BOSS Eddie Howe admitted there were some “unusual techniques” on show when he took his squad for a team bonding session over the international break.
In an effort to “inspire” his troops, Howe took the initiative to expose his players to one of his other passions – cricket.
Explaining his thought process, Howe said: “We took the lads for something different, trying to inspire them to enjoy themselves. It was cricket this time, with just players playing.
“It was indoors – we didn’t want the elements ruining the game.”
With Cherries’ squad boasting talent from all over the world, there were a few members of the team that had never even seen a cricket bat before.
When quizzed how the players got on, Howe said: “There were some unusual techniques I’d not seen before, in terms of how you hold a cricket bat or bowl a cricket ball, but it was all good fun.
“Jack Simpson gave himself a very big build-up, and he never delivered on that build-up!
“He’s a good bowler, you can see it with his technique but he kept no-balling – he had problems with his run-up."
Just like with their footballing abilities, Howe avoided ranking his charges’ ability batting or bowling – playing coy when asked for the best and worst.
“Steve Cook did very well, he looked a powerful hitter," Howe said. "I can’t give you the worst one! Of course I can’t – there are some players that haven’t picked up a bat, and you can imagine who they might be.
“He wasn’t there unfortunately (but) I would like to have seen Ryan [Fraser] pick up a bat.
“As I said, there was some unusual techniques, put it that way.”
In his youth Howe was a keen cricketer that flirted with the idea of a career in the sport, but the Cherries legend quickly rubbished claims he could have made it in the pro-cricket world.
“It’s a big statement to say I could have been a professional cricket player. I enjoy cricket and I was reasonably good at it, but when you see how fast that cricket ball is thrown these days, I think I made the right decision not to get involved!”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel