Don't doubt England heart
Scroll down to read my answers to your questions
The media inquest has got into full flow following , it would appear.
Of course, it was an intensely disappointing performance and result. The Kiwis bowled brilliantly first up and the cricket became very attritional 鈥 a run-rate of two an over is exceptionally slow 鈥 and, no, it didn鈥檛 make for very good viewing.
But the first three days is only the set-up for a Test match and it is at the business end, on days four and five, that things really count and with Ryan Sidebottom鈥檚 spell late on the fourth day we put ourselves firmly in with a shout of victory.
It looked, just when it mattered, that we had turned things our way and got the momentum going forwards and that, after a difficult few days, we might be able to take a series lead.
As it turned out, that myth was blown completely out of the water - the momentum meant absolutely nothing because the Kiwis came out flying and blew us away in one crazy session of cricket.
Suddenly, from having a sniff of victory, we were ripped apart. There are no excuses, we鈥檙e 1-0 down in the series, deservedly so, and we鈥檙e facing a tough 鈥 although do-able - task to win the series now.
However, the press are now getting stuck into and, in my opinion, the majority of the criticism has been unfair.
It鈥檚 one thing to criticise a player鈥檚 technique or tactics, we鈥檙e professional cricketers and you have to accept what comes your way in that regard when things don鈥檛 go well, but it is entirely another thing to say a player is not committed to the team or that they are not putting in the blood, sweat and tears for the shirt.
Editors want headlines, writers provide them and people read them. But they rarely have the full story, are often one-sided, and sometimes give a false impression of how things are.
The only criticism that hurts is when you鈥檙e accused of not trying or doing your best because that鈥檚 the most ignorant thing that people can say. I don鈥檛 know anyone in world cricket, and especially not in this squad, that doesn鈥檛 try their absolute socks off before and during a match.
So, yes, the result and performance were not good enough, accepted. But sometimes people forget that the opposition are allowed to play well as well and, on this occasion, we did not get anywhere near our expected standards while the Kiwis put in a brilliant display from first ball to last.
Criticism is nothing new to sportsmen, just ask footballers who get it far worse than we do, but I can assure everyone that to a man this squad is doing its level best to go out on the park and perform like we know we can.
It鈥檚 not deliberate that we went out there and lost so heavily. We went out onto a cricket pitch trying to win a Test match but nothing went right for us. We have to accept that and move on.
We now know exactly what we have to do 鈥 we have to win two matches to win the series, full stop. We haven鈥檛 won a series for a while now and it鈥檚 important we come away from here with one.
We鈥檙e out on the training pitch all hours, doing all the right things trying to perfect technique and our plans, and when we step out onto the field at Wellington for the second Test.
There鈥檚 no doubting the talent we have in this squad and it is only a matter of time before things click, for sure.
On a personal level, around my dressing-room duties and doing my best to support the playing members of the squad, I鈥檝e been cramming in every moment I can in the nets and the gym, keeping myself in tip-top shape so that I鈥檓 ready should I be called upon.
The Kiwis played two spinners in Hamilton and I don鈥檛 think they鈥檒l want to speed up the pitches and encourage our seam attack, so maybe I鈥檒l get my shot.
If I do, everyone can rest assured I鈥檒l be doing my absolute level best to help the team towards victory 鈥 just like every other player in the starting XI.
Thanks again for your comments and questions. I鈥檝e tried to answer as many as possible.
Who in the team gets the most fanmail? (fruit pastille princess)
Well, it鈥檚 not so much fanmail, but Ryan Sidebottom has definitely taken over from Monty Panesar as the cult celebrity of the squad. He鈥檚 on the crest of a wave at the moment and, being so recognisable with that great head of hair of his, he forever has people jumping out of bars at him giving rather grandiose appeals or mocking his celebrations.
They say that infamy lasts longer than fame so if I want to start being recognised as a top cricketer, maybe I鈥檒l have to think of some way to get my face known. Maybe I鈥檒l streak during the lunch break of the next Test, dye my hair red or paint a dartboard on my backside or something. That should get the fans pouring in!
Who in the squad uses the most beauty products? (Martin)
Well it鈥檚 pretty obvious it鈥檚 Stuart Broad isn鈥檛 it. I already mentioned his blonde bob in my last column, which earned me a clip round the ear from his dad Chris by the way, but it鈥檚 there for everyone to see. I鈥檝e never seen anyone put as many products on their hair before a game.
That said, it is rumoured 鈥 and utterly unsubstantiated of course 鈥 that Luke Wright actually came off for a break at one point during a one-dayer just to do his hair before he came on to bowl. And there are also a couple of lads 鈥 the more red-headed members of the squad shall we say 鈥 who are rumoured to carry hair straighteners in their bag鈥 again, unsubstantiated rumours obviously, but rumours I鈥檓 happy to spread nonetheless鈥
Personally, I鈥檓 au naturale apart from a splash of lemon juice in there under the sun because, as my mum has always told me, chicks dig blokes with blonde hair. Fact.
And who uses the least?
It has to be Matthew Hoggard 鈥 he鈥檚 just a Neanderthal who just wrestles and growls. One look at the man in his pads tells you he couldn鈥檛 care less about his appearance. However, he has taken to using a pink grip on his bat to show his support for breast cancer research - and it does look dashing... almost as good as the pink lip gloss I whack on of a morning session鈥
What鈥檚 the best gig you鈥檝e ever been to? (Nessa)
I went to see the Charlatans at the Carling Academy in Northampton three or four years ago and it was utterly brilliant. They played all the classics and we had backstage passes as well 鈥 lovely stuff.
What do you do on your day offs? (Ally)
Well, the wives and girlfriends arrived today and they鈥檒l be with us for the rest of the tour. I鈥檓 sure everyone will have an opinion on the pros and cons of that but it鈥檚 certainly put a few smiles back on faces and that won鈥檛 do any harm ahead of the next Test.
Unfortunately for my missus, I find it hard to switch off from all the banter that goes on between the lads and so I鈥檝e already been reprimanded a few times - she only got here a few hours ago!
Other than that, in Sri Lanka 鈥 when we were in a wildlife reserve miles from civilisation and there was literally nothing to do - myself and a few others got quite into Facebook. I鈥檓 trying to wean myself off it, though, because I was waking up in the middle of the night worrying about my status or poke pro or something鈥 it was all getting too much!
Cheers,
Graeme
Graeme Swann was talking to Sam Lyon
颁辞尘尘别苍迟蝉听听Post your comment
Graeme, good blog. Just wanted to know how much practise you need to put into varying your pace and flight before you execute it in a match.
