It's Just Not Cricket

Who are cricket's future greats?

2011-06-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

I Officially love this article from Peter Roebuck...............

Over the last 30 years cricket has been blessed with greatness, a trait currently in short supply. Indeed the game has been lucky enough to produce great teams and great players at the same time, a combination that cannot be taken for granted. Great cricketers can emerge without teams of equal standing, but it does not work the other way around. It is hard to imagine a team rising to greatness who lack players of the highest calibre.
Greatness sustains every sport because it reveals its possibilities. Then the execution itself becomes transporting. However, greatness in any arena is easier to observe than define. At once it is a state of mind and also an ability to turn the exceptional into the routine. Certainly it is not enough to play a few great innings, let alone just great strokes. It demands staying power, not flashes in the pan. Longevity is demanded at the door. Substance, too, is more important than style. A cricketer need not attain beauty to rank amongst the finest. Mind you, beauty need not be defined in purely aesthetic terms. To my mind Glenn McGrath was an immensely satisfying bowler to watch. Just that he was driven more by science than artistry.
In this year's French Open, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic produced some stunning strokeplay and extraordinary matches. Truly it was a shame anyone had to lose - the relentless Spaniard, the graceful Swiss or the savage Serbian. It was a privilege to watch these athletes and craftsmen playing at their peaks as they tried to secure a prestigious title. Contrastingly the women's section was dull, uplifted mostly by the performance of Li Na, a cheerful Chinese competitor with a remarkably short name. Of course women's tennis has also had its purple patches and fierce rivalries.

It is rare in any sport to find three players of the highest standard competing at the same time. In boxing it happened when Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman were competing for the heavyweight title, and when Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard were fighting for various belts. In another era all of these mighty pugilists would have dominated for a decade. Instead, they provided some of the most compelling confrontations any sport has known.

Since the 1970s cricket followers have been able to watch two great teams, or at any rate two great traditions, because the sides in question were by no means static. It is not quite accurate to say that the West Indian outfit that dominated the game from about 1977 to 1991 was a great side. Rather, it was several teams containing a handful of the best players the game has known, including umpteen speedsters, a commanding opening pair and a brutal middle order.

The same applies to the Australian line-ups that replaced West Indies at the top of the rankings. Under various captains Australia were well-nigh unbeatable from about 1995 to 2005. In that imposing period the team contained a powerful opening pair, a strong batting order, two brilliant glovemen, and an exceptional pair of bowlers. Like the Caribbean combination, the line-ups included not only great players but arguably the finest occupants of particular positions the game has known. Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist cannot have been surpassed, whilst Viv Richards was outstripped only by a batting freak.

Cricket was uplifted by the sustained excellence and majestic ruthlessness of these predatory outfits. Even non-cricketers could appreciate their skills and supremacy. Sporting greatness reaches across the divide. Non-devotees can relish the sight of a dazzling ice skater or a breathtaking horse. Outsiders can admire the soccer played by Pele's Brazil and Messi's Barcelona. Indeed, it's the same with sportswriting: the best are readable regardless of their field because they tell us wider truths and paint universal pictures.

Although all have their strong points, none of the current teams is the equal of those two outfits. At present cricket knows not collective greatness. India have a brilliant batting order, South Africa have a stirring middle order, Sri Lanka have a strong top four, and England have balance and grit. Put these qualities together and greatness emerges. But perhaps it's just as well that these teams are not so much dominant as competitive because it means that the top position is there for the taking. Nowadays contests between the leading four or five sides are beyond prediction.

If greatness has for the time being vanished in the collective, it persists in the individual. India offer Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, whilst Rahul Dravid is still managing to look at once frail and indestructible. Jacques Kallis continues to pile on the runs for his country, Kumar Sangakkara has retained his glory, Ricky Ponting seems to be in decline but he too reached the pinnacle.

Most of these players, though, are approaching the end of their careers. In part, that is unsurprising. Greatness is not a tag to be bestowed upon every talented lad enjoying a hot spell. Rather it is hard-earned, the result of a long period of high productivity in the toughest company. Only in the rarest cases can a novice be saluted - after all, those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first call promising.

