posted Aug 9, 2007

sandcastlejim

Giles got the rare feat of 100 wickets and 1000 runs - so he cannot be that bad.

I suggest, you go back to buildings sandcastles, rather than 'kicking sand' in the face of a person who has served this country as good as anybody, this century, so far

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posted Aug 9, 2007

banbrotam, statistics don't really tell the whole story do they. The guy was not good enough, but i guess if you get picked enough you will get 100 wickets and 1000 runs - it really doesn't mean that much. At last now we have a spinner who can actually do the job properly in the England team.

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posted Aug 9, 2007

A sad day for English cricket and it means that the Ashes-winning side of 2005 will never play again. This is what has happened since then to that squad that will never be forgotten.

Trescothick - stress-related illness
Strauss - still there but not in good form
Vaughan - still there
Bell - form is patchy
Pietersen - OK
Flintoff - injured
G Jones - dropped
Giles - retired
Hoggard - injured
Harmison - injured
S Jones - injured.
Collingwood - becoming Mr Consistency
Tremlett - Test debut 2007
Pratt - Whatever happened to him?

Best of luck Gilo and here's to many more TMS appearances in your new media career

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posted Aug 9, 2007

I agree with this article,
ok he is never going to be considered one of england's finest spinners, but he did a job and he did it as well as his ability I thought, he gave everything he got for england and i really respect greatly for that, he will be missed for that. Leave comparisons with Panesar out of it. He made that crucial 50 in the 5th test 05, that will never be forgotten.

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posted Aug 9, 2007

thanks for all you've done AG..
some great wickets and a couple of useful runs to get the Ashes back!!


Many thanks

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posted Aug 9, 2007

Its very sad to hear that Gilo is retiring..he was one of Englands best players.
I liked him from when I got interested in Cricket in 2003 and its a shame that he has to retire.
I hope the critics who slated him off after Lords in 2005 are still eating Humble Pie because Giles showed what he can do and delivered and looked what happened...we won the Ashes and he showed the strength he had after his injuries and after his wife was poorly while he was in Asutralia.
I pay tribute to him and what he has done for England, Warwickshire and also what he brought to the Game.
Thanks Gilo...I hope you stay in Cricket!

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posted Aug 10, 2007

England were a better balanced team with Giles in it. What he contributed with the bat - and just as importantly allowed others to contribute by sticking around at vital times - was often the difference between winning and losing during the Ashes. Those who criticise him are just buffoons.

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posted Aug 10, 2007

My dad played cricket for 40 years and his last match was a charity match and AG was the last bowler he ever faced. It was a great memory to go out on and AG has given many people happy memories within a great sport. So these critics on this posting have given others better memories. Sitting in an armchair with a beer mocking others efforts never won the Ashes and doesn't give many happy memories to others. It seems from peoples negative comments we have alot of talented test cricketers who could do better if only they tried. AG thanks for trying and also thanks for giving my dad such a happy memory to retire from a game he loved.

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posted Aug 10, 2007

Firstly Giles hit the winning runs that meant that we won the ashes.Trent bridge 4th test, took us to 2-1 with the final test drawn, he can actually say he hit the winning runs. Secondly 1000 runs, 100wickets in 52 tests for a spin bowler is fantastic, considering his action was always restricted.He'll never be a Botham type legend but will always be remembered as a good player.
Most worryingly of all my Mrs fancies him something rotten and considering he lives about 800m away from me i worry . Seriously he is a really nice family man with a lovely family and he's just as down to earth as anyone you'll meet, he likes his beer, enjoys going out and is always very polite when i talk to him. He went through hell and back over his wifes serious illness and believe it was serious, and that coupled with an injury he cant shake i think although not taken lightly,his retirement has been dignified and without fuss. Bless ya Gilo you'll definately be missed on the field, but guess i'll watch more cricket on tv now because your on there and my mrs will let me

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posted Aug 10, 2007

I struggle to find the words to show my frustration when I still see people slating Ashley Giles on his retirement after he has performed as well as anyone in the England team over the last 4 years. In my mind Ashley Giles would still be in my England IX on the field if everyone was fit. That is not to say that Monty Panesar is not a better bowler, which he is, but that Gilo brought a little bit extra to the side than just his skill with the bat or ball. Like Will Greenwood in England’s World Cup winning Rugby team, Gilo was not the most talented player on the field but brought a sense of cohesion to an England side that was full of talented players who were made to feel like one unit.

In my view it was in the last two years of his carrier when Gilo finally became a recognised international bowler of any reputation. He’d been around the block on more than one occasion and had become a master of his trade within the England side. He new his role, which we all know is so important in international teams with so much talent around you. It was somewhere in my view between Sri Lanka and playing the West Indies at home in 2004 where Gilo’s bowling went to the next level. Other than becoming one of very few individuals who have passed the 100 wickets and 1000 runs in test matches, which in itself is a remarkable achievement, the averages do not look like that of a hugely talented international cricketer, but what they will unfortunately never show how important he was as a senior player within a very young and talented side.

In an age now where Kevin Pieterson, however talented he may be, gets recognition for the slightest move he makes, Gilo was the unsung hero who seemed to have a huge affect on most games towards the end of his carrier however many wicket or runs he may have taken.

I hope he stays in cricket as more than a commentator as I feel his knowledge and work ethic will be greatly needed in years to come.

Imagine if he had not had his injury and kept on bowling pace after winning Surreys’ Young Cricketer of the Year in 1991…!

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