In the Crowd, I don’t see a thing…

In the build up to the 4^th Test, there has been an interesting number of discussions about the make-up of both teams and by the time this feature slides onto screens both should have been announced. England very kindly matched my selection but a strong rumour has it that Mitch Marsh has managed to retain the all-rounder slot ahead of Cameron Green. Come what may, the two elevens are only one part of the fixture. 

 

The umpires of course will have their input, albeit in this day & age their influence is only felt after their competence has been questioned up to a maximum of 3 times each by both teams per innings. Our CCTV world has relegated the Umpires from arch decision makers to glorified ball-counting hat & coat stands, with their future involvement to be diminished further by AI in the coming years (welcome to the club)!

 

However, the fascinating difference could well be what happens in the stands, boxes and concourses of Old Trafford. The sanctimonious hysteria in the Australian Press, especially after the Lord’s episode has been quite something to behold. Patently none of them have ever seen or heard SCG members imparting their advice for overseas teams/supporters or sharing/showering their ghastly VB over incoming fielders. No surprise really given that the SMHacks are so far removed from ordinary fans these days. 

 

Cricket crowds have undoubtedly changed and in particular Ashes crowds have risen to the apex of passion and ribaldry. The emergence of the travelling Barmy Army (way back in the last century) has given birth to a couple of copycat Aussie outfits, most notably the Fanatics and the Richie’s (who don’t seem to travel). The obligatory fancy dress has gone from quirky to zany and back and the admirable colour days (Pink Test, Red Test, Blue Test to name but three) are positively embraced by both sets of supporters. 

 

In the early days of a more terrace-oriented participation the English support ruled the roost with a dazzling array of football adapted tunes and lyrics (well they still do, to be brutally honest), whereas the poor old Aussies only had (have?) two songs and they were pretty atrocious, namely; “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi! Oi! Oi!” and the equally banal, “Come on Aussie, Come on, Come on. Come on Aussie, come on”. 

 

The Barmy Army (both home and more crucially away) would openly laugh in the faces of the bemused Aussie fans and then respond with any number of reposts; “You’ve only got two songs”, “You only sing when you’re winning/drinking/batting/bowling” etc etc. To be fair they have added a rather lukewarm version of “Advance, Australia Fair” to their songbook and a lacklustre rendition of “Waltzing Matilda” occasionally sees the light of day but seriously… From the land of Nick Cave, Dave Graney, Robert Foster and Grant McLennan, you would expect better, much better. But they should be so lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky! 

 

One of my favourite ever cricket fan experiences was in Adelaide at the beginning of the 2010-11 Tour. England were taking things a bit seriously and had arranged a couple of proper tour games, one of which was against a better than normal South Australian XI. I made my way down to the City of Churches (Aussie code for nothing happens in Adelaide) and headed to the ground. Play meandered on under an unrelenting sun and the arrival of lunch meant three things for travelling supporters. Find a pub, get some beer and write some new songs for the upcoming series. 

 

An early suggestion was to co-opt the melody of the old Bahamian folk tune ‘Sloop John B.’ made famous by The Beach Boys and someone suggested singing something involving Andrew Strauss along the lines of “We wanna go home, give up Straussy, we wanna go home”. The tune was ok, but the rather negative message was poorly received, more drinks were ordered, thinking caps donned and a more aggressive approach was required. A pen was requisitioned and I remember writing the following words on the paper table cloth with 5 or 6 members of the Barmy Army in attendance… “He bowls to the left, He bowls to the right, that Mitchell Johnson…” There was a pause around the table.

 

When the final version was written down, we all looked at each other. Cricket songs, unlike football or indeed rugby songs rarely had profanities in them. We looked and sang again, ‘Shite’ isn’t too bad, is it? Certainly, better with the addition of the northern e at the end to make it sound a little more Liam Gallagher-y. No sooner had we all stopped laughing uncontrollably at our creation, the beer drenched, ink-stained paper tablecloth was folded up and whisked away to be sent to Barmy Army High Command for ratification, publication and circulation. (Surely, they’d edit out the swear word). 

