Caption competition number 693095

"Hmm...this actually feels right."

(Through the teeth) "Just try and win it down under before you get cocky - bastard"

My turn to be Daddy.

"two more Saffies to go"

3, surely

lardbucket wrote:3, surely

Prior is doing a fine job by himself.

On the point of declining Saffies, I was shocked to see what a carthorse Kev has become in the field. He is frequently banished to deep backward square leg where he not infrequently struggles to not trip over his own feet whenever he lumbers over in an attempt to stop the ball near the boundary.

lardbucket wrote:On the point of declining Saffies, I was shocked to see what a carthorse Kev has become in the field. He is frequently banished to deep backward square leg where he not infrequently struggles to not trip over his own feet whenever he lumbers over in an attempt to stop the ball near the boundary.

I've noticed. He's declined rapidly. It's led the media to suggest his last Test will be Sydney. I don't buy into it, but I'm pretty sure that previous injuries have f*cked him up and it's worn him down.

Cook: Straussy, it'll be impossible to take any positives if you squeeze my ar$e like that.

Re: Kev. Well, it was touch and go whether he would be fit for the series, wasn't it? He was determined to play. But it was clear that he was carrying a bit of an injury. Hasn't mattered so much batting, though he has not usually seemed so keen on scampering quick singles as usual. Has preferred the boundaries or leisurely runs wherever possible (well, who doesn't? - but you know what I mean).

I guess he is still a bit impeded, stag-running mobility-wise. Aus have taken more singles or twos to him than they would normally. The arm has (in most cases) been good, though. A fast sling, usually accurate. It's not as if the spirit is unwilling.


So what I am getting at is:

1) Despite possible implications above, I am not at all sure the 'carthorse condition' is terminal.

2) I tend to agree with Danny that, relentless rumour mill notwithstanding, I think Kev will only quit in the very near future if the body really is breaking down. He gives every impression of desiring to play in Tests, and win in Tests. The old "fancies the IPL glamour, couldn't give a toss about playing Tests for England" seems to me pretty much fatuous BS, since:

a) I heard his radio interview with Flintoff (Ashes Legends)
b) He tried his damnedest to get fit for this Ashes, even if he is at 85-90% of peak fitness he wasn't going to be stopped if allowed
c) the same evidence that struck Lardy for his lumberingness, persuaded me of his desire to carry on. He seemed aware of his physical shortcomings, but was trying his hardest in the field.

If all that sounds like I have finally started to warm to a character I previously had little time for, you may be right. (Big deal, I know ...)

PeterCS wrote:
c) the same evidence that struck Lardy for his lumberingness, persuaded me of his desire to carry on. He seemed aware of his physical shortcomings, but was trying his hardest in the field.

I totally agree, he always tries his best to get there - I even saw him go over on that knee when diving to save the boundary - no histrionics, obviously, just a slightly perturbed look down at his knee and a bit of a rub.

He's not quite right, but he's soldiering on.

lardbucket wrote:On the point of declining Saffies, I was shocked to see what a carthorse Kev has become in the field. He is frequently banished to deep backward square leg where he not infrequently struggles to not trip over his own feet whenever he lumbers over in an attempt to stop the ball near the boundary.

He's been like that since he did his achilles in 2009 - every time he breaks into a half hearted sprint out in the field you kind of expect him to limp off to the dressing room straight after.

Seems to be as quick between the wickets as he was, but his footwork's definitely more leaden.

Quick between the wickets because he only needs to take about 5 strides!