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“Go back to Durham and bowl.” Do we owe Harmison an apology?
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of September, 2 Comments »
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Six months. That is the brief time that it has taken Steve Harmison to return to his best form: “career-best form,” Justin Langer said recently. And in taking the final wicket of Martin Saggers, Durham beat Kent to clinch their first Championship title. They were made to wait – Nottinghamshire were chasing something vast against Hampshire – but the celebrations are well and truly underway. Much of their success is owed to Harmison’s return to form: his return from New Zealand, six months ago, to bowl and bowl and bowl for Durham. He’s taken wickets in all formats of the game, at vital times, and has been their matchwinner.
As Rob Steen says, “tucking into humble pie is part of a journalist’s lot,” and although most humble pie is generally accepted to be acrid in taste, this particular bowl-full is delicious. We castigated his character, derided his perceived lack of motivation, laughed, pitied and shamed him. And to an extent, everyone bar the man himself, now has egg on their face to an extent. But so what? We’ve got we wanted all along: the fast bowler we knew he was capable of being, even if that meant he needed miles in his legs. I can comfortably stomach humble pie and egg so long as he continues in this manner.
He has taken 60 Championship wickets at 22.35 this season. Only James Tomlinson (67) and Adil Rashid (62. Err, hello?) have snaffled more, while his strike-rate of 41.5 suggests Langer was probably spot on. He is back to his best.
And yet, I’m bitter and cynical enough to wonder how long this new-found form and spirit and venom will last. And it’s no wonder, too, given his history. Is this a breakthrough or a respite from his normal self?
Somehow, in spite of all that has gone before, I sense a bowler now in tune with his own needs and those of his team. Munch away on that pie, and long may it last.
2 Comments »Do we need counties?
By Jonathan Liew 2 years ago, mid-April, 22 Comments »
There are 18 counties playing first-class cricket. That’s quite a lot. There are more domestic teams in England than in any other country. Yet they’re not evenly spread around – London and its environs has an embarrassment of teams, while parts such as the south west, the far north and most of Eastern England have none at all.
Now partly, that’s due to population: cricket teams are concentrated around the biggest cities. And yet, we persist in clinging to the county apparatus, a hotchpotch of hazily-defined localities that has very little relevance to the social geography of today. Counties don’t really exist in any meaningful sense any more; in fact, for four of the 18 counties, that’s literally true. The county system is rooted in a long gone past, and it hasn’t changed, even though everything around it has. Does the idea of ‘Warwickshire’ mean anything to anyone any more? Certainly not for someone like Ian Bell, who was born in Coventry – which since 1974 has been part of the West Midlands.
If it were only a quibble about names and boundaries, we could probably let it go. But this archaic system has a more serious effect on the domestic game. With large shifts in population and wealth away from rural England and towards the towns, some counties clearly have an inherent advantage over others. A county like Lancashire, with a catchment area of Liverpool and Manchester, the surrounding towns, Cheshire and Cumbria, have far more resource to draw on than the likes of Leicestershire, which has one medium sized town and four rival cricketing counties on its borders. It may always have been this way to an extent – pre-reform Yorkshire was bloody huge – but that doesn’t necessarily make it fair.
As a result, prosperity – and thus success – is distorted by the fact that some counties will always be struggling to prosper, regardless of cricketing merit, and some will always be comfortable. Test grounds – a major source of potential revenue – are concentrated almost exclusively around big cities. Look at the list of county champions: the top four are Yorkshire, Surrey, Middlesex and Lancashire – areas with high populations and a Test ground. Then look at who has come bottom most often: Derbyshire, Somerset, Northamptonshire, Glamorgan. When Leicestershire can’t hang on to a player like Stuart Broad, who was born in the county and has played all his cricket there, it’s clear the playing field is not level. The influx of Kolpak players have counteracted population factors to an extent – but they still need to be paid, and the biggest counties will always jostle their way to the front in this respect.
It’s possible teams like Leicestershire and Derbyshire will never again reach the pinnacle of English cricket. The best they can hope for is the odd promotion or a dart at a one-day trophy here and there, but it’s equally likely they’ll wane and recede slowly into the background. That is, unless something is done about it.
If domestic cricket is ever to make proper money – and, who knows, provide a higher standard? – it needs to brand itself in more familiar terms. In short, we need fewer teams, more fairly distributed. The quickest way of doing this would be to merge counties; in short, persuading them to vote themselves out of business. That’s not going to happen. Instead, reorganisation of domestic cricket could be craftily disguised as a PR exercise.
Ironically, the IPL might be able to teach English cricket a thing or two in this respect. Moneyed franchises they may be, but the teams in the League are based in – and upon – very real localities. The players may not be sourced locally, but that will come in time. What’s important is that a bond is being forged betwen a cricket team and a town. In England, those bonds already exist in large part: Gloucestershire is by and large a Bristol team, Hampshire a Southampton-based club, Warwickshire is a Birmingham team, and so on. Towns have a far greater emotional and economic pull than counties these days, and are far more relevant in today’s society.
