Kevin Kilbane. Mick McCarthy. Tony Cascarino. Andy Townsend. All players who have represented the great nation of Ireland, despite not really being from the Emerald Isle. And we can add to that list Hamish Marshall, who has been named in Ireland's squad to tour India later this year. The same Hamish Marshall who has played 79 times for New Zealand.
I suppose it's a bit harsh for anyone to have a go at Ireland for using other nation's players. It must be difficult to compete on a world stage when truly world class players produced by Ireland are pinched by big brother England. So I'm not having a go at Ireland for attempting to utilise the best players at their disposal. Even if those players are from New Zealand.
Marshall represented the Blackcaps at the 2007 World Cup, and another player named in Ireland's touring squad who played in the Caribbean three and a half years ago is Ed Joyce. Joyce's situation is an odd one - abandoning his country of birth to chase international honours with England, but once he was dropped and had no chance of ever playing again, he wants to come back. The phrase "having your cake and eating it" springs to mind. But the whole situation should never have happened.
Joyce should never have played for England originally, just as Morgan should never have played for England. While I am eternally greatful that Moggy does produce world-class performances in an England shirt, he should be trying to help Ireland break into cricket's elite, rather than trying to win the Ashes. I am not having a go at Morgan for trying to play test cricket and win further honours, and I'm not knocking Joyce's choice to try and do the same. What I'm not in favour of is players being able to switch allegiances midway through their international careers.
The Pietersens, Trotts, and Kieswetters of this world are something very different to players who play a few times for one country, before jumping ship when the grass appears greener elsewhere. I am sympathetic to Joyce and Morgan, knowing that test cricket with Ireland is unlikely, and I'm sympathetic to Marshall, who's international career was effectively ended with an ICL contract. But they shouldn't be able to play for two nations, as they have done.
If Ireland (and countries in similiar situations) are to ever grow and progress, they need the 100% support of their best players. There are rumours that Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling and others are waiting for an England call-up before they renounce their Irish nationality, and in my opinion, that is not on. The ICC should be much more stringent on players flip-flopping on their international careers, otherwise the already weak nations will be weakened ever further.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Stick Cricket
Probably the highlight of both mine and Craig Kieswetter's careers. Sadly, after 30 runs off the first 5 Shaun Tait balls, Kieswetter holed out, and Michael Lumb fell apart needing 11 off Mitchell Johnson's final over, and I lost.
Monday, 18 October 2010
THHOF - Adam Gilchrist
Name: Adam Gilchrist
Nicknames: Gilly, Churchy, G Man, Eric Gilchurch
Born: November 14, 1971, Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia
Teams: Australia, Deccan Chargers, ICC World XI, Middlesex, New South Wales, Western Australia
Adam Gilchrist is my second inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame because he is a man who redefined the role of a wicket-keeper batsman. Every keeper now operating in world cricket is judged by Gilly's yardstick, which is testament to his abilities, and difference he made to world cricket. As well as being one of cricket's all-time greats, he's also an all-time great bloke, which I found first hand when working for Middlesex last summer. Gilly's professionalism and obvious class was mixed with his friendliness and willing to chat with anyone. I can honestly say he's the best cricketer to ever remember my name or smack me heartily on the back (no offence OB!). A signed picture of Gilly with me hangs in a prized position on my wall, and in some sort of way of repayment, he's coming in to the TH Hall of Fame.
A promising wicket-keeper, Gilchrist made his first class debut in 1992 (incidentally the year I was born... in case you were interested) for New South Wales, after spending time on a scholarship to Richmond Cricket Club in Middlesex. Playing solely as a batsman, Gilly was part of the NSW team that won the Sheffield Shield that season, but due to a lack of opportunities, he moved on to Western Australia for the start of the 1994 season. After leading the way in dismissals of opposing batsmen for Western Australia, Gilchrist's brutal 189* in the 1996 Sheffield Shield Final brought him to national prominence.
