I cast my mind back to last Tuesday morning. I'm sitting in the living room, having a bit of breakfast and watching a bit of the old Breakfast TV before I go to work. All of a sudden I feel a cold shudder throughout my body. The reason why? I hear the news that the Australian cricketer Phil Hughes is lying in a coma in a Sydney hospital bed, having been hit in the head by a bouncer during a State game between New South Wales and South Australia.
Hold on a moment, I tell myself, that's not meant to happen. I've watched cricket enough times in my life and witnessed several batsmen have the misfortune to be on the receiving end of a blow to the helmet from a bouncer. For sure some batsmen may have suffered some concussion or been extremely groggy for several minutes, but for the most part they have returned to the crease ready to resume battle with a bowler more or less immediately or in a game soon after.
Social media commentary particularly amongst the Cricket Fraternity, expresses shock and extreme concern for their cricketing colleague, you'd imagine because they've never experienced a friend or colleague lying in a critical condition in a hospital bed as result of their participation in cricket match. There are prayers and optimism however that with the best care Phil Hughes will pull through this.
It's Wednesday now. Hospital doctor indicates no change in Phil Hughes's condition and remains critical. In a bizarre way, something else concerns me more that day however. I view some of the pictures of various members of the Australian cricket squad visiting their stricken colleague and friend in hospital. The looks on their faces did not portray feelings of optimism. In fact each and everyone of them looked crestfallen. The Australian Cricketing Bravado that the cricketing world has come to love and often hate in equal measure had disappeared. These were simply human beings seriously concerned about the welfare of their friend. Cricket didn't matter at that moment.
Thursday morning and the news everyone has been dreading becomes a sad reality. Phil Hughes passed away with his family at his bedside. A young 25 year old batsmen with potentially the cricketing world at his feet, has his life cut short by a tragic accident after being hit in the neck by a bouncer which caused a rare injury called vertebral artery dissection. This simply wasn't meant to happen.
For an entire generation of professional and amateur players throughout the world and arguably the millions of fans across the world who watch cricket day in day out, the game as a whole will probably never be the same again. How can it? No one was ever meant to die playing the game they loved. They were cocooned in protective gear including helmet. Yet the invincibility of a cricketer has been destroyed in the space of a few seconds.
And what of Sean Abbot, the young bowler who bowled the fatal delivery. For any other human being, cricketer or otherwise we can take a step back and rationalise the incident as a tragic accident. Sean Abbot was doing his job representing his State. He decided to bowl a bouncer as a legitimate way of preventing Hughes potentially scoring runs or possibly even nicking a wicket with a miscued hook. He didn't set out to fatally floor his opponent. What happens when you're the person involved however? The death of a friend or colleague was not meant to happen as result of delivering a bouncer. How do you rationalise that? Amazingly and courageously Abbot has returned to training already. Let's hope he continues to get the support to overcome this awful situation.
One other person deserves a special mention, as he has been truly outstanding displaying kindness, humanity and outstanding leadership during the past week. Michael Clarke was clearly the best of friends with Phil Hughes, but he has gone above and beyond this past week. From keeping vigil at his friend's hospital bed, attending press conferences and reading statements, he has showed himself to be a truly kind and decent human being, and people's perception of him have probably changed forever this past week. I've never related to Michael Clarke, certainly on a human level, as a cricketing fan, yet on Friday I found myself wanting to hug him. His statement about his friend and brother was truly heartbreaking to listen to and it must of taken a lot of courage to sit there and read it.
So what about the future? Right now it really doesn't matter. Family, friends and colleagues are saying goodbye to Phil Hughes today at his funeral in Macksville. How they feel about cricket after that would be anyone's guess.
With a sad heart we say today RIP Philip Hughes.
For likes of Sean Abbot, the Australian Cricket team, and the Cricketing World in general, may we all start to live at peace with the events of this week.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
What We Have Learnt About the World Cup 2014 - So Far!
Well all 32 nations have now tread the footballing boards in this 2014 World Cup, and what have we learnt. Quite a bit actually.
1) If this was the singing the National Anthem World Cup Brazil would have it in the bag already. Exhibit A this evening. If you weren't stirred by that, frankly you need your pulse checking.
