Oh, ECB. Will you ever regret your dealings with "sir" Allen Stanford. Denied bail!
Bernie Madoff got 150 years. I'll start the spread for Stanford at 246.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Sunday 28 June 2009
Vaughan calls time on illustrious career
Reports are emerging today that Michael Vaughan will announce his retirement after the Yorkshire v Derbyshire match at Headingley. It's a slightly ignominious end to his career, but stats rarely lie in cricket and the numbers just don't stack up any more.
While the 2005 Ashes may have been his career peak as a captain, the series in Australia in 2002/3 was undoubtedly his peak as a batsman. The career best 197 in Adelaide was a sparkling innings made in the style which, from his early days with Yorkshire seconds, was his trademark; all flourishing cuts, effortless pulls and peerless drives, all conducted with grace and exquisite timing.
Internationally, he first gave notice of his ability in the under-19s where he opened alongside a left-handed biffer by the name of Marcus Trescothick, one year his junior, and the pair's international careers would develop alongside one another. However, where the much publicised mental problems eventually did for Trescothick's international career, with Vaughan it was physical. A succession of knee injuries robbed him of his best years as a Test batsman and, though his captaincy skills were worth a healthy amount of runs in the field, the combined effect of the persistent problems and the burden of captaincy diminished his prowess with the willow.
In the lead up to the crowning glory that was the 2005 Ashes, England embarked on a long winning run, whitewashing the West Indies and New Zealand and beating South Africa on their own patch. The Ashes were won using just twelve players - and Paul Collingwood only played one match - but that group of players would never play together again with Vaughan being the prime casualty. Though he'd return as skipper of the one-day side, his prowess was never in the shorter forms of the game, a fact made clear in that a batsman of his quality never made an ODI hundred. He quit the one-day scene, but stayed on in charge of the Test side, passing Peter May's record of 20 wins to become the most successful England captain of all time. The runs, however, were drying up and he quit the post in 2008. The fact that England have struggled to find even a half-decent captain since then - though Andrew Strauss is doing OK for now - is testament to the standards he set. He finished with 5,719 Test runs at 41.44 with 18 hundreds. His criminally underused bowling - he was a pretty useful off-spinner - brought him just six wickets at 93.5.
It seemed odd at the time when Vaughan was handed a central contract for the current year, but, forced to prove his worth on the county circuit, the scores haven't been there. No hundreds, only three times past 50, a total of 615 runs in 22 knocks at an average of under 30 is not the form of a Test player. Moreover, Ravi Bopara has taken his chance and made the number three spot his own.
It has to be one of the hardest things a professional sportsman can do and admit that it's over. Michael Vaughan makes that step today and the best of luck to him from here.
As a former England captain, he'll have no problem getting a commentary gig with Sky, unlike any professional verbalists, but that's a whole different story.
While the 2005 Ashes may have been his career peak as a captain, the series in Australia in 2002/3 was undoubtedly his peak as a batsman. The career best 197 in Adelaide was a sparkling innings made in the style which, from his early days with Yorkshire seconds, was his trademark; all flourishing cuts, effortless pulls and peerless drives, all conducted with grace and exquisite timing.
Internationally, he first gave notice of his ability in the under-19s where he opened alongside a left-handed biffer by the name of Marcus Trescothick, one year his junior, and the pair's international careers would develop alongside one another. However, where the much publicised mental problems eventually did for Trescothick's international career, with Vaughan it was physical. A succession of knee injuries robbed him of his best years as a Test batsman and, though his captaincy skills were worth a healthy amount of runs in the field, the combined effect of the persistent problems and the burden of captaincy diminished his prowess with the willow.
In the lead up to the crowning glory that was the 2005 Ashes, England embarked on a long winning run, whitewashing the West Indies and New Zealand and beating South Africa on their own patch. The Ashes were won using just twelve players - and Paul Collingwood only played one match - but that group of players would never play together again with Vaughan being the prime casualty. Though he'd return as skipper of the one-day side, his prowess was never in the shorter forms of the game, a fact made clear in that a batsman of his quality never made an ODI hundred. He quit the one-day scene, but stayed on in charge of the Test side, passing Peter May's record of 20 wins to become the most successful England captain of all time. The runs, however, were drying up and he quit the post in 2008. The fact that England have struggled to find even a half-decent captain since then - though Andrew Strauss is doing OK for now - is testament to the standards he set. He finished with 5,719 Test runs at 41.44 with 18 hundreds. His criminally underused bowling - he was a pretty useful off-spinner - brought him just six wickets at 93.5.
