England 1 Bangladesh 1 - what a great Test series we've been treated to, with Bangladesh thoroughly deserving to come out of the series on a level pegging against England. The only regret of this series must be that we aren't fortunate enough to be able to witness a series decider, which it undoubtedly deserved.
Fingers will inevitably be pointed at England. To collapse from 100-0 to 164, no matter who the opposition, is very poor. But Bangladesh deserve all the credit in the world for their performance, with Mehedi Hasan looking like a real talent, backed up superbly by Shakib Al Hasan, who also looks the part with bat and ball (how many other players in the world open the bowling and bat at 5?).
Turning to their batting, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes also look like thoroughly good players - with Mahmudullah and captain Mushifqur also looking fairly handy. Their weakness, understandable considering the amount of test cricket that they play, is strength in depth, and this is the area which will be their un-doing against teams who play better cricket than England have done on this tour.
Having said this, their success during this series is a massive bonus for the future of Test Cricket, proving that the game is still as nailbiting as ever, and demonstrating that it's the format of the game that tests players abilities the most. It would be great to see more series such as this in future years, with perhaps the introduction of teams such as Afghanistan and Ireland another possible option that could enhance the longest form of the game.
As for England and their upcoming tour against India - they will undoubtedly need to improve on their performances in these two games, with both the bowling and batting lacking consistency. But do not underestimate the strength of this Bangladesh team in the conditions that England faced them in. Any team unfamiliar to these conditions would have found it a real test, and so it proved.
Team selection? For me, Ballance has to go. I don't think he did enough this year with Yorkshire to merit a call up in the first instance, and his performances here haven't bolstered his claims for a starting place in India. Before England's final innings of the tour, I would have gone for Hameed to open, with Duckett dropping down the order, but Ducketts impressive knock of 56 confuses this slightly. I'll leave that one down to the coaches and captain.
Bowling wise, I certainly would have taken Jack Leach on this tour and the India tour also, but that boat seems to have sailed, and so I'd probably have to stick with the same spinners used in this game, with Mo in particular looking like he might be gaining some more consistency with his bowling. Woakes has had his best year in the England team, and has to be included, whilst Finn will surely be replaced by Broad, if fit.
I hope that the India tour is just as entertaining as this one - and lets all hope that once again, Test Cricket will be the winner.
Showing posts with label Test Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test Cricket. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Thursday, 14 March 2013
Structure of Test Cricket
Is it time for a re-structuring of Test Cricket?
Cricket is on the rise in many countries, Afghanistan just to name one.
In the early days of cricket the number of teams playing cricket was relatively small - but now many more countries, Nepal, Ireland, Bulgaria, just to name a few, are playing in the World Cricket League.
Ireland are reigning champions of this league, and it got me thinking.
Should there be a re-structuring of the way Test Cricket is run?
Ireland have proved that they are the best minnows in the world, and surely they have won the privelage of playing Test cricket against the big teams at the best stadiums in the world. They now play in the T20 and World Cup but I think they've earnt more than just that.
Also, I've been watching a bit of West Indies v Zimbabwe.
To put it bluntly, Zimbabwe are pretty terrible. Windies are by no means a fantastic Test side, sure they have Chris Gayle but apart from that they don't have any world beaters. West Indies are probably the third worst Test side (infront of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh) and yet they are trouncing them convincingly.
Ireland and Netherlands have beaten top teams in the past, and have shown their potential as cricketing teams. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have been lingering at the bottom of the Test rankings for years now, and it's my opinion that the Test system needs spicing up a bit.
Boyd Rankin of Ireland has given up playing cricket for Ireland in the hope of being picked for England's test team, and more eg George Dockrell. will follow if something does not change.
For me there's three options.
Will it actually happen though? Will the ICC pull their fingers out and actually act? Only time will tell, if the idea gets enough support anything could happen.
But I can't see it happening, I really do hope it will, but I just can't.
Cheers
Cricket is on the rise in many countries, Afghanistan just to name one.
In the early days of cricket the number of teams playing cricket was relatively small - but now many more countries, Nepal, Ireland, Bulgaria, just to name a few, are playing in the World Cricket League.
Ireland are reigning champions of this league, and it got me thinking.
Should there be a re-structuring of the way Test Cricket is run?
Ireland have proved that they are the best minnows in the world, and surely they have won the privelage of playing Test cricket against the big teams at the best stadiums in the world. They now play in the T20 and World Cup but I think they've earnt more than just that.
Also, I've been watching a bit of West Indies v Zimbabwe.
To put it bluntly, Zimbabwe are pretty terrible. Windies are by no means a fantastic Test side, sure they have Chris Gayle but apart from that they don't have any world beaters. West Indies are probably the third worst Test side (infront of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh) and yet they are trouncing them convincingly.
Ireland and Netherlands have beaten top teams in the past, and have shown their potential as cricketing teams. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have been lingering at the bottom of the Test rankings for years now, and it's my opinion that the Test system needs spicing up a bit.
