First of all, I have a confession to make. I haven't read Kevin Pietersen's autobiography. Like everybody else, that minor detail won't stop me commentig upon it. It's no secret that I'm no fan of KP. If he's a team player, it's Team Pietersen. Even Geoff Boycott, another maverick genius who arguably scored runs for himself rather than his colleagues - although rather more slowly! - indisputably loved his county, something Mr P never did. Whichever county it happened to be.
Nevertheless, I can't deny that Pietersen was a mighty fine batsman, capable of winning matches alone, especially the big ones. Despite the questions about his effort and on-field demeanour during the last Ashes series, he produced some superb innings. His record against Australia usually makes the headlines yet his Ashes stats look mediocre in comparison with those achieved against India and the West Indies.
8,181 runs in Tests at 47.28, 4,440 in ODIs at a nifty strike rate of 87 and 1,176 at 142 are impressive figures but don't tell the story of Pietersen's contribution to England's rise to the top of world cricket. The silly haircuts, tattoos and audacious shot-making were part of Brand KP and he never shirked controversy. And that proved to be his downfall. KP wasn't the moustachioed pantomime villain who lost the Ashes, and he certainly puts a different spin on that miserable winter in the new book, but he lost the confidence of the Flower-Cook regime long before that.
George Dobell's excellent article on the ESPNCricinfo website plays it commendably straight, and recognises that the book highlights flaws in the ECB hierarchy. True, but Andy Flower oversaw one of England's most gilded of golden ages. Of course, it didn't last long, as team allegiances and individuals' form crumbled. Paul Downton confirmed earlier this summer that KP was history as far as England were concerned, and I really don't blame him. His replacements have generally done a fine job in Tests although the jury is out when it comes to 50-over cricket. Pietersen hasn't even done much to earn his T20 franchise millions, either, and now Surrey have pulled the plug, although that may have been a cute move by the player to avoid ECB punishment. After all, you can't ban someone who hasn't a team to play for, right?
As for the veracity of Pietersen's counter-claims, who knows? It's one man's word against another. And another. And another, and another, etc, etc. Not even Piers Morgan was present in the dressing rooms when all the acrimony spilled over into rather ungentlemanly behaviour and language that might even make Jimmy Anderson blush. KP has been careful to temper his criticism of Peter Moores and Alastair Cook, presumably because he still fancies his chances of getting the call to the World Cup. However, Matt Prior gets it with both barrels. Another South African import, Pietersen has gone all Balotelli: 'Why is it always me?' saying the wicketkeeper was the main protagonist in the unrest, not him. So why, if that's the case, didn't the management boot Prior out? Perhaps his injury and Jos Buttler's rise gave the new regime a way out? Or maybe KP's remarks are just untrue or, as Mark Butcher says, it's the truth 'as he sees it'.
Graeme Swann has stuck his head above the parapet and described the autobiography as 'a work of fiction' and no doubt there will be other versions emerging in print in the coming years. For now, Pietersen's book will top the sports book bestseller list between now and Christmas. Whether on the fiction or non-fiction shelves, he will rake in more money in advance of the next Big Bash, IPL, etc.
Do I feel sorry for him? No. Several years ago, England were a better side with him in the line-up but now are better off without him. Cricket is more of an individual sport than football but team spirit is still vital and the fact is that nobody has really admitted liking him. The SA Textgate affair, the cavalier attitude to county loyalty have overshadowed his batting achievements.
Like an ageing primadonna, his words remind me less of a proud patriotic warrior and more of Kenneth Williams' memorable line in Carry On Cleo as his Julius Caesar faced the knives of his soon-to-be murderers: "Infamy! infamy! They've all got it in for me..."
Showing posts with label Matt Prior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Prior. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Sharma the charmer cooks the hookers
There was a time back in the '80s and '90s when England's opposition always seemed to raise their game at Lord's and come away with victory, even if they got hammered elsewhere. India did it in 1986 when a combination of Dilip Venhsarkar's unbeaten century, Kapil Dev and a mean spin spell from Maninder Singh secured a five-wicket win.
