Martin Crowe has Mid Life Crisis (and may well pull it off)

[BoyBrumby]

Maybe I've watched too many films, but there is something inescapably romantic about the comeback in any walk of life. The old champ once more inexorably drawn back to the fray. If he finds himself marking his guard in a first class game Crowe will be following in a noble tradition that runs from Sly Stallone in Rocky IV to Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven to Ray Winstone in ***y Beast.

The fact he's doing it for the glory rather than the money just adds to the romance too. It'd be a lot easier for a 48yo with shot knees to get fit enough for the pension-booster that is T20 rather than the more exacting demands of the 4-day game.

 

[morgieb]

And also, doesn't Crowe have bung knees, or at least he did?

 

[Top_Cat]

He's nuts but it's hard not to admire the bloke. If he reckons his eyes are still good, he could probably do some damage at grade level but I dunno about FC. Can't imagine he'll be the flowing shot-maker he was, though. He was grinding knee-bone on shin-bone when I last saw him play and, even with the ops he's had, can't imagine they're any better at 48 than they were at 38.

Anyway, **** it, life is short, etc. and although I doubt he can do it, would never suggest he shouldn't if he reckons he can. His public statements are pretty sensible, really.

(never thought I'd ever say that about Crowe).

 

[Smudge]

And also, doesn't Crowe have bung knees, or at least he did?

Read the articles before commenting.

 

[benchmark00]

By him playing it takes up the spot of a young bloke coming through the system who would surely be better or as good as Crowe at 48.

Romantic to see etc, but is it the best thing for Auckland cricket?

 

[Flem274*]

I want to see how many runs he can score at Colin Maiden.

 

[TT Boy]

Can't be any worse than Peter Ingram.

 

[Flem274*]

If Crowe had beaten Pinga last season, he would have topped the charts.

 

[Hurricane]

Some of the shots they showed highlights of on the news were to die for.

 

[Hurricane]

I will be surprised if Auckland pick him next season. The Auckland executive being interviewed didn't seem like he was taken with the idea.

 

[Athlai]

Course he wouldn't, if he jumped out of his skin to back a guy who had been retired for 15 years he pretty much undermines every current player. The Associations will only get behind him if he really does dominate in the Club cricket.

 

[Hurricane]

I will be surprised if Auckland pick him next season. The Auckland executive being interviewed didn't seem like he was taken with the idea.

If Crowe did just announce this on twitter then I think that was a mistake.
I feel like Crowe should have called the Auckland selectors and had a big discussion with them rather than announcing this publicly and catching them off guard.

 

[Athlai]

He never said he was going to walk into the Auckland team.

 

[Hurricane]

Course he wouldn't, if he jumped out of his skin to back a guy who had been retired for 15 years he pretty much undermines every current player. The Associations will only get behind him if he really does dominate in the Club cricket.

True that - that said I still feel Crowe has mis managed this.

How long do you think he needs to dominate club cricket for - a whole season or half a season.

 

[Athlai]

True that - that said I still feel Crowe has mis managed this.

How long do you think he needs to dominate club cricket for - a whole season or half a season.

I reckon if he shows a lot of good cricket in half a season they'll pick him up.

 

[Hurricane]

He never said he was going to walk into the Auckland team.

Crowe created a stir on Twitter this evening when made the comment: ''Call me mad, but just having an urge to put the pads on, done the headband, take guard & bat in a first class match. Would Akld consider it?''

Crowe then expanded on his first tweet saying he needed three more first class games to reach 250 and another 492 runs would take him to 20,000 first class runs. He added: ''You keen ACA [Auckland Cricket Association].''

Crowe said he needed a challenge ''to get fit at 48''.

''Watched Akld last summer & I do fancy my chances in 4 dayers. They're a good limited overs team but not good @ occupying crease,'' he tweeted.

He is approaching important decision makers through twitter...there needed to be a private meeting over lunch or dinner and then crowe needed to make his pitch...Crowe is obviously a left brain dominated guy - he is a probably very capable with people skills but this was ill thought through.

 

[Langeveldt]

Ridiculous choice, and if he does pull it off, I take it he isnt concerned about taking the place of a middle order batsman who actually has a future in the game?

 

[Athlai]

He is approaching important decision makers through twitter...there needed to be a private meeting over lunch or dinner and then crowe needed to make his pitch...Crowe is obviously a left brain dominated guy - he is a probably very capable with people skills but this was ill thought through.

Rubbish mate. Utter tripe.

Hes hardly looking for a contact, he wants to get there on merit.

 

[benchmark00]

Ridiculous choice, and if he does pull it off, I take it he isnt concerned about taking the place of a middle order batsman who actually has a future in the game?

Yeah agreed. It's a pretty selfish move. He's had his career (and a fine one at that) and now it's time to move on.

 

[Hurricane]

Rubbish mate. Utter tripe.

Hes hardly looking for a contact, he wants to get there on merit.

He could have halved the time necessary to get himself into the team if he had've handled it right, anyways - just my view Athlai.

Cheers