The dramatic twists of the 2009 Ashes series would be enough to make London's most celebrated sleuth Mr Sherlock Holmes seek solace in the fine white powder of his erstwhile colleague Dr Watson.
The five-Test series ebbed and flowed, swinging one way then the other as England avenged their abject 5-0 drubbing in 2006/07 with their second successive 2-1 home series win.
Statistically, Australia may wonder how they lost. Eight centuries to England's two, six batsmen averaging over 40, compared with two for England. Three bowlers taking 20 wickets or more, Stuart Broad topping England's chart with 18.
Captain Ricky Ponting suggested after Sunday's dramatic finale at The Oval that England had won the "big moments". So what were the key ones over the last seven memorable weeks?
THE GREAT ESCAPE IN CARDIFF
First Test, Cardiff - England drew with Australia
At 1800 BST on the final day, after 344 pain-staking, crease-shuffling minutes, Paul Collingwood's 245-ball, 74-run vigil ended when he meekly guided Peter Siddle to Mike Hussey at gully.
At 1802 BST, Monty Panesar - a number 11 with an average half his batting position - joined James Anderson with Australia primed to celebrate their sixth successive Ashes Test victory.
But for 69 hair-pulling, jaw-aching deliveries, the last-wicket pair fended off everything the tourists launched at them.
Every defensive prod was celebrated as if the crowd were watching a full-length Shane Williams try at the Millennium Stadium, with Ricky Ponting's patience wearing increasingly thin.
The Australia captain became apoplectic with rage with England's apparent time-consuming tactics when they sent on dressing room lackey Bilal Shafayat, along with physiotherapist Steve McCaig and a pair of batting gloves.
However, it all became too much for the umpires and Anderson, who promptly sent the Nottinghamshire man back to the pavilion.
But despite the increasing tension, Panesar's bat, as broad as the River Taff, grew wider the more frustrated the tourists became, while Anderson's defence remained obstinate through 53 deliveries.
"We got away with it, we know that, and we must come back and play better," said England captain Andrew Strauss.
And didn't they just...
FIRED-UP FREDDIE'S FIVE-FOR AT LORD'S
Second Test, Lord's - England beat Australia by 115 runs
Whoever writes Andrew Flintoff's scripts should retire now, forever content with their role in etching the all-rounder's name into the annals of English cricket history at the game's spiritual's home.
After announcing he would retire from Test cricket because of a chronic knee injury after the Ashes, Freddie's awesome second-innings bowling spell ensured England's blushes were spared after setting Australia a record 522 for victory.
Although his 5-92 was only his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, it was undoubtedly his most important, piqued when he dismissed Brad Haddin in the second over of the final morning at Lord's.
The wicketkeeper shared a 185-run sixth-wicket stand with Michael Clarke, the type of partnership which was on its way to germinating from a seed of doubt into a full-blown privet hedge of horror.
Freddie's ready to be mobbed by his team-mates
But with Haddin on 80, Flintoff induced a thick outside edge to the hands of Paul Collingwood at second slip, and the game was up for Australia.
Flintoff's reaction was priceless - he just stood there, as if looking for wife Rachael deep in the recesses of the Mound Stand, before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.
He went one better an hour later, clean bowling Nathan Hauritz before descending on one knee, arms spread, like a stadium rock star as England ended their 75-year wait for a win at Lord's.
SIZZLING ONIONS GRILLS AUSTRALIA
Third Test, Edgbaston - England drew with Australia
After watching rain pelt down for hours on the sodden Edgbaston outfield, England's bowlers were flogged to all parts as Australia's openers made hay when the sun finally shone in Birmingham.
Without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out following surgery on his right Achilles' tendon, England looked as flat as the Edgbaston wicket.
But it's amazing what a scattering of low-lying clouds and humidity can do to a semi-shiny Dukes ball.
With Australia resuming on 126-1, Graham Onions altered the complexion of the match with the first two deliveries of day two.
Onions early wickets put England in charge on day two at Edgbaston
Up went umpire Aleem Dar's right index finger when the Durham fast bowler trapped Shane Watson dead in front for 62, before bowling Mike Hussey - inexplicably shouldering arms to a delivery hurtling into his off stump for a golden duck.
Suddenly the ball was swinging like a Benny Goodman number, and James Anderson cleaned up the tourists with an inspired 5-80, while Onions collected 4-58.
The momentum was back in England's favour, but a 185-run second-innings stand between Michael Clarke and Marcus North for Australia snuffed out any hopes of a sneaky victory.
FRIDAY MOURNING IN LEEDS
Fourth Test, Headingley - Australia beat England by innings and 80 runs
When Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat on an overcast Friday morning in Leeds, Ricky Ponting did not seem overly perturbed.
With a four-pronged pace attack - the metronomic Stuart Clark returning at the expense of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz - Australia had an Andrew Flintoff-less England by the jugular when Strauss was trapped plumb in front by Ben Hilfenhaus with the very first delivery.
The crooked finger of umpire Billy Bowden remained motionless, like Australian mouths, but the reprieve was brief as the England captain was back in the pavilion 14minutes later after a brilliant one-handed catch by Marcus North at third slip.
Peter Siddle was the main benefactor as England folded at Headingley
The rot began to set in as Peter Siddle and Clark ran amok, decimating England's middle and lower order with a brilliant exhibition of good old-fashioned Headingley swing bowling.
The hosts were 72-6 at lunch, the misery ending early in the afternoon session when Graham Onions was caught at short leg for Siddle's fifth wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 102, their lowest total for 100 years in Ashes Tests at Headingley.
The humiliation was complete when Mitchell Johnson cleaned up poor old Onions less than two days later for one of England's most emphatic defeats against the tourists on home soil.
BROAD TAKES CENTRE STAGE WITH ENGLAND HOT TO TROTT
Fifth Test, The Oval - England beat Australia by 197 runs
Amid the media clamour to reinstate 39-year-old Mark Ramprakash and persuade Marcus Trescothick to come out of retirement, England's selectors opted for consistency and chose Jonathan Trott to replace the struggling Ravi Bopara.
With Australia in the ascendency at 73 without loss replying to England's 332 in the series decider, the fate of the fragile, six-inch urn turned on a destructive spell of fast bowling from Stuart Broad on a parched Oval wicket.
The 23-year-old reduced Australia to 111-7, the apogee of his 5-37 an unplayable outswinging delivery to rearrange Brad Haddin's furniture to seal his second successive five-wicket Test haul, and the third of his career.
With Australia 172 runs short of England's first-innings total, Trott became an instant hero with a debut century to take the game beyond the tourists, setting Ricky Ponting's men an impossible winning target of 546.
Ponting's dismissal particularly delighted Broad at The Oval
England supporters started to sweat as Ponting and the hitherto vulnerable Mike Hussey compiled a 127-run partnership with steely determination.
But Flintoff - relatively muted on his finale - conjured one final trick from his sunhat, uprooting Ponting's off stump with a direct hit from mid-on as the Australia captain fatally hesitated scampering for an ill-judged single.
As the match - and series - drew to its now inevitable denouement, Graeme Swann ended Australia's misery when he had centurion Hussey caught by Alastair Cook off bat-pad, sparking pandemonium in SE11.
Monday 24 August 2009
Sunday 23 August 2009
Tastes like Ashes
In the pubs and streets of South London, fuelled by joy, exhileration and a couple of rather pleasing bottles of crispy white wine. The celebrations went on, long into the night. E-mailing long lost Aussie buddies, texting 'til the network collapses.
Ricky Ponting, Dame Edna Everage, Kylie Minogue, Kevin Rudd, Nicole Kidman, Rolf Harris, Nick Cave, John Eales, Jono Coleman, Ned Kelly your boys took one helluva beating!!
Monday 17 August 2009
Sussex Twenty20 Champions
Good Old Sussex by the Sea
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.
The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.
Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.
Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.
Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.
Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.
Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.
But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.
The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.
Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.
However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.
Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.
However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.
Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.
Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.
The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.
But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.
Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.
Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.
With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.
But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.
Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.
Thursday 6 August 2009
4th Test - Heading for Headingly
The Crucial Test
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Despite the euphoria generated by Engalnd's bowling performance on the second morning England will be content with the final outcome. Once again, Australia's bowling attack faltered and although their batsmen looked worryingly composed on the final day they too would be happy with a draw.
The biggest problem for England is what to do about Freddie's injury. His presence is perceived as being crucial to the team (although his absences over the past couple of years have been easier to manage). England will of course do everything to get him on the pitch but if he can't make it, will they have to make two changes to make up for him? Harmison and Trott to come in for Flintoff and Broad? Or maybe even for Swann (on a seamers pitch)? Tricky decisions.
Likewise the Aussies need to find a way to get Stuart Clark in the side and Siddle looks the most under threat. Whether the under pressure Aussies will risk Binga Lee for spinner Horritz is another selection conundrum.
The weather forecast looks favourable for England with overcast conditions and rain on days 4 & 5 threatening! However, England must think and play positive, a win and The Ashes will be ours!
Jardine Verdict: One up with two to play, could be a lot worse!
Thursday 30 July 2009
3rd Test - Going with an Edge to Edgbaston
On the eve of the 3rd Test Andrew Strauss has clearly identified the next 5 days as pivotal in England's attempt to regain the Ashes. Another win for England and it would be very difficult for Australia to get back into the 5 match series. Defeat and it is advantage Australia (who even now are already eyeing a drawn series far more longingly than a month ago).
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
The only selection headache for England is whether Harmison pips Onions for the final seemers spot. The pitch is expected to be slow and low so it could be that Harmison will miss out again. Australia are wrestling with the Mitchell Johnson problem. Despite Ponting's protestations about not even considering dropping him, surely the Aussies must consider the previously unmentionable. It would seem Clark will come in for Hauritz and they'll play four seamers. However, the biggest influence could be the weather with rain predicted to interrupt Thursday, Saturday & Sundays play. The draw seems the likelier option but with a strengthened Aussie bowling attack and a weakened England middle order the tourists might just fancy their chances.
