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Trent Bridge’s new stand
By Will 1 month ago, 5 Comments »
Trent Bridge’s new stand, on the Bridgford Road side, is unmissable. It leans backwards with the roof arcing upwards, in a white/cream colour - it’s quite a sight. All in all, Trent Bridge looks an absolute picture.
Much discussion over the stand’s effects on swing, too. There’s a piece in the papers today - I forget where - which looks into it further, but the theory is that new stands (or buildings or trees) can create its owm mini micro-climate which helps the balls to swing even more. Trent Bridge has always assisted the swingers, but watch out for Anderson, Sidebottom, Mills and co tomorrow. Rain forecast Friday, but all the statistics suggest it’ll be a match for the bowlers.
5 Comments »Darkness falls
By Will 2 years ago, mid-September, No Comments; be the first!
I want to allay fears that this scene epitomises English cricket, but I can’t. A couple of pints of beer, feet up…it’s what happens, and it’s pretty great too. Terrific shot from Nottingham…apart from the ugly bar running across the middle.
Live discussion: England v Pakistan, 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
By Will 2 years ago, mid-September, 8 Comments »
In an unsettling development, England nearly competed on an even keel in the third ODI against Pakistan at The Rose Bowl. They nearly took them to the wire, too. Today is the fourth of the five-match series and yet again England are faced with a selection headache. Marcus Trescothick’s withdrawal from the Champions Trophy means he could miss today’s match, too, as Andrew Strauss alluded to. And surely one of Sajid Mahmood or Rikki Clarke will be dropped in place of Graham Onions; at least, we hope so.
Weather is set fine, so we should have a full day’s play – although, inevitably, the dew and moisture of Britain’s late summer will affect conditions under the lights. I’ll be on ball-by-ball, so keep an eye on Cricinfo and leave your comments below of the day’s events.
Cricinfo live scorecard and ball-by-ball details.
8 Comments »Stuart Broad proves appetite for big stage
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August, 4 Comments »
The Twenty20 Final is arguably the most important day in English cricket. Many will be scoffing at that thought…but after witnessing Trent Bridge yesterday on finals day, for the first time, I am utterly sold by the whole idea. It is a brilliant concept, its credentials further enhanced by Allan Stanford whose cash-injection has produced a superb tournament over in the Caribbean.
It was a big moment for Stuart Broad, then, Leicestershire’s 20-year-old giant. He has bowled quite superbly throughout the tournament, and is among the most economical. Again, yesterday, in the semi-final and final, he was very, very impressive: a smooth, uncomplicated run-up, reasonably high arm, and unerringly accurate. He is 6 foot 6 I believe, and although doctors are predicting he still has room to grow, I hope he stops now. If he grows any taller, he will find it very difficult to sustain himself in this modern world where cricket never stops. But sod the negatives, let’s just enjoy watching him bowl. He could well be on the plane to Australia.
I also enjoyed the Sugar Babes yesterday! Great fun - really brilliant to have mid-match entertainment. And Keedie was there too, belting out some choons. I took some photos, one of which is below
But this has to be my favourite: look at the grumpy pair in the middle!
My thoughts on the day, and of Twenty20, are at Cricinfo.
4 Comments »Twenty20 finals day at Trent Bridge
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August, No Comments; be the first!
Can’t wait for tomorrow. For various reasons I’ve yet to taste Twenty20 cricket; after the first season, I vowed it was utter tosh. But it’s since grown and, certainly from a bystander’s view, it now appears to be acknowledged as an important (the most important?) tournament in English domestic cricket. It just looks bloody fun, a riotous day out and I’ll be snapping pics on my trawl through the crowds.
It’ll be great to actually be there sampling the atmosphere and speaking to the fans. I’m really keen to see what the attraction is to, for example, someone with an indifference to cricket. My colleage went to one at Chelmsford a few weeks ago and spoke to people there, one of whom was adament that he didn’t watch, follow or particularly like cricket. He did, though, enjoy Twenty20.
Best of all, judging by Nottingham’s lack of hotel rooms, it’s going to be a sell-out too.
Stuck a preview up on Cricinfo. The teams involved are Essex, Nottinghamshire, Surrey and Leicestershire.
No Comments »Hotels in Nottingham for Twenty20 finals
By Will 2 years ago, mid-August, 1 Comment »
I’ve just rung round 13 hotels in and around Nottingham, all of whom were booked up. I’m off to the Twenty20 finals at Trent Bridge and, although it’s a sod being 10 miles from the ground, it’s pleasing that every hotel in the centre is sold out almost entirely thanks to a domestic cricket competition.
1 Comment »Super hat action
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of July, 2 Comments »
Great hattage action at Old Trafford Trent Bridge.
England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Trent Bridge, 4th day
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of June, 14 Comments »
(Posted in advance)
The fourth day of the final Test at Nottingham. Get a’chattin’.
Update: Murali has ruined England with 8 for 70. Super piece of bowling, that
14 Comments »England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Trent Bridge, 3rd day
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of June, 4 Comments »
(Posted in advance)
The third day of the final Test at Nottingham. Get talkin’.
4 Comments »England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Trent Bridge, 2nd day
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of June, 3 Comments »
(Posted in advance)
The first day brought twelve wickets and it was (just) England’s day. But on what is expected to be a warm summer’s day, on a pitch already threatening to flake, Muttiah Muralitharan ought to have a huge say on proceedings - even on this, the second day. Will England be able to keep him out?
