Ashley Giles receives abusive phone call

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I almost feel sorry for the English players (almost but not quite) after reading Ashley Giles Ashes diary of the first two Tests. It's a fascinating read - kind of like watching James Cameron's Titanic waiting for the iceberg to hit. He has had some pathetic moments during the tour - surprisingly the lowest being off the field:

"We also go to see Kylie Minogue, who is fantastic. I've never been a huge fan of Kylie's music, although I've always had a soft spot for her, but her show is excellent. We are within spitting distance of the stage, and I'm sure she looked at me a couple of times."

Hmm, let's get back to the cricket, shall we? Giles was in the centre of what may turn out to be the defining moment of the series when he dropped Ponting. Here's his account:

"We had spent a lot of time planning the field and I was deliberately placed where I was. We knew Ponting hit the ball a certain distance when he tried to pick it up and that is why I was several yards in from the boundary. Ponting hits the ball at me and I see it all the way. There are no excuses - I catch those. I have one of the safest pair of hands in the team. But it keeps coming and coming at me. It does not drop at all and it does me for pace. Initially, I think I'll catch it at waist height, then chest height, then all of a sudden it is over my head. Someone told me that it took the ball 1.67 seconds to reach me and it hit my hands hard. TV showed that it almost knocked me back such was its force. My first thought is: 'Bollocks, you don't want to drop Ponting on 40. I hope it doesn't prove too costly.' There is a comment from the stands: 'Hey Giles, you've just dropped the f***ing Ashes, mate.' And I keep being reminded for the rest of the day. 'Well done Giles you're on 50 now, mate. Well played.' Then it went to 80 and eventually 100: 'Well done Gilo, you've got your hundred now.' Bollocks. It's a nightmare but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Everyone drops catches, but this one has cost us 100 runs. The crowd are terrible but I am a firm believer that if you come through a tour like this with your marbles intact you've done well."

Giles had a poor 2nd Test. As well as dropping Ponting, he got a duck on the last day and his bowling made next to no impact. But it didn't end there:

"I return to the hotel where a nasty message has been left on my phone. Some bloke says I am a disgrace to my country, that I have cost England the Test and I should bow out gracefully. That was nice... The same bloke phones, wakes me up the next morning to apologise for the message. Apology accepted. What can you say?"

I particularly like the fact that the guy calls back to apologise. The Barmy Army have been getting a bad rap but honestly, is there a more civilised sports fan than the English cricket fan? An English football supporter would've set fire to his hotel room. An Indian cricket fan would've burnt an effigy. A Pakistani fan would've found his home and thrown rocks at the roof. An Australian - well, all that sounds like a bit too much trouble but if he happened to walk within earshot of the nearest pub, you can be sure we would've given him a right serving. I can just imagine the second phone call:

Evening old chap, awfully sorry about that last phone call. It was the alcohol talking and well, perhaps I got a bit carried away - emotion of the moment and all that. I'm sure you put in a jolly good effort! Oh and don't forget to call your mother before Christmas. Love, Dad."

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Posted by JC on Mon 11 Dec

13 comments

I have never heard anyone refer to themselves before as having "one of the safest pair of hands in the team." I'm not sure what to make of this chap. I like Mark Waugh's comment over the weekend though -- "Ashley Giles is never going to win you a game against Australia. He hasn't threatened the Aussies in 10 years of trying and he's not going to start now."

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Posted by TA on 2006-12-11 11:30:45

I also remember Terry Alderman before 2005 saying "anyone who gets dismissed by Ashley Giles should go hang themselves". A bit of an overstatement maybe but yes, the guy hasn't made much impact in Ashes Tests.

I was also surprised to read about his regular outtings to go and get drunk during the tour - I thought that was a bit old school in these modern days of laptops and fitness instructors (Andrew Symonds benders in Cardiff excepted).

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Posted by JC on 2006-12-11 11:35:10

Maybe his 'safe hands' refer to his ability to carry pints.

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Posted by TA on 2006-12-11 12:08:31

He seems to be abit of whinger though, and I've noticed that he seems very defensive and unsure of himself in interviews and all, contrast this with Monty whos all gung-ho and seems determined to push himself to the next level (Check his interview on Cricinfo). I think England could do with some of that gung-ho and determination. Bring on Monty!! Giles a wanker, my gran could hit him around the park

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Posted by Gavin on 2006-12-11 14:37:26

Giles also seems quite self-deprecating which I admire greatly as personal traits (I'm a big fan of self-deprecation) - but comes across as negative and self-defeating in a sportsman though. His mixed feelings about making the XI in Brisbane - the ridiculousness of being compared to Warnie: "In my eyes he is the best cricketer that has ever played the game, and there's little old me from Surrey with 140 Test wickets being compared to the greatest spinner of all time". He's right, of course, but I much prefer Danish Kaneria's attitude. When he was in Australia, he raised my eyebrows talking about wanting to be as good as Warne. Overly ambitious but you have to admire his chutzpah!

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Posted by JC on 2006-12-11 15:21:46

I had to look in a dictionary for 'chutzpah' -- before that I was thinking you were admiring a bit more of Giles than I would personally care to. Great to read a cricket blog and learn vocabulary at the same time!

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Posted by TA on 2006-12-11 16:46:55

Kylie was probably sympathizing Gilo.. Poor Gilo,is craving for some attention

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Posted by anon on 2006-12-11 18:12:08

He is the "king of spin" remember? Puts a good spin over everything he does allright

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Posted by jethro on 2006-12-11 18:19:06

Yep, that Danish Kaneria has a very impressive chutzpah :-)

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Posted by JC on 2006-12-11 20:26:04

how'd they get his number?

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Posted by Omar Haq on 2006-12-12 12:09:40

Giles seems to have way too much time on his hands. Long-winded tour diary, attending concerts etc. Maybe he should have a net.

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Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-13 20:23:59

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