Saeed Ajmal ruined Eoin Morgan's Test career

[DW44]

Chris Rogers admits he felt elated when he heard Saeed Ajmal had been suspended for throwing, for he knows what a difference a few degrees (or more) can make to a batsman's Test career.

The Australian Test opener, who departed for the United Arab Emirates on Saturday to prepare for the Test series against Pakistan, shares a dressing room at Middlesex with England batsman Eoin Morgan.

Morgan has played 16 Tests for England including seven against Pakistan, and while he fell to Ajmal only three times the Irishman struggled with the off-spinner's controversial doosra. He averaged 21 in seven Tests against Pakistan and 13 in three in the UAE in 2012, his last Test series.

Having spoken to Morgan about the impact of Ajmal, Rogers welcomed the International Cricket Council's crackdown on illegal actions, which has netted three off-spinners in five months with several others on report.

"You can't have a guy who is exceeding the rules, or not playing to the rules, who's affecting other people's careers. And that's what it comes down to," Rogers said.

"I played with Eoin Morgan, and he's a tremendous player of spin, but he still says Ajmal ruined his Test career.

"So maybe if that hadn't happened and Eoin had got a couple of scores there, you never know, he might still be playing Test cricket. A lot of ifs and buts in that, but the rules are there and are meant to be followed and if he was that far outside of it, then this should have happened a long time ago, I think."

This argument runs counter to the one mounted by South Australian captain – and ex-South African spinner – Johan Botha and others that the law should be softened to accommodate so-called mystery spinners, who bring crowds through the turnstiles and liven up the middle overs of one-day games that have become skewed towards batsmen.

To that end, the ICC will be under pressure to follow through on its other recent promise, to enforce the guidelines that say boundaries should be pushed out to their maximum dimensions to ensure a fair balance between bat and ball.

Rogers says he had enough trouble facing traditional off-spinner Graeme Swann, and cashed in on his retirement with back-to-back Test centuries when the Englishman quit during last summer's Ashes.

"When I heard that news [of Ajmal's suspension], I was pretty elated for about 48 hours," he said. "I had my own troubles with Graeme Swann, so I didn't know how I was going to go against Ajmal. That might prolong my Test career a little bit longer."

In fact, the expectation is that if the 37-year-old can maintain his recent high standards he will play until next year's Ashes defence in England. Rogers made 107 against a rampant South African attack in Port Elizabeth before continuing his prolific form in county cricket, with two double centuries for Middlesex during the winter.

He admits to knowing little about the Pakistan attack without Ajmal, although he recently faced left-arm quick Junaid Khan in a county game.

"It's going to be a fantastic tour," Rogers said. "I've spoken to the England guys about the UAE and they love it. It's going to be hard work with the heat obviously, and my white skin. But I'll get through, and a couple of big scores on some flat tracks would be nice."

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has challenged his team to overcome the loss of Ajmal, who is working to correct his action with Saqlain Mushtaq, but questioned the timing of the ICC's crackdown on suspect actions, less than six months before the World Cup.

Another Pakistan off-spinner, Mohammad Hafeez, was reported during the Champions League and although this has no bearing on international cricket his confidence is said to be shattered.

The West Indies' World Cup hopes could also be affected, given international umpires will be on high alert following the dual report of star spinner Sunil Narine at the Champions League.

"Is this the right time to enforce the protocols and the technology?" Waqar said this week. "I am asking this because every team plans ahead of the World Cup, and the suspensions will badly hit the teams whose bowlers got suspended or questioned. I mean the protocols and the technology should have been enforced after the World Cup."

While Mushtaq has defended the legality of the doosra, Waqar suggested more leniency when it comes to the off-spinner's ball that turns the other way.

"When a bowler bowls a doosra, his elbow must bend beyond limits, that's natural and I think a solution must be found," he said.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...test-opener-chris-rogers-20141004-10q61w.html

 

[Aman]

But he still says Ajmal ruined his Test career.

So Morgan said this himself.

 

[menace2society]

He is completely right, because I can bend my arm 40 degrees and bowl Eoin Morgan for a duck.

 

[Strike Rate]

How many careers other chuckers ruined any guess? harbajhan murali narine and more?