It seemed odd at the time when Vaughan was handed a central contract for the current year, but, forced to prove his worth on the county circuit, the scores haven't been there. No hundreds, only three times past 50, a total of 615 runs in 22 knocks at an average of under 30 is not the form of a Test player. Moreover, Ravi Bopara has taken his chance and made the number three spot his own.
It has to be one of the hardest things a professional sportsman can do and admit that it's over. Michael Vaughan makes that step today and the best of luck to him from here.
As a former England captain, he'll have no problem getting a commentary gig with Sky, unlike any professional verbalists, but that's a whole different story.
Thursday 25 June 2009
Top 20 from the T20
After a mauling from the hosts in their first outing, Pakistan emerged as slightly unlikely world champions following the World T20 in England. They played a decent brand of the short form of the game to overcome a tricky Sri Lankan challenge after early favourites South Africa did the unthinkable by stuffing up in yet another semi-final.
Here are our top twenty from the T20.
20. The crowds
Norman Tebbitt was wrong, and that is always a satisfying sentence to write. The atmosphere India v England game was as nothing since the Pakistan v India game at Birmingham back in the 1999 World Cup. Whoever thought you'd hear "you're not singing any more" at the cricket? All the sides seemed to get a decent level of backing and the competition was the better for it. Pakistan's current travails means that they're unlikely to play at home any time soon. Come to England. Please.
19. Kyle Coetzer's amazing catch.
18. The Australian demise
Pure schadenfreude, but the look on Ricky Ponting's face was completely worth it.
17. A bit of imagination
One day cricket in England is played out with the massive speakers around the ground and they all go through the same repertoire at every game. Queen, Roy Orbison etc. Boring. At least the people on the wheels of steel seemed to have a bit of freedom with the platters that were spun. If music is a must, and it seems that it is, then don't just stick to a formula that doesn't even work.
16. The ground staff
Using just the three venues put a massive emphasis on the state of the pitches. They were all excellent, providing a decent competition between bat and ball - well, as much as you can do in the 20-over format.
15. No strategy breaks
You can keep that to yourself, IPL.
14. Abdul Razzaq's return
Not just Razzaq, but all the former ICL players. It's good to have them back, though New Zealand could really have used Shane Bond.
13. Adil Rashid
Another tournament with little to cheer for the hosts, but the emergence of Adil Rashid is surely a positive England can take away. His attitude is every bit as impressive as his ability insofar as he doesn't lose his cool if he gets clouted. He must play Test cricket before 2009 is over.
12. England's women
While the blokes are still waiting for a first ever international tournament win, the ladies have now bagged two in the space of six months. They're the standard bearers in the women's game. Additionally, what a great idea to play the semis and final of the women's competition alongside the blokes.
11. Spin
When Twenty20 was launched, everybody feared for the spinners. They were going to get clouted out of the park and, with it, the game. Instead, it's the side with decent spinners and, moreover, captains who trust their twirlers (I'm talking about you, Ricky Ponting) who made hay. Forcing the batsmen to impart their own pace on the ball pays dividends.
10. Streamlined tournament
Bloated tournaments do not work. The last World Cup was interminable. While doubts (for me if nobody else) still linger about a second group stage, the short and sweet nature of this tournament was in stark contrast to the decade long 50-over competition. Will the ICC learn from this? Probably not.
9. Great news for maths fans
England's exit has prompted Messrs Duckworth and Lewis undertake to bring forward the planned revision to their method of calculating run chases for 20 over games. The shorter the game, the less well the current D/L method works - the authors acknowledged this many years ago - so we can look forward to some lovely stats and mathematical tweaking in the not too distant future.
8. Proper shots
It wasn't big heaves to cow corner, pre-meditated shots and slashes across the line that got the runs. It was proper cricket shots and playing each ball on it's merits that won out. Hardly revolutionary, but has taken time for players to get into their heads.