Gilly got his chance for Australia later that year, after regular keeper Ian Healy picked up an injury. Put into the ODI side for a tour of India, Gilchrist retained his place in the side after Healy's return - playing as a specialist batsman. After eventually displacing Healy as wicket-keeper, Gilchrist was promoted to open with Mark Waugh, and scored his first international century in his second game as opener, against South Africa at the SCG.
A large part of the ODI side coming into the 1999 World Cup, Gilchrist struggled slightly, but was part of the victorious Australian side. Gilchrist's overall form, and the decline of Ian Healy meant Gilchrist was given his chance as a test player later that year at home to Pakistan, and scored his maiden test hundred in only his second game. In Gilchrist's first 16 tests, Australia won all 16; a world record.
Gilchrist retained his position, and began making his mark on world cricket. The Ashes were won in 2001 and 2002/3, as well as a World Cup in 2003. Gilchrist broke Ian Botham's record for the fastest test double hundred (off 212 balls) against South Africa, and at one stage had a test average of over 60. While Gilchrist struggled as Australia lost the Ashes in 2005, he was in full flow as they were regained down under the following winter. Another World Cup victory in 2007 (Gilchrist won every World Cup he played in), and made an astonishing 149 off 104 balls as Australia beat Sri Lanka in the final.
On 26 January 2008 during the Fourth and final Test of the 2007-08 series against India, Gilchrist announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the season. A back injury kept Ricky Ponting off the field for sections of the Indian's second innings, resulting in Gilchrist captaining the team for the part of final two days of his Test cricket career. India batted out the match for a draw, so Gilchrist’s 14 in the first innings was his final Test innings, however he did take his 379th and final catch when Virender Sehwag was caught behind. Not a bad way to bow out of test cricket. After a series of farewells in the following ODI matches, Gilchrist played his last for Australia.
Following his international career, many assumed Gilchrist's cricket career was over. However, signed by IPL side Deccan Chargers (who invited Gilly to captain them), Gilchrist was named Player of the Tournament as he led Deccan to victory in IPL 2, in 2009. Following this, he was signed by Middlesex for the FPt20 this year; appointed as captain, and scored a brutal hundred against Kent (as well as captaining his new side against the touring Australian team).
A true legend of cricket, and a top-class bloke, Gilly is respected all around the globe. Reknowned as a "walker", Gilly would often walk even if not given out - something some of his teammates could have learnt from. In 2010, Gilchrist was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to cricket and the community. But surely the highlight of his career is today - as he is inducted into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame! Welcome in Gilly!
Videos:
A Very Youthful Gilly at Richmond CC back in 1989!
Gilly's Retirement Feature for Aussie TV
Fans of the Short Midwicket are shocked as Will's not-so-secret identity is revealed. Also pictured Hall of Famer Adam Gilchrist.
Nicknames: Gilly, Churchy, G Man, Eric Gilchurch
Born: November 14, 1971, Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia
Teams: Australia, Deccan Chargers, ICC World XI, Middlesex, New South Wales, Western Australia
Adam Gilchrist is my second inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame because he is a man who redefined the role of a wicket-keeper batsman. Every keeper now operating in world cricket is judged by Gilly's yardstick, which is testament to his abilities, and difference he made to world cricket. As well as being one of cricket's all-time greats, he's also an all-time great bloke, which I found first hand when working for Middlesex last summer. Gilly's professionalism and obvious class was mixed with his friendliness and willing to chat with anyone. I can honestly say he's the best cricketer to ever remember my name or smack me heartily on the back (no offence OB!). A signed picture of Gilly with me hangs in a prized position on my wall, and in some sort of way of repayment, he's coming in to the TH Hall of Fame.
