Looking forward to Moores era
I was disappointed not to play more games in the World Cup than the three in which I featured.
After playing in the first two games, I was dropped and told this was because of my .
I came back for the final match against the West Indies and really struggled. I think some people expected me to come in and do really well but it’s really hard to find your best form straight away.
It was frustrating watching the games from the sidelines desperately wanting to be able to help England out but I wasn’t picked and there was nothing I could do about it...
I think England certainly had a chance of making it to the semi-finals but we didn’t play to our potential in the big games.
We finished fifth, which is higher than our current world ranking of seventh, but we were still disappointed with our overall effort.
Seven weeks was a long time to be away from home but I’m not complaining because I was in the Caribbean and it was a great experience to be part of the World Cup.
But it’s nice to get back to England and my family. My sister’s baby twins have grown a lot since I left and my dad, who needs a , had some good results from the hospital and should be starting dialysis soon.
I’ll be watching the World Cup final from home on Saturday and although my head says Australia will win, I wouldn’t write Sri Lanka off.
They are a good unit, and can tear a team apart if he bowls well.
Sri Lanka are very capable of beating Australia and I think they are pretty evenly matched so let’s hope it’s a great game.
England are about to head into a new era, with Peter Moores succeeding Duncan Fletcher as England coach.
Duncan’s resignation did not come as a surprise because although we didn’t know exactly what was going on, we knew things weren’t right in the Caribbean.
He has been good for me because he brought me into the squad and gave me the chance and it’s sad to see him go but a new face means a clean slate so I’m looking forward to working with Peter.
I’ve spoken to Peter a few times during coaching sessions at the Academy and he is very good at what he does and a lot of people have a lot of respect for him.
Although I’ve been named in the squad for the summer, I’m not banking on being named in the first Test team against the West Indies on 17 May.
Matthew Hoggard and my Durham team-mate Steve Harmison are bound to come back so it’s down to me to perform well for my county to force myself back in to the reckoning.
I can’t wait to get going and get some rhythm back as I’ve only played nine or 10 games since I came back from my side injury – I’m raring to go.
Great article, Liam! No worries, mate, work hard and you'll get into the first XI one way or another. Either way you're still young, consistency is attained with experience and age. All the best.
Complain about this postI think that Liam Plunkett is delightfully self-effacing. However, I also think that he is developing so well that he could become one of the best swing bowlers of his generation.
I hope that Mr Plunkett isn't so self-effacing that he lacks the killer drive to become the very best.
Complain about this postGood luck with getting back in the team! You need a proper run of matches to get match fit again and then who knows!
How is the batting going? I keep hearing you are a decent batsman, and it would certainly help you get in the team, like Hoggard, if you could start to get some good scores under your belt.
Complain about this postHi Liam
I really don't know why you were dropped after the first few games, you seemed to be improving each game with the ball, and especially with the bat. I hope you get a good run without injury for Durham so people can see how good you really are and force them to give you a run in the England side again!
Good luck mate!
Ian McGrath
Complain about this postDropped for inconsistant form with the ball and replaced with Sajid "Even more inconsistent with the ball" Mahmood. I wold have been fuming if Id been replaced with Mahmood of all people for that reason!
Complain about this postpeter moores will not be good at all flechter was are only hope
Complain about this postYeah nice and honest that Liam, lets hope we can pick up now and go forward again as i truly think we have potential at test level to beat the aussies and as great as they are they have had huge chunks of luck in the world cup and the one day game should play second fiddle in my eyes even if not the casual cricket follower
Complain about this postThank you Edward. Can't believe what was written prior to your post. Bar Freddie on occasion and one single performance from Vaughan none of the bowlers can take any credit from how they performed in the World Cup. What is worse for them is that they will be looking at how their compatriots did and thinking, 'How did I not manage to look good alongside them?'
There are no excuses here. Pretty much every team in the WC had at least one bowler who was able to hit a consistent line and length irrespective of conditions. Even bloody Ireland! Think of the South African performance v England, Vaas' opening spell v NZ, McGrath etc etc.
Yes Liam Plunkett does have potential. Even Saj has potential, but no one should ever be picked for England on the basis of potential. I'm looking forward to a Summer where, initially at least, bowlers will be picked on the basis of the figures they have returned in proper games, and I'm thankful that Harmi, Hoggy and Jones are all looking in decent nick.
