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For those of you who enjoy the odd bit of cricket. Good to see that Eamonn’s training in journalism has not gone totally to waste!
Best wishes,
Frank
From: Brennan, Eamonn [mailto:Eamonn.Brennan@
Sent: Friday, 9 January 2009 9:25 PM
To: brennanaus@smartchat.net.au
Subject: Fw: Brennan's Beef - Graeme Smith is not a martyr
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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
From: Brennan, Eamonn
To: Steven Yates
Sent: Thu Jan 08 09:35:39 2009
Subject: Brennan's Beef - Graeme Smith is not a martyr
Eamonn Brennan will be writing for himself throughout the year on contentious issues in sport in a column entitled "Brennan's Beef".
Peter Roebuck and co might be singing his praises but Graeme Smith's decision to bat yesterday evening with a broken hand was an act of self gratification personified (something Roebuck is mighty familiar with). Forget the media plaudits for bravery. Smith's actions may well have cost his side the return bout scheduled to commence proceedings in South Africa on February 26.
Deservedly named player of the series after some commanding batting performances, Smith's decision to bat yesterday on a (at best) dodgy SCG wicket was perplexing to say the least. Smith travelled to Sydney as the toast of South Africa after becoming the first South African to lead his side to a test series win on Australian soil. It appears that the acclaim he has received has gone to his head. Why would he bat yesterday on an intrepid wicket, with the series wrapped up and his reputation at an all time high? Why would he risk further injury to a badly broken hand and a chronically injured elbow? Why? Pure and unadulterated self indulgence.
Don't feed me this hogwash about inspired leadership. 24 hours prior Smith had received injections to his hand and was warned that he needed to rest to ensure recovery in time to host the forthcoming series. What sort of inspired leader is he if he is sitting in the stands, wearing civvies, while his side take to the field to battle for the acclaim of the number 1 test nation in the world? Who is going to galvanise the South African top order? It will hardly be Neil McKenzie. Aside from having a supermodel as a sister and a supermodel for a wife, this man is badly out of form and the Australians have his measure. It could be argued however, with a supermodel as a wife, he is in fact in career best form.
Nor will it be Kallis. Predicted (wrongly as it turns out, surprise surprise) by Roebuck as the man to carry South Africa to a draw or win in this game, Kallis fell for a miserly four runs. Perhaps his concentration wasn't what it should have been after loading up on the breakfast buffet at the team hotel that morning. Kallis is however hope for fat men everywhere. Aside from that prick Stuart Dew, and the retired blond leg spinner from Black Rock, no other fat man in the world of sport can inspire so many. Getting out to a red headed debutant (admittedly a Victorian) however undid a lot of his good eating, I mean work . I've not seen Mrs Kallis so I can't comment on whether his chick pulling exploits can also inspire fat men around the globe. In order for him to be at his best in South Africa, he will need to be admitted to a weight loss facility. Should Smith's injury restrict his aerobic fitness (and lets be honest, he is hardly a graduate of the Donna Aston academy) he may well need to join him.
Ashwel Prince, the vice-captain of the side, didn't play in this series due to injury. How will he ever hold his head high in public after Smith's heroics upon rising from his death bed? Psychologically he will be exposed. Being South African however, he can turn to former team mate Darryl Cullinan who has invested heavily in mental health services in South Africa following years of torment at the hands of one Shane Keith Warne. A discount might be on offer. Perhaps Kevin Pieterson could be the man for the job. Oh hang on, he's English now apparently. And besides he as an ego even bigger than Smith. If that is at all possible.
As evidenced by the above, Smith's recovery would want to be swift. He faces a battle not only for fitness however but also to keep an ever expanding head in check. After devouring (alongside the breakfast buffet) the 712 articles in today's press on his brave exploits (cue Roebuck and "brave warrior" - please!) he may well need assistance to get his head (and waistline) through the hotel lobby's exit. If he has delayed his recovery (as may well be the case according to the doctor who administered the injections) and is unable to take the field circa late February, his "brave" exploits will have been in vain. Fortunately for him, he can take solace in his supermodel wife. Further hope for fat men everywhere.
Eamonn Brennan
Product Manager
Mundipharma Pty Limited
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