A promising wicket-keeper, Gilchrist made his first class debut in 1992 (incidentally the year I was born... in case you were interested) for New South Wales, after spending time on a scholarship to Richmond Cricket Club in Middlesex. Playing solely as a batsman, Gilly was part of the NSW team that won the Sheffield Shield that season, but due to a lack of opportunities, he moved on to Western Australia for the start of the 1994 season. After leading the way in dismissals of opposing batsmen for Western Australia, Gilchrist's brutal 189* in the 1996 Sheffield Shield Final brought him to national prominence.
Gilly got his chance for Australia later that year, after regular keeper Ian Healy picked up an injury. Put into the ODI side for a tour of India, Gilchrist retained his place in the side after Healy's return - playing as a specialist batsman. After eventually displacing Healy as wicket-keeper, Gilchrist was promoted to open with Mark Waugh, and scored his first international century in his second game as opener, against South Africa at the SCG.
A large part of the ODI side coming into the 1999 World Cup, Gilchrist struggled slightly, but was part of the victorious Australian side. Gilchrist's overall form, and the decline of Ian Healy meant Gilchrist was given his chance as a test player later that year at home to Pakistan, and scored his maiden test hundred in only his second game. In Gilchrist's first 16 tests, Australia won all 16; a world record.
Gilchrist retained his position, and began making his mark on world cricket. The Ashes were won in 2001 and 2002/3, as well as a World Cup in 2003. Gilchrist broke Ian Botham's record for the fastest test double hundred (off 212 balls) against South Africa, and at one stage had a test average of over 60. While Gilchrist struggled as Australia lost the Ashes in 2005, he was in full flow as they were regained down under the following winter. Another World Cup victory in 2007 (Gilchrist won every World Cup he played in), and made an astonishing 149 off 104 balls as Australia beat Sri Lanka in the final.
On 26 January 2008 during the Fourth and final Test of the 2007-08 series against India, Gilchrist announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the season. A back injury kept Ricky Ponting off the field for sections of the Indian's second innings, resulting in Gilchrist captaining the team for the part of final two days of his Test cricket career. India batted out the match for a draw, so Gilchrist’s 14 in the first innings was his final Test innings, however he did take his 379th and final catch when Virender Sehwag was caught behind. Not a bad way to bow out of test cricket. After a series of farewells in the following ODI matches, Gilchrist played his last for Australia.
Following his international career, many assumed Gilchrist's cricket career was over. However, signed by IPL side Deccan Chargers (who invited Gilly to captain them), Gilchrist was named Player of the Tournament as he led Deccan to victory in IPL 2, in 2009. Following this, he was signed by Middlesex for the FPt20 this year; appointed as captain, and scored a brutal hundred against Kent (as well as captaining his new side against the touring Australian team).
A true legend of cricket, and a top-class bloke, Gilly is respected all around the globe. Reknowned as a "walker", Gilly would often walk even if not given out - something some of his teammates could have learnt from. In 2010, Gilchrist was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to cricket and the community. But surely the highlight of his career is today - as he is inducted into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame! Welcome in Gilly!
Videos:
A Very Youthful Gilly at Richmond CC back in 1989!
Gilly's Retirement Feature for Aussie TV
Fans of the Short Midwicket are shocked as Will's not-so-secret identity is revealed. Also pictured Hall of Famer Adam Gilchrist.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Podcast - Well Done To Bangladesh
Download the latest episode here
The India - Australia series has finished, and I have a look at the fortunes of both teams. I also celebrate the ICC’s new initiative, and congratulate Bangladesh. Darren Sammy features as my tweet of the week, and I have my first email. All in all, it’s all going on.
As always, emails to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, tweets to @shortmidwicket, and keep reading the blog theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com. Ta!
The India - Australia series has finished, and I have a look at the fortunes of both teams. I also celebrate the ICC’s new initiative, and congratulate Bangladesh. Darren Sammy features as my tweet of the week, and I have my first email. All in all, it’s all going on.
As always, emails to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, tweets to @shortmidwicket, and keep reading the blog theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com. Ta!
