Ash eyes a comeback

[Zeeshan]

Around what time exactly did Ash start taking a dip? And he should focus more on his own game than talking too much or giving interviews. Look at the Navy SEALS after ousting bennie., no 'parade' or bandparty or shanai. "Back to the lab yo" after all the action.
As ATMR would say: kotha kom, run beshi.

On topic: I like Sean Pupry

[Shaan]

problem is that we know, you know what is ASH's problem but how come Ash never showing us sign that he knows his problem, for last few years? So, I say before Ash himself not solved his problem properly there is no place near national team for him, doesn't matter how technically best batsman he is.

[bujhee kom]

Asoon bhais, amra sobai ekta group hug kori!

[Sohel]

We've been down that Ability/Application road way too many times already. Time to use that effort for players with higher IQ.

[Banglaguy]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
IMO it's because it is the easiest to coach, tends to pay the best money and all the team has to bat so you will be popular. Plus most head coaches tend to be batting specialists as most coaches were batsmen themselves and like to coach the way they played.

Every coach I had when I was a player, coached batting. People never specialised in bowling or fielding. They just did it out of annoyance.

You will find that generally a bowling or fielding coach can coach batting - but a batting coach historically struggles with bowling or fielding to the same level.

Not to be rude or anything, but does batting or bowling take more skill?

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by Banglaguy
Not to be rude or anything, but does batting or bowling take more skill?

Ask any coach and he will tell you that batting is way easier to coach than bowling.

Everyone wants to be a batsman as well, which is also why there are so many batting coaches. You can fall over 20 or 30 batting coaches just going shopping.

If fast bowling coaching was as easy as batting coaching a country like India with all it's resources and passion, would have 100s of fast bowlers. This is the one area they cannot get success in though. We would be bursting at the seams in Bangladesh with Brett Lee's and Dale Steyn's. New Zealand and WI would have fearsome fast bowling attacks.

We all know how cricket is a batsman's game with all the laws skewed towards the bat dominating the ball. Crowds want to see 6's and 4's. Batsmen are heroes. Very few fast bowlers ever make that status. Batting is 'exciting'.

There is skill in all disciplines, it's just that coaching batting is far easier.

[riankhan]

Originally Posted by Banglaguy
Not to be rude or anything, but does batting or bowling take more skill?

"Coaching Batting is an impossible task"

Quoted by: Several former Batting coach of Sir Ashraful

[M.H.Rubel]

Dear Ian, thank you for all your nice posts regarding Ash.What my observation is, definately he is the most gifted batsman in our team.I also noticed that his main problem is something wrong with his mentality.Say he is playing good, Suddenly he will do something stupid and will get out.I thought he does this stupid thing in nets aswell.But now i came to know that he dont do it in the nets.This is interesting that best batsman in the net can not produce it in the match.One thing also important here is he can not replicate his net performance in the domestic level aswell.
Ash never looked intelligent to me rather a man with low IQ.So my point regarding Ash is,a gifted player,best in the net,who have low IQ,who feel pressure in match situation and can not handle the mental issues during the play and cant replicate his net performances.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition

[al Furqaan]

They had in interesting article in either ESPN or SI magazine a few weeks ago about the 2011 quarterback class in reference to the NFL Draft. The article delved into the discussion about how teams go about figuring out who is going to be a bust and who is not. The 1998 class everyone remembers. Peyton Manning was taken first, and he is possibly the most potent QB in the history of the game. Ryan Leaf was taken right after him, and 99% of BC has probably no clue who he is. Ashraful is Ryan Leaf.

But what was most interesting and reminded me of Sir Enigma, was a section on Aaron Rogers, Alex Smith, David Carr, and a quote by Tom Brady. It involves the factors of guidance plus expectation.

Both Rogers and Smith were first round picks, indicating they had phenomenal levels of inherent talent and ability (Ashraful). They also had loads of expectation due to being the first player picked that year, similar to Sir Ash. But whereas Smith was forced to start as a rookie for one the league's worst team's, he had neither guidance nor protection. On the other hand, Rogers served as Bret Favre's understudy for a few seasons before taking over the reigns and eventually becoming the Superbowl MVP. Ashraful is something like smith, playing for the worst Test side, and due to his 114 on debut he was effectively facing the pressures of being the #1 overall pick. To this effect, Tom Brady, famously picked in the 6th round out of Ann Arbor, Michigan once reportedly said, "If I was picked in the first round, I would not be here today. I would probably be 2nd or 3rd string in Dallas, or out of the league working another job."

