Shorn of their major stars and having lost their last two home series, although with a series win in South Africa behind them, Australia arrive in England in form other than the default Australian setting (i.e. far and away the best side in the world who have a team half beaten before a ball is bowled). Long gone are the Warnes, McGraths and Gilchrists of this world, though there's no doubting that they're still a mighty good side. But Ricky Ponting's utterances this week maybe suggest they're not quite so confident after all. Wherever he's popped up in the papers this week, he's been focusing on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff.
Now, we think the one person who should be concerned over the fitness of Andrew Flintoff is Andrew Flintoff, but Ponting is missing the point, as he has done throughout his career with those backward-of-square cuts. Flintoff is not the all-important player he may have been some years ago. For a start, his batting has been woeful for a number of years now. It may even have been the 2005 Ashes that last saw him make an impact there. And while his one-day bowling has been exemplary, he hasn't made an impact in Tests - moreso in Twenty20 - for a while. His frequent and lengthy absences have seen the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad revel in the greater responsibility. Broad's batting is also useful down the order while Matt Prior has become the all-rounder with a superb run of form. Tim Bresnan might yet make a decent Test all-rounder but we learned nothing about his batting in the West Indies series just gone while Andrew Strauss's reluctance to bowl him was the one area of his captaincy we'd call into question.
Statistically speaking, England's best current Test all-rounder is Anthony McGrath anyway. And he's a far more fearsome prospect than Andrew McDonald will ever be. Concentrating on England's perceived weaknesses perhaps belies more than a little concern from Ponting over Australia's.
Sunday 31 May 2009
Saturday 30 May 2009
The Leeds pigeon murderer
Jacques Rudolph is already a legend down Yorkshire way, but Friday May 30 2009 cemented his place in the pantheon. The Western Terrace had already taken the view that, on the occasion of getting a right old beating off the old enemy, that you may as well drink until falling down and act the goat. Rudolph, obviously trying to lighten the mood, decided that if he couldn't affect the outcome he may as well cheer up the mass ranks of Yorkshiremen behind him.
And he chose to do this through the medium of pigeon killing.
At least he had the good grace to clear the carcass off the field afterwards
And he chose to do this through the medium of pigeon killing.
At least he had the good grace to clear the carcass off the field afterwards
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Aussie ashes squad named
R Ponting (c), M Clarke (vc), S Clark, B Haddin, N Hauritz, B Hilfenhaus, P Hughes, M Hussey, M Johnson, S Katich, B Lee, G Manou, A McDonald, M North, P Siddle, S Watson.
The most notable absentee is Andrew Symonds, who played in some recent ODI's but has not played many tests recently and who has tried Cricket Australia's patience with his bizarre off-the-field antics. There are expected recalls for Stuart Clark (fitness still uncertain) and Brett Lee and no place for the likes of Bryce McGain (he of the nightmare debut in South Africa), Jason Krezja (one test in India) or Shaun Tait.
The preferred all rounders are Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald, who have not set the world alight but Watson is also carrying a groin injury so Tim Nielsen will have to be watchful. The only uncapped player in the squad is South Australia wicket keeper Graham Manou.
The Ashes begins in Cardiff on July 8.
The most notable absentee is Andrew Symonds, who played in some recent ODI's but has not played many tests recently and who has tried Cricket Australia's patience with his bizarre off-the-field antics. There are expected recalls for Stuart Clark (fitness still uncertain) and Brett Lee and no place for the likes of Bryce McGain (he of the nightmare debut in South Africa), Jason Krezja (one test in India) or Shaun Tait.
The preferred all rounders are Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald, who have not set the world alight but Watson is also carrying a groin injury so Tim Nielsen will have to be watchful. The only uncapped player in the squad is South Australia wicket keeper Graham Manou.
The Ashes begins in Cardiff on July 8.
England v WI test review
What did we learn from the decidedly one-sided two-test series between England and the West Indies?
Well, first of all we all learnt (if we didn't know it already) that on a decent pitch offering the bowlers even a modicum of help, the West Indies crumble. Which explains their success on the placid tracks of the Carribbean. We also saw a wicket-taking, if expensive, seamer in Graham Onions make his debut and impress, although I am no more knowledgable on Tim Bresnan after two test matches than I was before after his meagre contribution (not his fault, mind).
James Anderson led the bowling attack with aplomb and Graham Swann made Devon Smith his bunny. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not quite his adhesive self although the likes of Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin intermittently impressed. Brendan Nash's honeymoon period in test cricket is over, he makes Paul Collingwood look like Mohammed Yousuf.
In England's batting, the obvious stand-out is Ravi Bopara, who put some decidedly average fast bowling to the sword. Fidel Edwards, first day at Lords apart, played up to his erratic reputation and he went down in a few people's opinions with his antics against James Anderson at Durham. Kevin Pietersen looked out-of-sorts (he'll probably complain about being tired again) while Paul Collingwood showed understandable signs of rust having not been played in the IPL. Alistair Cook an Andrew Strauss showed good form in patches but Cook still looks a little suspect against the swinging ball.