Thursday, 14 October 2010
The Guide to Cricketing Smut by Darren Sammy
Anyone who heard Kevin Hand commentating on Northants player David Willey knows that cricket can be a game full of smut, double entendres and innuendo. So for fans off all three, look no further than the Twitter account of West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy. Here are some gems that he's tweeted - now you decide whether they're cricket related or not!
Tmw gonna try to swing my balls in and out...don't want any runs going thru fine leg and gully...
Finally captain moves me but then puts me MIDwicket....I'm loving my new position No Balls cumming there..
This honey from the comb has me fielding at fine leg or slips position..captain please change my position cause the balls getting slippery.
If u looking me u can find me when u get the queen bee ..I'm dipping my life in some honey from the honeycomb...sweet as..
@samothyrrab nah we playing last man batting..so the nightwatchman just there to run when I place the balls thru fine leg or gully region
Why can I get out of bedrock..I know I don't like the flinestones..
Waking is so easy when u know the person next to u is sexilicious...sweet as..then I'm mentally prepared to play around fine leg region...
After tea, I now breaking from a long spell, 2 balls went through my set fine legs..so my spell was tight
Morning session sweet as..just bowled a leg break after shifting my 2 fine legs around some more...daam instant results...
@terryfinisterre @WICricket Nice one..definitely between fine leg and a deep gully
Either u in or u out...I would rather be in...gots to be on that list
Common foo
Takes 2 to tango...its sad u tangoing with urself....someone plz attend to her...
Enjoy all of those? And before you think Sammy's too much of a smut peddler, here's the final word from Darren...
Its strickly cricket peeps don't get ur minds twisted on my love for the game...
Tmw gonna try to swing my balls in and out...don't want any runs going thru fine leg and gully...
Finally captain moves me but then puts me MIDwicket....I'm loving my new position No Balls cumming there..
This honey from the comb has me fielding at fine leg or slips position..captain please change my position cause the balls getting slippery.
If u looking me u can find me when u get the queen bee ..I'm dipping my life in some honey from the honeycomb...sweet as..
@samothyrrab nah we playing last man batting..so the nightwatchman just there to run when I place the balls thru fine leg or gully region
Why can I get out of bedrock..I know I don't like the flinestones..
Waking is so easy when u know the person next to u is sexilicious...sweet as..then I'm mentally prepared to play around fine leg region...
After tea, I now breaking from a long spell, 2 balls went through my set fine legs..so my spell was tight
Morning session sweet as..just bowled a leg break after shifting my 2 fine legs around some more...daam instant results...
@terryfinisterre @WICricket Nice one..definitely between fine leg and a deep gully
Either u in or u out...I would rather be in...gots to be on that list
Common foo
Takes 2 to tango...its sad u tangoing with urself....someone plz attend to her...
Enjoy all of those? And before you think Sammy's too much of a smut peddler, here's the final word from Darren...
Its strickly cricket peeps don't get ur minds twisted on my love for the game...
Ricky Cracking Up?
Australia have lost the final test to India, and have lost the series 2-0. Ricky Ponting has never won a test as captain in India. He's also the only Australian captain in recent memory to have lost an Ashes series (and he's lost two of 'em). While his batting is regarded as being amongst the best in the current era, his captaincy hasn't been so well received.
Yesterday, Ricky watched as his Australian side pissed the match away, losing heavily to a spirited India side. And like all struggling captains, there was obviously criticism. As he watched Australia's new premier spinner Nathan Hauritz toil away ineffectively, Shane Warne felt compelled to have a go on Twitter at his former skipper: "How the hell can Hauritz bowl to this field?? Feeling for Hauritz, terrible!! What are these tactics? Sorry Ricky but what are you doing?". Not sounding good for Ricky.
However, as we often see with football managers who've had success, but their time in charge is coming to an end; the blamed party fails to take responsibility, pushing blame anywhere, and directly attacking the accuser. In his post match reply, Ponting countered that "Every field that Nathan's had to bowl with since he's been here is at his request, it's the fields that he wants to bowl to... unfortunately it doesn't appear that Shane would take the time to ask anyone about that."
