The First Test result may say ‘Drawn’ but I reckon England will claim the upper hand in readiness for the Second. Before the start I stuck my neck out for a 2-2 series score and I see nothing to make me change my mind.
When Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes strode back to the pavilion after day one at 311-4, all those fears of a ‘brownwash’ evaporated completely. I was shocked to read that no visiting Test batsman had reached three figures for three years. By the time England were eventually bowled out for 537, no fewer than three men had made hundreds!
Joe Root, Ali and Stokes knuckled down to compile big scores, although an embarrassment of dropped catches definitely helped. In the second innings, Alastair Cook made it four centuries but it was the man who fell 18 short who made most headlines.
Haseeb Hameed came close to becoming the youngest England centurion for donkeys’ years and suddenly he’s being touted as the opening partner for Cook we’ve been waiting for. Let’s not get too carried away just yet! I was apprehensive about the 19 year-old Lancastrian’s chances. Yes, he enjoyed a reasonably successful summer. However, after picking up a couple of hundreds in the August Roses encounter, his performances tailed off somewhat. Nevertheless, he has few serious competitors and selectors saw a fine technique against spin. Hats off to him; he took his chance well.
As usual, England raided the Oval dressing room, picking a Surrey opener, too. However, they played Zafar Ansari at ten, just ahead of Stuart Broad in his 100th Test match. Yet it was Adil Rashid who proved the most successful bowler, despite Chris Woakes’ typically tight spells and Moeen’s unusual economy.
In the end, they needed just four more wickets to turn a certain draw into an unlikely victory. However, India played their part in an excellent game of cricket. Vijay and Pujara, himself in a rich vein of form this autumn, also struck decent hundreds in the first innings to keep the deficit below 50. Who knows what might have happened had Virat Kohli not misjudged his back foot position while executing a pull, and hit his own wicket?
There was no obvious danger from the Indian bowlers, Yadav in particular, but Ashwin, Mishra and Jadeja will shine again before the year is out. Yes, both sides went for a triple-spin option and that’s probably how India will continue. I suspect the same won’t be true of England once Jimmy Anderson returns from injury, probably at Mohali.
Anyway, things are nicely set up for Visakhapatnam over on the east coast. If England’s batsmen demonstrate the same application and patience, they will not be bowled out twice, so India have a real job on their hands to get back to their winning ways.
Showing posts with label Adil Rashid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adil Rashid. Show all posts
Monday, 14 November 2016
Saturday, 13 August 2016
Yorkshire Still on for the Treble
It’s amazing what a couple of wins can do. Suddenly, from the fringes of relegation, Somerset find themselves in second place in the County Championship having won a low-scoring fixture against Durham. I don’t know whether it was a deliberate ploy to negate the power of Durham’s seamers but Taunton’s traditional batter’s paradise was transformed into an extraordinary spin-friendly surface, and Jack Leach and Rolaf van der Merwe duly took advantage, nabbing fifteen wickets between them.
Runs were also hard to come by at Headingley, and again it was a spinner who outshone the rest. Yorkshire beat Warwickshire by only 39 runs, with Adil Rashid taking 7-61 in total, ably assisted by Jack Brooks and the evergreen Ryan Sidebottom. The 38 year-old returned after his dressing-room football injury (yes, really!) to take his 400th first-class wicket for his county.
The White Roses now sit fourteen points behind Middlesex with a game in hand. The London derby ended as a draw, with Jason Roy and George Bailey swapping centuries, and ‘keeper Ben Foakes contributing a couple of unbeaten 60s. However, the biggest individual score of the week by a mile was Will Smith’s 210 for Hampshire against Lancashire. They forced a follow-on but a draw was almost inevitable.
In Division Two, Kent moved within a point of leaders Essex after beating Worcestershire by ten wickets. It was a real team effort but credit to Sam Billings for taking seven catches in the first innings. Glamorgan remain bottom after being humbled by Northamptonshire. Nicholas Selman carried his bat for 122 in the first innings but he was one of many second innings flops as Ben Sanderson claimed a career-best 7-20.
Promoted to five, Ryan Ten Doeschate scored 83 and 109 for Essex in their draw with Sussex at Colchester. There were a couple of late-order centuries, too, thanks to Chris Jordan and Graham Napier, both of whom did well with the ball, too. Leicestershire also failed to overcome Derbyshire, but it was Ned Eckersley, batting at seven, who made three figures in each innings.
The week also featured the T20 Blast quarter-finals. Yorkshire remain in the hunt for the Treble after bowling Glamorgan out for 90, Rashid’s 4-26 he pick of the figures. David Willey’s 38-ball 79 almost won the match on its own. Northants also progressed against Middlesex, Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel took 4-20 to beat Essex while Mark Stoneman top-scored for Durham in their defeat of Gloucestershire.
Meanwhile, the Women’s T20 franchise competition hotted up. Nat Sciver and new England captain Heather Knight were in fine form, but Katherine Brunt’s hat-trick for the Yorkshire Diamonds against Lancashire was perhaps even more notable. She ended up with 3-6 in three overs.
Next week sees quarter-finals in the Royal London Cup as well as another round of Championship fixtures. The highlights could be the Roses match at Old Trafford, but the Middlesex-Durham clash at Lord’s could go a long way to decide the title. With so few games being won, anyone putting together two further victories could snatch the pennant. Maybe even Somerset!
Team of the Week: Smith (Ham), Selman (Gla), Sciver (Sur Stars), Bailey (Mid), Ten Doeschate (Ess), Billings (Ken +), Eckersley (Lei), Adil Rashid (Yor), Jordan (Sus), Leach (Som), Sanderson (Nor)
Runs were also hard to come by at Headingley, and again it was a spinner who outshone the rest. Yorkshire beat Warwickshire by only 39 runs, with Adil Rashid taking 7-61 in total, ably assisted by Jack Brooks and the evergreen Ryan Sidebottom. The 38 year-old returned after his dressing-room football injury (yes, really!) to take his 400th first-class wicket for his county.
