Imagine the following scenario. Andrew Strauss sits down with Alastair Cook for a chat about England’s strategy, after which Cook announces his immediate retirement from international cricket. A week later, Joe Root says he is taking an indefinite break from the game. It’ll never happen, right? Well, something very similar has just happened in women’s cricket.
Last week came the news that England’s long-serving captain and middle-order batter Charlotte Edwards had been forced to stand down. Today came the even more shocking revelation that her likely successor Sarah Taylor is “to take some personal time away from the game". With James Taylor having forced to quit the sport for health reasons at the same age, that’s two of my favourite cricketers off the scene at ridiculously young ages.
Edwards has given two decades’ service to England cricket, making her Test debut at the age of 16, scoring 34 and 31 against New Zealand. Test matches are rare in the women’s game, so since July 1996, the bulk of Edwards’ 309 appearances for her country have been in ODIs and T20s. With a Test average of 44, she remains one of the most successful run-makers in the modern game. But more than this, England Women have under his leadership moved into a new era, the professional era, in which players no longer have to wear skirts and caps, de rigeur when Charlotte started her career.
She has lifted the World T20 Cup and Ashes but the Aussies have in recent years become bigger stars. Edwards is not the best runners out in the middle and maybe that is why coach Mark Robinson, backed by his boss Clare Connor, gave her the elbow in the name of promoting youth and fitness. Last year at Cardiff, when signing autographs at the boundary fence, I must admit she did look like the proud elder sister amongst her younger siblings, a mother hen shepherding her clucking chickens. I don’t mean that disparagingly at all. Charlotte Edwards was, is, a genuine star and, as the likes of Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry will testify, she is one of the greats of the game, not just in 2016 but in its entire history.
I’ve written before about the way Sarah Taylor always plays with a smile on her face, be it batting or behind the stumps. That belies a steely determination that all top sports people must possess to succeed. And success is no stranger to Sarah.
Her debut came against India in 2006 at the grand old age of 17. Since then she has become one of the world’s best players, opening and keeping wicket. Admittedly last year’s Ashes series and the recent World T20 didn’t see Taylor at her best. Nevertheless the media aren’t revealing the reason for her immediate break, which will presumably scupper her chance of taking Edwards’ place as captain and participating in the summer fixtures against Pakistan.
Sarah is undoubtedly an emotional player who, while delighting spectators like me, can get under the skin of opponents, albeit not in a nasty Jimmy Anderson way. Maybe that explains why her form can be a rollercoaster ride. When she makes runs, England usually win. When she fails, so does her team. However, she has recently spread her wings in Australian Men’s Grade cricket and their women’s Big Bash, easily holding her own.
So what about her future? I am clinging to the hope dangled by history. At 21 she took a similar break before returning in even better form than ever. Please, Sarah, come back to grace the game once more. Women’s cricket can’t afford to lose two of its biggest names.
Showing posts with label Charlotte Edwards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlotte Edwards. Show all posts
Monday, 16 May 2016
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
New Zealand unbeaten in both World T20 tourneys
Apparently there are a couple of international cricket tournaments going on at present in India. An England are doing rather well in both! I haven’t seen much of either, bar the occasional 4-minute taster courtesy of CricInfo’s post-match online highlights packages which consist almost entirely of sixes and wickets. However, what’s interesting about the Men’s World T20 competition in particular is the performances of the leading contenders, good and bad.
Being the host nation, India would have been expected to emerge unscathed from the group stages. However, having lost the opener to New Zealand in somewhat embarrassing fashion, it took a special Virat Kohli innings to see dismiss the Australian challenge in the final Group 2 match at Mohali and see them through. Steve Smith’s side must have fancied their chances of making the semi-finals but, despite some useful all-round cameos from James Faulkner and the retiring Shane Watson, they managed to beat only Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In Group A, England have experienced a typical rolleroaster ride. Initially smashed by Chris Gayle and given an almighty scare by Afghanistan, they were rescued by Joe Root in an amazing run chase against South Africa, then Jos Buttler and fine death bowling by Willey, Jordan and Stokes to thwart Sri Lanka in Delhi.
