A few things I’ve had on my mind about the first two days play..
Chucking
I turned on Test Match Special this morning to hear Jonathon Agnew talking to Ramiz Raja at the lunch break. They were talking about the first day’s play and in particular Saeed Ajmal’s haul of 7 for 55. They were talking about the British newspapers (The Guardian, Telegraph, The Mail to name but three), and the fact that they’d reacted to his record haul by writing about his so called suspect action. This annoyed me. Firstly, that the British newspapers had decided to run with articles on this instead of focusing on England’s insipid batting display and secondly, that they felt the need to talk about it on TMS. Now correct me if I’m wrong but unless a bowler is throwing it like a baseball pitcher does anyone really give a fuck about chucking? I certainly don’t. I really don’t see what any player can gain even if his arm does flex slightly more than 15 degrees anyway. If it looks like he’s bowling it then that’s fine by me. The game’s already heaped in the batsman’s favour as it is – add to the fact that Ajmaal has been cleared to play by the ICC and I don’t really understand why his action has to be scrutinised in this way yet again. Lazy journalism, that’s what it is.
Trying
After two days it’s patently obvious that this series means a lot to Pakistan. The way they celebrated the wickets and the way their batsman have fought today is the way that it should be. It’s great to see. They’re a team predominantly made up of cricketers that have been around for a while but, to the non cricketing enthusiast, remain relatively unknown. Perhaps this is the key – they play with the humility of team still looking to make a name for themselves. Unlike India who – in their last two test series – have played with an arrogant regal air of a team of millionaire prima donnas when things haven’t gone their way. Good on you Pakistan. Watch and learn India.
Predicting
Prior to the start of the Pakistan England series I made three predictions on Twitter. They were as follows:
- England would lose a test in this series
- Saeed Ajmal would be the leading wicket taker
- It would be a good toss to lose as it’d do a bit in the morning.
So with England at 43 for 5 before lunch yesterday Saeed Ajmal having taken 3 for 1 I was feeling pretty smug with myself if a little disappointed at England’s poor performance. Shame I hadn’t put some money on it. My predictions weren’t without proof. Those who read my blog before the start of this series will testify this. This match/series is far from over yet though but the start to this test match has only highlighted how well contested it could be. Day 2 of a potential 15. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Spot fixing
Spot what?
George – whilst i agree about the lazy journalism, surely the benefits of chucking are obvious – it enable you to use the flexion to turn the ball the other way. You can bowl an offspinner with an absolutely straight arm – try bowling one the other way with a offspinner’s action and a straight arm – can’t be done unless you have some sort of anatomical advantage – Murali.
However I am with you in that I don’t give a damn!
This chucking saga got triggered by a spontaneous expression of frustration by Bob Willis on Sky. Didn’t expect the media to exploit it as a chucking controversy. Guess it was paid media getting eyeballs. I got blocked from a Facebook page of England fans for suggesting before the test that Pakistan may have the edge, thanks to their bowling.
It’s a good thing for cricket, this resurgence from Pakistan. The English press has sometimes baffled me, most of all their tirade against Jonathan Trott.
Good read, Tom.