A Few Questions With a Foxes Legend

A Leicestershire Legend

Just a short post this time... But read it anyway - it might be worth it...

Paul Nixon - This man is an absolute legend... 19 one day internationals for England. He made his debut at the late age of 36!! Many years service at Leicestershire (Come on you Foxes!) An absolutely fantastic wicket keeper and a great hero of mine. It was a privilege to ask to such a brilliant character in the game some questions.

Here's how it went...

TSP - What is your earliest memory of cricket?

PN - Watching my dad play at Penrith CC early 70's.

TSP - Adam Hollioake has taken up cage fighting and boxing after his cricket career. Can we expect to see you in a cage/ring in the near future?!

PN - No maybe playing polo I'm having lessons. Used to do kickboxing years ago.

TSP - Kickboxing?! Were you any good? Any memorable fights?

PN - No fights but great fitness!

TSP - From a personal point of view - What is the best game you have ever played in?

PN - Tough one!!! Leicestershire win v Northants in 98. 204 in 19.4 overs in a champo game it was unreal!

TSP - Your a Leicestershire legend and I'm a foxes fan -  so you're a hero of mine. But who is your hero?

PN - Viv (Richards) was my hero... He played a different game! He hit the ball where he wanted to!

A hero at work... Admiring a pull shot

TSP - You've played with a lot of great players - but which one had the best banter?

PN - Anthony McGrath by a long way. Amazing guy and funniest man to ever step onto a cricket pitch!

*Anthony McGrath is a true Yorkshire guy and 'the funniest man ever to step onto a cricket pitch' according to Nico. He's played for Yorkshire all his career and has picked up 14 ODI caps for the England. Take a bow Anthony my son. Take a bow.

TSP - Cheers Paul for answering these questions for us - you really are a true legend.

Nixon had a lot of great moments to savour through out his career but one of the most satisfying must have been the moment that he reserve sweeped one of the best spin bowlers of all time - Murali... Here is the video, take a look if you want to see this fine cricket shot. (Sorry about the quality, it's not great)

Cheers

Aus v WI - The Story So Far...

T20's and ODI's came before this test series, but I don't really care about them. So I'm not going to pretend I watched them and write a lengthy review on what happenend, so lets get straight down to the five day format...

Two tests have been in this three test series. The Aussies are winning 1-0. But what's going on? Who's playing well? Who's marking their territory on test cricket?

The first test was a great example of how to bat in a Test Match by both sides.

WI batted first, and put on a brilliant team display. Everybody chipped in. Nobody scored in single digits, Chanderpaul lead the rampage. Scoring a cool 103 not out. Nicely done. K.Edwards and Bravo got 61 and 51 respectively. It was a fantastic batting performance and one I greatly enjoyed watching on the box. They declared on 449-9.

Cowan and Warner then strolled out, knowing they needed a good start to their innings. And they got one. Not a game changing opening partnership. But a decent 50 before the first wicket fell. A good foundation to build upon for the rest of the innings. Watson then came out, this man seems to get to a score of about 40 every time he gets to the middle, and then gets out. And he done this again, getting out for 39.

This made the score 133-4. Clarke and Hussey plodded along at a low run rate until Clarke got caught by Deonarine for a well played 73. It was not the most exciting innings, but a useful one for the Australian side by the skipper.

Hussey fell just short of 50 (bottled it) and Siddle was about as much use as a man with one leg in a ass kicking contest. He fell for a duck. Wade was still in the middle though, and was slowly putting runs on the board, but Fiedel Edwards soon sorted him out.

At this stage Aus are 285-8, and WI are looking to finish the job and get a big lead going into the second innings. This did not happen, a bowling teams nightmare happenend, the tail wagged. Just when they were looking to strike the final blow to the Aussies in the first innings, the tail wagged...

First Harris and Hilfenhaus put on 40, which was probably more than the WI wanted them to get, but then Lyon came out after Hilfenhaus was cleaned up, and him and Harris put on a remarkable 77 partnership! The aussies declared, behind. 406-9.

If you are from the Caribbean I don't think you would want me to talk about the next bit, your top 3 batsmen battled hard and bravely to put on a couragous 3 runs between them. And as my old man would say, "That is pretty shabby..." Chanderpaul was gone soon after, 17-4.

Then the mini recovery, a 50 run partnership brought them up to 67-4, but Darren Bravo got out. Caught Wade, bowled Siddle. 8 runs later, Deonarine gone. I'm not even going to talk about the rest, it wasn't great. It wasn't good. It was awful.