The idea, then, is this, although the details are less important than the diagnosis behind them. Cut the number of teams to, say, 12, and base each one around a large town. Let’s call them, for sake of argument: Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Southampton, Birmingham, Nottingham, North London, South London, East London, Cardiff and Brighton. The South East has a quarter of England’s population, so it should have a quarter of the teams. The names, as I say, are largely irrelevant.
What English cricket would then have, essentially, is the Australian system in all but name. Teams would be able to draw on the emotional and financial clout of the major town, but talent-wise the spread would be far wider – and far fairer. It provides the best balance between levelling the playing field and preserving some semblance of geographical integrity. And the standard would improve.
Anyway, well done for getting through all that – any thoughts?
22 Comments »Goodbye summer. Hello summer
By Will 3 years ago, mid-October, No Comments; be the first!
Damn all press releases. Damn them all. It’s October and already Durham have offered their tickets for next summer’s internationals. It’s all too fast – slow down. Admittedly I’ve had a forgettable day and am even more cranky than usual, but this is just daft. It’s CONKER SEASON YOU FOOLS.
Reminds me of my former life in the NHS when the “Christmas menu” would be sent round…in about bloody April. And they never offered bread sauce, either.
No Comments »Ottis Gibson’s ten
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of July, 2 Comments »
Well done that man. I remember Richard Johnson taking 10 for 45 in 1994 as though it were yesterday. Middlesex members and fans all thought we had yet another brilliant fast bowler in the making – and I seem to remember Ray Illingworth also agreeing when he said he had a “heavy ball”, an expression which I’d not heard before back then. Johnson was, from memory, picked for the South Africa tour before one of his many back problems surfaced.
Anyway. Gibson is not going to be going to South Africa, or anywhere else for that matter, for he’s the wrong side of 38. But that only make his achievement all the more special and memorable. Go on, West Indies…do the unthinkable and give him a call-up, just for fun.
Full list of the 79 bowlers to have taken all ten wickets in an innings available at Cricinfo.
2 Comments »A day for umbrellas
By Emma 4 years ago, mid-September, No Comments; be the first!
Someone needs to find Chris Adams and ensure that he is in no way performing any kind of rain dance. After a morning deluge washed out Thursday’s play at Old Trafford as well as Edgbaston, Lancashire’s chances of staying level in the title race are becoming faint. With Sussex sitting out this week’s round, they have been unhampered by the bad weather. Mark Chilton’s men, on the other hand, have now suffered two games running, with good performances against Warwickshire going to waste for the same reason. Requiring maximum bonus points and victory to grab top spot, they have only taken four Durham wickets, and are running out of time.
At the other end of the table, Yorkshire will also be rueing the lack of play in today’s Division One matches. With their two remaining bats skittled in what little action they saw at Headingley, the win Craig White’s side desperately need will be a hard task. The last thing they will want to see is third from bottom Durham holding on for a draw, especially as they will be playing each other next week. Maybe they will take some heart from the fact the only Harmison they will face will be batsman Ben – his older brother has been ruled out as a precaution.
No Comments »All very football
By Emma 4 years ago, mid-September, 2 Comments »
Whilst England’s summer is now over, the domestic leagues still have a few more matches left to play. In fact, play will continue as far as September 24th, with the new Pro40 playoff to decide whether there will be a third team relegated.
Interestingly, it seems that two of England’s names on the injury list may yet still get a last first-class game this season. Lacking the necessary match fitness to feature in the battle for a place in the last round of the County Championship, with Durham and Lancashire facing competitive matches, Duncan Fletcher has suggested that Liam Plunkett and Jimmy Anderson might well make use of the county loan system.
Not one of the most well known of contract loopholes, the idea was introduced by the ECB in the pre-season of 2005 to allow more England-qualified talent to emerge. Similar to the loan rules that govern football, domestic players may sign for a short period with another county, though they may be recalled at any time if guaranteed first team cricket by their own county. Fletcher hopes that the pair may be able to take the field for counties playing dead-rubber matches, possibly in an attempt to ready them for potential spots on the Ashes tour.
2 Comments »How to say Chester-le-Street
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of July, 12 Comments »
Chester-le-Street is where Durham play their cricket, and the BBC have just writted a post on how to pronounce it. Not tricky, you’d have thought; it’s not a Gloucestershire or Leicestershire (Glue Kester Shire, Lie Kester Shire). However, the Beeb say Chester-le-Street is pronounced as follows:
“Our recommendation, based on the advice of people who live there as well as published sources, is CHEST-uhr-li-street – the first part rhymes with ‘westerly’. Most English placenames with ‘le’ in them are pronounced in this way, rhyming with ‘me’ rather than the French-sounding ‘luh’.”
Bunkum. I pronounce it with the French-sounding “luh” – doesn’t everyone else? Can any Durham folk confirm either way?
Muchly ta
12 Comments »Lara’s 501
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, 8 Comments »
Thanks to Ryan for pointing this out. 12 years ago today, Brian Lara struck that incredible 501 for Warwickshire against Durham. I was at school at the time, a mere 12-year-old, and I remember my Dad picking me up at about 6pm.