For a while there's been lots of talk that Monty should be using more variations in terms of pace and flight (something Vettori does exceptionally well).
I presume he is working on it hard in the nets, is it a confidence issue or just a case of getting everything nailed down in terms of technique before using it in match conditions.
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swanny you are awesome and i think that you should get a chance in the test arena very soon!
you are too good not to!
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Can't say I remember any players saying that the praise was a bit overboard when they did well, but if it's the other way round...
Sorry, Graeme, but when ten Test batsmen score less than 60 runs between them, and when one of your leading batsmen tries to bat out two thirds of a day at a scoring rate of four runs per hundred balls, you deserve all the broadsides you going to get.
Anyone playing any sport at any level always tried to do their best, and I'm sure everyone did - but 'working all hours on the training pitch' will not solve the fundamentals of why the top order folded on a decent batting strip to a seamer who's hardly Malcolm Marshall.
Really hope you pull it together for the second Test, but I'm afraid your home-based supporters aren't holding their collective breath in anticpation of it happening.
Good luck!
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Graeme I think you are right in relation to the England players giving their all.
The truth is that the england players are not good enough and I find it funny how you try and fight this.
Good luck.
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What are England doing to ensure they win this series?
Will they win this series?
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Another classic England player response. Does Peter Moores give you all a script to describe how an appauling performance can be described as positive.
Its not just the press its the fans who feel some players are not showing 100% and that some players are just no where near good enough to be playing test cricket.
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I was laughing to myself about how much Stuart Broad loves his hair products. Does he obsess over his hair a bit to much?
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Graham,
It is truly sad to hear yet another sporstman moan about the Media, you would earn alot more respect from members of the public if you came out and talked the truth, the team in the last test were pathetic, you played against an understrength team ranked 7th in the world and you were thrashed, why not put your hand up and say we were rubbish but we will be trying to do better in the next test. We all have crap days at work but we do not blame our competitors or our boss or the tea lady, the team deserves every bit of critiscism it has received, Harmison bowled like an old woman that is a fact, at least he is honest enough to admit that cricket is not his number one priority can you imagine messing up your companies top clients accounts then telling your boss" sorry mate but I was thinking about my family I am finding it hard to concentrate" please get real.
Facts they scored to many runs in the first innings we then batted too slowly and we then capitulated on a very good surface in the 2nd innings we were crap that is the truth.
Good luck on Thursday, I will still be watching it is fractionally better that paint drying!!
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To be fair I think the England players are giving it their all and some of the criticism has been unkind.
However I agree with Dale C in the fact that the England players are simply not good enough at the moment, not with this squad anyway.
Why do some fans think we have a right to go over to New Zealand and win every match with the group of players we have?
New Zealand are a very hard team to play against, particularly at home, and quite frankly the England players are being shown up and a lot of fans are not surprised
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Stop whining about the media and focus on why the team failed. The media did not produce the woeful performance.
England failed because collectively they were poor. Individuals did not merit selection and deserve criticism.
I am tired of England 'talking wonders and ** blunders'. There is always an excuse, always the promise of a response. If players do not like media criticism then just play well. I can accept defeats when losing by a few runs or wickets but this was a huge defeat.
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Unreal, stop making excuses. You didnt even play in the game. Everybody knows Harmison doesnt care. You are simply reading from Peter Moores script.
England have no heart.When the players are paid that kind of money they should expect grief when they play like that.
Pathetic
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Graeme, just re-read your blog, and one choice phrase stands out:
"There鈥檚 no doubting the talent we have in this squad and it is only a matter of time before things click, for sure."
Self-belief is one thing, but to think that "it is only a matter of time before things click" is quite extraordinary.
The only guarantee you have is that, when the next Test starts, the Kiwis are going to come at you even harder than they did last week - to trot out a 'don't worry, we'll be fine" cliche just smacks to me of absolutely the wrong attitude.
Am fairly sure that Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Clive Lloyd, Mahela Jayawardene, Allan Border etc etc, didn't ever think, let alone utter those words, nor Vettori or Fleming, come to that.
Truth is, we've coasted for three years, give or take the odd decent series, and it looks to me like the rose-tinted specs that have been worn by a lot of fans are now almost off.
I truly hope my negative words can be rammed back down my throat by next weekend - give it your collective best shot!
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I am only writing this in the faintest hope that you will read the criticism and understand the genuine depth of feeling behind it.
Have you had a career outside sport? I feel not bedause it would be difficult at your age to rise high enough in a profession to truly understand what responsibility comes with the title"professional".
Clearly SH is a smashing bloke and good husband/father, but neither he nor yourself comprehend what you must give up in order to lead the golden lives that you do. I have the great good fortune to be a well rewarded senior executive with a large company,my job means I have to be away from home most weeks for at least a couple of nights. This is tough but when I see the life I can give my kids that I didnt have it makes me proud.
You have no concept of what it takes me to do this job and believe me if I performed in any way to the level that your teammates have shown over the last couple of years I would be long gone!! Not earning 250k!!!!
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do you think you are or ever will be better good enough to replace Monty Panesar in tests?
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Does ryan sidebottom have a wife,girl friend or kids.Just curious.
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Graeme - as an Irish rugby supporter you sound like the Irish rugby team backing their coach! He keeps picking the same players and they keep backing him when they lose.
A complete rethink needs to be made on the English setup!
Too many guys who haven't made it at county level- bring back Mark Ramp!
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I think some fans have to face the fact that england are not good enough anymore to win test matches on a consistent basis.
Do we have a pool of players outside this squad that can offer any thing different? I doubt it.
Do we have exciting youngsters coming through in youth cricket to allow us to compete with the best cricket teams in the world in the future? I don't know.
What most fans do know is that this current squad is not up to the task simply through technical ability and mental toughness. You can try as hard as you like but if you're not good enough you're not good enough.
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Come on Graeme, another bunch of lame excuses from the Moore/Vaughan script. There are plenty of dedicated fighters in the squad like Collingwood, Bell, Cooke, Hoggard, Pieterson but too many regard themselves as above criticism. In fact ever since that ridiculously over indulgent open topped bus ride through Trafalgar Square and tea with the Queen several players have not been the same
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I would have thought that it would be preferable for the England team for them not to have been trying their hardest. If this is them trying it just means they are truly inept.
How anyone can claim Harmy was trying when he was bowling at 80mph is beyond me. As far as Strauss goes the team orders would appear to have been to go slow so can he really be blamed......