I am generally the first to defend England players in the face of unwarranted criticism but I'm afraid the criticism post WC has been justified, especially when you look at how the other countries performed.
Mr Plunkett, not sure if you read this or not but please don't take it personally. I would like to see you playing for England because I think you are capable of bowling a controlled spell with a few jaffas thrown in. I just haven't seen you do it for some time. Good luck in the new season.
Complain about this postwell done anyway i thought you played well down under and well in the world cup.keep trying
Complain about this postHi Liam
Get some concentration focus in your games. You have the ability but need to be ready for your chances, they aren't going to be as frequent as before.
Complain about this postInstead of:
"I think some people expected me to come in and do really well but it’s really hard to find your best form straight away."
be ready.
Hi Liam,
You'll have to work hard to get in the team and i'm glad your aware of having to work hard to get back in the team, however don't get under any illusions, "best swing bowler of the generation"?? is an extremely long way from where you are. Keep trying and hopefully you'll be able to force yourself back into the team.
Ps. All the best
Complain about this postWell said Edward. If England are going to ever overhaul the Aussies as the no.1 test side in the world players need to be truly honest with themselves, rather than just trot out the "I'll be trying to force my way back in to the side" they've learnt to give to the media.
Liam, Hoggard swings it, Jones reverse swings it, and Harmison on form can bounce and york teams out. If you really want to be back in the team you've got to go away and add to your skill set. Maybe that means cutters, maybe just consistent accuracy, I'm not qualified to say, but without something extra you'll just be another English bowler who's gonna go for runs if it doesn't swing. Sorry mate but if you want to get to the top theirs no use papering over the cracks.
Best of luck.
Complain about this posthe has the potential to be a great bowler and maybe an all rounder
Complain about this postI thought it was a shame that we couldn't keep the momentum going from the recent one day tournament against the Aussies and Kiwis. Perhaps changing our personnel was part of the problem...
Whenever I watch England play, we always seem absolutely delighted - if not a bit surprised - to take wickets or score runs. When Australia plays, they only ever EXPECT to do such things. Whilst I'd never want us to become half as painful arrogant as the Aussie side, I think we do have to toughen up a bit.
Simon Jones and young Broad are good examples. They are competitive lads who not only play with high levels of sportsmanship, but when they ready themselves to bowl, they look as though they are at war and mean business. They clearly have fire in their bellies and that not only puts doubt in the batsmen's minds but also inspires your team mates.
Liam, you clearly do have loads of talent and I'd love to see you in the next one day games, but to paraphrase some of the other comments, being good is not enough, if you want to win you must aspire to greatness.
Complain about this postLiam,
i would have picked you from the start, but when you were picked you did not perform - u won't hear any Aussie's making excuses like that.
i wish u well u have a talent please don't fall into the trap of those that went b4 you looking for excuses for their below par performances, it is them that you should look to replace
set your self a high goal be the new Glenn McGrath - go for it!!!!
Complain about this postHi Liam,
It would be great to see you perform like you did in the commonwealth bank series, I believe you will become a great seam bowler.
P.S The ball that bowled Gilchrist was a peach! =]
Complain about this postI love the way all of these people are telling Plunkett what he needs to do to get back in the team...surely the people best placed to do that are the England and Durham coaches.
If you are reading this, Liam, ignore all of the rubbish written before my comment, the only people who matter are the coaches and selectors!
Complain about this postPlayers are in the team because of their performance and nothing else and in cricket its easier to tell because the numbers say it all. New coach or not Liam will have to improve his game and then he will be ever present in the England team, fail that and he will watch from the sidelines again.
Complain about this postLiam
For me you have what it takes, age on your side. Perhaps picking up a few tips from people like Glen McGarth in the future, about how to pitch L & L in the same place, 10 overs, no jaffas, more ball control, would make you a better bowler.
Bowlers at this level show have the ability to get 5 plus batsmen out per innings, not just 1-3 wickets. A real bowling threat is required
Odds on you will do it.
Complain about this postYour article reveals some serious problems concerning the mental preparation of English players. Finally, I understand the maiaise behind the Englaish team. Take a cue from Henry V: "That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made." Each player has to be mentally prepared in the English team to be away for whatever period of time required to be away, and give the very best of one's ability at all times. There is no room for inconsistency or dithering or whining for symathy. Whinging statements like "missing my family" has no place in the contest. Playing cricket is not an afternoon tea party or ice cream and cheese cake any more. Perhaps the English team should get some direct help from Mike Brearley, an outstanding English captain, about mental preparation, psychology and tactics.