However, until this week's encounter, the home team had turned things around and contrived to lose only once in sixteen attempts, since the heady days of McGrath, Lee and Warne. Is it the pitch, England getting better or a greater familiarity with HQ making it less of an event? I don't know, but after all the criticism of the Trent Bridge groundsmen preparing a five-day batting paradise, the greentop seemed ready-made for Anderson, Broad, Plunkett and Stokes. A shame that quartet didn't fulfil the roles set out for them!
On the first morning, they were pilloried for bowling too short instead of going fuller to invite the edged drive. Four days later, it was short-pitched stuff which won the match - for India. Delicious irony there, I feel. Nevertheless, without Ajinkya Rahane's excellent 103 - ended just as magnificently by Anderson's caught-and-bowled - things may have panned out rather differently. He helped add 150 crucial runs for the last three wickets. On Friday and Saturday, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was supreme, yet Yorkshire duo Ballance and Plunkett somehow earned England a slender first-innings lead.
Three partnerships dominated India's second outing: 78 for the sesond wicket (Murali Vijay and Pujara), 79 for the fifth (Vijay again and Jadeja) and 99 for the eighth (Jadeja and Kumar). The only real triumphs for England came when Plunkett bowled Kohli for a golden duck, but that Jadeja-Kumar effort really kicked Cook and co in the teeth.
The 319-run target would, if successful, have been England's best ever at home. They had four sessions in which to achieve it but, remember, the Lord's pitch was not prepared for a fifth day runfest. This was surely the stage for Alastair Cook to demonstrate why he has been, until recently, one of the world's best Test batsmen. Could he, Ian Bell and Matt Prior, with that wise head on young shoulders, Joe Root, play sensibly and marshal the less experienced players and sneak that much-needed triumph?
Sam Robson fell early but Cook and Ballance seemed to be sticking to the script. Then came the first horror show, as they and Bell were each despatched for just two runs. Root and Moeen Ali proceeded to steady the ship and even contributed a three-figure partnership. Then came arguably Ishant Sharma's greatest spell of his career. In terms of numbers, anyway. That he ended up with a remarkable 7-74 owed more to cretinous playing of bouncers by batsmen who frankly should have known better.
After being softened up by Mitch Johnson last winter, you'd have thought the array of coaches would have ensured England had practised against the short ball in the intervening period. Perhaps they could be forgiven for thinking Shami, Kumar and Sharma offered little danger in that area but this was not the time to put on your Twenty20 brain and swing the bat instead of ducking or swaying away from the ball.
The Jadeja-Anderson 'handbags' sideshow delivered an appropriate denouement as the Indian fielder ran out the England number eleven to wrap up a 95-run win and hammer another nail into the captaincy of Cook. Prior was so shell-shocked by his own performance that he made himself unavailable for the Third Test. A genuine injury or a touch of the Swanns? To their credit, Cook and Peter Moores stood their ground and declared their faith in the squad (Kerrigan apart). The opener has endured poor sequences before and was very nearly dropped for the Ashes series which ultimately made his name. That he is now the skipper makes him a little more secure, and axing him mid-series would surely signal a white flag to MS Dhoni.
I can't imagine Cook's future and the series result resting on Jos Buttler's call-up. He may be an aggressive batsman but then so is Prior. There's no evidence from Lancashire that Buttler's keeping has noticeably improved either. However, the media are playing up his talismanic qualities although if Cook and Bell play it cool and do what they have done so many times before, the turnaround will come. If India go 3-0 up by next month, or two up with one to play, that will probably be the time to sign the death warrant of Cook's leadership, but not before.
Instead of Anderson and Broad it has so far been all about Kumar and Sharma, and Dhoni must be laughing. Something tells me he won't be quite so celebratory by the end of next week.
However, until this week's encounter, the home team had turned things around and contrived to lose only once in sixteen attempts, since the heady days of McGrath, Lee and Warne. Is it the pitch, England getting better or a greater familiarity with HQ making it less of an event? I don't know, but after all the criticism of the Trent Bridge groundsmen preparing a five-day batting paradise, the greentop seemed ready-made for Anderson, Broad, Plunkett and Stokes. A shame that quartet didn't fulfil the roles set out for them!