 

[DanishJamil]

As many posters are saying these days on PP, Victim mentality nothing else

 

[Strike Rate]

Rogers making him look like next viv richard whats morgan average against an indian bowling attack? any guess? only 32 and a total of 194 runs in 6 innings. he even failed against india and that too at home in england!!!

 

[Gigii]

I don't recall Morgan ever saying anything about Ajmal, maybe he just vented those views internally. Even so, I think it's poor from Rogers coming out and openly saying that. Schadenfreude perhaps? Please don't forget that Morgan has barely scored runs in the County Championship, can't blame Ajmal for that!

This is the problem when someone is ruled to be throwing. They're treated like criminals yet they have done nothing illegal. The stigma that is attached to it is immense- the young English lad Maurice Holmes actually quit professional cricket.

And wasn't the trouble that Swann caused to Rogers simply bowling a full toss?

 

[Electron]

Looking at past will only give one more regrets. Good thing is that no more careers will be destroyed by the chuckers, which is a huge positive.

 

[Junaids]

From what I recall, it was Rehman who destroyed Morgan's Test career, at Abu Dhabi.

 

[Mehran07]

From what I recall, it was Rehman who destroyed Morgan's Test career, at Abu Dhabi.

Exactly. It was Ian Bell whose confidence was shattered by Ajmal. But Bell performed against other oppositions unlike Morgan.

 

[Saj]

So Morgan said this himself.

Rogers is a team mate of Morgans. This is what Rogers said "I played with Eoin Morgan, and he's a tremendous player of spin, but he still says Ajmal ruined his Test career"

Now what's your issue with that?

 

[Aman]

Rogers is a team mate of Morgans. This is what Rogers said "I played with Eoin Morgan, and he's a tremendous player of spin, but he still says Ajmal ruined his Test career"

Now what's your issue with that?

I have no issue, it's just strange to see a player blame another for the way his career turned out.

Well, out loud anyway.

 

[Pete Rose]

I have no qualms with what Rogers said. I would however point out that Morgan had a big bearing on his own test career by ruining off to play IPL vs. working in getting back in to team. Not blaming the IPL, but highlighting Morgans own priorities.

 

[Convict]

I can see the argument but at some point you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself and just work hard to get back in.

Usman Khawaja was dropped from the Australian test team and appears to be a fair way down the order (behind Hughes, Doolan and Shaun Marsh at the very least and now well behind Steve Smith). In the last match he got out to a completely farcical DRS decision. He had scored a 50 in the previous match and ended up getting dropped.
Should he feel sorry for himself or should he score plenty of runs for Queensland and force his way back in?

 

[Bullet Drive]

Rehman also bowled him.

 

[ammar93]

I think it was kind of poor of Rogers to talk about his. I doubt Morgan would've wanted him to talk about it even if he did say it. Morgan played really bad against Pakistan and it wasn't just Ajmal if I remember correctly. He's a good player though, and I think he'll probably play for England soon if he works hard.

 

[hussain.r97]

I'm pretty sure Rehman got him out 3 times, while Gul got him once. Ajmal only got him twice. And Ajmal is the one who ruined his career

 

[DrSchultz]

The great Morgan would have broken all records if he hadn't played in the UAE series?

 

[IAJ]

Well Ajmal is gone for now, so let us focus on other bowlers. Every pakistani spinner will give Rogers a tough time in UAE. Looking forward to this.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What a pathetic excuse. Morgan is simply not test class period. All the English batsman struggled in the UAE but managed to perform against other teams.

 

[Zaz]

Yeah its all ajmals fault that morgan has been useless in pretty much all his test outings thus far Morgan and rogers are taking "blaming others for your inadequacies" to a new level

 

[ExplicitAI]

What a fool, Ajmal only got Morgan twice. Hope our bowling rips up Rogers when we face him and see which bowler ended his career.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Morgan was found wanting by India's pathetic bowling lineup on flat wickets in Eng 2011 much before the UAE tour. He is just not cut out for tests, poor from him to blame anyone but himself for his test failures.

