks technique against top bowlers but possibly a victim of the life and form sucking Bracewell vampire era.
HORNE 38.63 to 17.8 What the fuck happened here? old age?
HOW 21.19 to 25.41 Showed real promise but for some reason has had a mental implosion and now seems to lack basic intelligence as to how to craft an innings. Form has turned to shit but may get it back.
McCULLUM 33.7 to 29.4 Now this is concerning and I put it down to Twenty FUCKING 20 (and John Bracewell). This guy is New Zealand Crickets answer to Dan Carters sabbatical accept McCullum will seemingly be allowed one EVERY FUCKING YEAR GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
McMILLAN 40.3 to 36.5 Ummmmmmm, diabetes plus Bracewell?
J MARSHALL 26 to 12.4 How did this guy get selected in the first place? Mind you he probably just about deserves it on current form. A nice wee example of a guy who got worse after being in the BC setup.
H MARSHALL 60.4 to 13.5 Now that is a booming fall from grace. He looked like THA BOMB for a while there but then NZC sunk their ugly claws into him.
ORAM 43.73 to 31.17 This crippled old fool reckons he's about one more serious injury away from becoming a batsman only. I say he's about one serious injury away from a dog food factory. Another good example though of a talented cricketer losing it at the batting crease after too many meetings with Bracewell.
PARORE 25.42 to 27.23 Almost doesn't qualify for the list because he's been gone for a fair while but a solid second half to his career but never quite produced as we all expected. Probably should have averaged about 30.
PAPPS 24.57 to 9.25 Yep, awesome.
REDMOND 10.4 to 37.7 Selected because of his dads long and illustrious career. The jury is still out after just 14 innings but I'd say he's fairly close to being out himself.
RICHARDSON 47.1 to 37.7 No brainer here. Old age and stress caused this second half decline but even so, this was a REAL opener produced in NZ (excusing the fact he started as an offspinner). I often lay awake at night with tears on my pillow thinking about a NZ opener who was making serious runs.
RYDER 44.6 to 44.2 Just starting out but expect that average to drop to 40 (if he turns out to be good) or 35 (if he turns out to have just been lucky so far). Or it could just stay at 44.5 after he gets busted for shagging a blowup doll on a beach in Wellington in broad daylight after a night on the turps.
SINCLAIR 44.5 to 22 A headjob. Nothing to blame here except genetics.
STYRIS 41.2 to 30.9 The passion disappeared here. Or skill? Or the body? or else fucking Bracewell!
TAYLOR 45.6 to 24.2 Now this is just not on! Sort yourself out. This is the McCullum illness here. Twenty FUCKING 20 and John Bracewell!
VETTORI 16.8 to 38.2 Here is a man who has grown some balls at the crease. Although it was largely forced on him by the abomination known as the NZ batting lineup over several years. Well done that man.
VINCENT 29.4 to 38.7 Looking at that you'd wonder why he still isn't having a crack especially when his last 6 test scores were 52, 224, 13, 92, 33 and 4. Anyway, I'm off to buy a lotto ticket.
Essentially what I did was go back and look at all our batsmen that have played test cricket for NZ post 2000 and compared the first half of their careers with the second half of their careers.
Now you would expect that when a player first plays test cricket they are a bit inexperienced, raw and prone to performing a little below their ability. And as time goes by they gain confidence and experience and improve on their performance. There is an expression often bandied around in the NRL that players don't become really useful until they have played 100 first grade games. For most players that would be in their 5th season. Now I'm aware that batting in cricket is for the most parts a game based around eye sight and reflexes on the back of a solid foundation of being able to play cricket strokes but all the same, I expect NZ batsmen to improve after being called into the Blackcaps. They have access to the best coaches, facilities and technology in terms of analysis. They also get to face the best bowlers in the world and should become more comfortable facing them over time, NOT LESS.
But indeed ladies and gentlemen, out batsmen as a whole have worsened while being a part of the Blackcaps setup.
