eugene wrote:Houghton is just jealous. Neil Johnson was never under any obligation other than to play. If they wanted him to coach they should have paid him to coach. Neil was a professional cricketer who was used to a professional enviroment - which Zimbabwean cricket certainly wasn't. Neil was paid to play - nothing else. For the few seasons he was around he was one of our star players and without him we wouldn't have made it to the Super 6s of the 1999 World Cup. Just because he didn't take on a whole lot of other unpaid duties shouldn't diminish his contribution to Zimbabwean cricket and to claim that he didn't give anything back to Zimbabwean cricket is ridiculous.
I just can't picture Neil Johnson being like that.
He's one of my favourite commentators next to Robin Jackman, not just because he's Zimbabwean, but because he seems to see things that other commentators fail to. i.e good concentration skills, good temperament, or even good calling between the wickets. I would have loved to have seen him bowl and bat live....how fast did he bowl btw
I am sure Neil Johnson's teammates held him in regard after he led them to victory over South Africa at the 99 World Cup.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
eugene wrote:I am sure Neil Johnson's teammates held him in regard after he led them to victory over South Africa at the 99 World Cup.
Nothing can be as painful as your fellow colleague standing with you wearing the same jersey and then i the presentation ceremony says bluntly that the standard of the team is not as higher as of SAF and i would always love to play for them. Heard him said so before and to be honest it was very painful sight to see him speak like that infront of Flowers, Streaks and co.
Zim Rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Satendra Singh, Delhi, India
Twitter: @drsitu
Wow! Didnt know all that about Neil.
Just doesnt come across as that in the commentary, the dude literally roots for zim.
I think Dave was frank, would love to hear his frank comments about the WC selection, if it was not sour grapes with Neil then we should hear a lot.
Then on Neils comments maybe the timing was bad, but he said what he felt. He did come back and play and am sure did his best. If he did grow up And played most of his cricket in SA then naturally he wanted to play for SA but missed out. Am sure KP wanted to play for SA so did Trott all the expats who play for Canada would love to play for their country of origin. So neil voiced his opinion which is why i like the guy, he speaks his mind. All these other guys dont say it but they sure would LOVE to.
I honestly think that somwtimes playerd should play for themselves and their stats, it would also benefit the team. Chigs aims for a personal strike rate of 150 and to score 60 runs in 30 balls each game. He does it foe Chigs so Chigs feels good at HIS achievement. The team benefits. I think they should do that. After all we work for the greater part so that we arw personally enriched you do well at qork you benefit the co. Benefits. Why should it be any different when that work you are doing is sport.
I don't really care who Neil wanted to play for - he played well for Zimbabwe and that is all that matters. I am sure almost all of the current side would jump at the chance to play for England or Australia if the opportunity arose.
Atleast Neil was honest that he really wanted to play for South Africa but made-do with Zimbabwe. South Africa's loss was Zimbabwe's gain.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
it appears theres alot of opinion, but no one knows the full facts.
I think part of Dave Houghton/Dr Situ says is true....
part of Eugene says is true.
My personal opinion is Neil is a south african that possesses strong ties to his Zimbabwean homeland and is a dont-taljk-shit kinda guy. speaking his mind.
Hes a proud zimbabwean and a proud south africam....kinda like how Sloandog is a proud zimbo but a proud pom as well, Maehara with ireland etc etc.
He no doubt wanted to be a saffer, but a good offer came along and he re-assessed then gave it his all. He was the backbone of the team in the 99' cup.
Im not sure why Houghtons pissed off because he didnt coach? the thought of coaching leading up to a world cup probably didnt enter neils mind.
Cricinfo profile of the 'James Bond' of cricket:
FULL NAME: Angus James Mackay
BORN: 13 June 1967, Harare
KNOWN AS: Gus Mackay
ZIMDOGGY wrote:IVE read this thread with alot of interest...
it appears theres alot of opinion, but no one knows the full facts.
I think part of Dave Houghton/Dr Situ says is true....
part of Eugene says is true.
My personal opinion is Neil is a south african that possesses strong ties to his Zimbabwean homeland and is a dont-taljk-shit kinda guy. speaking his mind.
Hes a proud zimbabwean and a proud south africam....kinda like how Sloandog is a proud zimbo but a proud pom as well, Maehara with ireland etc etc.
Well said.
He no doubt wanted to be a saffer, but a good offer came along and he re-assessed then gave it his all. He was the backbone of the team in the 99' cup.
Im not sure why Houghtons pissed off because he didnt coach? the thought of coaching leading up to a world cup probably didnt enter neils mind.
Neil Johnson, Alistair Campbell, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), Grant Flower, Dave Houghton, Guy Whittall, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Eddo Brandes