On the first morning, they were pilloried for bowling too short instead of going fuller to invite the edged drive. Four days later, it was short-pitched stuff which won the match - for India. Delicious irony there, I feel. Nevertheless, without Ajinkya Rahane's excellent 103 - ended just as magnificently by Anderson's caught-and-bowled - things may have panned out rather differently. He helped add 150 crucial runs for the last three wickets. On Friday and Saturday, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was supreme, yet Yorkshire duo Ballance and Plunkett somehow earned England a slender first-innings lead.
Three partnerships dominated India's second outing: 78 for the sesond wicket (Murali Vijay and Pujara), 79 for the fifth (Vijay again and Jadeja) and 99 for the eighth (Jadeja and Kumar). The only real triumphs for England came when Plunkett bowled Kohli for a golden duck, but that Jadeja-Kumar effort really kicked Cook and co in the teeth.
The 319-run target would, if successful, have been England's best ever at home. They had four sessions in which to achieve it but, remember, the Lord's pitch was not prepared for a fifth day runfest. This was surely the stage for Alastair Cook to demonstrate why he has been, until recently, one of the world's best Test batsmen. Could he, Ian Bell and Matt Prior, with that wise head on young shoulders, Joe Root, play sensibly and marshal the less experienced players and sneak that much-needed triumph?
Sam Robson fell early but Cook and Ballance seemed to be sticking to the script. Then came the first horror show, as they and Bell were each despatched for just two runs. Root and Moeen Ali proceeded to steady the ship and even contributed a three-figure partnership. Then came arguably Ishant Sharma's greatest spell of his career. In terms of numbers, anyway. That he ended up with a remarkable 7-74 owed more to cretinous playing of bouncers by batsmen who frankly should have known better.
After being softened up by Mitch Johnson last winter, you'd have thought the array of coaches would have ensured England had practised against the short ball in the intervening period. Perhaps they could be forgiven for thinking Shami, Kumar and Sharma offered little danger in that area but this was not the time to put on your Twenty20 brain and swing the bat instead of ducking or swaying away from the ball.
The Jadeja-Anderson 'handbags' sideshow delivered an appropriate denouement as the Indian fielder ran out the England number eleven to wrap up a 95-run win and hammer another nail into the captaincy of Cook. Prior was so shell-shocked by his own performance that he made himself unavailable for the Third Test. A genuine injury or a touch of the Swanns? To their credit, Cook and Peter Moores stood their ground and declared their faith in the squad (Kerrigan apart). The opener has endured poor sequences before and was very nearly dropped for the Ashes series which ultimately made his name. That he is now the skipper makes him a little more secure, and axing him mid-series would surely signal a white flag to MS Dhoni.
I can't imagine Cook's future and the series result resting on Jos Buttler's call-up. He may be an aggressive batsman but then so is Prior. There's no evidence from Lancashire that Buttler's keeping has noticeably improved either. However, the media are playing up his talismanic qualities although if Cook and Bell play it cool and do what they have done so many times before, the turnaround will come. If India go 3-0 up by next month, or two up with one to play, that will probably be the time to sign the death warrant of Cook's leadership, but not before.
Instead of Anderson and Broad it has so far been all about Kumar and Sharma, and Dhoni must be laughing. Something tells me he won't be quite so celebratory by the end of next week.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Prior on Fire, Morgan in the Mire
Two men looking to restore their relationships with the England selectors experienced mixed fortunes in the opening round of County Championship fixtures. Sussex thrashed Middlesex by an innings and 127 at Hove, with Steve Magoffin and veteran Jon Lewis ckaiming fourteen cheap wickets between them and Matt Prior striking a rapid 125, his 28th first-class century. Eoin Morgan's decision to abandon his usual position in an IPL dugout for county cricket looked misguided when Lewis bowled him first ball on the first morning. He was caught behind off Anyin second time around. Steve Finn's 6-80 was the only bright spot for Chris Rogers' side.
At Trent Bridge it was a closer affair but Nottinghamshire came out on top against newly-promoted Lancashire. Tom Smith enjoyed a great all-round haul of 118 runs and a second-innings 5-56, Ashwell Prince reached three figures and James Anderson also recorded a five-for. However, Samit Patel and Riki Wessels each made 90s and all the bowlers contributed to the home side's 45-run victory.