Boyd Rankin of Ireland has given up playing cricket for Ireland in the hope of being picked for England's test team, and more eg George Dockrell. will follow if something does not change.
For me there's three options.
 |
| Rankin - Pursuing English Cricket |
- Give Ireland/Ireland and Netherlands Test Status, so they can keep their best players and prove their cricketing ability.
- Create a two tier system where every so often (probably every two years) one or two teams are relegated from division one and promoted from division two. This way teams such as Ireland, Afghanistan and Netherlands have something to strive for, and the lesser Test teams such as Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would get to be competitive if they got relegated, which lets be honest, would be extremely likely.
- Option three would to keep it exactly the same as it is now, which would mean teams losing players, and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would continue to be the whipping dogs of England, South Africa etc.
Will it actually happen though? Will the ICC pull their fingers out and actually act? Only time will tell, if the idea gets enough support anything could happen.
But I can't see it happening, I really do hope it will, but I just can't.
Cheers
Sunday, 10 March 2013
England Fight Back
The first day in Dunedin was a complete wash out. I was looking forward to seeing England in Test cricket action for the first time in a long time, I'd missed a lot of the matches in India due to the time difference so I was definitely getting withdrawal symptoms.
When I switched on to watch I was dissapointed when I heard monotone Bob announce that the rain was pouring down in Dunedin and play was unlikely.
The whole days play was later abandoned.
Day two was a day to forget for England, but I'm not going to talk about that for too long, because much of my last post concentrated on the first three days in NZ.
To summarise it, England were very poor, skittled out for little over 150 with Trott being the only batsmen to score a respectable total.
New Zealand had Rutherford and Martin on debut. One was a promising young cricketer who showed what we could be in store for in the next few years. The other was a veteran left arm spinner clearly brought in to the squad because England knew jack about him.
This curveball from New Zealand paid off. Martin picked up four wickets. While Rutherford hit a magnificent ton 50.
This along with quick runs from McCullum meant England were deep in it.
Forty five minutes in to day 4 Alaister Cook and Nick Compton walked out in to the middle, knowing they were probably going to have to bat for the duration of the match just to scrape a draw.
They certainly redeemed themselves from the humiliation of the first innings display, if you can even call it a display. Cook and Compton hit centuries in a formidable first wicket stand. When Cook fell Steven Finn, sent in as nightwatchman, defended admirably.
His magnificent 56 sent England on their way to a first test draw against the Kiwi's.
Trott, coming in at four because of the nightwatchmen, also hit a half century to prevent NZ from a test victory to remember.
After 170 overs England finished day five on 421 for 6. The draw felt like a win, and the English comeback was complete...
But what will happen in the next two test matches over 10000 miles away in New Zealand?
Well, personally, I expect England to win comprehensibly in Wellington and Auckland. The first innings in Dunedin was a big blip, and New Zealand could not capitalize. I can't see England faltering again in this series, they will be even more determined to win after nearly being embarrassed by the underdogs.
My prediction: A 2-0 win for England providing no more days play are prevented because of mother nature. I also think Compton and Root will be hungry for runs to try and push for a Ashes selection this summer, and therefore I think they will both get handfuls of runs.
Alaister Cook, KP, Trott and Bell are simply better than any bowler NZ have on offer. Although KP in particular did have a very poor test, it is nice to not hear his name in the headlines mind! Anderson is just a class above, Paneser is no Swann but he does a job.
New Zealand's Martin won't be a surprise package, England will have done more homework before Wellington. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if NZ picked another relative unknown.
Cheers
When I switched on to watch I was dissapointed when I heard monotone Bob announce that the rain was pouring down in Dunedin and play was unlikely.
The whole days play was later abandoned.
Day two was a day to forget for England, but I'm not going to talk about that for too long, because much of my last post concentrated on the first three days in NZ.
To summarise it, England were very poor, skittled out for little over 150 with Trott being the only batsmen to score a respectable total.
 |
| Bruce Martin - Relatively Unknown |
This curveball from New Zealand paid off. Martin picked up four wickets. While Rutherford hit a magnificent ton 50.
This along with quick runs from McCullum meant England were deep in it.
Forty five minutes in to day 4 Alaister Cook and Nick Compton walked out in to the middle, knowing they were probably going to have to bat for the duration of the match just to scrape a draw.
 |
| Finn - Defended Excellently |
His magnificent 56 sent England on their way to a first test draw against the Kiwi's.
Trott, coming in at four because of the nightwatchmen, also hit a half century to prevent NZ from a test victory to remember.
After 170 overs England finished day five on 421 for 6. The draw felt like a win, and the English comeback was complete...
But what will happen in the next two test matches over 10000 miles away in New Zealand?
Well, personally, I expect England to win comprehensibly in Wellington and Auckland. The first innings in Dunedin was a big blip, and New Zealand could not capitalize. I can't see England faltering again in this series, they will be even more determined to win after nearly being embarrassed by the underdogs.
