Comments on: Promising English fast bowlers like Sajid Mahmood

By: sam

sam — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:17:44 +0000

the only good thing about sajid mahmood is that he has the same initials as simon jones

By: Bert

Bert — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:22:29 +0000

Fair enough. And you’re right – all English players who have been dropped carry that stigma with them, which is daft.

According to some, the current test schedule means that fast bowlers will always be injured for a good part of their career, so what you need to be a consistently successful team is a ready-made stock of replacements. A squad, in fact. This only works if those in the squad aren’t made to feel failures for not always being in the team.

By: King Cricket

King Cricket — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:44:15 +0000

The point we’re making would only apply to Broad if he gets dropped. It’s still relatively early days for him.

If Broad gets dropped and is then making a case for reselection when he’s 26 or 27, will everyone dismiss him out of hand as someone who was found wanting?

By: Bert

Bert — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:28:35 +0000

It’s a real conundrum and no mistake.

Mitchell Johnson had an extended run in the Australian side, during which time he has (it seems) developed into a very good bowler. He didn’t get this extended run because of genius and planning by Cricket Australia. He got his extended run because there was no bugger else. See what they’ve done to their spinners for proof of a lack of plans and genius at CA.

The English equivalent is not Saj Mahmood, it’s Stuart Broad. He is the recipient of what some would argue is a generously extended run. In his case, England seems to have a plan that they are prepared to stick to, and it seems to be paying some dividends.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:47:11 +0000

He’d have been given a sensible first name, for a start.