 

A few weeks later at the SCG, I had the joy of hearing those words echo round Moore Park as poor old Mitch came down the steps, walked to the middle, took guard, faced a delivery, tucked his bat back under his arm and trudged back from the middle and stomped back up the steps to the soundtrack of 10,000 recruits to the Barmy Army bellowing out ‘our’ song, replete with the additional E. At that moment we all knew just how big a part we had played in securing the Ashes. That song had been the soundtrack to the summer. 

 

Modern players say that they can shut out the noise, they are in a bubble, they can’t hear a thing but I know different. We got inside Mitchell Johnson that day and yes, we paid for it 4 years later when he took his well-earned revenge but in that Aussie season we knew the power of being a unified crowd. 

 

So, whilst on paper and man-for-man this Australian team (World Champions) should clobber this mixture of Joe Root, aging medium pacers, technically challenged and/or inexperienced batters and walking wounded that comprise the current England team (Reigning Olympic Champions!!). If the Old Trafford crowd can fire up early, we have a chance… Because

 

When I'm in the crowd, I don't see anything

My mind goes a blank, in the humid sunshine

When I'm in the crowd I don't see anything…

 

In the crowd – The Jam

Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Jack Nash

19/7/23

 

Manchester Dreaming

The Ashes 2023 press pack are quite a dreary bunch and I should know because I’m one of them. They invariably hunt & write as a pack. From the first time I sat in the press box at Lords for a long-forgotten B&H final I have always marvelled at the way a group of individually very articulate journos manage to fine tune their language in a way that makes them virtually interchangeable. The collective viewpoint invariably holds sway. 

There are notable exceptions, Mike Atherton & Gideon Haigh (who was a key contributor to JM96* back in the day) are two of the more individual thinkers, whose insights and perspective are to be carefully followed and cogitated on. The majority of the others fall into two packs, the bitter Englishmen and the one-eyed Aussies, both of whom thrash away in their own safe space before gently slipstreaming into a mutually agreed position. 

 

Current thinking is that England have backed themselves into a corner and go into the Old Trafford test without a Test level no. 3, having selected Moeen Ali to clog up that space on the scorecard and by picking Jimmy Anderson to replace the back spasm prone Olly Robinson. Thus, leaving England with one of the oldest bowling opening pairs in cricket history (again)!

 

In fact, the numbers might well suggest that Mo is a weak link given his 13.14 average batting at first drop, he has barely played any red ball cricket and even at the height of his test career he always looked better lower down the order. A left-hander with some glorious strokes in his portfolio but a man prone to succumb sooner rather than later to temptation. 

 

As for England’s most successful Test bowler of all time, it’s true that Jimmy has also battled to impose himself on the Aussies so far in this series. However, I could prattle on about the pitches at Edgbaston & Lords, but I’ll spare you the effort. If you want that head over to CricketGroupThink.com (C/O; Fleet St, SMHacks). Quite honestly though… who cares?

 

The truth of the matter is cricket is the ultimate dream sport. No other game embraces the past, the history, tradition and collective memory as much as cricket, whilst at the same time it relentlessly tweaks the present with an unblinking (if not always focussed) eye on the future. Cricket spectators, writers, administrators and players are all helpless dreamers.

 

Our Dreams (or nightmares) about that missed catch, that rash shot, that glorious innings, that club cricket tour that only lasted one over (with the rest of the time spent in the hotel bar watching Botham comeback from a drugs bar), that frightening spell by the demon quick, that plan to make cricket an Olympic Sport (again – NB. The Great Britain XI are the reigning Olympic Champions – that’s 123 years unbeaten!!) etcetera, are the essence of cricket!

 

A game without dreams can hollow out our soul, just ask anyone who had to tolerate a team lead by Don Revie, or another turgid one-nil to the Arsenal performance, or the 70’s/80’s win at all costs All Blacks, or the grinding cynicism of Argentina 1990, or Australia at Newlands 2018. Dream killers one and all. 

 

How does that relate to the 4^th Test? Simple – The dream goes like this. 

 

On a murky Manchester morning…

 

Stokes flips the 50p he cadged off Baz in the dressing room before heading out, Cummins calls ‘Heads’, the coin lands tails on grass. Australia had considered batting but decide to insert (a twofold rationale, the weather and to blunt the English penchant for chasing down any score imaginable). 