2) This will not be known as the "Park the Bus" World Cup, except possibly in the case of Iran. Yes goals have generally been the currency of this World Cup and long may it continue. Iran clearly have the intention of preventing the opposition from scoring and they were very successful against Nigeria fair play, but if they wish to progress in the World Cup, they may need to make the foray into the opposition's goal area.
3) There are no mugs at this World Cup. To lose 7-0 in a match like in bygone eras simply does not happen. Although Spain and Portugal have come close. Oops!
4) Phil Neville should be employed by the United Nations to promote peace and calm to all regions of the world, not be a football pundit with a passionless monotone voice.
5) When you start picking players on reputation rather than current performance you often find yourself in trouble. Take Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalkeeper, who had what can only be described as a nightmare performance against the Netherlands and for the first time in his career probably resembled an old man rather than a man barely out of nappies. He has barely played on a regular and consistent basis for Real Madrid this year, yet is ahead of the likes of the fabulously consistent David De Gea in the pecking order. Casillas' performance against the Netherlands gave the impression of a man treading water not footballing boards. Does Del Bosque risk him for the next match? An interesting dilemma.
6) Referees quite like the idea of becoming temporary graffiti artists with their spray cans to mark out 10 yards with free kicks. It is a useful tool though and gives you some idea of how many players are actually6 yards from the ball when a free kick is taken.
7) It pays to be match savvy. Oddly enough Italy didn't do much at all during their first match against England, except for scoring 2 goals. What Italy did do far better than England that match however was play an intelligent not going hell for leather minute after minute brand of football in the Amazon heat. Having played at the same constant tempo for 70 odd minutes England players were left lying on the ground cramping. Meanwhile, 35 year old Andrea Pirlo, looked he could probably another 90 minutes.
8) Goal line technology! It's a shame FIFA couldn't be obsessed with it 4 years ago.
9) The smallest detail could affect the result of a match in this World Cup. David Silva has a chance to put Spain 2 -0 against the Netherlands and misses. A few minutes later Robin Van Persie scores a wonderful header and changes the course of the match completely.
10) I have no idea who the hell is going to win the World Cup. Answers on a postcard please. I tell you one thing, I hope to have a lot of fun finding out. Long may the start to this World Cup continue.
1) If this was the singing the National Anthem World Cup Brazil would have it in the bag already. Exhibit A this evening. If you weren't stirred by that, frankly you need your pulse checking.
2) This will not be known as the "Park the Bus" World Cup, except possibly in the case of Iran. Yes goals have generally been the currency of this World Cup and long may it continue. Iran clearly have the intention of preventing the opposition from scoring and they were very successful against Nigeria fair play, but if they wish to progress in the World Cup, they may need to make the foray into the opposition's goal area.
3) There are no mugs at this World Cup. To lose 7-0 in a match like in bygone eras simply does not happen. Although Spain and Portugal have come close. Oops!
4) Phil Neville should be employed by the United Nations to promote peace and calm to all regions of the world, not be a football pundit with a passionless monotone voice.
5) When you start picking players on reputation rather than current performance you often find yourself in trouble. Take Iker Casillas, the Spanish goalkeeper, who had what can only be described as a nightmare performance against the Netherlands and for the first time in his career probably resembled an old man rather than a man barely out of nappies. He has barely played on a regular and consistent basis for Real Madrid this year, yet is ahead of the likes of the fabulously consistent David De Gea in the pecking order. Casillas' performance against the Netherlands gave the impression of a man treading water not footballing boards. Does Del Bosque risk him for the next match? An interesting dilemma.
6) Referees quite like the idea of becoming temporary graffiti artists with their spray cans to mark out 10 yards with free kicks. It is a useful tool though and gives you some idea of how many players are actually6 yards from the ball when a free kick is taken.
7) It pays to be match savvy. Oddly enough Italy didn't do much at all during their first match against England, except for scoring 2 goals. What Italy did do far better than England that match however was play an intelligent not going hell for leather minute after minute brand of football in the Amazon heat. Having played at the same constant tempo for 70 odd minutes England players were left lying on the ground cramping. Meanwhile, 35 year old Andrea Pirlo, looked he could probably another 90 minutes.
8) Goal line technology! It's a shame FIFA couldn't be obsessed with it 4 years ago.
9) The smallest detail could affect the result of a match in this World Cup. David Silva has a chance to put Spain 2 -0 against the Netherlands and misses. A few minutes later Robin Van Persie scores a wonderful header and changes the course of the match completely.
