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Originally Posted by Rachael Surely the problem with Botham as captain was not anything he did / din't do tacticaly.. but the fact that he was a complete ***hole whose dressing-room influence (even pre-promotion) was appalling... helping Broad, Lamb, Smith and co render the entire outfit virtually unmanageable law unto itself... and turning the dressing room itself into one in which only very strong minded, outgoing characters who liked what they liked could ever really settle: |
I realise how strong your views are Rachael, but if you're going to say it like it is... for God's sake, say it like it is with the real players.
Allan Lamb began his Test career in the First Test v. India at Lords in 1982 under the captaincy of Bob Willis.
Chris Broad began his Test career in the First Test v. West Indies at Lords in 1984 under the captaincy of David Gower.
Robin Smith (I assume you meant him - because I know how little you like his style of play) began his Test career in the Fourth Test v. West Indies at Leeds in 1988 under the captaincy of Chris Cowdrey.
Apologies to Graham Gooch, I forgot that he did not complete his West Indian summer in 1988, of course that was the year when every other useless allrounder was given the job as well. God forbid Adam Hollioake being given the job... lucky us, too late now.
Anyway, the side of weak willed characters that Botham captained in the first Test of the 1980 summer v. The West Indies, was Gooch, Boycott, Tavare, Woolmer, Gower, Botham, Willey, Knott, Lever, Willis, Hendrick.
Not exactly a team formed, by or even for Botham, pretty much players who were going to play whether he liked it or not.
In those days there were rather upper crust selectors who weren't going to listen to a Somerset oiks suggestions.
Not strictly true as he did manage to get Brian Rose his county captain on board before the end of the summer... but you presumably get my meaning.
Boycott, Gooch, Willey, and Willis were all strong minded individuals and three of the four of them were pretty near the best we had. Gower was the best, Woolmer was considered to be the best player of fast bowling in county cricket, I don't think this is a side that would have wilted particularly in the face of Botham's dressing room influence.