The article also mentioned David Carr from Fresno State, and Kentucky's Tim Couch who started for the expansion Browns in his 1999 rookie season. Carr was famous during his rookie year - I think it was 2002 - for being sacked an NFL record 78 times, due to his team having one of the poorest offensive lines around. Couch had similar problems as both men played for newly created expansion sides. In fact, Couch's coach was quoted in the article as saying, "People always refer to Tim as being a bust and I get so mad when I hear that. He wasn't a bust. He was busted up. He took such a beating that he just couldn't continue."

This is similar to Ashraful who had no protection from opposition bowlers as he was the most highly valued wicket ever since his 114 and youngest centurion heroics. At the same time Ashraful never had a Bret Favre or a (Drew Bledsoe?) to guide him as Sachin had Azhar, Clarke had Ponting/Hayden/Gilchrist, etc.

In short I think he was ruined by his dramatic debut.

[Beamer]

Originally Posted by Sohel NR
We've been down that Ability/Application road way too many times already. Time to use that effort for players with higher IQ.

I think Q is the most perverted alphabet. Just look at it. Look what its trying to do to O.

[LateCut]

I was rooting for Ian to get the Chief Huncho position. But no more! I am questioning his judgement. No matter what kind of technique or potential one has, it is the end results that counts. The indians openers probably has ugilest and/or improper techniques and yet they can totally demoralize the opposing boweler in any given day. Fact that Ian is backing Ash, scares the daylighgt out of me. I think Ian will give this guy many more chances which he will fail to seize. He does not have cricketing temperament. May be some day he will be a good batting coach but, as a player under pressure, he has zero potential. Sooner we forgets about him is better. However, I think Ian is spot-on about SN. He should be in the team as long he is performing and he did perform against the Aussies.

[LateCut]

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
This is similar to Ashraful who had no protection from opposition bowlers as he was the most highly valued wicket ever since his 114 and youngest centurion heroics.

Huh? Batting is not a team sport. No body was rearing to tear his spinal cord or smash his head onto the turf. It is and always had been a duel between the bowler and the batsman. You can actually tune all others out of your mind. Our high school coach once said if you hit the ball solidly enough, it will beat the fielders more often than not. He also said that trying deliberatly place ball (i.e. scoop/paddle , reverse sweeps) often causes ill-timed shot or a knick/top edge. "Hit the ball where it is meant be hit". He also despised hooks and pulls. I know it is taking it far too much. But the thought process is correct. Only two players that count: the bowler and the batter. So, Ashrafuls demise has nothing to do with the fact he was not cuddled by Tendulkar. It is his lack of judgement and application. You know what? These are also like talent which he obviously has. That is, "you either have it or don't".

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by LateCut
I was rooting for Ian to get the Chief Huncho position. But no more! I am questioning his judgement. No matter what kind of technique or potential one has, it is the end results that counts. The indians openers probably has ugilest and/or improper techniques and yet they can totally demoralize the opposing boweler in any given day. Fact that Ian is backing Ash, scares the daylighgt out of me. I think Ian will give this guy many more chances which he will fail to seize. He does not have cricketing temperament. May be some day he will be a good batting coach but, as a player under pressure, he has zero potential. Sooner we forgets about him is better. However, I think Ian is spot-on about SN. He should be in the team as long he is performing and he did perform against the Aussies.

Sorry but you need to get a grip....

I am saying he needs to find out once and for all WHY he keeps failing that's all.. no coaches have done that and like you, they have all given up on him. I disagree massively about the Indian batsmen having improper techniques. They have a style that is aggressive but technically they are in the right place to hit the ball, which is what technique is.

As a top level coach you need to be able to strip out style from technique. You simply cannot be a great player without a great technique. You confuse style with technique sadly. The BD batsmen all want to smack the ball, that is their STYLE. If they had better techniques they could achieve it.