3 Comments »England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Trent Bridge, 1st day
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of June, 17 Comments »
(Posted in advance)
The first day of the final Test at Nottingham. Get chatting!
17 Comments »You effing pommy *****
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of August, 13 Comments »
Oh dear. Poor old Katich. I do feel sorry for him, as much as an Englishman can feel sorry for an Australian cricketer of course. His decision (LBW) was an absolute shocker. The Australia newspaper the Herald Sun reports that he really did lose the plot quite massively:
Billy Bareham, from Sussex, said: “Katich was being booed and jeered, although I did not hear anyone say anything specific to him.
“But then he shouted out, ‘You f—ing Pommy c—s.’ You could hear him carrying on mouthing off even once he got into the pavilion. He might’ve got a bad decision but there was no call for that sort of language.”
That’s just not cricket (sorry - predictable).
13 Comments »Review: England v Australia, Trent Bridge
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of August, 12 Comments »
I’ve received a few (8) emails and 28 comments from people disagreeing with my statement that this is the greatest series ever, so this review is a vague attempt to quantify it…but it’s more, simply, a review of another brilliant Test. Few can deny that the game we saw was brilliant theatre and a spectacular sporting occasion.
At the start of the fourth day, England were without their trump card, Simon Jones. Remarkably, given his outstanding improvement this series, he wasn’t missed too greatly; a wonderful testament to a collective team effort, showing this England side never need rely on one bowler, or one player. In Duncan Fletcher’s terms, Matthew Hoggard “came to the party” and, praised by Andrew Flintoff, he bowled his best spell of the series. Earlier this month, I wrote a piece for Cricinfo on his importance to the England side, but I was worried it [the article] would soon lose its relevance. Thankfully, Hoggard did once again “sweep the shop floor,” picking up two vital wickets. Two, you ask? Two? Not a massive haul, granted, but they were the two most important. Michael Clarke had looked settled, and batted so well in the morning session. Hoggard got his away-swing working perfectly and, pitching it up he drew Clarke into a wishy-washy poke to grab his wicket just before lunch. It was a vital breakthrough.
Clarke and Katich had arguably set the scene for an Adam Gilchrist batting bonanza. Indeed, Gilchrist’s intent was obvious, smashing two fours in quick succession. But Hoggard returned to trap him leg-before. Suddenly, Australia’s hard work by Katich and Clarke in the morning session had been thrown away. Their lead was futile, a handful of runs; but for another aggressive and brilliant innings by Shane Warne (how well has he batted this tour??), the target Australia eventually set would have been far lower than 129.
One hundred and twenty nine runs to lead the series 2-1. I was very confident it would be a walk in the park, but my colleage at Cricinfo was having kittens. He was an absolute nervous wreck from the start. As I said, 129 wasn’t enough for Australia “barring a Shane Warne special,” and while England did reach their target, it was not without considerable alarm. Shane Warne, again, threatened to end England’s chances of winning the Ashes, with a performance to win over a thousand more fans. He is an utter legend and we’re so bloody lucky to watch him perform. The situation was just perfect for him - backs against the wall, defending a target of 129, he took Trescothick, Strauss and Vaughan’s wickets to leave England 57 for 3. It became 57 for 4 as Bell, unwisely, tried to hook Brett Lee. When Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen were dismissed, my nerves suddenly went into overdrive. “Damn you, Will, and your cocksureness!” I told myself.
Geraint Jones followed, with a really dreadful smite off Shane Warne and suddenly, incredibly, England were 116 for 7. 13 to win. Three wickets left. Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard at the crease. How dare you give us another national coronary, England?! Giles and Hoggard saw England home in what Richie Benaud described as one the most tense matches he had ever come across.
I suppose, arguably, England should never have let Australia in with a chance. But Warne is Warne, and if this series has showed us anything, it is the power of a chastened champion.
At Old Trafford, I wrote the tide was turning. In fact, I wrote the tide had turned. England failed to win that (”England lack the killer blow” and all). And so we’ve seen it develop in this Test match, as England really demonstrated their total lack of fear of Australia. As a supporter who has for his entire life only ever witnessed Australia’s dominance over the Urn, it is a proud, special moment. Once again, England trounced Australia for 99% of this Test; brilliant team performance, and one individual again proving his might. Andrew Flintoff, future King, Prime Minister and anything else he wishes for! Already approaching legendary status before this game, his hundred (first against Australia in his first series against them) was a thing of beauty. It almost appeared pedestrian in its pace, yet came from just 132 balls and was the key to England reaching 477 (winning the toss and batting first). His muted celebrations said much about the man. There was no wild hoorays and badge-kissing; simply a raised bat, a standing ovation, and a smile which said “Ta - but this is just the start of things.”
I’ll do a blog and paper round-up later.
12 Comments »England scrape home and lead the series 2-1 against Australia
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of August, 35 Comments »
The greatest series ever. There is now no doubt. England win. More later or tomorrow when I’ve recovered…
35 Comments »England need 18 to win, with just 4 wickets in hand
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of August, 3 Comments »
18 to win for England. 4 wickets to win for Australia. Oh. My. God.
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