The White Roses now sit fourteen points behind Middlesex with a game in hand. The London derby ended as a draw, with Jason Roy and George Bailey swapping centuries, and ‘keeper Ben Foakes contributing a couple of unbeaten 60s. However, the biggest individual score of the week by a mile was Will Smith’s 210 for Hampshire against Lancashire. They forced a follow-on but a draw was almost inevitable.
In Division Two, Kent moved within a point of leaders Essex after beating Worcestershire by ten wickets. It was a real team effort but credit to Sam Billings for taking seven catches in the first innings. Glamorgan remain bottom after being humbled by Northamptonshire. Nicholas Selman carried his bat for 122 in the first innings but he was one of many second innings flops as Ben Sanderson claimed a career-best 7-20.
Promoted to five, Ryan Ten Doeschate scored 83 and 109 for Essex in their draw with Sussex at Colchester. There were a couple of late-order centuries, too, thanks to Chris Jordan and Graham Napier, both of whom did well with the ball, too. Leicestershire also failed to overcome Derbyshire, but it was Ned Eckersley, batting at seven, who made three figures in each innings.
The week also featured the T20 Blast quarter-finals. Yorkshire remain in the hunt for the Treble after bowling Glamorgan out for 90, Rashid’s 4-26 he pick of the figures. David Willey’s 38-ball 79 almost won the match on its own. Northants also progressed against Middlesex, Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel took 4-20 to beat Essex while Mark Stoneman top-scored for Durham in their defeat of Gloucestershire.
Meanwhile, the Women’s T20 franchise competition hotted up. Nat Sciver and new England captain Heather Knight were in fine form, but Katherine Brunt’s hat-trick for the Yorkshire Diamonds against Lancashire was perhaps even more notable. She ended up with 3-6 in three overs.
Next week sees quarter-finals in the Royal London Cup as well as another round of Championship fixtures. The highlights could be the Roses match at Old Trafford, but the Middlesex-Durham clash at Lord’s could go a long way to decide the title. With so few games being won, anyone putting together two further victories could snatch the pennant. Maybe even Somerset!
Team of the Week: Smith (Ham), Selman (Gla), Sciver (Sur Stars), Bailey (Mid), Ten Doeschate (Ess), Billings (Ken +), Eckersley (Lei), Adil Rashid (Yor), Jordan (Sus), Leach (Som), Sanderson (Nor)
Thursday, 2 June 2016
Yorkshire Take the Roses Crown
The weather had an East-West split this week. Unusually, it was the West which enjoyed the sunshine while the East suffered unseasonal rain and cold winds. This had an effect on the cricket results, too, but the top of Division One has a Northern look about it.
Yorkshire bounced back to deliver a decisive 175-run victory over their Roses rivals and go level on points with Lancashire. However, the Reds remain on top having won more games. In fact only two points separate the top four, with Middlesex making a move.
It was a great all-round show by Adil Rashid, while Tim Bresnan’s 2016 debut after a calf injury was also successful, contributing 98 runs and six wickets. It was a shame for Neil Wagner, who added another eight to his Championship scalp tally.
Middlesex thrashed Hampshire by an innings at Northwood, but required a fourth day fine weather window to finish off the job. Adam Voges shared two sizeable partnerships, the first of 279 with Dawid Malan, then a further 174 with ‘keeper John Simpson, before declaring on 467-3. Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones then left the visitors reeling and following on more than 300 behind. James Fuller bagged a five-for and only Adams managed more than 33 in the futile run chase.
For two delightful days, Somerset sat in third place having squeaked home by a solitary wicket against Surrey at Taunton. Old enemy Gareth Batty achieved an impressive 7-32 to establish a first innings lead of 162. They may regret not enforcing the follow-on because Jack Leach and the Overton twins set up an exciting final day. Trescothick and Allenby each struck 50s but tailenders Leach and Groenewald were the batting stars. They survived almost fifteen overs to score the required 31 runs. Phew! A victory on the board at last!
Nottinghamshire and Durham shared the spoils at Trent Bridge where the batsmen were well on top. Brendan Taylor became the first Notts player to strike two hundreds in the same match since 2003, while stand-in stumper Riki Wessels slammed 159 not out. However, Durham’s Steve Borthwick combined an unbeaten 188 with eight leg-spin wickets and the forecast rain spoilt any remote hope of a contrived final day finish..
In Division Two, it’s three southern counties competing for the promotion places. Awful weather at Canterbury meant neither Kent nor Leicestershire could garner many bonus points let alone the 16 for a win. That enabled Gloucestershire to leap into second spot by beating Worcestershire in a high-scoring encounter.
At 31-5, the home team were in a bad way but Tom Kohler-Cadmore (169) and Jack Shantry’s run-a-ball 106 helped them to a very respectable 439. Graeme van Buuren’s unbeaten 172 enabled Gloucs to declare 75 behind, then Craig Miles’ 5-54 set up an exciting fourth day chase. Michael Klinger was well up for it but it was Jack Taylor’s fireworks at the death which clinched the victory, achieved with a six. It was a bitter-sweet week for Taylor as he faces a second bowling ban because of a dodgy action. However, with innings like this, he surely merits a place as a specialist batsman.
Sussex took maximum points from their ten-wicket mauling of Derbyshire at Hove. Without the runs from the visitors’ Shiv Thakor it would have been even more one-sided. Centuries from Ed Joyce and Luke Wells, then the swing and seam of Steve Magoffin and Ollie Robinson, were too just too much.
In the remaining Championship fixture, Essex and Northants amassed more than 1000 first-innings runs between them. Mickelburgh, Foster and Ten Doeschate each racked up hundreds, with Monty Panesar’s already distant hopes of an England recall demolished under the onslaught. With Northants 56-4 at stumps on day 3, another Essex triumph would have been inevitable were it not for the rain which restricted play to just six overs.
