Inzy retires, Freddie dropped
My routine (ideally) is one blog post per day but events at the World Cup are moving forward at a breakneck speed. I find myself saddened by the news that Inzamam-ul-Haq has retired from one day cricket and resigned as Test captain. You can't imagine a more horrific World Cup campaign for poor Inzy and I get the feeling Pakistan cricket, which is hardly smooth sailing at the best of times, is in for an especially rough and rocky ride over the next few years.
Yesterday, England dropped the bombshell that Andrew Flintoff was dropped and stripped of the vice-captaincy following his drunken capsizing of a pedal boat. Of course Freddie was only dropped for one minnow match (against Canada which they won). Nevertheless, it's come out that Freddie had previously been disciplined several times for similar booze-ups. Considering England tour with their WAGs, I would've thought Rachel Flintoff would've kept her husband on a tighter leash.
A few English ex-players have expressed harsh criticism of Freddie's behaviour. Nasser Hussain let slip that Flintoff had 3 or 4 drunken incidents during the Ashes tour (I wonder if it was during the Test series or the one dayers). But I particularly enjoyed Ian Botham's defence of Freddie, stating his main mistake was getting caught:
"I think it's an over-reaction. Did people complain in 2005 when we won the Ashes? Some people go to bed at 10.30pm tired, other people like to go for a drink."No, Beefy, noone begrudged Freddie having a bender the day after England won the Ashes. However, I think they would've had a problem if he'd gone on a bender the night before winning the Ashes.
| Posted by JC on Mon 19 Mar |  7 comments |
How can you go to the Carribean and not indulge in the ambience there? A little boat ride and a little Carribean rum is exactly what the doc orders for ev'body embarking on a trip there.
Atleast, Freddie comes back to Rachael everytime he drinks. Atleast, he doesnt text lewd messages to any skirt... Atleast, he has remained a one-woman man.
Let's not over-react. He may have had one too many. But that's okay. Hangover over, he will be primed and freshened up for the next WC match.
Cheers
Mahesh
Posted by Mahesh on 2007-03-19 19:17:43
Atleast, Freddie comes back to Rachael everytime he drinks. Atleast, he doesnt text lewd messages to any skirt... Atleast, he has remained a one-woman man.
Let's not over-react. He may have had one too many. But that's okay. Hangover over, he will be primed and freshened up for the next WC match.
Cheers
Mahesh
Posted by Mahesh on 2007-03-19 19:17:43
I don't mind at all if Freddie has a few, particularly during an Ashes tour. It does seem to be an ongoing problem for the guy though. It would be a big shame if his talent was dulled by a drinking problem.
And moral wise, he far outstrips Warnie (figuratively, not literally). But then Warnie doesn't set the bar very high.
Posted by JC on 2007-03-19 19:41:57
And moral wise, he far outstrips Warnie (figuratively, not literally). But then Warnie doesn't set the bar very high.
Posted by JC on 2007-03-19 19:41:57
JC, I hope Freddie doesn't have a drinking problem, though binge drinking is not uncommon for men in his age group! Being fined, disciplined and embarassed by this incident should be enough for Freddie to turn in some match winning contributions. By all reports, he's angry and ashamed at what he's done. I hope, for his sake, that it doesn't happen again.
Posted by stumps on 2007-03-19 21:48:22
Posted by stumps on 2007-03-19 21:48:22
I feel so sorry for Inzamam. To see his expression as his team lost against Ireland was heartbreaking. He's one of my favourite players and I hoped for a better farewell campaign for him. At least he is going out on his terms, though it probably would've been no different if he had left the decision for the PCB.
Posted by stumps on 2007-03-19 21:51:28
Posted by stumps on 2007-03-19 21:51:28
My heart also went out to Inzy. I saw scenes on TV of angry Pakistan fans burning effigies of Inzy. With the week he's had, the poor guy must be feeling like absolute crap at the moment.
Posted by JC on 2007-03-19 23:33:22
Posted by JC on 2007-03-19 23:33:22
As an australian, my heart goes out to the freinds and family of Bob Woolmer. He was truely a lover of the game, and from all reports a nice chap too. It's sad that Inzy is leaving one day cricket under such circumstances after such a great carreer, and i wish him all the best.
Who would have thought, pakistan knocked out in the first round?? I think it is a sign that the world cup has matured into a truely international tournament.
better luck next time Pakistan .....and as Bob would have said, don't waste energy over the past, just look at the future!
Jason
Posted by dizzy on 2007-03-20 02:47:07
Who would have thought, pakistan knocked out in the first round?? I think it is a sign that the world cup has matured into a truely international tournament.
better luck next time Pakistan .....and as Bob would have said, don't waste energy over the past, just look at the future!
Jason
Posted by dizzy on 2007-03-20 02:47:07
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