Jardine's Verdict: A losing draw eked out amongst the breaks in the rain will suit England just fine!
Saturday 25 July 2009
Corky does it again
There ain't no stopping Dominic Cork as he helped propel Hampshire to a deserved victory over Sussex in the FPT final at Lords.
Tuesday 21 July 2009
75 years later...
We've finally bloody won at Lords!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Apologies for missing coverage of first two tests. Technology failed us miserably. However, promise to have fully updated (backdated) reports up and live by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, watch the highlights, listen to the interviews and revel in the joy of a very rare thing.
Jardine's Verdict: Strike a medal from the finest metal and pin it to Freddie's chest, without a doubt with him in our side we are truly truly blessed!
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Poll Results - 5
Who will win the unofficial 1st test?
1= Australia hold on for a draw.
1= Sussex moral victors
3= Result unimportant as Australia not recognised as a First Class team.
Jardine Verdict: You chaps & chapesses know your stuff!
1= Australia hold on for a draw.
1= Sussex moral victors
3= Result unimportant as Australia not recognised as a First Class team.
Jardine Verdict: You chaps & chapesses know your stuff!
Tuesday 30 June 2009
Michael Vaughan to quit
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has confirmed to a friend he will retire from all forms of cricket. The 34-year-old has called a news conference on Tuesday, when he is expected to call time on his career.
Ex-county team-mate Paul Grayson, now coach at Essex, said Vaughan had become disillusioned with four-day cricket. "You have to be really motivated to play county cricket and he felt he did not have the motivation to keep going," Grayson told BBC Sport.
Vaughan led England to Ashes glory in 2005 and is their most successful Test captain, but missed out on selection for the training squad for the 2009 series. And his omission from Yorkshire's squad for their Twenty20 match against Derbyshire on Sunday prompted Vaughan to discuss his future with the county.
Although he plays for Yorkshire, Vaughan is still under the control of a 12-month England and Wales Cricket Board central contract until the end of the summer.
Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We agreed with the ECB we would give Michael every opportunity to get selected for the Ashes squad.
VAUGHAN'S TEST CAREER
Tests: 82
Runs: 5,719
Average: 41.44
Centuries: 18
Fifties: 18
Highest: 197
Balls bowled: 978
Wickets: 6
Bowling Ave: 93.50
"When that didn't happen I think it then opened up a different set of thought processes over what happens next. He will discuss his future with his employers tomorrow and a press conference will be held on Tuesday." He continued: "Michael is employed by the ECB so he is unable to comment until after he has spoken to them and formalised the situation."
Regan insisted that Vaughan agreed with the decision to leave him out of the Yorkshire side. He added: "The plan was for him to play but given the news we discussed the situation and felt all the hype and speculation going on wouldn't have been in the team's interests."
Grayson said the emergence of a talented crop of young players at Headingley prompted Vaughan to consider his county future. "He said it's the right time to go," said Grayson, who batted alongside Vaughan on his first-class debut against Lancashire in 1993.
"He said there are some good young players coming through at Yorkshire and he does not want to hold them back."
Six years after his Yorkshire debut, Vaughan won his first Test cap in South Africa where his first innings was a baptism of fire as he went to the wicket with England 2-2 and soon after 2-4. In 2002/3 he rose to the top of the Test batting rankings after hitting three centuries during the Ashes series in Australia and was appointed England one-day captain at the start of the summer.
By mid-summer he had taken on the Test captaincy too, following Nasser Hussain's decision to step down, and after securing a 2-2 draw with the combative South Africans, Vaughan's England won six successive series, culminating in the epic 2005 Ashes victory. He missed the return series down under in 2006/7 with a debilitating knee injury and England were whitewashed 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff.
Vaughan was back for the 2007 World Cup campaign but gave up the one-day captaincy after England's elimination. He hoped to stay in the team in both forms of the game but was never chosen for the one-day side again.
Vaughan remained in charge of the Test side and made a century against the West Indies in his first innings for 18 months in May 2007, and also scored hundreds in home series against India and New Zealand. But his form subsequently declined and in the 2008 home series against South Africa he only scored 40 runs in five innings, including two ducks.
In August, Vaughan resigned the captaincy in an emotional press conference after his 51st match in charge, a total exceeded only by Mike Atherton. His record of 26 Test victories is the highest by any England skipper.
He vowed to score runs in abundance for Yorkshire and again insisted he wanted to continue at international level as a batsman.But he was unable to regain sufficient form to earn a recall, scoring only 41 runs in four Championship matches, and was not selected for the tours of India or the West Indies last winter, although he was included in the performance programme squad that toured the sub-continent.
This season, he has scored only 147 runs for Yorkshire in seven Championship innings, with a top score of 43 and with no apparent hope of an England return, may now opt to bring the curtain down on his career.
Vaughan's former England colleague, now a national selector, Ashley Giles, said Vaughan would leave a huge void if he did opt to call a halt to his playing career.
"I've heard nothing personally and we haven't as selectors, but it would be massive news," he said. "Vaughany's been a great servant to cricket, a good friend of mine and great player for England and a great captain so it would be a loss to the game but I'm sure he'd have plenty of options if that's what he decides to do.
"He treated everyone as a individual and believed that guys should express themselves and not have the fear of failure and gave us all a bucket load of confidence.
"It was crucial that everyone who came into the side felt comfortable, almost loved, and that way you go out and play your best cricket."
Jardine Verdict: Simple really, he was great batsman and a superb skipper. England cricket will be poorer for his retirement. 'Nuff said.
Ex-county team-mate Paul Grayson, now coach at Essex, said Vaughan had become disillusioned with four-day cricket. "You have to be really motivated to play county cricket and he felt he did not have the motivation to keep going," Grayson told BBC Sport.
Vaughan led England to Ashes glory in 2005 and is their most successful Test captain, but missed out on selection for the training squad for the 2009 series. And his omission from Yorkshire's squad for their Twenty20 match against Derbyshire on Sunday prompted Vaughan to discuss his future with the county.
Although he plays for Yorkshire, Vaughan is still under the control of a 12-month England and Wales Cricket Board central contract until the end of the summer.
Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We agreed with the ECB we would give Michael every opportunity to get selected for the Ashes squad.
VAUGHAN'S TEST CAREER
Tests: 82
Runs: 5,719
Average: 41.44
Centuries: 18
Fifties: 18
Highest: 197
Balls bowled: 978
Wickets: 6
Bowling Ave: 93.50
"When that didn't happen I think it then opened up a different set of thought processes over what happens next. He will discuss his future with his employers tomorrow and a press conference will be held on Tuesday." He continued: "Michael is employed by the ECB so he is unable to comment until after he has spoken to them and formalised the situation."
Regan insisted that Vaughan agreed with the decision to leave him out of the Yorkshire side. He added: "The plan was for him to play but given the news we discussed the situation and felt all the hype and speculation going on wouldn't have been in the team's interests."
Grayson said the emergence of a talented crop of young players at Headingley prompted Vaughan to consider his county future. "He said it's the right time to go," said Grayson, who batted alongside Vaughan on his first-class debut against Lancashire in 1993.
"He said there are some good young players coming through at Yorkshire and he does not want to hold them back."
Six years after his Yorkshire debut, Vaughan won his first Test cap in South Africa where his first innings was a baptism of fire as he went to the wicket with England 2-2 and soon after 2-4. In 2002/3 he rose to the top of the Test batting rankings after hitting three centuries during the Ashes series in Australia and was appointed England one-day captain at the start of the summer.
By mid-summer he had taken on the Test captaincy too, following Nasser Hussain's decision to step down, and after securing a 2-2 draw with the combative South Africans, Vaughan's England won six successive series, culminating in the epic 2005 Ashes victory. He missed the return series down under in 2006/7 with a debilitating knee injury and England were whitewashed 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff.
Vaughan was back for the 2007 World Cup campaign but gave up the one-day captaincy after England's elimination. He hoped to stay in the team in both forms of the game but was never chosen for the one-day side again.
Vaughan remained in charge of the Test side and made a century against the West Indies in his first innings for 18 months in May 2007, and also scored hundreds in home series against India and New Zealand. But his form subsequently declined and in the 2008 home series against South Africa he only scored 40 runs in five innings, including two ducks.
In August, Vaughan resigned the captaincy in an emotional press conference after his 51st match in charge, a total exceeded only by Mike Atherton. His record of 26 Test victories is the highest by any England skipper.
He vowed to score runs in abundance for Yorkshire and again insisted he wanted to continue at international level as a batsman.But he was unable to regain sufficient form to earn a recall, scoring only 41 runs in four Championship matches, and was not selected for the tours of India or the West Indies last winter, although he was included in the performance programme squad that toured the sub-continent.
This season, he has scored only 147 runs for Yorkshire in seven Championship innings, with a top score of 43 and with no apparent hope of an England return, may now opt to bring the curtain down on his career.
Vaughan's former England colleague, now a national selector, Ashley Giles, said Vaughan would leave a huge void if he did opt to call a halt to his playing career.
"I've heard nothing personally and we haven't as selectors, but it would be massive news," he said. "Vaughany's been a great servant to cricket, a good friend of mine and great player for England and a great captain so it would be a loss to the game but I'm sure he'd have plenty of options if that's what he decides to do.
"He treated everyone as a individual and believed that guys should express themselves and not have the fear of failure and gave us all a bucket load of confidence.
"It was crucial that everyone who came into the side felt comfortable, almost loved, and that way you go out and play your best cricket."
Jardine Verdict: Simple really, he was great batsman and a superb skipper. England cricket will be poorer for his retirement. 'Nuff said.
Sussex scare Australia rigid
Ashes Tour - Day 4 Hove
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.
The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.
By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.
Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.
Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.
Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.
The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!
Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.
Thursday 25 June 2009
Sussex put Aussies on the back foot
Ashes Tour - Sussex v Australia Day One
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.
But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.
South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.
Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.
However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.
Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI
Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.
The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.
"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.
The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.
Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points
Tuesday 23 June 2009
T20 World Cup
Blink and it's gone
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
So, Pakistan prevailed in the second world T20 which evens up the local tally and must give some genuine encouragement for the PCB despite the lack of home international matches.
Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord's when Sri Lanka's total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining. Shahid Afridi, man of the match in the semi-final, was again the hero, hitting 54 not out from 40 balls to steer Pakistan to an eight-wicket win.
Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost star batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over and were soon 2-2. Kumar Sangakkara's 64 gave them hope but Pakistan paced their chase well.
Sri Lanka had progressed through the tournament smoothly, winning all their matches and relying on the brilliant batting of Dilshan and some superb bowling led by Ajantha Mendis.
But on the grand stage, both their leading players fluffed their lines, and Pakistan ruthlessly seized the initiative.
Pakistan had lost two of their first three matches and needed a win against the Netherlands just to make the last eight. But they turned a corner when thrashing New Zealand - from which point they never looked back.
They began the final in ideal fashion, with a wicket-maiden from 17-year-old sensation Mohammad Aamer.
It wasn't just any wicket-maiden - a rare event indeed in this format. The fact that the tournament's leading run-scorer Dilshan had been dismissed made Aamer's over extra special.
Dlishan craves deliveries on a good length so he can sweep and drive, but keeping the ball short and straight, Aamer bowled four dot-balls then enticed a top-edged pull to short fine-leg.
Pakistan began superbly with the ball at Lord's, and kept it going
The wicket seemed to scare Sri Lanka's other batsmen, who had not enjoyed particularly good tournaments, and it was the fast-medium bowler Abdul Razzaq who reaped the rewards.
Jehan Mubarak, promoted up the order, skied a catch into the off-side, Sanath Jayasuriya crashed a six and two fours but then dragged one on, before Mahela Jayawardene edged an attempted late-cut to slip.
Sangakkara and Chamara Silva had a major repair operation on their hands, coming together with the score 32-4 in 5.3 overs. They put on 35 from 36 balls which at least stopped the rot, but the arrival of Umar Gul dented Sri Lanka's renaissance.
Silva mistimed a pull to midwicket and Isuru Udana swished and missed the last two balls of a fine over. It got even better for Pakistan when Afridi bowled Udana to leave the score 70-6 from 13 overs.
Finally, some positive running between the wickets from Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews saw nine runs come off a Saeed Ajmal over and then Gul, so brilliant in Pakistan's last three victories, suddenly lost his length and was hammered for 14 in an over.
Mathews played his part too, clubbing a couple of boundaries on the on-side before tucking into the final over, bowled by Aamer.
The decision to give the teenager the final over looked a questionable one, and with Mathews flaying a boundary through the slips and muscling a six through the on-side 17 more precious runs came Sri Lanka's way.
Pakistan's chase was given impetus by Kamran Akmal, who hit big leg-side sixes off both Mendis and Mathews to take his team to a very respectable 48-0 from seven overs.
Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's sixth bowler, then immediately had Akmal stumped, but the other opener Shahzaib Hasan, who had been so quiet, drilled consecutive boundaries off Mendis, the mystery spinner who Pakistan were playing so well.
When he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan, the required rate hit eight an over, but Pakistan still had eight wickets in hand and just 64 more runs were required.
Afridi, who had had time to play himself in, now hit Muralitharan into the Tavern Stand and then launched him over wide mid-off for four.
That made Pakistan hot favourites, but just 16 runs came off the next three overs, so 26 were still wanted from 18 balls. But Afridi, with Shoaib Malik playing a quiet role in support, now smashed Udana for six over midwicket and pulled him past fine-leg for four more, leaving an easy seven runs needed from the last two overs.
Jardine's Verdict: A deserved win for Pakistan and hopefully the first step for them back to complete international acceptance.
Tuesday 9 June 2009
What do Bangaldesh, Scotland & Australia have in common?
They are all out of the World Cup
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Group Stage First Round
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group A
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 India 1 1 0 0 0 1.25 2.0
2 Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 0.68 2.0
3 Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 -1.0 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group B
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 England 2 1 1 0 0 1.18 2.0
2 Netherlands 1 1 0 0 0 0.05 2.0
3 Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 -2.4 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group C
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 West Indies 1 1 0 0 0 2.41 2.0
2 Sri Lanka 1 1 0 0 0 0.47 2.0
3 Australia 2 0 2 0 0 -1.33 0.0
ICC World Twenty20 2009: Group D
P W L T N/R R/R Pts
1 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 6.5 2.0
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2.29 2.0
3 Scotland 2 0 2 0 0 -5.28 0.0
Ooops - No. 2
The Aussies are out of the 20/20 World Cup
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
BBC Reports...
Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit brilliant half-centuries as Sri Lanka dumped Australia out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge.
Sri Lanka put the Aussies in, and only some determined batting from their tailenders got them up to 159-9.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis tied most of the Aussies in knots, taking 3-20.
And a wide from the first ball of the final over, bowled by Mitchell Johnson, condemned Australia to their second heavy defeat in this tournament.
Having been blown away by Chris Gayle at The Oval, the move up the M1 to Nottingham brought no less misery for Ricky Ponting's men.
His team now have two empty weeks in Leicester before moving down to Sussex for their first tour match before the Ashes.
Afterwards Ponting told BBC Sport: "If you're a little bit off in this game, you pay for it. "Now we have to move on as quickly as possible and focus on the Ashes."
Australia had their moments in this match, but their specialist batting and their seam bowling was again a major let-down, and that is bound to concern Ponting.
During the early exchanges, Shane Watson hit debutant Isuru Udana for two fours and a six, then Ricky Ponting took advantage of a wayward opening over from Lasith Malinga, taking him for three fours.
That left Australia in good shape at 47-1 from just five overs. But they scored at just half that pace over the following 10 overs while losing five more wickets.
Sangakkara kept shuffling his bowlers around, but it was Mendis who did most of the damage.
Ponting was bowled as he backed away to leg, Watson was lbw on the sweep and David Hussey also fell lbw as Mendis's unusual spin-bowling wreaked havoc.
But Australia were then helped by two big overs. Johnson climbed into Muttiah Muralitharan's final set of six, hitting him for two sixes and a four.
Udana's final over included the wicket of David Hussey, but it also cost 18 - including a four and a six off the bat of Brett Lee.
And although two more wickets fell in the final over, bowled by Malinga, Australia's tailenders somehow scrambled 12 more runs off it with two lucky deflections for four.
So despite being in terrible trouble at 94-6 after 15 overs, a haul of 65 runs from the last five had hauled them back into the contest at the halfway stage.
Johnson ended up with 28 not out off just 13 balls, a contribution that gave him and his fellow bowlers a bit of momentum as Sri Lanka's chase started.
However, Sri Lanka's batsman took the initiative back again, despite losing Sanath Jayasuriya to a fine David Warner catch at deep square-leg.
Dilshan (53) was in a hurry, cutting, pulling and driving the seamers - almost at will - and Sangakkara.
He gave Watson plenty of grief, but was finally undone by Clarke's first delivery, which turned and trimmed his bails.
That left Mahela Jayawardene to continue the fight with Sangakkara (55 not out), but the pair were made to work for their singles as they dealt with Clarke and the other spinner Nathan Hauritz.
Just as had happened with Australia's innings, the runs dried up alarmingly, and from having needed barely seven an over the required rate went up to nine, with the out-of-sorts Jayawardene holing out off Hauritz into the bargain.
That was the cue for Sangakkara to hoist Hauritz for two effortless sixes, one swept the other driven straight, as though to demonstrate he had been toying with the Sri Lankan fans all along.
He remained coolness personified, sweeping Nathan Bracken past the short fine-leg for four more to reach his fifty.
Jehan Mubarak's six in the penultimate over off Lee - who again proved so expensive - eased the tension completely.
And it was a tame way for Australia to go out of the tournament when Johnson slid one down the leg-side.
A delighted Sangakkara said: "It was a great performance. When you play against Australia the key is to believe you can win.
"Our strength has always been spin bowling and we played two guys whom the Australians haven't seen much of. So their batsmen couldn't really target one single bowler."
Jardine's Verdict: Whilst there but for the grace of God and all that, it is still bloody funny!
Saturday 6 June 2009
Friday 5 June 2009
Thursday 4 June 2009
Symonds Sent Home - Again!
He's going home, he's going home, he's going, Symo's going home!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!
Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.
Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.
In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.
Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!
Thursday 21 May 2009
JM96*
That's Johnny Miller 96 Not Out to you son!
Born in Eastbourne, under the manic gaze of David 'Billy' Cotton. Initially just a cut and paste job, with the infamous "Best thing to come out of Eastbourne since the A22" strapline. It soon spread the length and breadth of cricketing Britain, standing firm against the reactionary cricket press. At one time it sold more copies per month than Wisden Cricket monthly and The Cricketer. The home for a more irreverent style of cricket journalism, which fairly soon migrated over to the broadsheets. Tim de Lisle, Gideon Haigh, Matthew Loukes, Alastair Maclellan and Andy Franks all contributed regular pieces for JM96*.
Banned from a number of county shops (Well Essex and Yorkshire at least), JM96*'s final hour was undoubtedly the Devon Malcolm cover which featured the White Ignorant Stupid Despicable Evil Nazis cover line as commentary on the Henderson/Wisden Cricket Monthly race case that had just been settled.
JM96* was years ahead of it's time, they were the champions of two divisional county cricket, increased number of overseas players and 20/20 cricket. Sometimes controversial, often funny and always passionate about cricket. Johnny Miller was the home for all who loved the game, sometimes played it but were amused and annoyed at the same time about the pomposity of the county commitees.