So now we have a fortnight’s break for a blast of twenty- and fifty-over cricket, not to mention England going for a Test whitewash of Sri Lanka. Just as the Championship was boiling up nicely. There were lots of fine performances this week, including some in the T20, and several failed to make my Eleven, which reads as follows:
Duckett (Nor), Malan (Mid), Borthwick (Dur), van Buuren (Glo), B Taylor (Not), Wessels (Not +), Rashid (Yor), Bresnan (Yor), Batty (Sur), Wagner (Lan), Leach (Som)
Yorkshire bounced back to deliver a decisive 175-run victory over their Roses rivals and go level on points with Lancashire. However, the Reds remain on top having won more games. In fact only two points separate the top four, with Middlesex making a move.
It was a great all-round show by Adil Rashid, while Tim Bresnan’s 2016 debut after a calf injury was also successful, contributing 98 runs and six wickets. It was a shame for Neil Wagner, who added another eight to his Championship scalp tally.
Middlesex thrashed Hampshire by an innings at Northwood, but required a fourth day fine weather window to finish off the job. Adam Voges shared two sizeable partnerships, the first of 279 with Dawid Malan, then a further 174 with ‘keeper John Simpson, before declaring on 467-3. Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones then left the visitors reeling and following on more than 300 behind. James Fuller bagged a five-for and only Adams managed more than 33 in the futile run chase.
For two delightful days, Somerset sat in third place having squeaked home by a solitary wicket against Surrey at Taunton. Old enemy Gareth Batty achieved an impressive 7-32 to establish a first innings lead of 162. They may regret not enforcing the follow-on because Jack Leach and the Overton twins set up an exciting final day. Trescothick and Allenby each struck 50s but tailenders Leach and Groenewald were the batting stars. They survived almost fifteen overs to score the required 31 runs. Phew! A victory on the board at last!
Nottinghamshire and Durham shared the spoils at Trent Bridge where the batsmen were well on top. Brendan Taylor became the first Notts player to strike two hundreds in the same match since 2003, while stand-in stumper Riki Wessels slammed 159 not out. However, Durham’s Steve Borthwick combined an unbeaten 188 with eight leg-spin wickets and the forecast rain spoilt any remote hope of a contrived final day finish..
In Division Two, it’s three southern counties competing for the promotion places. Awful weather at Canterbury meant neither Kent nor Leicestershire could garner many bonus points let alone the 16 for a win. That enabled Gloucestershire to leap into second spot by beating Worcestershire in a high-scoring encounter.
At 31-5, the home team were in a bad way but Tom Kohler-Cadmore (169) and Jack Shantry’s run-a-ball 106 helped them to a very respectable 439. Graeme van Buuren’s unbeaten 172 enabled Gloucs to declare 75 behind, then Craig Miles’ 5-54 set up an exciting fourth day chase. Michael Klinger was well up for it but it was Jack Taylor’s fireworks at the death which clinched the victory, achieved with a six. It was a bitter-sweet week for Taylor as he faces a second bowling ban because of a dodgy action. However, with innings like this, he surely merits a place as a specialist batsman.
Sussex took maximum points from their ten-wicket mauling of Derbyshire at Hove. Without the runs from the visitors’ Shiv Thakor it would have been even more one-sided. Centuries from Ed Joyce and Luke Wells, then the swing and seam of Steve Magoffin and Ollie Robinson, were too just too much.
In the remaining Championship fixture, Essex and Northants amassed more than 1000 first-innings runs between them. Mickelburgh, Foster and Ten Doeschate each racked up hundreds, with Monty Panesar’s already distant hopes of an England recall demolished under the onslaught. With Northants 56-4 at stumps on day 3, another Essex triumph would have been inevitable were it not for the rain which restricted play to just six overs.
So now we have a fortnight’s break for a blast of twenty- and fifty-over cricket, not to mention England going for a Test whitewash of Sri Lanka. Just as the Championship was boiling up nicely. There were lots of fine performances this week, including some in the T20, and several failed to make my Eleven, which reads as follows:
Duckett (Nor), Malan (Mid), Borthwick (Dur), van Buuren (Glo), B Taylor (Not), Wessels (Not +), Rashid (Yor), Bresnan (Yor), Batty (Sur), Wagner (Lan), Leach (Som)
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Pakistan's Superior Spin Proves too much for England
After two tense, close contests, Pakistan ran away with the third to clinch the series 2-0. As predicted in my last blog, the Test match was decided by the superiority of the ‘home’ side’s spin attack against England’s.
With Buttler dropped, James Taylor beefed up the batting and Samit Patel offered a third spin option. However, while slow bowlers totally dominated the India v South Africa encounter at Mohali, they didn’t have it all their own way at Sharjah. On the first day, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad conceded just 30 runs in 28 overs, while Patel, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid went for almost four an over. Only Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed took charge and helped Pakistan past 200.
In reply, five England players reached 40 but Taylor was alone in passing 50, taking the team to a first innings lead of 72. It would have been more had it not been for Shoaib Malik’s three late wickets, including that of the injured Ben Stokes. However, they could not ram home their advantage.
Mohammad Hafeez survived an early scare and went on to an impressive 151. Stokes was out of action but England’s two seamers were once more in superb form. Nevertheless they can’t bowl continuously in the UAE heat, and the spinners again looked the weakest link.
Pakistan raced away to a lead of 283, a not impossible target in normal circumstances. However, in Sharjah, Yasir Shah, Malik and Zulfiqur Babar made few mistakes, maintain the pressure and grinding England down. Alastair Cook did his best, outlasting eight of his team-mates in an innings of 63 runs and four hours. England were destroyed in five overs, when the middle-order were sent packing for only 11 runs. Three of them fell LBW, bamboozled by the spin of Babar and Shah, and the series was lost on the final afternoon.
Only Cook, England’s only centurion, Anderson and Broad emerged with much credit from the series. The captain’s massive 263 at Abu Dhabi was almost as many as the second highest scorer, Joe Root, managed in all six attempts. Anderson’s 13 victims came at just 15 apiece and at a phenomenal economy rate of 1.87. Normally you might expect spinners to frustrate batsmen, but the England seamers did their best. Unfortunately, Ali and Rashid showed that, despite the coaching of Shane Warne, they aren’t yet the real deal.
