Harmison, The Pundits and Reputation

[Taurus]

An issue that has been discussed at length during this England - West Indies series is that regarding the form of Stephen Harmison, and his strides, if they can be so-called, to prove his worth to the England team. Throughout the series, it is indisputable that he has bowled poor balls consistently, especially the leg-side half-tracker which he has somehow mastered. However, many of the pundits, notably those who work for Sky Television, are insisting that he is improving and/or returning to his best.

Personally, I feel their punditry to be shoddy at best. What in the world can make them think he is bowling well when he is still consistently rolling out these poor, misdirected deliveries. Furthermore, he is ambling in and bowling medium pace in doing so. Now, I don't subscribe to the Duncan Fletcher Trademark that pace is everything, but when you sacrifice pace something must come in return. Accuracy! Surely he can land the ball on the cut strip when he's bowling balls more slowly than Ryan Sidebottom!

Now, I can commend the man for bowling the odd jaffa today, but he was otherwise poor. An economy of four and above is simply intolerable on a bowler's pitch as the one at Chester-Le-Street is. To be honest, I feel England have allowed him to develop a pure and impenetrable comfort zone, wherein he has become one of the untouchables. Bowling the odd fiery spell against the West Indies tail-enders is nothing to be congratulated upon. The West Indies are poor and he has been bowling to permanently attacking fields in good situations.

It's the reputation issue, and consequently, everyone fawns over Steve Harmison like he is a demi-god of English Cricket, some nemesis who runs riot among the best. Firstly, he was never a great bowler. Secondly, he is now a below average one. Just because Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain drool over him because he can bowl 90mph, doesn't make him any more a player. I have eyes, and I do not see anything to fear, be it in Harmison's bowling or his attitude. He is a mouse among men.

[zam]

when he came first he was seen as a next Ambrose but he did not fulfilled his promise, the reason he does not have a good outswinger that's why he tries to bring the ball in from supposed to be out side but he slides it down the leg that's why he is not at his best. he will become lethal as soon as he will develope a good out swinger or at least a leg cutter. Plus england is keeping him in a wool cloth that is also making him stiff. The other thing he is holding the ball tight to pitch it short that's why he loses his control. he should let the ball loosely and a bit fuller. May be he needs Waqar.

[volcyz]

He is too wrapped in cotton wool, all he needs a thorough spanking and be told it doesn't matter that your a bloody giant with pace, if you can't bowl straight then its sayoonara.
No more of lenient stuff for this guy.

[Saqs]

it was wierd how all the commentators were saying Harmy's back to his best (almost) just because h bowled a couple of reaching bouncer deliveries to the tail...and got them out...big deal...

i still think, if you're an INTERNATIONAL player, you shouldn't complain about being "home-sick"....a billion other people out there would kill to do what he does...

he's an ingrate...i developed a liking for him in the Eng Ashes series in 2k5...but since then hes been a disappointment...an emotional wreck like trescothick...

i couldn't believe they were doing screen by screen comparisons with Harmison and Curtly yesterday...besides the action and the height, not much else is similar

[Easa]

Harmison has indeed entered a comfort zone. He knows the England selectors are not going to drop him so he is content bowling his 80 MPH long hops, and balls down the leg side. The way he is bowling, Stuart Broad would be a much better option than him. At least he is young, ambitious, and wants to bowl and get people out. With Harmison these days, it just feels like he just wants to go home, he doesn't really care about his bowling too much.

Plus, he is a horrible tour man. So really, there is no point in him associated with English cricket unless his attitude takes a drastic turn.

[Jayed]

I remember some of the balls he bowled in the Ashes and in the 03 Windies series, i was wow. Ever since 2005 onwards, he has gone so low.

[James]

Steve Harmison is in danger of developing Gilo Syndrome...
Named after one of the more blatant sufferers, Ashley Giles, the Syndrome occurs when a bowler is picked for bowling, but actually has more use when they are holding a bat. Chaminda Vaas, Daniel Vettori and Nuwan Kulasekera are some of the unfortunate names to develop this ailment at times in the past. And Harmison is a far worse batsman than all of these names. Says it all really.

[Ghoshtbuster]

why does Botham keep saying hes getting better?

[Saqs]

vaasi and vettori?
id classify them as all-rounders...

doesnt vettori have an average of around 40 or something?

[Easa]

Originally Posted by saqibsalman vaasi and vettori? id classify them as all-rounders... doesnt vettori have an average of around 40 or something?

25 in Tests, 14 in ODI's - sure if you add them together, he has an average of close to 40.

[James]

He was alright on day five of the test. If he bowls like that 75% of the time he will be collecting plenty of wickets over the course of this season.

Over the course of the series, 16 wickets at 34 is not a good enough return at all. He needed another 5-10 wickets (and be averaging high-twenties at most) to justify his selection as the strike bowler. Hes just done enough to lead the attack against India.

[waqararif11]

oh Mr Harmison, i still think hes a great bowler, hes one of them professional players with a heart of a school boy, he lacks confidence and purpose, i think its more of an emotional thing than a physical/skill one