*Official* CW XI Media Coverage

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The Daily Blast

Kwase's Korner
The Enigma of the CW XI - Episode I
by Kwase Knight

It has been interesting to document the gradual rise of the Cricket Web XI from their inception to Test cricket a year ago. In their first game, they were thrashed by South Africa, then bounced back to thrash South Africa and finished off losing the series in the third and final Test. Such is the inconsistency of the CW XI.

Sure, there's the talent there, but there must be that extra something for them to truly become champions. That was the difference between World Cup runner's up and World Cup champions. In fact, there is only one superstar in the team at the moment. As much as some would have people believe, Cloete is the only top class player in the team at the moment. He has prospered in both forms of the game and against all opposition. Don't believe the hype, Neil Pickup is not the legend he seems to be perceived as.

That's right. I, Kwase Knight, consider Neil Pickup to be massively over-rated, and the sooner the CWBCC realizes it, the better. Look at the facts. Pickup has only really had success on the subcontinent. He took 14 wickets at just under 30 in Sri Lanka and then followed it up with 18 wickets at 26.56 during the Asian Test Championships. On tours to England and Australia, he has averaged 36.94 and 55.57 respectively. Most recently, in New Zealand, he managed 6 wickets at 38.50 in 2 Tests. Overall he averages 34.51 in 19 Tests. Is this what is expected from the lone spin bowler in the side, who bats specialist at number eleven?

Neil Pickup is no Ashley Giles. He may be at the same class of bowler, but he can't bat. For that reason, he has no basis of ever playing Test cricket outside of the subcontinent.

Stay tuned to my column as I post sporadically and follow the fortunes of the enigma we call the CW XI.

[PY]

Can't WAIT for this reply.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The CWBCC will not comment at this time.

[Neil Pickup]

CricketWeb Times
Friday, 28th May, 2004 - Second Issue
So this is what it's come to?
Martin Jenkinson-Christodopolous

And so we see it - the depths to which a publication must stoop in order to gain a degree of attention. A national hero attacked on the front page - akin to the Melbourne Age berating Shane Warne.

It's barely a week since a World Cup final when one man stood out with the ball and kept the contest alive, taking 3-40 as other bowlers competed to threaten Martin Snedden's record (look it up) - at a stadium not renowned for its spin and in the West Indies - the seam bowler's spiritual home - of all places. Couple this to five wicket hauls in the VB Series and the argument seems a little thin.

However, it is not only through his on-pitch deeds that the Grimsby-born leg spinner deserves recognition. He has been at the forefront of both player-power stands whilst the CWBCC or its predecessor stood by and did nothing. The current selection system, replacing the shambles the preceded it, owes much to the rebel tour that Pickup captained, and it's safe to say that Nichanigate would not have been settled without his lead in the players' statements and co-ordination of the boycott.

To publicly criticise a man that has put his whole life into the development of the nation as a cricketing powerhouse - to the point of voluntarily giving up his time to coach in the country's schools - is close to blasphemy in a land where you cannot walk down the High Street of a major town without a sight of a "Pickup-11" replica shirt.

For a new publication to brazenly launch with a rash criticism of someone who is nigh-on a national instiution makes this seasoned reporter wonder whether our fine country is following so many others down the path of money before morals. Kwase Knight? Good night.

[bugssy]

well well well


the bloody media hey

[Tom Halsey]

The LSU publicly defends Neil Pickup, as he has clearly been the best bowler that the CWXI has ever had. That was complete tripe.

Without Pickup, CWXI would have won far fewer Tests than they have done. Spinner or not, to single handedly win a Test in India, facing all their master players of spin, takes skill. I ask what are Shane Warne's figures in India? I rest my case. Tripe.

[Langeveldt]

Hahaha Great read...

[Neil Pickup]

Some defence for your fellow leggie would be nice

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Daily Blast

The Enigma of the CW XI - Episode II
by Kwase Knight

As expected, Neil Pickup has had his supporters fire back and try to defend his name. They say he is an icon. They practically call him a role model. I pose this to you, what kind of a role model is it who continually expresses displeasure with umpire's decisions and yet mysteriously does not get fined for it? What kind of a cricket board lets this stand?

Neil Pickup's habits are well known around the cricket world and unfortunately he has now assembled a team to blindly preach his gospel. These disciples are the LSU - Legspinners' Union - and whilst he would PR them as a group of equals banded together by their common bowling attribute, it is clear that he has brainwashed these poor impressionable minds into his shadow.

Pickup has dangled candy in front of them and, once hooked, taken it away, leaving only promises of its arrival. Is this the man that we want our 10-year-olds imitating with their cheap replica number 11 shirts? Is this really a role model of any sort? Am I asking too many rhetorical questions?

It is quite clear that Pickup is building a monopoly in the CW XI system, acting as a purple spotted fungus that is rotting away the very basic principles on which it was founded. Indeed, my sources suggest that he has infiltrated to the depths of gaining co-President Liam Camps on his side. Something must be done immediately to halt Pickup's progression. Today the CW XI, tomorrow the world!

[Tom Halsey]

Official LSU statement:

That is again complete tripe. LSU is far from being Neil Pickups deciples. It was infact formed to help Tom Halsey get back into the Dev team after a run of bad form by Pratyush.

It is quite blantently an unfair critisism on the LSU and Pickup. He has not taken our candy from us. I would like Knight to explain in the next issue where on earth he gets this idea from.

Tom Halsey, Co-Chairman of LSU

[Neil Pickup]

CricketWeb Times
Friday, 28th May, 2004 - Third Issue
Misinformation and prejudice
Robert Powack

So the Daily Blast has the temerity to continue to publish. Will its intrasigence continue once its undoubtedly rich and bigoted benefactor realises the incredible amount of money they must be losing.

Children are attending school in tears across the country today as these unfounded - and maybe even discriminatory - remarks spread through towns and villages.

By no means is Pickup perfect - nobody is. A side effect of the intense passion he feels for the game is the the fact that he commits himself so heavily into all his actions, and often allows his emotions to show. Yet is it his fault that the International Cricket Council does not fine him? He has freely admitted that it isn't an example to set, and has donated match fee upon match fee to charities funding cricket development in our nation when it has been suggested that his on-field behaviour falls short of the standard expected.

As for the misinformation Knight spreads about the LSU - it is no more than a lie. The LSU was formed by Development side members Pratyush and Tom Halsey, and has only recently been joined by Pickup as a token of his commitment to the grass-roots development of the game. As for the candy... where?

The CricketWeb system is in its strong modern health thanks to Pickup's principles and his belief in action rather than rhetoric. Knight has caused more damage to cricket in this country through his irresponsible journalism than the actions of any CW cricketer - even Nikhil Nichani.

[Cloete]

Originally Posted by bugssy

well well well


the bloody media hey

Haha bugs.... you hate your job that much?

[roseboy64]

Spreading propaganda is never good or is it??

[bugssy]

Originally Posted by Cloete

Haha bugs.... you hate your job that much?

lol sometimes i do mate but its funny lol

[Neil Pickup]

I look forward to Kwase's latest after my 11-155... and 12 off a marathon 39 balls!