Cow Corner Blog

Saj returns to lift the mood

Tue Nov 03 08:45AM

To say that Sajid Mahmood was raw when he was introduced to international cricket in spectacularly premature fashion back in 2006 would be an understatement, but 'King' is back, and faster than ever.

Big Saj was a bewildered member of Duncan Fletcher's 'keep playing them till they get good' development model, but that should not be held against him as he gingerly makes his way back into the international fold.

On Saturday, Mahmood boarded a plane for Johannesburg with England's one-day squad and, just like Jesse Ryder looking back on another day/nighter out at Infernos, adamantly declared that he barely recognised the callow immaturity of his past.

"I've been thinking about it quite a bit recently and I feel like a totally different person now," he said.

"At first, you go into the England team and think everyone is superior. I was thinking, 'God, I've seen these guys on telly'. Now I'm a lot more confident in my ability. When I go into that dressing room again, I'll know what I need to do and what I'm capable of."

An average of 38 in both one-day and Test match cricket and of 62 in the 20-over format, suggests that Mahmood was bowling with a greased-up beach ball, but he has since developed considerably under the tutelage of Peter Moores at Lancashire.

Saj last played for England at the eminently forgettable 2007 World Cup when he took a personal hiding of Chris Harris proportions as Fletcher's side were repeatedly rolled over, a bit like the wicket at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Indeed, those present for Mahmood's staggeringly inauspicious 4.2 overs for 49 runs in a thumping defeat by South Africa in Barbados will recall a bowler with all the accuracy and conviction of a Mitchell Johnson tribute act with a blistering hangover.

But the 27-year-old's performances at Old Trafford have impressed Andy Flower, who clearly believes that the paceman has turned a corner in his career and can fill the hefty void left by Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff in South Africa.

Mahmood has already made bullish noises about his desire to hit the 95-96mph mark on the tour, which we hope is not a contradiction of the new-found consistency which he has been telling everyone about.

"The main reason I wasn't in the England side was my lack of consistency," he said. "My levels of concentration were not what is required at international level.

"Concentration comes naturally to some, but I've always been one of those who's easily distracted. I was the same at school, always being distracted by something or someone.

"I'd not always found it easy to concentrate in the nets because you're bowling against your mates."

Perhaps something as insignificant as a pigeon therefore explains the head-height beamer he delivered to put his 'mate' Flintoff out of action in the Lancashire nets back in 2003.

"Mooresy knew I liked a crack with the lads but said that I needed to put that to one side," he continued, but wisely did not expand on specifics, even with Glen Chapple flicking his ear to distract him.

Mahmood's talent has never been in question, but England will be looking to see if he can keep his radar, his focus and his concentration for long enough to complete a testing spell against the likes of AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith.

Maybe then he can let his eyes wander to the speed gun and vindicate Fletcher's vision, albeit four years on.

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