148 all out, only 10 boundries scored. Hilfenhaus claimed 4 victims, Harris 3.

The aussies needed just under 200 to win, and they got over the finish line, 7 down. Watson top scored with 52, Hussey and Cowan got 30's. 1-0 to the Aussies.

Ryan Harris was one of the players I thought played really well in the match, he got 5 wickets. But what really impressed me was his batting. His calm and collected 68 not out in the first innings really kept the Aussies in with a shout. If it wasn't for him they could have been all out for 350, and they could have lost the game.

Chanderpaul was the other player who has to be one of the players of the game. He was the only man to score a century in the game. And really put WI in a fantastic position after their first innings. Shame he got out for 12 in the second innings.

The second test was engulfed by rain, but it was still a great attacking game of cricket...

The Aussies batted first, put on a 50 partnership (again) and then Warner got out. And Shane Watson (The average man as I have now renamed him after he seems to get around 40 each innings he bats in) came out. He got 56, just over the average of 40 he usually gets when I see him play. When he got out it left Austrailia 178-5.

The Average Man At Work

Wade went soon after for 11, but then Mike Hussey scored a well played 73 (well done sir) and after Pattinson chipped in with a cheeky 30, the Aussies were all out for 311. Roach claimed the final wicket of Beer to bring up his five wicket haul. Take a bow Kemar.

Chanderpaul was WI knight in shining armour once again after their top 3 could only cunjure up a mere 26 runs between them. Barath, Brathwaite and Powell really were having a terrible series. Chanderpaul fell just short of another century. Lyon got him leg before.

Deonarine got 55 to help the cause, but the tail didn't wag on this occasion. And this left  the West Indies 257 all out.

Lyon got a five wicket haul, although in my humble opinion he is an absolutely terrible player and it's only a matter of time before the Aussies see the light and drop him. If your reading this Lyon, it's nothing personal, your just not very good.

By this point in the match the rain intervals were really starting to affect the game. A lot of time was being spent in the pavillion because of the rain, and a result was starting to get more and more unlikely...

In their second innings the Aussies looked very unimpressive, although obviously the rain hadn't helped, Watson got a duck (quack) and nobody took charge and dominated the crease. Ponting did get himself a helpful 42 though before he got out to Fiedel Edwards. They declared on 160-8, hoping they might have time to grab a victory if the weather stayed dry.

WI still wanted to win this game though, and they attacked from the start. 53-2 from just 11 overs. If it wasn't for the rain, the match might have got a winner. Every fan watching was yearning for the weather to stay dry and for the play to continue. But it rained, and play came to a halt. But thats cricket, and that's why we all love it...

Roach has to be my man of the match, how could he not be? Two five wicket hauls in one match, he took over half of the wickets for his team. Take a bow my son. What a brilliant performance. If it was not for mother nature it might have just won his team the game...

WI now need to win the final test to level the series...

They have made a great start, that is if it wasn't for Matthew Wade, he scored 100 to give the Aussies a decent first total of 328.

Can they pegg back Austrailia to make it 1-1? How do I bloody know? Maybe they will, maybe them won't. It depends what WI team shows up, the fat lazy bums who couldn't steal candy from a baby or the sharp, strong team who have a heart of gold.

Whichever team shows up, it's bound to be a cracking game...

Cheers.

The Best Batsman In The IPL

The Indian Premier League isn't everybody's doner kebab. Personally, I don't mind it. If it's on the box I flick to it from time to time to check the score and I might even watch a couple of overs. But one thing I do notice when I watch it, is the amount of batting quality in the league.

KP. Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar. Owais Shah. De Villiers. The list goes on and on.

There seems to be endless batting quality in the IPL. But out of all of these players. Who is the best?

In this post I am going to compile a list and compare players, by the end. I'll put my top three batsmen.

Lets talk about KP first. This man can be absolutely lethal with a cricket bat in his hands. He scored his maiden ton in T20 in the IPL today, in just 64 balls (not bad going) while playing for the Delhi Daredevils to take them to the top of the league. Bad point; Not very good at playing against left arm spin, although he does deny this. But lets be honest, he can't play it. But is still a game changer, he can turn a game on it's head with his elegant strokes and big hits. A formidabble IPL player. And a strong candiadate.