West Indies had already wrapped up qualification by the time they fell short of Afghanistan’s meagre total of 123 at Nagpur, so this result, memorable as it was for the minnows, probably counts for nothing in the semi-finals.
For all the media coverage of Kohli’s match-winning 82 not out, Pakistan’s miserable campaign and Sri Lanka’s unhealthy reliance on Angelo Mathews and a few spinners, the real stars of the World Cup so far have been New Zealand. The only team with a 100% record, the Black Caps have looked typically ruthless in the group stage. And all their victories have come batting first!
Yet instead of the expected foundation built of Williamson, Taylor, Southee and Boult, their success so far has owed much to the reading of the pitches and the bold selection of spinners at the expense of the experienced seam and swing brigade. Will Sodhi, Milne and Santner strangle the England batsmen in the same way? Will the West Indian leggie Samuel Badree, along with Russell and the wily Dwayne Bravo pose a similar threat to India? The next few days will give us the answers. This is T20 so anything can happen, but I predict an England-India final.
In the Women’s tournament, New Zealand also won four out of four, even beating red-hot favourites Australia thanks to Leigh Kasparek’s three early wickets and Morna Nielsen’s impressive stats of 4-0-4-0! England skipper Charlotte Edwards has been leading from the front and now meet old rivals Australia in the semis. I enjoyed their Ashes contest at Cardiff last summer and so I’ll probably pay more attention to this fixture than either of the men’s knockouts. I reckon Meg Lanning’s team will gain revenge for that defeat in Wales and proceed to meet the West Indies in the climax.
Being the host nation, India would have been expected to emerge unscathed from the group stages. However, having lost the opener to New Zealand in somewhat embarrassing fashion, it took a special Virat Kohli innings to see dismiss the Australian challenge in the final Group 2 match at Mohali and see them through. Steve Smith’s side must have fancied their chances of making the semi-finals but, despite some useful all-round cameos from James Faulkner and the retiring Shane Watson, they managed to beat only Pakistan and Bangladesh.
In Group A, England have experienced a typical rolleroaster ride. Initially smashed by Chris Gayle and given an almighty scare by Afghanistan, they were rescued by Joe Root in an amazing run chase against South Africa, then Jos Buttler and fine death bowling by Willey, Jordan and Stokes to thwart Sri Lanka in Delhi.
West Indies had already wrapped up qualification by the time they fell short of Afghanistan’s meagre total of 123 at Nagpur, so this result, memorable as it was for the minnows, probably counts for nothing in the semi-finals.
For all the media coverage of Kohli’s match-winning 82 not out, Pakistan’s miserable campaign and Sri Lanka’s unhealthy reliance on Angelo Mathews and a few spinners, the real stars of the World Cup so far have been New Zealand. The only team with a 100% record, the Black Caps have looked typically ruthless in the group stage. And all their victories have come batting first!
Yet instead of the expected foundation built of Williamson, Taylor, Southee and Boult, their success so far has owed much to the reading of the pitches and the bold selection of spinners at the expense of the experienced seam and swing brigade. Will Sodhi, Milne and Santner strangle the England batsmen in the same way? Will the West Indian leggie Samuel Badree, along with Russell and the wily Dwayne Bravo pose a similar threat to India? The next few days will give us the answers. This is T20 so anything can happen, but I predict an England-India final.
In the Women’s tournament, New Zealand also won four out of four, even beating red-hot favourites Australia thanks to Leigh Kasparek’s three early wickets and Morna Nielsen’s impressive stats of 4-0-4-0! England skipper Charlotte Edwards has been leading from the front and now meet old rivals Australia in the semis. I enjoyed their Ashes contest at Cardiff last summer and so I’ll probably pay more attention to this fixture than either of the men’s knockouts. I reckon Meg Lanning’s team will gain revenge for that defeat in Wales and proceed to meet the West Indies in the climax.
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Women’s Cricket Deserves Centre Stage
There were many reasons why August Bank Holiday in Cardiff was so enjoyable. Firstly, it actually refrained from raining between 10am and 6pm. Secondly, the T20 double-header provided twice the entertainment value that I expected.