BD doesn't have that many talented batsmen right now who COULD be match winners. If it turns out Ash cannot do it then we move on. I feel he deserves at least to find that out because his TECHNIQUE is good. This is at the heart of being a quality player. The skill of coaching is getting a player to be a self-learner. If Ash doesn't have the answer then it is clear that previous coaches have yet to help him discover it. It is a coaches DUTY to help a player correct problems.

The TRUTH is BD does not have enough players with strong enough techniques IMO to just forget Ash, regardless of how many games he has played. Because he is playing with the issues still there. But as I say if he just is unable to EVER do it properly after finding out what is wrong, then fine move on. However, at least let's get to the truth...

If that makes me the wrong choice to be a leader of men then I am no leader.

[_Rafi_]

Is there any coaching/instruction to increase IQ? Ash badly need that.
But now he can eat/drink Horlics which will make him taller, stronge and sharper. Horlics boys and girls never fail.

[Banglaguy]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Sorry but you need to get a grip....

I am saying he needs to find out once and for all WHY he keeps failing that's all.. no coaches have done that and like you, they have all given up on him. I disagree massively about the Indian batsmen having improper techniques. They have a style that is aggressive but technically they are in the right place to hit the ball, which is what technique is.

As a top level coach you need to be able to strip out style from technique. You simply cannot be a great player without a great technique. You confuse style with technique sadly. The BD batsmen all want to smack the ball, that is their STYLE. If they had better techniques they could achieve it.

BD doesn't have that many talented batsmen right now who COULD be match winners. If it turns out Ash cannot do it then we move on. I feel he deserves at least to find that out because his TECHNIQUE is good. This is at the heart of being a quality player. The skill of coaching is getting a player to be a self-learner. If Ash doesn't have the answer then it is clear that previous coaches have yet to help him discover it. It is a coaches DUTY to help a player correct problems.

The TRUTH is BD does not have enough players with strong enough techniques IMO to just forget Ash, regardless of how many games he has played. Because he is playing with the issues still there. But as I say if he just is unable to EVER do it properly after finding out what is wrong, then fine move on. However, at least let's get to the truth...

If that makes me the wrong choice to be a leader of men then I am no leader.

Is technuiqe one of the reasons why Raqibul drives in the air a lot?

[BanCricFan]

Ashraful the cricketer is rotten to the core. Not only is he irresponsible that defies belief but also extremely selfish and manipulative. I still remeber his U19 days clearly when he used to busy himself with petty politics against Nafis Iqbal on the captaincy issue. Thus, destroying all team cohesion completely. Then I just thought he will grow out of these habits as he become older and more mature. Was I not wrong! The fact that -after all these years -he averages in low 20s in international cricket he has never hold himself responsible for this. Rather, he still, unashamedly, continues to find blames on "others" for all his failures. I think Ashraful is a very bad example for our young cricketers. He should be kept well away from them!

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by LateCut
So, Ashrafuls demise has nothing to do with the fact he was not cuddled by Tendulkar. It is his lack of judgement and application. You know what? These are also like talent which he obviously has. That is, "you either have it or don't".

Maybe Ashraful would be the same player we know with a 23 average had he had guidance from senior players in his early years instead of being the "first string quarterback" from his debut season. This cannot be proven one way or the other.

However, its logically intuitive that veterans can guide youngsters especially in cricket. With that being said, you can't say with certainty that Ash wouldn't be any different. Everyone agrees the problem is mental and mental alone. Those issues could have possibly been fixed, if not completely avoided by the presence of a senior leader.

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by Banglaguy
Is technuiqe one of the reasons why Raqibul drives in the air a lot?

Yep. It's the reason MOST people hit the ball in the air.

If your body weight isn't over the ball the ball can go aerial because the bat angle is wrong.

At my academy I get the players to groove the front foot drives, which you can see here and you will notice how the batsman's weight is forward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBy3-gji4fQ

Issues like this, and others, require grooving. This means repeating the drill over and over and over. You cannot leave things like this and wonder why a batsman is then inconsistent.

[Banglaguy]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Yep. It's the reason MOST people hit the ball in the air.

If your body weight isn't over the ball the ball can go aerial because the bat angle is wrong.

