“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”
Walt Disney
There is some excellent cricket going on around the world at the moment between the Australians touring in South Africa, the Asian Cup kicking off in Bangladesh and the looming final of the U19 Cricket World Cup.
That said, the best cricket news you will read all week will come out of England. I was heartened to read that Jonathan Trott is set to return to County Cricket this season after his early return from the Ashes Tour due to a stress related illness.
I am, of course, an ardent Australian cricket fan however no cricket story saddened me more in 2013 than when I read about Trott’s struggles and when he left the Ashes tour after the Brisbane Test. The fact is that any stress related or mental illness is an insidious thing in part because of the cross the sufferer bears for revealing it. Trott’s courage in recognising he had a problem and needed to leave was as inspiring as the news itself was saddening for that very fact.
I, for one, will be following the progress of Trott’s return very closely and I hope to see him, as a member of the broader cricket community, back in English colours sooner rather than later, albeit when he is ready.
When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
“We are still the masters of our fate. We are still the captains of our souls.”
Winston Churchill
I wrote yesterday about David Warner’s comments alleging, effectively, that South Africa’s players had tampered with the ball during the Second Test match at St George’s (link available here: Australia in South Africa 2014: It is time to say it … “Please David, stop talking!” « Shumpty Speaks
https://shumpty77.com/2014/02/25/australia-in-south-africa-it-is-time-to-say-it-please-david-stop-talking/).
Today the South African team manager, Mohammed Moosagee, replied as follows:
”David Warner’s remarks are disappointing and discouraging. It takes the gloss off a great Proteas team performance,’’ Moosagee told South African newspaper DFA.
“It smacks of sour grapes and it could just be a tactical plan to get us involved in matters that will distract our attention from this crucial Test in Cape Town.
“Hardly anyone takes anything David Warner says serious.’’
South Africa’s manager is absolutely spot on. I repeat the sentiment of what I wrote yesterday: it is time for David Warner to remain moot on topics like this both for the betterment of his standing in the game and for Australian cricket in general.
I hope the ICC looks at the comments of Warner and takes the appropriate action. It is the only way he will ever learn.
In the US sport at the moment is all about basketball and today’s multi is again focused on that sport. Five legs today with a possible return of around $38 per dollar invested.
Leg 1: Clemson to cover the line (-2.5 points) against Wake Forest in NCAA Basketball.
Leg 2: Duke to cover the line (-21.5 points) against Virginia Tech in NCAA Basketball.
Leg 3: Total game score over 202 points in the Indiana Pacers v LA Lakers NBA game.
Leg 4: Toronto Raptors to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers by between 1 and 10 points in the NBA.
Leg 5: Washington Wizards to defeat the Orlando Magic by 11 points or more in the NBA.
As always: good luck and good punting. Please gamble responsibly.
Shumpty Speaks 