05/01/'07

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Aussie-Yank

Yes I was looking at that and wondering what possibilities are there for McGrath's kid and Warne's both making it into an Australian side as bowlers.

This begs the question I have always tried to find the answer to.

Why have the children of a great never come along to emulate or even pass their parents' achievements? Many children overtake the preformances of an average parent (ie Frank Lampard in football) but the children of greats (Kenny Dalglish, Botham, Viv Richards' son had a go) never stand up to hopes and expectations.

[Maranello]

What about Shoaib and Hanif? As we have discussed in the past, the former was a very credible, and thoroughly underrated Test batsman.

Or even the Maldinis, though Cesare was/is not really a 'great' the way Paolo is.

And if one really has to scrape the barrell, there's Lala and Mohinder Amarnath, and the Nazars.

Of course, its all resolved if you include uncles - Graeme and Shaun are probably the two closest-relatives who are both all-time greats.

[Milo]

As soon as I posted it Yasser, I knew that I was leaving the door open for an Asian response. Although I've always rated Shoaib (it's the best we can do from Pakistan) I don't think he got anywhere near his Dad's class. As you pointed out to me, his performances away from home were poor and he really struggled to get a place (even though I think he should have been given more chances).

Of course, Pollock. You've hit the nail with that one. Forget uncles. Shaun's dad was Peter Pollock.

Mostly we do have to scrape the barrel though don't we? We do have good players having great children, but we very rarely see (as in the case of hoping for Warne and McGrath's children) a GREAT eclipsed by their children.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Milo

We do have good players having great children, but we very rarely see (as in the case of hoping for Warne and McGrath's children) a GREAT eclipsed by their children.

This can apply not only in sport to. The usual reason is it's the mothers fault for pampering him and making him soft, and watering down such fine genes

I can think of one example of great grandchildren emulating great-grandfathers in cricket - Victor Richardson (Australia's best test batsman during the bodyline series) and his grandsons, Ian, Greg and Trevor Chappelle.

[Orchid]

Originally Posted by Maranello

And if one really has to scrape the barrell, there's Lala and Mohinder Amarnath, and the Nazars.

Hmmm just to add a couple more..Sunil and Rohan Gavaskar, Vijay and Sanjay Manjrekar

[KennyG]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

It's a view, Kenny, but not one I subscribe to. There's no point watching walkovers - they are just boring. And as to the departure of Warne and McGrath (not that I would put them in the same category, but I'm prepared to accept that you might), they are a loss to cricket, not just to Australia. Even as an England supporter, I'm sorry that I won't see Warne - or anyone remotely like him - playing test cricket ever again.

Was that sarcasm?

McGrath was better than Warne.
Ask an Indian batsman who they would like to face and they would pick Warne.
McGrath proved his greatness in every country he played.
India owned Warne from ball one.

Even in their last series together McGrath out performed Warne as usual.
In every department except total wickets he was better,just like most of their careers.
Alot of people were questioning his place and he comes out with figures that made Harmison the #1 ranked bowler a while back.
It is the whole Mohamed Ali(the boxer)thing all over again.
Charisma inflates peoples perception of their sporting achievements.

I love watching Roger Federar destroy his opponants.
I like watching greatness.

Australian Rules Football has produced a boat load of top father and son combinations.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Milo

This begs the question I have always tried to find the answer to.

Why have the children of a great never come along to emulate or even pass their parents' achievements?

Hmm Tom Graveney was an elegant batsman with both Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, he captained both sides, and played 79 Tests for England.

His son ken Graveney was a prolific right-arm fast bowler with Gloucestershire between, he captained that side at some point.

His son David Graveney OBE took 981 first class wicket, he played for Gloucestershire who he captained, Somerset and Durham.

He took over from Ray Illingworth as the chairman of the England Test selectors.

He managed the rebel tour to South Africa in 1989-90 , and was awarded his OBE for services to cricket.

I think from Grandad through father to son, who is chairman of the England Test selectors, is no mean family feat.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by KennyG

Was that sarcasm?

No, not at all. As to the Warne v McGrath thing, in some ways it's comparing apples and pears. My own position, however, is that I have had a lot more fun watching Warne than McGrath. That's all.