10) I have no idea who the hell is going to win the World Cup. Answers on a postcard please. I tell you one thing, I hope to have a lot of fun finding out. Long may the start to this World Cup continue.
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
Mankading! - It's sum's it up really.
The Blogathonrunner went home from her day job yesterday and appeared to return home to a controversy of gargantuan proportions when she started watching the One Day Cricket International between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
For those who prefer to exist outside the cricketing bubble and have missed all the furore over the past 24 hours, basically, Jos Butler of England was run out by Sri Lankan bowler Sachithra Senanayake, as he was meandering out of his crease backing up as Senanayake was about bowl.
Now for some reason which I can't quite fathom Sri Lanka have been cast as the pantomime villains in this incident because they have sought to gain an advantage by unconventional means admittedly and that of course breaches every sportsmanlike code of conduct and English man and his dog expect.
So what is the Blogathonrunner's opinion on this saga. Well I'm frankly not going to lose sleep over the entire subject, but I would like make a few points:
1) Apparently under the current laws of the game of Cricket, Senanayake was absolutely entitled to do some Mankading to Jos Butler yesterday. If it's perfectly legal, what the hell is the fuss about?
2) Jos Butler, was politely warned by Senanayake of the fact if he was meandering down the crease without due care and attention he would be at risk of the old Mankading if he wasn't careful. He chose not to heed such a warning, and eventually paid the consequences by not keeping at least part of his bat in the crease. He has only himself to blame.
3) If Jos Butler is a few yards out of his crease meandering or otherwise, he has gained an advantage unintentionally or not. Say for example, if he goes for a quick single, those few yards could mean the difference between him keeping his wicket or being run out at the other end.
4) Why on earth did the umpires need to check with the Sri Lankan captain, that he was supporting his player's appeal? If the letter of the law says he's out, Sri Lanka make an appeal, he's out!
5) Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to employ the term "Mankading" to describe such an incident in cricket? I appreciate it derives from a gentleman by the name of Vinoo Mankad, an Indian cricketer who effectively invented this type of run out dismissal, but it just sounds bizarre. Please people of this world, Butler was RUN OUT!
On a more serious note though, England seem to be framing this incident around the Sri Lankan team's sportsmanship or lack of in their opinion and the fact if they were in a similar situation they would feel uncomfortable taking the same action. Maybe, just maybe, it is the English cultural mind set that needs to change. Taking advantage of the rules laid down by a governing body is not an offence in 21st century sport. It's called that ugly word "Ruthlessness" and quite often teams, individuals find themselves on the winning side.
For those who prefer to exist outside the cricketing bubble and have missed all the furore over the past 24 hours, basically, Jos Butler of England was run out by Sri Lankan bowler Sachithra Senanayake, as he was meandering out of his crease backing up as Senanayake was about bowl.
Now for some reason which I can't quite fathom Sri Lanka have been cast as the pantomime villains in this incident because they have sought to gain an advantage by unconventional means admittedly and that of course breaches every sportsmanlike code of conduct and English man and his dog expect.
So what is the Blogathonrunner's opinion on this saga. Well I'm frankly not going to lose sleep over the entire subject, but I would like make a few points:
1) Apparently under the current laws of the game of Cricket, Senanayake was absolutely entitled to do some Mankading to Jos Butler yesterday. If it's perfectly legal, what the hell is the fuss about?
2) Jos Butler, was politely warned by Senanayake of the fact if he was meandering down the crease without due care and attention he would be at risk of the old Mankading if he wasn't careful. He chose not to heed such a warning, and eventually paid the consequences by not keeping at least part of his bat in the crease. He has only himself to blame.
3) If Jos Butler is a few yards out of his crease meandering or otherwise, he has gained an advantage unintentionally or not. Say for example, if he goes for a quick single, those few yards could mean the difference between him keeping his wicket or being run out at the other end.
4) Why on earth did the umpires need to check with the Sri Lankan captain, that he was supporting his player's appeal? If the letter of the law says he's out, Sri Lanka make an appeal, he's out!
5) Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to employ the term "Mankading" to describe such an incident in cricket? I appreciate it derives from a gentleman by the name of Vinoo Mankad, an Indian cricketer who effectively invented this type of run out dismissal, but it just sounds bizarre. Please people of this world, Butler was RUN OUT!