Yasir Shah definitely is and across the series he was the prime difference between the two well-matched teams. Five Pakistan batsmen struck hundreds and averaged 48 or more, demonstrating how to cope with slow bowling at this level. Younis and Misbah surely can’t have many more Tests in them, and Shoaib has already announced his retirement. As with Sri Lanka, Pakistan need to find young batting talent if they are to threaten the other top nations in five-day cricket.
As for England, all is not lost for their forthcoming trip to South Africa. Nevertheless, much rests on the fitness of Broad and Anderson. I’m not sure whether Moeen Ali is the right opening partner for Cook in Tests. However, neither is Alex Hales. Both are excellent one-day openers and England’s squad is looking like a converted ODI outfit; too many all-rounders, not enough specialists. Most other countries are similar; it’s the new era of cricket.
I think that with some work Bairstow could become a top ‘keeper-batsman, much as Alec Stewart was a few decades ago. Buttler has never done much in first-class cricket, not even for Somerset. I like Taylor, Root and, for all his recent travails, Ian Bell. Graeme Swann is badly missed, but world-class spinners are a rarity. Anywhere in the world. Wood and Jordan are OK but unlikely to scare the likes of Amla or De Villiers. On the other hand, South Africa are short of good spinners, too, so we could be in for another competitive series.
With Buttler dropped, James Taylor beefed up the batting and Samit Patel offered a third spin option. However, while slow bowlers totally dominated the India v South Africa encounter at Mohali, they didn’t have it all their own way at Sharjah. On the first day, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad conceded just 30 runs in 28 overs, while Patel, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid went for almost four an over. Only Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed took charge and helped Pakistan past 200.
In reply, five England players reached 40 but Taylor was alone in passing 50, taking the team to a first innings lead of 72. It would have been more had it not been for Shoaib Malik’s three late wickets, including that of the injured Ben Stokes. However, they could not ram home their advantage.
Mohammad Hafeez survived an early scare and went on to an impressive 151. Stokes was out of action but England’s two seamers were once more in superb form. Nevertheless they can’t bowl continuously in the UAE heat, and the spinners again looked the weakest link.
Pakistan raced away to a lead of 283, a not impossible target in normal circumstances. However, in Sharjah, Yasir Shah, Malik and Zulfiqur Babar made few mistakes, maintain the pressure and grinding England down. Alastair Cook did his best, outlasting eight of his team-mates in an innings of 63 runs and four hours. England were destroyed in five overs, when the middle-order were sent packing for only 11 runs. Three of them fell LBW, bamboozled by the spin of Babar and Shah, and the series was lost on the final afternoon.
Only Cook, England’s only centurion, Anderson and Broad emerged with much credit from the series. The captain’s massive 263 at Abu Dhabi was almost as many as the second highest scorer, Joe Root, managed in all six attempts. Anderson’s 13 victims came at just 15 apiece and at a phenomenal economy rate of 1.87. Normally you might expect spinners to frustrate batsmen, but the England seamers did their best. Unfortunately, Ali and Rashid showed that, despite the coaching of Shane Warne, they aren’t yet the real deal.
Yasir Shah definitely is and across the series he was the prime difference between the two well-matched teams. Five Pakistan batsmen struck hundreds and averaged 48 or more, demonstrating how to cope with slow bowling at this level. Younis and Misbah surely can’t have many more Tests in them, and Shoaib has already announced his retirement. As with Sri Lanka, Pakistan need to find young batting talent if they are to threaten the other top nations in five-day cricket.
As for England, all is not lost for their forthcoming trip to South Africa. Nevertheless, much rests on the fitness of Broad and Anderson. I’m not sure whether Moeen Ali is the right opening partner for Cook in Tests. However, neither is Alex Hales. Both are excellent one-day openers and England’s squad is looking like a converted ODI outfit; too many all-rounders, not enough specialists. Most other countries are similar; it’s the new era of cricket.
I think that with some work Bairstow could become a top ‘keeper-batsman, much as Alec Stewart was a few decades ago. Buttler has never done much in first-class cricket, not even for Somerset. I like Taylor, Root and, for all his recent travails, Ian Bell. Graeme Swann is badly missed, but world-class spinners are a rarity. Anywhere in the world. Wood and Jordan are OK but unlikely to scare the likes of Amla or De Villiers. On the other hand, South Africa are short of good spinners, too, so we could be in for another competitive series.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Pakistan in the driving seat
Last week, England felt cheated of victory by bad light. This time in Dubai they were barely six overs from securing a very unlikely draw before Pakistan’s attacking field yielded the final wicket. Both matches have provided exciting finales, but it was the second which gave us consistently good cricket.
After a shaky start on the first morning, Pakistan’s middle-order did their job. Something you can’t say of England’s! Captain Misbah ul-Haq shared stands of 93 with Younis Khan and 104 with Asad Shafiq before Moeen Ali and Mark Wood kept the total below 400. England’s reply was a very staccato affair. Ali and Bell struggled again, then Alastair Cook and the redoubtable Joe Root put on 113, playing the pace of man-of-the-match Wahab Riaz and spin of Yasir Shah with much-needed patience.
However, once Root nicked to the ‘keeper, the last six wickets tumbled for only 36 runs. Pakistan’s second innings again survived two early departures. This time, Younis showed why he remains one of the best Test batsmen of his generation, progressing to his 31st century and passing 9,000 runs. Misbah’s late-flowering career continued with another fine display, scoring 87, while Shafiq provided more sterling support. The declaration left England a day and a half to achieve a world record target or, barely more likely, bat for a draw.
They really needed Cook on his A-game but the heat and dust had taken its toll. Bell scratched around for 48, Root passed 50 yet again, but Bairstow, Stokes and the hapless Jos Buttler failed miserably. An early end looked inevitable, but Adil Rashid is no pushover with the bat. Bowling figures of 2-191 were poor, but his application against Shah and Babar put his colleagues to shame. Broad tried to hit out, falling to a brilliant fast yorker, but Wood stuck it out for two hours, a great effort. Rashid’s innings lasted twice as long for 61. The number of runs wasn’t important; the number of overs survived was. However, with the finishing line in sight, the Yorkshireman chose the wrong ball to drive past the close cordon and was caught by Babar.
