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Loading ...Surely the word ‘obviously’ shows that AB had just assumed that Harmy would be in the team. Not that I believe his non-selection is particularly terrible, but he is one of those bowlers that can make life uncomfortable even if he’s going for millions at the same time. Batsmen like to feel unthreatened, and that’s rarely the case when he’s running in.
AB fluffs his lines
By Rich Abbott 1 month ago Add your comment below
Despite all the evidence to the contrary (no yearly Test bowling average below 34 since 2004, an overall away Test bowling average in excess of 36, a Test average in South Africa of 73.22), high quality opposition players are usually the most vocal supporters of Steve Harmison at times when his selection is called into question. ‘He’s a difficult guy to face’, we are told, ‘one of the best, when he gets it right’, we hear.
I’ve often wondered how accurate those assessments are: do these players really fear post-2005 Harmison? Or are they trying to trick Geoff Miller into thinking they do?
AB de Villiers, when questioned about England’s bowlers on Cricinfo’s Switch Hit podcast this week, was all set to add his name to a list of public backers which includes Ricky Ponting. “Broad and Anderson… blah blah blah… good, young guys…” Then he paused, who else is there? Um, oh yeah, “Obviously, Harmison – he… wait, is he even in the squad?”
Clearly AB was so worried about Harmy’s threat, that he hadn’t bothered to check the England squad for his inclusion at any point over the last few weeks. There, in a sentence, was how much the world’s best batsmen actually fear England’s erstwhile paceman. Not an awful lot, anymore.
Tags: ab de villiers, england, england-in-south-africa, steve-harmison |
3 Responses to “AB fluffs his lines”
November 6th, 2009 at 7.29 pm
November 6th, 2009 at 8.07 pm
Well in theory anyway. I’d argue that he often does look unthreatening – hence the frustrating Harmy enigma – but then I’ve never had to face him! Was merely noting that his non-selection didn’t seem to be big news amongst the SA top order.
Didn’t mean to re-open the debate though. Out of the four bowlers AB mentions (the fourth being Flintoff), only two have actually gone to SA! Let’s hope that Plunkett and Onions can take them by surprise…
November 7th, 2009 at 12.51 am
He’s mugged you off. Hit him, Weston.
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