G Langley: Germon rejects Morrison barbs (8 Oct 1997)

8 October 1997

Germon rejects Morrison barbs

by Geoff Longley

Former New Zealand cricket captain Lee Germon has rejected a series of stinging character attacks on him by pace bowler Danny Morrison.

In his soon-to-be published biography, "Mad As I Wanna Be", Morrison has launched several bouncers at Germon, including questioning his ability at top level, his siding with management on issues, plus the physical barrage he claimed some Kiwi pace bowlers targeted at Germon in the nets.

However, Germon yesterday said some of the claims Morrison made in his book were factually incorrect.

Germon said only Morrison had peppered him with bouncers off 18m at a net practice in India during a tour after Germon had given Dion Nash and Chris Cairns the new ball in the previous match.

"He was the only player who did that."

Germon admitted he and Morrison also had some differences of opinion about when and where he was bowled during the West Indies tour in 1995-96, as Morrison was struggling with his form and an on-going groin injury.

"I can't say I didn't make mistakes but I don't think there's any cause for the character assassination he seems to have embarked on."

Germon also refuted a claim by Morrison that he was approached by Cairns to join a players forum in a meeting with management.

Morrison said Germon continued to side with management, but Germon's recollection of events is different, saying the approach came after the meeting.

Germon said he knew he was in a difficult position having been installed by then new coach Glenn Turner as captain.

"I knew it would be hard to get the respect of the players because I had not played at international level before but the senior players were asked and pledged to give their support when Glenn approached them."

Germon believes Morrison is seeking excuses when he should be looking foremost at himself during the latter years of his career.

"He seems to be wanting others to blame and it probably all reflects back on Danny to some extent."

Morrison claims coach Steve Rixon was instrumental in his being dropped from the team after the first test against England last season, although this has been denied by convener of selectors Ross Dykes. "I never saw anything that suggested Steve wanted Danny out," Germon said.

Morrison also stated he believed Germon was not good enough as an international player.

"Danny's entitled to his opinion but compared to others I felt I did a reasonable job given the circumstances."

Also in the book, Morrison admits he informed on the marijuana-smoking party in South Africa when the intention had been to keep the matter "in-house".

He said he did that to expose then coach Geoff Howarth, who thought that a silence would strengthen his shaky position. Morrison denies naming the three players later suspended to the then NZC chairman, Peter McDermott.

Source :: The Canterbury Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)