Swimming is all the fashion
(Watch my interview with ±«Óãtv Newcastle).
This week I've been doing a lot of swimming as a way of keeping my training interesting but also as a way to keep the pressure off my legs.
As I injured my side a couple of months ago it is still occasionally a little sore and stiff so it's important not to push it too hard, even though I'm feeling fitter than ever.
Along with the other Test players in Loughborough at the moment, I do a bit of lane swimming and we use floats to focus on the strength in our legs.
A typical session will be a pyramid, with four 25m lengths - each one takes about 17 seconds - then two 50m sets, one 75m then back down the other side.
We're all pretty similar in terms of speed but I'm not telling you who is fastest. That's classified.
I watched a bit of Saturday's England game on TV with my Dad at home and obviously the result was a disappointment.
There will be plenty of opportunity to study Australia in-depth before the Ashes Tests but I'm learning all the time as I watch.
As Damien Martyn was scoring all the runs the commentators were talking about how strong he is off his legs and when he's given width. If I face him this winter I'll know to keep to that off-stump channel.
With Steve Harmison bowling to our former county captain Michael Hussey on Saturday it was Durham against Durham but there is no question of divided loyalties as far as I'm concerned.
Huss can take care of himself. He's probably the best captain I've played under so far.
People call him Mr Cricket because he loves the game so much, he's always in your face and thinking about things.
Back in England, it has been a busy couple of weeks for me in terms of events.
Monty Panesar and I went to the House of Commons, had a meal and did a question-and-answer session for MPs and staff.
The questions covered the same sorts of topics as this blog has, including what it's like to play for England and our thoughts on the Ashes.
We also talked a bit about grassroots cricket and how good it is to see so many kids involved in the game after last year's Ashes.
We didn't get a chance to tour Parliament or go up Big Ben but hopefully I'll get a chance to do that in future.
I went to a fashion show on Wednesday night near Middlesbrough, a modelling contest, which was a lot of fun.
My expertise in that area only goes as far as modelling suits, along with a few of the other Durham lads, for a shop near me.
It's nice to be able to get out and do something different but the focus is still very strong for me.
Among the comments last week, Dave Stringer wrote:
By the middle of August I feel washed out from only playing for two days a week. Do you ever get bored of being a pro and wish you had a cosy little 9-5 job?
No chance, mate.
Coming back from injury, doing the same thing every day, can get a bit tedious so you have to keep your sights on what is coming up.
But playing cricket was great for me as a lad and to be able to make that my professional career is even better. I wouldn't change that for the world.
i never thought you'd be out for so long with a side strain we could have done with you in the icc harmy is useless now moans with the new ball and cant bowl with the old one maybe you could give him some advice
Complain about this postHello Liam,
Loving the blog mate - hoping things go well for you down under.
While on the subject of Monty panesar, is he a confident person?? When ive seen him on TV doing interviews he seems shy and nervous, However put a cricket ball in his hand and you have one of the most confident people ive ever seen - whats he like day to day??
Cheers matey!
Complain about this postalthough im huge fan of the county game and test cricket, it disappoints me that the one day game is not given equal importance/prestige. that's how it looks to me
Complain about this postas a durham fan i see this as well.
how do you account for englands abysmal form in international one day cricket? i remember the hammering sri lanka gave england at the riverside in the summer.
i want to see equal importance attached to the one day game and aiiming to the best in both. both durham and england!
It's great to read your blog and to take a peak at how the squad is supported and what they are expected to do in terms of training and PR.
I have watched cricket on and off all my life and I really think it is great that the interest stirred up by the last Ashes contest is still alive and kicking. As a teacher in an inner city primary school, you might like to know that in my classroom last year we had ±«Óãtv cricket latest scores on the interactive whiteboard a lot of the time and the boys thought it was great. Lots of the characters in their story writing were called Kevin, Freddie and Michael, over taking the popularity of various wrestling stars for a while. Believe me - that is a huge compliment.
Complain about this postThe frontline ashes bowlers are likely to be hoggard, harmison, flintoff as certainties. Then either monty or giles as the spinner (still cant make my mind up). Whats your take on the fourth seamer's slot? yourself, anderson or mahmood
Complain about this postLiam,
What part of Ireland does your family come from?
Dublin at a guess.
D'Og
Complain about this postCork
How do you fancy coming and playing a bit of club cricket for ashford ants down in kent next season (between tests)?
