Re: Australian Cricket - Crisis, What Crisis ??
Reply #2177 –
I agree they were nasty.
But this risk avoidance is a modern trend, a sort of a shell-shock reaction to the Phil Hughes events.
The older forum members will remember the hellish days of dodgy West Indian or even flaky Adelaide oval pitches that behaved like this. I didn't see Sir Garfield, Sir Vivian, Sir Ian or Sir Richie pull up stumps and head home when the pitch got a bit dodgy even in that pre-helmet era!
We'd laugh loudly as the Indian top order was demolished by Thompson and Lillee at the height of their fast bowling powers. Even louder at Tony Grieg, pre and post helmet!
We also winced when our top order was battered & then demolished by Holding, Garner, Croft & Roberts etc, etc.....& marvelled at innings the likes of Kim Hughes Boxing Day test 1981 counter attacking against the odds !
yeah....I am slightly of the opinion that batsmen are rather too pampered these days....the MCG pitch was routinely poor through much of the 80s.