Let me pick a newswire from Ashes aftermath that has generally been ignored. Forgive me if the Being Outside Cricket boys have already gnashed their teeth.
I’ve written a lot lately about justification. There are three main threads in the narrative.
One is the public backlash from those in power: a sense that unwashed greatness should now be compensated. We were wrong, it was wrong to question their judgment, and now we must pay the price.
The second thought is that the victory of Ashes will justify everything that happened before, absolve all responsibility, and give great credit to those responsible.
Third, England’s victories owe a lot to the managers, not the players who run the business on the pitch.
Our posts have sparked engaging and thoughtful debate in our comments forum, and we thank everyone for their contributions. Some of you have made similar points. Others are skeptical. Isn’t that just paranoia, you often ask. Why can’t we all move on?
It’s a powerful example of why the Just Cause meme is all too real. It also spells out exactly why we try to be successful: businesses themselves don’t, at least not until they get a pound of meat.
Speaking to Radio Five Live shortly after England’s win at Trent Bridge, England selector Angus Fraser said:
Saying or writing about Cook, Strauss and Whitaker is harsh and personal. A little angry.
But there is also great satisfaction. I’m happy for Cook and Strauss, they put a lot of effort into his decision.
Jimmy [Whitaker, chairman as selectors] is at the top of the list, so he’s often screened by name. You are rightfully in control because you are there to do the right job. But when people are judging your character, your lore, and your exposure to the game, you sit down and cook.
Sometimes success brings more relief than joy or satisfaction when you prove someone wrong.
So there you have it. The primary emotion for English selectors is… Anger. Anger is directed at the public. Outraged at those who dare to criticize the behavior or character of those who run English cricket. Angry at anyone who dares to question their judgment and decision-making. Anger at England fans who disrespectfully expressed their frustration at a year of failure and decline. Angry at someone who should have shown more respect.
Fraser’s comments echoed the infamous Outside Cricket press release. In both cases, the ECB responded to legitimate criticism not with sympathy or approval, but with scolding, self-pity and revenge.
We should all feel sorry for the poor old selectors and admins all the time.
Following Fraser’s logic, fans were wrong to complain when England lost to the Netherlands and were knocked out of the World T20. Supporters speak inappropriately when they blame the selectors for the Test series loss to Sri Lanka or the row against India. When England were humiliated at the World Cup and failed to beat West Indies or New Zealand, it would be entirely inappropriate to place any blame on those responsible.
As England went from one disaster to another, the selectors said Sam Robson wasn’t good enough; Chris Jordan wasn’t good enough; Gary Ballance wasn’t good enough; and Jonathan Trotter, he’s not good enough. They went ahead and chose Matt Prior when the only arena suitable for him was the operating table rather than the cricket ground. They lacked the guts to try Adil Rashid in the Caribbean. Of the 11 people selected for the host’s trial against Sri Lanka last year, only five survived and played at Trent Bridge a fortnight ago.
In 50-year-old cricket, the selection panel makes every major decision. When all common sense cries out, Alastair Cook is upheld. Alex Hales was ignored until it was too late and then scurrying around. Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara are artificial and misjudged. They can’t decide if James Taylor is good enough or where to hit the ball. The bowling “attack” is even and sterile.
After all, says Fraser, how dare we ask James Whittaker, who has played in a Test match, and Mick Newell, who has not, whether he “knows the game” or has enough “knowledge”. Fraser “sat and cooked” as desperate supporters vented their frustration.
How brazen it is to doubt Whittaker’s grasp of events, even when his phone rang during the TV interview, he seemed unable to answer simple questions or remember whether he had spoken to Colin Graves.
During the Peterson affair, it was Whitaker who expressed his authority over the proceedings through the following reassuringly clear public statement:
Unfortunately, I can’t repeat why. What I can say is that there is a group of players out there looking forward to reinvigorating this franchise, going forward with different values, and reevaluating the culture. There are some issues, but at this stage I can’t say which areas have changed since the start of winter. ”
It’s hard to say. Just to let the negotiators know this, but I’m very optimistic about what I’m going to do… Reinvigorate and rekindle the passion to play for England and win back the national team because I feel like I’m that passion Part of the cricket supporters have slacked off over the winter.
If the ECB and its followers really want to continue, why is Fraser’s main sentiment “satisfied of