Tendulkar's greatness could confidently be acclaimed even in his teenage years because he had a settlement about him that indicated durability. Few sportsmen attain the inner peace that has been his natural mood. Tendulkar's turmoils have been superficial; it has been part of his secret.

But the game needs to find a new generation of players whose accomplishment excites the crowds enough that a buzz goes round the ground at the sight of them marking out their run or walking to the middle. Amongst bowlers Dale Steyn comes closest. At his sharpest he delivers sublime outswingers and conveys hostility, a combination that appeals to spectators but not opposing batsmen. Can anyone else stake a claim to greatness with the ball?

Top eight current bowlers (qual 30 wickets and avg under 28):

Dale Steyn - Matches 46 Wickets 238 Average 23.21 Strike Rate 39.9

Stuart Clark - Matches 24 Wickets 94 Average 23.86 Strike Rate 54.7

Mohammad Asif - Matches 23 Wickets 106 Average 24.36 Strike Rate 48.7

Doug Bollinger - Matches 12 Wickets 50 Average 25.92 Strike Rate 48.0

Steven Finn - Matches 12 Wickets 50 Average 26.30 Strike Rate 40.5

Chris Tremlett - Matches 8 Wickets 37 Average 26.72 Strike Rate 53.7

Graeme Swann - Matches 31 Wickets 138 Average 27.48 Strike Rate 56.6

Darren Sammy - Matches 13 Wickets 39 Average 27.66 Strike Rate 58.8

Amongst batsmen, quite a few average over 50 these days, and some a good deal more. However, 50 is no longer a reasonable dividing line because more runs are scored. Better to raise the benchmark to 55, and better still to rely on judgement. For instance, it is far from clear that Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook can, or indeed ever will, deserve the mark of greatness. That is not to belittle their skills or temperament. Cook has an unflappable outlook, a well-honed game and a depth of determination not even a farmer's genial grin can conceal. Trott has an ability to occupy both his own space and the crease for long periods. Both are expert practitioners. But does not greatness demand a little more?

Top 10 current batsmen (qual 20 innings and avg greater than 50)

Jonathan Trott - Matches 20 Runs 1863 Average 64.24 100s/50s 6/6

Jacques Kallis - Matches 145 Runs 11947 Average 57.43 100s/50s 40/54

Sachin Tendulkar - Matches 177 Runs 14692 Average 56.94 100s/50s 51/59

Kumar Sangakkara - Matches 96 Runs 8307 Average 56.12 100s/50s 24/34

Ricky Ponting - Matches 152 Runs 12363 Average 53.51 100s/50s 39/56

Virender Sehwag - Matches 87 Runs 7694 Average 53.43 100s/50s 22/27

Mahela Jayawardene - Matches 118 Runs 9620 Average 53.14 100s/50s 28/38

Thilan Samaraweera - Matches 65 Runs 4479 Average 53.32 100s/50s 12/26

Rahul Dravid - Matches 150 Runs 12063 Average 52.44 100s/50s 31/59

Mohammad Yousuf 90 Runs 7530 Average 52.29 100s/50s 24/33

Of the current England batsmen, Kevin Pietersen has the most obvious claims to greatness. Indeed, he set out to achieve greatness, while Cook and Trott set out to score lots of runs. And he made it. At his best Pietersen relished the biggest stages, cut a swathe through the best attacks. He seemed destined to last the course. Then he fell back, became self-indulgent. It was as if he had not quite understood the process and had surprised himself. After all he had not been a heavy scorer in his youth. Now cricket awaits a second coming, founded not upon will power but knowledge, not upon ego but experience.
As is stands, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers seem closer to meeting the criteria. Amla has Cook's serenity but a more developed game, whilst his comrade has the range of shots and aggressive attitude needed to dictate terms. It's hard to think of anyone else with the required credentials. Plenty of admirable batsmen could be mentioned, and a few handy bowlers, but greatness eludes them. Obviously retirees cannot be considered.

At present cricket has an abundance of contention and excitement but lacks greatness' allure. Can it fight its way through the current strictures? It's not to be underestimated. Greatness has emerged from all sorts of unlikely places - biscuit factories in Kandy, sugar plantations in the Caribbean, backyards of Cootamundra, coal-mining towns in Yorkshire. Still, it would be reassuring to see one of the current crop of gifted Indian batsmen or a young West Indian or a rugged Australian or an accomplished Pakistani or an untamed Lankan or a blazing Trinidadian join the ranks, just to confirm that it can be done.

