Formula 1, Cricket, Soccer: The British Invasion
It has been a long standing debate; British sportsmen are one of the most overrated athletes in the world of sport.
Jenson Button started his Formula One career in 2000. The promising driver had a terrific season with Team BAR in 2004 and finished at the third spot in the driver’s standings behind Ferrari drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. BAR finished second in the constructor’s standings that season. In 2006, BAR Honda was fully purchased by Honda. The resulting takeover with Button behind the wheels was anticipated as a combination to challenge the might of the Ferraris. Despite the team bringing him at par with the high end earners of F1, the British failed to live up to expectations. Just another overrated British questioned many.
Theo Walcott signed for the Arsenal Football Club from Southampton in the January transfer window at age 16. Being regarded as potentially one of the quickest sprinter on the blocks, he was expected to trouble a lot of defenses with his pace. The Englishman later won his first cap, making him the youngest first team player for the three lions. Despite being virtually mediocre with patchy performances, he succeeded Club great Thierry Henry to wear the No. 14 shirt - only because he was an English player in an English league? Dutch striker Robin van Persie was a much appropriate contender for the No. 10 jersey worn by Dutch legend Dennis Bergkamp, but was politely refused on the grounds that it would draw in comparisons.
English Cricket was in absolute disarray under mediocre captain Nasser Hussain, often losing to Steve Waugh’s dominant Australian side in the Ashes. Michael Vaughan at a comparatively young age became England captain in 2003. It was hoped that an injection of young blood would steady the sinking ship. Despite having a respectable record as captain, Vaughan failed to impose himself on the ODI stage. Andrew Flintoff too showed a lot of promise, many deemed him as one of the best all rounder’s of the time. But what exactly did he do? He got carried away, perhaps the instant fame got to his head. The player severed ties with the ECB and opted not to play for them anymore. Stuart Broad was reputed as one of the most economical bowlers in England’s first class cricket. Many remember him as the pacer that was taken for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj Singh at the 2007 World T20!
With all that said, things have taken a turn for the better as prospects look good for sports in England.
Following a buy-out by former team Principal Ross Brawn, Team Honda F1 became Brawn GP in 2009. The subsequent season saw Jenson Button claim his first championship with Brawn GP taking the constructors title. Lewis Hamilton, recruited from GP2 made his debut for Team McLaren Mercedes. The Briton finished just a point shy of the 2007 F1 Champion Kimi Raikkonen and became the youngest champion in F1 history in the year that followed. Both, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton form a formidable bond, racing for the McLaren F1 team which sits just one point adrift in the constructor’s standings this season while Hamilton leads the drivers list.
The start of the Barclays Premiere league season has seen the number 14 in hot form. Theo Walcott has already netted in 4 goals including a hat-trick in the first home game against Blackpool. The apparent 180 degree turn in form has induced a call-up from English coach Fabio Capello. Joe Hart, a relative unknown in the land ruled by the likes of Shay Given, Edwin van der Sar and Petr Cech, has taken the entire BPL by surprise as he has been one of the safest pair of hands for Manchester City.
The England cricket team reinstated their might this year, becoming the ICC World T20 Champions in the Caribbean. The entire unit following the ‘one for all and all for one’ philosophy and took apart the Australian’s to win by 7 wickets and ending a 35 year silverware drought in all ICC tournaments. Kevin Pietersen was adjudged the man of the tournament for his stellar contributions to the team throughout the championship. James Anderson was another name who performed exceptionally well with the ball for England along with a much improved Stuart Broad. The recent record eight-wicket stand that saw Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad hit centuries a piece, was probably an indication of the resilience and ‘never say die’ attitude of the much improved English outfit.
The British invasion in the field of sports has all but settled the prolonged debate.
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