Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

captaincolly wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:Dawson will lose his place to Woakes

Woody's USP is his pace, and without it England's attack would be very 'samey'

Report on Twitter that Woakes will likely miss the full series so that might be good news for Wood when TRJ comes into the equation.
Holding on commentary mentioned that Woody is bowling with pace but for some reason is not getting any movement.

The worrying thing for England is that the present attack looks ineffective but the lack of alternatives is reflected in the selection of Dawson. Pretty certain Wood will therefore be in the squad for the final 2 tests. In any case I'd like Durham to stick with the current four plus Arshad when the CC resumes. Bunny's figures for the 2nds are distinctly unimpressive so I fear we've seen the last of him. He'll free up a heavy wedge in wages to find a replacement or that quality spinner.

westoelad wrote:

captaincolly wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:Dawson will lose his place to Woakes

Woody's USP is his pace, and without it England's attack would be very 'samey'

Report on Twitter that Woakes will likely miss the full series so that might be good news for Wood when TRJ comes into the equation.
Holding on commentary mentioned that Woody is bowling with pace but for some reason is not getting any movement.

The worrying thing for England is that the present attack looks ineffective but the lack of alternatives is reflected in the selection of Dawson. Pretty certain Wood will therefore be in the squad for the final 2 tests. In any case I'd like Durham to stick with the current four plus Arshad when the CC resumes. Bunny's figures for the 2nds are distinctly unimpressive so I fear we've seen the last of him. He'll free up a heavy wedge in wages to find a replacement or that quality spinner.

I agree with you. Wood surely will come good. And Onions will have to go if he isn't showing signs of regaining his best form.

Harmy was on telly last night to talk about his book 'speed demons' in which he discusses his problems dealing with anxiety/depression during his England career.

he made the point that everytime he 'broke' playing for England, Durham would always put him back together, which for me begs the question why did he fleece us for 2 years when it became obvious that he was utterly spent as a cricketer, or why did he seem to do his best to completely destabilise the dressing room during the same period?

Durhamfootman wrote:Harmy was on telly last night to talk about his book 'speed demons' in which he discusses his problems dealing with anxiety/depression during his England career.

he made the point that everytime he 'broke' playing for England, Durham would always put him back together, which for me begs the question why did he fleece us for 2 years when it became obvious that he was utterly spent as a cricketer, or why did he seem to do his best to completely destabilise the dressing room during the same period?

Good point. Think at least part of the reason was because of his brother. Did he not supposedly throw a strop when Ben was let go?

Didn't always see eye to eye with Colly seemingly. 'professional differences' I think he described it as, which I assume means that Colly probably thought Harmy should train harder, and get fitter than he ever did

Durhamfootman wrote:Didn't always see eye to eye with Colly seemingly. 'professional differences' I think he described it as, which I assume means that Colly probably thought Harmy should train harder, and get fitter than he ever did

Yes and if I remember rightly Colly's first big decision as captain was to drop Harmison and - I think - Plunkett.
Last year when Sky did a Durham game Harmy was on commentary and Colly ( who was out injured ) joined him for a bit -Colly said he'd been in the gym and made some comment about Harmy not knowing where it was! It was all lighthearted 'banter' but suspect it was not far from the truth.

Durhamfootman wrote:Harmy was on telly last night to talk about his book 'speed demons' in which he discusses his problems dealing with anxiety/depression during his England career.

he made the point that everytime he 'broke' playing for England, Durham would always put him back together, which for me begs the question why did he fleece us for 2 years when it became obvious that he was utterly spent as a cricketer, or why did he seem to do his best to completely destabilise the dressing room during the same period?

