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ICC World Twenty20 - Villain of the day: Australian Arrogance
One of the hardest things to get right in sport is the balance between arrogance and confidence. Only the Greats seem to walk that tightrope consistently safely - one thinks of Valentino Rossi, of Roger Federer and, in our game, Glenn McGrath: perhaps no cricketer of his generation exuded such self-belief whilst never dismissing nor disrespecting the challenge before him.
I face the wrath of Nesta and his countrymen, but Australia were caught out today by underestimating the opposition before them in the context of Twenty20's novelty. This quote from Gilly last week, "But I do hope the entertainment factor stays. I would encourage everyone to try and embrace that entertainment part of the game" reveals a team without its eye entirely on the job at hand. Of course, this is but the second day of the tournament and Ponting and Clark have had concerns at home, so one shouldn't read to much into it, but the Great Man above looked an even better player for his absence tonight, on and off the pitch.
[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]
September 12, 2007 in Australian cricket, General musings, ICC Twenty20 World Championship, News Pavilion, Twenty20 | Permalink | 
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Comments
well trumpet that was rather a kind way of putting it.
Zimbabies are now the Zimbravos and will be over the moon. On the other hand the baggy greens are now the saggy greens and should feel properly ashamed.
One might have thought that the 'little preparation' casual approach taken by the Australians in this campaign is something the previous coach would have spat the dummy about. Perhaps Tim has found himself with a team of players whose egos are bigger than the coach and the team.
Posted by: doctorshoot | 12 Sep 2007 22:17:09
Only one game Doc (but half the qualifiers). Wasn't McGrath's er... McGrathness missed?
Posted by: The Tooting Trumpet | 12 Sep 2007 22:29:35
I am not going to write Australia off for this tournament, if they beat England they go through and take the points so this result will probably count for nothing. The 2020 format gives the minnows a chance and how they took it. What are the chances of the Aussies changing their kit for the next match ?
Posted by: bushnumpty | 12 Sep 2007 22:35:44
Rossi, Federer and McGrath - three men who have never crowed in victory or been less than gracious in defeat. All sporting heroes and icons and real chaps to look up to for achievement and behaviour. I'm sure the Aussies will regret their casual approach to this tournament and come back strongly in their next matches.
Posted by: mimi | 12 Sep 2007 23:01:00
You seem certain that beating England will put the Aussies through bushnumpty?I dispute that as i feel the group will be decided on net run rate,thats if England win tomorrow,so picture a big win for England against Zimbabwe followed by a narrow defeat to the Aussies?It's not so black and white now is it?One as always felt that Ponting and co. have never really took the 20/20 format seriously,this is a coffee smelling moment of the highest order.On a final note that Australia kit just looks gay,very un Australian.
Posted by: steve | 12 Sep 2007 23:55:29
Just caught up with some pics - Steve you are so right! Nice garb boys! Makes my favourite chaps who are in lycra look very less, well, camp!
Posted by: mimi | 13 Sep 2007 00:20:02
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