 

The ball starts hooping around from the off. England are 3 down within an hour, 5 by lunchtime for a paltry sixty-something. The sun bursts over Old Trafford, like a Johnny Marr riff shimmering in the heavens. Moeen Ali (dropped off only his second delivery) has managed to cling on, more by dint of avoiding the strike than anything else. 

 

But now, with Mancunian voices filling the air with encouragement, he starts to compile the innings of his life, from nudge & nurdle, he starts to glide and caress and finally slap and crack the ball to all parts of the ground. His century comes up in the second over after tea, a slog sweep off the hapless Aussie part time spinner and former captain.

 

England are finally all out in the 5^th over of the 3^rd day’s play (rain having washed out all of day 2). The ball is given to Jimmy Anderson, he walks back to his mark at the James Anderson end, he stops briefly, he turns and sets off…

 

The dream is alive! 

 

Jack Nash

18/7/23

The 2023 Ashes - 4th Test Preview by Jack Nash

 And so…

 

The Ashes often flatters to deceive, especially when England are the touring party. By this stage in an Australian hosted series, with match 4 looming, the home team’s only concern would be how to recover from a raucous couple of days celebrating series victory and retention of the blessed urn. 

 

Fortunately, recent series’ in the UK have at least been a little more balanced and the 2023 version appears no different. All three games, as my fellow scribes have rightly attested, have been close run things and either side could have wrapped up the whole thing if a couple more catches had stuck, or tails hadn’t wagged. Anyway, we are where we are, with both sides yet to fully fire on all cylinders and yet the entertainment and tension are bobbing along at the top end of the Botham-Stokes Scale. 

 

A few days out from the fourth test at Old Trafford and the armchair selectors are in fine form. England are trying to work out how to make up for the loss of Pope (the Ali-Lawrence-Root conundrum in full effect). They are also working out how best to juggle their seam attack with Robinson seemingly to be rested after his back buckled under the strain of too many bouncers and rather average chat (Sledging! – JR Editor). The more dynamic approach would be to reinstate Josh Tongue and give the Aussies a “lickle bit of an ‘urry up” but the more pragmatic and romantic approach would be to bring back THE Jimmy Anderson to assert control and add his remarkable guile into the mix. 

 

I won’t dwell on Jimmy’s series so far. However, I genuinely look forward to him sticking it to both the Aussie team, their rather ordinary press pack (boy, have I got stories to tell…) and the smattering of English talking heads who need to renew their assorted punditry contracts and reckon the best way is to be more confrontational than is either seemly or wise. 

 

Over in the other dressing room the question mark that has hovered over the head of David Warner (like Frank Gorshin as The Riddler on a theatrical fly) has swamped pre-match conversation in the clubs and bars of Warner’s home stomping ground of Coogee. The fact that his car park slot now reads “D.Warner bowled Broad” demonstrates the extent to which everyone in cricket knows exactly what’s going to happen when Mr Sandpaper meets The Nighthawk (aka Malfoy). 

 

Does Cummins have the guts to drop the pugnacious Warner? Is he worried how the opener’s wife might take it? Does the Australian Coach (name?) have a say in the matter at all? That decision might well have an impact on whether Mitch Marsh holds his spot. Cameron Green reclaims his place or if both all-rounders get a run. 

 

History suggests Marsh will lose out (as does Geoff Marsh who shared his thoughts with a roving Jardine Reporter a couple of days ago). Warner will cling on to his place and Hazlewood will replace the club medium pacer Boland who seems to have been rumbled. 

 

Aussie concern over the involvement of spinner Todd Murphy in the third test should not lead to him being jettisoned from the match day team in Manchester but the Aussie Coach (whatshisname?) would not confirm he was definitely going to play. 

Anyway, we only have a couple of days to wait until all is revealed. England will announce their team nice and early, which is either a sign of confidence or bravado (or both). The Aussies normally leave it until nearer the start: Clever? Cagey? (or both).

 

Anyway, not to be outdone. Here are my selections:

 

England

 

1.     Crawley

2.     Duckett

3.     Ali

4.     Root

5.     Brook

6.     Stokes

7.     Bairstow

8.     Woakes

9.     Wood

10.  Broad

11.  Anderson

 

Australia

 

1.     Khawaja

2.     Warner

3.     Labuschagne

4.     Smith

5.     Head

6.     Green

7.     Carey

8.     Starc

9.     Cummins

10.  Murphy

11.  Hazelwood

 

 

Jack Nash

17/7/23

 

 

Ashes 2019 - Selection meeting

After much conferring the selection panel (Bunny, The Young Maltravers, Mrs Denby & I) have come to the conclusion that the following XII should be considered for the First Test against Australia at Edgbaston (subject to fitness).

