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walking
Big Brother isn’t watching you
last year, mid-JanuaryAll you people who have been watching this ‘Big Brother’ imbroglio should hang your heads in shame. When the British Prime Minister is commenting on it, then it’s a sure sign that England’s sense of priorities are warped. No wonder England’s cricket team doesn’t win much.
Mind you they came close last night- a four wicket victory and a bonus point to Australia doesn’t indicate how tense it was out there for a while. That Australia won was due to the nerves and good luck of Michael Hussey, who got a clear edge early in his innings. However, unlike Adam Gilchrist, he’s never been a walker.
Who knows what might have happened if England had set Australia a decent target? England got their first opening partnership of 50 thanks to the introduction of Mal Loye. The rest of them went down to McGrath and co very meekly.
And to make matters worse for England, Michael Vaughan won’t be available for another couple of matches. England’s one day summer is turning out as bad as was feared.
Walk on, walk on
4 years ago, at the end of NovemberGilchrist The Walker. I can think of other phrases opposition bowlers might call him, and his “crusade” of being one of the only walkers in world cricket continues. Heated debate in the First Test, but it’s blown out of all proportion.
The stump microphones caught the moment when McMillan turned to Gilchrist - who accepted the decision with a wry grin - and told him that “not everyone is walking Gilly … not everyone has to walk, mate.” The exchange continued and Bucknor ambled down the pitch to ensure that it didn’t get out of hand. McMillan was lbw to the next ball.
So, McMillan doesn’t want to walk. Gilchrist does. Where’s the problem? Ah, I’ve forgotten that Gilchrist happens to be behind the stumps. Surely he wouldn’t be saying nasty things to the batsmen?
Stephen Fleming then waded in to the debate by accusing Gilchrist, who has a reputation as being a genuine walker, of trying to pressurise opponents. “When you’ve got one or two players on a crusade, it places pressure on people in terms of whether they choose to walk or not,” he told reporters. “We all like to see the game played in the best spirit but if some individuals choose not to, which is their right, then so be it. We have to respect that. Whether you’re placing pressure on players for walking or not walking, it’s the same scenario. You do have to be very careful.”
Children, children. I think the following excerpt from Nancy’s Sinatra’s “These boots were made for walkin’” is rather apt:
You keep playing where you shouldn’t be playing
And you keep thinking that you’ll never get burnt (HAH)
Well, I’ve just found me a brand new box of matches (YEAH)
And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn
These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