It was one of the longest second innings ending in defeat ever played in Asia, demonstrating that with the right amount of skill and sense of when to play and when to leave, Pakistan can be kept at bay in the UAE. Unfortunately for England, only Root, Rashid and tailender Wood had what was needed.
Pakistan now have the added incentive of winning the final Test, not only to take the series but also to advance to second in the ICC rankings. Not bad for a side unable to play on home pitches. However, they will need some fine young blood to succeed Younis (aged 37) and Misbah (41) if they are to hold on to that status for any length of time.
As for England, selection for the 3rd Test and, arguably more importantly, the South Africa tour, must be tricky. It was interesting to watch a Sky TV discussion yesterday in which nobody could agree on what should happen next. Ali has not proved a capable partner for Cook, Buttler can’t bat at all, and Stokes, Bell and Bairstow are all struggling. Replacement options are few. Bairstow could take the gloves from Buttler, although his ‘keeping is not as good. Ali could drop back down the order to give Hales his chance, and James Taylor deserves a position at, say, five or six in place of Stokes. Titanic, rearranging and deckchairs spring to mind! The type of pitch in Sharjah will be crucial. I can’t believe it won’t be spin-friendly, in which case both Rashid and Ali will play. However fine they are with the willow, they are nowhere near as potent as Pakistan’s slow bowlers, and Pakistan must be favourites for another series win.
After a shaky start on the first morning, Pakistan’s middle-order did their job. Something you can’t say of England’s! Captain Misbah ul-Haq shared stands of 93 with Younis Khan and 104 with Asad Shafiq before Moeen Ali and Mark Wood kept the total below 400. England’s reply was a very staccato affair. Ali and Bell struggled again, then Alastair Cook and the redoubtable Joe Root put on 113, playing the pace of man-of-the-match Wahab Riaz and spin of Yasir Shah with much-needed patience.
However, once Root nicked to the ‘keeper, the last six wickets tumbled for only 36 runs. Pakistan’s second innings again survived two early departures. This time, Younis showed why he remains one of the best Test batsmen of his generation, progressing to his 31st century and passing 9,000 runs. Misbah’s late-flowering career continued with another fine display, scoring 87, while Shafiq provided more sterling support. The declaration left England a day and a half to achieve a world record target or, barely more likely, bat for a draw.
They really needed Cook on his A-game but the heat and dust had taken its toll. Bell scratched around for 48, Root passed 50 yet again, but Bairstow, Stokes and the hapless Jos Buttler failed miserably. An early end looked inevitable, but Adil Rashid is no pushover with the bat. Bowling figures of 2-191 were poor, but his application against Shah and Babar put his colleagues to shame. Broad tried to hit out, falling to a brilliant fast yorker, but Wood stuck it out for two hours, a great effort. Rashid’s innings lasted twice as long for 61. The number of runs wasn’t important; the number of overs survived was. However, with the finishing line in sight, the Yorkshireman chose the wrong ball to drive past the close cordon and was caught by Babar.
It was one of the longest second innings ending in defeat ever played in Asia, demonstrating that with the right amount of skill and sense of when to play and when to leave, Pakistan can be kept at bay in the UAE. Unfortunately for England, only Root, Rashid and tailender Wood had what was needed.
Pakistan now have the added incentive of winning the final Test, not only to take the series but also to advance to second in the ICC rankings. Not bad for a side unable to play on home pitches. However, they will need some fine young blood to succeed Younis (aged 37) and Misbah (41) if they are to hold on to that status for any length of time.
As for England, selection for the 3rd Test and, arguably more importantly, the South Africa tour, must be tricky. It was interesting to watch a Sky TV discussion yesterday in which nobody could agree on what should happen next. Ali has not proved a capable partner for Cook, Buttler can’t bat at all, and Stokes, Bell and Bairstow are all struggling. Replacement options are few. Bairstow could take the gloves from Buttler, although his ‘keeping is not as good. Ali could drop back down the order to give Hales his chance, and James Taylor deserves a position at, say, five or six in place of Stokes. Titanic, rearranging and deckchairs spring to mind! The type of pitch in Sharjah will be crucial. I can’t believe it won’t be spin-friendly, in which case both Rashid and Ali will play. However fine they are with the willow, they are nowhere near as potent as Pakistan’s slow bowlers, and Pakistan must be favourites for another series win.
Monday, 19 October 2015
Cook so close to dishing up a desert victory
This was one of those matches which swung from looking like a certain draw to a dramatic final day climax. Apart from James Anderson’s early strike, Pakistan seemed to have made a positive start to the series as Shoaib Malik took charge.
Last time the two nations met in the UAE, the story was all about spinners. This time in Abu Dhabi, England’s slow bowlers between them ended up with figures of 69-3-297-0. This was particularly disappointing for Adil Rashid, making a belated Test debut.
Malik shared stands of 168 (with Hafeez) and 248 (with Asad Shafiq) and compiled a career-best 245 before becoming the third of Ben Stokes’ four victims. England thus needed to bat log and hard to avoid defeat. This they achieved admirably, thanks largely to Alastair Cook.
The captain found himself in the unusual position of the faster scoring opening partner, contributing the bulk of the 116 made with Moeen Ali. It was a similar story when Ian Bell came to the crease, then both Joe Root and Stokes also hit half-centuries. Meanwhile, Cook advanced serenely past 200 and appeared almost certain of reaching 300 when a mistimed sweep ended the innings. Amazingly it had lasted 190 overs and just short of 14 hours, longer than even Len Hutton’s ex-world record 364 epic 77 years earlier.
In hindsight, the fifth morning declaration may have been delayed for too long but the turnaround was impressive. In particular, Rashid claimed five victims as Pakistan self-destructed. Bowled out for just 173, they now had barely an hour to prevent England slogging their way to a target of 99. Now for the real drama.