7. Genuine keepers are back
Keepers can win matches. While most sides have tried to find their own equivalent of Adam Gilchrist, the cannier sides have picked the best gloveman available to stand behind the timbers. James Foster came up with two eye-catching stumpings and Kamran Akmal impressed. Niall O'Brien, Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni and the evergreen Mark Boucher were all superb. Brad Haddin was a waste of space.
6. A fitting finale
It was only a few short months ago that a Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was aborted after the attack on the visitors in Lahore. The scars, mental and physical, are still fresh giving this final a gravitas that seems at odds with the nature of the shortest form of the game. Great spirit between the players and one of the best games of the tournament.
5. Umar Gul
Reverse swing with a ball only 15 overs old? Impossible, surely? No. Not a bit of it. The spell of 5 for 6 against New Zealand was simply breathtaking.
4. Tillakeratne Dilshan
As well as having a name you can sing along to, he emerged as a batsman of real quality. Everyone is talking about his outrageous scoop shot, but it's not new. What is new is the confidence and regularity of playing it. You've got to be seeing the ball well to avoid getting it in the gnashers, but the fundamental principle of there not being many fielders behind the keeper is a fine one.
3. Ajantha Mendis and that carrom ball
What, how and where are just three questions every side had regarding Mendis in general. He completely bamboozled the South Africans, let alone the Irish who wouldn't have picked it even if he'd told the batter what he was going to do. Interestingly, only Pakistan could play him. Mind, they've seen more of him than anyone else.
2. The South African fielding
While they've a few chunky lads in the side - memo to Jacques Kallis; that tight fitting top does you very few favours mate - they also have AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs who are lightning in the field. Even Roelof van der Merwe - a man once described by a member of the Cricketballs team as looking like a Bremen gas fitter - can fling himself about a bit and take pretty good catches.
1. Shahid Afridi
For a while now, he's looked more like a semi-effective leggy while those crash, bang, wallop innings with the bat seemed a long time ago. He looks refreshed, his bowling is as good as anybody's and those big shots are back in his repertoire. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Afridi was a major reason in Pakistan's victory.
Here are our top twenty from the T20.
20. The crowds
Norman Tebbitt was wrong, and that is always a satisfying sentence to write. The atmosphere India v England game was as nothing since the Pakistan v India game at Birmingham back in the 1999 World Cup. Whoever thought you'd hear "you're not singing any more" at the cricket? All the sides seemed to get a decent level of backing and the competition was the better for it. Pakistan's current travails means that they're unlikely to play at home any time soon. Come to England. Please.
19. Kyle Coetzer's amazing catch.
18. The Australian demise
Pure schadenfreude, but the look on Ricky Ponting's face was completely worth it.
17. A bit of imagination
One day cricket in England is played out with the massive speakers around the ground and they all go through the same repertoire at every game. Queen, Roy Orbison etc. Boring. At least the people on the wheels of steel seemed to have a bit of freedom with the platters that were spun. If music is a must, and it seems that it is, then don't just stick to a formula that doesn't even work.
16. The ground staff
Using just the three venues put a massive emphasis on the state of the pitches. They were all excellent, providing a decent competition between bat and ball - well, as much as you can do in the 20-over format.
15. No strategy breaks
You can keep that to yourself, IPL.
14. Abdul Razzaq's return
Not just Razzaq, but all the former ICL players. It's good to have them back, though New Zealand could really have used Shane Bond.
13. Adil Rashid
Another tournament with little to cheer for the hosts, but the emergence of Adil Rashid is surely a positive England can take away. His attitude is every bit as impressive as his ability insofar as he doesn't lose his cool if he gets clouted. He must play Test cricket before 2009 is over.
12. England's women
While the blokes are still waiting for a first ever international tournament win, the ladies have now bagged two in the space of six months. They're the standard bearers in the women's game. Additionally, what a great idea to play the semis and final of the women's competition alongside the blokes.
11. Spin
When Twenty20 was launched, everybody feared for the spinners. They were going to get clouted out of the park and, with it, the game. Instead, it's the side with decent spinners and, moreover, captains who trust their twirlers (I'm talking about you, Ricky Ponting) who made hay. Forcing the batsmen to impart their own pace on the ball pays dividends.
