Sledging doesn't bother me
This is it! Me and the rest of the England squad head off to Australia later today and I can't wait.
I'm not nervous at all, just excited about the next couple of months Down Under.
Once again, thank you for sending in so many good wishes ahead of the series, I have really appreciated your kind words. before I go, here are a few more answers to some of your questions.
Darren Nicholls wrote:
Good luck mate! & to the rest of the boys, should be a great series. I'm confident we'll retain the Ashes, though it won't be by much - maybe 2 -1?
Hi Darren, I'm pretty confident we can retain the Ashes. We've got a good bunch of lads who are good cricketers and experienced the Ashes last year so they know what to expect.
Although Australia are in high spirits at the moment because of their good run in the Champions Trophy, Test cricket is very different and we are a good Test side.
We will look to try and win as many Tests as possible but we will still retain the Ashes if we draw the series so that gives us a bit off lee-way.
Dayle Stancliffe wrote:
Why are you watching films when you could be watching DVDs of last year's Ashes. Surely that will help you rather than watching Mission Impossible? Oh, the 2007 Ashes series is to be called Mission impossible!
Very funny Dayle鈥e'll have to wait and see!
I must admit although I've got 400-plus DVDs in my collection, I haven't got one of last summer's Ashes series. I watched quite a bit of it live at the time and to be honest I'm not one for watching a lot of old cricket videos, unless I can learn something from it.
I'll be taking some DVDs with me to Australia such as Band of Brothers, the Rocky films, Goodfellas, Scarface etc.
Craig Docherty wrote:
I think the key to beating the Australians will be by keeping them guessing and mixing up deliveries and lengths. Do you agree? Have you made any changes to your style in the build up to this series?
Hi Craig, I haven't changed anything about my bowling action for the series. In professional cricket you need to stick with the style which has got you there in the first place.
You can mix up your length and deliveries but I believe if you run in and bowl 85mph at a good length every delivery, no batsman in the world can play at that all day long.
For me I try to bowl at 85mph-plus and try to swing the ball away from the batsman and hopefully take wickets.
Stephen Vallance wrote:
Good luck Liam, I think you can edge ahead of Mahmood and Anderson for a place in the side, both in one-dayers and Tests.
Cheers Stephen, I want to perform well in the warm-up matches, hopefully take a few wickets and get a few runs to put myself in the frame.
Both Saj and Jimmy have been at the Champions Trophy and have been bowling quite well.
Runs will be the key to me getting in the Test team ahead of them so I hope I perform well when I get the opportunity.
I'm going to Australia as part of a squad and if I get picked that is a bonus.
Mick wrote:
I will be there on the 2nd day of the Boxing Day Test giving it to you from the outer (as your fans did to us last year)!! My question is.. are you planning to wear ear muffs? There will be 100,000 other Aussies with the same idea as me.
I like the experience of playing in front of huge crowds and having a bit of banter with the fans. I try not to take it personally, as some of it can be quite abusive, and know most people are only shouting at you because they love their cricket so much.
Sean Passant wrote:
I am constantly bemused by modern fast bowlers, bowling no balls given that some frequently hit the 90mph mark. Can you explain why they continue to get so close to the line and risk a no ball when those few inches can't possibly matter at 90mph+?
Most times when bowlers step over the line it is because they are probably trying a bit harder in live matches.
Playing for England you want to bowl as well and as fast as you can and sometimes you bowl a no-ball.
You want to get as close to the line because those extra inches do count as the ball will come onto the bat more quickly.
During practice, I bowl about a foot behind the line so I'm nowhere near to bowling a no-ball. I then know I've got quite a lot of play with when I increase my stride during a match situation.
Phil Keegan
I grew up believing that cricket was a game for gentlemen and personally I am disgusted at sledging. What's your opinion on the subject and how do you plan to cope with the sledging down under?
Hi Phil, sledging is part and parcel of cricket I'm afraid.
I've not had too much directed at me so far. I've played against India and Pakistan and although I could hear there was some chat going on, I couldn't understand what they were saying so I couldn't get upset!
