[horsa]

Damien Marten retired this morning as well. He was not inluded in the squad for the Perth test and he said that he no longer has the passion for the game needed to play at the top level.

Last night I had a dream.

Flintoff .
“You know guys, I’ve been thinking. Since I’ve been captain I’ve not been the player I was. It’s just too much for one person. Bowling my heart out, batting like I’m supposed to be Botham at no.6, suspect ankle , carrying the Boys Own hero expectation thing, and so on . What I’m going to do is hand over to Andrew Strauss. He’s a level headed sort of guy, good cricketing brain, sort of in the Michael Vaughan mould, and doesn’t have any unnecessary baggage to carry.”

Gerait Jones
“ Hey Freddie. Great idea. Just what we’d all been saying the other day in the bar while you were at the press conference saying nothing. Now you mention it , I guess my batting’s a bit of a let down as well. Old Readie here is a good solid scorer and is just as capable as me with the gloves . How’s about we swop over ? “

Giles
“ You're right there, Jonesie old son. That’s got me thinking too. I know I’ve done valuable if unspectacular service to the team over the years and been a great team guy, but since my hip problem it’s just not been the same. Twelve months without any real cricket is not the best preparation for a test match comeback. I know Dunc will be disappointed, and he’s great with this loyalty thing, but lets face it, Monty here is frankly a better bowler than me. Let him take my place. ”

Harmison
“ Hmmmmm . Good point there Gilo. Well, I know I’ve got years of bowling in me still, but I think I could do with a rest. The rhythm’s just not there. Slowly falling down the ratings and getting marmalised by the best team in the world is not doing my confidence any good. I know second slip will miss their fielding practice without me bowling spectacular wides but Sajid, here, is raring to go. He couldn’t do a worse job than me so how about it, mate ?

Anderson
“ Well, Harmie, where does that leave me ? If I carry on playing with some real bowlers around me it might get noticed that I hardly ever take a wicket. Maybe I’m not really a test class bowler. I guess I ought to stand aside too. Liam’s not brilliant but he’s young, keen and learning fast, and at least he takes a wicket or two

Pietersen
“ Bang on there , mates. Maybe me and Collie won’t feel like we’re wasting our time carrying the team by ourselves. And to show my appreciation of you fellas I’ll promise to stop trying to be so bleedin clever and cut out the sweep stroke.

( nods and smiles all round)


Then I woke up and heard Fletcher on the radio saying it was all the batsmen’s fault, he doesn’t make all the decisions by himself anyway, and he sees no point in changing. After all that would only prove he was wrong in the first place.