To paraphrase Carlsberg – if Frank Spencer did World Cups, they would turn out rather like England’s. Once again we’re experiencing the quadrennial tradition of watching the wheels fall off our World Cup campaign before the action’s even begun. First, Australia whipped us in the CB series. Then the batsmen lost form, followed by a plague of injuries. And now Eoin Morgan – our best ODI batsman – has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken finger. It’s Groundhog Day. So what else might go...
Morgan out of World Cup. Bopara to replace him.
Once again the cricket Gods have cleared their throats and gobbed over England’s preparations for a World Cup. It has just been confirmed that every Englishman’s favourite Irishman (with the possible exception of Terry Wogan) has been ruled out of the competition with his injured middle finger. It’s a massive blow. Earlier today we asked you who you thought should replace Morgan – with Bopara, Kieswetter and Davies possible alternatives. However the selectors have already made up their minds...
Who should replace Morgan?
I ought to be careful with the above headline. After claiming that the bans handed out to Amir, Asif and Butt were a little harsh the other day, I’m about as popular as Kevin Pietersen at a one of Graeme Smith’s barbeques. A lot of people probably want me replaced! However, the question of whether or not my Irish namesake, Eoin, will be fit for the World Cup is much more pressing. Our problem is this. Teams are allowed to request replacements for players injured during the tournament, but...
Thank goodness for that
Open the champagne, let off the party poppers, and let the celebrations begin. The CB series is finally over. After a tortuous programme of one-dayers, which seems to have gone on longer than the Ashes – with England losing 18-1 or something like that – this interminable Australia tour has now, thank heavens, breathed its last. So what have we learned? 1. England supporters don’t care about ODIs And that’s not just because we were pumped. How many of us woke up during...
The five year bans for Butt, Asif and Amir are harsh
No doubt the majority of people reading this post will think that five years isn’t enough. When the words ‘Pakistani’ and ‘fixing’ are placed in the same sentence, cricket fans’ blood pressure goes through the roof. In fact, public hanging and disembowelling probably isn’t enough for some people – and I’d agree, if we were talking about Ricky Ponting. Not that Ponting has done much wrong since his infamous spat with the umpires at Melbourne. I just want to see Punter disembowelled for the fun...
Broad set to play in seventh ODI
Calm down ladies. England’s blonde Adonis isn’t actually making a comeback yet. The headline refers to Stuart’s sister, Gemma. With practically every member of the squad carrying an injury at present, desperate times call for desperate measures. England won’t be able to call up replacements from outside the fifteen man squad during the World Cup, so why not try a woman? Despite having a backroom staff that makes Mariah Carey’s entourage look miniscule, England are still struggling to find XI...