This post isn't about Hauritz's field settings; it's about Ricky Ponting's captaincy. Ricky took over the test captaincy in 2004; a time where Australia were the dominant side in world cricket. Apart from an Ashes loss in 2005, his early years as captain were very successful. But to be honest, most captains would do well when the options are to throw the ball to Warne, McGrath or Lee. But since the retirements of the greats, direct questions have started to be asked about Ponting's captaincy. The failure to drop out of form batsmen and blood new talent, the lack of trust in new bowlers, the poor field settings... and the loss of series that Australia were favourites to win. While the football cliché that he's "lost the dressing room" hasn't been used yet, it might not be far off.
After giving Michael Clarke T20 duties on a full-time role, it would seem Ricky is slowly easing himself out of captaining Australia. He's been captain in one form or another since 2003 - a very long time in international cricket. Ricky may be feeling the pressure; and if another Ashes series is lost, his time at the top may be over.
Yesterday, Ricky watched as his Australian side pissed the match away, losing heavily to a spirited India side. And like all struggling captains, there was obviously criticism. As he watched Australia's new premier spinner Nathan Hauritz toil away ineffectively, Shane Warne felt compelled to have a go on Twitter at his former skipper: "How the hell can Hauritz bowl to this field?? Feeling for Hauritz, terrible!! What are these tactics? Sorry Ricky but what are you doing?". Not sounding good for Ricky.
However, as we often see with football managers who've had success, but their time in charge is coming to an end; the blamed party fails to take responsibility, pushing blame anywhere, and directly attacking the accuser. In his post match reply, Ponting countered that "Every field that Nathan's had to bowl with since he's been here is at his request, it's the fields that he wants to bowl to... unfortunately it doesn't appear that Shane would take the time to ask anyone about that."
This post isn't about Hauritz's field settings; it's about Ricky Ponting's captaincy. Ricky took over the test captaincy in 2004; a time where Australia were the dominant side in world cricket. Apart from an Ashes loss in 2005, his early years as captain were very successful. But to be honest, most captains would do well when the options are to throw the ball to Warne, McGrath or Lee. But since the retirements of the greats, direct questions have started to be asked about Ponting's captaincy. The failure to drop out of form batsmen and blood new talent, the lack of trust in new bowlers, the poor field settings... and the loss of series that Australia were favourites to win. While the football cliché that he's "lost the dressing room" hasn't been used yet, it might not be far off.
After giving Michael Clarke T20 duties on a full-time role, it would seem Ricky is slowly easing himself out of captaining Australia. He's been captain in one form or another since 2003 - a very long time in international cricket. Ricky may be feeling the pressure; and if another Ashes series is lost, his time at the top may be over.
Monday, 11 October 2010
THHOF - Michael Vaughan
Name: Michael Vaughan
Nicknames: Vaughany, Virgil, MPV, Pie, Michael-Vaughan-my-lord-Michael-Vaughan
Born: October 29, 1974, Manchester, England
Teams: Yorkshire, England
Michael Vaughan is my first inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame, because when I started following cricket, Michael Vaughan was the main man. Taking the one-day captaincy from Nasser Hussain after the 2003 World Cup, and later that year the test captaincy as well, Vaughan was my "first" England captain.
While many will remember Vaughan for his exploits as England skipper, it shouldn't be forgotten that he made history well before England recognition was even on the horizon. Born in Manchester (Lancashire), Vaughan's family moved to Sheffield (Yorkshire) when he was nine. Vaughan's father, a club cricketer, turned young Mike on to the sport, and his love of the game grew from there. However, Yorkshire's strict rule restricting anyone born outside of the county boundaries meant Vaughan would have been unable to represent the white rose, but when the ruling was removed, Vaughan was able to make his county debut (and was the first non-Yorkshireman to play for the county).
