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Broad shuns IPL. Again
By Will last year, mid-December, 8 Comments »
I imagine Stuart Broad’s ears have been burning today, not by the South African sun which has oddly gone into hiding, but by a probable outpouring of admiration at his second decision not to go to the IPL.
And that, as an Englishman, I’m afraid, remains the instinctive reaction. Well done, Stuart. Nice one, Broady – balls to that conservatory-and-new-car-providing frolic in India. And balls to you, too, Mr Modi. And in fact anyone else planning to overtake the sport. Grr, shakey fists and all – damn you foreign, successful people and damn you for thinking of it before us!
An instinctive reaction but also a naive one. Broad will cave eventually, as will others who have initially feigned interest to further their embryonic international careers, and he shouldn’t be lambasted for chasing quick cash. I find the concept, and the money, of the IPL at odds with the game itself, but I know others – friends and colleagues whose opinions I respect – who rave unequivocally about it.
But it remains a tournament without true identity. It’s perceived by some as the place to learn international cricket, or certainly Twenty20 cricket. By others, it’s a goldmine, and they can’t sharpen their picks fast enough. Some think it’s a brief foray into what the wider sport might eventually become – short and rich, like Alan Sugar – while others, many of them English, are still flabbergasted that India beat them all to it. But many, like Broad, still choose country over cash.
As long as it divides opinion, for all Modi’s cash and investment – and, indeed, impressive promotion and swagger – the IPL is the shiny new apartment block with porters in an ancient city revered for its tradition…albeit one whose foundations are beginning to crumble.
8 Comments »Broad’s spell
By Will last year, at the end of August, 7 Comments »
Before this Test, many (me included) weren’t sure Stuart Broad would even play at The Oval. After yesterday’s play, he’s suddenly an Ashes hero and, according to one commentator, has produced one of the finest spells of fast bowling in the history of cricket.
That is overplaying it by an embarrassing margin, of course,but he did nevertheless bowl beautifully – and how amazing it is that one spell, one set of 47 deliveries, can alter not just a Test match but an entire series.
England are by no means home and dry yet, but Australia have it all to do. As one big England allrounder departs, another, much younger, takes over the batten.
I remain completely perplexed that England are in this position when it’s Australia who have made seven hundreds to England’s one or two. Doesn’t make any sense at all.
More thoughts after the Test…way too busy until then.
7 Comments »The highs and lows of England’s winter
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-April, 4 Comments »
So England’s winter is finally over and after events in St. Lucia last Friday, a slight gloss has been applied to what was otherwise a woeful away season. Captaincy changes, managerial controversy and some truly dire results had left many writing off England in all formats of the game and, arguably, those critics were fully justified in their prognosis. But the one day series win against West Indies has altered the balance just a tad and will provide England fans with a cruel glimmer of hope and optimism.
With the home series return with the West Indies just weeks away, there is hardly any time for reflection on what state English cricket is in. But we can all try our best to analyse so let us have a brief look at the successes and failures of England’s mostly winless winter.
Successes:
Andrew Strauss – The main man. Strauss’ resurgence as one of England’s most important batsman started way back in early December with those twin centuries in Chennai against India, becoming the 10th Englishman in history to register three figures in both innings of a Test match. Elevated to the captaincy in the wake of the Kevin Pietersen/Peter Moores scandal, Strauss’ batting went on leaps and bounds as he blasted three big hundreds in consecutive games during the run fest against the West Indies. But it was in the one day arena where he really impressed both as a captain and batsman. With critics from all corners doubting his limited overs technique, Strauss scored a backs-to-the-wall hundred in Guyana before a rapid, match-winning 79 not out saw his team home in Barbados. England’s series win will be a huge fillip for Strauss as he looks to build on the slow progress his team are making.
Paul Collingwood – For a man who is supposedly on the brink of being dropped most of the time, he is a capable batsman. His century in India evoked memories of his maiden hundred in Nagpur back in 2006. But he really came to the party in the Caribbean, scoring two tons and falling agonisingly short of a third, trying to up the pace in Barbados. His one day exploits were crucial for the new captain Strauss. Perfect for keeping a lid on flamboyant scoring or for getting some important runs in a tight situation, Collingwood is England go-to guy in one day cricket and will be for a while yet.
