Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillGive it a rest Pigeon
October 9th 2006 07:19
Twice in the lead up to this summer’s much anticipated Ashes series Glenn McGrath has provided his fearless predictions on the passage of the cricket to come. His previous forays into this field of sooth-saying ought to have taught him that a healthy splattering of egg on face is the most likely result rather than his desired outcome of series whitewashes that were not even achieved in the most hideous of Ashes thumpings in the 90’s.
There is nothing wrong with suggesting that you believe that the team playing to its full ability has the potential to win each of the games that is played. However, for McGrath to suggest that he thinks that the scoreline will be 5-0 is quite ridiculous and serves only increase the already frenzied media coverage of the series. Equally suggesting that England have a number of high quality batsmen in their team is one thing but to target them after a 9 month lay off seems a little out of tune with what one would consider good preparation after a long winter.
Confidence is one thing, overconfidence and arrogance is quite another. The Australians ought to have learn their lesson from the last series that not only were the on field activities a lot closer than expected but that the mental component of the fixtures was equally well contested.
Ricky Ponting has enough on his plate without his most successful speedster placing further pressure on the team with his outrageous and ill thought out comments. Glenn McGrath should concentrate instead on helping the younger players in the team. Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark are all new to the international arena and could do with plenty of mentoring from the man with over 500 test wickets. What they don’t need are wild expectations of success. England have already shown themselves adept at mind games, bad predictions and outrageous claims only help their search for ammunition.
David Hudson
There is nothing wrong with suggesting that you believe that the team playing to its full ability has the potential to win each of the games that is played. However, for McGrath to suggest that he thinks that the scoreline will be 5-0 is quite ridiculous and serves only increase the already frenzied media coverage of the series. Equally suggesting that England have a number of high quality batsmen in their team is one thing but to target them after a 9 month lay off seems a little out of tune with what one would consider good preparation after a long winter.
Confidence is one thing, overconfidence and arrogance is quite another. The Australians ought to have learn their lesson from the last series that not only were the on field activities a lot closer than expected but that the mental component of the fixtures was equally well contested.
Ricky Ponting has enough on his plate without his most successful speedster placing further pressure on the team with his outrageous and ill thought out comments. Glenn McGrath should concentrate instead on helping the younger players in the team. Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark are all new to the international arena and could do with plenty of mentoring from the man with over 500 test wickets. What they don’t need are wild expectations of success. England have already shown themselves adept at mind games, bad predictions and outrageous claims only help their search for ammunition.
David Hudson
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