Complain about this posthiya liam really enjoying ur blog-u seem to be taking international cricket in ur stride-and ejoying all of the perks!do u ever feel like ur mind isnt on the cricket because of all the distractions?it must be hard for a young lad like you not to get tempted by the bright lights?enjoy oz-hope u play-dont be swimming in the sea with the sharks tho!
Complain about this postmany thanks, jermain from notts
Hi Liam.
I was just wondering, do you have any ambitions to become a genuine all rounder in say the same catagory as Freddie or Kallis?
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Glad to hear you're getting back to full fitness. I was just wondering what you thought about Malinga's bowling action for Sri Lanka - it's a bit odd isn't it?
Complain about this postDear Liam
I recently contacted Durham County Cricket Club asking if there was any posters of you for sale. I didn't get a positive response.
Are any in the pipe-line? I'd also be interested in some desktop wallpaper.
You can get posters of football players all over the place. But I'm a cricket fan. Can you help?
Daniel
Complain about this postCan you describe the different stages in coming back from an injury like yours, to get get ready for a big series?
Complain about this postplunks, i faced you for kent u-15s vs durham u-15s and never really thought you were that quick/good? I think you could go the distance in the ashes pal.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Who is your fave player?
Mine is Gerry Humdog of the Bromley Bears. You and him are very similar players.
Complain about this postAre you a middlesbrough fc fan liam?
Complain about this postYour thoughts on the Tees/Tyne derby please? Is there any rivalry between you and Harmison with him being a Geordie and you a Boro lad?
Good luck down under if you call, there'll be a a fair few Teessiders in Melbourne for the game.
Complain about this posthi, what do you think of boycott suggestion of Duncan Fleture leaving the job?
Complain about this postLiam,
Now that the season is over for us who can only dream of being a professonal how many hours per week would you recommend to keep in shape for the start of the next season?
Many Thanks
Complain about this postNathan (16 from Leigh-on-Sea)
Hi,
As an Australian supporter and you and Monty having played with Michael Hussey, I'm curious. I'd imagine you both bowled to him quite alot in the nets/practice. could you identify any potential weakness he had/has or plan of attack either Panesar or yourself might consider taking against him when the two sides meet? I promise i won't tell *wink* Cheers mate, and good luck.
Complain about this postWhat are your thoughts on the recent comments from Geoffery Boycott about Duncan Fletcher?
Personally I think Fletcher is a genius with what he has done for England, but as you are in the England set up what are your thoughts and what is he like to work with.
Cheers Matey, Good luck in the Ashes.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
At the end each days play at a test match, what do you guys do when you go back to your hotel rooms?
Complain about this postHi Liam
After watching saturdays game, I cant help feel that the less experienced players like Chris Reed seem to let the experience get to them by playing some iratic shots. As a fellow Durham fan im prilidged to be heading over to Australia to catch the perth,Melbourne and Sydney Tests. On current form the only competative game I may watch is Perth as we could be 3-0 down by the end. Whats your gut feeling on how the lads are going to do down under. One things for certain if we get beat 5-0 its still better than watching Newcastle at the moment
Good Luck with the recovery
Complain about this postjust to say i really like the blog and the insite to a recovering player. i never knew so much hard work you had to get fully fit. when you were young who did you look up too?
Complain about this posthi liam, 1st of all i would like to say good luck in the ashes and hope the injury doesn't flare up again and you get a chance to rio through the aussies !! im 15 and i play cricket for my local team but i want to find a extra yard of pace, my action is rather simular to yours and tips on how to find the extra yard. thanks.
alan.
Complain about this postLiam,
I'm sure having played international cricket you are used to seeing massive crowds coming to support you on. What would be your say on the crowds-or the lack of them during this current champions trophy. As far as I've seen the main crowd pullers are the sub-continent teams. Does it affect player morale playing an international tournament to an almost empty stadium?
cheers
Complain about this postLiam,
Have you been down to Loughborough Uni's students union yet? Come out on Wednesday or Friday. It will aid recovery from any injury!! All the best
Complain about this postHey Liam, Mick from Australia again. We have all heard about Montys time spent with a mind doctor in preperation for the rough time he might get from the aussie crowds (though I believe the aussie crowds will grow to like the bloke).. how are you preparing mentally for the aussie crowds? We all know the aussies copped quite a bit from the english crowds last year so I imagine there will be plenty of stick in return. Also, are you planning to visit any tourist attractions during your time over here? I would suggest the Great Ocean Road, the scenary is great.
