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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 7, 2019 15:04:10 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 8, 2019 10:30:36 GMT
I am delighted to learn that former England International, Graeme Fowler, who had an excellent book entitled, Absolutely Foxed, published several years ago by Simon & Schuster, now has a sequel coming out in May.  Fowler is well-known for his positive views on mental health having experienced 'mind matters' for many years. Unlike Michael Yardy's 'Hard Yards' book which while courageous was also very dark, Fowler and his co-writer John Woodhouse, are able to throw humour and light on this difficult subject, and when Fowler's eccentricities are added (eg. he sleeps in a tent in his garden during the summer months - goodness knows what his wife must think!) his first book is a very palatable and excellent read. Fowler's second called Mind Over Batter focuses on mental strength and how this can ebb and flow for a cricketer and how one can best cope under duress. The book is more a self-help guide to helping cricketers deal with the growing stresses of the sport. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 8, 2019 15:30:31 GMT
Is this the face of tomorrow's cricket commentating? I very much hope not. Grab hold of that, "You can never never never never say
never" and return to playing, please... Alastair.
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Post by flashblade on Feb 8, 2019 17:50:29 GMT
Is this the face of tomorrow's cricket commentating? I very much hope not. Grab hold of that, "You can never never never never say never" and return to playing, please... Alastair. He's been sounding much more articulate than he was when he was playing. Maybe some BBC training - or perhaps he's more relaxed nowadays? |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 8, 2019 18:14:25 GMT
Fb,
Perhaps, I am being a little harsh, but Cook reminds me of Andrew Strauss, who lacked the media personality required to shine and
came over like a grubby window - dull and insipid. Strauss then found his niche working for the ECB.
For me, Cook is the same, already stating he won’t criticise his England mates which could make him sound bland and inconsequential
during commentary. If you are only going to say nice things, where's the balance? Having an ability to constructively criticise is a prerequisite
within the media today, if you wish to stand out amidst the cacophony of irrelevance.
I don’t feel Cook has this. He is too nice and comes across like the former chorister. It doesn't matter how much BBC training Cook gains for
he may reduce the 'umms' and 'aahs', but it's the critical commentary insights that count.
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Post by flashblade on Feb 8, 2019 19:30:43 GMT
Fb, Perhaps, I am being a little harsh, but Cook reminds me of Andrew Strauss, who lacked the media personality required to shine and came over like a grubby window - dull and insipid. Strauss then found his niche working for the ECB. For me, Cook is the same, already stating he won’t criticise his England mates which could make him sound bland and inconsequential during commentary. If you are only going to say nice things, where's the balance? Having an ability to constructively criticise is a prerequisite within the media today, if you wish to stand out amidst the cacophony of irrelevance. I don’t feel Cook has this. He is too nice and comes across like the former chorister. It doesn't matter how much BBC training Cook gains for he may reduce the 'umms' and 'aahs', but it's the critical commentary insights that count. He said he was still a little too close to his old team mates, but that he expected to feel more objective as time passes. I recall Graeme Swann taking time to become a combative pundit. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 9, 2019 12:15:19 GMT
Fb,
My gist of Cook's comment is that he won't criticise the present group of England players that he's mates with, but when a fresh batch
come along, he will. I find this understandable, but bizarre for a commentator. So what happens if Jimmy or Ben or Joe or Broady have
a mare of a match, for example. Then what? Will Sir Alastair simply say nothing and remain stone-faced? Therefore, what is the point of
him being a BBC cricket commentator.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 9, 2019 12:25:40 GMT
This is a really enlightening yet brief interview with England Batting Coach, Mark Ramprakash, that opens up a can of county
cricket worms.
One remembers in his last season for Surrey, Ramprakash had a mare of a season and some suggest he retired a year earlier
than expected. He blamed then the 'spicy' pitches for his poor form. Some said the Surrey batsman had a point, others speculated
it was simply an excuse for his lack of runs.
Does he have a ground to stand on? If so, in one fell swoop, Ramprakash is criticising not only the 18 county head groundsmen, but
the ECB for focussing too much on OD cricket. How can you expect a team to play Test cricket consistently to a high standard when
so much emphasis has been on the England 50 over and T20 format in recent years?
Ramprakash is under pressure after the recent terrible batting performance from the England players alongside his inability to find two
top class openers, but his comments may only add salt to the wound.
What do you think?
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 11, 2019 16:28:53 GMT
I am delighted for Tony Greig. It's about time he has been properly recognised at the Club since his death alongside the now infamous Dexter's shed (!) and the Spen Cama pavilion. One of our greatest all-rounders has never gained, in my view, the full recognition deserved. So, I applaud Rob Andrew for his decision. I am also pleased Tony saw the new redevelopments at Hove just six months before he tragically died. So young... so young... I look forward to sampling one of the 'grovel sandwiches' at the cafe.  |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 12, 2019 23:26:50 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 14, 2019 14:19:14 GMT
With just 39 days to go until the first friendly at Hove against Hampshire (March 25th) and
only 50 days until the first home Championship match v Leicestershire (April 5th), perhaps
the advert below might give you a flavour of the season ahead, whether you're seriously
considering a career as a member of a County ground staff or wish to make an impression
at your local cricket club.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 14, 2019 14:37:03 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 15, 2019 10:18:02 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 15, 2019 17:55:21 GMT
Only 38 days to go until the first friendly at Hove against Hampshire (March 25th) and only 49 days until the first home Championship match v Leicestershire (April 5th).  |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Feb 15, 2019 23:00:10 GMT
Well done Shazza.
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