Coast is clear for contrary Caddick
The baffling logic of Andrew Caddick's decision to make himself available - along with Graham Thorpe - for the rest of England's winter tour further reinforces the view that Nasser Hussain OBE is dealing with a contrary character. In November, the Somerset pace bowler, along with the...
The baffling logic of Andrew Caddick's decision to make himself available - along with Graham Thorpe - for the rest of England's winter tour further reinforces the view that Nasser Hussain OBE is dealing with a contrary character.
In November, the Somerset pace bowler, along with the Glamorgan offspinner Robert Croft, made a decision to opt out of the recent Test tour of India because of fears over security created by the situation in Afghanistan, a country some distance from where they might be playing cricket.
If there were those who felt it was a couple of sportsmen overrating their importance, it was nevertheless their right to do so - whatever anyone else may have felt.
However, the same critics may feel it odd now that Caddick is suddenly - without apparent reservation - available to tour India, a country that is itself on the brink of war with its neighbour Pakistan.
Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said England would be monitoring the situation and would take advice from the Foreign Office and the High Commission in India. But there was, he said, "no reason to think that the tour is under threat".
Meanwhile, the Pakistan board said yesterday that it wanted the West Indies to decide whether they want to come to Pakistan for their Test series due to start on January 25. The alternative would be to play the series in a neutral venue, either the Gulf or perhaps North Africa.
Caddick's change of heart, of course, has nothing to do with the progress made by others in his absence. But both he and Croft knew that in opting out they were leaving the way open for others. Caddick is now in direct competition in both Test and one-day sides with Matthew Hoggard, who acquitted himself splendidly in India before Christmas while Croft has been supplanted by Richard Dawson.
Hussain, who privately may wonder about the strength of character of those who remained behind, is a captain who remains loyal to those who back him hardest. The way back for Caddick may be hard; that for Croft a dead end.
Thorpe is a different case. He returned home from India after the first Test in order to try to save his marriage. In that he failed, but he is resolved now to put all his endeavours into the forthcoming series of one-day internationals in India and New Zealand and the three-match Test series against the Kiwis which follows. He is unquestionably the canniest batsman in the side and the best finisher of games.
In November, the Somerset pace bowler, along with the Glamorgan offspinner Robert Croft, made a decision to opt out of the recent Test tour of India because of fears over security created by the situation in Afghanistan, a country some distance from where they might be playing cricket.
If there were those who felt it was a couple of sportsmen overrating their importance, it was nevertheless their right to do so - whatever anyone else may have felt.
However, the same critics may feel it odd now that Caddick is suddenly - without apparent reservation - available to tour India, a country that is itself on the brink of war with its neighbour Pakistan.
Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said England would be monitoring the situation and would take advice from the Foreign Office and the High Commission in India. But there was, he said, "no reason to think that the tour is under threat".
Meanwhile, the Pakistan board said yesterday that it wanted the West Indies to decide whether they want to come to Pakistan for their Test series due to start on January 25. The alternative would be to play the series in a neutral venue, either the Gulf or perhaps North Africa.
Caddick's change of heart, of course, has nothing to do with the progress made by others in his absence. But both he and Croft knew that in opting out they were leaving the way open for others. Caddick is now in direct competition in both Test and one-day sides with Matthew Hoggard, who acquitted himself splendidly in India before Christmas while Croft has been supplanted by Richard Dawson.
Hussain, who privately may wonder about the strength of character of those who remained behind, is a captain who remains loyal to those who back him hardest. The way back for Caddick may be hard; that for Croft a dead end.
Thorpe is a different case. He returned home from India after the first Test in order to try to save his marriage. In that he failed, but he is resolved now to put all his endeavours into the forthcoming series of one-day internationals in India and New Zealand and the three-match Test series against the Kiwis which follows. He is unquestionably the canniest batsman in the side and the best finisher of games.
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