A Break or Two

After the excitement of the Cardiff test, (where despite almost persistent rain - who’s bright idea was it to play a test match in Wales, in May? - Sri Lanka capitulated on the final afternoon and were all out for 82), the Lords Test Match seemed rather dull. Despite a couple of breaks - Dilshan’s thumb and a pavilion window (is anyone actually buying the story that Matt Prior’s bat ‘accidentally’ set off an avalanche of the said item, resulting in shattered glass and the cut ankle of an MCC member? No, me neither. The more likely story is that, after having had to endure Alastair Cook plod his way to yet another century and then being told it was his job to up the ante - a ploy which resulted in him being run out for four - Prior got back to the dressing room in a fit of anger and threw something straight at the window. Simple.) - nothing else really happened.

As already mentioned, Cook reached another milestone, Prior (before his break) also played well

for a century and Dilshan (also before his break) was sublime, as he notched up the highest score by a Sri Lankan at Lords. While the batsmen then, (with the exception of the first mornings play) looked competent, England’s bowling giants (the tallest in Test Match history, with a combined height of 9 feet, eight inches) struggled to find the right line and length. While the inclusion of Steven Finn seems to have vindicated itself with his ‘four-for’, having three tall, ‘hit-the-deck’ bowlers seemed a bit, well, samey. With Lords typically being one of the most productive grounds for swing bowling, one cannot help but wander if England may have been better off including Jade Dernbach or Ajmal Shazad in their squad? While this is of course all hindsight, when you add yet even more rain into the mix (OK, so Wales isn’t the only place to receive wet weather) and the cautious nature of Strauss and Flower, a draw always seemed the mostly likely option. Sri Lanka’s bating is too good to let another spectacular collapse happen again; though their ‘heavyweights’ in the form of Jayewardene and Sangakkara, could do with some runs.

Let’s hope that down at The Rose Bowl the sun is shinning, the cricket is exciting and the windows remain intact.

Over and Out

It was the toughest quarter-final. Sri Lanka at home. But England only have themselves to blame for the position they found themselves in today. Had they managed (as expected) to beat both Ireland and Bangladesh they would have finished top of their group and in line for a quarter-final against New Zealand. Not that they would have been guaranteed to win that match (New Zealand after all managed to see off the mighty South Africa), but it certainly would have been less daunting.

All in all, like all previous World Cups, this tournament has been a massive disappointment for both the England team and their supporters. Players have been injured (Kevin Pietersen, Ajmal Shazad and Stuart Broad), while the managements plans - well, what plans? - have been jumbled and, frankly, desperate. In their defence, however, it is unfortunate that Michael Yardy had to return home early (an admission of depression being both incredibly brave and a stark indication that the international schedule is just too hectic) and (with reference again to the latter) that the World Cup always occurs straight after an Ashes tour down under. Inevitably then, players are both fatigued and below their best. This aside, though, England have underperformed. Fortunate to get through the group stages, today their luck run out. Up against an exciting and ambitious team, England were found wanting; being humiliated by a ten-wicket defeat.

Looking forwards, England will return home within the next couple of days for the rest and relaxation many have publicly been crying out for. While being on tour since the end of October must be tiresome, how many will soon be returning to India for the IPL? A tournament which takes place during what is technically a ‘rest period’ and is motivated solely by money. As for the remainder of the World Cup, lets hope the semi-finals provide some excellent, entertaining cricket. After all the most eccentric and inconsistence team have finally been knocked out.

So, the rollercoaster that is England’s world cup campaign continues after they (just) managed to beat the West Indies and other results have gone their way. We don’t know about you, but CricketChicks are not sure if their nerves can actually take anymore.

The good, the bad and the downright awful

England have now played three matches in this years ICC World Cup and what can we say. Their performances have ranged from the sublime to the downright awful. Whereas most of the Test playing nations have managed to beat the associate teams with ease (ten or nine wicket wins being the norm, with the West Indies bowling Bangladesh out for just 58, yesterday), England have struggled. Once again facing those men in Orange (the last time being in that infamous Twenty20 World cup opener), England’s bowlers were expensive, as the Nerthlands racked up a thoroughly competitive score. England managed to force a victory, but only just.