And here is the proof. Of the 24 players I looked at, 14 have seen their average go down and just 10 have improved over the second half of their career. The 'average average' for the first half of their careers is 33.53 and the average for the second half of their careers is 30.04. Bare in mind that those stats would look even worse if they didn't drop players for crap form.
Here's the stats fo yo ass in alfabetakill orda.
ASTLE 35.94 to 37.06 improved with age until Bracewell fucked him off (or told him to fuck off).
BELL 14.7 to 33.9 I don't think you could do worse than 14.7 but that's a respectable second half from Bell. A shame about the 3 ducks in his last 5 innings.
CAIRNS 27.78 to 39.41 As raw as hell when first selected as a 19 year old, he started to own that shit late in his career and went from a pie chucker to quite a skillful bowler as well.
CUMMING 27.89 to 23.75 A 74 on debut and then fails to pass 50 thereafter. Probably a bit limited for this level. Solid (and I mean that in a nice way) failure.
FLEMING 37.18 to 44.92 No point commenting on this guys career. We all analysed it to shit.
FLYNN 38.8 to 46.17 Helped by not outs. Limited ability, relies on Yamis's stock shot of the angled bat down through gully for a single or better yet a 4. Expect him to crash and burn and never been seen in a NZ shirt with black stripy arms again beyond 2009.
FULTON 29 to 19.6 Lacks technique against top bowlers but possibly a victim of the life and form sucking Bracewell vampire era.
HORNE 38.63 to 17.8 What the fuck happened here? old age?
HOW 21.19 to 25.41 Showed real promise but for some reason has had a mental implosion and now seems to lack basic intelligence as to how to craft an innings. Form has turned to shit but may get it back.
McCULLUM 33.7 to 29.4 Now this is concerning and I put it down to Twenty FUCKING 20 (and John Bracewell). This guy is New Zealand Crickets answer to Dan Carters sabbatical accept McCullum will seemingly be allowed one EVERY FUCKING YEAR GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
McMILLAN 40.3 to 36.5 Ummmmmmm, diabetes plus Bracewell?
J MARSHALL 26 to 12.4 How did this guy get selected in the first place? Mind you he probably just about deserves it on current form. A nice wee example of a guy who got worse after being in the BC setup.
H MARSHALL 60.4 to 13.5 Now that is a booming fall from grace. He looked like THA BOMB for a while there but then NZC sunk their ugly claws into him.
ORAM 43.73 to 31.17 This crippled old fool reckons he's about one more serious injury away from becoming a batsman only. I say he's about one serious injury away from a dog food factory. Another good example though of a talented cricketer losing it at the batting crease after too many meetings with Bracewell.
PARORE 25.42 to 27.23 Almost doesn't qualify for the list because he's been gone for a fair while but a solid second half to his career but never quite produced as we all expected. Probably should have averaged about 30.
PAPPS 24.57 to 9.25 Yep, awesome.
REDMOND 10.4 to 37.7 Selected because of his dads long and illustrious career. The jury is still out after just 14 innings but I'd say he's fairly close to being out himself.
RICHARDSON 47.1 to 37.7 No brainer here. Old age and stress caused this second half decline but even so, this was a REAL opener produced in NZ (excusing the fact he started as an offspinner). I often lay awake at night with tears on my pillow thinking about a NZ opener who was making serious runs.
RYDER 44.6 to 44.2 Just starting out but expect that average to drop to 40 (if he turns out to be good) or 35 (if he turns out to have just been lucky so far). Or it could just stay at 44.5 after he gets busted for shagging a blowup doll on a beach in Wellington in broad daylight after a night on the turps.
SINCLAIR 44.5 to 22 A headjob. Nothing to blame here except genetics.
STYRIS 41.2 to 30.9 The passion disappeared here. Or skill? Or the body? or else fucking Bracewell!
TAYLOR 45.6 to 24.2 Now this is just not on! Sort yourself out. This is the McCullum illness here. Twenty FUCKING 20 and John Bracewell!