I imagine that Harmi is asking those same questions of himself now. He admitted in that interview that he is now bored and has hinted more than once that he'd love to have some involvement with Durham. His media work now appears to have dried up so he clearly needs to find some useful involvement even if it's not salaried. Clearly any coaching involvement would be a disaster given his reluctance to improve or practise even in his playing pomp. I can see him sucking up to our chairman to get some work on the corporate side.

westoelad wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:Harmy was on telly last night to talk about his book 'speed demons' in which he discusses his problems dealing with anxiety/depression during his England career.

he made the point that everytime he 'broke' playing for England, Durham would always put him back together, which for me begs the question why did he fleece us for 2 years when it became obvious that he was utterly spent as a cricketer, or why did he seem to do his best to completely destabilise the dressing room during the same period?

I imagine that Harmi is asking those same questions of himself now. He admitted in that interview that he is now bored and has hinted more than once that he'd love to have some involvement with Durham. His media work now appears to have dried up so he clearly needs to find some useful involvement even if it's not salaried. Clearly any coaching involvement would be a disaster given his reluctance to improve or practise even in his playing pomp. I can see him sucking up to our chairman to get some work on the corporate side.

Yes, the idea of him coaching is enough to bring on the shivers! He's not the only ex-player who forgets his playing days but one priceless bit of commentary was when he was criticising bowlers for not bowling accurate lines and lengths! Said something about needing to bowl with discipline.

captaincolly wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:Harmy was on telly last night to talk about his book 'speed demons' in which he discusses his problems dealing with anxiety/depression during his England career.

he made the point that everytime he 'broke' playing for England, Durham would always put him back together, which for me begs the question why did he fleece us for 2 years when it became obvious that he was utterly spent as a cricketer, or why did he seem to do his best to completely destabilise the dressing room during the same period?

Good point. Think at least part of the reason was because of his brother. Did he not supposedly throw a strop when Ben was let go?

Yes went AWOL after the toss v Sri Lanka A when he found out that Ben was to be released. No coincidence that Ben then found employment with Kent where his best mate Key was capt.
Nastiest tale I heard about Harmi snr was that he gave a 17 year old Ben a real working over in the nets because he saw him as a challenge to jnrs 1st team place. Backfired of course because Ben stood up to it and showed the coaches what a strong character he had.

captaincolly wrote: but one priceless bit of commentary was when he was criticising bowlers for not bowling accurate lines and lengths! Said something about needing to bowl with discipline.

I always thought he did quite well as a pundit, from the little I saw of him

westoelad wrote: I can see him sucking up to our chairman to get some work on the corporate side.

club ambassador, presumably

"He's not the only ex-player who forgets his playing days but one priceless bit of commentary was when he was criticising bowlers for not bowling accurate lines and lengths! Said something about needing to bowl with discipline"
That's the equivalent of IDB dispensing slimming advice!

westoelad wrote:"He's not the only ex-player who forgets his playing days but one priceless bit of commentary was when he was criticising bowlers for not bowling accurate lines and lengths! Said something about needing to bowl with discipline"
That's the equivalent of IDB dispensing slimming advice!

Durhamfootman wrote:

captaincolly wrote: but one priceless bit of commentary was when he was criticising bowlers for not bowling accurate lines and lengths! Said something about needing to bowl with discipline.

I always thought he did quite well as a pundit, from the little I saw of him

westoelad wrote: I can see him sucking up to our chairman to get some work on the corporate side.

club ambassador, presumably

I think he's good when he's summarising but less so when commentating but agree that he is a pretty good pundit. Was he not hoping to be made captain of Durham at some point or am I confusing that with when he applied to be an England selector and was ignored.

In fairness to IDB, he always practiced his sprinting religiously


during the tea interval and on the way to cream cake table usually

captaincolly wrote: or am I confusing that with when he applied to be an England selector and was ignored.

I don't know anything about that

Durhamfootman wrote:In fairness to IDB, he always practiced his sprinting religiously


during the tea interval and on the way to cream cake table usually

Durhamfootman wrote:

captaincolly wrote: or am I confusing that with when he applied to be an England selector and was ignored.

I don't know anything about that

I can't remember the exact story but it was something along the lines of putting himself forward for a selectors role and expecting to be at least given an interview but FTECB either completely ignored the application or sent back a very short letter declining his offer.