Peter Roebuck is a former captain of Somerset and the author, most recently, of In It to Win It

The 12th Man - It's Just Not Cricket

2011-05-10T02:27:00.000-07:00

"It's Just Not Cricket" is a the debut single of The Twelfth Man, a series of comedy productions by skilled impersonator Billy Birmingham. It was the first single released off the album of the same name, It's Just Not Cricket.

The single, released in 1984, gained popularity in Australia, topping the charts for three weeks before being beat off by Wham!'s single "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go".

The 12th Man - Still the 12th Man

2011-05-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Still the 12th Man is the fourth album released by The Twelfth Man. Released in 1992 for the season 1992-93, it reached number one on the ARIA Album Charts.
A day in the life of Richie Benaud, the "captain" of the Channel 9 cricket commentary team. Resembling a game between Australia and Pakistan, this album includes Bruce Reid literally falling apart, Tony Greig and Bill Lawry hijacking the commentary box and Max Walker streaking and hijacking the commentary box. In fact, it gets so bad for Richie that he has to leave early. This album also contains his hit single Marvellous!, as the last track.

The 12th Man - Wired World of Sports II

2011-05-10T02:17:00.001-07:00

Wired World of Sports II is the fifth album released (eighth release overall) by The Twelfth Man. Released in December 1994, it reached number one on the ARIA Album Charts. It also won two awards at the 1995 ARIA Music Awards for Highest Selling Album and Best Comedy Album.
A day in the life of Max Walker, who has to prove during the broadcast of Wired World of Sports that he is fit to rejoin the Channel 9 cricket commentary team. This results in the abduction of Ken Sutcliffe, his rival for the position on the commentary team, and something known as the "Maxophone" (Max blowing his nose to the tune of the Wide World of Sports theme).

The 12th Man - Bill Lawry...This Is Your Life

2011-05-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

Bill Lawry... This is Your Life is the sixth album released (eighth release overall) by The Twelfth Man. Released on December 7, 1997, it reached number one on the ARIA Album Charts.
An episode of This Is Your Life is aired about Bill Lawry, with many of Bill's friends and rivals making appearances. There is a running gag throughout that Ritchie is none too impressed by Bill receiving an episode of This Is Your Life before him and not inviting him to a party in the city. Another running gag is Bill Lawry repeatedly calling host Mike Munro, Matt Munro.

The 12th Man - The Final Dig?

2011-05-10T02:09:00.000-07:00

The Final Dig? is the seventh album released (eighth released overall) by The Twelfth Man, released on December 3, 2001.

The Final Dig? went to number one on the Australian ARIA Chart and went multi-platinum.

Richie Benaud decides to retire. Channel 9 Commentary Team Selection Committee has to choose a new Commentary Team Captain for when Richie Benaud retires to his vineyard estate, 'Verdaflore', in the South of France. In the running for the Captain are all the current commentary team of Bill Lawry, Tony Greig, Mark 'Tubby' Taylor, Ian Healy and Ian Chappell. Richie gives them advice on how they can improve their chances of being picked as commentary team captain. He advises Tony to get a hairpiece (Tony takes Greg Matthews' advice on the matter and buys a wig from Advanced Hair Hats with a ponytail), Bill to get several centimetres of his nose cut off (Bill's nose job results in Richie vomiting at the sight of it) and Ian to take some speaking lessons (Ian shows Richie what he has learnt from the class during a match, which pleases Richie).

There is outside chance on Hansie Cronje and also former Kiwi Captain Martin Crowe. Audition tapes are also sent in by Ray Martin, Mike Munro, Eddie McGuire, Darrell Eastlake, Ray Warren, Molly Meldrum, Max Walker and Jim Waley.

Kerry Packer then announces that Darrell "HUGGGGE" Eastlake and Max Walker will become the new captains. Richie hates these two, and decides to stay on for another season - just as Kerry planned.

The 12th Man - Boned!