I rarely glean much satisfaction from watching a Twenty20 match. Too much biff-bang, little finesse and despite the paucity of balls bowled, there’s no guarantee of an exciting finish. However, if there’s an opportunity of watching two matches in succession, I can be persuaded!
Monday was just such an occasion. The headlines focussed on the men’s game. They enjoyed the full house, the patriotic, vociferous support (maybe not from the few Welsh locals, of whom I am an honourable member!) and the enthralling climax. There were Eoin Morgan’s seven sixes, a beautiful innings from Moeen Ali, Steve Smith’s excellently paced 90 and the thrilling catch by Ben Stokes which turned the game England’s way. There was also the unfortunate dismissal of Shane Watson which not only stirred the derision of the crowd but also hilarity of his own bench upon the repeat showing on the big screen later on. I know because I was sitting close to the Aussies. Even Darren Lehmann was laughing heartily!
However, to concentrate on the men’s one-off fixture would do the women’s game a gross injustice. I hadn’t bought my ticket just to see Hales, Watson, Buttler, Starc and co. I was intrigued by the prospect of watching first-hand the newly-professionalised Women’s teams doing battle for their version of the Ashes. While a batting collapse at Hove a few days earlier had rendered the Cardiff tie redundant as an Ashes decider, there was still much to play for.
I’d familiarised myself with the leading players with a few snippets of gams in the past year or two so I was keenly awaiting the chance to see global stars such as England’s skipper Charlotte Edwards, her Aussie counterpart Meg Lanning, star all-rounder Ellyse Perry and our own wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor, my new favourite cricketer!
It was interesting to compare the two games. Of course the men’s game provided more power, pace and sixes. However, the opener featured no less skill and was played in great spirit. One reason I like watching Sarah Taylor is her enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of playing. Something the men should remember from time to time.
Two performances stood out. Anya Shrubsole ripped out the first four Aussie wickets, including the ever-dangerous Lanning and newcomer Jess Jonassen. Perry stuck around for 16 before becoming one of Natalie Scriver’s four victims. Grace Harris struck a few sixes but 111 didn’t look a formidable total. Nevertheless, England had failed to reach even 90 in the previous T20, so anything was possible, especially when Edwards, Wyatt and Taylor were all gone by the fourth over.
Enter Scriver once more. She steadied the ship, put on 55 with Katherine Brunt and was run out with only six needed. Lydia Greenway did the rest and victory came in the nineteenth over. A wonderful all-round display from Sciver but I was mightily impressed by all the bowlers and in particular the fielding, every bit as smart as the men’s.
The awards and celebrations were a bit muted. Maybe it was because the Aussies had done most of their champagne cork-popping at Hove. However, most of the players on both sides were happy to sign autographs and pose for selfies afterwards. These weren’t the big strapping selfish sports stars we have become familiar with. They were young ‘normal’ athletes keen to build a rapport with the fans, and they seemed genuinely pleased to do so.
I sincerely hope that women’s cricket continues to grow and attract not only TV audiences but also youngsters willing to pick up a ball and bat. From what I experienced at Cardiff on and off the field, they are going about it in the right way. Those who couldn’t be bothered to turn up in the morning at the SSE Swalec missed a real treat.
I rarely glean much satisfaction from watching a Twenty20 match. Too much biff-bang, little finesse and despite the paucity of balls bowled, there’s no guarantee of an exciting finish. However, if there’s an opportunity of watching two matches in succession, I can be persuaded!
Monday was just such an occasion. The headlines focussed on the men’s game. They enjoyed the full house, the patriotic, vociferous support (maybe not from the few Welsh locals, of whom I am an honourable member!) and the enthralling climax. There were Eoin Morgan’s seven sixes, a beautiful innings from Moeen Ali, Steve Smith’s excellently paced 90 and the thrilling catch by Ben Stokes which turned the game England’s way. There was also the unfortunate dismissal of Shane Watson which not only stirred the derision of the crowd but also hilarity of his own bench upon the repeat showing on the big screen later on. I know because I was sitting close to the Aussies. Even Darren Lehmann was laughing heartily!