Yet, this was nothing compared to Wednesday’s match against the men in Green. Odds on favourites to brush aside the minnows, Ireland’s victory over England will go down as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. While taking nothing away from Kevin O’Brien’s brilliant hundred (the fastest ever scored in a World Cup), England’s bowlers were appalling. With the exception of Graeme Swann, the seamers were totally indiscipline. James Anderson being the greatest concern, as he is now the most expensive England bowler in World Cups. How much longer he features in the starting eleven remains to be seen. Add to this, England’s atrocious fielding (five dropped catches in the match against Ireland) and you have defeat written all over it. Will they fair any better against Bangladesh and the West Indies - matches which, pre-tournament, were seen as nothing more than mere formality.

In the match against India, though, England looked a thoroughly competent side. A batting master class from Sachin Tendulkar helped India to a formidable total (one which incidentally, could have been a lot more menacing had it not been for some excellent death bowling by Tim Bresnan). At half time, lets be honest, no one would have given England much of a chance. Similar run chases of the past, have usually resulted in England capitulating. But, some superb batting from Andrew Strauss (upstaging the little master himself) and Ian Bell, took England to within a comfortable distance of victory. But, no. It wouldn’t be England if there wasn’t some sort of disaster. Opting to take the batting power play, England lost four wickets for twenty-five runs. Suddenly, with new batsman at the crease and the fielders up, things began to look a little more difficult. An ever increasing run-rate resulted in more departing wickets. It was only thanks to some power hitting by Bresnan and Ajmal Shazad that England managed to get a draw. A game of mixed emotions for all then. As while England should have won, they did well to reach India’s score of 338. Moreover, they definitely played their part in an exciting game of fifty over cricket.

Indeed, if there is one word that can sum up England’s campaign so far, its entertaining. Lets just hope tomorrows drama’s (with England there is bound to be some) ends in an England victory.

The World Cup has begun…

So, the World Cup has begun. On Thursday we were treated to a parade of rickshaws, each of which contained one of the Captains from the fourteen (yes, that’s fourteen) teams competing in this years tournament. A six week One Day marathon, the ICC World Cup consists of two groups of eight teams; with the top four from each advancing to the knock-out stages. This part of the tournament lasts for about a month. At the end of which will be the result we could all predict right now. (OK, that might be a little unfair - the West Indies may fail to make it to the quarter final stage). While the thought of the Cricket World Cup fills many with dread (and that’s just the actual cricket lovers) England’s two warm up games, but particularly their last, have provided a faint glimmer of hope.

The big change has been the promotion of Kevin Pietersen. Why, after playing 110 ODI’s, he (and the England Management) have suddenly decided this is the best place for him to bat, who knows and who cares. His 66 against Bangladesh on Friday showed that KP ‘The Opener’ may just work. Frankly, its about time KP took on more responsibility. He his often hailed as England’s best batsman and he likes to be the showman. So, what better place to bat than at the top. Ego aside though, KP is a mighty fine player and if he can bat out a majority of the fifty over’s (allowing players such as Jonathon Trott and Ian Bell to accumulate runs around him), England wont lose many matches.

Paul Collingwood also showed a much welcomed return to form on Friday, with his 65. While Stuart Broad has been even more impressive on his return from injury; taking two five-wicket hauls. With Graeme Swann set to join the team early next week, things might just be falling into place. The absence of Eoin Morgan is obviously still a massive blow, but lets see if the other batsman can stand up to the plate.

If we have to endure six weeks of an ICC tournament, lets at least have an England victory at the end of it.

A series finished but not forgotten (unfortunately).

It has nearly been a week since England lost the One Day International series against Australia 6-1. In all sense and purposes it was a terrible series and that’s not just because England were hammered (the second time incidentally, they have lost a limited over’s series by such a margin after winning the Ashes; the other being 2009). Whether both sides were just fatigued (seven games at the end of a five match Test series is ludicrous) or suffering from a post-Ashes hangover, the quality of the cricket has been poor all round. Australia won simply because they weren’t quite as bad as England. To make matters worse for both sides, but particularly England, this ODI series has an injury list which would give Holby City a run for its money. In total, six of England’s players had to return home early. This included Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, Ajmal Shazad, Chris Tremlett, Paul Collingwood and most worryingly of all, Eoin Morgan. Thank heavens the tour ended when it did.