• Joe Root (C)
• Jos Buttler (VC)
• Moeen Ali
• Jimmy Anderson
• Joffra Archer
• Jonny Bairstow
• Rory Burns
• Stuart Broad
• Zac Crawley
• Jason Roy
• Ben Stokes
• Chris Woakes

Forget 2019 and all that... This is TEST cricket

Remember how England's rugby team plummeted after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Sydney. World Champions to chumps in a matter of months. Or even further back when Scotland beat England 3-2 at Wembley in 1967, less than a year after Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at the same ground. Or, sticking to cricket, England's rapid demise after regaining the Ashes in 2005 (Australia whitewash 2006-07).

The tendency for English sportsmen to see reaching the top as the sole limit of their ambition is a something of a rather depressing national trait. Unlike previous Australia or West Indies dynasties, there is an inbuilt relax button that our team seem only too ready to press. But surely nothing can demonstrate this better than England's shabby performance in the first Test match of this summer against Ireland.

The fact that this is only Ireland's* third test match ever was not an excuse to pick a hotchpotch of a side. Sure, rest injured players but do not waltz into this game without a serious game plan and a serious desire to win.

A lot has been made of England's desire to play an exciting brand of cricket, something that Eoin Morgan's ODI side managed to do consistently (clear plans + clear roles = clear expectations). However, England's test team do not have such a steely eyed Captain and more importantly, they don't seem to have a plan/clue.

The inclusion of 50-over top gun Jason Roy makes a lot of sense, given his obvious attributes. There is no doubt he could become a very important top order batsmen and a calculated risk worth taking. However, his technique is not robust enough to consistently score big over the 5 day format. But that is fine, just as long as the rest of the team don't believe they should bat like the Surrey man too. Current Test Skipper Root had a good World Cup, he made runs when he batted like a test cricketer. As soon as he tries to reinvent himself as a 20/20 dasher the problems arise. (His stint in the Big Bash in Australia demonstrated his flaws all too frequently).

And there are plenty more examples of very talented cricketers over stretching themselves all the way down the batting order. Bairstow's pair highlights his early innings frailties. Moeen hardly warrants a slot above No.9 and Woakes is a bowler who can bat but he is palpably not a natural test all-rounder.

Cricket in general is over-burdoned with ghastly proto-management speak: 'Executing our plans', 'Playing our brand of cricket' (even I fell into the trap in the 4th paragraph of this piece), blah-di-blah-di.... And somehow now the idea of playing an 'exciting brand of cricket' has usurped playing 'winning cricket'. I'm not sure that this new approach is legitimately increasing people's enjoyment. Yes, it is far more refreshing to see Jos Buttler cart Pat Cummins into Row Z of the Tavern Stand than to see him playing and missing. But, it is even more exciting to see him construct a century mixing power, finesse and intelligence - as opposed to an agricultural smear strewn 24 off 6 balls.

England have got huge talent in their test ranks but and it is a massive but, they will tarnish their legacy if they continue to throw their wickets away with such alarming frequency. They are better than this! However, unless the coach and captain swiftly remedy their 'plans', they will spend the summer dodging press conferences and clutching at straws.

And finally, just in case anyone is in any doubt. Winning cricket does not mean winning at all costs (that has been rightly condemned - Smith/Warner/Bancroft will always be known as cheats). But winning cricket (especially in the Ashes) is what England expects. If an exciting "brand" of cricket earns you victory then fantastic, if over-reliance upon it brings you defeat, then perhaps you are missing the point of 5 day TEST match cricket...

*A more detailed look at Ireland's performance will appear later.

England - World Champions

What a game, what a wonderful, remarkable game!

Thank you to both teams. 

4-0 down and one more to go...

Barely has one England embarrassment happened than another one follows it up with the same frequency of England batsmen whirring through the revolving door on the dressing room. The last two days performance at the MCG must rank alongside the very worst of the last decade (and we've seen a few).