2011-05-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

Boned! is the eighth and final album to date, released by The Twelfth Man, released on 2 December 2006. The album's title Boned! comes from the press reaction to the Mark Llewellyn affidavit that revealed that the then Channel 9 Television CEO Eddie McGuire wanted to sack, or "bone" Today presenter Jessica Rowe.[citation needed]

Boned! officially debuted on the Australian ARIA Charts at #1 on 11 December 2006 and has been given 4x Platinum accreditation, with at least 280,000 copies being sold to date.

Due to the recent spree of cost-cutting at the Nine Network, new CEO Eddie McGuire has "boned" the entire cricket commentary team, and replaced them with one person; The Twelfth Man himself, Billy Birmingham. Naturally, this gets the team's captain Richie Benaud incredibly mad, as Birmingham has made a living from impersonating them for over 20 years, with no compensation what so ever. This marks the debut of Nine's English commentator Mark Nicholas as a character, as does Alan Jones and Eddie McGuire.

This has led to Richie attempting to get himself and the team their jobs back by running "Operation Kill Billy". This includes appearing on Alan Jones's breakfast program and starting a petition, all to no avail. Also he seeks the assistance of the Prime Minister John Howard to get their jobs back.

Their plans are interrupted briefly by an injury crisis for the touring English cricket side (described as a "complete spare parts side") which sees both Tony Greig and Mark Nicholas being recruited into the team for a test being held at the WACA Ground, without much success. Mark and Tony get badly beaten up by the 'conquering' Australia.

Richie engages the help of Australian music legend Michael Gudinski, and then Australian Idol host Andrew G (according to Benaud "Andrew V from channel G") who attempts to teach the commentary team how to speak like rappers. The team does a cover version of Birmingham's hit "Marvellous," with a modern rap rock edge, which fails badly. The song features backing vocals from Jimmy Barnes (and his children), and Johnny Diesel.

In the end, Billy tenders his resignation to McGuire, stating that it is the most he has ever worked, and that the job affects his love for the game of golf. Richie and the team, unaware that Birmingham has resigned, pays him out to the tune of several million dollars, which Birmingham sneakily accepts anyway, resulting in a furious reaction from Benaud upon learning he needn't have given him the money.

The 12th Man

2011-05-10T01:58:00.000-07:00

The Twelfth Man (also known as The 12th Man) is the name for a series of comedy productions by Australian satirist Billy Birmingham. Birmingham, a skilled impersonator, is generally known for parodying Australian sports commentators' voices. As befits the name (a reference to the non-playing reserve in an eleven-player cricket side), Birmingham particularly focuses on cricket commentators such as Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig. This is also because many of Australia's cricket commentators have distinctive and easily-identifiable voices and accents.

The parodies, released periodically on CD, are designed as a comical look "behind the scenes" of the Nine Network's cricket commentary. Birmingham traditionally plays all the roles (with the exception of Ken Sutcliffe and some minor female characters, such as Richie Benaud's secretary). Benaud himself sends a critique of each CD to Birmingham and is known to have a mixed opinion of the recordings, due predominantly to Birmingham's use of profanity. All albums were produced and engineered by David Frogatt.

The 12th Man's most popular song is "Marvellous!" featuring all the main three commentators. It was first recorded as a single in 1992, with backing vocals by Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Diesel and Glenn Shorrock among others. An updated version, with some of the commentators changed, was featured on Still the 12th Man. He has since released an updated version of the song entitled "Marvellous 2006" on his latest album Boned!. It can be heard at the 12th Man's MySpace. In an article in The Herald Sun on the 15th of November 2009, Birmingham announces that Boned! was his last album to be released.

County Championship Countdown!

2010-09-16T02:15:00.000-07:00

Well it’s that time of year again. In the past, barely anyone I know took any notice of the County Cricket Championship coming to a close, but since there are three horses in this race, people have started to take a bit of notice. With the added influence of the Great British summer (or lack thereof) likely to play a massive part on the way the final standings end up, things could not be more exciting!

With Somerset currently leading the title push, both Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire are still in with chances of meeting their title ambitions. It has to be said though, that the only way one of these two can possibly achieve this (with so little cricket actually played in both matches) is through highly contrived circumstances in an effort to gain a result.