In all you cannot draw too many conclusions with regards to the ashes because the windies were by and large so ordinary. However, England were professional in their approach and commendably ruthless with the ball. Graham Swann, certainly, looks to be the real deal and the premier spinner for the upcoming tests.
Well, first of all we all learnt (if we didn't know it already) that on a decent pitch offering the bowlers even a modicum of help, the West Indies crumble. Which explains their success on the placid tracks of the Carribbean. We also saw a wicket-taking, if expensive, seamer in Graham Onions make his debut and impress, although I am no more knowledgable on Tim Bresnan after two test matches than I was before after his meagre contribution (not his fault, mind).
James Anderson led the bowling attack with aplomb and Graham Swann made Devon Smith his bunny. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not quite his adhesive self although the likes of Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin intermittently impressed. Brendan Nash's honeymoon period in test cricket is over, he makes Paul Collingwood look like Mohammed Yousuf.
In England's batting, the obvious stand-out is Ravi Bopara, who put some decidedly average fast bowling to the sword. Fidel Edwards, first day at Lords apart, played up to his erratic reputation and he went down in a few people's opinions with his antics against James Anderson at Durham. Kevin Pietersen looked out-of-sorts (he'll probably complain about being tired again) while Paul Collingwood showed understandable signs of rust having not been played in the IPL. Alistair Cook an Andrew Strauss showed good form in patches but Cook still looks a little suspect against the swinging ball.
In all you cannot draw too many conclusions with regards to the ashes because the windies were by and large so ordinary. However, England were professional in their approach and commendably ruthless with the ball. Graham Swann, certainly, looks to be the real deal and the premier spinner for the upcoming tests.
Thursday 14 May 2009
A new shot
England new boy Eoin Morgan was in great form for his county, Middlesex, in the week, blazing a big hundred off not many. He played a number of reverse sweeps that really came out of the screws, but this....
This....
Well, err... it's a reverse backhand slap swept late cut.
Or something. Either way, it was worth four runs.
This....
Well, err... it's a reverse backhand slap swept late cut.
Or something. Either way, it was worth four runs.
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Too much cricket
County cricket is best described as a treadmill for most players. It is a gruelling schedule at the best of times, with players rest times squeezed further by the introduction of Twenty20 (however successful that has been). On Monday, Kent were convincingly beaten by Middlesex at Canterbury in what was their 12th day of competetive cricket out of the previous 14 days. That is, so early in the season, nothing short of madness. No wonder top players like Wayne Parnell, Justin Kemp and Joe Denly looked jaded in the field. I'd be bloody shattered.
The simple solution is to reduce the amount of cricket played. Unfortunately opinion seems to be divided on how to do this. I've already had numerous arguments about this with people already, but it hasn't shaken me from my position - That the Pro40 league should be axed.
It seems, to coin a phrase from the excellent Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou?, the acme of foolishness to continue with a domestic competition that does not mirror one played at international level. Twenty20 is now played globally, the Friends Provident trophy has its 50-over big brother and obviously the county championship is stretched out over five days. There is no international 40 over tournament. Opponents of this view point to the fact it gives the fans a bit more for their money than Twenty20 and yet still finishes early enough so that a whole day is written off. Yet I've already been to 2 Friends Provident matches this season which kicked off at 10.45 and finished at between 6 and 6.30 - hardly the dead of night and you see 100 overs of cricket.
The other advantage to, in my view, stretching out the FP trophy into a bigger competition to usurp the Pro40 is that it incorporates exactly the same rules as international 50 over cricket, such as the Fielding Powerplays. It is useless, in my opinion, to bring in promising young english players and then only pay early-season lip service to a competition that some of them will be playing for their country in the future.
To persist with Pro40, in the packed schedule that county players endure, is madness and will only lead very quickly to player burnout. If Twenty20 must be accomodated (which, for all my grumbling, it must) then something has to give. It makes no sense for any of the other competitions to lose out.
The simple solution is to reduce the amount of cricket played. Unfortunately opinion seems to be divided on how to do this. I've already had numerous arguments about this with people already, but it hasn't shaken me from my position - That the Pro40 league should be axed.
It seems, to coin a phrase from the excellent Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou?, the acme of foolishness to continue with a domestic competition that does not mirror one played at international level. Twenty20 is now played globally, the Friends Provident trophy has its 50-over big brother and obviously the county championship is stretched out over five days. There is no international 40 over tournament. Opponents of this view point to the fact it gives the fans a bit more for their money than Twenty20 and yet still finishes early enough so that a whole day is written off. Yet I've already been to 2 Friends Provident matches this season which kicked off at 10.45 and finished at between 6 and 6.30 - hardly the dead of night and you see 100 overs of cricket.