As promised the Jardine Report will reserve final judgement until after Australia wrap the series up at the SCG. In the meantime, here is some food for though for the England selectors (assuming the current squad is all that we can choose from).

1. Cook ©
2. Root
3. Bell
4. Pietersen
5. Ballance
6. Stokes
7. Prior (w)
8. Broad
9. Finn
10. Anderson
11. Panesar

Dispirited? Embarrassed?

I'm afraid so.

Graeme Swann: England bowler retires from cricket

England bowler Graeme Swann has announced he is retiring from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.

The Nottinghamshire off-spinner is sixth on the list of England's highest wicket-takers.

Great work Swanny - We're going to miss you!

Third Test

Err… We lost!

Full post mortem to follow...

Second Test - Day One

Not a bad day for the good guys but three dropped catches could prove the difference by the end of the match.

Australia 273-5 at the close.

Day 3

Nothing to write home about

Any more good ideas Warney?

As the rain continues to protect the poor Australia 'A' bowlers from a further pummelling in Hobart. The press corps (and England management) are waiting for more gems from Shane Warne.

After criticising Alastair Cook's captaincy (which Cook agreed with) and promoting Carberry's selection at the top of the order (which has worked very well so far thanks). Everyone is waiting to see what our secret weapon has got for us next?

Nice one Shane!

Isn't this where we left off?

England openers Alastair Cook and Michael Carberry shone with unbeaten centuries as England made 318 without loss on the first day of their four-day Ashes warm-up game against Australia A in Hobart.

After Captain Cook won the toss, the two left-handers batted through the entire day. Carberry put himself firmly in Test contention with 153 not out, hitting 22 fours and lofting spinner Jon Holland for two straight sixes. Meanwhile, Cook played himself into form with a serene 154. It was like watching a rerun of Cook in the 2011 series.

It was a dream Test audition for 33-year-old Carberry, who, since winning his only Test cap in March 2010, has battled serious illness. With an Ashes place up for grabs, and the first Test in Brisbane a fortnight away, he offered just the one chance - when he had already scored 135.

After making 78 in Perth. Carberry's inclusion meant Joe Root moved down to number five, with Ian Bell rested - pointing towards a possible choice for the Test XI between Carberry and Yorkshire's Gary Ballance, who was handed another chance in the problem position of number six, despite a first-ball failure in Perth.

Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow now looks out of contention for the number six role after failing to feature in either warm-up game, while Chris Tremlett's inclusion in a four-man attack, alongside Test certainties James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, indicated he may be favourite for the third seamer's role ahead of Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin.

Carberry was outscored by his captain early on as the two left-handers saw off the new ball, but came out of his shell after the opening stand had passed 50, hoisting uncapped slow left-armer Holland over mid-off for a couple of fours.

Australia A skipper Moses Henriques found little assistance for his five-man attack while Holland, nominally the front-line spinner, was outbowled by part-timer Glenn Maxwell, who extracted more turn and bowled with greater economy.

Cook, characteristically strong off his legs, brought up his fifty before lunch with successive fours off Maxwell's off-spin, and had made 80 by the time Carberry had only 44 to his name. Carberry survived a loud lbw appeal from Ben Cutting on 83, with replays showed the ball pitching a fraction outside leg stump, but Holland's return to the attack gave him the chance to draw level with Cook on 94 just before tea with an attractive cover-driven four and a lofted six. But while Carberry took until halfway through the day to reach his half century, he did so in style with a flashing drive for four, moved up through the gears with some powerful pull shots and used his feet well against the spinners.

While Cook marked his century in the first over after the interval with an undemonstrative wave of his bat, his partner could be forgiven for a more emotional reaction to reaching the same landmark, three years after a career (and possibly life) threatening illness.

And when his former Hampshire team-mate Maxwell served up an inviting half-volley on leg stump, Carberry helped it through long leg for four to complete his first hundred in England colours, removing his swanky Adidas helmet to acknowledge his team-mates who rose to salute the centurion.

By the 77th over, such was the fielding side's desperation they turned to the off-spin of Usman Khawaja, who boasts one first-class wicket in nearly six years.

The Aussies had waited all day for a chance - and it finally came at 288-0 just after the second new ball was taken when Cutting found the edge as Carberry attempted another flashing drive, but Trent Copeland grassed a straightforward chance at gully, as if to sum up Australia's day.

