Good to be getting back to the cricket after all of the political shenanigans. I've got high hopes for the forthcoming series against the West Indies. A lot of people seem to be assuming that England will win comfortably, but I think it could be a lot closer than that.
The West Indies are slowly improving under Chris Gayle, and seem to be believing in themselves a little bit more. They played well in patches in New Zealand but were a bit hit and miss... but that could be a pretty accurate description of England as well.
If the newer members of the team can contribute enough to support Gayle, Sarwan and especially Chanderpaul (probably the World's most effective batsman for the last couple of the years if not one you'd necessarily pay to watch) then I expect some more tight cricket and fifth day afternoon finishes.
I take England to sneak the test series on the basis of our bowling attack, but the Windies to win the one-days fairly comfortably.
One thing that's for sure though knowing the belligerent character of KP, I'll be taking a small investment in a ton from him in the first test.
Thursday 22 January 2009
Wednesday 7 January 2009
ECB to blame for the latest debacle
So it looks like we've managed to lose a coach and a captain.
We put all of our eggs in the Pietersen basket, so how on earth can we be surprised when he turns out to be demonstrative and egotistical - every single one of us know what kind of character he is - having put him in place we simply cannot afford to not back him now.
If it comes down to one or the other, only one of these two men is indispensible, and it's our best player, captain and talisman, not the anyonymous, out of his depth coach.
What happens now is anyone's guess - obviously a competitive England team needs a committed Kevin Pietersen to entertain any idea of taking advantage of the weakest Australia outfit that I think I've ever seen, but as a follwer of Nottinghamshire cricket, there's plenty of evidence about how destructive a presence an unhappy KP can be within the dressing room.
I also don't envy the task of the next captain taking over in a camp with such large ego's, not only, Pietersen, but also Flintoff in the side.
I fully blame the ECB, they knew exactly what they were getting as a captain, and simply had to back him to the hilt. If they wanted a captain to be a clean-cut, PR savvy stool pigeon then we should have gone for one of the nice young public school boys like Strauss or Cook. We went for the guy with a bit of fight, attitude and aggression, having done so we can't be suprised when he acts to type - and shouldn't try to clip his wings now...
From what I understand I'm not sure Pietersen's a particularly pleasant bloke, and I don't think he's someone I'd necessarily want as a friend, but for the love of good he's the best (only?) chance we have of winning the ashes, and that's a price I for one am willing to pay.
We put all of our eggs in the Pietersen basket, so how on earth can we be surprised when he turns out to be demonstrative and egotistical - every single one of us know what kind of character he is - having put him in place we simply cannot afford to not back him now.
If it comes down to one or the other, only one of these two men is indispensible, and it's our best player, captain and talisman, not the anyonymous, out of his depth coach.
What happens now is anyone's guess - obviously a competitive England team needs a committed Kevin Pietersen to entertain any idea of taking advantage of the weakest Australia outfit that I think I've ever seen, but as a follwer of Nottinghamshire cricket, there's plenty of evidence about how destructive a presence an unhappy KP can be within the dressing room.
I also don't envy the task of the next captain taking over in a camp with such large ego's, not only, Pietersen, but also Flintoff in the side.
I fully blame the ECB, they knew exactly what they were getting as a captain, and simply had to back him to the hilt. If they wanted a captain to be a clean-cut, PR savvy stool pigeon then we should have gone for one of the nice young public school boys like Strauss or Cook. We went for the guy with a bit of fight, attitude and aggression, having done so we can't be suprised when he acts to type - and shouldn't try to clip his wings now...
From what I understand I'm not sure Pietersen's a particularly pleasant bloke, and I don't think he's someone I'd necessarily want as a friend, but for the love of good he's the best (only?) chance we have of winning the ashes, and that's a price I for one am willing to pay.
Tuesday 6 January 2009
lost generation
I won't shed a tear if Moores departs, but what this issue does raise the paucity of potential replacements...
Given the background of Moores' appointment it seems the prevailing wind is for an Englishman (although I'd go for Tom Moody if we could get him).
As in football there's a lost generation of English coaches with international experience. Where's the likes of Gooch,Gatting and Gower for instance. From the teams I grew up watching very few players have progressed to coaching / management - usually prefering the cosy sanctuary of the press room or Sky's studio. Let's call it Alan Shearer syndrome.
Embury and Fraser have flirted with Middlesex, but they should have a lot more to offer the game, similarly I think Atherton or Hussain could be in a position to be a respected and successful coach but they dont seem to have the interest or application to pursue a coaching career.
The saddest thing is with the increasing sums of money flowing into the game I can't see any of the current generation of players wanting or needing to get into coaching in ten years time.
Given the background of Moores' appointment it seems the prevailing wind is for an Englishman (although I'd go for Tom Moody if we could get him).