 

[PB]

Good, loser person playing for England instead of his country

 

[Silly Point]

Ajmal ruined many careers. He was a magical bowler, chucking or no chucking. How many careers did Shillingford, Williamson, Senanayeke and Harbhajjan ruin?

 

[Neeraj]

Ajmal ruined many careers. He was a magical bowler, chucking or no chucking. How many careers did Shillingford, Williamson, Senanayeke and Harbhajjan ruin?

They didnt chuck as much as Ajmal who was a master at that "art".

Bhajji is clean next to him

 

[Saj]

I think #Misbahsfault will soon be replaced by #Ajmalsfault

 

[Robert]

This is the problem when someone is ruled to be throwing. They're treated like criminals yet they have done nothing illegal. The stigma that is attached to it is immense- the young English lad Maurice Holmes actually quit professional cricket.

And wasn't the trouble that Swann caused to Rogers simply bowling a full toss?

They have broken the Laws of Cricket. The chuckers are cheating and must be exposed and driven out. I'm disappointed by Waqar's comment that something should be changed to allow chuckers to continue cheating.

 

[Junaids]

They have broken the Laws of Cricket. The chuckers are cheating and must be exposed and driven out. I'm disappointed by Waqar's comment that something should be changed to allow chuckers to continue cheating.

I totally agree.

Players who test at 16% or 18% or even 20% I can show some pity for - but then again, they are close enough to rebuild their actions and play again.

But ludicrous amounts like 35% and 40% are simply cheating, nothing more, nothing less. And while I have always thought that Ajmal seems like a nice bloke, you cannot defend that degree of cheating.

 

[sabre1486]

oh for ----s sake.....
the way this is being painted ajmal sat in his lair dissecting the cutest kittens in the world while planning how to destroy the career of england's golden (irish?) knight in shining armour eoin morgan..
morgan's career was damaged by his inability to develop a 'stick-it-out' temperament when he was under the cosh. he tried to hit his way out of trouble always and it didnt work.

 

[Gigii]

They have broken the Laws of Cricket. The chuckers are cheating and must be exposed and driven out. I'm disappointed by Waqar's comment that something should be changed to allow chuckers to continue cheating.

I'm not saying chuckers should have some kind of leniency, all I'm talking about is the perception that it brings. Illegal actions should be modfied instead of driving players out of the game.

Are you going to put Ajmal on the same mantle as Butt, Asif and Amir?

 

[Mamoon]

I'm not saying chuckers should have some kind of leniency, all I'm talking about is the perception that it brings. Illegal actions should be modfied instead of driving players out of the game.

Are you going to put Ajmal on the same mantle as Butt, Asif and Amir?

Which is the case, isn't it? The door is open for Ajmal to return if he can fix his action.

 

[Mamoon]

Ordinary thing to say. Morgan didn't show temperament for Test cricket and he shouldn't be blaming Ajmal's throws for his failures.

 

[C.E.S]

They have broken the Laws of Cricket. The chuckers are cheating and must be exposed and driven out. I'm disappointed by Waqar's comment that something should be changed to allow chuckers to continue cheating.

Ajmal was called and failed his tests recently, while he was cleared in 2009 - no one has the right to discredit his whole career (including the 2012 series against England). It's pathetic that opportunists are lining up to blame Ajmal to mask their own inadequacies, but even more reprehensible that certain posters find no fault with it.

And on offenders being "driven out": I don't ever remember you being so vocal about breathmints, spikes, and pocketfuls of dirt...

 

[Gigii]

Which is the case, isn't it? The door is open for Ajmal to return if he can fix his action.

When I heard that news [of Ajmal's suspension], I was pretty elated for about 48 hours," he said.

That's what one international player said another another. It might be water off the back of a very experienced international player, but like I said before, there is a stigma about bowlers who have been called for throwing and I'm more concerned about the young players.

Look at how the news of the PCB reporting all these players- "the menace of illegal actions", this isn't match fixing or corruption. The people who should take criticism are the coaches and management.

Those that play cricket and bowl may be able to say whether you can physically feel an action deteriorating, so I can't comment whether Ajmal felt the amount of straightening increasing (a huge increase it has to be said) and simply continued.