Stuart Broad – For a while, Broad’s batting was threatening to overshadow his bowling. His performances with the ball in the Caribbean will have informed people that progress is being made. Broad wasn’t in the same verve as Harmison circa 2004 and at times he and the rest of the attack hardly looked like taking a wicket (those long spells in the field for England in Barbados and Trinidad spring to mind). But he did show promise; in Jamaica he took 5-95, his first five wicket haul. During England’s wicket hunt in Antigua, he bowled a superb spell to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, ending their frustrating partnership. He has all the accuracy of a young Glenn McGrath and is developing a dangerous pace too. He is still a work in progress – but what a work he is.
Failures:
Ian Bell – From stylish fixture of the middle order to unused drinks carrier, all in one tour. Bell’s miserable winter has seen him lose his place from all formats of England’s side. Bell began in India at number three, hoping to secure the place vacated by Michael Vaughan. A desperately lean series was followed up by a poor performance in the first Test at Jamaica and with the selectors looking for a sacrificial lamb, Bell was replaced by Owais Shah. Cast aside for the time being, is Bell too gifted a player to be left out? It is frustrating watching him play for England. He looks technically superb and, when in the right frame of mind, can be a dominant, free scoring batsman. But he is light-years away from being consistent enough, especially for the coveted number three spot. His best hope for a recall would be in the middle order, where the bulk of his previous Test runs have come.
Ryan Sidebottom – Another player who has gone worryingly backwards in the last year. He ended last winter by taking a ridiculous number of wickets in New Zealand and becoming the leader of England’s blossoming attack. Frequent injuries have reduced him to a shadow of the bowler he was. Ailing, slow and unthreatening, Sidebottom’s performance in the Barbados Test match left plenty to be desired. He looked slow in the field and was frequently barracked by his team-mates for misjudgements. When bowling, his pace was down and he was generally off colour. His status as the teams most dangerous swing bowler has now gone to James Anderson, who is a great deal quicker too. One feels for him as the amount of injuries he has suffered has surely had a harsh effect but England cannot put up with his level of performance for much longer, especially with the Aussies rolling in soon.
Monty Panesar – From a claim to be the world’s best finger spinner to England’s number two – Panesar has gone through quite a turnaround in his international career. Dropped for the Antigua Test and replaced by Graeme Swann, Panesar had clearly exhausted the patience of the England selectors. His deficiencies are well documented; poor batting, awful fielding, lack of variation when bowling, etc. In short, Panesar had become an unthreatening spinner. His lack of success on a fifth day pitch in India was extremely exasperating, especially so given the success had by fellow spinner Swann, a Test match novice. Panesar was back quickly, though, as England opted for two twirlers at Trinidad. And, thankfully, he showed some imagination, bowling with a great deal of thought and variation. The jury is out for the Ashes, however. Swann is a fine spinner and at least offers something with the bat. Panesar will need a huge amount of selectorial faith and some early season accomplishment if he is to be trusted by England again.
Honourable mentions must go to Graeme Swann, who excelled after making his Test debut and had already bagged two five-fors after just a handful of games, and Andrew Flintoff, who played a fine, supporting innings to Kevin Pietersen in Mohali and really thrilled with the ball at times in the Caribbean, ending things with that hat trick. Dishonourable mentions? Steve Harmison didn’t really excel like we prayed he would in the West Indies and looks to be well short on pace and, crucially, confidence. Owais Shah finally had his long awaited chance handed to him and he promptly decided to keep everyone guessing with some inept performances. Whether his ‘extended run’ in the side will last depends purely on the early season form of Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan.
4 Comments »Helping Australia again
By Richard Seeckts last year, mid-March, 10 Comments »
Not long ago it was possible to dream of a close fought Ashes series this coming summer. Since the turn of the year, however, the gap between Australia and England has grown like a crevasse in the melting ice caps; Australia’s young pups comfortably filling the boots of their retired predecessors while England have tried all manner of bowling options without finding a winning combination.