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Graeme
A bit of a cover up for a really dismal performance. Never mind going on about the media, there is an adoring public here who are dying to see some guts, grit, determination, skill and flair from the Englan team. Not one bit of which was evident in this last offering of despair!
I'm convinced that a good coach will always bring out the best in his players - look what Gatland has done with a mediocre bunch of Welsh rugby players and you'll understand. In order to be like the "apecial one" you have to have the gift of making your players believe totally in themselves. Moores hasn't got it. Period
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For my part, Graham, I'm sure that everyone's tried very hard, given it their best etc. but we're not talking about a bunch of lads trying to scrape a GCSE in their least favourite subject. The abysmal nature of this performance leads one to question what went wrong, and inevitably part of that enquiry will home in on the attitudes of one or two individuals who were thousands of miles below their best.
England didn't just lose to New Zealand; that I could have coped with. I could have coped in 2002 if Nathan Astle, for example, had kept going and going and finished up with the fastest tripple century in tests to win the game. That's an individual or team really earning their victory. However, New Zealand didn't earn it in that sense; they were handed it by the ineptitude of the batsmen along with some pretty mediocre bowling from individuals who ought jolly well to know how to do better than that. Sadly, moreover, we've been saying that sort of thing far too often over the last couple of years since the Ashes. That's why, exceptionally, I don't think that any criticism levelled at you guys is beyond the pale at all. On the contrary, I sincerely hope it stirs you into action and that we start winning tests again as we ought to.
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England player in 'blame the media shock'. Players and management would get a lot more respect if they came out and said 'we did not play well enough and we are simply not good enough'. Lets stop all these excuses. Since we won the Ashes we have been on a downward spiral.Perhaps the players believed their own hype after that series, certainly looks like it to me.
We are playing NZ (no disrespect to them) not the West Indies or Australia in their prime. Lets face it NZ are a bunch of decent county players and nothing else.
I think in this case players do need to be singled out. Harmi is clearly not a test match player any more. If Vaughan cant trust him with the new ball anymore whats the point in him playing.
One final thing. As an England fan i want England to win every game they play and dont enjoy being critical of the team.
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Graeme,
Just wanted to ask you if u remember back in the days when u were playing schools cricket with your brother alec. (if i am not mistaken for sponne). You played a final against Moulton school, the second final as it happens(first was rained off)You got bowled by my mate bristow with a classic yorker, alec was also out cheaply and u ended up losing the final to a non cricketing school. just wondered if u can play yorkers now, because u couldn't back then???
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I understand that you are limited in what you can say, but the performance, body language and general demeanour of Mr Harmison is shocking and saddens me. I have spent 拢1000's of pounds travelling around the world to watch England play and to see Harmison play like he does, disgusts me, and any criticism that comes his way is fair.
He as good as admitted that he would rather be at home with his family, then out battling for England in a test match. Thanks Steve for being honest but please take the next plane home.
Other players, at least show fight and passion for the shirt but he simply shows neither.
I hope the squad can come back from this, and I am sure if we have 11 players out there who want to play for England (bye bye Steve) then we might be able to pull it off.
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Well said Graeme, an excellent article. Sadly the vast majority of contributors to this forum are too stupid to see that you know what you are talking about. Real England cricket fans know that in the absence of Trescothick, Flintoff and Simon Jones the team that played the first Test is the best we've got. I am sure that all the players were trying their best but unfortunately, with the honourable exception of Sidebottom, everyone underperformed to some extent.
Good luck for the two remaining Tests. All we need is a few more players to play to their potential and I am sure we can at least be competitive in the last two Tests. Just because everyone except Sdebottom underperformed in the first Test doesn't mean they aren't good enough. It's rare for ten players to have a bad day ( or five! ) at the office all at the same time!
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Actually, the papers I have read have not suggested the players are not trying hard enough. Rather, that some of them i.e. Harmisson are just not good enough. International cricketers get very well paid and they just have to accept the critisism and get on with it. Frankly, I think the press and the public have been extremely patient with this team since the Ashes. It is time to deliver.
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I think Graeme Swann has a point about the media. Sports reporting here is often over the top, and sometimes the unreasoned approach of fans is not particularly helpful either. Interesting that British sports fans above any others I've ever met certainly in continental Europe, seem to think that if their team loses it is a personal insult to them, the fans.
I do not think the media are wrong to analyse and criticise a poor performance; on the contrary it is their duty as journalists to present the situation fairly, but a few of them seem to have a rather personal axe to grind sometimes. I wish we got far more analysis and less criticism.
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forget the media. this was a pathetic team performance.
as professionals you should accept it.
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I have a Kiwi friend - living in Christchurch. Before the series began, he told me that he feared for NZ in this series - he said that the only proper bowler was Vettori and the only proper batsman was Fleming. And two good players don't make a cricket team.
He needn't have worried. I can now tell him that we have one bowler - Sidie - and unfortunately, no batsmen.
For Swann to say that the criticism is unfair is the ultimate in burying your head in the sand.
Where do you start with what is wrong - Collingwood, Strauss, Vaughan, Pietersen, Hoggie and Harmie were awful. When over half your team perform badly, there's too much for the others to do. The only good things from that effort were - Cook for his fielding (which isn't enough); Bell the only quality batsman; Sidie for effort ... that's it.
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Funny, I kept reading the same article time and time again last year. It was 'ghost-written' in Paul Collingwood's name last year. At least we're not allowed to watch live cricket in Britain anymore, so very few people actually recognize the sheer ineptitude of the performance. The pupils at the school I teach really thought cricket was wonderful in September 2005. Thanks to the ECB's greed and the team's performace, nobody cares by now .
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Jonathan (post 23) - I wouldn't say stupid - more like realistic.
Jones is not coming back to Test cricket, Tres is very unlikely to and Freddie, as much as I'd love him to be, will not be the player he was of three years ago ever again. No point looking back now - we have to look forward.
There are indeed some individuals with real talent in the England team (and the one who gets the most flack, Ian Bell, may well be the best one of the lot) - it would just be nice if, as highly feted professional sportsmen, they showed it on a more regular and collective basis.
Sportsmen of all flavours are happy to accept the praise of fans/media when they've done well - it leaves a very unpleasant taste in the mouth when they whine about getting criticised when they've done badly.
If they can't accept one, then they shouldn't accept the other.
And I do hope some of the other posts about hair products etc are intentionally ironic - if I'd wanted to read rhubarb like that, I'd buy Hello!