At Chester-le-Street, the home side Durham fought hard to reach 171 for 2, a lead of 31, and Somerset will have to work hard for the victory that would assure them the Championship title for the first time. With Nottinghamshire 89-2 after three days of cricket, there will have to be some serious fiddling to ensure a result at Old Trafford, where they are being hosted by Lancashire.

Elsewhere at Headingly, Kent finished their first innings with an overall lead of 41 and by the close Yorkshire had reached 51 for 1 to go ten runs in front. Now they must force a win on the final day of the season to see if it is sufficient to clinch the Championship title for the first time since 2001.

With Somerset going top of the table for the time being due to gaining full bowling and batting points, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire will have to do something truly special, or something highly controversial, to prevent the Title from heading south to Apple Country!

The ICC World T20

2010-04-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

So it’s not long now until the ICC World T20 kicks off. Having witnessed the flair and style that was the IPL for the past month, I am now well and truly in 20 over mode, and combine this with the start of the English domestic season, there is lots to look forward to! Having played two pre season games during the Easter break from university, I now have to settle for watching it on the telly rather than playing it.

There are a few players that I expect to absolutely shine at this event in the West Indies that kicks off with New Zealand v Sri Lanka at the Providence Stadium Guyana on Friday the 30th of April.

Craig Kieswetter – having made to rather dodgy starts to his international career for England in Bangladesh, Kieswetter then knuckled down to score and uncharacteristically watchful century in only his third game. England will need him to change his approach from cautious to that of a mentalist as he has done for Somerset on numerous occasions, if they are to take advantage of the 6 Power Play overs.

Cameron White – another man who can hit the ball very very hard and very very far, White is a man that Australia will be looking to make some big scores. Once the holder of the highest individual score in 20/20 cricket with 141 not out for Somerset, White is now being viewed as one of the more experienced players in this youthful line-up.

Michael Lumb – thanks to a reasonably successful spell of opening the batting for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, Lumb has been shot into the international limited overs scene. He’s set to open with Craig Kieswetter and it will be interesting to see how he fairs against some world class bowling attacks.

Daniel Vettori – a class performer thorough and through, Daniel Vettori has carried the New Zealand bowling attack for years now. With everyone raving about how taking the pace off of the ball in limited overs cricket can have a massive affect on the run rate, Vettori is surely one of the most potent weapons in the World T20?! He needs the batsmen to fire though and get some decent totals for him to bowl at.

Shane Bond – having said that Vettori has carried New Zealand, that may have not been the case had this man have been fit more often and not retired when he did. He showed in the recent IPL that his pace and accuracy can be deadly and with slower balls and slower ball bouncers in his armoury, New Zealand could be the dark horses of the tournament.

Angelo Matthews – his IPL for off to an absolute flyer this year but soon fizzled out leading to him eventually being dropped. With his clean striking and good variations in his bowling, he could be the all rounder of the tournament. Let’s hope he brings his A game with him.

Graeme Swann – having had the international career that he has had so far, I predict that the metronomic Swann will keep doing what he does best in 2010. Take wickets (in the first over of his spell) and hit the ball like a mentalist.

All in all, I think I will be pretty much glued to the TV screen for the next few weeks. Things are not looking good for my final year exams that are fast approaching!

Paul

Can Durham do it again?

2010-04-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

The county season 2010 has just kicked off and weirdly, it’s not raining! Although my team (Somerset) are not playing today and nor are the current county champions, Durham, it will be very interesting to see if there is anybody out there who can challenge them to the tile this year. With the strength and depth of their squad, they are looking very VERY good for securing the title for the third year running.

From my point of view, the only reason that Somerset’s challenge fell away was their inability to take 20 wickets. This is not helped by the fact that Taunton has some of the flattest wickets in the country and one of the smallest boundaries. This makes it a batting paradise and can often produce 450-500 runs on the first days play! With the retirement of Andy Caddick, there is extra pressure put on the already heavily burdened Charl Willoughby.

Durham seem to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to fast bowling. With the stalling of Steve Harmison’s England career, the non-selection of a revitalised Liam Plunkett and the bizarre exclusion of Graeme Onions during the South Africa Tour, Durham look to have an advantage over all of their rivals. They have also produced some excellent youngsters, namely all rounder Ben Stokes and the talented leg spinner Steve Borthwick.

They seem almost certain to regain their title and it could be down to some unlucky results, injuries or the lord of weather that stops them!

