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thosknapp

Listed below are comments made by thosknapp between Tuesday, 25th August 2009 and Tuesday, 6th October 2009.

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Trophy ends in blazer of glory 2:46pm on 06 Oct 2009 There was no way England were going to beat the Aussies after the ODIs in England. It's nothing to do with ability, just confidence. They did better than I thought they would do in SA, and fourth is a creditable performance. Those arguing that Australia would have won the Ashes if Lee had been fit are ignoring England's injuries. If Lee, Pietersen, and Flintoff had all been fit, we would have beaten them much more easily. Personally, I'm just happy England seem to have ditched Bopara at last. Please don't bring him back for the Tests!
Flintoff the TV star in waiting 01:55am on 29 Sep 2009 I sometimes think Fred needs a reality check. He's been a great cricketer for England for a number of years and, without injuries, would have had the figures to make him one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. But, he is injury prone and has never done anything to try and limit the possibility. The obvious thing would have been to stop bowling in 2006 and concentrate on being a great batsman; he could easily have done it and carried on playing Tests well into his 30s. To play in the IPL is dangerous for fit players, for those with a history of injury it is suicidal. But what are Fred's plans - the IPL and money! He'll never play for England again, and that's a great shame. A TV career? Quite frankly, I don't think he has the wit to be more than just another blokey pratt like Ian Wright or the brainless buffoons on Top Gear. One is too many! Still, thanks for the memories, Andrew, good luck in whatever you do, and stay off the booze and pies!
England discover ruthless streak 01:21am on 29 Sep 2009 This was a terrific performance and I was particularly pleased to see Colly get back into some form. He's a great accumulator and all one-day sides need someone like him. It enables the bashers to get on with it at the other end. Likewise, James Anderson coming good when it matters. His accuracy and speed are vital to England's chances. I don't think the issue of the runner is too important. Personally, I'd have agreed because there's nothing to lose by it, and it's good to have the opposition in your debt. But Strauss has never been the greatest strategic or tactical thinker. Contrary to some respondents, I am sure cramp should be counted an injury on trust. After all, it's just as easy to simulate a bad back or a turned ankle.
England one-day player ratings 00:25am on 21 Sep 2009 For once, I disagree with most of your ratings. Shah and Bopara 0, their batting, bowling and fielding were hopeless, and their effect on runouts negative. Onions and Broad didn't play enough to rate, but both should be there. Strauss 6, his sweep and reverse sweep are ridiculous and diminish his authority as captain. Also, he needs to address his body language when things aren't going well. Anderson and Collingwood are brilliant fielders and deserve 7 and 6. Supported by Anderson's bowling and Collingwood's bowling and ability to bat to the situation, even when out of form. Morgan 6, he's good in the field and has attitude and skill as a batsman. Swann 7, he can be a match winner!
Vaughan joins Test Match Special 01:29am on 20 Sep 2009 It will be good to have experience and intelligence back in the TMS box. Aggers is a jovial soul, but knows little of Test cricket and is not the brightest button in the box. The inanity of the commentary since he joined the team infuriates my wife so much that she won't come into the room when TMS is on! That's a shame because we used to enjoy listening together.

On a different, but related tack, have you considered a discussion on Strauss' captaincy? I don't want to attack him, but his body language when things go badly is awful. It depresses me, never mind his team! Perhaps some assertiveness training might be useful? That was Michael's great strength. When the chips were down he played better, and somehow managed to transmit this to enough of the others to make a difference.
Aussie captaincy enters transition phase 02:45am on 08 Sep 2009 Great captains make their cricketers play above themselves, good captains make the most of their best players. Neither of these things really applies to Ponting. The test will be when he takes over captaincy in the one-day series. England have been so eccentric in their selection that I don't really have an opinion of Clark. Perhaps he just got lucky? I guess England could be saving their best for Ponting's return. That would be a sensible strategy since losing the ODI series would almost ensure that he also lost the captaincy. Since Australia tend not to keep ex-captains in their teams, that would be a definite bonus for England when they come to Australia.
Damaged Special Relationship? 01:50am on 04 Sep 2009 Are we Brits a "cowardly, unprincipled amoral and duplicitous lot"?

Some are, some aren't - all or some of those things - just like anybody else. Re. the "special relationship", i know there isn't one and don't want one. I feel much closer to Europeans than to Americans. For example, visiting Italy or Spain, I'm much more at home than when visiting the USA, which is often a completely alien culture to me. I exclude New York, which is a country in its own right and a great and very hospitable place to be. Most of the Americans I know regard New York as a dump and alien to them! Quite frankly, after the credit crunch I would have thought Americans have much more important things to worry about than the compassionate release of an almost certainly innocent "terrorist", who is dying anyway.
Tuffers in step with TMS 00:35am on 04 Sep 2009 I'll be watching the ODIs, weather and timing permitting as an expat here in Brisbane. The TV coverage is pretty good with a panel of Stuart McGill, Damien Martyn, and Greg Matthews. Why is Bopara still being picked? He needs time off to think about where he is going. At the moment it's to the scrapheap and a friend needs to tell him that in no uncertain terms. What's this about an injury to Denly? Playing football as a warm-up is just stupid. There's too much of a risk of over-enthusiasm leading to falling, and/or over-stretching, with torn ligaments or muscles. Provided they do enough muscle-building exercise between matches, and keep control of their weight - already a problem with some of them, a brisk walk and appropriate stretching is all that is needed immediately before playing cricket.
Cricket misses the point again 1:33pm on 02 Sep 2009 Once the customers have turned up it is the duty of the cricketers to play if it is at all possible. If conditions are not suitable for a fast bowler, use a spinner. This was essentially a one-off Twenty/20 bit of fun. Nothing is at stake, not even the reputations of these very important people. Perhaps somebody should tell these cricketers that they are only important so long as people bother to turn up to watch them. Scheduling these matches at Old Trafford was stupid anyway. It has had new drainage installed and it rains a lot there in September. I don't really understand why the contracter didn't saturate the pitch to see if it worked; because it obviously doesn't. Who is he, the Chairman's cousin?
Ashes player ratings 02:20am on 25 Aug 2009 Fantastic ratings and comments, Ben, I agree with almost all of it. I would have put Broad up to 8, because he deserves a boost for getting it together when it was most difficult and mattered most. Similarly, I would have given Anderson 7, to take him ahead of Onions because he played in the most difficult conditions for either of them at the Oval. Fair enough, he didn't take wickets, but he fielded well and was very economical when the Aussies needed to score runs. Harmison shouldn't go to S Africa, even if he wants to. He's a fantastic cricketer and I like him immensely. But, he doesn't travel well and we should be bringing on younger fast bowlers. You forgot to score God, so I'll do it. Andy Flower 9, I'd give him 10 but nobody's perfect! He seems a great coach; gently put them right when they went horribly wrong at Headingley, and has retained his judgement and perspective now the series is won.

Finally, a word about the Aussies. They contributed fully to a great Ashes series. Not classical Test cricket, these are both teams in transition, but full of courage and excitement. I hope Punter manages to stay as captain. He deserves another chance for revenge next year. And, unlike some Aussie cricketers, he doesn't take himself too seriously.

BTW Congratulations on your blog. I eventually homed in on it as my favourite over the Ashes series. Many thanks.

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