The other advantage to, in my view, stretching out the FP trophy into a bigger competition to usurp the Pro40 is that it incorporates exactly the same rules as international 50 over cricket, such as the Fielding Powerplays. It is useless, in my opinion, to bring in promising young english players and then only pay early-season lip service to a competition that some of them will be playing for their country in the future.
To persist with Pro40, in the packed schedule that county players endure, is madness and will only lead very quickly to player burnout. If Twenty20 must be accomodated (which, for all my grumbling, it must) then something has to give. It makes no sense for any of the other competitions to lose out.
Friday 8 May 2009
Marvellous
England win test inside three days by 10 wickets and Lancashire beat Warwickshire by 6 wickets.
Can't ask for much more than that.
Can't ask for much more than that.
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Swine Flu Safety
In order to avoid catching this awful disease then I'd suggest the West Indies slip cordon is a safe place to stand. They couldn't catch anything at the moment.
Ravi Bopara is henceforth known for the rest of this innings as the Cat. He's offered ample catching practice to the West Indies lads and they just won't hang onto them. But with the referall system he'd be tucked up inside the pavillion already.
Ravi Bopara is henceforth known for the rest of this innings as the Cat. He's offered ample catching practice to the West Indies lads and they just won't hang onto them. But with the referall system he'd be tucked up inside the pavillion already.
English Test summer begins
You can tell by the rain in the air that today heralds the start of the English Test summer. Fortunately it's stayed away from Lord's so far and we're two sessions in to the first Test against the West Indies.
After snacking on Indian Premier League for a couple of weeks or so, it feels good to be sitting down to a balanced, square meal such that Test match cricket represents. Nobody is proud of themselves after a superficial diet of take-outs and fast food, and neither am I after a smorgasbord of IPL cricket dominating the TV schedules chez moi. No more DLF maximum bollocks - and Robin Jackman, I'm coming for you after you committed the heinous crime of using 'DLF' as a verb, to whit "he's DLFed it out of the ground" - instead the monotonous ramblings of Nasser and pals on Sky's increasingly annoying coverage.
And what of the cricket so far? Well, we've only had two sessions and Kevin Pietersen has transferred his IPL form to the bigger stage by getting a first baller, a superb delivery from Fidel Edwards who continues to impress, and Ravi Bopara is the latest to look at least fleetingly good at number three. Early days yet, but he's gone pretty well. England line up with Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan on debut in a long tail and I really never thought I'd see the day when Bresnan got a Test cap. How he's made it into the side ahead of his much more impressive team-mate at Yorkshire, Adil Rashid, is one of those mysteries of life that future generations will shake their heads at in disbelief. Meanwhile for the West Indies, someone really needs to tell them how to catch small red balls. If they'd hung on to catches, then they'd be batting already.
The big difference between this and the crash, bang wallop in South Africa is over rates. There is no reason why sides should not be able to go at fifteen overs per hour. Rates of thirteen and lower are pathetic. Some time ago, Chris wrote about flat pitches beating the living daylights out of Test cricket. So are slow over rates. The fines aren't working. Either they need to be upped, and upped significantly, or penalty runs brought in. Or both. Oh, and suspensions for captains.
After snacking on Indian Premier League for a couple of weeks or so, it feels good to be sitting down to a balanced, square meal such that Test match cricket represents. Nobody is proud of themselves after a superficial diet of take-outs and fast food, and neither am I after a smorgasbord of IPL cricket dominating the TV schedules chez moi. No more DLF maximum bollocks - and Robin Jackman, I'm coming for you after you committed the heinous crime of using 'DLF' as a verb, to whit "he's DLFed it out of the ground" - instead the monotonous ramblings of Nasser and pals on Sky's increasingly annoying coverage.
And what of the cricket so far? Well, we've only had two sessions and Kevin Pietersen has transferred his IPL form to the bigger stage by getting a first baller, a superb delivery from Fidel Edwards who continues to impress, and Ravi Bopara is the latest to look at least fleetingly good at number three. Early days yet, but he's gone pretty well. England line up with Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan on debut in a long tail and I really never thought I'd see the day when Bresnan got a Test cap. How he's made it into the side ahead of his much more impressive team-mate at Yorkshire, Adil Rashid, is one of those mysteries of life that future generations will shake their heads at in disbelief. Meanwhile for the West Indies, someone really needs to tell them how to catch small red balls. If they'd hung on to catches, then they'd be batting already.
The big difference between this and the crash, bang wallop in South Africa is over rates. There is no reason why sides should not be able to go at fifteen overs per hour. Rates of thirteen and lower are pathetic. Some time ago, Chris wrote about flat pitches beating the living daylights out of Test cricket. So are slow over rates. The fines aren't working. Either they need to be upped, and upped significantly, or penalty runs brought in. Or both. Oh, and suspensions for captains.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Surrey won a game!
Praise the Lord! That expensively assembled bunch of prima-donnas finally won a match this season!
Alright it was only against Yorkshire, but a win's a win.
Alright it was only against Yorkshire, but a win's a win.
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