 

[Major]

) even with a remodeled action ajmal got him

 

[MRSN]

) even with a remodeled action ajmal got him

lol the funny side is on you mate..

 

[s.h.a.k]

Maybe Morgan will blame Ajmal for ruining his PSL or T20 career. Well done Ajmal for showing Morgan who the boss it. No matter what action he still can't play you.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Saeed Ajmal has dismissed Eoin Morgan the joint most times (6) in international cricket. Gets him again in the PSL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HBLPSL?src=hash">#HBLPSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IUvPZ?src=hash">#IUvPZ</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/829766649628786689">February 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bilal7]

)

idone

Morgan is a terrible character. Skipped a tour to Bangladesh even though he was the captain, talks about leaving England for Ireland if given the chance and then he's blaming Ajmal for not being a test class batsman.

 

[Mamoon]

Morgan doesn't command respect but at least he isn't a cheat.

 

[Bilal7]

Ajmal is the most skilled troll ever. Regularly trolls all these mediocre cricketers on the field and has trolled some of the posters here even though he doesn't know they even exist.

Will definitely be a sad occasion when he hangs up his elbow.

 

[Syed1]

Ajmal is the most skilled troll ever. Regularly trolls all these mediocre cricketers on the field and has trolled some of the posters here even though he doesn't know they even exist.

Will definitely be a sad occasion when he hangs up his elbow.

Well said. Haters going to hate.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Ajmal is the most skilled troll ever. Regularly trolls all these mediocre cricketers on the field and has trolled some of the posters here even though he doesn't know they even exist.

Will definitely be a sad occasion when he hangs up his elbow.

Didn't he already do that 2 years ago?

 

[Major]

Morgan doesn't command respect but at least he isn't a cheat.

to be honest, Ajmal wasn't a cheat. ICC allowed him to continue to bowl, it was their fault, not ajmals

 

[speedking]

yes CHUCKED his way to ruined Morgen carrier

 

[shaz619]

Morgan doesn't command respect but at least he isn't a cheat.

Ajmal wasn't always a chucker, he had cleared an ICC test in the past and you could tell visually that he did not require as much straightening of his elbow between 2009-2012/13 his action would deteriorate with an excessive workload.

 

[speedking]

they never learn do they??

 

[Mamoon]

to be honest, Ajmal wasn't a cheat. ICC allowed him to continue to bowl, it was their fault, not ajmals

Ajmal knew what he was up to. However, even if we accept that, what about his blatant lie that he had a childhood accident and that is why it was not possible for him to bowl without bending his elbow?

So what happened now? How is he able to bowl without bending his elbow? Looks like Saqlain did some magic spell from Harry Potter.

 

[shaz619]

But Ashwin on the other hand is a bigger cheat, his action is clean despite the kink but he intentionally chucks very often; it would explain his boost in the wickets column as of late.

 

[Bilal7]

Well said. Haters going to hate.

Ajmal should stop making their lives more miserable and call it quits soon.

 

[Bilal7]

But Ashwin on the other hand is a bigger cheat, his action is clean despite the kink but he intentionally chucks very often; it would explain his boost in the wickets column as of late.

Knowing something is wrong but then doing it is definitely a crime. However, cannot expect the simpletons on here to be rational when it comes to Ajmal or their favorite team, India.

 

[Mamoon]

The only people Ajmal has trolled are those who thought he is an ATG 'bowler' in the making when he was chucking left and right before finally getting suspended.

Him getting carted around in the PSL is sweet justice.

 

[Bilal7]

Ajmal has ended his career as an ATG ODI bowler. I'd place him neck and neck with Saqlain, or just a bit behind. Such was his trollish greatness that he was the #1 ranked ODI bowler months after he was banned. Ouch!

 

[Mamoon]

There is no disputing that Ajmal was a wonderful chucker.

 

[Buffet]

There is no disputing that Ajmal was a wonderful chucker.

Probably the best in that business. Having said that , being a good chuker is not so easy otherwise others would have gotten the same success.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

But Ashwin on the other hand is a bigger cheat, his action is clean despite the kink but he intentionally chucks very often; it would explain his boost in the wickets column as of late.