After working his way through England's youth sides (captaining England's Under-19s in 1993/4), Vaughan made his full England debut in the first test of the 1999 South Africa tour. Batting at number six, Vaughan was into the action almost immediately, as England were reduced to two for four wickets. Vaughan may have "only" scored 33, but his calm temprament and classy shotmaking earmarked him for further success.
In and out of the side due to injury, Vaughan made his position at the top of England's order his own, scoring 900 runs against Sri Lanka and India in 2002, before his seminal tour of Australia later that year. Scoring three hundreds in five tests (which England lost 4-1), Vaughan was the first Englishman in 32 years to score over 600 runs in a five match Ashes series in Australia. Vaughan scored 1,481 Test runs in 2002, the sixth highest for a calendar year in Test history, and took his place as the number one ranked batsman in the ICC rankings.
After England bowed out from the 2003 World Cup, Nasser Hussain stepped down, and was replaced by Vaughan, despite Vaughan's one day stats failing to match his test performances. After leading England to a triangular series victory, Vaughan scored 156 against South Africa at Edgbaston, and was appointed captain after Hussain stood down after that match. Vaughan led England to a draw in that series, as winning against Bangladesh (though losing to Sri Lanka).
2004 was a spectacular year for English cricket, much of it due to the captaincy of Vaughan. A 3-0 away win over the West Indies, followed by back-to-back whitewashes over New Zealand and West Indies at home was credited to Vaughan, who alongside Duncan Fletcher, had revolutionised English cricket, with a strict fitness and training regime, as well as the continuation of the central contract system. Beating South Africa away was also a milestone, as Vaughan had continued the growth and development of his team; ready to challenge for the Ashes.
The Ashes. England won. For the first time in 18 years. In the greatest series of them all. Vaughan played a vital role, both as a batsman and as a captain; in getting the best out of Freddie Flintoff. 2005 was the crowning achievement of Vaughan's career, and he will rightly be remembered for orchestrating so much of it.
However, sadly, it went a bit downhill from there. Given an OBE for his part in the Ashes victory, Vaughan's troublesome knee meant he wasn't able to play in India or Pakistan, and a knee operation the following summer led to him missing the 2006/7 Ashes debacle. Returning for the 2007 World Cup, Vaughan's poor one day form (he never scored an ODI century) led to his one day abdication, but after his great friend and coach Duncan Fletcher left, it was never the same. Under Peter Moores, Vaughan struggled, both as a player and as a captain, and losing series to India, Sri Lanka, and finally South Africa in 2008, Vaughan emotionally stood down as England captain - statistically the greatest ever man to lead England.
Vaughan bravely battled to recover his form, playing for Yorkshire in the summer of 2009, but after realising he wouldn't play a part in the Ashes, he retired from all forms of the game. Always articulate, Vaughan has begun to forge a career on TMS, and is surely not far from elevation into the Sky Sports Commentary Box For Ex-England Captains.
Vaughan was a fantastic man-manager and motivator as captain, and must have been fantastic to play under. His batting was superb, and his cover drive is one of the best I have ever seen. I have been lucky enough to meet Michael once, and he was both charming and kind to me; the perfect gentleman. For my formative years as a cricket fan, Michael Vaughan was England's captain, and I am honoured for him to be the first inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame.
And for something that sums Vaughany up much more than my words, here's a video in tribute to the great man.
Nicknames: Vaughany, Virgil, MPV, Pie, Michael-Vaughan-my-lord-Michael-Vaughan
Born: October 29, 1974, Manchester, England
Teams: Yorkshire, England
Michael Vaughan is my first inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame, because when I started following cricket, Michael Vaughan was the main man. Taking the one-day captaincy from Nasser Hussain after the 2003 World Cup, and later that year the test captaincy as well, Vaughan was my "first" England captain.