Philip Hughes is right up there with Archie Jackson and Neil Harvey for precocious talent, so will have a big part to play in the Ashes despite his lack of experience in English conditions. The problem is that Middlesex have signed him for the first six weeks of the season. At Lord’s in April and May he will learn how best to play English bowlers in English conditions. Come July, he will return to HQ in his baggy green and, quite probably, tonk England’s finest to all parts.
It’s happened before, but that does not make it clever. English cricket continues shoot itself in the foot. The chances of an Australian State employing, say, Stuart Broad for six weeks prior to the next Ashes series down under are, I suspect, nil.
Would Middlesex consider politely changing their minds about employing young Hughes? It would be uncharacteristically magnanimous for any county to make such a gesture, and be warmly applauded here.
10 Comments »Time to take stock and try again
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-March, 4 Comments »
A great deal has been mentioned already on the subject of England’s series defeat in the West Indies. It’s an odd thing; England didn’t necessarily play their worst cricket we’ve seen and, at times, dominated the West Indies. Indeed, Andrew Strauss can point to two key sessions where had his side picked up just a few tail-end wickets, then they would have won the series (the last wicket stand in Antigua and yesterday’s tense finish in Trinidad). However, what is patently obvious is that good Test teams would have made more of those opportunities. Dominant sides like South Africa, Australia and India would have found the extra spark in those moments to do what was needed and win the game.
Tom Fordyce picks upon this point in his BBC blog. He also talks about the need for winning momentum in the run up to the looming Ashes series. Before that heart-stopping triumph in 2005, England won series in both the Caribbean and South Africa, as well as a summer whitewash over the New Zealand and West Indies in 2004. England had the mentality and the aura of a winning side. Under the astute leadership of Michael Vaughan, they were fresh, confident and effective.
One can argue that the quality of players back then was greatly superior than that of the current crop. But the bare facts still make for stark reading; England have now lost three consecutive Test series and are in poor, poor form. And whilst a few weeks ago some were saying that England need not worry about their own tribulations as the Australians were in a sharp decline of their own, those of that opinion need only look at the remarkable and supremely impressive resurgence of the Aussies down in South Africa. As much as I loathe to say it, they’re back and they’re looking ridiculously formidable.
As ludicrous as it sounds, there were precious few positives that England can reflect on in the aftermath of their defeat. Andrew Strauss embodies a man possessed with the desire to score as many runs as possible and it is clear that the captaincy of the side is driving him on and on. Alastair Cook finally got the ‘no century in ages’ monkey off his back and scored that elusive Test hundred, albeit in a nothing situation on a pitch more akin to a road that a competitive wicket. Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood also notched up much needed runs, in a variety of situations, which will help their own personal form and confidence.
Stuart Broad bowled like a identikit version on a young Glenn McGrath. Naggingly accurate and massively consistent, he bowled to an immaculate line, picked up the prized wicket of Guyanese defensive wall Shivnarine Chanderpaul three times and bagged his first Test five wicket haul in Jamaica. He may not have the raw pace of Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff but a reliable, line and length bowler is just what England need and his runs at number eight are ideal for the the inevitable England batting collapse. Duncan Fletcher must rue not having him around when he was coach.
Regardless of individual promise, it is abundantly clear that England have problems – problems that require immediate and urgent attention if they are to ever get out of this decline and start becoming an competent Test side again. Will that era be shepherded in with a glorious Ashes victory this summer? At the moment, you’d pick up seriously long odds.
4 Comments »Just for one more wicket
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-February, No Comments; be the first!
What a match. When everyone arrived at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last Friday, you could have scarcely believed the turn of events that would progress over the next few days. In the end, we were treated to a fantastic Test match, culminating in a brilliant last day in which England tried and tried and ultimately came up short.
One can point to Andrew Flintoff’s hip injury, which, despite his lion-hearted, heroic effort, slightly hindered his bowling. However, to say that it lost England the game is inaccurate. They bossed the game and the only time they let the West Indies get on top was the mammoth partnership between the high scoring Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. You can argue that having dominated the game and then not been able to win it shows England for the slightly weakened force they may well be nowadays but in the wake of the Jamaica shambles, the performance was pretty impressive.