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I think that 99.9% of sportsmen try their utmost to win when they compete. However, that isn't really the issue here.
Harmison admitted that he didn't put the necessary effort in during the build up to the series, and that he would do the same again in similar circumstances. I believe that there are a couple of players in the squad who haven't tried hard enough to be ready for the test series. It doesn't matter how hard you try on match day, if you are undercooked, then you will under perform, and therefore let the team and yourself down.
The rest of the players need to come out of their shells and start trying to dominate the opposition. It is the job of the management team to do this. Moores and Vaughan need to fire up their charges and encourage them to play some positive cricket.
So, please can we see some shots and some accurate, but aggressive bowling, with attacking, intelligent field placings?
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The money poured into this coaching set up is phenominal. Moores has returned less than nothing for this investment. That must change first - it obscures everything else. No selection issues can be clear while he and his hapless management team are in charge (or not. it's a depressed, nervous, strategy-less squad. GET RID OF HIM before he does any more damage to English cricket - and stop all this 'poor us' rubbish. We deserve better.
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Mr Swann, I feel you must not care about what us the paying public are saying. ENGLAND ARE SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH, simple as that! It's time for some drastic action. Forget the selection and re-selection of useless talent. It is time for some hard line tactics. If you are underperforming, as you clearly all are, you should not be paid. It is time for performance related pay. You are underworked and over paid. You all need a kick in your complacency. If you underperform you should not be paid, simple! This would force a better standard and the hunger and desire you all lack.
As for Harmison - what a joke. The classic england so called QUICK! He has only ever been a good bowler on pitches that any quick could bag wickets. As soon as he is not on his "perfect pitch", he is a joke. Sack him and make an example of him. It is time, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. Spectators and fans have had enough and are bored with your excuses and fed up with all the pre-written script you read from. I know club cricketers with more passion for the game than our so called pro's. You will never progress unless you all sing from the same hymm sheet and play for each other and you fans. Go and play in Australia, i would imagine ALL of thier domestic sides would pulverise our national team. They live, breathe, love and die by cricket. They have hunger and passion....How dare you all say you have. Don't insult us!
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How condescending to call, as one poster here did, the majority of fans venting their frustration 'stupid'. This was not just one bad day at the office: the England team have been on a slide since 2005 and if they really have been working hard during that time, as I have no doubt they have, then hard work is not the answer to the problem; a problem which seems to me to be mental weakness and a lack of confidence. Even KP sounded negative whenever he spoke during the 1st Test and he played like it too.
England just don't have a grasp on the mental side of the game the way the Australians do. They beat themselves. The opposition only need to turn up after that.
They talk positively but their performances are racked with self-doubt and hesitancy. There is no lack of talent: only mental strength, and no number of platitudes and excuses will fix that.
We need a Steve Waugh type who understands that aspect and can instil it in the players. Vaughan used to be able to do that, but maybe his time as captain has run out of steam.
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Stop snivelling you lot and show a bit of support! It's at times like these that the team could do with knowing that we are still behind them.
Talking of behinds, I do hope that the proprosed Swanny streak makes it to the highlights package.
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unfortunatly mel- swanny streaking is the only way he will get on the highlights.
The coach doesnt seem to fancy him
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I feel sorry for the fans who forked out their hard earned cash to travel to the other side of the world to watch players who seemed like they couldn't care less. If the team gave it their all I really would hate to see them give a half-hearted performance.
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Graeme, all this is very English, very sporting and very polite..and isn't that part of our trouble? Do you think Messrs Ponting and co and the Aussie management would respond with an 'I say I think you are being a little unfair on our chaps' approach after performances like this? I think not!! English fans are entitled to vent their frustrations on the sort of performances the team has been delivering...and as an example of English tolerance you could focus on Steve Harmison. The guy should be dropped. Too much faith has been shown in Harmison's too often wayward performances for too long. Its not acceptable at this level. We need to be a lot more ruthless with under performers..just as the Aussies are.
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Enjoyed reading your blog and especially answers to the questions. Hope having the wives and girlfriends out there doesn't stop all your unstinting efforts to prepare for the matches!???? I'd change just one thing you said and that's "there is no doubting the talent we have in this squad". I think the evidence has clearly shown over what is now an unreasonably protracted period of time (not just the last Test) that one and maybe two players just don't have what it takes to perform consistently at this level. If it's a case of trying your best then why not let Geoff Boycotte's mother have a go! You can't manufacture talent for Test cricket by stretching 10000 times every morning and running around the ground 900 times. Don't ever stop doubting the talent until a consistently successful team has been made !!!!!!
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We live in a blame culture and the media never stops criticising the players even when they are doing well. The 3-0 Test Series win against the Windies 2007 was just dismissed as of no consequence. Same with the one-day Commonwealth Bank Trophy won against Australia and New Zealand.
In any other country these wins would have been celebrated.
The Test Series against India was rain affected. We would have won the first Test. But this is completely forgotten in order to trash England.
Our one-day side went on to beat India and then Sri Lanka at home. The latter for the first time ever .
One journalist told Paul Collingwood that back home nobody cared.
Do you honestly think that this negativity and downright abuse doesn't affect the players?
Why is Ian Bell a target for example? He's one of our finest young batsman. He's improving his game all the time. He's an excellent fielder. If he is being attacked then what hope anyone else?
Harmison is being destroyed by media abuse. To many of us what is happening is quite disturbing. Like seeing someone set on by a mob.
Yes he looks in a bad mental state now. But just a couple of months ago he was bowling pretty well in Sri Lanka.
If this goes on our national cricket team will suffer the same fate as our football team which is also full of talented players.
The media are like a gang of hue and cry. Oh for the days of calm analysis of the game. Cricket should be about sportsmanship and fair play.
I hope Graeme tells the team that only the vociferous are getting heard but there are plenty of people who are fed up with the attacks on the players.
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Graeme, all this is very English, very sporting and very polite..and isn't that part of our trouble? Do you think Messrs Ponting and co and the Aussie management would respond with an 'I say I think you are being a little unfair on our chaps' approach after performances like this? I think not!! English fans are entitled to vent their frustrations on the sort of performances the team has been delivering...and as an example of English tolerance you could focus on Steve Harmison. The guy should be dropped. Too much faith has been shown in Harmison's too often wayward performances for too long. Its not acceptable at this level. We need to be a lot more ruthless with under performers..just as the Aussies are.