While many will remember Vaughan for his exploits as England skipper, it shouldn't be forgotten that he made history well before England recognition was even on the horizon. Born in Manchester (Lancashire), Vaughan's family moved to Sheffield (Yorkshire) when he was nine. Vaughan's father, a club cricketer, turned young Mike on to the sport, and his love of the game grew from there. However, Yorkshire's strict rule restricting anyone born outside of the county boundaries meant Vaughan would have been unable to represent the white rose, but when the ruling was removed, Vaughan was able to make his county debut (and was the first non-Yorkshireman to play for the county).
After working his way through England's youth sides (captaining England's Under-19s in 1993/4), Vaughan made his full England debut in the first test of the 1999 South Africa tour. Batting at number six, Vaughan was into the action almost immediately, as England were reduced to two for four wickets. Vaughan may have "only" scored 33, but his calm temprament and classy shotmaking earmarked him for further success.
In and out of the side due to injury, Vaughan made his position at the top of England's order his own, scoring 900 runs against Sri Lanka and India in 2002, before his seminal tour of Australia later that year. Scoring three hundreds in five tests (which England lost 4-1), Vaughan was the first Englishman in 32 years to score over 600 runs in a five match Ashes series in Australia. Vaughan scored 1,481 Test runs in 2002, the sixth highest for a calendar year in Test history, and took his place as the number one ranked batsman in the ICC rankings.
After England bowed out from the 2003 World Cup, Nasser Hussain stepped down, and was replaced by Vaughan, despite Vaughan's one day stats failing to match his test performances. After leading England to a triangular series victory, Vaughan scored 156 against South Africa at Edgbaston, and was appointed captain after Hussain stood down after that match. Vaughan led England to a draw in that series, as winning against Bangladesh (though losing to Sri Lanka).
2004 was a spectacular year for English cricket, much of it due to the captaincy of Vaughan. A 3-0 away win over the West Indies, followed by back-to-back whitewashes over New Zealand and West Indies at home was credited to Vaughan, who alongside Duncan Fletcher, had revolutionised English cricket, with a strict fitness and training regime, as well as the continuation of the central contract system. Beating South Africa away was also a milestone, as Vaughan had continued the growth and development of his team; ready to challenge for the Ashes.
The Ashes. England won. For the first time in 18 years. In the greatest series of them all. Vaughan played a vital role, both as a batsman and as a captain; in getting the best out of Freddie Flintoff. 2005 was the crowning achievement of Vaughan's career, and he will rightly be remembered for orchestrating so much of it.
However, sadly, it went a bit downhill from there. Given an OBE for his part in the Ashes victory, Vaughan's troublesome knee meant he wasn't able to play in India or Pakistan, and a knee operation the following summer led to him missing the 2006/7 Ashes debacle. Returning for the 2007 World Cup, Vaughan's poor one day form (he never scored an ODI century) led to his one day abdication, but after his great friend and coach Duncan Fletcher left, it was never the same. Under Peter Moores, Vaughan struggled, both as a player and as a captain, and losing series to India, Sri Lanka, and finally South Africa in 2008, Vaughan emotionally stood down as England captain - statistically the greatest ever man to lead England.
Vaughan bravely battled to recover his form, playing for Yorkshire in the summer of 2009, but after realising he wouldn't play a part in the Ashes, he retired from all forms of the game. Always articulate, Vaughan has begun to forge a career on TMS, and is surely not far from elevation into the Sky Sports Commentary Box For Ex-England Captains.
Vaughan was a fantastic man-manager and motivator as captain, and must have been fantastic to play under. His batting was superb, and his cover drive is one of the best I have ever seen. I have been lucky enough to meet Michael once, and he was both charming and kind to me; the perfect gentleman. For my formative years as a cricket fan, Michael Vaughan was England's captain, and I am honoured for him to be the first inductee into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame.
And for something that sums Vaughany up much more than my words, here's a video in tribute to the great man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)