While the sporting world focuses on football – and celebrates ‘the best ending to a Premier League season ever’ (even though the two richest teams predictably finished first and second) – significant news from the cricket world has largely gone unnoticed.
Well we’re not having it. We’re going to concentrate on a proper trophy – one which wasn’t bought, and wasn’t won by a collection of foreign mercenaries representing the highest bidder; I’m referring to all the top clubs here by the way, not just Man City. Come on, do you really think Rio Ferdinand or Fernando Torres would be playing for their respective clubs if they paid like Barnet, or even worse, Aston Villa?
As far as we’re concerned, yesterday’s big news was that Jimmy Anderson has been named England’s cricketer of the year for 2011/12. It’s totally and utterly deserved. Jimmy’s transformation from lost looking drinks-carrier to one of the best seam bowlers in the world has been nothing short of brilliant. He has had his critics over the years – and he’s shoved accusations that he’s a pie chucker down their collective cakeholes.
England have produced a number of decent quicks in the recent past, but none of them have really delivered the goods over an extended period of time. Angus Fraser briefly shined brightly, but then injured his hip. Andrew Flintoff conquered the world in 2005, but then injured his entire body. Perhaps only Darren Gough shined both at home and abroad; but even then, Dazzler’s career was blighted with injuries.
Jimmy Anderson, on the other hand, has been a fantastic bowler for a while. He’s shot down accusations that he’s only effective in English conditions – a criticism levelled at so many English seamers – by bowling beautifully in Australia, the UAE and most recently in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, he’s as fit as a gazelle. He’s surely the fittest bloke in the England side – capable of bowling accurately and skilfully in stifling heat, even during the last session of the day. He’s also the best fielder in the team. How many quick bowlers can say that?
Yep, Jimmy Anderson is a hero in our books. He’s also learnt to deal with the media much better. It wasn’t long ago that he was bashful and somewhat incoherent in front of the cameras. Now he speaks with confidence and maturity. That’s what happens when you keep winning awards I suppose. Public speaking is a bit like taking wickets: hard work and practice makes perfect.
James Morgan