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Don't panic, England; Swann's largely right. You got ambushed by a good team, but there is absolutely no reason why the series can't still be won. England's top 6, over the two innings of a test match, average about 150 runs more than NZ's top 6. Replace Harmison (the psychologically poisonous have no place) and the bowling lineups look very similar. Hard to argue that Vettori's 1-3 record as a captain beats Vaughan's; the sides are well-matched in the field. Two comfortable England victories are still on the cards.
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When was the last time Muttiah Muralitharan wrote about how Facebook is getting in the way of his cricket. Oh wait, he doesn't as he's bowling in the nets!
We'll never win the Ashes back.....
:-(
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ok, this is rediculous. i understand the british propensity to back the underdog and support the losing side, but the opinion that harmison's place is justified is rediculous. in any other test nation his figures would have been justifiably lack-lustre, why in england, as opposed to every other test nation, do we feel the need to carry such dross? please put him out of his misery as a test player and give us, the british supporters, some hope that we can salvage this series.
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I stayed up til stupid o'clock in the morning to watch that poor excuse lose and in the most embarrassing manner possible.
Moores needs to realise that certain players have had there day. Rather than bringing them back in hope that they may one day 'find their rhythm'!!!!
Just remember, it was once, it was against the west indies, and it was most definitely a long time ago.
England expects better!
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As a NZ'er I find it highly amusing reading some of your posts. To assert that it is your right to come to our shores and sweep us aside is highly comical.. Whilst it is great to have self belief, it needs to be well founded for it to be beneficial..
If we are decent county players as someone mentions above, then what does that make your team...
It seems that you treat your teams (not just limited to cricket)as a bunch of underachievers... whereas the rest of the sporting world perceives it in much a different light..
What I am trying to say is admit that your cricket team at this point in time is rubbish, which clearly it is.. Once you drop all pretence of thinking you are world beaters life will improve, and the sun may even come up in the morning.. well it will here in the antipodes atleast..
The best example is our rugby team.. however the opposite is true, they are overacheivers with everything but the world cup... truth is they believe their hype that they are sure bets etc.. this is exactly your problem when it comes to your cricket team.. you guys (media/fans) build the team up prior to every fixture.. youre already doing it for the second test!!!..
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England seem to have a lot of blokes like bell cook collingwood ect who average about 40 but seem to always score enough on flat decks to just keep their spots but never really change test matches like say a ponting.
That's where the numbers can trick you, this england team really has very few what you would tag 'match winners'.
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"The first three days of a Test are only the set up"! Sorry Graeme but you've given away why it so often looks like we don't have the same passion and commitment as the Aussies. Do you think this view has ever crossed Matthew Haydens mind? Do you think Ponting thinks that way? The Aussies seem to understand the pyschology of sport so much better than us. A winning mentality is worth fifty runs every time as my old coach used to say and the simple fact is that we never "looked" up to it in the first few days. the body language was wrong, the energy wasn't there.
Even if you believe it to be true, do yourself a favour and don't publish that kind of opinion, any Aussie reading this would laugh.
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Despite what can only be described as a test match debacle I tend to take a more moderate view than some. I believe there is much to be positive about: Bell - a gritty fighter with much potential, Sidebottom - consistent with line and length which when combined with swing is not just pressurizing and restricting batsman, it is getting wickets, Collingwood - as tough as ever and one of the best fielders we could hope for, Monty has a long way to go, but if handled correctly could be brilliant and Cook - technically very good, could become an excellent opener and seems to be fielding far better.
I do however agree with those who say Mr Harmison must depart in peace to love and serve thy family. It is unfair on his colleagues and on the nation's sports fans to accept a place in the team even if he is picked. With his head being far away from NZ he can only be a hindrance and as likeable as he is and as potent as his bowling once was it smacks of the faintly ridiculous to be a professional sportsman and expect any sympathy when he has come out with the recent revelations. I am also of the belief that we all have 'bad days at the office' from time to time, but the entire upper order on the same day?!
Credit where credit is due, NZ did very well in getting inside England's heads. Vettori had a fantastic game exhibiting shrewd captaincy and skill with both ball and bat, Fleming was truly on form, his batting close to sublime in their second innings and there were one or two other decent performances. I think we need to show NZ due respect and go out there all guns blazing because clearly they are no pushover!
I was delighted for Ryan Sidebottom when he got a hat-trick and I'm only sorry for him that we didn't go on to capitalise by either winning the game or (more likely and still acceptable) digging in for a draw. I am hoping for a gripping second test where the more senior players give a good account of themselves and the young'uns strp forward to be counted - cue: Mr Broad?
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KP of old and now will illustrate what is missing.For eg the innings at Faislabad in 05/06 on a very slow pitch he hammered Kaneria to score a hundred or for the matter that 150 at edgebaston when he played Murali very well again on a slowish pitch by taking the attack to him and that is the KP and England we know not this defensive mindset that they are showing.
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Sorry Graeme, but as one of the home crowd who sat through 12 dismal sessions of english cricket, one ok one and one brilliant one, the criticism is entirely justified. Apart from two bowlers, a couple of batsmen and some brilliant catching, the rest was dire and yes, the commitment was not showing from everyone - it was almost as if some of them thought that they'd win just by turning up (probably grossly unfair but the crowd can only go by appearances).
And why wasn't the team together as a team throughout the match? - spotted a couple of them in the Londoner pub the evening of the fourth day. A team is a team, not a bunch of individuals.
Mind you, I should have expected the result - that's my 8th overseas test and the record stands 1 win, 3 draws and 4 loses - I know, everyone will blame me for turning up!!!
I just hope the criticism hurts enough to inspire a change in attitude in Wellington and Napier.
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If the England players all played to their potential then, yes, we should have the capability and potential to beat the Kiwis. However if certain players don't want to be there then send them home as that kind of attitude rubs off on the other players. Also start thinking straight - what made us successful in the past? Consistency in decision making for one. What is Vaughn doing opening with Cook for instance? If Strauss has no form then drop him because he will be no better at three than opening.Pick Owais Shah in his place as he has desire. Also its about time that KP started playing at a more consistent level - a brilliant innings now and again is no longer acceptable. Perhaps KP should look at how Bell is developing his game and becoming a better player.Hoggard? Probably spent too long propping up an end whilst Harmison undoes all the work at the other. As for Harmison - If he were a 100M sprinter no longer able to run sub 10 seconds then he would retire. Bowling at 82MPH when he should be bowling at 90MPH pretty much sums it up - no backbone and happy to pick up a pay cheque. Time to go home and reflect I think Harmy.
