Normally I select one or maybe two Players of the Week but on this occasion I've made a little foray into the unknown. Whilst the likes of Rohit Sharma and Andre Russell have made some headlines in the India v Windies one-dayers and the English rain has been magnificent in its wiping out of an entire day's T20 action, I have to go back to the start of the week and the end of the Second Test at Lord's.
Tillakaratne Dilshan top-scored with a 193 that restored faith in Sri Lanka as a meaningful force in Test cricket and Alastair Cook added another 202 runs to his already impressive career aggregate. By my usual thought process, the England opener would be the most worthy receipt of Mike's accolade. However, since I've already written about his contributions to the cause in an earlier blog, and as he's just been made an MBE he doesn't really need it, I've ventured further down the batting order and into the pavilion. Stand up, Matt Prior!
Craig Kieswetter has been talking up his chances of becoming England's number one gloveman but the South African born Sussex 'keeper won't give up the position easily. His near run-a-ball 126 in the first innings was his fifth Test hundred, on a par with Alan Knott, and kept his average comfortably above 40, well ahead of the '70s legend. Then of course when he was trying to push on towards a declaration in the second innings he was run out in daft fashion. Now, nobody likes being run out, and it's a long walk back to the dressing room when you're fuming.
Prior isn't the first to show his emotions on getting out cheaply, and won't be the last, but this incident will be remembered more than most because he forgot the golden rule of celebrity tantrums: keep it secret. Now he will be forever associated with a tinkle of broken glass and an embarrassing apology to the Lord's members. Of course the official line is that he casually tossed a glove onto a chair and unfortunately dislodged a bat which happened to slide towards the window with predictable results. Yeah, right! The TV shot of Strauss looking up towards the source of the broken window was priceless. A bit like a Dad wondering what pranks my naughty little boy has got up to now. Kevin or Graeme, I can understand, but Matthew?
So while the match ended in a draw we shall remember the final day for 'Windowgate' and, with apologies to the lady who was injured by the glass, the Performance of the Week goes to the most memorable glovework and batting display of all...
