04/18/24
August 02, 2005
Ashley Giles isn't happy: - the "King of Spain" threw his rattle out of the pram in this column in the Guardian - "But on the back of a successful year, one game changes everything. If that's how it is, then it's obvious that I'm struggling to get people on my side. I feel like I am pissing against the wind." - as if a 1-0 lead going into the second test on Thrusday wasn't enough, Giles has set himself up to be taunted endlessly by the Australians for the rest of the series.
Funny enough, I saw a young person walking around Cardiff Bay today wearing an England cricket shirt which bore the legend "Giles". Perhaps uncharitably, I assumed that Giles must be the chaps own name.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:29 PM on August 02, 2005
The best report out of the first Test concerned the danger of Shane Warne's 'flipper', i.e. the one that goes straight. It was pointed out that Giles has been bowling straight for years with no effect.
posted by owlhouse at 05:30 PM on August 02, 2005
I'm torn. On the one hand, Giles' column is rather pathetic. By showing how vulnerable he is, he is simply making things worse for himself, and gifting the Aussies ammo. On the other hand, I've long been appalled at the way English cricket seems to be undermined by ex-players who seem to hate nothing so much as the idea of England winning without them. Gatting and Boycott spring to mind as two who have kept up pretty much relentless hostility toward their country since their playing days ended, and there always seem to be at least a few ex-players eager to slag current players off. It's not something you see so much of anywhere except perhaps India, and I can't see that it does much for English cricket.
posted by rodgerd at 02:21 PM on August 03, 2005
rodgerd - I agree entirely, but Giles' response is the very last way to stamp out that trend. Still - amusing to see that McGrath's new golden '500' boots have caused him an injury already. What's that about pride coming before a fall?
posted by JJ at 04:44 AM on August 04, 2005
Matthew Syed's column in the Times today is also worth a look on this topic: "His column yesterday read like something from an adolescent diary, detailing the cruel and bitter injustice of his betrayal by David Houghton (the Derbyshire coach) and his sincere hope for a better, brighter world where personal criticism might be replaced by daisies and sunshine."