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Hey Swanny, ignore the cricket, I hope your enjoying your holiday over here in NZ!!
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Think your getting in the neck from the press Graham? It's a good job your not Australian, if their side had played as badly as England had in the last test, the Australian press would be demanding for the side to be sent home and for the players never to play for Australia again.
But of course we know Australia will never reach the levels of incompetence
England can.
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Hey Swanny, ignore the cricket, I hope you are enjoying your holiday over here in NZ!!
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you, and rest of the england camp, are kidding themselves.
that performance at hamilton was absolutely diabolical with bat and ball.
the selection poliy stinks, there is a serious lack of planning as well.
england were humiliated by a team with 4 good players and 7 glorified club cricketers, and the sooner you blokes got a healthy dose of reality the better...and things might eventually turn around.
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I was appalled by the English performance. It was largely pathetic and the whining about reporting makes the England team seem even more so. Yes, the catching was excellent but the end result was a thrashing and you can take no positives out of that. Harmison should never wear an England shirt again. Man up!
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It is all very well to say that everyone tried their best and there wasn't much more you could do, but it's misguided at best to say that when, rightly or wrongly, the performance suggests a lack of drive and conviction. It is also hardly unfair for others to criticise you on exactly that, is it? In fact it is rather unfair for an England cricketer to claim an effort that nobody can see, while refusing to accept a failure that is so obvious to all. This is not the time to argue whether you worked hard, but to assure us all that you will work hard regardless. Sincerely wishing for a confident showing in Wellington!
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Graeme,
Please don't defend Harmison by saying that it 'hurts' when people unfairly criticise his 'commitment to the team', say the press 'don't have the full story' or that it's sensationalistic.
1. Harmison gave a revealing interview during the Test Match in which he openly stated that he is more committed to being with his family than playing cricket as he refused to spend more time away from them so that he could be ready for the series. That is a lack of commitment. Unfortunately for Steve, it isn't possible to have the home life he wants and still be at the top of his game - where he needs to be to justify both his place in the team and his central contract and salary. This is a black and white situation - Harmy is underprepared and if I were in your position, I'd be just as irritated as the media....
2. He gave the interview - the press have the story straight as it came straight from the horses mouth.
3. As an international sportsman, he has turned to three consecutive overseas tours without having undergone the proper preparation. That is not good enough and as a result he deserves all the attention he gets. It is not just an attempt to create a headline - he is a walking headline at the moment. In 2004 he was a walking headline too, but for very different reasons....
As far as the batting goes, we have a top 6 that ought to be scoring 450+ without much trouble. However, they need to stop finding excuses - the pitch was slow but Ian Bell showed that a bit of foot movement can bring runs down the ground and over mid-wicket. You don't have to do it every ball. Anyway, do it twice and long-off goes back - easy single down the ground and just rotate the strike. Simple.
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I agree with "dexter", and think we all owe Graeme Swann a vote of thanks for telling us that "the first three days is only the set-up for a Test match and it is...on days four and five that things really count." Is this what Swann honestly thinks, or did he get it from Peter Moores? Either way, it's the most feeble approach to Test cricket imaginable. Swann thinks England were blown away in "one session of crazy cricket." No, Graeme, it wasn't crazy. What happened was that the batting was abysmal. Please get real.
Talking of getting real, is it just me or is anyone else tired of the public-school nicknaming that's all over English cricket like a rash? I don't blame the current squad, it's been like that for years. But while I'm OK to have Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood in the side, it would be a relief to get rid of Belly, Colly, Vaughny, Harmy, Hoggy and all the rest of them. In a recent blog, Swann even referred to Mooresy, which just might be the low point so far. They sound like a bunch of adolescents, which is just what the Aussies and other teams seem to think of us. There couldn't be any connection 鈥 could there?
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It is all very well to say that everyone tried their best and there wasn't much more you could do, but it's misguided at best to say that when, rightly or wrongly, the performance suggests a lack of drive and conviction. It is also hardly unfair for others to criticise you on exactly that, is it? In fact it is rather unfair for an England cricketer to claim an effort that nobody can see, while refusing to accept a failure that is so obvious to all. This is not the time to argue whether you worked hard, but to assure us all that you will work hard regardless. Sincerely wishing for a confident showing in Wellington!
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I agree with Al and Jackie Litherland above, lets try and be positive but make some changes so new blood and a more refreshing approach get a chance - people who are hungry to do well - like Mr Swann. These problems seem be in the mind rather than about ability. Attitude is everything, demonstrating intent and willingness to win. If Ryan Sidebottom can display this tenacity and will to win - why can't the others?
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As ever in these situations I ask myself What would the aussies do ? Ponting comes out, slaughters the team, appologises to the country, frank team discussion, 2 days hard graft, get focussed and win the next test inside 4 days. Harmissons frank and embarassing declaration would result in his international career ending instantly. Vaughans captaincy seriously bought into question. Then again neither of those two,or strauss, or hoggard would have been on the tour anyway due to nil form in recent times. The comment about our test team not beating any of the Aussie state sides is bang on. Their test team is picked from these 5 sides and Youve got to be red hot and live the game to make the grade. the minute you fail in a couple of tests your under pressure from the up and comers and theres no old boys network to protect you. Your out untill you hit form again and WIN your place back. Most never do because in the mean time some ones come in and hit 3 tons while you were 'sorting your head out'. Not get it handed back on what you did 3 years ago because there really is no one else.
Revolution in english cricket is all that can save us. Ruthless decisions made by ruthless winners. I recommend start watching India and South Africa instead. At least they are trying to get to the level necessary to have a go at the world No1s.
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I understand that you should defend your team and back yourselves to win the next match, but as a fan seeing England getting rolled over by ( no disresepct to New Zealand) possibly the 3rd worst international bowling attack on a placid wicket was not great viewing at 3am in the morning.
School Report
Could do much better!!
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Despite what can only be described as a test match debacle I tend to take a more moderate view than some. I believe there is much to be positive about: Bell - a gritty fighter with much potential, Sidebottom - consistent with line and length which when combined with swing is not just pressurizing and restricting batsman, it is getting wickets, Collingwood - as tough as ever and one of the best fielders we could hope for, Monty has a long way to go, but if handled correctly could be brilliant and Cook - technically very good, could become an excellent opener and seems to be fielding far better.