Particular highlights? Graeme Swann’s display in both innings was highly impressive and was exactly what England fans have been praying for from Monty Panesar in the last few years. His five-wicket haul was the focal point of England’s first attempt at bowling to the Windies and was agonisingly close to picking up that final wicket in the dying moments of the match.
Stuart Broad also impressed. He’s picked up Chanderpaul’s wicket every time he has batted this series and bowled an inspired spell with the new ball on the final day. He batted brilliantly for a number eight in the first innings and Johnathan Agnew on the BBC website was moved to say that he thinks this series could be the making of Broad at international level. Andrew Strauss played a quite superb innings on the first day and was well supported by Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. Alistair Cook played his part too although, infuriatingly, he was out in the 50’s in both innings of the match.
All in all, England can be proud of their effort. Yes, the inability to pick up the last wicket and win the game was both heart-breaking and disappointing but the whole five days were a good way to bounce back from the shambles of 51 all out the week previous and Strauss will know a lot more about his team and their character. Both teams move on to Barbados next week for the fourth test.
No Comments »England’s bowling attack
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-February, 3 Comments »
Is it just me or do England have a seriously good looking attack on display in the current Test match? Speed-wise, even the most skeptical of cricket fans would have to admit it’s impressive. Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and, to a slightly lesser extent, Stuart Broad are all genuinely capable of the odd delivery in excess of 90 mph and they give the captain a wealth of options.
Harmison is painfully erratic and may well be a spent force but he is still capable of rattling his opponents, even if his days are becoming increasingly numbered. Flintoff is as reliable and dangerous as ever and Broad is a developing into a threatening force, fresh from his maiden five wicket haul in Jamaica last week. Jimmy Anderson, like Harmison, can be inconsistent but his pace is an asset and he can be a genuine strike bowler, especially when the ball is swinging (anyone remember 7-43 against New Zealand in Nottingham?).
But the decision to replace Monty Panesar with Graeme Swann could also be the most important one. Panesar’s recent struggles are heavily documented and he was out-bowled by Swann during England’s toiling in India. Swann’s ability with the willow also means England can potentially bat down to 9, so if he can turn it on with the ball in the way that Panesar hasn’t been able to for a while, then England will surely be forced to give him a run in the side.
Far be it from me to play the role of England selector, but the current bowling attack would probably be my first choice to play when the Aussies come to town in July. I would allow a bit of room for change over the spinner, as Panesar, for all his troubles, is capable of being dangerous but if you pinned me down and asked me for a set of names, then I’d be happy to give you this lot. It’s harsh on Ryan Sidebottom but he’d always be in contention to play, dependant on the conditions. The same goes for Simon Jones, although he may or may not ever be fit again.
Thoughts - would anyone rather see Monty back? Is there still life in Harmison? Answers on a postcard please.
3 Comments »Broad shoulders
By Mark Tilley last year, at the end of January, 15 Comments »
Interesting and heartwarming to see Stuart Broad politely refusing the chance to play in the Indian Premier League. Broad, a wise old head on young shoulders, possibly feels that the crucial summer of English cricket, encompassing a Twenty20 World Cup and an Ashes series, is worth preparing for properly and so has opted out of the high profile player auction to be held on 6 February.
Is it a good choice for young Broad? Financially, it is probably not. The Nottinghamshire fast bowler could stand to earn a six figure sum should he be signed by one of the eight teams involved. However, Broad has his eye on the bigger picture. England face a rigorous schedule between now and the rest of the summer and the heavy workload has seen many an England bowler break down injured (see Messrs Sidebottom, Flintoff and Harmison). Broad is clearly desperate to have a big role in the Ashes contest with Australia this summer and views this as his one chance to have a break before the hectic summer.
It is not unfeasible to say that England surely stand to benefit from Broad’s absence from the IPL. Ignoring the fact that Twenty20 is not necessarily a bowlers game and that Broad has painful T20 memories (thanks, Yuvraj), Broad could well have an extra spring in his step come the visit of both the West Indians and the Aussies. Mick Newell, Broad’s coach at Nottinghamshire, has described the decision as ‘very mature’ and it’s hard to argue. Us mortals can only imagine the monetary lure of the IPL and how easy it must be to play motivated by the promise of cold hard cash.
