Fantastic guest appearance. I know it’s coincidence, but the tone does make me think of Williamson. Thanks to a misbehaving disc and resulting surgery, I watched a lot of cricket last week, including seeing the highlights of the 2015 WC pool game against Australia, a game where Boult and Williamson were our stars. The Williamson in that game was another player, full of intent, positive from ball one, and to then watch him in the current day, it’s like he’s lost that enthusiasm to dominate games- the spark isn’t there, he’s batting because he has to, not because he wants to. For the first time ever, I really didn’t want to watch him bat, it was painful. The contrast with Boult is fascinating. A year ago Boult seemed the same, lacking that intent, but he was back to his world class best in this series, and having the same impact as 2015. I hesitate to suggest that Williamson become a part time international cricketer, but I suspect there is something in Boults performance that starts with the fact he is in control of his destiny, he has chosen to be there, and therefore he’s making the most of it. I’m not sure what he’ll choose, but I think it’s probably time Williamson starting making a few choices in order to bring some joy back into those games and formats he wants to be involved in.
Thanks for sharing Dylan. Such a great piece of writing, striking all the emotional chord strings: fatherhood, childhood, innocence and the loss of it as one grows older, cricket and its life giving qualities, as well as its life taking...
Justin Paul was an obscure name that I hadn't come across, but a great first choice for the rabbit hole series!
Fantastic guest appearance. I know it’s coincidence, but the tone does make me think of Williamson. Thanks to a misbehaving disc and resulting surgery, I watched a lot of cricket last week, including seeing the highlights of the 2015 WC pool game against Australia, a game where Boult and Williamson were our stars. The Williamson in that game was another player, full of intent, positive from ball one, and to then watch him in the current day, it’s like he’s lost that enthusiasm to dominate games- the spark isn’t there, he’s batting because he has to, not because he wants to. For the first time ever, I really didn’t want to watch him bat, it was painful. The contrast with Boult is fascinating. A year ago Boult seemed the same, lacking that intent, but he was back to his world class best in this series, and having the same impact as 2015. I hesitate to suggest that Williamson become a part time international cricketer, but I suspect there is something in Boults performance that starts with the fact he is in control of his destiny, he has chosen to be there, and therefore he’s making the most of it. I’m not sure what he’ll choose, but I think it’s probably time Williamson starting making a few choices in order to bring some joy back into those games and formats he wants to be involved in.
Thanks for sharing Dylan. Such a great piece of writing, striking all the emotional chord strings: fatherhood, childhood, innocence and the loss of it as one grows older, cricket and its life giving qualities, as well as its life taking...
Justin Paul was an obscure name that I hadn't come across, but a great first choice for the rabbit hole series!