In Division Two, Glamorgan stunned promotion favourites Surrey at The Oval. After Graeme Smith's team gained a slight first-innings advantage, Graeme Wagg (6-29) and Michael Hogan (4-31) demolished Surrey for 81 in the second innings, then Graham Rees and William Bragg polished off the 153 required without loss. Jim Allenby also started the 2014 season the way he ended 2013, with 4-47 and a half-century. Perhaps the Welsh are about to fulfil their potential after all. In the other game, Worcestershire had the better of a rain-affected draw against Hampshire. Moeen Ali made 69 but opener Daryl Mitchell, in his tenth season with Worcester, starred with 172 not out.
The rest of the couties join the fray on Sunday, but Yorkshire will be without both England batsmen Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow with broken digits. They'd better keep Gary Ballance wrapped up in cotton wool for the trip to Taunton! Of course I'd be perfectly happy with a Somerset triumph, although preferably with neither Nick Compton nor Craig Kieswetter attracting the attention of the ECB's Whitaker, Fraser and co! Sussex will look to continue their good form against Warwickshire while Notts, including Peter Siddle, might fancy their chances against a shellshocked Middlesex.
Durham entertain promoted Northants, who won't want Graham Onions to resume last summer's wicket-taking blitz, and Essex and Derbyshire open their 2014 accounts against each other at Chelmsford. Moeen Ali shoudl get some decent batting practice at home to Kent while Hampshire travel to Bristol with a certain degree of optimism.
At Trent Bridge it was a closer affair but Nottinghamshire came out on top against newly-promoted Lancashire. Tom Smith enjoyed a great all-round haul of 118 runs and a second-innings 5-56, Ashwell Prince reached three figures and James Anderson also recorded a five-for. However, Samit Patel and Riki Wessels each made 90s and all the bowlers contributed to the home side's 45-run victory.
In Division Two, Glamorgan stunned promotion favourites Surrey at The Oval. After Graeme Smith's team gained a slight first-innings advantage, Graeme Wagg (6-29) and Michael Hogan (4-31) demolished Surrey for 81 in the second innings, then Graham Rees and William Bragg polished off the 153 required without loss. Jim Allenby also started the 2014 season the way he ended 2013, with 4-47 and a half-century. Perhaps the Welsh are about to fulfil their potential after all. In the other game, Worcestershire had the better of a rain-affected draw against Hampshire. Moeen Ali made 69 but opener Daryl Mitchell, in his tenth season with Worcester, starred with 172 not out.
The rest of the couties join the fray on Sunday, but Yorkshire will be without both England batsmen Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow with broken digits. They'd better keep Gary Ballance wrapped up in cotton wool for the trip to Taunton! Of course I'd be perfectly happy with a Somerset triumph, although preferably with neither Nick Compton nor Craig Kieswetter attracting the attention of the ECB's Whitaker, Fraser and co! Sussex will look to continue their good form against Warwickshire while Notts, including Peter Siddle, might fancy their chances against a shellshocked Middlesex.
Durham entertain promoted Northants, who won't want Graham Onions to resume last summer's wicket-taking blitz, and Essex and Derbyshire open their 2014 accounts against each other at Chelmsford. Moeen Ali shoudl get some decent batting practice at home to Kent while Hampshire travel to Bristol with a certain degree of optimism.
Monday, 18 November 2013
Andy Flower's best bloom - thirteen years on
All this talk about Matt Prior's 'will he, won't he' situation ahead of the First Ashes Test is wrapped up in glowing praise for his dressing room value and batting prowess. As a wicketkeeper usually batting at seven, Prior's average of 42 is undeniably excellent. Nineties England opener Alec Stewart averaged only 35 when playing as designated 'keeper. Kumar Sangakkara has one of the best Test averages of any player in history (just shy of 57) but in games when he donned the gloves, it's actually below that of Prior. Adam Gilchrist was up in the high 40s, but even he is eclipsed by one man.
So who's the best wicketkeeper-batsman of the past forty years or so? Look no further than the aforementioned England dressing room: it's Andy Flower. Had he represented one of the major cricketing nations, instead of Zimbabwe, he'd have been a true world superstar. Thirteen years ago, he started a 13-month sequence of eleven Tests in which he accumulated a whopping 1,466 runs with a staggering average of 133.27!! Beat that, Tendulkar!
