As I was sat in the early hours of Saturday morning watching Paul Collingwood crush Australia's once intimidating bowling attack I reflected on a conversation I'd had with a fellow member of the North-East press pack a week earlier.
For those who have been sitting with their head in the toilet bowl over the last few days, Durham's Paul Collingwood has hit a double century against Australia - 206 to be precise - to write his name in the history books and finally establish himself, not only as a Test cricketer, but as one who deserves the respect and admiration of the cricketing world.
Some, though, are harder to please than others and for one hack who shall remain nameless - even though I've thought long and hard about exposing him - has been a staunch critic of the Sunderland supporter from Shotley Bridge.
It all began in the First Test in Brisbane when Collingwood, like the rest of England's batsmen, failed miserably in the first innings. Collingwood's technique had been called into question and led to said journalist - from a well-known national red top - to make these bold statements.
"Look Luke, I know he's your mate and, I like him , I really do, but it was embarrassing to watch him against Australia."
"Uh hu" I reply.
"I'm desperate for him to do well, I want anyone from the North-East to do well, you know I do, but he's just not good enough."
"A bit harsh..." (interrupted)
"He's not a Test cricketer, he shouldn't be in the side."
"Well he did pretty well against India and Pakistan and he's an excellent player of spin..." (Interrupted again)
"His technique is awful, he'll never survive on Australian pitches. He shouldn't be there, he really shouldn't. I'm worried for him, it's painful to watch, it's going to get worse....."
The conversation eventually moved on to Steve Harmison, but these big, brash and bold statements about Collingwood's ability annoyed me slightly.
I'd already started to get my own back after Colly's 96 in the second innings in Brisbane, but I've had a field day since his double hundred.
Survive on Australian pitches? He's murdered Australian bowlers on Australian pitches!
Not good enough? Er, first Englishman to hit a double century in Oz in more than 70 years.
Not a Test cricketer? Has scored more than 1,000 runs in Test cricket in this calendar year.
Technique is awful? Shane Warne might disagree.
Painful to Watch? Only if your Australian or a highly-opinionated short-sighted journalist whose wild opinions have left you with egg all over your face!
Mind you, I've made a few similar blunders in my time...
Write off Michael Chopra on day he scores four goals on loan at Watford.
Write off former Durham batsman Nicky Peng on the day he hits a century for the county.
Write a piece criticising Nicky Peng for faking an injury to waste time in a County game only to find out the next day that the player was Paul Collingwood.
Write a piece talking about a new, mature and responsible Kieron Dyer on the day he has fight with teammate Lee Bowyer on the pitch.
Write a piece about how Paul Scholes should no longer be an automatic choice for England on the day he scores four goals for Manchester United against Newcastle.
Confident prediction that Sunderland will stay up just before the start of season they are relegated with the lowest number of points in Premiership history.
Write an article insisting Sunderland Claudio Reyna will sign for Everton on the day he joins Manchester City.
Bold prediction that England will win the World Cup and that Michael Owen will finish as the tournament's top goalscorer before England crash out in the quarter finals yet again and Owen crashes to the ground with a career-threatening cruciate knee ligament injury having failed to score a single goal in Germany!
Egg on the face? Comes with the territory!
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