As in football there's a lost generation of English coaches with international experience. Where's the likes of Gooch,Gatting and Gower for instance. From the teams I grew up watching very few players have progressed to coaching / management - usually prefering the cosy sanctuary of the press room or Sky's studio. Let's call it Alan Shearer syndrome.
Embury and Fraser have flirted with Middlesex, but they should have a lot more to offer the game, similarly I think Atherton or Hussain could be in a position to be a respected and successful coach but they dont seem to have the interest or application to pursue a coaching career.
The saddest thing is with the increasing sums of money flowing into the game I can't see any of the current generation of players wanting or needing to get into coaching in ten years time.
Friday 2 January 2009
South Africa - Worthy Number Ones?
Ahead of the third test between Australia and South Africa, the Aussies are still the world’s number one ranked team, but after the recent series against both India and the Proteas - in name in only. So if finally not Australia – who are the best team in the world right now?
If SA can beat the Aussies in the final test they’ll be the official world number one team for the first time since the rankings were introduced, so worthy world number ones?
The only contenders to the crown would be the other side to inflict defeat on the once unbeatable Australians in recent months, India. Both India and South Africa have beated England away and Australia in recent times, although the Saffers came up with the more groundbreaking result – beating Australia away from home (currently 2-0).
So on results alone Graeme Smith’s side hold the edge, but I’d favour India, slightly, to play a test match for my life. Man for man the Indian batting line up looks more dangerous from the successful and positive opening partnership down to Harbajan coming in at number eight , they’re more aggressive and adaptable. While Smith’s turned himslef into a genuinely world class performer with at least two potential ‘innings of a lifetime’ in the past twelve months with centuries in thrilling match winning run chases against England at Edgbaston and versus Australia at the Wacca, the rest don’t quite match up.
With Gambir establishing himself as a proilfic scorer alongside the exhilerating Sehwag at the top of the order, and with Tendulkar still fighting against the fading of thelight, there’s no discernable weakness in their batting order, whereas you get the feeling South Africa rely slightly more on a couple of stars and an etremely workmanlike, one paced, supporting cast.
Spin bowling – no question. Harbajan’s not quite what he was, but i haven’t seen a South African spinner that could turn tricks. Pace bowling is a slightly different matter; Steyn, Morkel and Ntini is a top quality trio led by Dale Steyn – the world’s leading fast bowler over the course of the last twelve months.
However again I’d just give India the edge in terms of variety in their bowling; pace, seam movement, left arm, reverse swing, leg and off spin for any pitch in any circumstance Dhoni would be pretty confident he’s got an option. In comparison South Africa’s seamers are all similar beasts.
As tradition would have it, South Africa are the better fielding outfit, but India are probably more athletic now than at any time.
So it’s India number one by a head above India... with third between England and Australia... it promises to be an interesting year!
If SA can beat the Aussies in the final test they’ll be the official world number one team for the first time since the rankings were introduced, so worthy world number ones?
The only contenders to the crown would be the other side to inflict defeat on the once unbeatable Australians in recent months, India. Both India and South Africa have beated England away and Australia in recent times, although the Saffers came up with the more groundbreaking result – beating Australia away from home (currently 2-0).
So on results alone Graeme Smith’s side hold the edge, but I’d favour India, slightly, to play a test match for my life. Man for man the Indian batting line up looks more dangerous from the successful and positive opening partnership down to Harbajan coming in at number eight , they’re more aggressive and adaptable. While Smith’s turned himslef into a genuinely world class performer with at least two potential ‘innings of a lifetime’ in the past twelve months with centuries in thrilling match winning run chases against England at Edgbaston and versus Australia at the Wacca, the rest don’t quite match up.
With Gambir establishing himself as a proilfic scorer alongside the exhilerating Sehwag at the top of the order, and with Tendulkar still fighting against the fading of thelight, there’s no discernable weakness in their batting order, whereas you get the feeling South Africa rely slightly more on a couple of stars and an etremely workmanlike, one paced, supporting cast.
Spin bowling – no question. Harbajan’s not quite what he was, but i haven’t seen a South African spinner that could turn tricks. Pace bowling is a slightly different matter; Steyn, Morkel and Ntini is a top quality trio led by Dale Steyn – the world’s leading fast bowler over the course of the last twelve months.
However again I’d just give India the edge in terms of variety in their bowling; pace, seam movement, left arm, reverse swing, leg and off spin for any pitch in any circumstance Dhoni would be pretty confident he’s got an option. In comparison South Africa’s seamers are all similar beasts.
As tradition would have it, South Africa are the better fielding outfit, but India are probably more athletic now than at any time.
So it’s India number one by a head above India... with third between England and Australia... it promises to be an interesting year!
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