VETTORI 16.8 to 38.2 Here is a man who has grown some balls at the crease. Although it was largely forced on him by the abomination known as the NZ batting lineup over several years. Well done that man.
VINCENT 29.4 to 38.7 Looking at that you'd wonder why he still isn't having a crack especially when his last 6 test scores were 52, 224, 13, 92, 33 and 4. Anyway, I'm off to buy a lotto ticket.
Labels: blackcaps, bracewell sucks shit, cricket
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Say their names with reverance and pride
With McIntosh providing a solid start to the New Zealand innings yesterday, it's time Chuck Z and I begin to release our Black Caps' test openers analysis on a breathless nation.
In the last 15 seasons, New Zealand test innings have been opened by no fewer than 26 players. Two players (Astle & McCullum), appeared just once each, opening only in the second NZ innings, presumably filling in for injured "real" openers. Interestingly, the former scored 40, and the latter 19*, clearly marking themselves out as real opening material.
There's some unlikely names among the remaining 24:
Mark Greatbatch (a #5 slogger at best I would have thought - he averaged 8.50 in the 93/94 season).
Blair Hartland (averaged 11.00 in his three tests at opener)
Darrin Murray (opened alongside Bryan Young in all 8 tests in the 94-95 season, averaged 20.20, concluded his illustrious test opening career with a 0 and a 0*)
Roger Twose (the tubby one's ODI form didn't translate to an illustrious test opening career in 95/96 or 98/99. He did score a 94 in his first season, and averaged 22.67, which Jamie How would die for about now, but ended his opening career with a pair three years later).
Craig Spearman (enough said - twice the chances of Matthew Sinclair and quarter of the talent)
Justin Vaughan (a poor man's Gavin Larsen, the good Doctor averaged 13.25 in his two tests as opener in 96/97, but in fairness it was in Pakistan. Remember when teams used to tour Pakistan?)
Gary Frickin Stead (the Canterbury grafter averaged an impressive 30 in his 5 innings as New Zealand test opener in 99/00 - demonstrating that mental discipline can perhaps go a long way)
Adam Parore (D-list local celebrity, current star in the IPL retirement home, and sometime mortgage broker, Parore was briefly the world's best wicketkeeper. He filled in as opener 3 times over the 00/01 and 01/02 seasons, with a high score of 36).
Matthew Sinclair (Skippy was a stand-in second-innings opener a couple of times, before having three tests as opener in 04/05. After showing much promise, his last three innings yielded returns of 0, 0 and 2).
Lou Vincent ("the jaw" was a player who, like several others - Sinclair, Marshall the Greater - got generally worse the longer he was exposed to NZ Cricket management and coaching. Opened his opening career with a century and a half-century against Australia in Australia, then pretty much turned to crap - yet managed big scores on tour as an opener against India and Zimbabwe. Appears to have ended his opening career with a 4 in 07/08)
Stephen Fleming (the lamented former captain opened 6 times in his test career, and scored one half-century in that position).
Marshall the Lesser (opened in three tests at the end of the 04/05 season, averaging a handy 30.20).
Marshall the Greater (clearly selected on the basis of his brother's world-beating performance at the end of the previous season, H. Marshall opened in five tests in 05/06. Despite two knocks against Zimbabwe, he only managed to average 12)
Peter Fulton (the walking wicket opened in two tests against South Africa in 05/06, and proved no more effective there than at any other position in the test team - averaging 16.25).
Michael Papps (in and out as test opener since 03/04, starting with a promising 59, then a bunch of ducks, then an 86. Averaged 4 in his two tests in the 07/08 season. Concluded with a 1 which about sums it all up).
In the last 15 seasons, New Zealand test innings have been opened by no fewer than 26 players. Two players (Astle & McCullum), appeared just once each, opening only in the second NZ innings, presumably filling in for injured "real" openers. Interestingly, the former scored 40, and the latter 19*, clearly marking themselves out as real opening material.