Dhoni next, this guy is a brilliant player, captain of India, captain of the Super Kings, my team. (up the kings) A fantastic captain and decent keeper, A cracking player in all forms of the game. He is a very good player to have in a IPL side. Possibly in the running for the top 3.

Another Indian player next, Rahul Dravid. The wall. And as his nickname suggests, maybe T20 isn't his game, he is a decent player to get an innings started, but not one to change a match. Out of the running I'm afraid pal.

The cooliest man in the IPL next, Chris Gayle. Don't get me started on his wicked shades he wears in the field. Like Dravid, he starts an innings, but this man can change the match. He is capable of hitting big runs in an over to get his side back on track. He hit five sixes in a over a few days ago, which completely changed that match. What a player this guy is. Definitely in the running to get in the top three.

The Blighty reject now, Owais Shah. Been in brilliant form in the first few games in the Premier League and some talk of an England call up.. He had his chance and I don't think he will keep up this good form. He just can't be graded in the same category as players such as KP, De Villiers, Gayle etc. No way in my top 3. Chin up Owais.

Seeing as I just mentioned him, lets talk about AB De Villiers. He is the man for Bangalore. He comes out in the middle order and bosses the middle. He hit a game changing 64 against Dehli after coming in when Bangalore were in danger of posting a under-par score. And then against Pune he hit 33 to help his side clinch a last ball winner. A brilliant player and top lad. A very decent shout for being in the top 3.

Now, how could we have a list of brilliant batsmen without the little master? Sachin Tendulkar. This man can do great things with the willow. And I don't have to explain why he is on the shortlist. He just is.

And last but by no means least. David Warner. Playing for Delhi. This opener had some good first few games for Austrailia. But has fell of the radar in recent months. A decent player who can strike a good ball. But probably not in the top three. Maybe in a couple of years, but now. No.

These are the players I think are some of the best players in the IPL. Apart from Shah, I just stuck him in the list so I could have a personal dig at him.

But who is the best?

They all have different traits. Some are captain material, some aren't. There are all different in there own special way.

So here we go, my number three...

        3) Chris Gayle

The stylish West Indian is my number three. He can hit a ball, and turn a game around in a number of balls, for this reason. My number 3.

        2) AB De Villiers

Yep, Abraham is my guy at number two. He can steady the ship, he can hit quick boundaries. He can keep the strike, he can rotate it. This is the reason he is my man at number two. He adapts to the situation he finds himself in very very easily. And that's why he is number two.
  
        1) Kevin Pietersen

The SA born Englishman is my IPL best batsmen. He doesn't adapt to situations as well as Abraham. He only ever has one mindset. Attack. And that is why he is so good. He can constantly hit boundaries over after over and pound the opposition. What he does, wins games. He can win games. This game winner is my number one.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers

How's The County Championship Shaping Up?

This post has been written by a guest author, we know him as J. Be nice to him, it’s his first time doing this sort of thing. He's been a brave boy to volunteer to write this post...

How’s the County Championship shaping up?

Division 1

At this early stage of the season it’s very hard to make a solid judgement, early season performances can of course indicate a good season ahead, but a first game loss is not always a tell tale sign of a tough season ahead.

Nottinghamshire have started very well, having played 2 won 2, and made some shrewd off-season signings, in Michael Lumb, and the ex-Leicestershire pair James Taylor and Harry Gurney, a sign of things to come at Notts with the departure of 3 of the old guard in Shreck, Wagh and Brown and the arrival of young, hungry players.

Lancs Celebrate their Div1 Title

The reigning champs, Lancashire started with a crushing 10 wicket defeat at the hands of Sussex. However, despite this I’d expect Lancashire to recover and enjoy relative success, but not in my mind title contenders. Now on to the 2 promoted teams; Middlesex and Surrey. They squared up on round two of the season at Lords, and to my mind the surprising victor was Middlesex in a thrilling game at the home of cricket. Both teams made positive moves during the winter, with Surrey signing Jacques Rudolph, John Lewis and Murali Kartik, and Middlesex managing to pick up Olly Rayner and Joe Denly.

Surrey are my surprise team of the season, whom I predict to do well. They have a nice balance between bat and ball, young and old. Steven Davies, Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meeker, Chris Tremlett, Dirk Nannes, Rory Hamliton-Brown and of course who’d dare forget the fine wine of English cricket (improves with age) Mark Ramprakash, to name just a few, plus the signings they’ve made makes for a formidable team. Middlesex I predict will find the going tough and will do well to hold onto their div 1 status come September.