Sadly JM96* faded away under new ownership and a new banner 'Inside Edge'. However, there are still pockets of resistance and the spirit of Johnny lives on in the Barmy Army, Monty Panesar and of course The Jardine Report! So, do feel free to chip in anytime...
This is no laughing matter
Shoaib to miss ICC World Twenty20
According to various reports Shoaib Akhtar has been withdrawn from Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 because of a genital infection.
The fast bowler, 33, was due to join the 15-man squad for a six-day training camp last week but was advised to rest.
"We have pulled him out of the World Twenty20 on the basis of a medical report," said a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan have asked the International Cricket Council if they can name a replacement player for the tournament.
A PCB press release stated that a medical board had assessed the paceman, that he had undergone electrofulguration - a surgical procedure to destroy tissue by electric current - and will be reassessed in the first week of June.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Breaking News - Symonds Out, Ponting Snubbed!
Despite the vocal support of Ricky Ponting English all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been left out of the Australia squad for the upcoming Ashes Tour.
Injury prone Shane Watson and dibby dobby medium pacer Andrew McDonald have been included to fill the role of all-rounders.
The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.
Australia hold the Ashes courtesy of Ricky Ponting's side's win at home in 2006-07, to regain the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.
Symonds' omission must be seen as a snub for captain Ricky Ponting, who yesterday had offered his support for Symonds, saying he was "a great guy to have around a team" and that wouldn't be surprised if he figured in the selectors' plans.
The 16-man Australian Ashes squad:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Graham Manou (who?), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.
Jardine's Verdict: A strong Australian squad maybe. World beaters definitely not. Ashes winners? Maybe not. The prospect of old Brett Lee bowling into the wind with Mr "not as good at Cricket as he used to be" Hussey fumbling in the covers must give some encouragement to England.
Injury prone Shane Watson and dibby dobby medium pacer Andrew McDonald have been included to fill the role of all-rounders.
The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.
Australia hold the Ashes courtesy of Ricky Ponting's side's win at home in 2006-07, to regain the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.
Symonds' omission must be seen as a snub for captain Ricky Ponting, who yesterday had offered his support for Symonds, saying he was "a great guy to have around a team" and that wouldn't be surprised if he figured in the selectors' plans.
The 16-man Australian Ashes squad:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Andrew McDonald, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Graham Manou (who?), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz.
Jardine's Verdict: A strong Australian squad maybe. World beaters definitely not. Ashes winners? Maybe not. The prospect of old Brett Lee bowling into the wind with Mr "not as good at Cricket as he used to be" Hussey fumbling in the covers must give some encouragement to England.
Ponting to pick a Pom
Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has given his seal of approval for controversial English all-rounder Andrew Symonds to be named in the Australian Ashes squad later today.
Symonds, the injury prone Shane Watson, incumbent all-rounder Andrew McDonald, frequently overlooked Brad Hodge and outsider Callum Ferguson are thought to be battling it out for the last two spots in the 16-man touring party to be named at 11am EDST.
Ponting said he wouldn't be surprised if Symonds was the selectors' choice. Which is certainly throwing down the gauntlet to his selectors.
Ricky Ponting was not quoted as saying, "He has had his share of bottles over the last 12 months, obviously the well-documented stuff off the field". He did however say in The Australian, "He's worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well and played well for us over in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He's a great guy to have around a team. There is no doubt about that and obviously the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make in the coming hours I guess."
Ponting, unsurprisingly didn't think Symonds' off-field problems would be held against him. Australian sporting culture is currently overloaded with tales of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct and Ponting’s approach is in line with the majority of senior administrators thinking. Surprisingly though he also didn’t think that Symonds’ lack of runs at first-class level would be held against him either.
In a rather pathetic and predictable start to hostilities Ponting yesterday took a swipe at his England counterpart and said it was important to keep Andrew Strauss quiet.
Strauss played a key role at the top of the order in England's 2-1 series win four years ago. Since taking over the captaincy, Strauss has scored 597 runs at 59.70 in seven Tests against the West Indies compared to a career average of 43.96.
Jardine’s Verdict: The inclusion of Symonds in the test squad wouldbe a strong indication of the Australian mindset. It will also be a marked change in selection policy from the tried and tested picking the best XI to the not so proven picking your best mates. We should all know soon.
Jardine’s Touring 16: Ponting (Captain), Clarke (VC), Haddin, Hughes, Katich, M Hussey, Hilfenhaus, Johnson, Lee, Siddle, Hauritz, McDonald, Clark, Symonds, North, Manou
Symonds, the injury prone Shane Watson, incumbent all-rounder Andrew McDonald, frequently overlooked Brad Hodge and outsider Callum Ferguson are thought to be battling it out for the last two spots in the 16-man touring party to be named at 11am EDST.
Ponting said he wouldn't be surprised if Symonds was the selectors' choice. Which is certainly throwing down the gauntlet to his selectors.
Ricky Ponting was not quoted as saying, "He has had his share of bottles over the last 12 months, obviously the well-documented stuff off the field". He did however say in The Australian, "He's worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well and played well for us over in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He's a great guy to have around a team. There is no doubt about that and obviously the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make in the coming hours I guess."
Ponting, unsurprisingly didn't think Symonds' off-field problems would be held against him. Australian sporting culture is currently overloaded with tales of alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct and Ponting’s approach is in line with the majority of senior administrators thinking. Surprisingly though he also didn’t think that Symonds’ lack of runs at first-class level would be held against him either.
In a rather pathetic and predictable start to hostilities Ponting yesterday took a swipe at his England counterpart and said it was important to keep Andrew Strauss quiet.
Strauss played a key role at the top of the order in England's 2-1 series win four years ago. Since taking over the captaincy, Strauss has scored 597 runs at 59.70 in seven Tests against the West Indies compared to a career average of 43.96.
Jardine’s Verdict: The inclusion of Symonds in the test squad wouldbe a strong indication of the Australian mindset. It will also be a marked change in selection policy from the tried and tested picking the best XI to the not so proven picking your best mates. We should all know soon.
Jardine’s Touring 16: Ponting (Captain), Clarke (VC), Haddin, Hughes, Katich, M Hussey, Hilfenhaus, Johnson, Lee, Siddle, Hauritz, McDonald, Clark, Symonds, North, Manou
Tuesday 19 May 2009
2nd Test - Review
James Anderson finally delivered what we all suspected he could (namely a sustained spell of quality swing bowling) as England beat West Indies at the Riverside by an innings and 83 runs to tidy up a 2-0 series win.
England needed seven wickets at the start of play and despite morning showers bowled out West Indies for 176 in the third over after lunch. Anderson ended up with 4-38 and excellent match figures of 9-125, while Tim Bresnan (3-45) claimed his first Test wickets.
With the Wisden Trophy regained in emphatic style, England will be heartened that they have won both Tests by such convincing margins with the first Ashes Test against Australia just seven weeks away.
The opening hour of the final day proved frustrating for England, featuring two interruptions and just 7.1 overs of actual cricket, but the rain was actually beneficial to the bowlers as it added some spice to the wicket, providing both swing and a bit of extra pace.
Doubts crept into the minds of the West Indies batsmen, England got the ball rolling with wickets from a couple of loose deliveries. Firstly, Anderson served up a short ball wide of off-stump, but instead of launching a full-blooded cut shot, Lendl Simmons opted for a tentative waft and simply provided Scott Borthwick, a substitute fielder at backward point, with catching practice. Borthwick claimed a second easy catch to finally give Bresnan his first Test wicket when the Australian Nash guided a ball travelling down the leg side to square-leg. Bresnan's second wicket came in more authentic style when Denesh Ramdin, facing only his second delivery, edged a well pitched-up away-swinger to third slip.
However, Anderson’s best was still to come. Having embarrassed Jerome Taylor with a series of outswingers which the batsman missed, he decided enough was enough and uprooted his off stump with an inswinger.
To be honest, none of the lower order were likely to resist Anderson for long and Sulieman Benn frankly did well to last 12 balls, before a superb ball swung through his defences to make a mess of the stumps.
Chanderpaul only survived 10 balls after the interval as Anderson, maintaining an immaculate line and length, found the outside edge and Paul Collingwood - retaining the gloves while Matt Prior recovered from a badly-bruised finger - clung on to the catch.
The end came moments later as Fidel Edwards smacked a boundary off Bresnan but then skied a catch high to the second substitute fielder, Karl Turner. Positioned at fine leg, the youngster made no mistake - and England now go back up a place to fifth in the rather pointless ICC Test rankings.
Jardine's Verdict: A fine start to the summer but a lot more to do to retain The Ashes
England needed seven wickets at the start of play and despite morning showers bowled out West Indies for 176 in the third over after lunch. Anderson ended up with 4-38 and excellent match figures of 9-125, while Tim Bresnan (3-45) claimed his first Test wickets.
With the Wisden Trophy regained in emphatic style, England will be heartened that they have won both Tests by such convincing margins with the first Ashes Test against Australia just seven weeks away.
The opening hour of the final day proved frustrating for England, featuring two interruptions and just 7.1 overs of actual cricket, but the rain was actually beneficial to the bowlers as it added some spice to the wicket, providing both swing and a bit of extra pace.
Doubts crept into the minds of the West Indies batsmen, England got the ball rolling with wickets from a couple of loose deliveries. Firstly, Anderson served up a short ball wide of off-stump, but instead of launching a full-blooded cut shot, Lendl Simmons opted for a tentative waft and simply provided Scott Borthwick, a substitute fielder at backward point, with catching practice. Borthwick claimed a second easy catch to finally give Bresnan his first Test wicket when the Australian Nash guided a ball travelling down the leg side to square-leg. Bresnan's second wicket came in more authentic style when Denesh Ramdin, facing only his second delivery, edged a well pitched-up away-swinger to third slip.
