If Trent Bridge got a slap on the wrist for the turgid farce served up in the first test, Surrey CCC might expect the dreaded phone call in the next few days. The pitch wasn’t turgid; it was a minefield. Both are bad for cricket. At times today, Chris Woakes moved the ball off the pitch more than Shane Warne did in 2005. It was hardly a fair contest. India might wonder why the cricketing gods have forsaken them. Fans with tickets for day four wouldn’t have been too impressed either. All cricket...
Will It All Go Pear Shaped at the Oval?
Everyone in the world, excluding those residing on planet Pringle, believes England are going to walk this Oval test. It’ll be a stroll. The only way we can possibly lose is if Jimmy Anderson spontaneously combusts after picking a fight with his own reflection – something which does occasionally happen when he’s applying his brylcreem (apparently). I suppose Cook could blow it too with bizarre tactics if India’s batsmen get on top for a session or two. But considering India’s weak showing thus...
Who really matters in English cricket?
I’ve just received the following press release, jointly issued by BSkyB and the ECB. In these times of supporter disaffection and falling attendances, it’s good to see that Giles Clarke has got his priorities right. There are quite a few things I could say about all this, but I’ll let you go first. ECB AND SKY SPORTS RECOGNISE 200TH LIVE ENGLAND TEST The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sky Sports will this weekend celebrate the 200th live England Test match to...
Will Victory at The Oval Spell Ashes Doom?
Boy we needed that win at Old Trafford. It means England have now won two tests this summer and lost two. It’s not exactly time to crack open the Bollinger (maybe the Babycham?) but things are a damn sight better than they were two weeks ago, when English cricket was tottering on the brink of the abyss. What’s more, the decisive nature of the victory – and they don’t get much more decisive than an innings victory inside three days – means there’s finally a glimmer of hope for...
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose: day three at Old Trafford
Let’s start with some of the many positives. Pretty much every member of the England side contributed in some way, often substantially, to an utterly emphatic victory. Anderson and Broad were excellent. Moeen continues to take wickets. Bell and Root batted well, while Buttler (what a player he might become) was very impressive. England have managed to haul themselves back from a dire position to one of commanding strength, and will win the series 3-1 at the Oval. But there’s a...
Il pleut des cordes – day two at Old Trafford
It’s Manchester. Did you really think we’d get five clear, sunny days? This is the Costa Del Salford not the Costa Del Sol. Due to yesterday’s severely shortened play, there’s really not much I can write about. India bowled pretty well in the morning session, picked up a few wickets, but a developing partnership involving Root and Buttler cemented England’s strong position. A lead of eighty odd with four wickets in hand is a pretty good lead on this pitch, so if Manchester escapes the remnants...