While Surrey are my surprise team to succeed, my surprise team to Struggle is the men from the North-East, Durham.I feel they’re an aging team in need of a freshen up who may find the going tough, they started with a disappointing defeat and I foresee a tough season for the Dynamo. For me mid-table mediocrity lays ahead for Warwickshire, Sussex and Somerset.

Whatever the outcome, an exciting season lies ahead for all in the County Championship, which I’m sure will be full of the typical up’s and down’s, scorching days and a few cold ones thrown in.

Tips for top 2: Nottinghamshire and Surrey

Tips for bottom 2: Worcestershire and Durham

Division 2:

Middlesex... Div2 Champions!

As I see it, division 2 is a harder one to pick. It’s a league packed with young talent, waiting to burst on to the scene, and for sure by September we’ll all be talking about a few hidden gems that were not on our lips in April.

Glamorgan I fear for, I see an extremely hard season ahead for the Welsh side. They had their golden moment in 2009, with the grand honour of hosting the opening Ashes test of the series, but I feel the momentum that comes with such an event may have passed. I struggle to see any real young quality in their squad; Simon Jones, Robert Croft and Marcus North are players of quality, but all 3 are heading towards the wrong ends of their careers. The writing may well be on the wall already, a first game defeat against Leicestershire would suggest so, a Leicestershire team who managed a measly one win last term. I may be proved wrong, (I’m rarely wrong) but good luck to em, go the Dragons!

I predict a good season for the boys down at Chelmsford, there’s a good feeling around Essex CC at the moment and they may surprise a few people this season.

Yorkshire are the big scalp for all teams this season, everyone will want to beat the big boys who’ve unceremoniously fell from grace. However, I predict the Yorkies to perform reasonably, they’ve a solid team by Div 2 standards, and a good acquisition in the Ex-Aussie test player Phil Jacques will only aid them.

Northamptonshire will again struggle I feel, they, like Glamorgan, lack any real quality and should be braced for a long, hard and ultimately disappointing season.

Derbyshire are shaping up nicely, 2 wins from 2 played. With 2 very hands overseas players in both Martin Guptill until June and Usman Khawaja thereafter, they look strong and set for a good season.

Kent are the consistent under-performers in the longer format of the game, and on paper you’d expect to be challenging come the business end of the season. They’ve had a busy off-season, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, with Jimmy Adams coming in as coach and it could be a season of consolidation for the spitfires.

It’s a tough league to call, and one which is more likely to throw up a few curveballs for us journo’s, but what will be will be, and we’ll get a better look at how things are shaping up by mid June.

Tips for top 2: Derbyshire and Essex

Tips for bottom 2: Glamorgan and Northamptonshire

County Cricket or IPL?

County Cricket or IPL?

What are the pro's?

The IPL

What are the cons?

Here is a list. I'll let you decide what one you think is better or the one which serves a better purpose.

First, the IPL. The Indian Premier League. And the pro's.

1. The games generate big crowds, some as big as 50000, where as in County Cricket a lot of grounds can pull in crowds as low as a couple of hundred people. But hats off to them loyal couple of hundred supporters!
2. Players from all nations play in the IPL, so different playing styles are on show. But in the County Championship the bulk of the players are English. Althogh this point could be seen as a good point as well as a bad point.
3. A lot of cash is generated through the IPL in sponsorship, ticket sales etc. And this puts money in the Indian economy. Although now we are getting into politics. And I don't like politics.
4. The format of the IPL is T20, and I know alot of people (I'd like to add these people I know are knob's) who prefer T20 to the 4 day form of the game. So the IPL is an ideal form of cricket for them to watch.

And now the cons for the IPL...

1. The IPL finishes just weeks before Blighty's fixtures v the West Indies and then South Africa, this will mean the English and West Indies players will have a lack of preparation going into the test. And they might have injuries and little niggles that they have picked up in India.
2. A lot of money is spent on international players in auctions. But the quality of play is not always fantastic.
3. It's shown on ITV4, nobody likes ITV4...
4. Some players are payed alot to play in the IPL. Are they just in it for the wonga?

There the reasons, I think, are the pro's and cons for the IPL. And now the list for the County Championship. Cons first.

