Right decision, wrong time
So, it’s official. Alastair Cook has been dropped.
If we’re honest, the ECB had no real choice. The Sri Lanka series had been dismal and change was desperately needed to succeed at the upcoming World Cup.
For England, a top order of Hales, Ali, Taylor, Root, Morgan and Buttler is genuinely exciting and doesn’t force us to be seen as no-hopers. We must not forget – England aren’t complete failures. Just over twelve months ago, we were runners-up in the Champions Trophy.
However, at the same time, one cannot help but feel sorry for Alistair Cook. He’s been put in an untenable and incredibly difficult position thanks to the ECB.
In my opinion, Alastair Cook is one of the greatest batsman that this country will ever produce. I hope (with full confidence) that he goes on to break the Graham Gooch record for most runs scored and gets a few more too. His technique has improved over the summer and I don’t think many people can begrudge him for his hard work and dedication. I also doubt that there were any people who couldn’t help but respect following that game at the Rose Bowl.
However, the ECB have used Alastair Cook as a propaganda tool – trying to portray this image of a “right family” new-era England rather than respecting him for the marvellous cricketer he is. If he had been selected on the basis that he is the best person for the job, a lot of this hysteria with KP would have reduced and the hatred towards the England cricket team would not be so fierce.
The ECB needed to accept that Cook was not ideal for one-day cricket and allow him to focus on tests. Instead, by dragging this out right until the very last minute, it has harmed the reputation of the ECB and regrettably Cook.
He’s been made to look like a failure when in fact he is anything but.
We’ve had to watch Cook struggle against the white-ball against India and Sri Lanka just so that the ECB can make a point about KP. Rather than just accepting that KP was a negative influence, they’ve tried to use Cook as a saviour when that’s totally unreasonable.
To those suggesting that this decision may lead to a return for KP, I feel that it’s unlikely. Too many bridges have been burnt and too many books have been written after all.
However, this whole saga just makes me really upset and angry. If this decision had of been made in July, this would have saved so much embarrassment for Cook and England would be better prepared going into the World Cup.
A sorry state of affairs – my experience of WI cricket
During the summer of 2012, I had the pleasure of going to Antigua with my school on a cricket trip and I’m not exaggerating when I say that it was the best two weeks of my life. It is impossible to not fall in love with the place. The beaches are terrific, the weather superb and it is a nation that adores its cricket.
They live and breathe cricket like it’s the only thing that matters. In the hotel, we were stopped to chat about England’s chances in the World T20, text-gate (I’m not bringing that up again, don’t worry) to why the waitress wasn’t a fan of RP Singh!
The best thing is they love the pure bits of cricket. They don’t care about the DRS or the Big Three takeover, the umpires were more interested in congratulating any bouncers.
However, as I sit here and watch another massive defeat at the hands of the South Africans, I can’t help but wonder where things went wrong. Why can a country with the history and passion of West Indies fail to produce an acceptable performance.
I, personally, don’t think it’s got anything to do with the rise of T20 cricket. Although the test match I watched in Antigua had a completely empty ground, this was more to do with extortionate ticket prices rather than a lack of interest. Our matches got more spectators than the test match due to the fact that the locals could watch cricket for free and even so, the test match was still being watched where it was free.
No, instead I think the main problem lies with the WICB and it’s invovlement in cricket at grass-roots level and the professional.
The talent was there. Their opening bowler came off a Bob-Willis-esque run up and proceeded to bowl bouncers at my head, stare at me for staying alive before retorting “Welcome to Antigua”. They had an opening batsman who was 15 but hooking every bouncer like it was a tennis ball – and he was wasn’t wearing a helmet.
However, they rarely won due to some suit-wearing dictator coach (not Andy Flower) who seemed like he wanted to physically abuse his players for every mistake. The opposition were afraid of playing.
It was later revealed that this coach was actually a Government official who liked cricket so made himself head coach of the Under 15’s team. I’m not making that up. The WICB let it happen.
So, in my opinion, if the WICB want to improve the future, they need to look at the past.
West Indies have one of the most impressive histories of any cricketing nation and with players such as Lara to Sir Viv to Sir Curtley, there’s a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw on.
However, Sir Viv Richards has recently been coaching Delhi Daredevils as part of the IPL, with his involvement in West Indies cricket limited.
Therein lies the problem and probably the solution
Always Stay True to Yourself
As some of you who follow my Twitter account may know – I’m not a massive fan of Michael Vaughan. As an avid England supporter, I’ve found his tone very downbeat and negative and especially during the Ashes, he was constantly berating the English players.
Plus, he’s friends with Piers Morgan, but that’s another story.
However, as we all know, recently, Michael Vaughan wrote an article about Ben Stokes, describing him as one of England’s future stars who has been let down by the England set-up. This is more than a valid argument to make and there are certainly premises which show that the England environment clearly isn’t the right set-up to allow talent to suceed.
But the main issue in the article lie with the conflict of interest. Michael Vaughan is a Business Development Manager at ISM – a sports agency who have players such as Joe Root on their books (who Vaughan has praised repeatedly). They also have Ben Stokes.
Now the issue lies (pardon the pun) with the fact that on Twitter, Michael Vaughan has claimed that he has never held this role. Proof below:
I hear you ask, surely you have proof that Vaughan is a Business Development Manager?
Well, I thought I did. A quick Google search of “Michael Vaughan Business Development Manager ISM” brings up 148,000 results. Most notably, there is one from the BBC, Michael Vaughan’s current employer, which I’ve provided here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/22524555. Ignoring the fact that this is an article praising Joe Root (!!!!) the quote of “Vaughan, business development manager for ISM” kind of gives it away that he has once held this role.
Michael Vaughan was also once employed by the ECB. If you ever hear him on the radio, you might hear him mention that he was once a captain. Therefore, I wonder why the ECB have published an article stating that Vaughan is a “new role as a business development manager”. Surely, two employees can’t get it wrong: http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/domestic/vaughan-joins-management-company,307883,EN.html
Or what about if ISM themselves got it wrong? This article here from Cricinfo has a quote from Andrew Chandler, Group CEO, of ISM, annoucing Vaughan into the role: http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/425951.html
Mind you, what if Michael Vaughan himself was wrong?
What?
That’s right. The final line on Michael Vaughan’s personal website describes himself as a business development manager!!!!! http://www.michaelvaughan.net/profile.html
So, I’ve got one message to Michael – Stay True to Yourself. Don’t be fooling the public with the nonsense over ISM. In fact, I’d like to refer to you to one comment you made in your autobiography. As we know, you’ve been very critical of Cook this year, some of it justifiable, but remember the words of Ray Illingworth. When he criticised you after you became captain and I quote directly:
“the only person who had seriously had a go at me was Ray Illingworth, a predecessor at England. He’s written that he thought I was not strong enough to be captain. I couldn’t believe it. From someone who had played for my county I would have expected support”.
Very wise words, Michael. Maybe you should listen to your advice on the following page:
“One thing I will never do is criticise younger players once I’ve finished playing”
Indeed. Indeed.
I’d like to thank my friends from the Pitch Inspection – @NickSharland and @EoinJPMorgan for their questioning of Michael Vaughan in preparation of this piece. Make sure to give @PitchInspection a follow where we will be writing articles, interviews and much more. Opening in time for the World Cup
voicefromstands 