In that run, Zimbabwe won just four - three against Bangladesh - lost three and drew four. However, even in defeat, Andy Flower, often well supported by brother Grant, usually shone brightly, dominating his side's scorecard. In the first match in November 2000, the wicketkeeper struck 183 not out and 70 in Delhi, yet was on the receiving end of a seven wicket drubbing. Thank you, Rahul Dravid, whose unbeaten 200 and 70 eclipsed even the 32 year-old Zimbabwean's stunning performance.
A week later, Dravid compiled another big hundred but Tendulkar's 201 not out took India to 600. Zimbabwe followed on, and Andy Flower's undefeated 232 saved the match. Two more half-centuries followed in New Zealand then against Bangladesh before a feeble 23 in Harare. He passed fifty twice in the defeat by India then his side claimed a rare success against Ganguly's men althiough this time it was brother Grant who top-scored.
In September 2001 Gibbs, Kirsten and Kallis smashed Zimbabwe's attack all over the shop and it was another follow-on situation. Andy F just got on with the job and contributed 341 runs all by himself. Sadly for him, all it achieved was to take the game into a fifth day which became one of the most infamous dates in history: 11th September 2001, aka 9/11. 67, 14 not out and 28 came from the next two fixtures, against SA and Bangladesh, before another unbeaten hundred, in Chittagong, took his sequence to five centuries, 7 fifties and that massive aggregate of runs. Oh, and 30-odd dismissals, too.
Let's not forget Andy Flower is still only 45. If the selectors are really so scared of handing the gloves to Jonny Bairstow they could do no worse than turning to the coach. Like Prior, he was even born in South Africa, always a plus on the CV of an England hopeful! Well, maybe it wouldn't be allowed, but we should place the impressive stats of the incumbent in the context of his coach, possibly the greatest Test 'keeper-batsmen since the Second World War.
So who's the best wicketkeeper-batsman of the past forty years or so? Look no further than the aforementioned England dressing room: it's Andy Flower. Had he represented one of the major cricketing nations, instead of Zimbabwe, he'd have been a true world superstar. Thirteen years ago, he started a 13-month sequence of eleven Tests in which he accumulated a whopping 1,466 runs with a staggering average of 133.27!! Beat that, Tendulkar!
In that run, Zimbabwe won just four - three against Bangladesh - lost three and drew four. However, even in defeat, Andy Flower, often well supported by brother Grant, usually shone brightly, dominating his side's scorecard. In the first match in November 2000, the wicketkeeper struck 183 not out and 70 in Delhi, yet was on the receiving end of a seven wicket drubbing. Thank you, Rahul Dravid, whose unbeaten 200 and 70 eclipsed even the 32 year-old Zimbabwean's stunning performance.
A week later, Dravid compiled another big hundred but Tendulkar's 201 not out took India to 600. Zimbabwe followed on, and Andy Flower's undefeated 232 saved the match. Two more half-centuries followed in New Zealand then against Bangladesh before a feeble 23 in Harare. He passed fifty twice in the defeat by India then his side claimed a rare success against Ganguly's men althiough this time it was brother Grant who top-scored.
In September 2001 Gibbs, Kirsten and Kallis smashed Zimbabwe's attack all over the shop and it was another follow-on situation. Andy F just got on with the job and contributed 341 runs all by himself. Sadly for him, all it achieved was to take the game into a fifth day which became one of the most infamous dates in history: 11th September 2001, aka 9/11. 67, 14 not out and 28 came from the next two fixtures, against SA and Bangladesh, before another unbeaten hundred, in Chittagong, took his sequence to five centuries, 7 fifties and that massive aggregate of runs. Oh, and 30-odd dismissals, too.
