Why I will stop calling players talented: A discussion of terminology

[silentstriker]

LOL India taking average talent and making it very very good.

 

[Flem274*]

^perfect example of talent being used as a vague measure to make a blatant "I want/think we'e better than you but I have no hard evidence to prove it" statement.

There's some posts in this thread I'll reply to tomorrow after my exam.

 

[ganeshran]

Flem is a seriously talented writer

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

You're a talented writer, Phlegm!

 

[Cevno]

Yep. Phlegm has a great talent for writing.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Oops, I suppose I should read the thread first.

Only the third person to pull that one.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Wow, so batsmen get clues from the bowler as they run in on where they are going to bowl?

Fascinating stuff.

Not even that early, generally from the bowling stride onwards. For example, the front arm dropping earlier is a sign of a bouncer, bowling arm getting extra high often means the ball will be pushing in towards you, etc.

Talent's been narrowed down into far too narrow a definition as well, but that's been covered.

 

[ankitj]

Not even that early, generally from the bowling stride onwards. For example, the front arm dropping earlier is a sign of a bouncer, bowling arm getting extra high often means the ball will be pushing in towards you, etc.

Wonderful. Never thought of that, and makes complete sense!

 

[Flem274*]

Flem is a seriously talented writer

You're a talented writer, Phlegm!

Yep. Phlegm has a great talent for writing.

^Dead men walking

Not even that early, generally from the bowling stride onwards. For example, the front arm dropping earlier is a sign of a bouncer, bowling arm getting extra high often means the ball will be pushing in towards you, etc.

Talent's been narrowed down into far too narrow a definition as well, but that's been covered.

Wow, might try looking for this next time I have a muck around in the nets.

Will probably end up getting hit in the head off one I thought would be full.

 

[Flem274*]

I think Flem some people have the talent to pick up skills easier than others. I might have to practice something for a year to get it right. Someone else might have to practice for 6 months. Some people will never get it right no matter how much they practice.

Typically the faster learners in cricket will get identified around 11 years old and start to get put through superior coaching programs and encouraged to practice more.

I never said "talent" does not exist, what I am saying is the word is used incorrectly to describe aspects that have nothing to do with it, and I went further and said hand eye coordination, and I guess all that stuff Neil posted, doesn't matter as much at the highest level because everyone around you is all in the same ballpark.

I also suspect at least part of what you are witnessing is those fast learners didn't learn how to bat faster than you because of a higher "talent" level, but kids who have been developing their motor skills from a very early age. It's no coincidence every international sportsman talks about how early they were running around outside playing sports, and how often they did it. Physical activity at an early age advances motor skills, which makes it easier to adapt to a new sport in later years. Of course, not everyone gets to the top on their motor skills alone. Technical expertise and endless refinement of learned skills are important.

The above paragraph is pure speculation though, and I would need to look up some studies to see if I can find anything to back it up with.

Nevertheless, I think the arbitrary word "talent" is used excessively, as I outlined using examples in the original post.

Let me shoot a fish in a barrel-how many times do you see a batsman with a fast strike rate called an amazing talent, and how often do you see a slower scorer described as a gritty player who makes the most of his limited ability? That is just one of my main gripes with the overuse and incorrect use of the word.

Skills and "talent" need to be separated. Talent is a natural attribute you a born with that cannot be learned or otherwise accessed. No one on this planet was born with a perfect outswinger.

 

[benchmark00]

Well done, you've set a record of poorest 'line written to care given' ratio in CW history for a single thread.

 

[Flem274*]

IIRC the only reason you haven't claimed that record is because you're incapable of writing more than ten consecutive sentences.

 

[benchmark00]

IIRC the only reason you haven't claimed that record is because you're incapable of writing more than ten consecutive sentences.

 

[Flem274*]

 

[Burgey]

^Dead men walking



Wow, might try looking for this next time I have a muck around in the nets.

Will probably end up getting hit in the head off one I thought would be full.

A mate of mine who coaches a first grade side in Sydney tries to teach his quicks to bowl a bouncer without dropping their head or shoulder, for the very reason Jack has mentioned - batsmen pick it up.

 

[Burgey]

What a gif. Gold.