However, to concentrate on the men’s one-off fixture would do the women’s game a gross injustice. I hadn’t bought my ticket just to see Hales, Watson, Buttler, Starc and co. I was intrigued by the prospect of watching first-hand the newly-professionalised Women’s teams doing battle for their version of the Ashes. While a batting collapse at Hove a few days earlier had rendered the Cardiff tie redundant as an Ashes decider, there was still much to play for.
I’d familiarised myself with the leading players with a few snippets of gams in the past year or two so I was keenly awaiting the chance to see global stars such as England’s skipper Charlotte Edwards, her Aussie counterpart Meg Lanning, star all-rounder Ellyse Perry and our own wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor, my new favourite cricketer!
It was interesting to compare the two games. Of course the men’s game provided more power, pace and sixes. However, the opener featured no less skill and was played in great spirit. One reason I like watching Sarah Taylor is her enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of playing. Something the men should remember from time to time.
Two performances stood out. Anya Shrubsole ripped out the first four Aussie wickets, including the ever-dangerous Lanning and newcomer Jess Jonassen. Perry stuck around for 16 before becoming one of Natalie Scriver’s four victims. Grace Harris struck a few sixes but 111 didn’t look a formidable total. Nevertheless, England had failed to reach even 90 in the previous T20, so anything was possible, especially when Edwards, Wyatt and Taylor were all gone by the fourth over.
Enter Scriver once more. She steadied the ship, put on 55 with Katherine Brunt and was run out with only six needed. Lydia Greenway did the rest and victory came in the nineteenth over. A wonderful all-round display from Sciver but I was mightily impressed by all the bowlers and in particular the fielding, every bit as smart as the men’s.
The awards and celebrations were a bit muted. Maybe it was because the Aussies had done most of their champagne cork-popping at Hove. However, most of the players on both sides were happy to sign autographs and pose for selfies afterwards. These weren’t the big strapping selfish sports stars we have become familiar with. They were young ‘normal’ athletes keen to build a rapport with the fans, and they seemed genuinely pleased to do so.
I sincerely hope that women’s cricket continues to grow and attract not only TV audiences but also youngsters willing to pick up a ball and bat. From what I experienced at Cardiff on and off the field, they are going about it in the right way. Those who couldn’t be bothered to turn up in the morning at the SSE Swalec missed a real treat.
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Team of the Week: AB and Taylor Prosper
The week ending 29th August was one bereft of first-class cricket but there were important limted-overs matches played, from ODIs to the Royal London quarter-finals and the Nat West T20 Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston. Despite the lack of innings played, there were easily sufficient performances worthy of gracing any of my Teams of the Week.
I'll start with England's skipper. No, not that one; the ever-reliable Charlotte Edwards. Her 108 was her ninth ODI century and helped secure a win against India's Women. On the other side of the world, Aaron Finch produced his own hundred for Australia against South Africa in the Triangular tournament.
With England's middle-order stuggling against India at Cardiff, James Taylor's magnificent unbeaten 146 in 154 balls for Nottinghamshire was a timely advertisement for his growing reputation as a one-day batsman par excellence as well as a consistent run-maker in the four-day game. AB De Villiers has seen it and done it for SOuth Africa but this week he did it again. This time, Australia were on the end of a 111-ball 136 in a game where Faf DuPlessis also reached three figures.
There was an even bigger partnership in the West Indies' third ODI against Bangladesh. The outstanding contributor was wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, plundering 169 from only 121 deliveries. And I can't ignore Suresh Raina's 100 in 75 balls here in Cardiff, where England were a distant second best. I also note that Glen Maxwell enjoyed an easy ride against Zimbabwe last week, too, whacking 93 in 46 balls, but it's not enough to make my team.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan were locking swords in an ODI series, and the former's captain Angelo Mathews continued his recent form. He served up scores of 89 and 93, allied to a few useful wickets. His seamer team-mate Thisara Perera is also becoming a star all-rounder. A 36-ball 65 and 3-19 were the highlights of his week.