In making this decision, Broad has shown us two things. One – that he views playing for his country as the main objective and ambition in cricket and that no amount of money can detract from that for him. And two - that it is possible for players in this day and age to say no to the big money riches of the IPL. With all the concern over the longevity of Test cricket and the preservation of cricketing traditions, Broad’s mature stance must be a well of relief for those fretting the most.
Here’s hoping that Broad will prove that he made the right decision and really come on as a Test bowler this summer. I, for one, applaud his decision, wholeheartedly.
15 Comments »Advertising gone wrong
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August, No Comments; be the first!
Nice observation from the Axegrinder:
No Comments »The perils of celebrity-led advertising were never more in evidence than on page seven of The Mail on Sunday’s Live magazine.
In an advertising feature headlined “STYLE ICONS”, in which Hugo Boss championed its support for the England cricket team in the Test series against South Africa, a few unfortunate glitches could be detected.
First, the photograph featured Stuart Broad, who wasn’t playing. Second, the opening par claimed “England’s cricketers are grooming themselves for a turn of fortune against South Africa this weekend”. Sadly, they lost the Test and the series the day before.
Finally, Paul Collingwood was featured, even though he resigned as one-day captain the morning the feature was run.
Collingwood in, Harmison out; Sidebottom in, Broad out
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of July, 7 Comments »
Well well – no Steve Harmison for Edgbaston. More of a surprise is that Paul Collingwood, who was dumped for the Headingley Test, has returned at the expense of Stuart Broad. I can’t say I’m over the moon about Collingwood. He’s a brawler, I’ll give him that, but when you’re forced to describe cricketers with words such as “gutsy” and “a real fighter,” when they are so woefully out of nick, you know you’re clutching at a big, fat, pile of straws.
Broad is clearly knackered, and he’ll no doubt be back shortly. So should Collingwood continue to fail, he’ll be out on his ear.
Still – every cloud, and all that. It gives us a chance to laugh at my mate Dan. To call him a Collingwood dissenter is to underestimate his thrilling anger. Mention the C word and young Dan explodes into a ball (a very small ball, admittedly) of puce, boiling rage. Fortunately, he’s managed to wipe the phlegm from his chin and compose a reasoned response to Colly’s recall, dripping in frustrated sarcasm. On ya, Briggers – don’t hold back!
7 Comments »What to do with Broad?
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of July, 13 Comments »
I’m in a cafe and have just had a deep discussion with a friend about Stuart Broad, who he advocates to be the unlucky man to miss out for the third Test. No way. Yes, he is taking his wickets at nearly 50, but has shown enough promise with the ball that we have to stick with him. His 50 yesterday was laden with class, too, and makes ambrose’s elevation to No.6 a less worrying proposition. Pattinson should go, sidebottom returns. And south africa will doubtless bottle it now that they’ve stolen a series lead.
What would you do for Edgbaston?
13 Comments »England dominate; South Africa fold; Prince reigns
By Will 2 years ago, mid-July, 1 Comment »
It’s late and I’m beery. Briefly, England were disconcertingly excellent today. And even more briefly:
- James Anderson’s catch at mid-on to dismiss AB de Villiers was a bit special, proving (were any proof needed) that fast bowlers these days are as vital assets in the field as any other member of the side. They have to be.
- Hashim Amla’s beard continues to amaze and enthrall. Fortunate not to be bowled when his helmet fell off, evading a bouncer.
- Neil McKenzie has buckets of class and similar quantities of oddities. His obsessive compulsive habits were fascinating to watch, and metronomically repetitive. A scrape of the crease with his bat is followed by a scrub with his foot (right). He glances behind to fine leg, then to square leg, and then composes himself in his stance. Right before the bowler reaches his delivery stride, he mouths “watch the ball”. And when he does finally connect, it’s often pleasingly elegant. A nice sideshow to the series, watching McKenzie.