I do however agree with those who say Mr Harmison must depart in peace to love and serve thy family. It is unfair on his colleagues and on the nation's sports fans to accept a place in the team even if he is picked. With his head being far away from NZ he can only be a hindrance and as likeable as he is and as potent as his bowling once was it smacks of the faintly ridiculous to be a professional sportsman and expect any sympathy when he has come out with the recent revelations. I am also of the belief that we all have 'bad days at the office' from time to time, but the entire upper order on the same day?!
Credit where credit is due, NZ did very well in getting inside England's heads. Vettori had a fantastic game exhibiting shrewd captaincy and skill with both ball and bat, Fleming was truly on form, his batting close to sublime in their second innings and there were one or two other decent performances. I think we need to show NZ due respect and go out there all guns blazing because clearly they are no pushover!
I was delighted for Ryan Sidebottom when he got a hat-trick and I'm only sorry for him that we didn't go on to capitalise by either winning the game or (more likely and still acceptable) digging in for a draw. I am hoping for a gripping second test where the more senior players give a good account of themselves and the young'uns strp forward to be counted - cue: Mr Broad?
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I'm a University lecturer. I tell students occasdionally that few will get a good degree without hard work but hard work alone is not sufficient.
Let's assume that the England players are all trying really hard. I guess it follows then that they are not good enough?
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espite what can only be described as a test match debacle I tend to take a more moderate view than some. I believe there is much to be positive about: Bell - a gritty fighter with much potential, Sidebottom - consistent with line and length which when combined with swing is not just pressurizing and restricting batsman, it is getting wickets, Collingwood - as tough as ever and one of the best fielders we could hope for, Monty has a long way to go, but if handled correctly could be brilliant and Cook - technically very good, could become an excellent opener and seems to be fielding far better.
I do however agree with those who say Mr Harmison must depart in peace to love and serve thy family. It is unfair on his colleagues and on the nation's sports fans to accept a place in the team even if he is picked. With his head being far away from NZ he can only be a hindrance and as likeable as he is and as potent as his bowling once was it smacks of the faintly ridiculous to be a professional sportsman and expect any sympathy when he has come out with the recent revelations. I am also of the belief that we all have 'bad days at the office' from time to time, but the entire upper order on the same day?!
Credit where credit is due, NZ did very well in getting inside England's heads. Vettori had a fantastic game exhibiting shrewd captaincy and skill with both ball and bat, Fleming was truly on form, his batting close to sublime in their second innings and there were one or two other decent performances. I think we need to show NZ due respect and go out there all guns blazing because clearly they are no pushover!
I was delighted for Ryan Sidebottom when he got a hat-trick and I'm only sorry for him that we didn't go on to capitalise by either winning the game or (more likely and still acceptable) digging in for a draw. I am hoping for a gripping second test where the more senior players give a good account of themselves and the young'uns step forward to be counted - cue: Mr Broad?
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One person who seems to have avoided criticism in this column is Michael Vaughan. I am not suggesting that he is not an imaginative and talented captain, but surely he has a responsibility to motivate his team and make sure that they are performing, not simply trying. Vaughan took over from a captain who instilled a combatativeness in England which served them excellently in difficult sessions. Although I am sure everybody welcomed the slightly more affable Vaughan, perhaps we need a little Nasser style captaincy to wake England up again?
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Despite what can only be described as a test match debacle I tend to take a more moderate view than some. I believe there is much to be positive about: Bell - a gritty fighter with much potential, Sidebottom - consistent with line and length which when combined with swing is not just pressurizing and restricting batsman, it is getting wickets, Collingwood - as tough as ever and one of the best fielders we could hope for, Monty has a long way to go, but if handled correctly could be brilliant and Cook - technically very good, could become an excellent opener and seems to be fielding far better.
I do however agree with those who say Mr Harmison must depart in peace to love and serve thy family. It is unfair on his colleagues and on the nation's sports fans to accept a place in the team even if he is picked. With his head being far away from NZ he can only be a hindrance and as likeable as he is and as potent as his bowling once was it smacks of the faintly ridiculous to be a professional sportsman and expect any sympathy when he has come out with the recent revelations. I am also of the belief that we all have 'bad days at the office' from time to time, but the entire upper order on the same day?!
Credit where credit is due, NZ did very well in getting inside England's heads. Vettori had a fantastic game exhibiting shrewd captaincy and skill with both ball and bat, Fleming was truly on form, his batting close to sublime in their second innings and there were one or two other decent performances. I think we need to show NZ due respect and go out there all guns blazing because clearly they are no pushover!
I was delighted for Ryan Sidebottom when he got a hat-trick and I'm only sorry for him that we didn't go on to capitalise by either winning the game or (more likely and still acceptable) digging in for a draw. I am hoping for a gripping second test where the more senior players give a good account of themselves and the young'uns strp forward to be counted - cue: Mr Broad?
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So just how bad do things have to get before criticism is fair then? Do you honestly believe that newspapers should not have been condemning this performance?
Please don't defend the indefensible its insulting to everyone that watched this match. We all saw what happened, it was awful!!!!
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I feel you have been given a tough assignment Graeme in reporting to us via a blog at this recent time.
I must thank you on calling the coach Mr Moores, thats more like it.
I understand that you cannot overtly say that the squad is simply not good enough but I think deep down you know that and so does every other player in the squad.
I also understand that you have to stick up for the coach as if you make an indifferent comment it won't help in your chances of being selected.
Apart from a few players (which I won't mention as people will get sidetracked) the rest are simply not good enough and that is the fundamental problem.
Peter Moores is a good coach however he is not up to this task and I think he will be released of his duties if results like this continue in the summer. A lot of fans would love to see him leave now.
I wish you luck Graeme as you and the squad need a lot of it.
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I have to agree with Donnie on this one in relation to the england players not being good enough. They are also playing with fear and this combination is why england are playing badly.
Playing with fear and negative tension is totally unacceptable. If the coach can't help the players overcome this then he should be sacked.
I see Martin has made a few unpleasant comments about England, which are true. Will this fire the England players up or will it make them even more nervous? Probably the later.
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"They are a fair-weather type team in a way....Once they get a few wickets under their belt the chat comes out" Chris Martin
I think the new zealand bowler has hit the nail om the head.
Most england fans know that england are not that good.
What I don't like is all the sound bites that come from this team whether they win or lose. A bit more honesty would be welcome.
Put your money on new zealand guys.
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England never seem to find a balance do they in recent times in terms of performing in the field, batting and bowling.
England have not got the right mix in terms of personalities in the team.
I would much rather have a slightly technically deficient player in my team who is strong mentally and had lots of courage than a player who is slightly technically better but goes through the motions.