On a more serious note though, England seem to be framing this incident around the Sri Lankan team's sportsmanship or lack of in their opinion and the fact if they were in a similar situation they would feel uncomfortable taking the same action. Maybe, just maybe, it is the English cultural mind set that needs to change. Taking advantage of the rules laid down by a governing body is not an offence in 21st century sport. It's called that ugly word "Ruthlessness" and quite often teams, individuals find themselves on the winning side.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
The Blogathonrunner's Commandments for the 2014/2015 Premier League Football Season
It's nearly the end of the domestic football season blog readers and quite frankly I can't remember a more joyous and bonkers season than the one that is just about to conclude. I do have some recommendations for the Premier League powers that be however, for the up and coming season that will probably be with us quicker than Mark Schwartzer took to take a goal kick in the Champions League last night.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think any of these recommendations will be followed. In fact it's just a pipe dream of the Blogathonrunner. Having said that the Blogathonrunner's dream of Liverpool winning the Premier League one day seemed like a pipe dream the beginning season, and by some bizarre twist of fate, look where they are now!
Anyway, here are the Blogathonrunner's Commandments for the 2014/15 season:
1) A club shall not sack more than one manager in a season. Three managers in a season. Well that's just careless!
2) A club shall not sack a manager just four or five games from the end of the season, and be under some grand illusion that this will rectify their season.
3) As part of their punishment for making sarcastic comments about refereeing decisions, Premier Managers should be forced to referee a Sunday League match. They may then realise just exactly the crap that referees have to deal with.
4) At the same time, if it is abundantly obvious that a referee has had an "error of judgement" during a match, he and maybe she one day shall be required to give a full televised apology to the billions of viewers around the world.
5) Managers shall not learn of their demise in the media.
6) Clubs shall inform the managers of their sackings before leaking it to the media.
7) Club chairmen shall sign a declaration that they will not attempt to give their clubs ludicrous commercialised names.
8) Managers shall refrain from headbutting players in the opposing team as it is not clever and let's face it, if a football fan partook in such behaviour they would quite possibly find themselves facing a judge and jury of an entirely different kind.
9) All Premier League players shall look like they have the passion and energy to represent their football club during every match, even if their club looks like they are sailing down a creek without a paddle.
10) All Premier League clubs shall watch educational videos about the concept of time and reality. Even in the corporate world bosses have more than a year usually to restore the fortunes of a flagging business. It doesn't happen overnight!
My final Commandment!
All teams shall entertain us royally with some exciting football.
Not much to ask really.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think any of these recommendations will be followed. In fact it's just a pipe dream of the Blogathonrunner. Having said that the Blogathonrunner's dream of Liverpool winning the Premier League one day seemed like a pipe dream the beginning season, and by some bizarre twist of fate, look where they are now!
Anyway, here are the Blogathonrunner's Commandments for the 2014/15 season:
1) A club shall not sack more than one manager in a season. Three managers in a season. Well that's just careless!
2) A club shall not sack a manager just four or five games from the end of the season, and be under some grand illusion that this will rectify their season.
3) As part of their punishment for making sarcastic comments about refereeing decisions, Premier Managers should be forced to referee a Sunday League match. They may then realise just exactly the crap that referees have to deal with.
4) At the same time, if it is abundantly obvious that a referee has had an "error of judgement" during a match, he and maybe she one day shall be required to give a full televised apology to the billions of viewers around the world.
5) Managers shall not learn of their demise in the media.
6) Clubs shall inform the managers of their sackings before leaking it to the media.
7) Club chairmen shall sign a declaration that they will not attempt to give their clubs ludicrous commercialised names.
8) Managers shall refrain from headbutting players in the opposing team as it is not clever and let's face it, if a football fan partook in such behaviour they would quite possibly find themselves facing a judge and jury of an entirely different kind.
9) All Premier League players shall look like they have the passion and energy to represent their football club during every match, even if their club looks like they are sailing down a creek without a paddle.
10) All Premier League clubs shall watch educational videos about the concept of time and reality. Even in the corporate world bosses have more than a year usually to restore the fortunes of a flagging business. It doesn't happen overnight!
My final Commandment!
All teams shall entertain us royally with some exciting football.
Not much to ask really.
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