England’s dashing approach to Test cricket praised
Cricket great Garry Sobers has admitted to being left bewildered by England’s astonishing start to their 2022 home Test season, AFP reported.
England, after winning just one of their 17 previous red-ball internationals, have adopted an aggressive and attacking approach under their new leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, whitewashing Test world champions New Zealand 3-0 and then defeating India in the Covid delayed fifth Test at Edgbaston, AFP reported.
West Indies star Sobers, speaking at the launch of a foundation named after him that has been established to support underprivileged young cricketers, said: “I can’t believe what I was seeing in the Tests.
“Flashing bats and people trying to hit fours and sixes every ball,” added Sobers, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders and the first man to hit six sixes in a first-class over, off Glamorgan’s Malcolm Nash when batting for Nottinghamshire at Swansea in 1968.
“It’s good from the spectator’s point of view — rather than dull and boring cricket, pushing it back down the wicket.”
But Sobers, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, was also renowned for being a fundamentally correct, if supremely elegant, left-handed batsman.
“I do worry about the technical side of the game, though, that it’s suffering,” he said.
“That’s why I enjoy watching Joe Root, he’s a hell of a good player,” explained Sobers as he paid tribute to the former England captain, the world’s top-ranked Test batsman.
Sobers also expressed his admiration for England’s James Anderson, the most successful fast bowler in Test history.
“I’m also a big fan of James Anderson. He’s getting better and quicker. He runs in like he’s just 20 years of age. He’s 40 soon— I can’t believe it!,” added Sobers, who enjoyed a 20-year international career for the West Indies from 1954-1974 before being knighted for his services to cricket in 1975.
The Sir Garry Sobers Foundation aims to change the life trajectories of young people all over the world.
It is now looking to raise £50 million ($59 million) to help talented youngsters. The foundation will have five hubs, in Britain, the West Indies, India, Australia and South Africa.
The initiative has been launched with the support of Bravia Capital, a private investment firm based in New York, established in 2000 by Bharat Bhise.