- Stuart Broad is enjoying his best Test match by a distance. Runs in the first innings, and today bowled his heart out, rarely straying from an immaculate line. Knows when to dig it in short or fire in a yorker. He will be a world force in 12 months.
- Monty Panesar is so hard to play in England. Favourite moment of the day came when he did Morkel like a kipper, eventually bowling him through the gate (with the final ball of the over, I think). Looks like he’s beginning to really know his game now.
- Billy Bowden’s mum died a couple of weeks ago, poor sod.
- Ashwell Prince showed the benefits of patience. Good, old-fashioned Test innings by a very underrated player rediscovering his touch. His celebration bordered on angry; a kiss of the badge was followed by him pointing at it to the dressing room, evidence that for all South Africa’s aggressive wordplay, they continue to be haunted by political turbulance.
- Andrew Strauss’s fine catch at first slip to dismiss Jacques Kallis (off the top of my head) confirmed how important slippers are to England. Alastair Cook has done well, but we could do with another safe pair of hands. Flintoff would do.
- The moment of the day? Kevin Pietersen taking the new ball to bowl at Graeme Smith owing to the poor light. The pair of them murmuring to eachother, staring one another down, was a fitting end to a near-perfect day’s Test cricket by England.
Broader by the day
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of June, 4 Comments »
I’m in danger of boring my colleagues about Stuart Broad. But it’s not my fault. This bloody cricketer keeps meeting and raising his and our own expectations every time he plays. And if you’re bored reading this, take out a voodoo doll and pretend it’s Broad. It’s all his doing.
Yesterday was a prime example. Yes, England lost – complacent, sloppy batting, in particular from Shah, Bopara and Pietersen – but Broad’s 10-over spell was the most economical by an England player in two years. And interestingly, at the press conference after the match, Paul Collingwood labelled his action metronomic. I can’t think of too many England bowlers who could’ve been likened to a metronome, an adjective that was used to describe Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock, but few others.
I sensed a change in the fans’ appreciation of Broad yesterday too, and perhaps in Broad himself. Returning to deep square leg after his uninterrupted spell, the applause from the crowd was one of respect – not just a father-like admiration of a young buck riding on a wave of fearlessness in his first few seasons. I think we now all realise just what a bowler England now have. He’s even overtaken James Anderson as Collingwood’s most reliable bowler – not a difficult task given Anderson’s mercurial moods, but significant nevertheless.
4 Comments »Broad in confidence
By Will 2 years ago, mid-March, 3 Comments »
As Jonathan points out, Ryan Sidebottom has done what many of us feared he wasn’t capable of and lead England’s attack with verve. But my other stand-out player for the final day was Stuart Broad. He opened the attack this morning, partly because James Anderson was still sore from his injured ankle on the third evening, and bowled with fire, pace and aggression. Brendon McCullum was troubled by his bouncers in particular – quick, nasty vipers rising from just short of a length – which is no mean feat considering how in-form McCullum is, not to mention his offputting ploy of standing three feet outside his crease. Quality bowling, the like of which Steve Harmison once produced four years ago. Broad’s spell was arguably another nail in Harmison’s coffin.
3 Comments »England’s torpor
By Jonathan Liew 2 years ago, mid-March, 4 Comments »
It’s not just the long tail. But it is, to a large degree, the long tail.
When you’ve got Sidebottom, Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar propping the team up, the opposition know that six wickets are as good as ten. But England – and this is the thing – also know this. They know that if the top order doesn’t score the runs, it’s unlikely anybody else will.
And so they dig in. But this doesn’t actually help, as it’s not their natural game (with the possible exceptions of Bell and Collingwood). Pietersen nudging and blocking is half the player he is when he’s trying to score off every ball. As a result, I reckon, they’re not staying in any longer than usual, and of course they’re scoring a lot fewer.
In England’s first innings Vaughan faced 177 balls, Pietersen 131 and Collingwood 182. That should have been enough for a century for each of them.*
The lower order needs strengthening, and fast. Broad for Harmison seems to be the logical step.
*Pietersen’s ten Test centuries have come off an average of 130.5 balls. Only twice has he faced as many as 131 balls and not made a hundred.
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