So, all in all a wonderful first day for England!

Hot Spot & Snicko still in with a shout!

According to the BBC Hot Spot could yet be part of the decision review system in the Ashes series in Australia, despite the host broadcaster Channel Nine's refusal to pay for the technology. The same Channel Nine that rushed to report alleged use of Silicon by England players on the edges of their bats to avoid detection by Hot Spot - Without a shred of concrete evidence!

The heat-sensor tool proved controversial during England's summer Ashes win, but negotiations are under way for it to be utilised this winter. England back its use, and Snicko, another umpiring aid, may also feature."All we want as players is absolute clarity," said England's Ian Bell.

Hot Spot forms part of the system, using heat sensors and infrared cameras to determine what, if anything, the ball has made contact with.DRS was introduced in 2009, after an earlier trial, to help on-field umpires decide if a batsman should be given out.

Hot Spot inventor, Warren Brennan, had said the technology would be scrapped for the winter series amid concerns over its cost and reliability.The system came under scrutiny during England's 3-0 victory at home when several faint edges appeared to go undetected, with Brennan claiming protective tape on players' bats was diminishing its effectiveness.

Former England captain (and worryingly hyperbolic) Michael Vaughan said at the time Hot Spot "had to go", adding Brennan had "admitted his system will not work".

Snicko, meanwhile, uses sound from stump microphones to help detect if a batsman has edged the ball. "I've always been a fan of DRS," said England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. "If you are going to take the time out of the game, you have to get the right decision. So if we have more technology, better technology, fine. Use it all but as long as it's correct and accurate, that's the only thing. 

"If the powers that be deem that Hot Spot is working again then fantastic, let's use it."
England drew their first warm up match against the Western Australia Chairman's XI in Perth and now travel to Hobart to face Australia A in a four-day game starting on 6 November.

The 1st Test v Australia in Brisbane begins on 21 November.

The Ashes 2013/14 - Just warming up

Like the first cuckoo of an English spring, the first chortle at England’s opening day of ‘warm-up’ cricket is music to my ears. No doubt the harbingers of an Aussie revival are already convinced that the 3-Lion guarded façade is crumbling before their very eyes and thus Aussie supporters can look forward to an unrelenting summer of cricketing success.

Whilst the travails of young Rankin on the first day will not have boosted his confidence too much I am quite minded to say not so fast old chaps! A trip to the other side of the world to play the summer game is nothing to be taken for granted. The Ashes is quite simply the most important sporting fixture there is. It is the past, present and future of our beloved game and as such must not be rushed. So, I’m pretty sure it is too early for vivid conclusions, wild boasts or even worse than that ‘setting the tone’ or ‘putting a marker down’.

The Ashes is a marathon not a sprint and as such the England team like their supporters (of which of course I am proudly one) are working up to the first test. Whilst the England team have thrown the gauntlet down to the third quick to assert their claim for selection and thus rested the likes of Cook, Pietersen, Swann, Broad and Monty (the first four of which are certainties for the Gabba), the advanced guard of the Barmy Army (more of a Barmy Platoon) have also taken stock of the situation and are keeping their powder dry. No point in unleashing the full array of new tunes we’ve got in store for poor old Mitchell – Just yet! Of course the much sought after Barmy Army songbook has already got a few new crackers, including one which is the musical equivalent of the ‘doosra’.

However it is in the warm up games that the Barmy Army really fine hone their art. I was fortunate enough to be present at the creation of the now ubiquitous “He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right” classic. After a pleasant enough morning at the beautiful old Adelaide ground, we retired to a local hostelry to work on fine-tuning the ‘setlist’. A few of the older combatants were convinced a new chartbuster was required.

Over the course of the afternoon session a number of paper tablecloths were covered with various lyrics. The old classic ‘Sloop John B’ had been chosen as the relatively memorable ‘melody’ (it is essential to have a vague recollection of the tune late on the third day after a strenuous lunchtime session).  After a couple of rather self-deprecating choruses about Andrew Strauss one of the assembled decided that we needed to go on the attack. But who should we target? Sadly the BFW (Big Fat Warne) had retired and Ponting was already a basket case by that time.

