lookupsport

I turned the TV in this morning while having breakfast to cast an eye over the England ODI score, expecting them to be in the pavillion having tea having been soundly thrashed for the third time.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were in firm control and went on to win by 6 wickets.  The reason of this post is to ask if Hussain knows what he is talking about.

He took over commentary a few overs from the end to see out the England win.

One of the first things he said was that Shah needed to stick to the basics and not over elaborate, and that he has a tendency to play low percentage shots and this is not what’s required. A good solid finish - a la Hussain no doubt who never played a flair shot in his life.

The very next over Collingwood thumped 18 off of the first 4 balls, the last one being a reverse sweep.  Up pops our friend Hussain again with “Thats what this England team needs to do.  Play with flare and without fear of losing”.  You can’t have it both ways Nassar.  If Collingwood had got out he would chastised him for poor shot selection no doubt.
The same thing applies to KP - he plays his way, which is to score quickly and without fear of anybody.  The crowd love it as to the commentary team, unless he gets out early - then he is reckless.

The game needs flare these days. It has moved on over the last 30 years and has moved even further on over the last 5 years with the advent of Twenty20.  But you have to take the rough with the smooth. The commentary team might like or dislike the flare players, I don’t mind.  All I want is some consistency.