However, Anderson’s best was still to come. Having embarrassed Jerome Taylor with a series of outswingers which the batsman missed, he decided enough was enough and uprooted his off stump with an inswinger.
To be honest, none of the lower order were likely to resist Anderson for long and Sulieman Benn frankly did well to last 12 balls, before a superb ball swung through his defences to make a mess of the stumps.
Chanderpaul only survived 10 balls after the interval as Anderson, maintaining an immaculate line and length, found the outside edge and Paul Collingwood - retaining the gloves while Matt Prior recovered from a badly-bruised finger - clung on to the catch.
The end came moments later as Fidel Edwards smacked a boundary off Bresnan but then skied a catch high to the second substitute fielder, Karl Turner. Positioned at fine leg, the youngster made no mistake - and England now go back up a place to fifth in the rather pointless ICC Test rankings.
Jardine's Verdict: A fine start to the summer but a lot more to do to retain The Ashes
Monday 18 May 2009
Second Test
It don't mean a thing if a it ain't got that swing
A comfortable victory in the second test... more to follow just as soon as we finish this last bottle of Champagne
A comfortable victory in the second test... more to follow just as soon as we finish this last bottle of Champagne
Tuesday 12 May 2009
The Sign of Four Runs - Arthur Conan Doyle
Thanks to Frank Keating in the Guardian for reminding us all today that the Scottish sleuth author played first class cricket. Conan Doyle played 10 games for MCC between 1900 and 1907, averaging a respectable 19 with the bat. He was said to "hit hard" and bowl "slows with a puzzling flight". Playing against London County at, of all places, Crystal Palace he had the great WG caught behind and despite a rather Pringle-esque bowling average he once took 7 for 61 against Cambridgeshire.
Not the Bell end?
England have recalled Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom for Thursday's second Test against West Indies at the Riverside.
Bowler Sidebottom is recalled at the expense of spinner Monty “monty” Panesar while Squeaky Bell is also included in a 13-man squad after making two centuries this season. Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan, who made their Test debuts in the emphatic 10-wicket win over the tourists at Lord's, retain their places in the squad.
Onions in particular impressed in the first Test, taking seven wickets, including 5-38 in the tourists' first innings, while Bresnan bowled just seven overs and had little chance to shine but he apparently makes a mean strawberry daquiri and impressed at the Canasta table after the 2nd days play.
Bell has not featured for England since he was rightly dropped after England's humiliating innings and 23 runs defeat by the West Indies in Jamaica three months ago. But the short and temperamentally suspect 27-year-old has been rewarded for excellent early season form which has seen him score centuries for the MCC and Warwickshire.
Monty "Monty" has lost his place as England's first-choice spinner to his old Northants team-mate Graeme Swann, the leading wicket taker in Test cricket in 2009.
"Monty Panesar is unlucky but it was always highly unlikely that we would play two spinners at Chester-le-Street," said Geoff 'Rusty' Miller, Chairman of selectors and occ. off-spinner.
________________________________________
England squad: AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wicketkeeper), SCJ Broad, TT Bresnan, GP Swann, JM Anderson, G Onions, RJ Sidebottom.
Jardine's Verdict: An interesting decision to recall Bell for the 2nd test when he had already hit a brace of tons before the 1st test, more concerns about Collingwood? Sidebottom's recall will also add a bit of pressure on Bresnan in light of Swann's potential as a test all rounder.
Jardine's XI:
AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wicketkeeper), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, G Onions, RJ Sidebottom.
Bowler Sidebottom is recalled at the expense of spinner Monty “monty” Panesar while Squeaky Bell is also included in a 13-man squad after making two centuries this season. Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan, who made their Test debuts in the emphatic 10-wicket win over the tourists at Lord's, retain their places in the squad.
Onions in particular impressed in the first Test, taking seven wickets, including 5-38 in the tourists' first innings, while Bresnan bowled just seven overs and had little chance to shine but he apparently makes a mean strawberry daquiri and impressed at the Canasta table after the 2nd days play.
Bell has not featured for England since he was rightly dropped after England's humiliating innings and 23 runs defeat by the West Indies in Jamaica three months ago. But the short and temperamentally suspect 27-year-old has been rewarded for excellent early season form which has seen him score centuries for the MCC and Warwickshire.
Monty "Monty" has lost his place as England's first-choice spinner to his old Northants team-mate Graeme Swann, the leading wicket taker in Test cricket in 2009.
"Monty Panesar is unlucky but it was always highly unlikely that we would play two spinners at Chester-le-Street," said Geoff 'Rusty' Miller, Chairman of selectors and occ. off-spinner.
________________________________________
England squad: AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wicketkeeper), SCJ Broad, TT Bresnan, GP Swann, JM Anderson, G Onions, RJ Sidebottom.
Jardine's Verdict: An interesting decision to recall Bell for the 2nd test when he had already hit a brace of tons before the 1st test, more concerns about Collingwood? Sidebottom's recall will also add a bit of pressure on Bresnan in light of Swann's potential as a test all rounder.
Jardine's XI:
AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, RS Bopara, KP Pietersen, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wicketkeeper), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, G Onions, RJ Sidebottom.
Poll Results - 3
Who will top score for England at Lords?
Strauss (0%)
Cook (0%)
Bopara (100%)
KP (0%)
One of the others 0 (0%)
Extras (0%)
Strauss (0%)
Cook (0%)
Bopara (100%)
KP (0%)
One of the others 0 (0%)
Extras (0%)
Saturday 9 May 2009
Day 3 - The housemates are back in the bar
England strolled to a comfortable 10-wicket victory over the West Indies inside three days at Lord's to win an opening Test for the first time in 15 attempts.
It was the first time in seven matches that England had taken 20 wickets in a match - the last occasion coming in the fourth Test win over South Africa in August of last year. The fine bowling performance left England needing just 32 for victory and Strauss and fellow opener Alastair Cook secured the win after 6.1 overs.
Following a one-hour morning rain delay, the visitors had been reduced to 80-5 in their second innings, still needing a further 145 runs to make England's openers strap on their pads one more time.
Ramdin (61) and Nash (81), both centurions in the Test series between these teams in the Caribbean, dug in, before finally falling to an impressively hostile Broad. Surprisingly still only 22, Broad was quick to realise the short-pitched ball had become more of a threat than fuller-pitched deliveries.
Man of the match Swann, meanwhile, matched Broad's three-wicket haul - by removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul cheaply for the second time in the match before completely confusing two tail-enders.
Thursday's hero Graham Onions’ first over contained a loose leg-side dwelivery that Simmons lazily flicked at and Cook snaffled the catch. Strauss then immediately introduced his arch nemesis Swann, who promptly removed Chanderpaul. Starting the match ranked the best batsman in Test cricket, the front on left-hander lasted a mere six balls in the whole match.
Smith fell in the 40s for the second time in the match when a swinging delivery from Onions, smashed his stumps. Wicketkeeper Ramdin drove and cut Onions for consecutive boundaries during a 100-run partnership with Nash .
Strauss had tried umpteen bowling changes, and brought on Broad to begin a spell just before tea from the Pavilion End. And it was Broad who finally found a way through Ramdin, with a ball that jagged down the hill. The final session opened with a couple of crunching drives from Jerome Taylor before he tried to heave Swann across the line and was lbw, then Sulieman Benn was promptly bowled by the off-spinner. Broad was by now bowling with great venom and accuracy, and Fidel Edwards lasted just three balls before splicing a vicious throat ball to Tim Bresnan, who awoke from his debut test slumber to take a good catch in the gully.
Nash was pretty soon the last man out, upper-cutting Broad to Alastair Cook at third man. In glorious evening sunshine, Cook and Strauss had few problems in reaching their minuscule target. Cook hooked Taylor for a sumptuous boundary and drove him for another, before Strauss's cover-drive off Edwards finished off proceedings.
Jardine's Verdict: I fine start for Flower, Onions and Bopara (at 3). Whilst the Windies were pretty woeful it was nonetheless a great start to the summer.
It was the first time in seven matches that England had taken 20 wickets in a match - the last occasion coming in the fourth Test win over South Africa in August of last year. The fine bowling performance left England needing just 32 for victory and Strauss and fellow opener Alastair Cook secured the win after 6.1 overs.
Following a one-hour morning rain delay, the visitors had been reduced to 80-5 in their second innings, still needing a further 145 runs to make England's openers strap on their pads one more time.
Ramdin (61) and Nash (81), both centurions in the Test series between these teams in the Caribbean, dug in, before finally falling to an impressively hostile Broad. Surprisingly still only 22, Broad was quick to realise the short-pitched ball had become more of a threat than fuller-pitched deliveries.
Man of the match Swann, meanwhile, matched Broad's three-wicket haul - by removing Shivnarine Chanderpaul cheaply for the second time in the match before completely confusing two tail-enders.
Thursday's hero Graham Onions’ first over contained a loose leg-side dwelivery that Simmons lazily flicked at and Cook snaffled the catch. Strauss then immediately introduced his arch nemesis Swann, who promptly removed Chanderpaul. Starting the match ranked the best batsman in Test cricket, the front on left-hander lasted a mere six balls in the whole match.
Smith fell in the 40s for the second time in the match when a swinging delivery from Onions, smashed his stumps. Wicketkeeper Ramdin drove and cut Onions for consecutive boundaries during a 100-run partnership with Nash .
Strauss had tried umpteen bowling changes, and brought on Broad to begin a spell just before tea from the Pavilion End. And it was Broad who finally found a way through Ramdin, with a ball that jagged down the hill. The final session opened with a couple of crunching drives from Jerome Taylor before he tried to heave Swann across the line and was lbw, then Sulieman Benn was promptly bowled by the off-spinner. Broad was by now bowling with great venom and accuracy, and Fidel Edwards lasted just three balls before splicing a vicious throat ball to Tim Bresnan, who awoke from his debut test slumber to take a good catch in the gully.
