I am similarly drawn, Tony, particularly after listening to Maxi talking about it, too. On the subject of cricket biographies, I can aslo highly recommend Gideon's really excellent collaboration with Wasim Akram, "Sultan" - well worth the read!
Whilst Langer has no right of reply in this particular information exchange, it seems to me from the numerous accounts of players during his tenure that removing him from his post as coach was absolutely the right thing to do. Unfortunately the players were saddled with the responsibility for the whole shambles at the time, but it seems that CA neglected their duties in allowing him to cultivate such a ridiculous and toxic environment. I think we can all wish for Maxwell to have a successful summer and be at peace with himself and his cricket.
Is there an argument he still can’t play pace bowling five years on and maybe having some short bowling isn’t the worst thing
This sounded like a very tiresome account of a player who has rarely owed up to his failings other than to say ‘oh well that’s who I am’ and get a sympathetic ear from a number of cricket journos
Might be something for a decent coach to work with him on individually rather than have two of the quickest bowlers in the world bounce him from about 18 yards in front of assembled media to prove a point, but I've never coached a team so what would I know
Don’t disagree but is that then a failing of his batting coach? I’m no langer fan in this slightest, but Maxwell playing the victim throughout this entire book is unbearably tiresome
Wouldn’t find a journalist who is more sycophantic towards a player than Adam Collins towards Maxwell.
There’s always an argument Maxwell, who could barely play the short ball in the 2019 World Cup - maybe he needed to learn.
No langer fan but this book read like an uncritical account of a player who is treated very leniently by a lot of cricket journos for a pretty middling career.
I do repent….. but not entirely. Maxi and Finchy were fine fodder in my critique circa 2013 for being short stays and not test worthy. I value Test cricket above all other forms…..yet Michael Bevan is one of my favourites. Both Maxi and Finchy have done wonderfully well in the time they had without being Australian test cricketers of much note…….i am sure it matters to them and if G.Maxwell deserves a spot he will get it in the next few years. It was a fine few interviews. Btw. If Maxi injected some Sajid Khanism into there somewhere he might be unstoppable.
The specific circumstance of GM breaking down after scoring a century in English league cricket was very likely being a young man, still in his teens, and away from family. At other times, there is the suggestion of burnout causing exhaustion, something perfectionistic personalities are prone to. I agree with the point about the Australians' grief from Phil Hughes' death being expressed as anger. There are other potential responses to a cricket team experiencing collective trauma, which may be culturally determined, so it's interesting to note how Kumar Sangakkara has reported the Sri Lankan team's apparent reaction to being attacked by terrorists in Pakistan in 2019 - https://scroll.in/field/963923/watch-all-hell-broke-loose-sangakkara-recounts-2009-terror-attack-on-sri-lankan-team-in-lahore.
Thanks Gideon - it's been ages since I've bought a player's biography, given the usual standard of them, but this sounds a cut above. Cheers.
I am similarly drawn, Tony, particularly after listening to Maxi talking about it, too. On the subject of cricket biographies, I can aslo highly recommend Gideon's really excellent collaboration with Wasim Akram, "Sultan" - well worth the read!
Thanks - I haven’t got that one by Gideon - despite having 23 of his books on my shelf!
Whilst Langer has no right of reply in this particular information exchange, it seems to me from the numerous accounts of players during his tenure that removing him from his post as coach was absolutely the right thing to do. Unfortunately the players were saddled with the responsibility for the whole shambles at the time, but it seems that CA neglected their duties in allowing him to cultivate such a ridiculous and toxic environment. I think we can all wish for Maxwell to have a successful summer and be at peace with himself and his cricket.
Is there an argument he still can’t play pace bowling five years on and maybe having some short bowling isn’t the worst thing
This sounded like a very tiresome account of a player who has rarely owed up to his failings other than to say ‘oh well that’s who I am’ and get a sympathetic ear from a number of cricket journos
Might be something for a decent coach to work with him on individually rather than have two of the quickest bowlers in the world bounce him from about 18 yards in front of assembled media to prove a point, but I've never coached a team so what would I know
Don’t disagree but is that then a failing of his batting coach? I’m no langer fan in this slightest, but Maxwell playing the victim throughout this entire book is unbearably tiresome
Would it be a small group that Maxi is in, International players who still turn out for their District club ?
Very close to his mates at Fitzroy Doncaster.
Wouldn’t find a journalist who is more sycophantic towards a player than Adam Collins towards Maxwell.
There’s always an argument Maxwell, who could barely play the short ball in the 2019 World Cup - maybe he needed to learn.
No langer fan but this book read like an uncritical account of a player who is treated very leniently by a lot of cricket journos for a pretty middling career.
I do repent….. but not entirely. Maxi and Finchy were fine fodder in my critique circa 2013 for being short stays and not test worthy. I value Test cricket above all other forms…..yet Michael Bevan is one of my favourites. Both Maxi and Finchy have done wonderfully well in the time they had without being Australian test cricketers of much note…….i am sure it matters to them and if G.Maxwell deserves a spot he will get it in the next few years. It was a fine few interviews. Btw. If Maxi injected some Sajid Khanism into there somewhere he might be unstoppable.
The specific circumstance of GM breaking down after scoring a century in English league cricket was very likely being a young man, still in his teens, and away from family. At other times, there is the suggestion of burnout causing exhaustion, something perfectionistic personalities are prone to. I agree with the point about the Australians' grief from Phil Hughes' death being expressed as anger. There are other potential responses to a cricket team experiencing collective trauma, which may be culturally determined, so it's interesting to note how Kumar Sangakkara has reported the Sri Lankan team's apparent reaction to being attacked by terrorists in Pakistan in 2019 - https://scroll.in/field/963923/watch-all-hell-broke-loose-sangakkara-recounts-2009-terror-attack-on-sri-lankan-team-in-lahore.
Thanks for posting the link to the Sangakara extract. A short read but worthwhile.