Promoting Buttler to join Ali, England were set on victory. However, things didn’t go all their way. The openers fell quickly, as did Stokes and Bairstow, but with another 25 required from a maximum of eight overs, the umpires Oxenford and Reiffel ruled that the light was too bad to continue.
Tough on England. Tough on cricket, too, but the officials undeniably played by the rules. It just adds just a little edge to the forthcoming Second Test.
Last time the two nations met in the UAE, the story was all about spinners. This time in Abu Dhabi, England’s slow bowlers between them ended up with figures of 69-3-297-0. This was particularly disappointing for Adil Rashid, making a belated Test debut.
Malik shared stands of 168 (with Hafeez) and 248 (with Asad Shafiq) and compiled a career-best 245 before becoming the third of Ben Stokes’ four victims. England thus needed to bat log and hard to avoid defeat. This they achieved admirably, thanks largely to Alastair Cook.
The captain found himself in the unusual position of the faster scoring opening partner, contributing the bulk of the 116 made with Moeen Ali. It was a similar story when Ian Bell came to the crease, then both Joe Root and Stokes also hit half-centuries. Meanwhile, Cook advanced serenely past 200 and appeared almost certain of reaching 300 when a mistimed sweep ended the innings. Amazingly it had lasted 190 overs and just short of 14 hours, longer than even Len Hutton’s ex-world record 364 epic 77 years earlier.
In hindsight, the fifth morning declaration may have been delayed for too long but the turnaround was impressive. In particular, Rashid claimed five victims as Pakistan self-destructed. Bowled out for just 173, they now had barely an hour to prevent England slogging their way to a target of 99. Now for the real drama.
Promoting Buttler to join Ali, England were set on victory. However, things didn’t go all their way. The openers fell quickly, as did Stokes and Bairstow, but with another 25 required from a maximum of eight overs, the umpires Oxenford and Reiffel ruled that the light was too bad to continue.
Tough on England. Tough on cricket, too, but the officials undeniably played by the rules. It just adds just a little edge to the forthcoming Second Test.
Saturday, 6 September 2014
Team of the Week: Lyth and Faf put their sides in charge
It was a funny old week involving mountains of runs and an England fightback. Joe Root built up steadily across the week, culminating in a rare ODI century and even rarer triumph for Cook's men at Headingley. Ajinkya Rahane struck a splendid century in India's winning cause before falling for a third-ball duck in the final match. Durham played Nottinghamshire twice, emerging victorious both times, taking them into the Royal London Cup final against Warwickshire and also potentially deciding the fate of the Championship title.
That now seems destined for Yorkshire, who beat Roses rivals Lancashire by an innings at Old Trafford with a record innings score of over 600. Adam Lyth scored 251 and Adil Rashid an unbeaten 159, together with his eight wickets, as Lancs subsided on home territory.
Another double-centurion was Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams. He put on 253 with Michael Carberry for the first wicket as the county consolidated their promotion place in Division Two. Leaders Worcestershire suffered a second consecutive defeat, this time to an energised Derbyshire, for whom Wayne Madsen contributed 56 and 98 and newly-bearded all-rounder Wes Durston a career-best spin haul of 5-19.
Angus Robson, Sam Hain, James Taylor and Usman Khawaja each reached three figures in the Championship yet fail to make my team of the week thanks to dismal showings in their other innings, but Glamorgan's Chris Cooke ended his first-class century drought in style. His 171 kept his county in the match early on, then Graeme Wagg's 116 not out ensured a draw with Kent, although he was assisted by the fact that all eleven Kent players had a bowl on the final afternoon!
Two red-haired Durham all-rounders also make my Eleven. Paul Collingwood struck 123 runs and claimed a 3-26 in the Championship fixture while Ben Stokes thrashed an excellent 164 in 113 balls in the 50-over semi-final. No doubt he gained confidence from his 3-47 and batting cameo for England, following his three successive ducks earlier in the series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's brilliant 2-14 in England's trouncing at Edgbaston also merits a place ahead of Dale Steyn and Thisara Perera.
My wicketkeeper is Alex Barrow. While still only 22, he has been in the shadows of Kieswetter and Buttler for a few years at Somerset, hampered by an inability to score runs. However, against Northamptonshire, he made a career best 88, including eighteen boundaries, without which the Taunton side may well have witnessed the visitors' first Championship success of the season.
I conclude with the outstanding batting sequence of the week, served up by South Africa's Faf du Plessis. He scored 126, 121 and 96 as the Proteas won the triangular ODI tournament in Zimbabwe. With just one more boundary in the final he'd have become the first man ever to score four centuries in an ODI series. Gutted! However, he did aggregate an impressive a record 464 runs in the five games and until last week had never reached three figures in 50-over cricket. What a way to break through!
And so my team reads:- Lyth (Yor), Adams (Ham *), du Plessis (SA), Madsen (Der), Cooke (Gla), Collingwood (Dur), Stokes (Eng/Dur), Rashid (Yor), Durston (Der), Barrow (Som +), Kumar (Ind).
That now seems destined for Yorkshire, who beat Roses rivals Lancashire by an innings at Old Trafford with a record innings score of over 600. Adam Lyth scored 251 and Adil Rashid an unbeaten 159, together with his eight wickets, as Lancs subsided on home territory.
Another double-centurion was Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams. He put on 253 with Michael Carberry for the first wicket as the county consolidated their promotion place in Division Two. Leaders Worcestershire suffered a second consecutive defeat, this time to an energised Derbyshire, for whom Wayne Madsen contributed 56 and 98 and newly-bearded all-rounder Wes Durston a career-best spin haul of 5-19.
Angus Robson, Sam Hain, James Taylor and Usman Khawaja each reached three figures in the Championship yet fail to make my team of the week thanks to dismal showings in their other innings, but Glamorgan's Chris Cooke ended his first-class century drought in style. His 171 kept his county in the match early on, then Graeme Wagg's 116 not out ensured a draw with Kent, although he was assisted by the fact that all eleven Kent players had a bowl on the final afternoon!