If we rewind to the winter of 2009, England’s tour of South Africa marked the start of their improvement within the limited format of the game. A series win against the Proteas (in their own back yard) was no mean feat. Neither was beating Bangladesh, winning the Twenty20 World Cup, beating Bangladesh again (this time in England), beating Australia and then beating Pakistan both in the summer of 2010. Such a transformation is often accredited to the presence of Morgan. A rare talent, possessing both power and finesse, many have argued that Morgan showed the England players how to lift up a bat, to attack and back yourself. While this is undeniably true and his recent poor run of form in Australia (sitting around for three months can’t have helped, neither could the broken finger) has been a major factor in England’s string of losses, it is not the only cause. For some reason, this current England One Day squad have looked like the team of old. Timid, hitting ‘nothing’ shots, indiscipline in the bowling, inconsistent in selection and all with predictable results. The fact that this latest series witnessed five run outs in the space of three innings, indicates a team unsure of what they are doing.

Looking forward, the England squad fly out to Bangladesh today. They play their first warm-up match on the 22^nd and then face six group matches; five of which will be played in India. If you thought things were going to get easier, think again. In fact, if anything, England face an even tougher task. Australia, as I have already mentioned, were not playing great cricket- certainly not a brand of cricket good enough to win a World Cup. In contrast teams like India, Sri Lanka and South Africa will be fresh and raring to go. Bereft of their best one day player, unsure of what balance to have (Prior to open? Collingwood as the fifth bowler?) and with many others nursing injuries, England’s chances of winning have been seriously hampered.

Saying that, though, not many people would have given them a chance in the Twenty20 World Cup and look what happened there. In cricket you just never know.

To Trott or not to Trott? That seems to be the question.

Jonathan Trott has made himself almost un-droppable. Again. He has a habit of doing this, remember last summer and his double century, at Lords, against Bangladesh? His 82 not out in the third ODI of the current series and then his century at Adelaide (not to mention his two wickets in the same match), have not only demonstrated his potential as a player in the shorter format of the game, but have given the England selectors a great deal to think about just before the World Cup. If Trott is included in the starting eleven it means that either Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen or Paul Collingwood will have to be left out. While England’s performance at Adelaide was much improved (a feat which sees their chances of a series win still alive), the balance of the side put out in that match, will not work in all circumstances. While Collingwood batting at seven and acting as the fifth bowler proved effective at Adelaide, one feels England will need another ‘proper’ bowler come their opening World Cup match. After all, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and possibly Tim Bresnan are all set to return. A balanced One Day side always appears to be a dilemma for selectors, so CricketChicks thought they would give it a go themselves.

CricketChicks World Cup starting eleven :-

1) Andrew Strauss - he is no longer the liability he once was having made adjustments to his game, so as he can take advantage of the power play over’s. Last year he had a strike rate of 96.0.

2) Ian Bell - a much improved player, he has the ability to defend and hit over the top. Skills vital for a One Day opener.

3) Kevin Pietersen - England’s best batsman, he has the ability to take the game away from the opposition so needs to bat higher. Also, as a senior player, he should take more responsibility.

4) Paul Collingwood - out of form with the bat, but brilliant in the field and a more than handy bowler.

5) Eoin Morgan - an unbelievably gifted player, he averages over 50 when batting at 5 but just 29 when batting at 6. This is the place for him as he needs time to settle in, but he also has the ability to accelerate.

6) Matt Prior - a much improved wicket keeper, but not an opening batter. Much better down the order where he can play his best cricket.

7) Michael Yardy - a canny bowler and handy batsman. Should be effective in the subcontinent.

8) Bresnan - injured at the moment, but will hopefully be fit in time for the World Cup. A key player who has proved his worth with both bat and ball.

9) Graeme Swann - the best spinner in the world and handy with the bat. Enough said.

10) Stuart Broad - back from injury, he is a strike bowler with good variations. Also a competent batsman.

11) James Anderson - one of the best bowlers in the world. Is greatly missed in the current series.

As you can tell by our selections, CricketChicks are still to be convinced of Trott the ODI player. What’s a man got to do, we hear you cry. Well, lets see in the remaining games.