Sledgers try and put you off but the way I look at it, people who sledge probably aren't at the top of their game so they have to try and use underhand methods to put you off your stride.
Hope you dont have a fear of flying!
Complain about this postLiam,
I was watching in the crowd at Lords this year during the test match against Pakistan and your first two deliveries were all over the place. I watched you go back to your mark and Steve Harmison came over and whispered somthing in your ear and batted you on the back. Your body language changed so dramatically that I asked my friend to take a pound at 20-1 that you'd take a wicket the next ball, low and behold you bowled Farhat the very next ball, winning me 拢20.
What I'd like to know, is what did Steve say to you?
PS More of the same in Oz Liam, get fired up, get aggressive and bowl every ball like you did that one to Farhat.
Complain about this postHi there Liam!
I can't imagine how thrilling it must be for you guys, and I can't wait!
Be gentle on the Ozzies, though... They're only a bunch of old guys... :)
Cheers,
Complain about this postAlex
Enagland will surely win the Ashes again. Best of Luck, Mates !
Complain about this postHello Liam, dream scenario!
Monty Panesar to hit Shane Warne for six then bowl him out next innings?
I hope you get a chance to ruffle a few Australian Feathers.
Give as good as you get mate. Good luck and best wishes.
Complain about this post"Sledgers try and put you off but the way I look at it, people who sledge probably aren't at the top of their game so they have to try and use underhand methods to put you off your stride."
No way mate! Australian team is the biggest sledger out there!
I wonder what would have happened over the last decade if they were on Top of their Game!!! TOTAL ANNIHILATION!????
Saj has talent and he can change the match with few deliveries. Same can't be said abt you. All told I think you will get the water boy slot.
You deserve it.
Complain about this postBest of luck. Remember all the folks watching you at home.
Complain about this postKEN
Best of luck! I'll blame you if I fail my modules this semester at Uni on account of having to be awake at all sorts of ungodly times to listen to the cricket!
Complain about this postGood luck to everyone. My son Simon is flying out next Friday via Hong Kong to see all five test matches, he has instructions to have a sign hello Mum! Wish I was going to be there last summer was the best test series I have ever seen. I won't say how old I am!
Complain about this postWhat player do u look up to and why?
Complain about this postP.S good luck in the ashes i'll see you their i got my ticket
Hi Liam
Just loved your last comment before leaving for Australia.
"I've played against India and Pakistan and although I could hear there was some chat going on, I couldn't understand what they were saying so I couldn't get upset!"
As an understatement I think that is brilliant and I think you will more than cope with the Aussies if you keep that attitude.
Don't forget that they only speak English as a brief interlude between swear words, so it won't be too difficult.
Many years ago (far too many!) I played Rugby League for RAAF Darwin while visiting with the RAF.
They (both sides) were taking the mick out of a 'Brit' something rotten until they realized that after a few crashing tackles I was still grinning and was actually denting a few of them. Suddenly I became their best mate.
Liam, go dent a few and please keep smiling whatever you do. It bloody infuriates 'em!
And that is the best advice I can give; apart from, stick to your 85MPH, and bend the bloody thing! With cameras just about everywhere in UK, sheer speed ain't everything!
Cheers and the very best of luck to you and your team mates. Go for 'em! Bring 'The Ashes' back safely.
Frank
Complain about this postLiam, if given the chance to play in the series, who would be your prized wicket?
Complain about this posthello Liam, loving the column
I'd like to know what was that thing you have that made you so special to bowl for Durham and england?
Complain about this posthi mate good luck
Complain about this postAll rite Liam? i was just wonderin, how do you guys sleep at night during a test match? Does the situation of the match affect how you sleep? good luck in the ashes!
Complain about this postI really like your blog. Even though i am from holland. i support england. Kevin pietersen is my most favourite player in the world.