Complain about this postHi Liam,
I am a handy leg spin bowler, can get lots of turn. if you boys need a net bowler to practice against in preparation for shane warne and stuart macgill, i'd be happy to help. i'll even come out to australia :)
any suggestions as to how I could go about getting a trial for a county team?
Cheers
Complain about this postLiam,
I imagine you must be raring to go, after being out with an injury... I know I always am. It can seem like an eternity, can't it?
Anyway, I was wonderin what your take is on the ODI status of associate members, e.g. Scotland, Ireland and Holland. I myself live in Holland, and it was great to see them play Sri Lanka in July, after their tour of England. I think it's great for Dutch cricket - they can never hope to improve unless they play the full members, can they? Also, a few more games against associates might help improve England's confidence?
Good luck down under mate!
Alex
Complain about this postMorning liam,
I had a word with the wye chairman (who play in kent div 4) and he has said hes keen to get you on a pay as you play basis, the only thing is you would have to start in our 2s and work your way up. Our current opening bowlers are Barnesy and Hollins and they will take some displacing, what are your thoughts mate, it will be great fun down at the wizards couldron.
Complain about this postHi Liam
I Saw your article in the wisden cricketer the other day and i was thinking has cricket allways been your first sport or has vollyball Been your love
Complain about this postLiam,
Two things - firstly who is the best sportsman you have played against? Mine is either Darren Lehmann of Jerminae Defoe. Lehmman had TIME but Defoe has everything. I was 13-14 and we played against his team in the distrcit cup final. They won 5-0 and he got them all. He was so good that we all asked for his autograph after the game. I marked him.
Secondly, what is your favourtie tipple? Mine is Frulli, but it is so expensive that I only drink it on special occasions like my birthday.
Complain about this posthi i was wondering whether you have any idea's on who will win the champions trophy? also, who will be the most sought after wicket in the aussie side during the ashes?
Keep up the good work with the blog, best of luck with the ashes
Finn
Complain about this postPlunks, what i need to say mate is that i cant understand why over the years various ants have scuttled from the nest. Wilko, Llongy, Dirk Hum,Tino, Gazza Gill, Macca, Matt Ealham and Pughy have all sold their souls for other clubs. What I am trying to do is begin a revival of the ants, we have been relegated down to div 3 but i can assure you plunks the ants will have thier day. Im trying to offer my brother money to come back but instead he prefers to stay in his comfort zone at the bear cage and sit. I have spoken with Terry howes who has recently been named in the NSW 20/20 squad and is pushing for a place in the VB series and i reckon i could get him. If not im off to wye to speak to hollins and bails to see if they will play, if they wont i will go to liquid that very night and hand out ant business cards (j lincoln is sure to be in club), do you fancy helping me in this process?
Complain about this postThink Mahmood will be selected ahead of you. dont think you will make it for the Ashes. Unfortunately, you aint that good.
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wish u a very very happy and sweet eid
may this eid bring blessings of peace and prosperity to you
good luck for ashes .............................ALLHA HAFIZ bye...
Plunks,
What's the worst thing you have ever done on a cricket field? I bet its not as bad as my worst.
In fact, I bet its not as bad as any of my top ten worst.
If people want to know what they are, post up some responses and I'll get them up here
JH
Complain about this postLiam if you had to choose between Monty Panesar and Ashley Giles to play in the first ashes test who would you choose?
Complain about this postmessage for Jock Hum, did you get given given out, get into your car, still in your pads, start the engine and just drive at the umpire who gave you out knocking him to the ground?
Complain about this postHi Liam,
Complain about this postThere was a picture of you (well... the back of your head) in a newspaper yesterday. The back of your head, and presumably, you in general, was playing chess against Freddie Flintoff in India. I read somewhere that Freddie was a chess champion at school, or something along those lines. How would you rate your chess skills, and other hobbies you may have?
Hi Liam!
Being young and in your professional prime as a cricketer; how do you keep a balance between your social life and your commitment to the England team? Is it all that difficult?
Thanks,
Alan
Complain about this postAs a 22 seam bowler on the fringes of 1st team club cricket I am very keen to add an extra yard of pace to my bowling to give me that cutting edge which I feel I need to step up to the next level.
What areas (fitness, wieght training, action adjustments, etc) do you beleive are the the most likely to result in greater pace?
Complain about this post