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England’s double century allergy
By Rich Abbott yesterday, about 9ish, 2 Comments »
It was a shame that Alastair Cook fell short of posting a double century in Chittagong, though not particularly surprising. That England tend not to push the limits of triple figure scoring is not news, but rarely can this fact have been more starkly evident than in this list of the 50 highest Test scores of 2000-2009. Members of the England dressing room feature twice, but unfortunately even we can’t claim Andy Flower’s 232* for Zimbabwe v India in 2000 as our own. Hasn’t stopped us in the past I hear you cry…
Unsurprisingly, the subcontinent rules with 60 per-cent of the scores being made there, and Sri Lanka (12 scores on the list) and India (11) proving the fattest run-gorgers. But England’s sole contribution – Kevin Pietersen’s 226 v West Indies, 2007 – looks anorexic when paraded next to that of their Antipodean, South African and West Indian foes, who are collectively responsible for 21 knocks from the list. Stephen Fleming alone betters England’s record by making the top 20 twice – Stephen Fleming! – while Virender Sehwag features a less-surprising-but-even-more-extraordinary four times.
An Englishman scoring a big hundred is rare and to be cherished. It’s like finding a four-leaf clover – whereas a Sehwag double ton is like finding a daisy – and as such I can fondly reel a (relatively short) list off the top of my head (Rob Key v West Indies ‘04, Trescothick v South Africa and Pakistan ‘05, Paul Collingwood v Austr… let’s not go there… etc.) Such knocks stand out and part of me values such rarity. Another, larger part would like to see a couple more English names on any similar list made in ten years time.
2 Comments »Batsman in good press shock
By Rich Abbott yesterday, in the early evening, 2 Comments »
A slightly edited extract from Mike Atherton’s Bangladesh tour diary:
As the formal practice ends, Player x remains in the nets batting against a posse of local bowlers, none aged more than twenty. A lovely ten minutes follows: Player x engages with them fully, asking them what fields they would have and they set him a stiff target to chase. He hits some massive sixes but just fails in his task which brings great joy to the bowlers. At the end, he shakes their hands, signs autographs and poses for photos.
Guess who Player x is? It’s not England’s all-round good guy Paul Collingwood, nor is it old-friend Freddie Flintoff popping in to visit his chums – it’s Kevin Pietersen, revealing a side to him rarely documented. Atherton goes on:
Pietersen has been the subject of many unflattering portraits in England, but I have always found him to be unfailingly polite and respectful and well-mannered.
Having seen him operate at close quarters on the South Africa tour, Atherton’s KP portrait sounds familiar. In my limited experience, Pietersen seemed hard-working, polite and obliging to fans – and that whilst struggling for form in a country in which he’s vilified.
2 Comments »IPL on Youtube
By Will 3 days ago, mid-afternoon, 2 Comments »
Anyone else able to access the Indian Premier League on Youtube? Seems to be broken for me:
Who to support in the IPL
By Rich Abbott 5 days ago, around lunchtime, 8 Comments »
One of the problems people have with the IPL is a lack of natural affiliation with any side. I enjoyed the competition’s second incarnation all the more for backing the Delhi Daredevils, for no better reason than I quite like AB de Villiers. I’d advise any IPL-sceptic to do the same, after all, most franchises offer a quirkily enticing reason or two to merit your support. Here’s a quick guide:
Chennai Super Kings
Star: MS Dhoni. Look out for: SK Raina. Good pedigree – reached the final in ‘08 and semis last year. Boosted by the absence of Flintoff this year. Plenty of firepower (Matt Hayden averages 54 from 16 IPL games), but could be light in the bowling department – all eyes on Murali. If they were a boxer they’d be Ricky Hatton – big hitter, questionable balance.
Deccan Chargers
Star: AC Gilchrist. Look out for: MR Marsh. Adam Gilchrist-inspired reigning champions. Embodied the nature of T20 by being hopeless the first year and winning it last time around. Spent $720,000 on Kemar Roach at the 2010 auction – he shouldn’t struggle to be half as good as Kevin Pietersen, but might pull up short of being five-and-a-half Eoin Morgans. If they were a footballer they’d be Peter Crouch – used to be derided, before somehow suddenly becoming good.