There's some unlikely names among the remaining 24:
Mark Greatbatch (a #5 slogger at best I would have thought - he averaged 8.50 in the 93/94 season).
Blair Hartland (averaged 11.00 in his three tests at opener)
Darrin Murray (opened alongside Bryan Young in all 8 tests in the 94-95 season, averaged 20.20, concluded his illustrious test opening career with a 0 and a 0*)
Roger Twose (the tubby one's ODI form didn't translate to an illustrious test opening career in 95/96 or 98/99. He did score a 94 in his first season, and averaged 22.67, which Jamie How would die for about now, but ended his opening career with a pair three years later).
Craig Spearman (enough said - twice the chances of Matthew Sinclair and quarter of the talent)
Justin Vaughan (a poor man's Gavin Larsen, the good Doctor averaged 13.25 in his two tests as opener in 96/97, but in fairness it was in Pakistan. Remember when teams used to tour Pakistan?)
Gary Frickin Stead (the Canterbury grafter averaged an impressive 30 in his 5 innings as New Zealand test opener in 99/00 - demonstrating that mental discipline can perhaps go a long way)
Adam Parore (D-list local celebrity, current star in the IPL retirement home, and sometime mortgage broker, Parore was briefly the world's best wicketkeeper. He filled in as opener 3 times over the 00/01 and 01/02 seasons, with a high score of 36).
Matthew Sinclair (Skippy was a stand-in second-innings opener a couple of times, before having three tests as opener in 04/05. After showing much promise, his last three innings yielded returns of 0, 0 and 2).
Lou Vincent ("the jaw" was a player who, like several others - Sinclair, Marshall the Greater - got generally worse the longer he was exposed to NZ Cricket management and coaching. Opened his opening career with a century and a half-century against Australia in Australia, then pretty much turned to crap - yet managed big scores on tour as an opener against India and Zimbabwe. Appears to have ended his opening career with a 4 in 07/08)
Stephen Fleming (the lamented former captain opened 6 times in his test career, and scored one half-century in that position).
Marshall the Lesser (opened in three tests at the end of the 04/05 season, averaging a handy 30.20).
Marshall the Greater (clearly selected on the basis of his brother's world-beating performance at the end of the previous season, H. Marshall opened in five tests in 05/06. Despite two knocks against Zimbabwe, he only managed to average 12)
Peter Fulton (the walking wicket opened in two tests against South Africa in 05/06, and proved no more effective there than at any other position in the test team - averaging 16.25).
Michael Papps (in and out as test opener since 03/04, starting with a promising 59, then a bunch of ducks, then an 86. Averaged 4 in his two tests in the 07/08 season. Concluded with a 1 which about sums it all up).
Labels: bracewell sucks shit, can't bat for shit, cricket, test openers analysis
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Black Caps still sucking
212/9. Repeat performance.
I think we'll win this one, but that doesn't excuse our losing 9 wickets in 50 overs! Faahaaken hell, how much can we take?
Update: woohoo.
I think we'll win this one, but that doesn't excuse our losing 9 wickets in 50 overs! Faahaaken hell, how much can we take?
Update: woohoo.
Labels: blackcaps, bracewell sucks shit, can't bat for shit, crap, cricket, dickheads, incompetent time wasting fucks, new zealand players
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Black Caps suck again
Yup it's true they do they do they do. It's enough to break your fucking heart. Soundly beaten by a shit team. Bangladesh take an seven fucking wicket victory and with it ruin our hopes of an elevation, however temporary, to the number two spot on the ICC ODI rankings. How fucking humiliating. You want to be the number two team in the world boys? Little things like beating the number nine team in the world help, aye? Dumbasses.
In brighter news, oh, that's right, there is no brighter news. This makes everything completely shit.
In brighter news, oh, that's right, there is no brighter news. This makes everything completely shit.
Labels: blackcaps, bracewell sucks shit, can't bat for shit, crap, cricket, dickheads, incompetent time wasting fucks, new zealand players
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The dawning of a new... d'oh!