Two red-haired Durham all-rounders also make my Eleven. Paul Collingwood struck 123 runs and claimed a 3-26 in the Championship fixture while Ben Stokes thrashed an excellent 164 in 113 balls in the 50-over semi-final. No doubt he gained confidence from his 3-47 and batting cameo for England, following his three successive ducks earlier in the series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's brilliant 2-14 in England's trouncing at Edgbaston also merits a place ahead of Dale Steyn and Thisara Perera.
My wicketkeeper is Alex Barrow. While still only 22, he has been in the shadows of Kieswetter and Buttler for a few years at Somerset, hampered by an inability to score runs. However, against Northamptonshire, he made a career best 88, including eighteen boundaries, without which the Taunton side may well have witnessed the visitors' first Championship success of the season.
I conclude with the outstanding batting sequence of the week, served up by South Africa's Faf du Plessis. He scored 126, 121 and 96 as the Proteas won the triangular ODI tournament in Zimbabwe. With just one more boundary in the final he'd have become the first man ever to score four centuries in an ODI series. Gutted! However, he did aggregate an impressive a record 464 runs in the five games and until last week had never reached three figures in 50-over cricket. What a way to break through!
And so my team reads:- Lyth (Yor), Adams (Ham *), du Plessis (SA), Madsen (Der), Cooke (Gla), Collingwood (Dur), Stokes (Eng/Dur), Rashid (Yor), Durston (Der), Barrow (Som +), Kumar (Ind).
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
White and Red Roses in the ascendancy
And so we reach that point in the calendar when county cricketers have to forget the junior coaching manual and try different things every ball. Yes, this week it's the Friends Life t20 and no, I haven't a clue who's going to win. I'll come onto this tournament in a later blog. It's interesting to look at the County Championship tables at this halfway stage, especially if you're team wear a rose on their caps/helmets.
In the First Division, it's Yorkshire who are in pole position to clinch a title that has eluded them for years. Even without Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow for much of the campaign, their batsmen have been in fine form. Gale and Ballance have been in fine fettle and the reinvigorated all-rounder Adil Rashid boasts a first-class average in three figures, as does Root. The white Roses stand eight points clear of Sussex, whose bowlers Chris Jordan and Stuart Magoffin have taken more wickets than anybody else. However, in this week's match against Notts, there were two innings of 204 not out, by Ed Joyce and the opponents' James Taylor, whose chances of making the England team this summer may have crept up from remote to merely unlikely. Middlesex are third, owing much to Aussie Chris Rogers and a brief burst of high scores from fellow opener Sam Robson. The ever-dependable seamer Tim Murtagh is also right up there with 37 wickets to date and a sub-20 average.
Somerset entered the first-class break on a high after winning their first Championship match of the season. Steve Kirby may be almost twice the age of teenage twin Jamie Overton but the two of them combined well with Craig Meschede to bowl out Derbyshire this week and jump to sixth. Poor Derbyshire remain bottom but, despite that much-publicised comeback innings from Kevin Pietersen an dthe arrival of Ricky Ponting, cash-splashers Surrey also remain winless in seventh. Surely that won't continue come August, especially as they have lost only twice.
In Division Two, leaders Northants had their considerable advantage trimmed to just seventeen points after losing to main rivals Lancashire. Kyle Hogg and Glen Chapple maintained their two-man attack dominance. A week after demolishing Essex for twenty, they bowled Alex Wakely's side out for 62. In a low-scoring game, that proved critical in ending the visitors' unbeaten record. Lancashire have yet to lose, and are themselves 16 points clear in second with a game in hand over Worcestershire, for whom Moeen Ali smashed a career-best 250 against Glamorgan. Ali is now the leading first-class run-maker in domestic first-class cricket this summer. Don't discount Northants, though, because Copeland, Willey and Crook are taking wickets a-plenty, and Andrew Hall remains a considerable asset with bat and ball.
Hampshire and Essex continue to underachieve, while Glamorgan are heavily relilant on captain James Allenby and the bowling of late- developing Aussie Michael Hogan. Kent are very disappointing share a winless record with perennial strugglers Leicestershire. Nice to see Matt Hoggard turning back the clock with a defiant 6-66 in the defeat to Essex, though. These will hope that they can recover form once the T20 fever briefly subsides, but it's a format where Hampshire have enjoyed in the past few years.
In the First Division, it's Yorkshire who are in pole position to clinch a title that has eluded them for years. Even without Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow for much of the campaign, their batsmen have been in fine form. Gale and Ballance have been in fine fettle and the reinvigorated all-rounder Adil Rashid boasts a first-class average in three figures, as does Root. The white Roses stand eight points clear of Sussex, whose bowlers Chris Jordan and Stuart Magoffin have taken more wickets than anybody else. However, in this week's match against Notts, there were two innings of 204 not out, by Ed Joyce and the opponents' James Taylor, whose chances of making the England team this summer may have crept up from remote to merely unlikely. Middlesex are third, owing much to Aussie Chris Rogers and a brief burst of high scores from fellow opener Sam Robson. The ever-dependable seamer Tim Murtagh is also right up there with 37 wickets to date and a sub-20 average.
Somerset entered the first-class break on a high after winning their first Championship match of the season. Steve Kirby may be almost twice the age of teenage twin Jamie Overton but the two of them combined well with Craig Meschede to bowl out Derbyshire this week and jump to sixth. Poor Derbyshire remain bottom but, despite that much-publicised comeback innings from Kevin Pietersen an dthe arrival of Ricky Ponting, cash-splashers Surrey also remain winless in seventh. Surely that won't continue come August, especially as they have lost only twice.