Complain about this postThe statement by Moores that Vaughan will remain as captain of England before the outcome of the review of the reasons for the debacle in Australia confirms in my mind that apart from the coach the outcome will be a classic rearranging of the chairs on the Titanic.
Complain about this postIt all comes back to a careful analysis of the reasons for Australia winning the Ashes in 2005. In my view this was more their errors than England’s superiority:
• Second test putting Australia in
• McGrath being injured
• Disunity within the Australian team.
I do not believe Vaughan has the record the physical fitness or stamina to justify continued captaincy of England.
When will the ECB learn from their prior mistakes. Rod Hall
I find this ongoing dripping about Australia's arrogance mildly amusing. How keen are English cricket fans for success? Would you prefer your team to be nice chaps who are concerned about time spent away from mum or have you had enough of inconsistent performance and international disappointment and want to see a team with attitude and aggression?
As an Aussie I might regularly cringe with embarrassment at the attitude and behaviour of some Aussie players but I wouldn't trade it off against not winning.
And before you think this is a mindless criticism from just another Aussie. I have recently finished 24 years service in the British Army, an Army famous for its toughness and fight.
Birdie
Complain about this postHiya Liam,
I have played with you a number of times in local cricket and always admired your attitude and fitness. In the England side, who would you say is the fittest member of the test team? One thing I noticed in the Ashes was that generally the team were very fit, and I would say this is down to the good work of Fletcher. Kevin Peiterson always looks in good shape.
In the World Cup we unearthed Ravi Bopara as a top quality all-rounder, who else would you say we should watch out for in ODIs in the future - both current and non international players, who may be at counties???
Regards
Complain about this postPeter "Arm Ball" Armstrong
And we wonder why the Australians refer to us all as "whinging poms". This was a diabolical performance (WC 2007) and light weight, excuse ridden articles such as this do nothing to change our "expect to lose" mindset. Even mentioning that England finished 5th (when ranked 7th) is testimony to our mental weakness. Get back in the nets & figure out how to bowl 6 consecutive balls with a decent line, if not length. A trifle pathetic, both your article & WC performance.
Complain about this postAnd we wonder why the Australians refer to us all as "whinging poms". This was a diabolical performance (WC 2007) and light weight, excuse ridden articles such as this do nothing to change our "expect to lose" mindset. Even mentioning that England finished 5th (when ranked 7th) is testimony to our mental weakness. Get back in the nets & figure out how to bowl 6 consecutive balls with a decent line, if not length. A trifle pathetic, both your article & WC performance.
Complain about this postHi Liam, I thought the way you were treated in the world cup was disgraceful. Before you were dropped you were taking wickets and scoring loads of runs, I thought what more could you do?
Your replacement Saj Mahmood I do not rate at all, he concedes too many extras and only gets wickets when the batsmen play-on.
When you came back everybody seemed to be expecting too much. How could they expect you to do well, when they have disrupted your rythm so much?!
Anyway best of luck for the Summer, although it may be hard to be selected above Harmy, Hoggy, Jonesey and Jimmy. I would love to see you and Broad in the team - a bit of an injection of youth.
Your my favourite cricketer, keep it up!
Tim.
PS. Do you have a myspace or is that page a fake? In case you want to check it out the link is:
www.myspace.com/liamplunkett
Complain about this postyou did amazeing on the games you played better the freddie flintoff and the others. good luck in the for the future
Complain about this postGreat to see you bowling so well for Durham and well done on your Five wickets against a strong Kent batting side at the riverside.
Complain about this postWell Stop Spraying the Ball Every Which way but Right and you will remain in the team.
Complain about this posthi liam
Complain about this postfreddie here,i couldnt believe it either when vaughn had you dropped.When i was captain me and fletcher saw you as our main bowler.all the best
andrew flintoff
Hey Liam,
Complain about this postGreat series so far, it's been good to finally watch you play (even if it's just on the telly). Keep going and you'll hopefully be a regular in the team!
Anyway... Your myspace says you're single...what happened to Lisa?
I personally think you should be dropped to find your form Durham.
What ground do you think produces the best atmosphere(apart from Chester-le-street)?
Complain about this postI personally think you should be dropped to find your form Durham.
What ground do you think produces the best atmosphere(apart from Chester-le-street)?
Complain about this post