New Zealand take an honourable draw from the first Test of their three-match England tour. The senior pro's contribute with some memorable innings and an excellent man-of the match bowling display.
Pretty good stuff...
In the second New Zealand wins the toss and elects to bat. Our rookie openers put on an 80 run stand, the best in a long bloody while.
Our number four batsman anchors the innings. Having watched a partner get his teeth smashed by a rising delivery he contributes to a century fifth-wicket partnership, a 89 run seventh wicket partnership and takes the Black Caps to 381 with a brilliant 154no.
Stern stuff!
We then bowl England out for 202.
Oh ho ho. This is, like, it. This IS the moment we've stayed loyal for through so many fucking years.
And then...
What the fuck happened? What part of winning don't we get? You don't get a better match situation. You don't find better form. To lose, to be beaten, from that point, having played that way, beggars belief.
I join my voice with DC Red in again proclaiming "bracewell sucks shit". That said, no coach is that bad that they can do that to a team in a single day. The team needs to answer for this and bracewell has more than enough to answer for already. I think the problem is in their heads...
Kudos to McCullum, he could be a Sangakarra in the making on current form. There's a world of difference between his competent confidence and the others' incompetent rashness, and the difference is in the nature of the confidence. McCullum's confidence seems to be deep-rooted, he honestly believes he is up to the standard of an excellent batsman and he allows opposition players to test themselves against him. I contrast this with the bravado that our other players (and bracewell) call confidence. Bravado is a reaction to insecurity, so it lacks that deep-rooted, clear-headed resolve. Instead it is desperate and it means that our batsmen go out there to be tested, rather than test the opposition.
We can only hope that the boys become men on this tour.
Pretty good stuff...
In the second New Zealand wins the toss and elects to bat. Our rookie openers put on an 80 run stand, the best in a long bloody while.
Our number four batsman anchors the innings. Having watched a partner get his teeth smashed by a rising delivery he contributes to a century fifth-wicket partnership, a 89 run seventh wicket partnership and takes the Black Caps to 381 with a brilliant 154no.
Stern stuff!
We then bowl England out for 202.
Oh ho ho. This is, like, it. This IS the moment we've stayed loyal for through so many fucking years.
And then...
What the fuck happened? What part of winning don't we get? You don't get a better match situation. You don't find better form. To lose, to be beaten, from that point, having played that way, beggars belief.
I join my voice with DC Red in again proclaiming "bracewell sucks shit". That said, no coach is that bad that they can do that to a team in a single day. The team needs to answer for this and bracewell has more than enough to answer for already. I think the problem is in their heads...
Kudos to McCullum, he could be a Sangakarra in the making on current form. There's a world of difference between his competent confidence and the others' incompetent rashness, and the difference is in the nature of the confidence. McCullum's confidence seems to be deep-rooted, he honestly believes he is up to the standard of an excellent batsman and he allows opposition players to test themselves against him. I contrast this with the bravado that our other players (and bracewell) call confidence. Bravado is a reaction to insecurity, so it lacks that deep-rooted, clear-headed resolve. Instead it is desperate and it means that our batsmen go out there to be tested, rather than test the opposition.
We can only hope that the boys become men on this tour.
Labels: bracewell sucks shit
Disgraceful
That's the only word that adequately describes being ahead by 180 runs on the first innings, and still conspiring to lose by 6 wickets with 4 sessions remaining. And with "the world's best left-arm spinner" (TM) bowling on a crumbling 4th innings wicket, on which even Monty "I give it a twirl" Panesar had managed to take a devastating 6-for.
Sure, Umpire Taufel didn't do us any favours (e.g., refusing to give the LBW when Vettori trapped Lord Collingwood of Durham in front for 2 in the 4th innings ... to which Brian Waddle responded: "What was that missing? Off and leg?!") and nor did the injury to In Like Flynn, but we didn't do ourselves any either. With crap like this:
Yours, a very disappointed NZC fan.
p.s,. May I be the first to say "Sack the coach!" ... oh, hang on.