County Championshp Action

1. The crowds can be very small, which I mentioned earlier.
2. Because the English cricket team are away on tours and playing matches in the summer. They cannot play for their county teams. So there is less quality playing for the counties.
3. The County Championship doesn't have alot of coverage on TV, so fans don't get a chance to see there team in action. But there is radio coverage and live internet updates on the cricket. So fans can keep track on how there teams are doing. But this sometimes isn't the same as seeing them on the tele.

And the pros now.

1. Players can gain pride in playing for their counties, where as in the IPL English players do not have this pride.
2. English players can work under the radar and prove themselves in these two leagues, to try and gain an England call up. A great example of this happening would be Graeme Swann. For years he was working hard for Notts and Northants, getting wickets and trying to prove he was worthy to play for Blighty. And one day, he got rewarded. This sort of thing would not happen in the IPL, only high profile English  players play in this league.
3. The County Championship is a good breeding ground for Test Cricket, which is obviously a more traditional form of cricket than T20. So don't forget, if it was not for the 4 day game, there would be no IPL.

Make up your own minds on which one you think is better.

My Views

There are good points and bad for both forms. The IPL is exciting, but then when I'm watching it I feel as if I'm cheating on English cricket because County Championship is traditional and honest. I can't choose between them. I only wish there was more TV coverage of the County Championship so I could see more County cricket. If there was TV coverage, and the County Championship and IPL were on at the same time, I would choose to watch the County action any day. But there isn't going to be more TV coverage, so chin up me.

Cheers.

Victory for Blighty

Victory for Strauss.

Victory for England.

Victory for me.

That's right, I'm victorious. A few days ago I put my grand reputation on the line and said that Strauss and his boys would turn it around in the Colombo test. And that we needed to get behind them. I'm pretty sure after I tweeted the post to alot of the England team they not only just read the blog, but they were inspired by it, and it spurred them on. They thought, "We can't let this lad down, he will look like a mug if we don't perform."

I made a post about the first 3 days of play so I won't blab on about them. Lets just get to the tasty bit of the game, the juicy bit, the bit where all cricket fans sit down, lean forward, and watch fat English men with their tops off drinking beer and singing in the crowd. Days 4 and 5.

This is the bit everyone loves, this is the bit where the game is decided. Well, that's what normally happens...

The game had really already been decided by the English batsmen on day 3, as we all know, that the Sri Lankan batting line up (apart from M. Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Matthews and Sangakkarra) are pretty shocking and that they were never going to pose any really threat as long as these 4 players didn't post massive scores.

None of them did.

Thirimanne was the first to bite the dust. Caught by Strauss at slip of an Anderson ball. What an awful series this lad has had, 3, 6, 8 and 11. One double figure score in 4 innings is terrible. At least he has made some improvement as the series went on, so hats of to him!

After Prasad, the nightwatchman, fell for 34. A decent score for a guy who usually bats low down in the order.

Dilshan and Sangakkarra were left in the middle, two men out of form, out of touch, and after putting on a partnership of 40 odd, Dilshan was out after Swann started his six wicket haul with a ball which struck the edge of Dilshan's bat and the skipper Strauss took a simple catch at first slip. Then Sangakkarra went, to another edge that this time went to Prior from Swann's bowling.

This left Sri Lanka 125-4 and their main man in form was in, Mahela Jayawardene. What a cricket player this man has been in this series.

In the first test he showed the English batsmen how to score runs in Sri Lanka. He never really looked in danger of getting out, and I think I ended up drooling over my TV after some of his heavenly strokes.

I wish I could play cricket like this man has done in this test, Pietersen's innings was also world class. But it was more of a ODI innings, Mahela showed us all how test cricket should be played, where as KP showed us how we could bat in a test match like it was an ODI.

However, both were equally as good as eachother, but for different reasons...

Also, Samaraweera was in the middle with him, and they put on a good partnership. Slowly plodding away with singles and two's, only a handful of boundaries were scored.

But then Swann struck, with Sri Lanka on 215, in the same over he got Samaraweera in a twist when the ball bit of the turf and spun into him, and then just two balls later Randiv fell, another brillaint ball.

Suddenly from an average position of 215-4 Sri Lanka found themselves 215-6. And things weren't looking so rosy.

Swann was on fire, spinning the ball for the sheer joy of it. He bowled unchanged for a long while, the poor guy must have had blisters on his fingers. But I'm sure he wouldn't have minded as he was bowling excellently. And he didn't have to wait long to get his next victim, and it was the guy I had been drooling over, Jayawardene. Edging it onto his pads and to Cook at short leg.