My prediction: A 2-0 win for England providing no more days play are prevented because of mother nature. I also think Compton and Root will be hungry for runs to try and push for a Ashes selection this summer, and therefore I think they will both get handfuls of runs.
Alaister Cook, KP, Trott and Bell are simply better than any bowler NZ have on offer. Although KP in particular did have a very poor test, it is nice to not hear his name in the headlines mind! Anderson is just a class above, Paneser is no Swann but he does a job.
New Zealand's Martin won't be a surprise package, England will have done more homework before Wellington. In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if NZ picked another relative unknown.
Cheers
Friday, 8 March 2013
New Zealand - Not to be Underestimated
Three days into the first test match over 10000 miles away in New Zealand England are starting to get a bit homesick...
After being skittled out for just over 150 England's bowlers struggled to stop debutant Hamish Rutherford, who I keep foolishly calling Greg Rutherford (British Olympic medallist last summer) from scoring a absolutely magnificent buck fifty in spectacular style in his first test innings. The young kiwi hit three sixes on his way to 171, more than all eleven English batsmen could muster up between them!
New Zealand scored over 400 with a magnificent late flurry from Brendon McCullum with help from debutant Martin. England are now 50 odd without loss in reply.
But why have New Zealand had so much success in the first three and a half days (first day wash out) at Dunedin?
Well, the main reason is that they do have some quality players when you look at them individually.
Kane Williamson is a good player - playing at number three in the first innings he got a solid 24 while Rutherford done the work at the other end. For a man of 22 he's played quite a lot of test cricket, 20 matches to be exact, and he's definitely got good potential. I don't think he's going to be world class, but I think he could be a solid batsmen for New Zealand for many years to come.
Sticking with batsmen next, Ross Taylor. A man with more experience than that of six years younger Kane Williamson, Taylor brings some quality to the New Zealand middle order. Taylor is a very impressive ODI and T20 player, but he can do it on the Test circuit too, he's scored over 3000 runs for his country, notching up sixteen fifties and continuing on to a century seven times. I'd rather have him in my T20 team, but he's still a important cog in the NZ Test machine.
Brendon McCullum is another man in the NZ team who is a big hitter in the one day and T20 games. He can hit the ball a long, long way, as he demonstrated in his quickfire 50 at Dunedin. He's hit two international T20 centuries, a feat which no other mortal has reached. For this reason he can score quick runs coming in late middle order, which can always be key in certain circumstances! He's a good wicket keeper as well, reliable. Nothing's worse than a liability behind the stumps!
Tim Southee is a player I like. A tall right armer who can move the ball is always a risk towards the opposition batsmen. Although he only picked up one of the wickets in the England first innings I think we could be seeing him get 2/3 important wickets reguarly in this series. He's not quite as good as Steve Finn but he's still a good player - for that reason he could cause all kinds of problems for Compton and Root in particular. (The rookie English players in this team)
Those four New Zealand players are the ones with the most quality, (in my opinion) but one other could cause England problems for different reasons.
Bruce Martin is playing his first test match game, and is relatively unknown. He's been playing his trade in New Zealand and I don't think England will know too much about the left armer spinner. For this reason he could cause a lot of short term problems for England, he already has taken four wickets in England's first innings!
So New Zealand have got some good quality players in their armoury, and along with the hunger to win they could not only win this test match, but one of the next two as well, which would result in a series win for the Black Caps.
England definitely need to buck up their ideas, put in the hard work inbetween now and the next test match (this game has probably been lost already) to try and turn things around.
Two things are key for England; Cutting out any complacency, and do their homework.
So get down to work Cook and co.
Cheers
After being skittled out for just over 150 England's bowlers struggled to stop debutant Hamish Rutherford, who I keep foolishly calling Greg Rutherford (British Olympic medallist last summer) from scoring a absolutely magnificent buck fifty in spectacular style in his first test innings. The young kiwi hit three sixes on his way to 171, more than all eleven English batsmen could muster up between them!
New Zealand scored over 400 with a magnificent late flurry from Brendon McCullum with help from debutant Martin. England are now 50 odd without loss in reply.
But why have New Zealand had so much success in the first three and a half days (first day wash out) at Dunedin?
Well, the main reason is that they do have some quality players when you look at them individually.
 |
| Kane Williamson |
 |
| Ross Taylor |
 |
| Brendon McCullum |
 |
| Tim Southee |
Those four New Zealand players are the ones with the most quality, (in my opinion) but one other could cause England problems for different reasons.
Bruce Martin is playing his first test match game, and is relatively unknown. He's been playing his trade in New Zealand and I don't think England will know too much about the left armer spinner. For this reason he could cause a lot of short term problems for England, he already has taken four wickets in England's first innings!
So New Zealand have got some good quality players in their armoury, and along with the hunger to win they could not only win this test match, but one of the next two as well, which would result in a series win for the Black Caps.
England definitely need to buck up their ideas, put in the hard work inbetween now and the next test match (this game has probably been lost already) to try and turn things around.
Two things are key for England; Cutting out any complacency, and do their homework.
So get down to work Cook and co.
Cheers
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