Delhi Daredevils
Star: TM Dilshan. Look out for: WD Parnell. The chokers of the IPL? A little harsh maybe, but so far they’ve failed to back up strong group-phase performances in the knock-out stages. Packed with destructive batsmen, the bookies make them favourites – which probably means they’ll finish last. Paul Collingwood can often be found holidaying in Delhi around this time of year. If they were a tennis player they’d be Tim Henman – perennial semi-finalists.
Kings XI Punjab
Star: Yuvraj Singh. Look out for: YA Abdulla. The ones who look like they’ve been sent onto the pitch by Arsene Wenger. Any team that offers an injured Sreesanth a role as a ‘fan mentor’ must be worth keeping an eye on. Ravi Bopara starred in IPL ‘09 and will want to use this year’s tournament to cement his place in England’s World T20 squad. If they were an international side they’d be New Zealand - not good, not bad, easy to overlook.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Star: BAW Mendis. Look out for: AD Mathews. ”Last year we learnt how not to be losers,” says Shahrukh Khan in an introductory video on the KKR website. It’s a sentence which would be more accurate minus the “not”: at IPL 2009, KKR lost ten times and finished last. Their campaign was dogged by a captaincy rift and a phantom blogger (how do England players not feature for this franchise?), and this year they boast, in Rohan Gavaskar, the son of a man who once carried his bat for 36 from 174 balls in a World Cup match. If they were a tennis player they’d be Anna Smashnova – great name, but a bit rubbish.
Mumbai Indians
Star: SL Malinga. Look out for: AM Nayar. Can name a fielding God in their support staff (Jonty Rhodes), God himself in their batting line-up (Tendulkar) and a bowling God in the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket (er, Graham Napier), not to mention a plethora of exciting allrounders. Arguably too many bit-part players, but at least with Harbhajan Singh around, dull moments should be in short supply. If they were a bible story they’d be Noah’s Ark – random bunch of species thrown together but with God on their side.
Rajasthan Royals
Star: GC Smith. Look out for: SW Tait. Warnie’s boys have gone from rags to riches, and now have their sights set on world domination. Despite a relative lack of star names, the Royals possess a well balanced roster as well as that guarantee of success, Jeremy Snape, who lurks in the background administering his Derren Brown mind tricks. Michael Lumb could prove a snip at $50,000 too. If they were a cricket administrator they’d be Lalit Modi.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Star: DW Steyn. Look out for: V Kohli. Named after a liquor brand – how can you not love that? – they’re the ones who waited for KP to leave last year before becoming really quite good. Have been accused in the past of resembling (and playing like) a Test team, and with the likes of Dravid, Kallis and Boucher they’d make a rather good one. New signing Eoin Morgan should add some T20 urgency. If they were a football commentator they’d be John Motson – bit slow, but gets the job done.
8 Comments »“I don’t let spinners bowl to me” – Pietersen, 2006
By Will Monday, last week, 5 Comments »
“I don’t let spinners bowl to me,” Pietersen said bluntly. “I feel a little bit sorry for the little kid who bowled today but that’s just how I play spinners.”
That was Kevin Pietersen, three years ago to the day after bashing young Piyush Chawla to all parts at Mohali. The 2006 vintage of Pietersen was a fizzy bottle of tangy arrogance, the sort of confidence which overflows so quickly and without pause that he won admirers as quickly as he did enemies. It was difficult to warm to him as a person, but you couldn’t deny that he talked a good game and played an even better one. “Is this bloke for real?” was invariably met with “shit. I think he really is. Thank you, South Africa. Thank you so much. Got any more like him?”
Three years on and the foundation of his arrogance – his ability; his runs – has deserted him. Mediocre spinners are licking their lips; his bat isn’t coming down straight and where is the audacity, the skip down the pitch and the arrogant follow-through?
“I don’t let spinners bowl to me,” he said three years ago. What happened, Kev? Perhaps it’s time he opened the batting: the only safe position for him.
5 Comments »The 2010 IPL
By Will Sunday, last week, 4 Comments »
You up for it, then? Excited or unbothered? I’m at 60% at the moment, which is surprisingly high – my interest probably peaked at 6% last year – though I’m mainly interested in seeing how successful the YouTube venture goes.
