Shaun Tait quits cricket

[Matt79]

At Perth He certainly didn't look like the bowler we've previously seen.

 

[Son Of Coco]

At Perth He certainly didn't look like the bowler we've previously seen.

No he didn't, his enthusiasm was almost non-existent.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Geoff Boycott has thrown his hat into the ring by proclaiming that "Tait's decision lacks character." On the face of it a fairly extraordinary statement from a man who pulled out of Test Cricket for three years without any real explanation amid rumours that it was because Mike Denness was chosen as captain instead of himself.

 

[Craig]

I've heard it is depression but under the deal he has with CA we won't know. Or anytime soon that is.

 

[Jono]

Geoff Boycott has thrown his hat into the ring by proclaiming that "Tait's decision lacks character." On the face of it a fairly extraordinary statement from a man who pulled out of Test Cricket for three years without any real explanation amid rumours that it was because Mike Denness was chosen as captain instead of himself.

His full comments below:

To me, it shows a lack of desire. I've always believed that cricket is about ability to a certain degree, but not everybody is blessed with Tendulkar's or Lara's ability. It is about character as well as ability. I've always believed that your character is tested when you fail and not when you're a raving success. Anybody can bat or bowl when they are doing well, because your confidence is high and everything is going for you. But when you fail and things don't go your way, that's when you've got to pick yourself up. You've got to be mentally strong, you've got to dust yourself down and you have to try again. For me, it shows a lack of character that he's given up. Instead of people saying, "We wish him well and we hope he comes back" (and we all wish that), I wish he hadn't gone away and had shown more commitment and more desire.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I've heard it is depression but under the deal he has with CA we won't know. Or anytime soon that is.

Have heard a similar thing from a pretty good source.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Have heard a similar thing from a pretty good source.

Ran into Boof whilst he was on the turps, imo. Had a kebab-line yarn.

 

[howardj]

Never get in between Boof and a kebab.

 

[Top_Cat]

Have heard a similar thing from a pretty good source.

Ditto.

Boycs is harsh, even notwithstanding his aforementioned unexplained absence. Aside from that one Test, Shaun, form-wise, was flying. It wasn't just that and anyone with even the most cursory knowledge of mental illness would know that.

 

[Burgey]

Nice one Boycott. God that man's an A grade putz. Did he make similar comments about Trescothick?
I mean, Boycott would be fine to come out and say that if Tait had just said "No, it's not for me - I had a bad test and realised I wasn't up to test cricket", but that's not what's happened.

BTW, even if Tait had said that, imo it would reflect positivelt on his character, not negativelyt, as he would be facing up to the fact that he wasn't cut out for it.

 

[Craig]

Boycott's good to listen to when commentating (like you'll remember the 2005 Ashes), but every other time he should STFU.

 

[pup11]

Nice one Boycott. God that man's an A grade putz. Did he make similar comments about Trescothick?
I mean, Boycott would be fine to come out and say that if Tait had just said "No, it's not for me - I had a bad test and realised I wasn't up to test cricket", but that's not what's happened.

BTW, even if Tait had said that, imo it would reflect positivelt on his character, not negativelyt, as he would be facing up to the fact that he wasn't cut out for it.

Well Boycott is english and he doesn't leave alone a single opportunity to have a dig at the Australian cricket team or its players, so it really shouldn't come as surprise but its poor form on his part to question a young fast bowler's character like this, i don't know about you guys but i have a lot of respect for what Tait has done, it certainly wouldn't have been easy for him to take such a decision but he didn't wanted to let down his team and himself by playing on when he knew everything wasn't right with him, it also is a great gesture from CA to back him financially in his troubled times and its good to see the Australian players keeping in touch with him, he surely needs every bit of support he can get atm.

 

[social]

Boycs obviously has a very short memory

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/tait-lacks-character-boycott/2008/02/08/1202234153076.html

What a goose

 

[Johnners]

Haha, hypocrit much?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Haha, Boycott you ****ing idiot.