My final three selections are all spinners. 'Ooh, Ravi Jadeja' was the frequent cry from the India fans at Sophia Gardens, whether he was taking wickets, fielding or facing his 'handbags' opponent Jimmy Anderson. 4-28 in an ODI victory does indeed merit a few 'oohs'. Warwickshire (aka Birmingham) may have won the T20 Blast but I rate Lancashire's Steven Croft as the player of the day. In the semi, he hit 22 in 12 balls and took 2-11 in three overs. His 1-17 in four was the most economical bowling statistic even if he ended up a runner-up. Then there's another loser in my XI. Zimbabwe may have been defeated by SA but the intriguingly monikered Prosper Utsaya lived up to his name by capturing five wickets.
A one-day-dominated week thus yields the following star Eleven: Edwards (Eng W, *), Finch (Aus), Taylor (Not), De Villiers (SA), Raina (Ind), Ramdin (WI, +), Mathews (SL), Croft (Lan), Jadeja (Ind), Perera (SL), Utseya (Zim)
I'll start with England's skipper. No, not that one; the ever-reliable Charlotte Edwards. Her 108 was her ninth ODI century and helped secure a win against India's Women. On the other side of the world, Aaron Finch produced his own hundred for Australia against South Africa in the Triangular tournament.
With England's middle-order stuggling against India at Cardiff, James Taylor's magnificent unbeaten 146 in 154 balls for Nottinghamshire was a timely advertisement for his growing reputation as a one-day batsman par excellence as well as a consistent run-maker in the four-day game. AB De Villiers has seen it and done it for SOuth Africa but this week he did it again. This time, Australia were on the end of a 111-ball 136 in a game where Faf DuPlessis also reached three figures.
There was an even bigger partnership in the West Indies' third ODI against Bangladesh. The outstanding contributor was wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, plundering 169 from only 121 deliveries. And I can't ignore Suresh Raina's 100 in 75 balls here in Cardiff, where England were a distant second best. I also note that Glen Maxwell enjoyed an easy ride against Zimbabwe last week, too, whacking 93 in 46 balls, but it's not enough to make my team.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan were locking swords in an ODI series, and the former's captain Angelo Mathews continued his recent form. He served up scores of 89 and 93, allied to a few useful wickets. His seamer team-mate Thisara Perera is also becoming a star all-rounder. A 36-ball 65 and 3-19 were the highlights of his week.
My final three selections are all spinners. 'Ooh, Ravi Jadeja' was the frequent cry from the India fans at Sophia Gardens, whether he was taking wickets, fielding or facing his 'handbags' opponent Jimmy Anderson. 4-28 in an ODI victory does indeed merit a few 'oohs'. Warwickshire (aka Birmingham) may have won the T20 Blast but I rate Lancashire's Steven Croft as the player of the day. In the semi, he hit 22 in 12 balls and took 2-11 in three overs. His 1-17 in four was the most economical bowling statistic even if he ended up a runner-up. Then there's another loser in my XI. Zimbabwe may have been defeated by SA but the intriguingly monikered Prosper Utsaya lived up to his name by capturing five wickets.
A one-day-dominated week thus yields the following star Eleven: Edwards (Eng W, *), Finch (Aus), Taylor (Not), De Villiers (SA), Raina (Ind), Ramdin (WI, +), Mathews (SL), Croft (Lan), Jadeja (Ind), Perera (SL), Utseya (Zim)
Friday, 11 April 2014
Five Cricketers of the Year 2014
It's always interesting to find out who Wisden decides worthy to be one of their prestigious Five Cricketers of the Year. By tradition, players cannot be picked more than once, so some years it must be frustrating. What about Dale Steyn? No, he was picked last year. Michael Clarke? No, 2010. Stuart Broad? Same. Graham Onions? Ditto. Ho-hum.
Actually, there were some deserving candidates fulfilling the criteria. Moeen Ali would have walked it in a less busy year, while Ben Stokes, Michael Hogan, Brad Haddin and Jim Allenby must have been considered. Ashes participants occupied four of the places, two from England, two Aussies. Joe Root's name owes more to that 180 at Lord's than anything else. At that point, I was hailing him as the genuine article, an England Test player with the talent and temperament to be a star for a decade or more. Once he puts the winter debacle behind him, I'm sure he'll bounce back.