I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. Anyway, I want to garner your reaction to this year’s Modi Party, so wibble away to your hearts’ content.
4 Comments »Worrying about foreign-born players
By Jonathan Calder Sunday, last week, 9 Comments »
Should we worry about the increasing number of foreign-born players in the England cricket team?
To do so is to enter dangerous waters, particularly in the political circles in which I move. There, Not Being Racist is the greatest virtue. Often, it appears to be the only virtue still recognised.
And I can remember a journalist – can anyone tell me who it was? – getting into trouble a few years ago for suggesting that the variety of accents in the dressing room must mean that England lack cohesiveness and team spirit.
But that is not my worry and I am not sure it is even true. Plenty of football managers – Alex Ferguson of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho at Chelsea – have shown that it is possible to imbue a squad of players from extraordinarily varied backgrounds with a ferocious team ethic.
What I do fear is that the influx of foreign-born players will increasingly mean that the England team no longer represents the game in England.
Take rugby union, where sometimes this question seems even more urgent. You want to feel that one of the boys you see playing mini-rugby on a Sunday morning might one day play for England.
But if players like Lesley Vainikolo and Shontayne Hape are going to be brought into the team, not just from abroad but from a different game – rugby league – then that it is increasingly unlikely to happen.
The question then becomes why, in cricket or rugby, we should care much about the national side when it has so little connection with the wider game.
You might say the rise in the number of foreign-born players in the England team is just a reflection of increasing globalisation and intercontinental travel.
And it is not as if that team has ever been wholly English born. I am thinking not just of the sons of empire-building families like Colin Cowdrey and Ted Dexter: there have also been players who learnt their game abroad, like Prince Ranjitsinhji and Basil D’Oliveira.
But it is possible to ask whether the increasing modern trend towards foreign-born England players is good for the game as a whole. Cricket and rugby union are both popular in a strictly limited number of countries. It would be good for both games to see that number increase.
But will Ireland ever make it to test status if their best players, like Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan, become English as soon as they shown signs of exceptional talent? And we are not the only offenders, as was proved when Dirk Nannes suddenly proved to be Australian rather than Dutch.
It happens in rugby union too, where any player from the South Pacific Islands – which should surely be emerging as a power at test level by now – who shows exceptional talent plays for New Zealand instead.
And it even happens in soccer. The multiracial nature of the French team that won the world cup in 1998 was less a tribute to the wonderful diversity of French society than a reminder that the French government is happy to give citizenship to outstanding players from former colonies.
So that is why we should worry about the growing number of foreign-born players in the England cricket team. It threatens to weaken the connection between the national team and the wider game. And it makes it harder for new powers to arise in the game.
Jonathan Calder blogs at Liberal England
9 Comments »Gayle’s turnaround
By Rich Abbott Friday, last week, 1 Comment »
Oh dear. Last month, Chris Gayle made this bold prediction ahead his side’s ODI series against Australia: “We’re going to beat them 4-1. Not to worry.” They lost 4-0.
After yesterday’s 2 run defeat to Zimbabwe, he said this: “If we continue like this, Zimbabwe could beat us 5-0.” The anti-McGrath.
At least he can console himself with the fact that he’s rubbish at predictions.
1 Comment »KP’s quest for form and Bangladeshi enthusiasm
By Rich Abbott Friday, last week, 2 Comments »
It’s the innings break at Chittagong, and for a dead-rubber against a team England have never lost to, the third and final ODI against Bangladesh has plenty to recommend it. Indeed, enough to persuade me to drag a duvet down to the living room at 3:00 this morning, though sadly that owes as much to a heady mixture of jet-lag and unemployment as it does possible on-pitch excitement.
Still, a potential eruption from mount Kieswetter, an ODI debut for Ajmal Shahzad, another chance for England’s pace-men to work out how to be threatening on the sub-continent and the continuation of Alastair Cook’s captaincy internship, awaited. Not to mention another chance to assess a certain number three batsman.