10. Streamlined tournament
Bloated tournaments do not work. The last World Cup was interminable. While doubts (for me if nobody else) still linger about a second group stage, the short and sweet nature of this tournament was in stark contrast to the decade long 50-over competition. Will the ICC learn from this? Probably not.
9. Great news for maths fans
England's exit has prompted Messrs Duckworth and Lewis undertake to bring forward the planned revision to their method of calculating run chases for 20 over games. The shorter the game, the less well the current D/L method works - the authors acknowledged this many years ago - so we can look forward to some lovely stats and mathematical tweaking in the not too distant future.
8. Proper shots
It wasn't big heaves to cow corner, pre-meditated shots and slashes across the line that got the runs. It was proper cricket shots and playing each ball on it's merits that won out. Hardly revolutionary, but has taken time for players to get into their heads.
7. Genuine keepers are back
Keepers can win matches. While most sides have tried to find their own equivalent of Adam Gilchrist, the cannier sides have picked the best gloveman available to stand behind the timbers. James Foster came up with two eye-catching stumpings and Kamran Akmal impressed. Niall O'Brien, Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni and the evergreen Mark Boucher were all superb. Brad Haddin was a waste of space.
6. A fitting finale
It was only a few short months ago that a Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was aborted after the attack on the visitors in Lahore. The scars, mental and physical, are still fresh giving this final a gravitas that seems at odds with the nature of the shortest form of the game. Great spirit between the players and one of the best games of the tournament.
5. Umar Gul
Reverse swing with a ball only 15 overs old? Impossible, surely? No. Not a bit of it. The spell of 5 for 6 against New Zealand was simply breathtaking.
4. Tillakeratne Dilshan
As well as having a name you can sing along to, he emerged as a batsman of real quality. Everyone is talking about his outrageous scoop shot, but it's not new. What is new is the confidence and regularity of playing it. You've got to be seeing the ball well to avoid getting it in the gnashers, but the fundamental principle of there not being many fielders behind the keeper is a fine one.
3. Ajantha Mendis and that carrom ball
What, how and where are just three questions every side had regarding Mendis in general. He completely bamboozled the South Africans, let alone the Irish who wouldn't have picked it even if he'd told the batter what he was going to do. Interestingly, only Pakistan could play him. Mind, they've seen more of him than anyone else.
2. The South African fielding
While they've a few chunky lads in the side - memo to Jacques Kallis; that tight fitting top does you very few favours mate - they also have AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs who are lightning in the field. Even Roelof van der Merwe - a man once described by a member of the Cricketballs team as looking like a Bremen gas fitter - can fling himself about a bit and take pretty good catches.
1. Shahid Afridi
For a while now, he's looked more like a semi-effective leggy while those crash, bang, wallop innings with the bat seemed a long time ago. He looks refreshed, his bowling is as good as anybody's and those big shots are back in his repertoire. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Afridi was a major reason in Pakistan's victory.
Refer madness
The mercilessly brief hiatus will soon be over. Referrals are coming back, this time for good. For shame.
Everything is worth trying once except incest and morris dancing, as the old saying has it, and if you don't try something you will never find out whether it works or not. But the referral system has been tried and it's been found to be an ass. In trying to produce results that only operate in black and white, all that's happened is the vast swathes of grey have become vaster. The video umpire has been a boon, especially with stumpings and run outs, and perhaps widening that role is more worthy of attention - for example checking whether a ball pitched in line for lbw decisions - than leaving it in the hands of the players.
The time it takes up is another thing and when it's being used to check on a number eleven's middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground, simply because the batting side have a referral left in the bank, then it goes from irritant to piss-take. In the trials, it hasn't proved to result in better decisions. The arguable ones are largely subject to benefit of the doubt anyway, and where there's any hint of doubt it goes to the batting side, same as it always has. Video replays rarely if ever give conclusive evidence to suggest the initial decision requires overturning, therefore it seems a colossal waste of time and energy.