Harmison is one such player and must be sent home immediately.
Unfortunately a lot of the players in this squad are not good enough overall to win consistently at test level.
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Swanny,
Other than yourself obviously, who are the big pranksters on this tour now guys like Flintoff and Gough aren't around? From what you've been saying in your AOC column, it sounds like Sidebottom is a bit of a wag...?
Also, now England aren't doing QUITE as well as we'd like, are there still any cheeky comments in changing room like Pietersen said to Strauss after Warne just bowled him, "Don't think you should've left that one, Straussy!".
All the best for 2nd Test fella, hope you get a game.
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What did you guys say and do to Broady, Cooky and Jimmy after they participated in the Cosmopolitan photoshoot? Did the lads (including you) give them a hard time, do you still?
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would the carling acadamy in northampton actually be the roadmender????????
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the boys must be sad, holiday nearly over.....
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Cover up. Cover up.
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Hey people, good to see so many of you getting involved. If I may address a few points, though鈥
Many of you appear to be having a go at Graeme for 鈥榯owing the Moores party line鈥 or trying to 鈥榙efend the indefensible鈥, but I did the interview with Graeme and he spoke with remarkable, and frankly unusual, honesty about the first Test defeat. He readily admitted England weren鈥檛 good enough in Hamilton, that they deserved to lose the Test and that they did not play anywhere near their expected standards, while, in contrast, New Zealand were 鈥渂rilliant鈥.
What he is trying to explain is that certain members of the squad have been criticised for not giving their all or not being committed enough to the cause 鈥 criticism that is unjust and warrants a response. Whether you believe the England players are up to it or not is a matter of opinion, but to say that they lost the first Test through a lack of effort is, says Graeme, ignorant. I have to say I agree.
It might also be worth bearing in mind that Graeme was asked by us to give us his thoughts and opinions at a tough time for the squad. He has not volunteered himself as a spokesman 鈥 we approached him to do this blog and he is responding to our direct questions. At such times any responses given by a player will upset/frustrate or annoy some people, obviously, but you can鈥檛 accuse Graeme of not being forthright and honest. Remember, he鈥檚 allowed his opinion, just as you are allowed yours.
Of course, it will be interesting for us all to see how England respond to the Hamilton defeat when the second Test starts at 2130GMT tonight. If Graeme鈥檚 right, the hard work has been going on behind the scenes 鈥 now is the time for the players to make it count where it matters 鈥 out in the middle.
Please don鈥檛 stop your comments coming 鈥 it is brilliant to see so many well written replies to a blog even if we don鈥檛 agree with all of them! And don鈥檛 forget this is the place to keep your questions for Graeme鈥檚 next blog coming 鈥 the more irreverent and off-kilter the better!
Thanks,
Sam.
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What did you guys say and do to Broady, Cooky and Jimmy after they participated in the Cosmopolitan photoshoot? Did the lads (including you) give them a hard time, do you still?
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Hi Graeme,
I enjoyed your regular contributions on 5 live last season and look forward to a repeat next season. Do the players find nets are enough to retain match fitness. I recall that two of our great players Botham and Gower were not great believers in nets but preferred to bat in the middle. Angus Fraser was another England great who needed lots of action in the middle rather than nets to get match fit. Should England be insisting on more warm-up games before starting Test Series or in this case should non-members of the limited over squad have been rested?
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sam *81, sorry to hear your holiday is also quickly coming to an end......
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Wouldn't you agree that the Charlatans are a poor man's Stone Roses tribute act with Tim Burgess doing an embarrassing Ian Brown impression for the last 18 years? Or is it just me?
Also, have you thought about adding to your bands line up. Being a choir boy, surely Alastair Cook can hold a tune & could provide backing vocals. It could be an England team super group.
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I agree with what Mel said. This is the time, when we should be supporting the lads and encouraging them. Ofcourse whenever a team fails everyone's on their backs and criticizing them but whenever they win, everyone's like, "They are the best!" That's just plain wrong, innit?
Aren't we supposed to encourage the lads in times like this without yelling stuff at them like crazy? We are not happy. I agree, but do you think they like losing??? I don't think so.
And we can't actually blame Swanny for what he's saying. He's on the team what do you guys expect him to say? "Oh we are not a great team. We cannot bounce back" - that sorta thing? Would you guys say stuff like that if your team lose a game? Obviously, No. I know I wouldn't. I would defend my team just like Swanny is defending the England team. They do have talented players and the lads are playing against a brilliant team.
Today's match was brilliant to watch especially when Timmy and Colly were batting. Cooky, KP and Vaughan were good, not brilliant but good, so I don't think we can say that they are not trying their hardest to win the matches people.
I don't honestly care what people say Swanny, but honestly you guys have to prove them wrong. You really should.
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Swanny,
Did you manage to pack those nice new golf clubs into your suitcase your won on Paul Collingwood's golf day and have you played around or two ?
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Graeme,
Was interested to see on the highlights at the weekend amongst all the other fielding 'gaffes' your throw, which sailed over the wicket keepers head and went for 4 overthrows.
As an ex-club cricketer (low level!) this is something which really, really irritates me, and I'm not singling YOU out here, honestly. Why oh why do fielders insist on hurling the ball to the wicket keeper after every delivery? When the batsman is making no attempt to run, is there any GENUINE reason for doing this, or am I missing something? Is it a team/Coach directive?
It's an accident waiting to happen... if it was a close game and was lost by 4 runs wouldn't you have been both embarrassed and livid about it?
I recall that Aggers queried this practiose during the series in Sri Lanka, suggesting that Prior was exhausted as there was never any respite for him.
Just give the ball back to the bowler - PLEASE!!!!
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hey congrats on the win. i practically shouted across the hallway in school today, to my friend 'Hah! they won!' [my friend supported NZ you see!]
Do you think you could tell Collingwood that me and my friends saw the interview with him cook,Anderson and Broad and that Daniel Craig 'ain't got nothing on him.' that was my friends words, but i agree!=D
Tomorrow me and my friends are starting girls cricket, so any suggestions on playing or anything? we were playing on the basketball court last week and my friend who's a big Alastair Cook fan was shaping up to be an actually very good opening batsmen.
Oh yeah i wanted to ask you what's the one thing that no one knows about you and the other players?
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hi
Who are th eloudest, quietest and funniest members of the England squad?
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hi
who in the squad gets the most girls?
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Whats Michael Vaughan like as a captain? Is he one of the lads or does he keep his distance?
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