Don't make Steve Harmison angry... you wouldn't like him when he's angry
Considering Steve Harmison's shambolic Ashes tour that culminated in his ODI retirement and a lacklustre performance in the 1st Test against the West Indies, I find myself bemused at Simon Barne's latest article likening him to a tormented Hulk:
Perhaps he feels guilty when he hits a batsman, beats him all ends up, takes his wicket. Perhaps he finds it hard to live with the part of himself that makes great men look like fools, that part of himself that creates dismay and disappointment, that fills his opponents with self-doubt and self-disgust.Guilt at hitting a batsmen? These days, he seems to have trouble hitting the pitch! Does he spare any of that gentle consideration for the English slips cordon where most of his deliveries seem to end up? There's no denying Harmison's potential and talent but he just seems to lack the ticker required for the intense examination of Test cricket. When England needed him most in one of the greatest Test series ever, he went seriously AWOL and England never recovered. You have to question a player who laments he'd rather be playing for Newcastle United.
Sometimes he seems to resent his power, like a tormented superhero in a Marvel comic. He has been given great powers – the power to hurry the greatest and terrify the rest, the power to force an error from any batsman who ever took guard, the power to blast out an entire team with the force of his nature.
Speaking of going AWOL, apologies for the lack of posts over the last week. I seem to be suffering from post-World Cup burn-out plus there just isn't much to comment on from an Australian point of view. Now the Zimbabwe tour is cancelled, Matt Hayden is off fishing, Brett Lee is recording Bollywood tunes and Glenn McGrath is probably out shooting wild pigs. So if you're despairing of a lack of activity on cricket-blog.com during the lull, I suggest subscribing by email in the right margin so at least you'll receive instant notification when I find something worth posting about. Note - I don't use emails for anything other than sending out new posts (eg - I don't sell them, post ads, any of that kind of junk).
| Posted by JC on Wed 23 May |  18 comments |
Harmisson managed to find one way to scare the batsman. From Cricinfo and the 2nd West Indies innings:
0.6 Harmison to Gayle, no run, finally Harmison finds the spot ... which happens to be bang on Gayle's box ... he goes down in slow motion, like a felled prizefighter in an action replay. England's players laugh and walk on by as Gayle lies prostrate
Out comes the physio. Now, what will he go. Please tell me he's not going to rub it better ... perhaps ice? Gnasher is also on the floor after watching the replays. Gayle finally gets up and Plunkett will bowl from the Pavilion End ... Gayle's injury has ensured that this should be the last over of the day.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-05-24 11:44:26
0.6 Harmison to Gayle, no run, finally Harmison finds the spot ... which happens to be bang on Gayle's box ... he goes down in slow motion, like a felled prizefighter in an action replay. England's players laugh and walk on by as Gayle lies prostrate
Out comes the physio. Now, what will he go. Please tell me he's not going to rub it better ... perhaps ice? Gnasher is also on the floor after watching the replays. Gayle finally gets up and Plunkett will bowl from the Pavilion End ... Gayle's injury has ensured that this should be the last over of the day.
Posted by Andrew on 2007-05-24 11:44:26
Simon Barnes is an idiot. Period.
Posted by jethro on 2007-05-25 14:45:48
Posted by jethro on 2007-05-25 14:45:48
second that!
Posted by Aashish Chandra on 2007-05-27 15:49:39
Posted by Aashish Chandra on 2007-05-27 15:49:39
Likeable fellow but doesn't seem to have much drive or ambition. England should drop him and make him earn his spot but I think they are worried he'll just accept it and give up.
www.sillypoints.com/blogs
Posted by NoSpinQuest on 2007-05-29 00:59:22
www.sillypoints.com/blogs
Posted by NoSpinQuest on 2007-05-29 00:59:22
Hi
Mio Destino is running a cricket competition and I was wondering if your readers might be interested in entering?
http://www.miodestino.co.uk/boutique/page.php/competition.html
Thanks
Sophie
Posted by Sophie on 2007-06-03 07:05:46
Mio Destino is running a cricket competition and I was wondering if your readers might be interested in entering?
http://www.miodestino.co.uk/boutique/page.php/competition.html
Thanks
Sophie
Posted by Sophie on 2007-06-03 07:05:46
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21833914-5001505,00.html
Posted by AA on 2007-06-04 13:26:58
Posted by AA on 2007-06-04 13:26:58
his downfall started aftr a hit on his confidence.Bt the team increased it by dropping him now and then etc.He ws a good bowler.Nw maybe littl too late.
CHck ths column out on bob woolmer.interesting.
http://thedailycolumns.wordpress.com
Posted by John on 2007-06-04 15:11:35
CHck ths column out on bob woolmer.interesting.
http://thedailycolumns.wordpress.com
Posted by John on 2007-06-04 15:11:35
I think the trouble with Harmison is simple, he's just not very good. He has the type of technique that is not easily repeatable which means he's capable of bowling 15 or so % of balls where they are supposed to go. That means that if he bowls a good over you may be waiting another couple of tests before you see another good over. It's not mental, it's not physical, it's ability. He's just not very good.
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-06-15 15:21:07
Posted by P. Dorf on 2007-06-15 15:21:07
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