I like to know your opinion. what pitch is the best for one day international? Do you think there are too many batsmen friendly pitches being used in one day internationals. Champions trophy being the only exception, but that also proves only bowler friendly wicket also are not ideal for one day internationals.
Complain about this postgd luck liam! get stuck into the aussies like the last series and we will win! hope u take a load of wickets!
Complain about this postcheers ben
do you think you'll get you'r best test figures in an ashes series?
Complain about this postWhere dreams come true
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all England's got to do
is Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
...and that's as far as it goes, all dreams and no performance.
Complain about this postReading kp's book, it seems that players from both sides are fairly friendly with each other. Do you have any friend's in other test sides, or do you avoid making contact with the opposition?
Complain about this post"No way mate! Australian team is the biggest sledger out there!"
Actually, from first hand accounts Pakistan and South Africa are the worst sledgers in the game (this coming from the biography of nassir hussian) so more unfounded anti-australian diabtribe. Not one nice/positive thing said about them yet. Perhaps you should get your facts right before spewing yet more filth against the Australian team.
Complain about this postGood luck for the forthcoming Ashes series. Hope we can tame those arrogant Aussies!
Complain about this postHi Liam, good luck to you and all the boys, I can't wait to hear the Aussies whining again!! What is most important to me when you go out on the pitch with the aussies , is that you believe you deserve to be there. Look at how Ian Bell has developed since he started to beleive!!
Complain about this postI'm raising a glass right now to you guys because you're about to take off to the land of Oz.
Whatever the sledging, whatever the comments, just focus on your game - that's all that matters. And give total support to Freddie Flintoff - I'm delighted to say, Australia ain't got 'im, we have. Remember that Ring of Fire moment in India!
It's all to play for. Australia have a fantastic team and there's no doubt about it. But you guys have a young, up and coming, future team and you're going to be down-under so go for it.
Very best wishes
Glynne Williams
(from the land of Simon Jones.....)
Complain about this postHi Liam
I was interested in the point you made on no balls.Surely bowling a foot behind the bowling crease in practise will give you problem with your length when bowling in a match.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Good luck to the boys. England's form has been pretty mixed coming into the Ashes, do you think the boys can really punch above their weight again? Remember, last time you didn't have to face Glen McGrath in tandom with Shane Warne for most of the series, There was some other lucky factors as well. You may not be so lucky this time. How are you going to stop the Aussies turning the series into a white wash?
Honestly guys, best of luck. I think we're going to need it.
Paul
Complain about this postHI LIAM
me and mum and dad went USA and want to hotel and I went bed in room and in night has food
Complain about this postResponding to the Aussie song to put off our lads I offer a possible reply.
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Our boys take off for Aussie land
Balls in pocket, bats in hand
But the Ashes we鈥檒l leave on the shelf
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Poms are marvellous- Poms are great
We鈥檙e on our way for a special date.
But the jobs too easy that鈥檚 for sure
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Hopping about like drunken Roos
The poor Old Aussies ain鈥檛 got a clue
They think that Cricket is their game
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Poms are marvellous- Poms are great
We鈥檙e on our way for a special date.
But the jobs too easy that鈥檚 for sure
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Limeys love to have some fun
And their all too great to name just one
Those poor Old Aussies ain鈥檛 got a chance.
Isn鈥檛 it a shame!
Poms are marvellous Poms are great
Complain about this postWe鈥檙e just here for a winter break.
The job was easy that鈥檚 for sure
Wasn鈥檛 it a shame!
hey liam! the very best of luck in australia! what does it fell like to be representing england at the highest level and what do you think about playing with world class players like freddie and KP?
Complain about this postSledging is not part of the game as Liam and many players believe to be the case. Just read the Spirit of Cricket and it is clear that any cheating, and that is what sledging is, is unacceptable.
Complain about this postComments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Glad to see you're not too bothered about the sledging - I hope you give back as good as you get! I hope, however, that it doesn't bother players like Monty, who may come in for a bit of stick in the outfield...
