Mickey Arthur's awkward press conference at the end of Day 1

[Junaids]

The early editions of the Tuesday papers are being put together, and a number of cricket websites are reporting Mickey Arthur's excruciatingly difficult press conference after Day 1 of the Melbourne Test.

The key points are:

1. He was asked to explain how Sohail Khan was selected - presumably by Misbah - when ten days ago he had stated that he is too unfit to be selectable. (Today he answered that he has lost 7-8 kg and is bowling multiple spells daily in the nets, beautifully. But he also ominously ended by saying that the proof will be in the pudding).

2. He was asked whether he could defend Younis and Misbah's ongoing selection, which of course could not happen in Australia, if you recall the pressure on the much younger Ponting and Clarke to retire. (Today he replied that the other players want to keep them on, that they train hard and that they have earned the right to announce their own retirements. But in a change of tune, he said that the team would cope if they left at the same time).

I like Mickey - he doesn't hide from the difficult questions.

But his honesty makes for some very tough questions when he has to defend the poor decisions that others impose upon him.

 

[Slog]

This seems like a very forced thread

Mickey won't be bringing back Butt btw

 

[Junaids]

This seems like a very forced thread

Mickey won't be bringing back Butt btw

? Where did that come from.

It doesn't belong in this thread, but I've been clearly writing that with this tour done, Azhar, Shafiq, Sarfraz, Yasir and Wahab are five guys aged 29-32 who should be the oldest in the squad.

But this thread is more about the clear inference that Misbah over-ruled Arthur to select Sohail.

And that Arthur is citing the support of others as the reason to retain Younis and Misbah - he started distancing himself at Brisbane and has gone further today.

He is at pains not to repeat Homeworkgate - his support and compliments are superficially effusive.

But then you read it again and think "this guy is distancing himself".

 

[moghul]

Mickey , let these useless oldies go, we're with you.

 

[Gilly]

I wonder if Micky has had a few conversations with Lawson, its about time Micky woke up to what everyone knows.

 

[Hamza_]

Mickey Arthur is a fantastic coach IMO. Pakistan as a team will flourish under him, Also what I like about him is that he has faith in his players, Particularly young batters like Babar Azam.

 

[Justcrazy]

Misbah and Younis should have dignity , and move on. They are doing no good to the team

 

[FreePalestine]

Misbah and Younis should have dignity , and move on. They are doing no good to the team

easy to forget that Misbah actually intended to retire after the England series in the UAE and was compelled/persuaded to stay on for a very important England tour. At the time, PCB top brass also said that they wanted him to stay on for NZ and Oz, and why wouldn't he, after the success he had in Eng?

We are too quick to write off players. He has just had one and a half bad series. Age should not define how long players stay. If he scores runs in this series, will you take back your comments?

Having said that, I think this will probably be Misbah's last series, and he will choose to retire. I wish him well in the future. He still merits a place in the team. Consider the alternatives.

 

[Barragan]

He wants Younis and Misbah gone, which is the right move and he should be backed.

The pitch is relatively flat and Pak should score a min. of 320+.

These two have struggled and I'm afraid, it is time for them to leave.

This doesn't mean, that no one appreciates what they have done for Pak or forgot their achievements, it's just time to hang up the boots and nothing to be ashamed of either because they are very old and age has caught up with them.

 

[AlphaFighter]

We can drag Younis for a few more years but Misbah needs to be booted.

 

[coy0607]

from your summary, sounds like a standard presser, nothing awkward about selection questions after day 1

 

[Arham_PakFan]

easy to forget that Misbah actually intended to retire after the England series in the UAE and was compelled/persuaded to stay on for a very important England tour. At the time, PCB top brass also said that they wanted him to stay on for NZ and Oz, and why wouldn't he, after the success he had in Eng?

We are too quick to write off players. He has just had one and a half bad series. Age should not define how long players stay. If he scores runs in this series, will you take back your comments?

Having said that, I think this will probably be Misbah's last series, and he will choose to retire. I wish him well in the future. He still merits a place in the team. Consider the alternatives.

Well said.