Paul

Follow all of the action at cricinfo.

A plea to the the powers that be!

2010-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the announcement by Gordon Brown that the UK election will take place on May 6th, the decision to evaluate the “crown jewel” sports has been put on the shelf. This means that the announcement as to whether the home cricket internationals are to be shown on terrestrial TV have also been put back.

The last test on Channel 4 (terrestrial TV) was the famous England ashes victory in 2005. It has been too long since you could watch the cricket in any pub, whether they have sky or not, and this deadline extension is rubbing salt into the wounds for me!

So this is a plea to whoever wins the upcoming election, please hurry up make the decision so we can potentially go back to enjoying cricket on television, anywhere and everywhere!

Yours Sincerely

Paul Wilkinson

PS – Please Hurry!!

Michael Lumb - Future Star?

2010-04-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Another England player stars in the IPL today in the form of Michael Lumb. He’s been in really solid form so far for the Rajasthan Royals, but today he finally got himself past the fifty mark for the first time. Lumb smashed 83 off of 43 balls, which included 16 fours and 2 sixes, helping to set up a very straightforward 9 wicket win over the Kings XI Punjab.

He is one of only 8 English players to be in the IPL this year (Kevin Pieterson, Andrew Flintoff, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Eion Morgan and Graeme Napier). When you bear in mind that Lumb has only just been selected for England for the first time, he is doing remarkably well and repaying the selectors faith.

A lot of former professionals believe that the IPL is a poor way upon which to establish the quality of a player and their suitability for international cricket. How can they possible say this say this? It may not be suitable to pick potential future Test Cricket stars, sure. But bear in mind, every one of the ten IPL teams can play 4 of their overseas star players out of about 7 or 8 altogether in their squad. The any new or future International Cricket stars would get to ply their trade against the likes of Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden for example.

In county cricket, both four day and 40/50 over, the English players only get to face one class overseas player per game. The IPL has allowed them to play four times as many, and therefore (I think) gain valuable experience.

Michael Lumb has been able to not only get paid a decent amount of money for doing what he loves, thanks to the massive television coverage he has pushed himself to the forefront of the selectors minds.

Good luck to the lad!

Paul

T20 Squad Time!

2010-04-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

So the past few days have been a story of ups and downs for English cricket players. Ravi Bopara was handed the news that he will be going to the World T20 at the end of April (don’t quote me on the exact date), but at the same time he managed to field appallingly in his last outing in the IPL. It’s also worth noting that his form has slumped rather significantly as of late after making back to back fifties in his first two appearances for the Kings Punjab XI this year.

This is classic England selection policy:

Step 1 - Wait till a player gets into good/great/amazing form.
Step 2 – Wait a tad more.
Step 3 – Form going slightly pear shaped/confidence waning.
Step 4 – Really out of form = selection made!

On a similar note, Craig Kieswetter has been chosen as the sole Keeper in the T20 part, which gives him a chance to flaunt his entire game to the selectors, and start banging on Matt Priors test and One day door’s. This is a brave move on the selectors part, bearing in mind that his international experience consists of a few appearances against Bangladesh, the worst team in the top flight of the game in all formats. On a downer, one of England’s best players as of late, and ranked 3rd best bowler in the world, Graeme Swann, has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after his 31st birthday.........MUPPET!

Michael’s Yardy and Lumb have been recalled/selected for the T20 too on the back of solid form which is great news as I have always been a fan of the south coast duo, and I fully expect them both to shine! All in all an interesting squad and one that could make any diehard test cricket purist slightly interested.

Paul

PS - please feel free to comment and follow guys! (I don’t bite!)

For more information please go to:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8595614.stm

Cricket Hurts!

2010-03-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Great video to demonstrate the risks of the game!

Paul

Which Catch Is better?

2010-03-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, if anyone happened to be watching the IPL live on ITV 4 the other day when the Delhi Daredevils played the Kolkata Knight Riders.......... what about that catch from David Hussey!??! Is that not one of the best catches in recent years? Despite having played cricket for 13 or 14 years now I guess, and I can’t even begin to contemplate how the hell he managed to pull that one off!

It looked for all money that Collingwood had smashed another flat 6 off the over, only to be removed by an absolute stunner!