Complain about this postHi Liam! Hope your having a good time and the weather is good in Oz! Have you and the rest of the England lads been keeping up to date with Strictly Come Dancing? I'm hoping Mark will win like Gough last year! Maybe its your turn next year?
Complain about this postWelcome to Sydney!!!
You see how thoughtful we are, we've even laid on some typical English weather for you....
I'm sure you'll be checking out Ribs & Rumps in Manly; KP will feel right at home, the owner's South African.
My question to you is....will you order and eat the 1kg Man of War???
I'm just five mins up the road from your hotel, little suburb called Dee Why, you and the boys should check it out; much nicer than Manly....
Complain about this postI love watching you play and cant wait to wear my new one day shirt with plunkett on the back that i got for my birthday. i wish you all the luck in the ashes and o know we can keep them.
Complain about this postAll the best for the ashes Liam give those aussies a good going over,it,s going to be a close series but i reckon we will do enough to retain the the urn.Will be cheering you on in Adelaide and Melbourne with my aussie mate!.
Gilchrist and ponting still struggling with their technical flaws from the last ashes series so their,s plenty of encouragement for you bowlers their.I rate Mike hussey highly and if he plays could be a big threat but i still think if our bowling attack stays fit and fires it will be the key to retaining the ashes.Best of luck and enjoy it!
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Fingers crossed for the Ashes..can't wait.
The only reservation I have with your self and Saj is not your bowling but batting.
One of the keys to our victory last year was the way we didnt collapse like a pack of cards past number 7.
Luckely Ashley Giles provided the much need buffer between the tail and the batsman, in fact his fifty in the 5th test was a major factor in saving the test.
How can we ensure that this does not happen if Ashley does not play?
Complain about this postHi Liam
I've been a happily biased England supporter my whole life and after years of teasing at the hands of my Aussie friends, it was to my great relief and excitement that the lads managed to pull one out of the bag last Ashes.
I'll be at the second day of the Sydney test, by which time I'm hoping we would have already wrapped up the series, to support in true Barmy Army style and am very excited to get a chance to see the lads play in person again.
This Ashes was the one I always believed we would win and even though we've been belted with injuries of late, by having them, others such as yourself, Monte, Cook etc.. have had a great chance to establish yourselves on the international stage.
Whilst you are all very exciting players, I really like the way you play - full of commitment and energy. From your first international test match, you've been clearly delighted to play for England and have developed heaps along the way.
I'd like to wish you all the best for this series! I hope you get a chance to play a part in retaining the Ashes. It's time the Aussies learnt what it's like to be beaten at home by the best emerging team-focused, well mannered and talented side in the world.
Cheers
Steph
ps: I live in Canberra and from experience, the pitch at Manuka Oval is a very good batting track. However, it has been raining and overcast for about a week or so, so you might want to bowl first if you guys win the toss as there will be a bit of moisture in the pitch, which will dry out as the day goes on and you'll be able to make the most of any remaining moisture in the air to get good movement.
Good luck :-)
Complain about this postWhat is it with the English obsession with sledging. Their own cricket team has been doing it for years. It just hasn't got them anywhere. A certain English bowler called Bradman a rabbit on his debut in 1928. In England in 1930, Bradman smashed the same bowler to all parts. Nothing wrong with sledging, you've just got to learn how to deal with it. What gets me is the English trying to assume the moral high ground. Just look at Gatting in India, the dirt in the pocket saga, or Jardine in Australia, where's the moral high ground amoungst that lot?
Complain about this postInteresting to read your take on sledging - it is an area of cricket that interests me - whats the best one you've heard, and what was the best one directed at you ?
best of luck getting in getting selected, and to the team in retaining the Urn! Come On England!
Complain about this postAny waord on Tres? When are you flying back?
Complain about this postI think there is not too much to choose between you and saj interms of bowling and i think it will come down to who Duncan think's will score more runs with bat, As shown by the Jones selection Duncan wants 2 strings to your bow. Hope you do well personally as i saw you working hard at Loughborough. I'm not the one that said Simon Jones is better than you
Complain about this post