In fact great pains were taken not to rile Punter, we left that to the Aussie press instead. And so it came to pass that poor old Mitchell was plucked out and catapulted to ignominy. Of course it would be hard to take all the credit for the 3-1 win last time on these shores but I can’t help think that, that afternoon in The Cathedral Hotel in Adelaide set us up for victory. And so, if you are in Hobart next week and want to contribute to a possible fourth consecutive victory, then keep your eye out for the collected musicians and songwriters of the Barmy Army (especially if they slip away for an afternoon of contemplation). In the meantime we’ll let our boys fine-tune their game and as sure as an Englishman can ever be we’ll be ready for when the phoney war is over! Just you wait & see!

Jardine

Tony Greig - Part 3

As the numerous tributes to Greigy pour in from around the world, the one word they all have in common is 'charisma'. How true! With the exception of a certain Sir Ian Terence Botham I can't think of another England player who has so inspired and led by example.

Whether he was captaining Sussex or England all eyes fell on Tony Greig. He was simply a man amongst men. I remember seeing him play at the Saffrons one cricket week and all us boys spent the whole morning session with our backs to the game, just watching Greigy sitting on the balcony with his St Peter bat (and flat batting gloves) propped up against the old Saffs pavilion's wooden balcony. We almost cheered when the third Sussex wicket fell, just because it meant that the skipper was coming in to bat. And he didn't let us down. His high backlift, thumping great checked drive, all topped off with his raised collar and Sussex cap. He looked the absolute bees-knees!

Fortunately being on the ground staff that week, we also got to bowl in the nets. (I had already taken  great pleasure in getting David Steele out 3 balls in a row!) We had of course hoped to bowl to Tony but after a couple of loose ones down the leg side, he'd seen enough. However, the thrill of saying I've bowled at Tony Greig lives with me to this day. Alongside facing John Snow in a proper match, it is still right up there as a cricketing memory.

Tony Greig always took the role model aspect of his captaincy very seriously and I can still recall him asking me in his thick accent if I was "reading and absorbing" the contents of his latest book. I don't know about "reading and absorbing", more like breathing, inhaling and swallowing down every single morsel of knowledge his book imparted. A number of his tactical ideas have stayed with me to this very day and I always reckon the fact that I was a surprisingly successful schoolboy and club captain (better skipper than a player actually) was solely due to the brilliant cricketing education I got from his books and watching him in action.

My final memory of Tony Greig is of meeting him again, some three years ago at the annual Bradman Dinner at the SCG in Sydney. A little worse for wear, I managed to persuade myself that I really ought to go and thank Tony for the wonderful contribution he made to my (cricketing) life. Normally, the next morning, I would have kicked myself for having interrupted Greigy at his table and blurted out Chardonnay inspired words of thanks. However, whilst obviously very bemused by the gibbering idiot in front of him. He took my intrusion with good grace and I managed to thank him as a Sussex man and England fan for all the enjoyment he had given over the years. And I comforted myself that murky hungover morning that I had done the right thing, because I felt that you never know what my happen to someone/or to you before you get a chance to thank them again.

Given the very sad news this week, that thought came back to me once more with great alacrity and I am so grateful that I got to shake the hand and thank the man who did more to install a lifetime love and passion for the wonderful game of cricket than any other person.

The magnificent Tony Greig (Sussex & England) R.I.P.



Andy Franks
Hong Kong 1/1/2013

Tony Greig - Part 2

A "take-no-prisoners attitude" allied with flair was one of the many tributes paid to the former England cricket captain Tony Greig, who has died at the age of 66. Greig, who was admired for his skills as a player, commentator and innovator, suffered a heart attack at his Sydney home in the early hours of Saturday morning, having fought lung cancer for more than two months.

Born in Queenstown, South Africa, he captained Sussex and earned 58 Test caps for England, 14 as captain. Renowned as a tenacious all-rounder, in his latter years he became known for his enthusiasm and wilfully provocative style in the commentary box, where he served in England and Australia.

Greig's controversial leading role in Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket ultimately led to his playing career winding down. Dennis Lillee, who along with Greig was one of the main players in the evolution of WSC, said: "He had a take-no-prisoners attitude which helped him lead England with flair and toughness." Richie Benaud echoed that sentiment, saying: "Everything he did was strong. It might not go right but it was strong."