He was gone, and England were now firmly in the driving seat.

Matthews was in, I love this guy. He is a fantastic player, and I adore watching him play. He can play in all 3 forms of the game, and at just the age of 24 he has the potential to be a top star for his national side.

He was the last wicket to go after his 3 team members below him in the batting order could only gather 8 runs between them. Well done. Matthews was out for 46, and I would have liked him to get to his 50 because I think he is a good player.

Swann celebrates one of his wickets.

278 was Sri Lanka's final score, with Swann by far the pick of the bowlers, with six wickets. He deserved it,  he had worked hard and had put everything into bowling in the boiling heat. Congratulations Mr.Swann.

Strauss and Cook walked out needing only 90 odd to win. The barmy army were in fantastic spirits, and why shouldn't they be. After a poor winter tour of Dubai they deserved to enjoy a test victory. We buggered up what should have been an easy run chase in Dubai and this England side took a different approach this time around...

Although Strauss fell early for a duck (Quack) it was clear that this England side wanted to wrap this game up quickly and they got straight to it. Trott also got out cheap for 5 which made the score 32-2.

At this time Cook and Pietersen were in, it was a joy to watch. I only wish Blighty had an even bigger score to chase so we could have seen more of this beautiful attacking cricket. KP and Cooky were scoring easily and got to the total in the 20th over. Victory. Sweet sweet victory. This winter. At last.

Blighty had retained their title as number one test side in the world, for now anyway. The real test comes in the summer, even if they lost this test and dropped to number two in the world the number one spot would be contested against South Africa in England. This would be the real test. The best v the best. England v South Africa. Strauss v Smith. KP v De Villiers. Anderson v Steyn. Swann v Tahir and Broad v Kallis.

All these individual battles would decide the outcome.

May the best team win.

Cheers

First 3 Days At Colombo

Were one down in the series, Sri Lanka win the toss, and choose to bat, sensible choice, it's hot, and momentum is on their side after winning the first test in this Just Retirement series. God knows why it is called the Just Retirement series, maybe the ICC are trying to send Strauss a message, who knows...

Day one, time for Sri Lanka's top three to redeem themselves after collapsing in the two innings' in the first test, they get to 21-0, it's not an awful start, the two openers don't look great, but at least they haven't lost two wickets in two balls like they did in the first test.

Oh wait, Dilshan and Sangakkara are both caught by Prior and Strauss respectively, Sangakkara goes for his second golden duck in this series, which lets face it, is terrible, but credit to Jimmy, he is the one that got them out, so if your reading Jimmy, take a bow.

But then Jayawardene strolled into the middle, cool, calm and collected. His team needed him to steady the ship, and my god didn't he did it fantastically well, a couple of people got out at the other end, but nobody cares about that, it was the Jayawardene show, good defence, hit the bad balls, and he played a lot of elegant strokes. He rolled past the 100 mark to hit his 31st century in tests with ease, before eventually getting out for 105. He walked off to a booming standing ovation from the crowd. Angelo Matthews and Samaraweera also deserve a mention, with tidy knocks of 57and 54. Sri Lanka finished all out for 275 after the tail didn’t wag at the start of day two.

Swann and Anderson were the pick of the bowlers, taken 7 wickets between them.

Then, a few minutes later, Strauss and Cook wander out into the middle, a lot of English fans are thinking all the hard work done by the bowlers could be undone by our useless batsmen because most of them are out of touch, but not me, in my last post I mentioned how everyone should get behind Strauss and the boys because the media had been on their backs constantly over if Strauss should be removed as captain because of his batting.

Strauss had obviously read my post and thought that he didn’t want to make me look like a fool, and so he pulled his finger out.

It started average, Strauss got a lucky break, but he soldiered on, and so did Cook and the 50 opening partnership was up. What a relief, England fans everywhere breathed a huge sigh of relief that we hadn’t cocked it up again!

And then a 100 partnership!!! It was marvellous, it hadn’t been as pretty as Strauss and Cook can be when they are in top nick, but it was scrappy, and they slowly grew in confidence.

But then Dilshan strikes, well he doesn’t really strike as in he bowled a unplayable ball, he bowls a short ball outside wide of off-stump for Strauss to pound away through point, but no, Strauss edges it behind to Jayawardene who thankfully takes the simple catch.

122-1.