England skipper Alastair Cook was selected in 2012 but his female counterpart Charlotte Edwards finally makes the list. Aged 34, she has led the England Women to success in all formats, and claimed the multi-format Ashes trophy last summer. Claire Taylor beat her to the title of first female to be one of the famous Five, but Edwards is as worthy as any male cricketer in the 2014 edition.
Chris Rogers was plucked from Middlesex to fill one of the problemmatic Australian opener slots for the tour here. Playing the anchor to the more ebullient Warner or Watson, the then 35 year-old justified the decision with three centuries between August and January. Just two years his junior, Ryan Harris also enjoyed a superb year, bustling in on his dodgy legs to take plenty of wickets while conceding few runs. Injury has restricted him to only 24 Tests, yet he has amassed 103 victims at under 23 apiece. That's world class. His current absence from the game may yet become permanent but Harris is surely guaranteed legend status!
The quintet is completed by Shikhar Dhawan. The bejewelled Delhi opener made a sensational debut with his 187 in 174 balls against Australia last March, and proceeded to be one of the stars of the Champions Trophy in the summer. I won't forget being at Cardiff to witness his exquisite hundred against South Africa. It's great to see an Indian who hasn't made the big time on the back of IPL success, and I hope he continues to delight audiences with his strokeplay for years to come.
2013 was also the year of Kevin Pietersen (one of the Five in 2006), Michael Clarke (2010) and the retiring Sachin Tendulkar (1997, but could have been almost any of the past 25 years!). Jacques Kallis had to wait until 2012 before his recognition and of course he has also now departed the arena.
As for 2014, who will make the grade? Virat Kohli is in the box seat, and the likes of Kane Williamson, Angelo Mathews and Sunil Narine are in the frame. IN the end, success in Test cricket should be the prime driver for inclusion so that's an open competition....
Actually, there were some deserving candidates fulfilling the criteria. Moeen Ali would have walked it in a less busy year, while Ben Stokes, Michael Hogan, Brad Haddin and Jim Allenby must have been considered. Ashes participants occupied four of the places, two from England, two Aussies. Joe Root's name owes more to that 180 at Lord's than anything else. At that point, I was hailing him as the genuine article, an England Test player with the talent and temperament to be a star for a decade or more. Once he puts the winter debacle behind him, I'm sure he'll bounce back.
England skipper Alastair Cook was selected in 2012 but his female counterpart Charlotte Edwards finally makes the list. Aged 34, she has led the England Women to success in all formats, and claimed the multi-format Ashes trophy last summer. Claire Taylor beat her to the title of first female to be one of the famous Five, but Edwards is as worthy as any male cricketer in the 2014 edition.
Chris Rogers was plucked from Middlesex to fill one of the problemmatic Australian opener slots for the tour here. Playing the anchor to the more ebullient Warner or Watson, the then 35 year-old justified the decision with three centuries between August and January. Just two years his junior, Ryan Harris also enjoyed a superb year, bustling in on his dodgy legs to take plenty of wickets while conceding few runs. Injury has restricted him to only 24 Tests, yet he has amassed 103 victims at under 23 apiece. That's world class. His current absence from the game may yet become permanent but Harris is surely guaranteed legend status!
The quintet is completed by Shikhar Dhawan. The bejewelled Delhi opener made a sensational debut with his 187 in 174 balls against Australia last March, and proceeded to be one of the stars of the Champions Trophy in the summer. I won't forget being at Cardiff to witness his exquisite hundred against South Africa. It's great to see an Indian who hasn't made the big time on the back of IPL success, and I hope he continues to delight audiences with his strokeplay for years to come.
2013 was also the year of Kevin Pietersen (one of the Five in 2006), Michael Clarke (2010) and the retiring Sachin Tendulkar (1997, but could have been almost any of the past 25 years!). Jacques Kallis had to wait until 2012 before his recognition and of course he has also now departed the arena.
As for 2014, who will make the grade? Virat Kohli is in the box seat, and the likes of Kane Williamson, Angelo Mathews and Sunil Narine are in the frame. IN the end, success in Test cricket should be the prime driver for inclusion so that's an open competition....
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