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closertofine

Listed below are comments made by closertofine between Friday, 11th July 2008 and Tuesday, 4th August 2009.

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Edgbaston ratings 1:24pm on 04 Aug 2009 Michael Clarke is a top class batsman but his wicket should not be any more prized than any other of the top 6 Aussie batsmen. England should go for broke at Headingley for they have to win one of the last 2 Tests to be sure of regaining the Ashes. Bring in Harmison (only if 100% fit) or Sidebottom and drop Broad for this Test. However the best laid plans will go astray unless Strauss is able to show more imagination and constant variation when things are not going right - he is a decent man, a good opener and a fair Captain, but not a good one. England need all to perform but also for Strauss to lead and direct options - the sad fact is that his limitations are painfully there for all to see including himself, and he has shown thereby that he lacks instincts that a Captain needs but he lacks. This will be a big problem for England as long as he is Captain when things start to drift, as they surely will from time to time, and the side needs the courage and occasional gamble by the skipper. Go for broke boys but settle for a draw if you have to. Of the current "performers" in the team, I think Collingwood would be a better Captain - he has shown ability before but more in the limited game. If not, maybe Rob Key who is a terrific skipper and would score runs under pressure if need be. I just feel that Strauss is skipper because the candidates seemed so ordinary to the Selectors, but to me, (and others?), so does Strauss.
Peerless Ponting steamrollers England's hopes 07:43am on 10 Jul 2009 The difference between the 2 teams can be summarised generally thus - Australia's batsmen seldom look like getting out, whereas England's batsmen are always looking like they soon will; Australia's bowlers look for, and look like, taking a wicket most balls, whereas England's sometimes do. Add to that the intensity, determination, skill and commitment of the Australian players and you have what we have now - Aussie domination which will continue all Summer, weather permitting - yet somehow we go on watching and living in hope. We will not be rewarded other than the occasional minor session victory but still we watch and hope. Pathetic isn't it?
Lions left to lick wounds after epic failure 11:16am on 28 Jun 2009 As I've said and thought for a long time, it is time now to cease these Lions tours - not just because of this Series defeat, and the fact that the Lions haven't won a Test match since Australia in June 2001, but because the concept has lost its lustre, purpose and credibility. It has become a booze-fuelled junket for rugby "enthusiasts" and an increasingly futile attempt to play full International teams and WIN, and a late attempt by the players to joing the "Greats" of bygone days, when Rugby was a very different game and the concept was very appealling. Now, with Sports saturation, true rugby followers would prefer to watch Internationals and I'm pretty damn sure the players would prefer to play those. Players say they can do nothing about the past but the real point is that by not winning they are creating no future and the Lions lustre dims and tarnishes. Even if the Lions continue and win a series, what does that mean? Actually, NOTHING - soon forgotten and replaced by the International scene. There are older supporters who live the past of the Lions through these tours and supporters many of whom do not really understand that culture. Best to move on - move with the times, and for those Lions supporters who REALLY care, leave them with memories of the past glories. There is no future for the Lions in today's world as a meaningful, competitive force, and if 8 years without a victory is not enough, any more will threaten to totally besmirch the Lions history.
Europe set up Ryder decider 09:21am on 21 Sep 2008 I'm very pleased to read you say that Faldo's major decisions have been vindicated so far. Yes, yes, yes. I cannot understand the constant bombardment of criticism that has mostly been heaped on Faldo both before and during this Ryder Cup. Let the man do what he thinks best as Captain and then, afterwards, when nerves and emotions have settled and clearer perspective can be applied, berate him if they must but if praise is due, give it with generosity. The job of Captain is so nearly a "no win" in that to start with you cannot please most people. Let him do the best he can and then, afterwards, evaluate and praise or criticise. On most given days any one of each team can beat one from the other, and then lose to him the next day - whether it is Mickelson v Wilson or, say, Holmes v Harrington. Match Play is SO different to stroke and medal - rarely played by the professionals nowadays, and it is, in each case, cometh the hour, cometh the man, or down the gurgler. Margins of win, half and lose come so often to one shot - viz Karlsson's brave but missed attemt to hole out on 18. Once the players are out in the battle, there is almost nothing the Captains an do. It must be gut-wrenchingly wretched for each of them. I think Faldo has handled himself and all other aspects with courage and the steely determination that comes with being a multiple Major winner (look at Harrington nowadays - twice the man he was) - judge him on the result, and the way it is achieved, win or lose - give the man a chance and then be vociferous in your comments if you must. We all want the European team to win so please, no more unnecessary interim shots at the Captain, Faldo, for he is trying his heart and body out to see the Team prevail. Support him and his men - judging anyone before all the evidence is in is unfair, inequitable and distractingly negative. Mike McInnes.
First day to the hosts 1:05pm on 11 Jul 2008 Jonathon - please can you, or one of the other correspondents to 606, please tell me why, or on what basis, Andrew Flintoff should be treated as an automatic certain selection for the Second Test? Flintoff has mostly flattered but to deceive. He is certainly no "one man show" as was Botham. His "record" this year is mostly both dismal and disappointing, and not for the first time. His attitude is questionable and he has personal (and personality?) problems. 45 minutes as a "guest participant" (he invited himself) at part of England's final training was, at best, a convenient publicity stunt. Since the 2005 Ashes victory, which was a "Flash in the Pan" which could have gone either way, England have demonstrably shown by their own poor efforts subsequently that it was just that. Flintoff, with injury and personal problems, has let himself, England and the masses of devoted England cricket fans down very badly. His batting performances this year for consideration for selection are not worth consideration. His bowling only slightly more meritorius but what has he done that justifies placing him ahead of one of the established players in this line-up who are unchanged for the 6th consecutive time? Absolutley nothing is the truthful answer other than he is "Freddie" Flintoff. Those whose places are deemed tenuous are playing their guts out for england and themselves. As I write this Ian Bell has just scored an excellent century, and there are three and a half days left in which any and/or all the team members can make large contributions. The clamour for the return of Flintioff has no merit at this time - at best it would be a massive gamble and at worst a stupid decision which might also harm the confidence of one or more of the present team. Flintoff simply has not shown he is ready for Test Cricket and his recent recornd is NO basis for recalling him. Whilst others battle for England and justify their selection, let Flintoff have time to show he is worthy to replace one of them on form and fitness, and not because he is "Freddie", who unlike Botham, is not worthy of inclusion because of who he is. Sincerely, Michael McInnes.

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