Sure, Umpire Taufel didn't do us any favours (e.g., refusing to give the LBW when Vettori trapped Lord Collingwood of Durham in front for 2 in the 4th innings ... to which Brian Waddle responded: "What was that missing? Off and leg?!") and nor did the injury to In Like Flynn, but we didn't do ourselves any either. With crap like this:
77.6 O'Brien to Bell, no run, has he just dropped the Test? slow ball, Bell is early on the shot, pops it straight back to the bowler, he seems to have it covered but drops a dolly, that's as sweet a lollypop as you will get, he's muffed itMuffed it indeed.
Yours, a very disappointed NZC fan.
p.s,. May I be the first to say "Sack the coach!" ... oh, hang on.
Labels: bracewell sucks shit, cricket
Monday, March 24, 2008
NZ batting (is a joke)
Matthew Bell despite averaging over 100 in domestic cricket this summer now has the following test scores...
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 15, 15, 19, 20*, 23, 25, 26*, 28, 29, 40, 75, 83, 105, 107.
The red scores are his comeback scores from this season after a 7 year absence.
In his career as an opener he has been dismissed after facing this many deliveries 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 20, 24, 24, 25, 29, 35, 37, 43, 47, 47, 72, 74, 79, 88, 96, 97, 133, 163, 180, 184, 224,
So he's been dismissed 22.5% of the time in the 'first over'.
I guess what I am trying to get at here is that he should not tour England because if he does he will average 20 (if he's lucky, and that will be balls faced not runs) and will contribute strongly to the inevitable 3-0 series defeat.
Another one who will go but perhaps should not is Jamie How.
Test scores of 0, 0, 0, 4, 7, 8, 9*, 11, 11, 26, 33, 37, 39, 44, 92 averaging 22.92.
That's one meaningful contribution from 14 completed innings.
Taylor is a little better but will need to step up massively in ol' blighty.
Test scores of 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 17, 53, 55, 120 averaging 31.11.
That's just not good enough. One meaningful contribution, two decent ones and six failures.
Once Fleming (39.92) goes our best average will be Sinclair but there's no way on this fucking earth or any other one that he should go. He averages 33.10.
So we could have a graphic come up on screen showing our teams batting averages which has Taylor as our best batsman averaging 31.11. I think the English will shit themselves laughing. Thanks Bracewell for forcing Fleming into retirement. You are a bona fide %^&*$#%.
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 15, 15, 19, 20*, 23, 25, 26*, 28, 29, 40, 75, 83, 105, 107.
The red scores are his comeback scores from this season after a 7 year absence.
In his career as an opener he has been dismissed after facing this many deliveries 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 20, 24, 24, 25, 29, 35, 37, 43, 47, 47, 72, 74, 79, 88, 96, 97, 133, 163, 180, 184, 224,
So he's been dismissed 22.5% of the time in the 'first over'.
I guess what I am trying to get at here is that he should not tour England because if he does he will average 20 (if he's lucky, and that will be balls faced not runs) and will contribute strongly to the inevitable 3-0 series defeat.
Another one who will go but perhaps should not is Jamie How.
Test scores of 0, 0, 0, 4, 7, 8, 9*, 11, 11, 26, 33, 37, 39, 44, 92 averaging 22.92.
That's one meaningful contribution from 14 completed innings.
Taylor is a little better but will need to step up massively in ol' blighty.
Test scores of 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 17, 53, 55, 120 averaging 31.11.
That's just not good enough. One meaningful contribution, two decent ones and six failures.
Once Fleming (39.92) goes our best average will be Sinclair but there's no way on this fucking earth or any other one that he should go. He averages 33.10.
So we could have a graphic come up on screen showing our teams batting averages which has Taylor as our best batsman averaging 31.11. I think the English will shit themselves laughing. Thanks Bracewell for forcing Fleming into retirement. You are a bona fide %^&*$#%.
Labels: blackcaps, bracewell sucks shit, fleming, jamie how, matthew bell, ross taylor