At my academy I get the players to groove the front foot drives, which you can see here and you will notice how the batsman's weight is forward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBy3-gji4fQ

Issues like this, and others, require grooving. This means repeating the drill over and over and over. You cannot leave things like this and wonder why a batsman is then inconsistent.

Ian at my club (regents park cricket club under-17's) I struggle with shots like the cover drive on the up rather than front footed? How does the ball get kept down while playing on the up? And what do you think a goo ODI strike rate is?

[Tiger444]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
Yep. It's the reason MOST people hit the ball in the air.

If your body weight isn't over the ball the ball can go aerial because the bat angle is wrong.

At my academy I get the players to groove the front foot drives, which you can see here and you will notice how the batsman's weight is forward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBy3-gji4fQ

Issues like this, and others, require grooving. This means repeating the drill over and over and over. You cannot leave things like this and wonder why a batsman is then inconsistent.

Enjoyed the video coach. Raqibul has different problems then Ashraful then. Raqibul has more issues with his technique and not with his head. And he's been our #4 for a very long time. So it's obvious that he really needs to work hard on his technique or else he'll continue to fail.

[lamisa]

and so he has, at bc!

[Ian Pont]

Originally Posted by Banglaguy
Ian at my club (regents park cricket club under-17's) I struggle with shots like the cover drive on the up rather than front footed? How does the ball get kept down while playing on the up? And what do you think a goo ODI strike rate is?

1. If you want to see how to hit the ball on the up or rather 'on top of the bounce' and keep it down, watch this video of my elite batter, Alex Harbourne (here aged 13) hitting 4 shots, 3 on the ground, 1 in the air over my head. Two shots from the side on smashed back down the pitch with the ball being hit on the up. The last shot from front on (the 4th shot) is hit past mid on along the ground from a ball that is nowhere near a half volley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqT89y4aXL8

Bearing in mind in these clips Alex is just 13 years old, his technique is EXCEPTIONAL. I work with Alex and have had him as a student since he was 9 years old. The secret is to hit the ball under your eye line if possible or 'late', and keep your elbow high at the front to maintain the angle of the bat downwards.

2. ODI strike rates. It depends what position you bat I guess. Sehwag has a CAREER SR of 108 or something crazy like that, which is truly amazing. Afridi is 113 or so. Above 75 for a SR is pretty decent. Above 85 is great. But it depends on when you bat.

SR only tells part of the story. No point hitting a 6 and getting out 5 balls later to have a SR of 100. That doesn't help anyone.

[Banglaguy]

Originally Posted by Ian Pont
1. If you want to see how to hit the ball on the up or rather 'on top of the bounce' and keep it down, watch this video of my elite batter, Alex Harbourne (here aged 13) hitting 4 shots, 3 on the ground, 1 in the air over my head. Two shots from the side on smashed back down the pitch with the ball being hit on the up. The last shot from front on (the 4th shot) is hit past mid on along the ground from a ball that is nowhere near a half volley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqT89y4aXL8

Bearing in mind in these clips Alex is just 13 years old, his technique is EXCEPTIONAL. I work with Alex and have had him as a student since he was 9 years old. The secret is to hit the ball under your eye line if possible or 'late', and keep your elbow high at the front to maintain the angle of the bat downwards.

2. ODI strike rates. It depends what position you bat I guess. Sehwag has a CAREER SR of 108 or something crazy like that, which is truly amazing. Afridi is 113 or so. Above 75 for a SR is pretty decent. Above 85 is great. But it depends on when you bat.

SR only tells part of the story. No point hitting a 6 and getting out 5 balls later to have a SR of 100. That doesn't help anyone.

My coach said to rock forward slightly.. and, so take for example, shakib, comes number 5, with 33 avg, and 76 Sr... Good or bad (he comes when the teams in shatters).

[Sakib]

no one drops sir ash from the team, he just takes a break to overcome monotony.

[Baundule]

Originally Posted by Banglaguy
Ian at my club (regents park cricket club under-17's) I struggle with shots like the cover drive on the up rather than front footed? How does the ball get kept down while playing on the up? And what do you think a goo ODI strike rate is?

Alex (Ian's student) is amazing in that video. You can also look at Hashim Amla.