Ray Jennings

[flanflinger]

There have been a few comments said about Ray Jennings on the England forum, particulaily his ability to say odd things to the press.

http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/CR...13JAN2005.html

and in particular this quote

Originally Posted by Jennings

"He was lively and kept well, and I aim to make him the best keeper-batsman in the world."

and this quote

Originally Posted by Jennings

Makhaya had been dull and out of it all day," explained Jennings, "so at tea, the captain and I put him in an ice bath, and that made him mad! He abused me, and I said you'd better perform after tea or you'll be back in there.

and this quote

Originally Posted by Jennings

I think they'll walk away very disappointed with what took place today.

I would love to know the South African view on this very controversial character

[Pete]

In India didn't he make the players drink Water instead of those rehydration fluids?

[jot1]

jennings is a tough man and good at his job. he was originally chosen as a temporary coach when simons resigned. it was announced here that the cricket board will advertise nationally and internationally for a permanent coach. that idea seems to have died quiet death, as jennings is now our official coach. according to the papers, polly and kallis think he's great even though his management style is a bit different. so far, what i've seen of our players during this series, i have no complaints about him, i think he's done a good job. especially because our side is very young and we could break england's winning streak. even if we don't win the series.

[Occasional Fan]

His management style is different, all right, Jot1! Different century, I think! As you say, he might pull through a result for South Africa - but will he have any friends when he eventually puts his cue in the rack? I don't think I'd be likely to buy him a drink if I were working for him, somehow!

[jot1]

i don't think he's in this to make friends, i think he wants to be known as the coach who took us back to being a side to reckon with. i'm sure his wife and kids, etc. will still love him though

[Occasional Fan]

They will if they don't want an ice bath every night and water on their knees from the tap in the yard if they get thirsty. It is, after all, an honour to be Mrs Jennings, not a right, isn't it?

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by jot1

i don't think he's in this to make friends, i think he wants to be known as the coach who took us back to being a side to reckon with. i'm sure his wife and kids, etc. will still love him though

Well, he has made a few friends:

Originally Posted by Crickinfo

Quote ... Unquote's new best friend Ray Jennings

[Occasional Fan]

Neil Manthorp, writing in The Guardian today with an extensive speculation on the South African post mortem which is likely following yesterday's 77 run defeat by England, suggests that Ray Jennings' coaching style will again come under review - as, in my opinion, it should: the man did, after all, concuss his own captain and put him out of the game for a couple of sessions, and it is apparently not the first time in the last two months.

I enjoyed his comment:

Originally Posted by Neil Manthorp in The Guardian

It is one thing having a hard nut as a coach, quite another having simply a nut.

Full article, dealing with much more than Ray Jennings, linked here.

[flanflinger]

OF,

That is a very intresting article..

Under the leadership of Smith, who kept promising the nation he could lead a revival, they were supposed to lift spirits, start the climb back up the world rankings and put pride and passion back into the South African game. Smith made such promises throughout last year, but he was unable to deliver on them.

It may be that Smith is not doing his side any favours by rasing the expectancy of a nation, Ray Jennings has the same habit. Maybe some realism that they are not the side they were needs to creep in?

However, I think Smith can say that he leads from the front, his innings yesterday was avery brave one indeed and there are not many men who could have gone out there and did what he did - and of those that could most of them have played for the baggy green caps of Australia....

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Neil Manthorp

It is one thing having a hard nut as a coach, quite another having simply a nut.

Manthrop has been kind on Jennings here IMHO, he probably is most than just a nut