Nash was pretty soon the last man out, upper-cutting Broad to Alastair Cook at third man. In glorious evening sunshine, Cook and Strauss had few problems in reaching their minuscule target. Cook hooked Taylor for a sumptuous boundary and drove him for another, before Strauss's cover-drive off Edwards finished off proceedings.
Jardine's Verdict: I fine start for Flower, Onions and Bopara (at 3). Whilst the Windies were pretty woeful it was nonetheless a great start to the summer.
Friday 8 May 2009
Poll Result - 2
Who is the best currently available England all- rounder?
1. Phil Defreitas (66%)
2. Geoff Miller (30%)
3. Tim Bresnan (3%)
4. Andrew Symonds (0%)
1. Phil Defreitas (66%)
2. Geoff Miller (30%)
3. Tim Bresnan (3%)
4. Andrew Symonds (0%)
Day 2 - Ease & Onions
Graham Onions enjoyed a dream debut in the first Test as England's bowlers tore through a dejected West Indies on a chilly, overcast day at HQ.
Having reached 99-2 in reply to the home team's 377, the Windies were blown away 152 all out. Onions took three wickets in an over and wound up with a marvellous 5-38. With five fit bowlers and the clouds remaining in place, Andrew Strauss enforced the follow-on and James Anderson removed Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan to leave West Indies 39-2, and still trailing by 186.
England began on 289-7, optimistically targeting 400. Thanks to Swann's unbeaten 63, and Ravi Bopara 143 - England almost made it. Swann bossed the strike in a 93-run partnership with Bopara, opening with some handsome drives through the off-side off both Fidel Edwards and Jerome Taylor. His maiden Test half century arrived in style with a hook for six off Lionel Baker before Bopara drove Taylor uppishly to cover. Fidel Edwards, who had endured some awful dropped catches on Wednesday, finished with 6-92 for his second-best figures in Test cricket.
England started badly and bizarrely with Chris Gayle giving Stuart Broad some real tap. Whilst at bthe other end, Strauss gave spinner Swann the new ball (We know he’s good but, surely not in that good nick?)
Finally, Chris Broad’s son got Gayle with an inside edge with the score on 46.
Sarwan played comfortably until Junior tempted him into driving at a wide one and Matt ‘The Cat’ Prior made no mistake with the catch.
The Windies were relying on Devon Smith to hold the innings together but Strauss brought back Swann who had dismissed Smith three times in the Caribbean and again had his number here, with a ball that went straight on. The next ball saw the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, this time to a quality off-break which the batsman edged to Collingwood at slip. In trouble on 99-4 at tea, that was nothing compared to what was to follow. Australian Brendan Nash looked ill-at-ease against Swann, and it was no surprise when he also fell to a Collingwood slip catch, this time taking low to his left.
Onions was by now hitting the deck hard, and in a sensational sixth over he took three wickets. Lendl Simmons fended an outswinger to Strauss at first slip. Taylor bottom-edged to Matt The Cat and then Benn's nick was taken by a diving Swann at third slip. Denesh Ramdin was dropped by the other debutant Tim Bresnan off the returning Broad, but he fell lbw in the next Onions over.
Onions had picked up four wickets in seven balls and so nearly had a fifth - but Collingwood dropped last man Baker in the slips. That should have been 130 all out, and England missed a run out chance to finish off the innings on 139. However, on 152 Onions won another lbw decision to wrap up the innings
Strauss enforced the follow on and although Smith lived to fight another day, Gayle departed for a duck with an edge to third slip and Sarwan made just one before playing Anderson onto his stumps.
Jardine’s Verdict: All in all a good day at the office and if the weather holds and the pitch retains a bit of movement things look positive for the revamped England. That being said this is only Day Two of a long summer and there is plenty more to be done before we can entertain thoughts of giving Australia a real run for their money later in the season. The Windies will surely not be as lacklustre again and until Chanderpaul is safely back in the hutch any result is still possible.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Day 1 - Bop while they drop
Ravi Bopara staked a solid claim for the number 3 Ashes birth with a maiden Lords Test century as Engalnd profitted from some abysmal West indian fielding to end the first day of the summer on 286-7.
Jardine's Verdict: A fine knock by Bopara against a spirited but slipshod West Indian team. So, a good start for him at three but on balance you would expect most of the world's number 3's to knock off a ton against Edwards, Taylor, Benn & Co. That being said the other England batsmen looked a bit rusty, with the exception of KP who recieved an absolute jaffa from Edwards.
Jardine's Verdict: A fine knock by Bopara against a spirited but slipshod West Indian team. So, a good start for him at three but on balance you would expect most of the world's number 3's to knock off a ton against Edwards, Taylor, Benn & Co. That being said the other England batsmen looked a bit rusty, with the exception of KP who recieved an absolute jaffa from Edwards.
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Don't worry that's them out of it!
Australia have included controversial English all-rounder Andrew Symonds in their 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in England, which starts on 5 June.
So, we can write them off. The rest of the squad is...
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson
Jardine's Verdict: On paper a strong squad. In reality? They are no longer invincible despite the emergence of the prodigously talented Mitchell Johnson. Michael 'Mr Cricket' Hussey is a liability and Symonds is drinking his way through the wine list in the last chance saloon. Brett Lee, out for too long, too slow and a surely only picked on history not form. David Warner the new 'Slogging Sensation' is too hit and miss and the lack of a steadying slow bowler is their real achilles heel.
So, we can write them off. The rest of the squad is...
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson
Jardine's Verdict: On paper a strong squad. In reality? They are no longer invincible despite the emergence of the prodigously talented Mitchell Johnson. Michael 'Mr Cricket' Hussey is a liability and Symonds is drinking his way through the wine list in the last chance saloon. Brett Lee, out for too long, too slow and a surely only picked on history not form. David Warner the new 'Slogging Sensation' is too hit and miss and the lack of a steadying slow bowler is their real achilles heel.
Boycott turns traitor
Permanently bitter professional Yorkshireman Geoffrey Boycott insists England are in no shape to reclaim the Ashes from Australia this summer.
Boycott has concerns over the England captaincy, the batting order, the lunch menu, the parking spaces, the lack of Yorkshiremen in the team and what he sees as an inability to get the maximum out of the players available.
"England are not in great shape," the former rather unsuccessful England skipper and turncoat told BBC One's Inside Sport.
"Can they win the Ashes? No, I think they will draw if anything, and the Australians will retain them."
Boycott pointed to England's winter of discontent, where they struggled on and off the field, as a major reason for their difficulties. The stereotypical Tyke, who made made 108 Test match appearances for England, highlighted the fall-out from the Stanford Super Series and Kevin Pietersen's resignation as captain as particularly damaging. The irony of having a disruptive, selfish player in the England dressing room was surprisingly lost on the self styled 'Sir' Geoffrey.
Boycott believes the issue of captaincy has yet to be resolved, despite the appointment of Andrew Strauss, who was voted England's player of the year on Monday for the second time in his career. "They've got Andrew Strauss who is quite a nice lad - he will do a decent job - but I'm not convinced he is a natural captain. It's a gift, to look after 10 other people and also to still look after your own game and play well, and at the same time be thinking two steps ahead of the game. When you're captain you can't just wait for things to happen. The great captains are thinking ahead." Thinking of how many runs they are going to accumulate Geoffrey? This is the Geoff Boycott who was once deliberately run out by Ian Botham in New Zealand, when batting for his average rather than the team.
Jardine's Verdict: Never known for his subtle approach. Tired old Geoffrey has done it again, putting the boot in on the eve of the first test of the year. Whilst some of his observations are not the wild rantings of a lunatic they are done with only one thing in mind. Promoting Geoffrey Boycott. Once again "Sir" Geoffrey has put himself in front of his test team. Thankfully nobody takes the old codger seriously any more!!
Boycott has concerns over the England captaincy, the batting order, the lunch menu, the parking spaces, the lack of Yorkshiremen in the team and what he sees as an inability to get the maximum out of the players available.
"England are not in great shape," the former rather unsuccessful England skipper and turncoat told BBC One's Inside Sport.
"Can they win the Ashes? No, I think they will draw if anything, and the Australians will retain them."
Boycott pointed to England's winter of discontent, where they struggled on and off the field, as a major reason for their difficulties. The stereotypical Tyke, who made made 108 Test match appearances for England, highlighted the fall-out from the Stanford Super Series and Kevin Pietersen's resignation as captain as particularly damaging. The irony of having a disruptive, selfish player in the England dressing room was surprisingly lost on the self styled 'Sir' Geoffrey.
Boycott believes the issue of captaincy has yet to be resolved, despite the appointment of Andrew Strauss, who was voted England's player of the year on Monday for the second time in his career. "They've got Andrew Strauss who is quite a nice lad - he will do a decent job - but I'm not convinced he is a natural captain. It's a gift, to look after 10 other people and also to still look after your own game and play well, and at the same time be thinking two steps ahead of the game. When you're captain you can't just wait for things to happen. The great captains are thinking ahead." Thinking of how many runs they are going to accumulate Geoffrey? This is the Geoff Boycott who was once deliberately run out by Ian Botham in New Zealand, when batting for his average rather than the team.
Jardine's Verdict: Never known for his subtle approach. Tired old Geoffrey has done it again, putting the boot in on the eve of the first test of the year. Whilst some of his observations are not the wild rantings of a lunatic they are done with only one thing in mind. Promoting Geoffrey Boycott. Once again "Sir" Geoffrey has put himself in front of his test team. Thankfully nobody takes the old codger seriously any more!!
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Introducing the future 20/20 World Cup Winners!
India
In the meantime England have announced their 15 man squad. We know, we all said the same thing. Where is Phil DeFreitas?
James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood (capt), Andrew Flintoff, James Foster (wk), Rob Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Jardine's Verdict: Well, as hosts we do have to submit a team to fulfill our fixtures and that is exactly what we've done. Not a chance
In the meantime England have announced their 15 man squad. We know, we all said the same thing. Where is Phil DeFreitas?