Sir Ian Botham said Greig was a "flamboyant and extrovert" figure who "changed cricket for everybody as we know it now. He revolutionised the game. The players of today have a lot to be thankful for in Tony and Kerry Packer."

Bob Willis, another former England team-mate, was a dissenter against WSC but admitted it ultimately benefited the sport. "It was a torrid time back in 1977. People took very entrenched positions and it wasn't very pleasant being a Packer player in county cricket but I think some of us realised our mistakes. Tony had a tremendous effect on my career. He persuaded me to get really fit and that totally revolutionised my career. I never had another injury and went on to take over 300 Test wickets. It's a very sad day for cricket. Sixty-six is no sort of innings."

Nasser Hussain praised Greig, "a dramatic sort of guy with the blond locks and his collar up", for revolutionising cricket, while the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, Giles Clarke, described him as "magnificent and fearless".

Geoff Boycott had offered him advice about combating cancer. "Tony was mentally ready to tackle the disease and prepared for his chemotherapy in the new year. His death is a huge shock."

Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, the Australia coach Mickey Arthur and the Test captain Michael Clarke added their tributes, while Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, said the country had lost "one of sport's iconic voices".

- The Guardian

Tony Greig - Part 1

Tony Greig was my cricketing hero. He is my cricketing hero. Will always be my cricketing hero.

• First up. He was Captain of Sussex County Cricket Club. My team. Tony's team. Our team! 
• Second up. He was Captain of England. My Country. Tony's team. An average team.
• Third Up. He was the man who not only loved cricket but also recognised and was prepared to fight for the rights of working cricketers. (ok, ok, maybe not all cricketers. But...)

I first saw Tony Greig at Hove, cracking a belligerent fifty against a dull Northants/Notts/Warwicks... who cared attack. He was IMPERIOUS. Gray Nicholls. High Stance. High back lift. SMASH! BIFF! THUMP! RUNS GALORE!

With Greigy, alongside the mighty John Snow, I was hooked. How lucky was I? My County had the two best players in the World! And the most inspirational Captain too...

So, what do I know?

England's transformation from the bedraggled mob that trudged from the field after the first test to the swashbuckling XI that won the second test by 10 wickets may not signify a complete change in fortunes for the touring team but certainly represents a dramatic step forward.

England ruthlessly completed a memorable 10-wicket victory over India in the second Test in Mumbai to level the four-match series. Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann shared the last three India second-innings wickets in 45 minutes on the fourth morning to bowl the hosts out for 142.

England openers Alastair Cook and Nick Compton then knocked off a target of 57 with ease before lunch.

It is only England's second Test win in India in 14 matches since 1985.

England's spectacular all-round performance was the perfect antidote to their meek showing in the first Test and ignites the series with two matches to play.

The recalled Panesar made a mockery of the decision to leave him out in Ahmedabad with a Test-best 11 wickets in the match as 19 of the 20 India wickets fell to spin, while Cook and Kevin Pietersen scored brilliant hundreds to secure a crucial first-innings lead of 86.

Man of the match Pietersen's assault on the India bowling on his way to 186 on Sunday afternoon was particularly important, demoralising the hosts and filling England with confidence.

Panesar and Swann, who outbowled India's three spinners throughout, followed up with seven wickets on the third evening to ensure it was always likely to be a matter of when, rather than if, England would finish the job on Monday.

Leading by 31 with only three wickets in hand, India took 10 off the first over of the day but Harbhajan Singh fell in the next when he gloved Swann to Jonathan Trott at slip.

Zaheer Khan top-edged a slog-sweep and was easily taken by Matt Prior to give Panesar figures of 6-81, before opener Gautam Gambhir was trapped lbw for 65 by Swann, who finished with 4-43 - and 8-113 in the match.

Fears of a scenario reminiscent of Abu Dhabi in January when England collapsed to 72 all out chasing a modest 145 to beat Pakistan were quickly dispelled as Cook and Compton set about their 

task with relish.

Compton, playing his second Test, cracked four fours and a six in making 30 not out from 28 balls and Cook posted an unbeaten 18 as the tourists cantered home.

England's first win in six Tests leaves the series tantalisingly poised going into the third match in Kolkata starting on 5 December, with the finale in Nagpur to follow.

England have not won a series in India since David Gower's side came from behind to seal a 2-1 triumph in 1985.