The continuing debate over the best colour for balls goes on while fines are doubled for slow over rates. Your current correspondent has a real bee in his bonnet about the latter, but fines won't do it, at least not on their own. Ally swingeing fines and suspensions to run penalties. When sides are losing games because of their own indolence, then you'll see them get a shift on.
Everything is worth trying once except incest and morris dancing, as the old saying has it, and if you don't try something you will never find out whether it works or not. But the referral system has been tried and it's been found to be an ass. In trying to produce results that only operate in black and white, all that's happened is the vast swathes of grey have become vaster. The video umpire has been a boon, especially with stumpings and run outs, and perhaps widening that role is more worthy of attention - for example checking whether a ball pitched in line for lbw decisions - than leaving it in the hands of the players.
The time it takes up is another thing and when it's being used to check on a number eleven's middle stump cartwheeling out of the ground, simply because the batting side have a referral left in the bank, then it goes from irritant to piss-take. In the trials, it hasn't proved to result in better decisions. The arguable ones are largely subject to benefit of the doubt anyway, and where there's any hint of doubt it goes to the batting side, same as it always has. Video replays rarely if ever give conclusive evidence to suggest the initial decision requires overturning, therefore it seems a colossal waste of time and energy.
The continuing debate over the best colour for balls goes on while fines are doubled for slow over rates. Your current correspondent has a real bee in his bonnet about the latter, but fines won't do it, at least not on their own. Ally swingeing fines and suspensions to run penalties. When sides are losing games because of their own indolence, then you'll see them get a shift on.
Thursday 11 June 2009
World T20: first phase
The first group stage of the World Twenty20 is in the book, giving way to an utterly pointless second group stage. Even UEFA decided two group stages was overkill, but the ICC blunder serenely on, not learning anything from the last World Cup. Why, with eight qualifiers from the initial groups, we can't go straight into quarter-finals is anybody's guess.
Anyway, what did we take from those first group stages?
First and foremost, we learned that making the second group stage seeded in terms of rankings based on the last World T20 was a right old stitch up and left half the games in the group stage utterly meaningless. When South Africa and New Zealand faced each other, both knew they were through and into which group. Another reason for going into straight knockout with group winners facing group runners up. Far too sensible and straightforward for the ICC though. Why do something open, transparent, clear and utterly sensible when you can pour on a huge dollop of fudge?
Of the cricket, we learned that Ricky Ponting does not trust spinners whereas Graeme Smith does. And that's what separates a very good T20 side, as South Africa are, and one that isn't. Australia did provide the schadenfreude moment of this and probably every other decade by being beaten by both the West Indies and Sri Lanka and failing to progress. Having sent Andrew Symonds home, the side lacked any sort of balance. Nathan Hauritz is probably a lovely bloke, but international spinner? No. And Shane Watson just looks perplexed as to what it is that he is supposed to do.
The West Indies... There's an enigma, personified by the captain Chris Gayle who went run crazy against the Australians, launching balls out of the Oval and onto the Clapham Road. After months of not being arsed about cricket in some dismal performances against England, Gayle and his side suddenly burst into life to the annoyance and frustration of the watching world.
The associate nations had mixed fortunes. Scotland briefly threatened against New Zealand in a seven over game, setting the Black Caps 90 to win. It seemed a tall order until Jesse Ryder saw to it that they knocked them off with an over to spare. South Africa took them to pieces, despite Kyle Coetzer's quite, quite brilliant catch. The Netherlands had their moment at Lord's, beating England who went from 102 for 0 after 11 overs to a disappointing 160-odd. England's thrashing of Pakistan meant that the Dutch didn't have to win their final game to progress, but were demolished by a resurgent Shahid Afridi in a one-sided contest. Ireland are the ones that do go through to the second stage, but how good are they, really? Not very. A good win over Bangladesh probably says more about them than it does Ireland. Subsequent bashings from India and, in the second phase, New Zealand more accurately reflect their status. Better than Bangladesh, but nowhere near the rest.