You have good eyes man

 

[Major]

Ajmal knew what he was up to. However, even if we accept that, what about his blatant lie that he had a childhood accident and that is why it was not possible for him to bowl without bending his elbow?

So what happened now? How is he able to bowl without bending his elbow? Looks like Saqlain did some magic spell from Harry Potter.

you are absolutely right that he knew he was chucking. But if the authorities were not bothered, and the authorities themselves were saying that his action is cleared after doing their official test, then who is to blame?
Ajmal or the authorities?

If my uni authority gave me soo much leeway to plagarise, i would happily do it, because every sane human takes the short way.

 

[Mamoon]

you are absolutely right that he knew he was chucking. But if the authorities were not bothered, and the authorities themselves were saying that his action is cleared after doing their official test, then who is to blame?
Ajmal or the authorities?

If my uni authority gave me soo much leeway to plagarise, i would happily do it, because every sane human takes the short way.

Obviously the ICC is to be blamed as well. They should have gone down hard on these chuckers much earlier. However, we can certainly agree that Ajmal is a liar, can't we? He lied about his deformed elbow and the childhood accident.

 

[Major]

Obviously the ICC is to be blamed as well. They should have gone down hard on these chuckers much earlier. However, we can certainly agree that Ajmal is a liar, can't we? He lied about his deformed elbow and the childhood accident.

he did lie indeed. But i think the last laugh falls on ICC who gave this leeway.

 

[Mamoon]

he did lie indeed. But i think the last laugh falls on ICC who gave this leeway.

The crackdown on chuckers is the best thing that has come out of the Big 3 takeover.

 

[Major]

The crackdown on chuckers is the best thing that has come out of the Big 3 takeover.

yes, Anil Kumble deserves the credit for this.

But i think its wrong to go after Ajmal like this. Even AKhtar chucked if we go by rules.

Just because you are disable or handicup, it shouldn't mean that you should chuck, you should leave the sport altogether.

 

[Mamoon]

yes, Anil Kumble deserves the credit for this.

But i think its wrong to go after Ajmal like this. Even AKhtar chucked if we go by rules.

Just because you are disable or handicup, it shouldn't mean that you should chuck, you should leave the sport altogether.

Akhtar had hyper-extension, which is different to chucking.

 

[s.h.a.k]

Looks like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is deeply hurt that Ajmal ended his favourite limited overs player Morgans test career. Always taking cheap shots at Ajmal at every given occasion.

 

[Mamoon]

Looks like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] is deeply hurt that Ajmal ended his favourite limited overs player Morgans test career. Always taking cheap shots at Ajmal at every given occasion.

Morgan isn't my favorite player, but yes I don't have any love for cheats.

 

[Slog]

Morgan is making up stuff

He was a mediocre first class player anyway

How many times did he even play Ajmal?

 

[Mamoon]

Certainly not ruined his PSL career, bossed the chase.

 

[Mamoon]

Morgan is making up stuff

He was a mediocre first class player anyway

How many times did he even play Ajmal?

Not much, but I think he got dumped from Tests after the 2012 UAE tour. Nonetheless, sour grapes from him. He was never good enough to nail a regular position in the England Test team.

 

[MRSN]

The only people Ajmal has trolled are those who thought he is an ATG 'bowler' in the making when he was chucking left and right before finally getting suspended.

Him getting carted around in the PSL is sweet justice.

then how do you rate Misbah's test success?it mostly surrounded around Ajmal..

 

[Mamoon]

then how do you rate Misbah's test success?it mostly surrounded around Ajmal..

We have had more success without Ajmal actually. The only highpoint was the England whitewash, but we won in SL and drew in England without him, while maintaining our unbeaten streak (in terms of series) in the UAE.

Ajmal was always overrated in Tests.

 

[Slog]

Not much, but I think he got dumped from Tests after the 2012 UAE tour. Nonetheless, sour grapes from him. He was never good enough to nail a regular position in the England Test team.

Yes but in 2012 he struggled against Rehman more and got out to him more

He played spinners poorly anyway. Also in 2012 Ajmal action wasn't as bad and there was a lot of scrutiny in it. It really started deteriorating after this series when ICC gave him a clean chit post England sour grapes and said his action was clean