The pressure will again be on Steve Harmison when the second Test match starts between England and West Indies tomorrow at Headingley. Headingley is renowned for helpful conditions for bowlers and all eyes will be on Harmy to see if he can regain the form he produced at his peak three years ago in the West Indies. His performances since then have been very inconsistent, coinciding with the departure of Troy Cooley, the bowling coach, to Australia. Harmy was particularly close to Cooley and has felt his loss more than others.
It seems to be a mental thing as he has had a great start to the season with his county Durham and all reports confirmed that he was back to his best. It seems that he has stage fright on the big occasions with his mental fragility coming to the fore, which affects his bowling action as technical flaws begin to surface, resulting in the wayward fare he seems to serve up.
He has had ample time to rest and get it right after the disastrous Ashes series, where his first delivery to third slip on the opening day remains a lasting memory. He has quit one day cricket to concentrate on Tests but all the preparation still has not helped. It is a worrying factor for England, who have showed faith in his abilities and have been supportive as they know that he can be destructive if he gets it right. Everyone is hoping that it will all just click into place once he gets a few wickets, but those wickets are not coming and with that the pressure is growing and so it is a vicious circle.
In the end you can have all the help in the world and the best practice sessions, but when you get out there, it is down to you to perform as cricket is as much an individual game as it is a team game. Each batsman and bowler is out there on their own and therefore those that are mentally tough and able to handle the pressure usually succeed. Harmy needs to overcome his demons and believe in himself as time is running out.
2 comments:
Harmy bowled a good line and length in the 1st innings, but he continues to bowl a 4 ball in every over.
he s caught up with his own self daemons, lest he gets rid of them, he cant be a bowler he once was.
Meanwhile Ryan Sidebottom hogged the limelight for day 2 with 6 wkts, no doubt the imperious KP being star of the day. I just love him!!!!
Think Hamy looked much better this Test but he has a long way to go yet.
Yes KP is a class above and the sky is the limit for someone of his abilities.He is great entertainment.
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