Via a letter from his lawyer, Bond has described Hesson's explanation of events in Sri Lanka as "dishonest", and says he told Hesson that the timing of the discussion with Taylor over the captaincy was all wrong. He says that be remaining silent, he would be complicit in what occurred.
Full marks for Shane Bond for being prepared to put his career on the line in order for the truth about this disgraceful situation to be told. And we reckon that Mike Hesson's position as NZ coach is now even less tenable than it was after the thrashings by South Africa.
David White has a helluva job ahead of him. We'll have more as this breaking story develops.
UPDATE: Here are excerpts from Bond's letter:
"The coaching staff were present, as were the manager. At the end of the meeting the captaincy issue was raised. Mike stated that we needed a new captain in order to move forward. Brendon McCullum had to be captain, his opinion that Ross was not up to it."
"On arrival in Galle I bumped into Bob Carter in an open corridor where he informed me he'd just been in a meeting with Mike Sandle and Mike Hesson where the latter told Ross he was no longer wanted as captain."
"Bob was clearly a little stunned and commented on how upset Ross was."
"I later bumped into Mike on the way to dinner. He informed me that he'd told Ross he was no longer wanted as captain. I stated that the timing was completely inappropriate and he had most likely affected the ability of the captain to perform and it seemed like sabotage."
"I went to see Ross to console him and offer my support."
"On returning home I've witnessed the change of captain and the public fall out."
"I've congratulated the new captain by text and have had a positive response from him."
"I've followed the media coverage intently including TV, print, online and radio."
"I've listened fully to interviews with Ross, Mike and David White."
"I've found the content of these interviews distressing. I believe the coach has been dishonest in his assertion around the miscommunication of the captaincy split with Ross."
"At no time during my conversations with Mike Hesson, that mostly included Bob Carter and/or the manager was the captaincy spilt ever suggested."
"It was clear to me that Ross Taylor was to be removed as captain from all three formats."
"I have no issue with the coaching wanting his own captain, I think that is correct."
"I believe Brendon was aware of this as Mike stated he was the man to lead the team forward."
"I don't believe he would have initiated the conversation with Ross unless he knew Brendon would accept."
"I believe Brendon would've been prepared for that scenario."
"Putting Taylor aside, this leaves me personally in an extremely difficult position."
"By remaining silent I believe I become complicit in what has occurred, which I believe is the calculated removal of the captain and the subsequent cover up to save face."
"If I speak up I risk alienating a number of people, the coaches, manager and the new captain."
"I love my job and I believe I can make a difference moving forward."
"If asked about this situation I feel I am compelled to be honest and tell my version of events."
"And moreover, the position of coaches and managers must have integrity at their core."
"I'm certain of the facts that I've set out here which are clearly in conflict with media interviews."
6 comments:
This is getting silly.
No-one is looking good.
My best solution is to grasp the nettle. Take the Buchanan hard arse approach.
Sack and replace the entire coaching & managment group.
Then look closely at every player in the top order who are the one who have been failing spectacularly. And get rid of Patel, forever.
Also root out the prima donnas. I would rather a champion team than a team of champions.
The captaincy needs to be in the hands of some-one experienced in Plunket Sheild and other competitions. Not parachuted into the role without that sort of experienced.
Don't expect Taylor or Ryder to be the solution to the problem. They are not. Ryder is not. He is a flat track bully. Taylor needs to focus on batting only.
Just some thoughts.
What a Joke NZ cricket is at the moment. I agree that the management needs an overhaul.
But to say that Ross should concentrate on batting only I don't agree with.
A captain leads by example and that's exactly what he did in his last test as captain considering the circumstances he was under.
140 odd and 70 odd is leading from the front. Just because he isn't as outspoken or as animated as BMAC doesn't necessarily make him
a poor leader I believe it makes him a better leader in that he can make clear decisions under pressure.
Someone who stands up in the face of adversity to me is a leader of men and I would gladly go to war with him.
Big ups to you Ross you are by far our best player and could have been a great captain.You were still learning the role and just like our best ever captain Fleming was given time I the role to develop, what a shame we can't see it come to fruition.
Top bloke Ross
And by the way who the hell is Mike Hesson
Hard to argue with any of the above Phil. Stephen Flemingh is widely regarded as our best test captain, but it took him several seasons to grow into the role. He certainly never led New Zealand to a win against Australia, home or away.
Surely, when NZC interviewed Hesson for the coach's job, the potential conflict of interest with McCullum (Taylor's rival for the captaincy) was raised and addressed. If it wasn't, that would be complete incompetence on NZC's part.
Excellent point!I think it's BMAC the one who needs to concentrate on his batting not Taylor. Like his predecessors Crowe and Fleming, they are proven at the top level across all formats. To me BMAC hasn't shown that level of consistency yet. As much as I love BMAC I'm afraid his captaincy could fluctuate like his own performances not to say I dont back him, I certainly hope he proves me wrong. I find it hard to believe that Hesson explained to Taylor that he wanted the captaincy split, because funnily enough I think that that wouldn't have been such a bad decision and it may have kept all parties happy.BMACs confidence in the shorters forms and Taylor's headiness and temperament in the longer version might have been a good fit, maybe this debacle could have been avoided who knows.Either way the way it was handled is unacceptable we all know that therefore heads need to roll because it's the players and the fans are the ones who suffer.
On Fleming not winning a series against the oz lets be honest in that era there weren't many teams beating them, even though we came bloody close in that epic series in I think 2002 when we had them on the ropes and they cheated to get themselves the drawn series. Remember Darryl Heir giving Steve Waugh not out when he clearly hit the cover off it among other incidences.
Well said guys and I have a few points to add.
1. Drawing a long bow all of this has happened because John Wright could not get on with Buchanen - had NZCricket supported Wright and sent Buchanen on his way.
2. QH makes a very valid point about Captaincy experience - prior to their appointment neither Taylor or McCullum had a background in captaining teams. In fact the most experienced Captain is Williamson who has led age group teams and also an English County side successfully.
3. Someone said Ryder is a `flat track bully'. I think he is better than that but his foot movement is lacking and this is something he needs to work on.
In summary and because of the cover ups Hesson and White must go and so should Moller and the rest of the Board are on shaky ground as well. BTW I am told that positions on the Board are unpaid - those there do it for the love of cricket.
Is that the absolute crux of the problem - amatuers trying (unsuccessfully) to administer a professional game.
Ryder is a better player than that none more so seen than last night. And in terms of the captaincy neither of BMAC or Williamson are proven internationals yet.Crowe, Fleming, Vettori all top quality internationals who led by example. BMAC and Williamson have to be scoring runs for NZ consistently and get their averages out of the 30s and up towards the 40s, start winning games for NZ. Taylor proved he's a match winner and needs maybe time in the job to become a better people manager.
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