And then Trott and Cook plod along for a bit, but when Cook got out at the start of day 3 and Pietersen came in is when an innings of pure class came on show in Colombo.

KP had a close shave when the ball flew over short leg, a missed opportunity for Sri Lanka, KP carried on regardless, a slower ball from Prasad which KP hits back over Prasad flies through his hands, a tough chance, a very tough chance, chin up Prasad.

He never looked back, Dilshan made a drama over KP changing his hands before he had bowled the ball (What a knob Dilshan) Dilshan was clearly in the wrong in my view, Pietersen has played the switch shot for many years and the ICC approve it, he only knows why he made a massive drama about it.

And the ball after KP was given a informal warning after the affair, he played a reserve sweep to bring up his 100, a slap in the face to Dilshan! A pretty decent celebration aswell! Pumping his fist in the air as he removes his helmet and laps up the applause, and I bet there was a bit of cursing under his breath to Dilshan aswell...



KP Celebrates his 21st Test Century

 He went on to make 151, of just 162 balls! His sweep looked second to none, hit 6 sixes! A remarkable amount in the test format of the game. So well done KP, you’ve done your self proud, he has been in dodgy form in test cricket in the winter and he has overcome this bad form to put England into a very commanding position in the match.

Samit Patel hit a slow 29 to plod England along, and the tail didn’t have much resistance to the likes of Herath, who got six wickets, it wasn’t an amazing bowling performance by Herath, but he was still the pick of the bowlers (Which wasn’t hard) and he got the job of getting wickets, if it wasn’t for him England could have gone on to get at least 500.

England were all out for 460. A lead of 185 runs.

If we don’t go on to level this two match series I will personally fly over to Sri Lanka and slap each England player round the face.

Cheers

Andrew Strauss Captain Dispute

Captain Strauss


The debate about if Strauss should continue as England captain has been raging recently with the series loss against Pakistan.

Our batsmen were terrible, lets not hide that, but we were playing in Dubai, and Abu Dabai, two places where we had never played cricket before, the ground at Dubai was either empty or full of smurf's, and Abu Dubai was in the middle of a desert, the locations to play a game of test cricket were appauling... So lets just try and forget about this test series, and count is as an anomaly.

Moving on, and without trying to sound too much like Jeremy Clarkson on The One Show, anyone who thinks he should be removed as captain should be taken outside and shot, yes, his batting form has been dodgy recently, with an average of just 25 since The Ashes, (and he hasen't really looked like changing that) I can't put my finger on why he keeps getting out, he just looks out of touch against spin. But in the words of Joey Barton (An arrogant English football playing knob who I dislike a great deal) "Form is temporary, class is permanent."

And for once I couldn't agree more with Joey, Strauss may have been on bad run without scoring many runs, but he will turn it around, trust me, he has got so much grit and determination, he looks as if he wants to turn it around, he looks frustrated with his form and I can guarantee if you were to go to England's training HQ Strauss would be working away in the nets trying to improve and get his brilliant touch back, and one day, he will get it back...

But Strauss, batting aside,  is still different from the likes of Bell or Cook, or 62 other million people who make up the population of England, Strauss is the captain, and this has been over looked, he has more than one string to his bow, he led England to victory in two consecutive ashes series for the first time in bloody ages!

He has out-mastered Ricky Ponting (Not hard I suppose) in both these series, and is without doubt one of the best captains in the world, with Graeme Smith being the best...

He is an all-rounder, not a batsman and a bowler, but a batsman and a captain, so even in this bad patch of batting form, his consistant captaincy rolls on....

His captaining skills are vastly superior to that of Cook's and Broad's, in the future these two may be decent candidate's to take over Strauss, but at this moment they are inexprienced, and in my view would not do anywhere the job that Strauss has done.

So even if Strauss was to step down or be removed as captain, there would be no experienced captain to come in and take over.

Broad is still learning and improving his game, and Cook is trying to master his one day captaincy.

These fans are eating away at their prawn sandwiches (as most stereotypical cricket fans do), dishing out utter bullshit, after Strauss has led England to glory against the Aussies to victory twice in as many ashes series. This was such a massive achievement, he got us to the number one test poistion in the world, in my view, the best England captain for a few years. He will turn it around, just you bloody watch.

And finally, to make this blog seem professional and complete, I thought I better include a conclusion, so here goes.

To conclude, doubters, do one. And get behind Strauss.

Cheers