And so to the much-talked-about, uber-complicated, arguably-misunderstood, out-of-form elephant at the crease. Kevin Pietersen made a scratchy 22, before being pinned lbw by his chief poacher – a slow left-armer. He still hasn’t scored over 50 in an ODI since 2008, and this morning’s effort was not the corner-turn I’d hoped for as I stumbled out of bed to the news that England were batting first.
There will be calls for his head. But the opportunities left on this tour are few as it is, and cutting them further would be counter-productive. Providing he’s picked for the Tests, it’s possible that Pietersen only has three innings left this tour: a warm-up match and a couple of Test innings (batting twice is no guarantee in Tests against Bangladesh). Pietersen needs those innings, and if his recent form has hardly earned them, his first four years in an England shirt did.
A man who deserves a pat on the back, rather than an arm round the shoulder, is Craig Kieswetter. 107 in only his third ODI confirms many a suspicion about him. The contrasting travails of these two adopted Englishmen has added interest to a highly-watchable series, which on paper may have seemed anything but.
So too has the opposition. Allied to England’s unanswered questions was a final reason to disobey my body and heed my early alarm call: I like watching Bangladesh. Like many an Englishman, I’ve had a soft spot for them since 18th June 2005, and can’t help admiring the way that they’ve dealt with numerous setbacks and frequent defeat since then. They rattle through the overs at the rate everyone is supposed to, boast one of the world’s leading players, clearly enjoy what they’re doing and are getting pretty good at it. The home crowd is endearingly enthusiastic, to the point where they sometimes appear to be watching a different game. Local boy Tamim Iqbal raised the roof every time he so much as sneezed this morning.
I haven’t seen Afghanistan play cricket, so am in no position to comment on them, but it seems that they possess unbridled enthusiasm and no little skill. Despite gaping weaknesses, the same can be said of Bangladesh, and they’re getting better. The test for Afghanistan will be to see if, after a few inevitable thumpings at the top table of international cricket, they can maintain the same positive approach shown this series by Bangladesh.
2 Comments »John Howard reaches career zenith
By Will Wednesday, last week, No Comments; be the first!
John Howard probably achieved plenty during his tenure as Australian prime minister. I don’t know a thing about Aussie politics, but the impression Howard gave off – a combination of Bush’s feigned blokeishness and Blair’s transparent fawning – somehow appealed to me. That’s clearly bullshit. I liked him because he liked cricket. And when I say liked, I lie. He is obsessed by the game.
I always knew he’d make it into the game eventually. He’s got the top job as ICC president, starting in 2012. For a man who can barely wipe the child-like grin off his face whenever he’s watching bat on ball, this is a victory sweeter than any he achieved in his political career.
However, this is the man who called Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker. He’s never been involved in sport in his life, to my knowledge, so apart from his obvious and healthy love of the game, and a career in politics, it’s a curious decision by the ICC. He will be surrounded by sport and cricket administrators, and though his experience in handling diplomatic and governmental matters will do him no harm, will he have the balls to stand up to India and the Asian bloc or take a hard line on excruciatingly sensitive matters like Zimbabwe?
In other words, will his being a fan hinder his presidency? It’s going to be fascinating to watch how he copes.
No Comments »People of cricket: I am your leader
By Will 1 month ago, 4 Comments »
Lalit Modi: two words or four syllables which can invoke either nauseousness or sycophancy. He has abrasively dictated his terms on the game, and upon the ICC, so it’s perfectly understandable that he has courted bitter-sweet reactions of controversy and adoration. I quite admire him nowadays. He’s seized an opportunity like no one at the ECB could do, and though I’m uncomfortable with the power he has now obtained, some other canny sod would’ve done the same soon enough.
However, I made the mistake of subscribing to his Twitter feed the other day, and it’s been a fascinating – if at times uncomfortable – insight into his character. There are replies, snippets of gossip and general newsy things, but he seems to be using Twitter as a vehicle for teaching the world How To Be A Sports Administrator. Fascinating for some, perhaps. For the rest of us, it’s like listening to an unelected prime minister outline his visions for the game – and there’s nothing we can do to stop him.
Wait a minute. Have you ever seen Lalit Modi and Gordon Br…no. Forget it. Anyway, here’s what Lalit K Modi has been saying on Twitter an hour ago.