Let's not forget Andy Flower is still only 45. If the selectors are really so scared of handing the gloves to Jonny Bairstow they could do no worse than turning to the coach. Like Prior, he was even born in South Africa, always a plus on the CV of an England hopeful! Well, maybe it wouldn't be allowed, but we should place the impressive stats of the incumbent in the context of his coach, possibly the greatest Test 'keeper-batsmen since the Second World War.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Frank Hayes and the Debut Centurions
Forty years ago this week, Lancashire's Frank Hayes was rewarded for some fine county form with a Test debut against the West Indies at The Oval. After scraping together only 16 in his first innings, falling victim to Andy Roberts, he went on to make 106 not out in the second, running out of partners as Keith Boyce led the attack to victory. I was young at the time but remember what fuss was made at the time. Then, as now, dashing blonde strokemakers tended to win more headlines than those of darker hair or less flair with the bat (he did look uncannily like a hairier version of Joe Root!) and Hayes was seen as the future of English cricket. He was already in his mid-twenties so no spring chicken but it was the way he made his runs which grabbed the attention.
However, after that lauded start, he played only a further eight Tests. His misfortune was that all were against the emerging West Indian pace onslaught. A terrible Caribbean tour removed him to the sidelines until his recall in 1976, when Roberts, Holding, Holder and Daniel ended his international career for good. Those subsequent matches yielded exactly the same number of runs as his first, including six ducks.
A hundred on debut is rightly considered a big deal, but it's quite common. Indeed, many all-time greats as well as long-forgotten talents have achieved the feat. Lawrence Rowe's double- and single-century in 1972 was one of the greatest starts to a Test career but he never quite maintained that excellence, partly due to injuries but also strong competition for the opener slot. Mathew Sinclair, Brendon Kuruppu and Jacques Rudolph each opened their account with 200s. Young stars who started with three figures and went on to even bigger things include Gordon Greenidge, Javed Miandad, Saurav Ganguly, Peter May, Younis Khan and Michael Clarke.
Interestingly, quite a few of England's current crop made spectacular beginnings with the bat. Alastair Cook (Nagpur, 2006, alongside a first-innings 60) is probably no surprise, as is his fellow opener that day and another future skipper, Andrew Strauss. Jonathan Trott famously achieved the feat with a super-cool 119 in an Ashes clincher in 2009. Two years earlier, a certain Matt Prior clubbed 126 not out in 128 balls in the first innings against the West Indies. He wasn't alone that game as Cook, Collingwood, Bell and Pietersen all scored centuries although a draw was the result.
With such a settled side I suspect it could be a while before another England batsman hits a three-figure score on his debut but the likes of Hamish Rutherford and Shikhar Dharwan (in what remains his only Test so far) show it still can be done in 2013 forty years after Frank Hayes' brief spell in the spotlight.
However, after that lauded start, he played only a further eight Tests. His misfortune was that all were against the emerging West Indian pace onslaught. A terrible Caribbean tour removed him to the sidelines until his recall in 1976, when Roberts, Holding, Holder and Daniel ended his international career for good. Those subsequent matches yielded exactly the same number of runs as his first, including six ducks.
A hundred on debut is rightly considered a big deal, but it's quite common. Indeed, many all-time greats as well as long-forgotten talents have achieved the feat. Lawrence Rowe's double- and single-century in 1972 was one of the greatest starts to a Test career but he never quite maintained that excellence, partly due to injuries but also strong competition for the opener slot. Mathew Sinclair, Brendon Kuruppu and Jacques Rudolph each opened their account with 200s. Young stars who started with three figures and went on to even bigger things include Gordon Greenidge, Javed Miandad, Saurav Ganguly, Peter May, Younis Khan and Michael Clarke.
Interestingly, quite a few of England's current crop made spectacular beginnings with the bat. Alastair Cook (Nagpur, 2006, alongside a first-innings 60) is probably no surprise, as is his fellow opener that day and another future skipper, Andrew Strauss. Jonathan Trott famously achieved the feat with a super-cool 119 in an Ashes clincher in 2009. Two years earlier, a certain Matt Prior clubbed 126 not out in 128 balls in the first innings against the West Indies. He wasn't alone that game as Cook, Collingwood, Bell and Pietersen all scored centuries although a draw was the result.
With such a settled side I suspect it could be a while before another England batsman hits a three-figure score on his debut but the likes of Hamish Rutherford and Shikhar Dharwan (in what remains his only Test so far) show it still can be done in 2013 forty years after Frank Hayes' brief spell in the spotlight.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Prior's Presence saves England's blushes
The celebrations amongst England players and fans alike after securing a draw in Auckland were wonderful to behold. Heaven knows how they would have celebrated a 3-0 whitewash. Actually I suspect it would have been a more muted affair with lots of comments like "New Zealand put up a brave fight" and "We just had a little more quality". As things turned out, despite the chasm in quality on paper, it was a reassuringly tight series.
