Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Eoin Morgan 27 Oct

”Kevin, for me, is a guy who commands huge respect, a guy I’ll always remember for the performances he put in and the experience he gave me when I first came into the side,” Morgan said on Monday.

“He was very welcoming and I spent a lot of time with him, learning from him. He’ll always remain like that in my eyes regardless of what’s come out.”

”Bullying? Not that I can recall,” he said of Pietersen’s claim that the England bowling attack demanded on-field apologies from any fielder who dropped a catch. “I think it is a happy dressing room, absolutely.”

Slipstream wrote:Eoin Morgan 27 Oct

”Kevin, for me, is a guy who commands huge respect, a guy I’ll always remember for the performances he put in and the experience he gave me when I first came into the side,” Morgan said on Monday.

“He was very welcoming and I spent a lot of time with him, learning from him. He’ll always remain like that in my eyes regardless of what’s come out.”

”Bullying? Not that I can recall,” he said of Pietersen’s claim that the England bowling attack demanded on-field apologies from any fielder who dropped a catch. “I think it is a happy dressing room, absolutely.”

After his cricketing days are over, a career in politics beckons.

Because he smoothes over the bullying? Maybe so. The bullying issue is looking like it is quite open to interpretation. Of course, Anderson and Broad are going to say not, because they are the accused, but I do suspect they really didn't see what they did as wrong, But obviously KP did, and others may have. It looked unpleasant at time from the boundary, and many remarked on it at the time. A lot of people don't want to hear it from Kevin. Maybe they will be more open to Trott or Bell in the future, if that was their experience.

Much is made of the on field problems in the book, in Bangladesh. I remember Bell claiming a catch that bounced a foot in front of him on that tour. Did he feel pressured? Did this team dynamic drive Trott to pick the ball off the ground in India and appeal?

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Because he smoothes over the bullying? Maybe so. The bullying issue is looking like it is quite open to interpretation. Of course, Anderson and Broad are going to say not, because they are the accused, but I do suspect they really didn't see what they did as wrong, But obviously KP did, and others may have. It looked unpleasant at time from the boundary, and many remarked on it at the time. A lot of people don't want to hear it from Kevin. Maybe they will be more open to Trott or Bell in the future, if that was their experience.

Much is made of the on field problems in the book, in Bangladesh. I remember Bell claiming a catch that bounced a foot in front of him on that tour. Did he feel pressured? Did this team dynamic drive Trott to pick the ball off the ground in India and appeal?

Another dig at Bell AC, do you have a database on all his failings?

It was just him. I can't pretend it was someone else. I've mentioned Trott's calumny in India far more often, but I've been told I 'love' IJLT.

Are you sure it was exactly a foot in front of Bell, not 12.5 inches or 11.25 inches or maybe 3,5 inches. Your desperation to defend KP is not enhanced by denigrating other players.

I personally feel there was no bullying culture. Having to apologise for a dropped catch (if true) is a bit weird, mind.

Dr Robert wrote:I personally feel there was no bullying culture. Having to apologise for a dropped catch (if true) is a bit weird, mind.

Rather suspect a bit of exaggeration might have been involved here. Have played with some bowlers who carried on a bit over fielding errors...most people don't worry too much. Adults can usually sort out any differences in the dressing room.

Frankly can't take this over sensitivity too seriously.

hopeforthebest wrote:Are you sure it was exactly a foot in front of Bell, not 12.5 inches or 11.25 inches or maybe 3,5 inches. Your desperation to defend KP is not enhanced by denigrating other players.

By giving Bell a reason, really I'm potentially defending or excusing him rather than KP. It's a tenuous point, I accept.

I hardly think Bell would feel pressurised in the field - he's one of the best we've ever had in just about any position you can think of - more recently second slip.

Worth pointing out as well that I can't recall Bell commenting anywhere yet on all of this - apologies if I'm wrong. Bell enjoys virtually iconic status with his beloved Warks, both with the club and community - he has all that to fall back on when his England career finishes -- a form of stability that KP doesn't have. Nevertheless KP and Bell batting together in full flow was something to be savoured.

Bell has always talked up his fellow professionals - KP included. Interesting too that when the last Indian wicket fell he ran up to Cook and flung his arms round him.

Perhaps Bell is all things to all men - I've no idea - but he'd be wise to keep his own countenance if that's possible with today's media.

KipperJohn wrote: Bell has always talked up his fellow professionals - KP included. Interesting too that when the last Indian wicket fell he ran up to Cook and flung his arms round him.

Perhaps Bell is all things to all men - I've no idea - but he'd be wise to keep his own countenance if that's possible with today's media.

I don't think Bell seems like a contentious individual in the dressing room at all.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Because he smoothes over the bullying? Maybe so. The bullying issue is looking like it is quite open to interpretation. Of course, Anderson and Broad are going to say not, because they are the accused, but I do suspect they really didn't see what they did as wrong, But obviously KP did, and others may have. It looked unpleasant at time from the boundary, and many remarked on it at the time. A lot of people don't want to hear it from Kevin. Maybe they will be more open to Trott or Bell in the future, if that was their experience.

Much is made of the on field problems in the book, in Bangladesh. I remember Bell claiming a catch that bounced a foot in front of him on that tour. Did he feel pressured? Did this team dynamic drive Trott to pick the ball off the ground in India and appeal?

Anderson wasn't on that tour to Bangladesh so it must have been the other bowlers, Swann, Broad, (Bresnan or Finn) who demanded an apology. I haven't seen any fielder holding their hand up in apology on the field. Maybe they had to apologise in the dressing room.

I think it is bowlers v batsmen. Used to notice when a bowler took a wicket with a catch that KP would go to congratulate the fielder rather than the bowler. When he became captain I think it was KP who started the patting the fielder on the bum for good fielding that has carried on. I used to think KP enjoyed throwing at the stumps whether anyone was backing up or not and the ball going to the boundary as it would annoy the bowler. Of all the bowlers I think Sidebottom used to get the most angry.

When Sidebottom got into the team, all that berating of the fielders seemed to start. Though Broad and Swann came through shortly afterwards.

Sidebottom could look angry even when he wasn't...He certainly didn't hide his frustrations at any fielding errors. But I doubt anyone felt intimidated or that he was carrying it on in the dressing room.

Just a typical mad angry bowler ...if you can't put up with that you probably shouldn't be playing top level cricket.

Sidebottom has a soft voice though. I would imagine if he got angry it would be difficult not to laugh.