Harsha Bhogle blasted by Scotland players over ‘ridiculous’ tweet

Prominent cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle locked horns with Scotland players Preston Mommsen, George Munsey and Matt Machan in what seemed to be a heated battle on twitter. There has been a lot of talk lately regarding the number of matches the played by the associate nations. Netherlands skipper Peter Borren, Ireland skipper William Porterfield and Mommsen have raised concerns regarding the same following their ousting of the World T20.

Harsha Bhogle’s tweet came following Mommsen’s press conference following Scotland’s loss to Bangladesh in the Qualifiers for the Super 10’s of the World T20. Mommsen was quoted saying,” Between the 2015 World Cup and the first match of the World T20 2016 qualifiers, I have played  just one match.” In addition, Mommsen also said that the Scots were low on recognition, funding, and a place in cricket’s upper echelons.

In reply to Mommsen’s reactions, Bhogle’s tweet read “I completely understand the thoughts of the Associates but sometimes it doesn’t help to live with negativity. You can either moan about how little you have or you can make the most of whatever you have. For the hungry, opportunity resides everywhere.”

These remarks however, didn’t go down too well with Mommsen and a few other Scotland players. In replay to Harsha Bhogle, Mommsen tweeted back, stating that he was clearly bamboozled by Harsha Bhogle’s tweet and told him not to question the hunger of the side.

I completely understand the thoughts of the Associates but sometimes it doesn't help to live with negativity (more)

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 12, 2016

You can either moan about how little you have or you can make the most of whatever you have. For the hungry, opportunity resides everywhere

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 12, 2016

Mommsen was joined by his two lieutenants, George Munsey and Matt Machan. Munsey relayed Bhogle’s previous words – “I’d like to see more associate nations participate.” Matt Machan also recalled an event when the Indian team said that they were too fatigued by too many bilateral series.

'Opportunity resides everywhere' – Absolutely bamboozled by ur views @bhogleharsha. Do not question the hunger! https://t.co/TlFhpeIcX9

— Preston Mommsen (@PrestonMommsen) March 12, 2016

@PrestonMommsen Preston, was a wider thought. But my views are in more detail on facebook. Have always supported the emerging nations.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 12, 2016

@PrestonMommsen @bhogleharsha "I'm in strong favour of associates" ur words an hour ago…. Now questioning our hunger? We never stop #pride

— George Munsey (@GeorgeMunsey) March 12, 2016

@PrestonMommsen @bhogleharsha wherent the India team recently complaining because they played TOO much cricket??

— Matt Machan (@mattmachan) March 12, 2016

Bhogle however, took to Facebook to clarify his statements, bringing an effective and immediate end to the Twitter war.

“My posts on twitter need a longer explanation.

I am, and will always be, a supporter of taking cricket to further pavilions. I have written about it and said so in my broadcasts.I have derived great joy from watching the progress of Afghanistan, for eg.

But the point of my 140 character comments was that sometimes you can start getting obsessed with what you don’t have and lose out on the opportunity of making the best of whatever you have. And the emerging nations cannot fall into that trap.

Hence, the examples of how small-town young men and women are revolutionising India by being positive about what they have. Which is also exactly what Afghanistan have done and Oman and Nepal are showing the possibility of doing.

So, my twitter comments weren’t anti-emerging nations at all but a call to them to stay positive and not fall into the downward spiral of feeling victimised. In my experience, it has never worked.

I foresee things changing in the future. It is just a feeling I have since I have no interactions at all with administrators anywhere in the world (another convenient misconception!). The idea of adopting neighbouring nations was a good one and I hope it is taken more seriously.

I hope that makes things clearer. Maybe twitter should be reserved for simpler issues!”