For all of you who have no idea whatsoever what I am talking about, feel free to check out the video below.

Too be fair it’s about time Paul Collingwood got a taste of his own medicine after the numerous belters that he’s managed to cling onto! This one ring any memories?

(I was lucky enough to be in Bristol watching that game) : D

Both Different catches but which one is better?? You tell me!

Paul

Classic Sledging!

2010-03-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Awesome work from the master, Andrew Flintoff vs Tino Best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1NFbVx0uN8

Being Freddie: My Story So Far

Andrew Flintoff: The Biography

Ashes to Ashes

Andy Flower singles out Bresnan as stand out seamer

2010-03-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

Bresnan Bowled Beautifully!

As you may have read the other day when I blogged (had a rant!) about the lack of depth to England’s seam bowling attack and stand out performance from Tim Bresnan, England cricket coach Andy Flower has come out and said that he agrees (with me – get in!!).

"Tim Bresnan wasn't originally selected in the Test party but with the opportunity given to him by the injury to Ryan Sidebottom, and after his performances in the one-day series, he sort of leapfrogged his way into the side," Flower told reporters before the team left Dhaka.

"He reverse swung the ball both ways, he was controlled and accurate, bowled a heavy bouncer and was strong enough to keep going for long periods of time," Flower said. "I thought our players held strong in some trying conditions weather-wise and on some very flat pitches.”

The 91 in the second test is surely a sign that Bresnan can bat at 7 ahead of Stewart Broad should England wish to play 5 bowlers. Very important given that the Ashes in Australia are only 8 or 9 months away!

Paul

Read the full article - cricinfo.com

2nd Test vs Bangladesh (day five)

2010-03-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

Captain Cook!

So England managed to go on tour to Bangladesh and come out as expected with a white was in every format. Their ability to beat their opponents in both tests, despite the ridiculously flat wickets, was a credit to their bowlers. The two main players for me have been Swann and Bresnan, most notably the latter who had very little to assist his brand of seam bowling, but ran in and took 6 hard earned wickets at a cost of just over 30 a piece. That being said, Swann did manage to take the most out of both sides (as expected), bagging 16 scalps at 25.25.

Tredwell managed to take more wickets that Swann in the final innings of the tour, which was an unexpected surprise, taking his tally to six in the one solitary game that he played.

The thing that is nagging at me though, being the cricketing guru that I am (NOT) is that there seems to be a lack of seam bowling depth. Finn and Broad really were pretty average on the whole and they both lacked variety and imagination, as far as getting batsmen out rather than waiting for them to make a mistake. They really needed Onions as he is the gravy (sorry about that one)!

The lack of inspiration and seam depth is rather alarming as it’s only eight or nine months until the ashes down under, against an Australian team that love revenge and have a wealth of talented and nasty fast bowlers. A lot of whom have the wool over a fair few of the English batsmen!

On the subject of batsmen and captain supreme at the same time, Alistair Cooks first proper run out as captain must be very very satisfying indeed. With two hundreds in the test series (one of them a big one) and some very solid one day inning to boot, Cook may have deservedly nudged his way into the selectors minds in terms of one day selection. Not to mention becoming the future captain. I hope Andrew Strauss has had a nice rest!!

Paul

Borat Learns Cricket

2010-03-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

An old classic:

Sledges and Quotes

2010-03-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

Like every good sport, cricket has its amazing and memorable quotes, and i’d like to share a few classics with you now:

Cricket civilizes people and creates good gentlemen I want everyone to play cricket in Zimbabwe; I want ours to be a nation of gentlemen - Robert Mugabe.

The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey - Brian Johnston - referring to Michael Holding and Peter Willey

Statistics are like miniskirts, they reveal more than what they hide – Unknown.

I smiled at Ricky Ponting. He didn't smile back. He was in a terrible temper for some reason. Quite why he was blaming me when his partner, Damien Martyn, had called him for a suicidal single to cover, I don't know. You know what's more? All the palaver caused me to burn my toast! - Duncan Fletcher on the fallout from the infamous Gary Pratt run out.

Mark Waugh: F**k me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here, there's no way you're good enough to play for England.
James Ormond: Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family!