Back in those days, the mobile phone was a distant dream. Only rich yuppies (remember them? Ah, the 1980s…) could afford the breeze-block Nokias, and even then they had no one else to phone. So I clearly remember my old man shouting down the drive, as I was making my way up it, “Lara’s gone mad Will! 500!” Obviously I thought he’d finally lost the plot, and peered into the back windows of the car for the Men In White. But they weren’t there. After completely refusing to believe him for the entire 10-minute car journey, the radio came on to confirm my worst and best fears.
I didn’t know what to think. After his 375, which incidentally was made on the tour which first sparked my interest in the game, it was plain as day that he was an extraordinary cricketer. But the 501? It took the biscuit – and I couldn’t help thinking “Well it’s Durham for God’s sake. Durham.” And back then, Durham really were very Durham, not the chirpy, confident side of 12 years hence.
Where were you when he did it?
8 Comments »Ben Harmison hits 100 on debut
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Ben Harmison, brother of Steve – who has been mentioned here before – hit a hundred on debut for Durham today. Be interested to read the reports in tomorrow’s papers.
No Comments »Onions
By Will 4 years ago, mid-April, 12 Comments »
Graham Onions plays for Durham. Graham Onions!
UPDATE, September 2006 – Onions called up to the England one-day squad. Click here.
12 Comments »Durham part with A Pratt
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of July, 3 Comments »
Chuckled at this headline on the BBC today, reporting that Andrew Pratt had left Durham (to become a plumber):
I guess it’s inevitable, with a name like that, but it’s not very BBC to join in the mickey-taking-ness!
3 Comments »World class facilities. Mine field pitches
By Will 5 years ago, mid-July, 4 Comments »
Watching Warwickshire v Durham, Ian Botham made a good point about the pitch – which is quite obviously a mine field, as Durham are 32 for 6. Durham have improved their Riverside ground beyond recognition – it’s one ground I would love go to. As have, of course, Hampshire at their Rosebowl ground. Both of these have world-class facilities, both receiving millions in funding – yet both pitches are mine fields. While these two counties have forced the improvement of other grounds, such as Leeds, to reach their lofty standards, their pitches need improving if they are to ever be granted the honour of regular Test matches. A great shame – you’d think that the pitch would be the most important aspect of a ground’s regeneration; it seems all the glitzy, shiny, corporate bullshit is more important these days…
4 Comments »Ben Harmison to make debut
By Will 5 years ago, at the start of July, 1 Comment »
Ben Harmison, brother of Steve, will make his debut for Durham this evening in a Twenty20 encounter against Lancashire.
1 Comment »Australia win a match
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of June, 7 Comments »
So the Australians are off the mark, and who better to do it against than England? I only caught snippets of the game in the pub – Symonds’ innings seemed to be invaluable, and Lee too bowled well. Was there any sign of Australia’s rustiness still, or has this game smoothed the rough edges for them?
7 Comments »Thoughts on England v Australia
By Will 5 years ago, at the end of June, 7 Comments »
Today sees the first day-nighter between Australia and England this summer – as ever, it’s going to be thrilling and fascinating. I’m not going to see any of it until I watch the highlights tomorrow, but’ll try and find a pub with a TV tonight. There are some fascinating little selectorial decisions to be made today by both teams.
Firstly Michael Vaughan. I question just how problematic it’d be for England if he were to miss the game. He’s carrying a groin injury at the moment, facing a late fitness test. And despite his 50 the other day, he continues to baffle the world at his inability to play ODI cricket. Immense class, but England need quick runs, not stodgy ones. It’s an almost identical situation to when Michael Atherton was in the side: he just wasn’t made for ODI cricket and, unless Vaughan starts scoring soon, Marcus Trescothick (or Andrew Flintoff?) might well take up the ODI captaincy.
Australia’s selection will be interesting too. Symonds – he of “off his rocker” fame – should return to provide them with much-needed rocket-fire in the middling overs, and his little dobblers. Big question though will be who Lee replaces, if anyone. He’s certainly said to have recovered from his shoulder injury – whether Australia will concede that Kasprowicz was poor in the last game by ousting him remains to be seen. Lee might be the quickest on either side, but he’s not the most economical – then again, nor was Kasper. I’d say he’ll play and bowl first change.
England’s bowling attack is starting to fire. Gough was rested for the Bangladesh game, and I think he’ll replace Jon Lewis, with Tremlett keeping his place. I hope so, anyway, especially after Tremlett’s bold statement yesterday.
Finally I really can’t decide what they’ll do at the toss. I don’t think either team, especially Australia at the moment, are that confident of defending a total. Personally, I want England to bowl first; with Pietersen in such good nick, and batting so deep, they can chase most totals. Problem is, will they want to be batting under lights – bearing in mind it’s up in Durham where, come 7/8 o’clock, it’ll cool down quite quickly and could swing around. The flip-side of that is the ball could get moisture on it, and become slippery for the fielders. See? The decisions a cricket captain has to make…no wonder we love this game so much.
Sticking my neck out: Australia will win if they bowl first.
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