Its not a person who can revive a sport. It is fans like you who can. If people watch the game – money will come automatically. Watch hockey
If you all start tuning into any sports it will thrive. So fans play the most important role in survival of any sports.That’s the first step
Sports globally is supported by viewership and attendance. Once we get that sponsors will come. Off course good administration is needed.
Players in any sport need to be supported first as its there hard work and skill and endurance that makes a good team.
If players interest is not looked after – that sport can never thrive. Players need to believe there is a future for them to excel.
He’s been watching the hockey today, when India beat Mas 3-1 to lift the Azlan Shah Cup. And there was me wondering which sport he was next training his eye on…
4 Comments »Afghanistan chase down 494
By Will 1 month ago, 3 Comments »
Even I was beginning to wonder when the bubble would burst. It hasn’t yet. Afghanistan’s progress as a cricketing nation has reached a whole new, perhaps worrying, level after chasing down 494 to beat Canada. It is the ninth-highest fourth-innings run-chase in first-class history. If that’s too much to comprehend (or too many hyphenated words to stomach), just check out the bulletin to get your head around it all.
Have they finally peaked? And why do I ask? What is it about human nature that appeals for failure, modesty, mediocrity? Or is it my fear that if the bubble bursts, it’ll never re-inflate? Who knows. I’m beginning to think, though, that that doesn’t matter any longer. They’ve achieved enough already. And let’s be honest: this is not merely a sporting accomplishment but one that impacts on a fractured, oppressed society. At least, that’s one of the things I’m trying to write about for Sports Illustrated magazine – in newstands in a month, folks!
Anyway. I don’t want them to fail, but watching this side pole-vault their way past opposition is a little like watching someone try to sprint on an icy pavement: you can’t help wondering when they’re going to fall flat on their backsides. But, flippin’ heck, it’s fun.
3 Comments »Cricinfo cricket wicket alerts on Twitter
By Will 1 month ago, 1 Comment »
If you use Twitter and you like cricket, you might like to sign up to our new Twitter account, @cricinfowickets. Within about a minute of a wicket falling, you’ll be notified with the commentary, the latest score, who got them out, and so on.
I’ve been pushing for us to do this for about a year, so it’s good to see it live.
1 Comment »Kieswetter deserves a start
By Rich Abbott 1 month ago, 4 Comments »
Craig Kieswetter’s promotion to the England ODI squad is exciting. It was also, as my friend who played against him in South African schools cricket has been telling me for three years, inevitable. My friend has long forecasted, that of all the sizable holes in the South African selection net, the one which Kieswetter slips through could cost his country the most. Indeed, it’s hard to argue with the steady increase in momentum towards an international career that this young keeper-batsman exudes, and despite what his Cricinfo profile claims, it will be England, not South Africa, who benefit from this eventuality.
Whether or not he’s ready for England is an issue that’s been widely debated, but surely a more answerable question is are England ready for him? My belief that they are is based on Matt Prior’s curious limited-overs batting form. England possess few finer looking batsmen that Matt Prior in full flight. He has, as commentators are fond of saying, been able to come to the party with either innings of substance or important cameos on several occasions in Tests. But rarely has the party been a pajama-clad one – the high expectations and frequent disappointments of his shorter-form batting efforts have had more akin with New Year’s Eve.
In 26 ODI innings since the start of 2008, he has passed 50 only once. It seems an odd regression for a man whose quick scoring capabilities earned him a first ODI cap in 2004. Having said that, over the last year he’s made giant strides in getting up to scratch as a Test-standard wicketkeeper, thus providing a solution to one of England’s most perennial problems. That place should be safely his for the time being. Kieswetter has work to do with the gloves before Test recognition comes his way.
With all eyes on stand-in captain Alastair Cook opening the batting, England could do worse than give him a partner suited to taking the lead from the off. It’s a role no one has played better for England than Kieswetter’s fellow Somerset opener, Marcus Trescothick. Time to see just how much he’s learnt from the best.
4 Comments »Morgan. Fairbrother or Thorpe?
By Will 1 month ago, 3 Comments »
Eoin Morgan reminds me of Neil Fairbrother a touch. And Graham Thorpe. And someone else that I can’t quite put my finger on. That’s all.
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