Don't bother shutting it, son, you won't be there long enough - Fred Truman to incoming Aussie batsman as he opened the gate on his way out to the middle at Lord's.

The aim of English cricket is, in fact, mainly to beat Australia - Jim Laker.

Aussies are big and empty, just like their country - Ian Botham.

Merv is a funny guy, though he would sledge his own mother if he thought it would help the cause - Gladstone Small.

Shane Warne is thicker than a complete set of Wisden yearbooks - Matt Price.

That ball went so high it could have got an air hostess down with it – Sidhu.

The gap between bat and pad is so wide you could have driven a car through – Sidhu.

I bowl my best when I am fittest and the best way to get fit is to bowl. That's how you get your rhythm. You cannot really find a rhythm by bowling in the nets - Brett Lee.

Aussie fan to Phil Tuffnell - Oi Tuffers, lend us your brain, I'm trying to build an idiot!

GREG THOMAS (GLAMORGAN) v VIV RICHARDS (SOMERSET, WINDIES)
During a county championship match Thomas beat Richards' outside edge a couple of times. He called out to the legend: "It's red, round and weighs about five ounces in case you were wondering." The very next ball the master smashed Thomas out of the ground, into a river, and replied: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."

Easton In Gordano Cricket Club

2010-03-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

On Tour In 2009

We are a unique local club who play friendly cricket at a beautiful ground behind the Rudgleigh Inn.

We play 40 over Sunday matches and mid-week evening 20/20 games, usually on Tuesdays.

For more information on fixtures or joining the club, contact the club captain, Chris Lester, on 07879 423790

Check out our play cricket website at - http://eig.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp : )

Biggest 6 ever!

2010-03-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

Trust me, you'll like this!

2nd Test vs Bangladesh (day three)

2010-03-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Bell makes his 10th test hundred

Surely England should whitewash Bangladesh? Their test series in Bangladesh should be more straight forward than this. England played some scintillating cricket in the ODI’s with Eoin Morgan in particularly good form. Bangladesh, although new to the international cricketing arena, do not have the players that England do nor do they have the pedigree. Don’t get me wrong they have some fine cricketers including the young Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan but they do not match up against the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood.

Surely then this series is a foregone conclusion? With Bangladesh achieving a score of 419 in this test match, their third highest ever score in their short international cricketing history; it suggests that it is not.

A good consistent response from England which included 138 from Ian Bell and an unbeaten 74 from Tim Bresnan has left England on 440-8 at the end of day three in Mirpur. With the relative inexperience and the youth of the Bangladesh front line, England’s bowlers and Graeme Swann in particular, should see Bangladesh off in the end. Maybe it’s me being too expectant of England and their cricketing prowess or maybe I am just realistic but Cook and company should polish this off with relative ease (in theory)!

Rob
Follow the game here - http://www.cricinfo.com/

2nd Test vs Bangladesh (day one)

2010-03-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Bell and Prior watch as Bangladesh march on

So I wake up this morning to see that Bangladesh have almost mustered 300 in the first innings of the 2nd test in Mirpur, against England. They eventually closed on 330-8, with Mr Graeme Swann claiming another 3 wickets (30 – 4 – 94 – 3) and debutant James Tredwell claiming 85 – 2 off of his 29 overs. It’s clear that Bangladesh are improving as a test cricket nation, their current score of 330 almost equalling their second innings fight at Chittagong, they still have a long way to go.

That being said, England’s lack of penetration it terms of seam bowling is rather worrying. It was only 5 years ago that it was an attack formed of messers Flintoff, Jones, Harmison and Hoggard. The attack of today seems rather dull and lacking in match winning characteristics. Although Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad are fine bowlers, with good records at the county championship level, are the test match bowlers??

Compare England’s current attack to the one lead by Flintoff in the 2005 Ashes and which one are you more scared of and which one is more likely to get (knock) you out?!

I’m guessing what I’m saying is that the current seam attack don’t have the same aura and ability as they used to, and this is really evident in the way that Bangladesh, the lowest ranked team on the test match ladder, are fighting against them. But how do they get this X Factor back?? Pick the 2005 Ashes attack maybe??

Paul

Follow the game here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/default.stm or here http://www.cricinfo.com/bdeshveng2010/engine/current/match/426424.html