James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood (capt), Andrew Flintoff, James Foster (wk), Rob Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
Jardine's Verdict: Well, as hosts we do have to submit a team to fulfill our fixtures and that is exactly what we've done. Not a chance
Thursday 30 April 2009
Poll Results - Number 1
Should Ian Bell play in the first test?
Yes, of course 0 (0%)
No, you idiot 20 (66%)
Only if he wears high heals10 (33%)
Who is Ian Bell? 0 (0%)
Yes, of course 0 (0%)
No, you idiot 20 (66%)
Only if he wears high heals10 (33%)
Who is Ian Bell? 0 (0%)
Bell end?
The England selectors have left batsmen Owais Shah, Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan and fast bowler Steve Harmison out of the squad for the first Test against West Indies at Lord's.
The impact of this bold approach means that erstwhile number 6 and 20/20 slogger Ravi Bopara is set to take on the vital number three role. Something that should fill any England supporters heart with a small amount of concern. Bell was intriguingly overlooked despite clattering a couple of early season centuries, suggesting that England really do have concerns about him. Former skipper and “saviour of English cricket”™ Vaughan had only managed to notch runs in a 50 over game and selectors are looking for him to make a couple of big scores. The problem is that Vaughan’s test average is far superior to his county average and not unlike previous England number 3 David Gower he quite obviously relishes the big match atmosphere of the Test arena, rather than the humdrum task of smashing county bowlers to all parts of the ground.
In addition uncapped seamers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions are surprise inclusions and they should provide adequate support for James Anderson and Stuart Broad. However, their selection highlights the very real need to get FF and Sidebottom back in the side. Fortunately England have resisted calling up Saj Mahmood and Matthew Hoggard which even in reliable old, shaggy old Hoggard’s case would have been a retrograde step.
Chairman of selectors Geoff Miller exclaimed: "This is very exciting for the two young fast bowlers to be included in the squad for a Lord's Test match and sends a message to all county players that if they put in consistently good performances they will get recognised. They have earned their place in the party."
Elsewhere in the squad Matt Prior keeps his place as wicketkeeper and is likely to bat at six at Lord's, which given Sussex’s use of him as an opener or number 4 will not be a stretch for the bald stumper. Chris Broad’s son or possibly newcomer Bresnan, who has hit three first-class centuries, will therefore be going in at number seven.
Monty ‘Monty’ Panesar and Graeme Swann are both in the squad but only one is likely to play in the first Test, with Swann appearing quite clearly to be in pole position. He was England's leading wicket-taker in the series in the West Indies earlier this year, with 19 victims at a very impressive cost of only 24 runs each. Despite the facts staring him in the eyes the lugubrious Miller stated: "We know where we stand, it was proven in the West Indies, but there's not a number one England spinner." A statement that could be read one of three ways 1) a reminder to Swann to keep on the straight and narrow, 2) a subtle arm around Monty ‘Monty’ or 3) he is already modelling his tenure in the Chairman’s role on Lord Ted Dexter.
England squad: Andrew Strauss (capt), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Chris Broad’s son, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Graham Onions, Monty ‘Monty’ Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann.
Jardine’s Verdict: Bold moves on the bowling front highlight paucity of options. Bopara at number three? Surely just keeping the number 3 spot warm for Vaughany. Who only needs to hit a couple square of the wicket to get the Ashes call up!
Wednesday 29 April 2009
Younis Khan states the obvious
Pakistan captain Younis Khan has blamed the Australians for unnecessarily creating issues while playing against India and Pakistan after teammate Saeed Ajmal was reported for his bowling action during the second ODI in Dubai on April 24 which he had suggested resulted from a complaint by Australian all-rounder Shane Watson to the umpires.
Younis said controversies reared up whenever Australia play sub-continental sides and wondered what was wrong in Ajmal bowling a 'doosra', which seemingly raised the ire of the rather precious Aussies.
Younis said "This is always happening with India and Pakistan and Australia, Why do we create all the time controversies? Why? It's a fair game, you know," he mused. Younis stressed it was simply a matter of Ajmal bowling a quicker ball, and not cheating. "You're talking about the doosra, 'Why he bowl doosra?' "Why (shouldn't Ajmal) bowl doosra? Because this is an art and especially Pakistanis and Indians they have the art, so why (should it) not be allowed?" Younis was quoted as saying by the normally one-eyed Australian Associated Press.
Younis pointed to a previous report laid over the faster ball of Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi. "We're not cheating actually, sometimes they ask you why should you bowl very fast and then they say why should Afridi bowl a ball suddenly at 140kph? "We're not cheating actually, I think that's the beauty of cricket," said Younis. Australia captain Michael ‘Call me Skipper’ Clarke tried to play down the controversy, saying that Watson hadn't made a specific complain to umpires about Ajmal's action. "Watto certainly didn't go to the umpires and say a word, none of our players have approached the umpires and spoken about it," Clarke said. That sentence in itself covers a multitude of sins. Whislt no players directly approached the umpires it is very easy (as any fule kno’) to have a robust conversation with teammates that may possibly be overheard by the Umpires.
Michael ‘I’m a bit of a star me’ Clarke continued, "I think Watto was pretty upset with the shot he played and getting out. He's been in really good nick the whole tour and I think he's been a little bit disappointed he hasn't made as many runs as he would have liked,". All the more reason to accuse the bowler of chucking then?
The stand in Aussie skipper (sorry that should read Michael 'I have a celebrity girlfriend' Clarke said they would concentrate on the game and leave the legalities to International Cricket Council to sort out. Having of course used their typical brand of ‘psychological warfare’ or dissent as it is known in other games, to useful effect.
Jardine Verdict: Far be it for me to imply the reason that players from the sub-continent are continually targeted by Australian players is anything other than pure coincidence… However, we can expect this one to run and run.
Younis said controversies reared up whenever Australia play sub-continental sides and wondered what was wrong in Ajmal bowling a 'doosra', which seemingly raised the ire of the rather precious Aussies.
Younis said "This is always happening with India and Pakistan and Australia, Why do we create all the time controversies? Why? It's a fair game, you know," he mused. Younis stressed it was simply a matter of Ajmal bowling a quicker ball, and not cheating. "You're talking about the doosra, 'Why he bowl doosra?' "Why (shouldn't Ajmal) bowl doosra? Because this is an art and especially Pakistanis and Indians they have the art, so why (should it) not be allowed?" Younis was quoted as saying by the normally one-eyed Australian Associated Press.
Younis pointed to a previous report laid over the faster ball of Pakistan leg-spinner Shahid Afridi. "We're not cheating actually, sometimes they ask you why should you bowl very fast and then they say why should Afridi bowl a ball suddenly at 140kph? "We're not cheating actually, I think that's the beauty of cricket," said Younis. Australia captain Michael ‘Call me Skipper’ Clarke tried to play down the controversy, saying that Watson hadn't made a specific complain to umpires about Ajmal's action. "Watto certainly didn't go to the umpires and say a word, none of our players have approached the umpires and spoken about it," Clarke said. That sentence in itself covers a multitude of sins. Whislt no players directly approached the umpires it is very easy (as any fule kno’) to have a robust conversation with teammates that may possibly be overheard by the Umpires.
Michael ‘I’m a bit of a star me’ Clarke continued, "I think Watto was pretty upset with the shot he played and getting out. He's been in really good nick the whole tour and I think he's been a little bit disappointed he hasn't made as many runs as he would have liked,". All the more reason to accuse the bowler of chucking then?
The stand in Aussie skipper (sorry that should read Michael 'I have a celebrity girlfriend' Clarke said they would concentrate on the game and leave the legalities to International Cricket Council to sort out. Having of course used their typical brand of ‘psychological warfare’ or dissent as it is known in other games, to useful effect.
Jardine Verdict: Far be it for me to imply the reason that players from the sub-continent are continually targeted by Australian players is anything other than pure coincidence… However, we can expect this one to run and run.
Saturday 25 April 2009
Yabba-dabba-don't tell me he is injured again!
England all-rounder Fred Flintstone has returned to England from the IPL to undergo surgery on his right knee after dropping a boulder on it, no doubt.
He is expected to be out of action for three to five weeks (which in Fred speak is usually followed by a hamstring pull, a calf problem and then his ankle will go – so three months!)
The injury prone 31-year-old will miss the two-Test series against West Indies, which starts at Lord's on 6 May. He is expected to be fit for the ICC World Twenty20 in June (when he will no doubt slip a disk getting into a sponsored car) and the Ashes series against Australia which he will commentate on for Sky.
I can’t even bring myself to write the "I told you so" paragraph that should follow this thoroughly disappointing news.
So, instead contend yourself with looking at the catalogue of disasters that makes up a third of Andrew Flintoff’s (no relation) test career…
FLINTOFF'S MISERY
1999 Returned early from South Africa with broken foot
2000 Back injury ended Pakistan tour
2002 Hernia operation and then returns from Ashes tour with groin problem
2003 Missed Zimbabwe series with shoulder injury
2005 Ankle surgery in January
2006 Out for 12 weeks after ankle surgery
2007 More surgery to left ankle
2008 Missed series in New Zealand because of side strain
2007 Missed part of Test and one-day series in West Indies because of hip injury
2009 Missed home Test series against West Indies because of knee injury picked up chasing the cash in 20/20 thrash.
Jardine's Verdict: It could (only could mind) be a blessing in disguise. But the reality is more likely to be that the one area we truly dominate Australia, namely in having a quality all-rounder has been blown out of the water. Time to give Daffy Defreitas a call. Well, he is at least better than Andrew Symonds!
Friday 24 April 2009
IPL 2 - The Sequel
What to make of it? What’s going on?
Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders? Hang on a minute - Rewind; Kings & Royals? Yes, I suppose so. Indians? Natch. Knight Riders? What? Is Hasselhoff opening the bowling? Talking ‘kit’? Oh, I know it is easy pickings, pure JM96* fodder but surely somebody could have come up with something better. It’s done now, no use crying over it…
So, this is NEW cricket, 20/20, the world’s best sloggers versus the world’s best dibby-dobby bowlers.
How does it stack up? Better than the first series? Or too early to tell? Most probably the latter but the issue is that given the fleeting appearances of a number of the main performers (that damn pesky Test Match thing is getting in the way) it won’t be until after Freddie, KP, Chris Gayle et al head off, that the true quality of the tournament will reveal itself with a smattering of retired Aussies and Brendan McCullum rubbing shoulders with the Indian World Twenty20 champions.
The most entertaining aspect of the tournament so far has been Shane Warne (ex-Test Cricketer and Coach of Jaipur) stating that international/test players don’t need a coach. Unless of course they are playing IPL when remarkably they do! http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23294086-2882%2C00.html
Jardine’s Verdict: IPL2 – Some great cricketers, making a shed load of cash from relatively competitive games but… do we really want to see Matthew Hayden pumping up his ample bosom?
Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders? Hang on a minute - Rewind; Kings & Royals? Yes, I suppose so. Indians? Natch. Knight Riders? What? Is Hasselhoff opening the bowling? Talking ‘kit’? Oh, I know it is easy pickings, pure JM96* fodder but surely somebody could have come up with something better. It’s done now, no use crying over it…
So, this is NEW cricket, 20/20, the world’s best sloggers versus the world’s best dibby-dobby bowlers.
How does it stack up? Better than the first series? Or too early to tell? Most probably the latter but the issue is that given the fleeting appearances of a number of the main performers (that damn pesky Test Match thing is getting in the way) it won’t be until after Freddie, KP, Chris Gayle et al head off, that the true quality of the tournament will reveal itself with a smattering of retired Aussies and Brendan McCullum rubbing shoulders with the Indian World Twenty20 champions.
The most entertaining aspect of the tournament so far has been Shane Warne (ex-Test Cricketer and Coach of Jaipur) stating that international/test players don’t need a coach. Unless of course they are playing IPL when remarkably they do! http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C23294086-2882%2C00.html
Jardine’s Verdict: IPL2 – Some great cricketers, making a shed load of cash from relatively competitive games but… do we really want to see Matthew Hayden pumping up his ample bosom?
Thursday 23 April 2009
World Twenty20
Kent skipper Blob Key, is remarkably in the running to become England's captain for the ICC World Twenty20, will lead the Lions again, as he did last summer and during the winter on their tour of New Zealand.
A number of Kent fans that I know swear by Key but I can’t help but feel last seasons failures (Lost Cup final and relegation from Div 1 must offset some of the enthusiasm). Also can he really justify his place in the side as a batsman? Destructive with the willow he well may be but surely his fielding is a major barrier to inclusion.
Jardine's verdict: Are you mad?
A number of Kent fans that I know swear by Key but I can’t help but feel last seasons failures (Lost Cup final and relegation from Div 1 must offset some of the enthusiasm). Also can he really justify his place in the side as a batsman? Destructive with the willow he well may be but surely his fielding is a major barrier to inclusion.
Jardine's verdict: Are you mad?
England Lions - The rest of the squad
Kent's Blob Key will skipper the side, which includes seven internationals.
Stumper Tim Ambrose, seam duo Sajid Mahmood & Liam Plunkett, Warwicks bat Jonathan Trott and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright (who really must start to deliver on his undoubted talent) are all due to take part in the four-day game against the tourists on Thursday at Derby.
Interestingly Notts all-rounder Samit ‘Tubs’ Patel is also selected. Tubs was dropped for England's one-day series in the West Indies for "failing to reach acceptable standards of fitness for international cricket". That in itself is a truly remarkable achievement when you consider that the following players have all graced the international stage without booking into their local Fitness First; Eddie Hemmings, Sir Ian Terence Botham, Mike Gatting, Ian Gould, Blob Key, Sir Andrew Flintoff (in the old days) & Mike Gatting (well, he was twice as fat as everyone else!).
England Lions team: Rob Key (Kent, capt), Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire, wkt), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Stephen Moore (Worcestershire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamsire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).
Jardine’s verdict: Even if the England Lions approach this match in the right spirit only Bell (& perhaps Ambrose) have a realistic chance of being called up to the front side.
Stumper Tim Ambrose, seam duo Sajid Mahmood & Liam Plunkett, Warwicks bat Jonathan Trott and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright (who really must start to deliver on his undoubted talent) are all due to take part in the four-day game against the tourists on Thursday at Derby.
Interestingly Notts all-rounder Samit ‘Tubs’ Patel is also selected. Tubs was dropped for England's one-day series in the West Indies for "failing to reach acceptable standards of fitness for international cricket". That in itself is a truly remarkable achievement when you consider that the following players have all graced the international stage without booking into their local Fitness First; Eddie Hemmings, Sir Ian Terence Botham, Mike Gatting, Ian Gould, Blob Key, Sir Andrew Flintoff (in the old days) & Mike Gatting (well, he was twice as fat as everyone else!).
England Lions team: Rob Key (Kent, capt), Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire, wkt), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Stephen Moore (Worcestershire), Samit Patel (Nottinghamsire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).
Jardine’s verdict: Even if the England Lions approach this match in the right spirit only Bell (& perhaps Ambrose) have a realistic chance of being called up to the front side.
Ian Bell
An enigma or just not very good?
Ian Bell's hopes of returning to the England Test squad have apparently been boosted after he was named in the Lions team to play against the West Indies next week. So, is this a case of easing him back into the international fold or a final sip in the last chance saloon?
The diminutive Warwickshire batsman was finally dropped during the winter tour of the Caribbean after a string of unimpressive batting performances. Since his return to County Championship cricket he has responded with two centuries in two games. Does the brace of tons highlight his genuine quality or just underline the paucity of English county bowling attacks?
The county circuit has long been aware of Bell’s ability to grind out big scores, he is regarded as England’s best net batsmen and yet a huge question mark hangs over his ability to score big runs in difficult conditions for his country.
Jardine’s verdict: Two double tons against a spirited WIndies attack and he should be allowed to carry the drinks in the 1st test. However, if Vaughny manages to scrape a fifty between now and then he should get in ahead of the Bell”Meister”™ (Billy Cotton 1994).
Ian Bell's hopes of returning to the England Test squad have apparently been boosted after he was named in the Lions team to play against the West Indies next week. So, is this a case of easing him back into the international fold or a final sip in the last chance saloon?
The diminutive Warwickshire batsman was finally dropped during the winter tour of the Caribbean after a string of unimpressive batting performances. Since his return to County Championship cricket he has responded with two centuries in two games. Does the brace of tons highlight his genuine quality or just underline the paucity of English county bowling attacks?
The county circuit has long been aware of Bell’s ability to grind out big scores, he is regarded as England’s best net batsmen and yet a huge question mark hangs over his ability to score big runs in difficult conditions for his country.
Jardine’s verdict: Two double tons against a spirited WIndies attack and he should be allowed to carry the drinks in the 1st test. However, if Vaughny manages to scrape a fifty between now and then he should get in ahead of the Bell”Meister”™ (Billy Cotton 1994).
Cry God for Harry? Barry? Larry? England and St George
Happy St George's Day (in a non racist, decidedly non-jingoistic way)!
Douglas Jardine
A bit about the namesake of this blog
...During the tour of Australia, for some reason Jardine appeared to develop an intense dislike for the country and its people. Australians claim that this was provoked by his own pretentious behaviour, as cricket fans took exception to his exclusive Harlequin cap and somewhat haughty attitude. It is recorded that during one tour match Australian player Hunter Hendry expressed his sympathies to Jardine for the jeers the crowd was giving him, and Jardine responded, "All Australians are uneducated, and an unruly mob."
Later, at the second Test in Sydney where the crowd was again hurling abuse at Jardine, fellow English cricketer Patsy Hendren observed that "They don't seem to like you very much over here, Mr Jardine." Jardine replied, "The feeling is fucking mutual"...
* This is not a view shared by The Jardine Report, except...
...During the tour of Australia, for some reason Jardine appeared to develop an intense dislike for the country and its people. Australians claim that this was provoked by his own pretentious behaviour, as cricket fans took exception to his exclusive Harlequin cap and somewhat haughty attitude. It is recorded that during one tour match Australian player Hunter Hendry expressed his sympathies to Jardine for the jeers the crowd was giving him, and Jardine responded, "All Australians are uneducated, and an unruly mob."
Later, at the second Test in Sydney where the crowd was again hurling abuse at Jardine, fellow English cricketer Patsy Hendren observed that "They don't seem to like you very much over here, Mr Jardine." Jardine replied, "The feeling is fucking mutual"...
* This is not a view shared by The Jardine Report, except...
Welcome to the Jardine Report
The home of cricket facts, fiction, nonsense and above all the place where all right/left minded cricket lovers get the chance to stick it to the scourge of global cricket - the Aussies!
During the course of this summer follow Jardine as he uncovers the truth (as he sees it) about the game we love. With the IPL underway, Australia playing Pakistan in the UAE, Andy Flower at the England helm, the 20/20 World Cup and The Ashes to follow, there is so much to cover. So, with the covers off, the pitch rolled, the stumps in, the bowler's run up marked out, the batsmen have taken guard there is nothing more to say than - PLAY!
During the course of this summer follow Jardine as he uncovers the truth (as he sees it) about the game we love. With the IPL underway, Australia playing Pakistan in the UAE, Andy Flower at the England helm, the 20/20 World Cup and The Ashes to follow, there is so much to cover. So, with the covers off, the pitch rolled, the stumps in, the bowler's run up marked out, the batsmen have taken guard there is nothing more to say than - PLAY!
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