In Division Two, leaders Northants had their considerable advantage trimmed to just seventeen points after losing to main rivals Lancashire. Kyle Hogg and Glen Chapple maintained their two-man attack dominance. A week after demolishing Essex for twenty, they bowled Alex Wakely's side out for 62. In a low-scoring game, that proved critical in ending the visitors' unbeaten record. Lancashire have yet to lose, and are themselves 16 points clear in second with a game in hand over Worcestershire, for whom Moeen Ali smashed a career-best 250 against Glamorgan. Ali is now the leading first-class run-maker in domestic first-class cricket this summer. Don't discount Northants, though, because Copeland, Willey and Crook are taking wickets a-plenty, and Andrew Hall remains a considerable asset with bat and ball.
Hampshire and Essex continue to underachieve, while Glamorgan are heavily relilant on captain James Allenby and the bowling of late- developing Aussie Michael Hogan. Kent are very disappointing share a winless record with perennial strugglers Leicestershire. Nice to see Matt Hoggard turning back the clock with a defiant 6-66 in the defeat to Essex, though. These will hope that they can recover form once the T20 fever briefly subsides, but it's a format where Hampshire have enjoyed in the past few years.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Root not the only Young Yorkie star
Hats off to Joe Root! But is he the real deal? I've seen so many promising careers flounder it's easy to be cynical about another 22 year-old enjoying a spell in the limelight at such a young age. However, like Alastair Cook seven years ago, the lad from Sheffield really does look the part. His is not an overnight success built on one huge score against Division Two bowling or a whirlwind T20 blitz. Instead it was steady scoring for his county and a cool head with the Lions which earned him a place on the India tour. His painstaking 73 at Nagpur demonstrated many of the qualities needed in Test cricket but instead of sitting back and admiring his caps and the video, Root returned to Yorkshire and compiled some huge scores, beginning with 182 and 236 in successive matches in the Championship.
With no KP and Bopara out of the equation, Joe was an obvious pick to play in the New Zealand Test series, collecting innings of 40, 71 and that effortless debut century in front of his home fans at Headingley. And he has those annoyingly blond boyish looks which will probably stay with him for years. However, three years ago, another 22 year-old Yorkshire opener looked set for international stardom. Adam Lyth may have been short of hair but he made a big impression in the domestic game before seemingly losing the plot in the past few seasons. His century this week against Somerset was a welcome return to form, but only because of Root's absence on England duty.
Joe Sayers and Rich Pyrah are no longer spring chickens but Gary Ballance is severly under-rated. Perhaps it's because of his Zimbabwe background (a nephew of the great batsman David Houghton) but he has now been wearing the white rose for five years or so. Still only 23, he boasts a career first-class batting average of 51 and a barely credible List A figure of 53.55! Few in the world can better that. And then there's Adil Rashid. Fabulous leg-spinner-turned-all-rounder-come-Headingley reject, the 25 year-old is enjoying a new lease of life as a batsman. He has an impressive 305 first-class wickets to his name but few have come this summer. Instead, he has now fashioned centuries in each of his last three Championship fixtures, taking his batting average to 36, just above his bowling average.
Could he finally win that England Test place to go alongside those five mediocre ODI appearances in 2009? Probably not, because don't forget there's a 23 year-old from Bradford named Jonny Bairstow in the way. Yorkshire have nice balance to their line-up these days and deserve to be restored to the forefront of English cricket. A decade or so ago, I recall being at Lord's for a Test which saw Vaughan, Hoggard, Gough and White lining up for England against the West Indies. Of course, in those days, such players could still do their stuff for their county, too. Now, a Bairstow or Root will make their name for England, receive a central contract and thereafter rely on the generosity of the Lord's big cheeses to be allowed back to represent the club which nurtured their talents from childhood. I think that's a real shame.
What Adil Rashid, Azeem Rafiq, Adam Lyth and co need to do is turn in consistent performances for Yorkshire but not be TOO good. That's probably the only way the Championship pennant can flutter once more alongside the White Rose at Headingley. At least they can enjoy the opportunity to see Root and Bairstow sharing more impressive partnerships at Headingley albeit in England colours.
With no KP and Bopara out of the equation, Joe was an obvious pick to play in the New Zealand Test series, collecting innings of 40, 71 and that effortless debut century in front of his home fans at Headingley. And he has those annoyingly blond boyish looks which will probably stay with him for years. However, three years ago, another 22 year-old Yorkshire opener looked set for international stardom. Adam Lyth may have been short of hair but he made a big impression in the domestic game before seemingly losing the plot in the past few seasons. His century this week against Somerset was a welcome return to form, but only because of Root's absence on England duty.
Joe Sayers and Rich Pyrah are no longer spring chickens but Gary Ballance is severly under-rated. Perhaps it's because of his Zimbabwe background (a nephew of the great batsman David Houghton) but he has now been wearing the white rose for five years or so. Still only 23, he boasts a career first-class batting average of 51 and a barely credible List A figure of 53.55! Few in the world can better that. And then there's Adil Rashid. Fabulous leg-spinner-turned-all-rounder-come-Headingley reject, the 25 year-old is enjoying a new lease of life as a batsman. He has an impressive 305 first-class wickets to his name but few have come this summer. Instead, he has now fashioned centuries in each of his last three Championship fixtures, taking his batting average to 36, just above his bowling average.
Could he finally win that England Test place to go alongside those five mediocre ODI appearances in 2009? Probably not, because don't forget there's a 23 year-old from Bradford named Jonny Bairstow in the way. Yorkshire have nice balance to their line-up these days and deserve to be restored to the forefront of English cricket. A decade or so ago, I recall being at Lord's for a Test which saw Vaughan, Hoggard, Gough and White lining up for England against the West Indies. Of course, in those days, such players could still do their stuff for their county, too. Now, a Bairstow or Root will make their name for England, receive a central contract and thereafter rely on the generosity of the Lord's big cheeses to be allowed back to represent the club which nurtured their talents from childhood. I think that's a real shame.
What Adil Rashid, Azeem Rafiq, Adam Lyth and co need to do is turn in consistent performances for Yorkshire but not be TOO good. That's probably the only way the Championship pennant can flutter once more alongside the White Rose at Headingley. At least they can enjoy the opportunity to see Root and Bairstow sharing more impressive partnerships at Headingley albeit in England colours.
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