Shane Warne’s apparent decision not to make a comeback for the WACA test has left a sense of anti-climax. Meanwhile, Australia surprise selection of Michael Beer has revealed their desperation to identify the wildcard individual who can restore their Ashes fortunes. If they can pick him, maybe they can pick anyone. So who else might Andrew Hilditch turn to? In Warne’s absence, they probably still crave a marquee Australian name, a national icon, a proven performer – who can...
Will the momentum swing behind Bresnan?
Thanks to everyone who’s voted in our poll on which England bowler should replace Stuart Broad at the WACA. Chris Tremlett took a clear lead in the early voting, polling 56% to Shahzad’s 29% and Bresnan’s 6%. But has the first day performance at Melbourne changed the picture? Bresnan was the only England seamer to pick up a wicket against Victoria Bushrangers, his figures of 18-4-56-1 comparing with Tremlett’s 15-5-29-0 and Shahzad’s 19-6-47-0. If you haven’t...
English Beer is better than Australia’s
You’ve got to laugh at the Aussie selectors. It seems they’re playing a game of Simon Says with media pundits. Or should that be ‘Shane’ Says? After all, nobody had heard of their latest recruit, Michael Beer, before Shane Warne gave him a ringing endorsement on Tuesday. Mike Beer has only played five first class matches and taken sixteen wickets at an average of forty. His record is therefore inferior to that of Sussex’s spin prospect, Will Beer, who has played a similar number of games yet is...
Yes we’ve got Swann, but we shouldn’t count our chickens just yet
It’s brilliant we won in Adelaide. The media reaction has been suitably euphoric. In fact, if I was awarded a run for every article I’ve read discussing ‘England’s greatest victories’ in the last fourty eight hours, my batting average might be pushing three figures. But the cricket statisticians have overlooked one important fact. What happened after our last innings victory overseas against a major cricketing nation? We got thumped in the next two tests, that’s what. On the 30th December 2009...
While the euphoria’s still fresh…
…and before Shane Warne comes out of retirement to ruin our lives, here’s a little reminder of what happened in Adelaide on Tuesday morning. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts…
Shane Warne to replace Ponting as Australia captain?
There’s a rumour circulating the poker tables of Las Vegas that Shane Warne, Australia’s favourite spin wizard and cheeky commentator, has been approached to make a comeback at the WACA. But the speculation doesn’t end there. Apparently Warney is seriously considering it, but on one condition – he returns as skipper. Warne is currently keeping his cards close to his chest, but rumours were fuelled during the Brisbane test when Nasser Hussain asked his co-commentator whether he’d consider...