 

[pup11]

Fast bowler's health issues should not be 'treated lightly'

Boycott upsets Australia with Tait's 'lack of character' call

Cricinfo staff

February 8, 2008



Shaun Tait stood down after the India Test series © Getty Images




Cricket Australia has taken strong exception to Geoffrey Boycott's claim Shaun Tait showed a "lack of character" for going on an indefinite break from the game. Boycott said Tait, who withdrew due to physical and emotional exhaustion after the India Test series, should have shown more commitment and desire to work through the problems.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said Tait had outlined the seriousness of his situation when he stepped down last month. "It is disappointing that any former international cricketer would treat these issues so lightly," the spokesman said, "given the particular columnist's stated view in 2006, and considering that he detailed his own similar experiences and referred to how he coped with his own situation."

Boycott wrote a column after Marcus Trescothick returned to England before the 2006-07 Ashes with a stress-related problem and sympathised with the batsman. "I know what Trescothick is going through at the moment because for three years I opted out of playing for England [in the 1970s]," Boycott wrote. "I was being split between Yorkshire and England and, in the end, it all got too much for me.

"When you are suffering from stress, you just want to run away. You can't face the pressure any more and you need to escape. It is not like a broken leg or a bloody nose. There are no external symptoms and nobody can see your suffering. It is a silent illness."

There is currently no timescale for Tait's return and the spokesman said his recovery would not be rushed. Australia's players have talked of their efforts to keep Tait's spirits up by maintaining regular phone contact and they plan to take him under their wings when he regains his fitness.


Kudos to CA for taking a stand against Boycott, expecting an apology from Boycott shortly!

 

[albo97056]

Have to say I think there are a few differences between tres and tait. Firstly Taits not been around that long and doesnt have the weight of expectation on him that tres did. He hasnt been through thue grind of 5 solid years of international cricket. He's been in and out of the team as well, not like he's played every game. Also Aus have just had a whole winter off, their schedule in the past year has been sod all. Theres no reason why tait should be suffering mentally in any way other than a lack of character in my opinion. If he cant last a light year and a bit of internationals, how does anybody think he can come back and play a busy year?

 

[JBH001]

Dont know about you lot, but Boycs' remarks seemed perfectly reasonable although perhaps not compelling. There is quite a bit of difference between the cases of Boycs and Tait, and as the poster above me has pointed out, Tresco and Tait. In any case, even if Boycs is a hypocrite, he may yet be saying a true thing.

As I said pages earlier, I consider Tait's decision to quit based on "exhaustion" a little soft. I mean really, exhaustion? From what? From being an ordinary, over-hyped, and over-rated bowler?

However, if has as been suggested, he is indeed suffering from medical depression then I take it back. I have had enough experience of mental illness within my own family and close group of friends to never treat it lightly. And if so, I wish him all the best for his recovery and his eventual return to state colours.

 

[Matt79]

Have to say I think there are a few differences between tres and tait. Firstly Taits not been around that long and doesnt have the weight of expectation on him that tres did. He hasnt been through thue grind of 5 solid years of international cricket. He's been in and out of the team as well, not like he's played every game. Also Aus have just had a whole winter off, their schedule in the past year has been sod all. Theres no reason why tait should be suffering mentally in any way other than a lack of character in my opinion. If he cant last a light year and a bit of internationals, how does anybody think he can come back and play a busy year?

Yeah, but you're obviously ignorant of the causes and effects of depressive mental illnesses. Apart from anything else, if you aren't aware of anything in his cricket or professional schedule that suggests that he should be depressed? Give yourself an uppercut.

The causes of mental health issues are rarely simple. It's a hell of a lot more complicated than "I'm feeling stressed because of my workload". That said, even an outsider only reading stuff in the paper could easily suggest a few reasons besides "lack of character" - eg. successive injuries, painful rehabilitation.

 

[Matt79]

I guess Boycott is well placed to pass judgement on the character of others
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/49075.stm