End of an era that never began?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:15 pm
It could have been a glorious era for Zimbabwean batting. Sean Colin Williams was probably the most talented batsman to come out of Zimbabwe after the legendary Andy Flower. I would be lying if I said I did not fall in love with his batting skills the first time I watched him play. He was sensationally classy, and he continued to show his class, whenever he made up his mind to turn out for Zimbabwe. Not to forget more than handy and under rated left arm spin bowling, and magnificient fielding skills he possessed. But he made up his mind very rarely, and when he did, it was sure to be broken very soon. What a waste of imperious talent...
This is one era that should have begun a couple of years ago, but now it is almost certain that it will never take off. There have always been players like Andy Blignaut, Shahid Afridi, Virender Sehwag, etc., who have not done justice to their immense talent, but that is mainly because of their wayward approach, and lack of focus. In a way, we love them sometimes, and their wayward ways. We don't always sit back and wonder what they could have become if they had cricket on their minds always. Their different approach towards the game make them superstars in a way.
But in case of Sean "Enigma" Williams, it hurts like hell, when you see him abuse talent so mercilessly. If his focus was not on cricket and if that was very evident, then it would not be so painful. But he chooses to come back every once in a while and showcase his batting spectacle, keeping us, the fans, on our toes. And then, he disappears. This time though, it seems, he has left Zimbabwean cricket for good, and I don't see him coming back. He shouldn't. Nobody is gaining anything from his see-saw battle with his own mind. ZC might want to close the door on him forever, if they have not done so already. With great pain again, it is time to realize, one of our greatest talents might not turn up for Zimbabwe anymore.
This is one era that should have begun a couple of years ago, but now it is almost certain that it will never take off. There have always been players like Andy Blignaut, Shahid Afridi, Virender Sehwag, etc., who have not done justice to their immense talent, but that is mainly because of their wayward approach, and lack of focus. In a way, we love them sometimes, and their wayward ways. We don't always sit back and wonder what they could have become if they had cricket on their minds always. Their different approach towards the game make them superstars in a way.
But in case of Sean "Enigma" Williams, it hurts like hell, when you see him abuse talent so mercilessly. If his focus was not on cricket and if that was very evident, then it would not be so painful. But he chooses to come back every once in a while and showcase his batting spectacle, keeping us, the fans, on our toes. And then, he disappears. This time though, it seems, he has left Zimbabwean cricket for good, and I don't see him coming back. He shouldn't. Nobody is gaining anything from his see-saw battle with his own mind. ZC might want to close the door on him forever, if they have not done so already. With great pain again, it is time to realize, one of our greatest talents might not turn up for Zimbabwe anymore.