England got everybody's hopes up with that win over Pakistan, but are having their bums smacked by the champions-elect South Africa at time of writing. The Proteas look the real deal. They've a balanced attack, some fantastic batsmen - none more so than the imperious AB de Villiers - and are electric in the field. So are New Zealand, but injuries have decimated their side with Daniel Vettori not having had a game yet and star batsmen Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder injured. The game between the two sides saw South Africa make a modest 128 and yet they defended it, which was incredible. India look strong all the way through the side and Sri Lanka have a bowling attack to be feared. Ajantha Mendis is bamboozling everybody and Murali is, well... Murali. They rely a bit too heavily on Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for runs, but Tilekeratne Dilshan has stood up and been counted. With powerful hitters throughout, the West Indies stand a chance while Pakistan look too erratic.
Six of the final eight have a real chance of winning the thing while England and Ireland look like makeweights. Had it been straight knockout, it could be an exciting climax to the competition. As it is, we've got some more one sided games and dead rubbers to sit through before the semi-finals.
And the final thing we learned is that Owais Shah isn't so much a rabbit in the headlights when a camera is pointed at him, more that his 'next batsman' bit looks like a hostage video. "My favourite shot is the cover drive and I'm being treated very well", he might as well say.
Anyway, what did we take from those first group stages?
First and foremost, we learned that making the second group stage seeded in terms of rankings based on the last World T20 was a right old stitch up and left half the games in the group stage utterly meaningless. When South Africa and New Zealand faced each other, both knew they were through and into which group. Another reason for going into straight knockout with group winners facing group runners up. Far too sensible and straightforward for the ICC though. Why do something open, transparent, clear and utterly sensible when you can pour on a huge dollop of fudge?
Of the cricket, we learned that Ricky Ponting does not trust spinners whereas Graeme Smith does. And that's what separates a very good T20 side, as South Africa are, and one that isn't. Australia did provide the schadenfreude moment of this and probably every other decade by being beaten by both the West Indies and Sri Lanka and failing to progress. Having sent Andrew Symonds home, the side lacked any sort of balance. Nathan Hauritz is probably a lovely bloke, but international spinner? No. And Shane Watson just looks perplexed as to what it is that he is supposed to do.
The West Indies... There's an enigma, personified by the captain Chris Gayle who went run crazy against the Australians, launching balls out of the Oval and onto the Clapham Road. After months of not being arsed about cricket in some dismal performances against England, Gayle and his side suddenly burst into life to the annoyance and frustration of the watching world.
The associate nations had mixed fortunes. Scotland briefly threatened against New Zealand in a seven over game, setting the Black Caps 90 to win. It seemed a tall order until Jesse Ryder saw to it that they knocked them off with an over to spare. South Africa took them to pieces, despite Kyle Coetzer's quite, quite brilliant catch. The Netherlands had their moment at Lord's, beating England who went from 102 for 0 after 11 overs to a disappointing 160-odd. England's thrashing of Pakistan meant that the Dutch didn't have to win their final game to progress, but were demolished by a resurgent Shahid Afridi in a one-sided contest. Ireland are the ones that do go through to the second stage, but how good are they, really? Not very. A good win over Bangladesh probably says more about them than it does Ireland. Subsequent bashings from India and, in the second phase, New Zealand more accurately reflect their status. Better than Bangladesh, but nowhere near the rest.
England got everybody's hopes up with that win over Pakistan, but are having their bums smacked by the champions-elect South Africa at time of writing. The Proteas look the real deal. They've a balanced attack, some fantastic batsmen - none more so than the imperious AB de Villiers - and are electric in the field. So are New Zealand, but injuries have decimated their side with Daniel Vettori not having had a game yet and star batsmen Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder injured. The game between the two sides saw South Africa make a modest 128 and yet they defended it, which was incredible. India look strong all the way through the side and Sri Lanka have a bowling attack to be feared. Ajantha Mendis is bamboozling everybody and Murali is, well... Murali. They rely a bit too heavily on Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for runs, but Tilekeratne Dilshan has stood up and been counted. With powerful hitters throughout, the West Indies stand a chance while Pakistan look too erratic.
Six of the final eight have a real chance of winning the thing while England and Ireland look like makeweights. Had it been straight knockout, it could be an exciting climax to the competition. As it is, we've got some more one sided games and dead rubbers to sit through before the semi-finals.
And the final thing we learned is that Owais Shah isn't so much a rabbit in the headlights when a camera is pointed at him, more that his 'next batsman' bit looks like a hostage video. "My favourite shot is the cover drive and I'm being treated very well", he might as well say.
Saturday 6 June 2009
Stuart Broad: An open letter
Dear Stuart,
Please practice your fielding from 7 yards before every cricket match from now on. You complete tit.
Regards,
England
Please practice your fielding from 7 yards before every cricket match from now on. You complete tit.
Regards,
England
Wednesday 3 June 2009
Twenty20 warm-ups: what we learned
Two twenty over games for England ahead of the World Championship and two wins, against Scotland and the West Indies - well it had been a full week since we'd played them. England have never had a coherent selection policy or plan of attack in the shortest form of the game and, with just these two outings ahead of Friday's opener against the Netherlands which gets the tournament underway, time was short in trying to get it right.
But this is new England and, while Andy Flower never played the short form in his illustrious career, he's clearly seen enough to make certain judgements on the methodology required. England rather laboured to victory over Scotland after restricting them to 136 for 5, failing to use the first six overs before kicking into gear late on with Eoin Morgan playing an enterprising little innings alongside mainstay Kevin Pietersen who looks fully recovered from his Achilles injury. The bowling was inventive, though Adil Rashid's promising first spell in an England jersey was rather undone by one over that went for 17 as Scotland's batsmen threw the bat at him. Stuart Broad employed a devious tactic, bowling round the wicket to the right handers at the death. The angle meant that backing away to leg wasn't an option and Scotland scored just two runs off the 20th over. Some of the deliveries were borderline wide at best, but it's an interesting development that is worth further experimentation.
Against the West Indies, we learned that they still can't be arsed. We also learned that their running between the wickets is still as comical as ever. And we learned that Shivnarine Chanderpaul bowls leg spin: Luke Wright had to ask him. The Broad tactic was effective again, though Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons had managed to get some of them away after a few swing-and-misses. The main thing to take away from it was a burgeoning opening partnership between Wright and Ravi Bopara. Bopara is in fantasatic touch no matter what format of the game he's playing and while Wright struggled early in his innings, he smashed Keiron Pollard for three consecutive, and increasingly big, sixes kick-started him as he ended unbeaten on 75. His approach may not pay off every time, but it's entertaining and he's giving himself a chance of clearing the field, especially in those early overs. Rashid and Graham Swann both played and, though it'll be a brave tactic to play both against, say, Australia, it's nice to have the options.
England won't win it, but they look better able to make a decent fist of things in a major tournament for the first time in a long time.
But this is new England and, while Andy Flower never played the short form in his illustrious career, he's clearly seen enough to make certain judgements on the methodology required. England rather laboured to victory over Scotland after restricting them to 136 for 5, failing to use the first six overs before kicking into gear late on with Eoin Morgan playing an enterprising little innings alongside mainstay Kevin Pietersen who looks fully recovered from his Achilles injury. The bowling was inventive, though Adil Rashid's promising first spell in an England jersey was rather undone by one over that went for 17 as Scotland's batsmen threw the bat at him. Stuart Broad employed a devious tactic, bowling round the wicket to the right handers at the death. The angle meant that backing away to leg wasn't an option and Scotland scored just two runs off the 20th over. Some of the deliveries were borderline wide at best, but it's an interesting development that is worth further experimentation.
Against the West Indies, we learned that they still can't be arsed. We also learned that their running between the wickets is still as comical as ever. And we learned that Shivnarine Chanderpaul bowls leg spin: Luke Wright had to ask him. The Broad tactic was effective again, though Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons had managed to get some of them away after a few swing-and-misses. The main thing to take away from it was a burgeoning opening partnership between Wright and Ravi Bopara. Bopara is in fantasatic touch no matter what format of the game he's playing and while Wright struggled early in his innings, he smashed Keiron Pollard for three consecutive, and increasingly big, sixes kick-started him as he ended unbeaten on 75. His approach may not pay off every time, but it's entertaining and he's giving himself a chance of clearing the field, especially in those early overs. Rashid and Graham Swann both played and, though it'll be a brave tactic to play both against, say, Australia, it's nice to have the options.
England won't win it, but they look better able to make a decent fist of things in a major tournament for the first time in a long time.
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