If anything, the home side may have edged it overall. They shocked England right at the beginning in Dunedin, but were decidedly second best at Wellington where they were forced to follow on and rely on rain to save their bacon. The combination of Peter Fulton's runs and Trent Boult's wickets meant that England suffered a 239-run first innings deficit this week but Brendon McCullum decided to make England bat for their lives on the final day. And they only went and flaming did it!
I feel sorry for Peter Fulton. Thrust into the limelight and scoring twin centuries, his achievement will be forgotten. This will be known as Matt Prior's match. He top-scored with 73 in the first innings and then combined bloody-minded determination with some great strokeplay to strike a seventh Test hundred and steer England to an extremely unlikely draw. He doesn't boast a 45-plus average for nothing, and he has the knack of getting the best out of tailenders to either save or win Test contests that would otherwise have led to red faces. This 110 not out was one of his most heroic performances. His 97 Test innings include 17 not-outs and 26 50s in addition to those seven centuries, which is remarkably consistent for a number seven.
Let's not forget the contributions of Ian Bell and Stuart Broad. Bell has often blossomed in partnership with a Trott or Pietersen but this time he got his head down and patiently occupied the crease for six hours or so. That was more important than the 75 runs he scored. Same went for Broad. Six runs from 77 balls must have frustrated the NZ attack no end and when his departure heralded the arrival of Monty Panesar, Southee and co must have thought luck may return to their favour. It didn't happen, and a Prior defensive stroke was to earn one of the biggest cheers of 2013 cricket! Panesar has been part of last-wicket match-saving before, of course. Remember Cardiff 2009 against Australia?
However, the match belonged to Prior. His runs, keeping and general chirpy demeanour came together in one glorious five-day grouping. England may have missed KP and Swann, and no doubt the Black Caps will find the England tour considerably more difficult, but all bar the under-cooked Jonny Bairstow had something to offer in the past month or so. Maybe NZ have uncovered new stars in Williamson, Boult and Rutherford, but they will surely be overpowered this summer. While the shocking assault on Jesse Ryder today also puts cricket into perspective, it is heartening to see a low-ranking side give the big boys a real run for their money. Meanwhile, Prior will continue to keep English spirits high - along with his amazing Test batting average.
If anything, the home side may have edged it overall. They shocked England right at the beginning in Dunedin, but were decidedly second best at Wellington where they were forced to follow on and rely on rain to save their bacon. The combination of Peter Fulton's runs and Trent Boult's wickets meant that England suffered a 239-run first innings deficit this week but Brendon McCullum decided to make England bat for their lives on the final day. And they only went and flaming did it!
I feel sorry for Peter Fulton. Thrust into the limelight and scoring twin centuries, his achievement will be forgotten. This will be known as Matt Prior's match. He top-scored with 73 in the first innings and then combined bloody-minded determination with some great strokeplay to strike a seventh Test hundred and steer England to an extremely unlikely draw. He doesn't boast a 45-plus average for nothing, and he has the knack of getting the best out of tailenders to either save or win Test contests that would otherwise have led to red faces. This 110 not out was one of his most heroic performances. His 97 Test innings include 17 not-outs and 26 50s in addition to those seven centuries, which is remarkably consistent for a number seven.
Let's not forget the contributions of Ian Bell and Stuart Broad. Bell has often blossomed in partnership with a Trott or Pietersen but this time he got his head down and patiently occupied the crease for six hours or so. That was more important than the 75 runs he scored. Same went for Broad. Six runs from 77 balls must have frustrated the NZ attack no end and when his departure heralded the arrival of Monty Panesar, Southee and co must have thought luck may return to their favour. It didn't happen, and a Prior defensive stroke was to earn one of the biggest cheers of 2013 cricket! Panesar has been part of last-wicket match-saving before, of course. Remember Cardiff 2009 against Australia?
However, the match belonged to Prior. His runs, keeping and general chirpy demeanour came together in one glorious five-day grouping. England may have missed KP and Swann, and no doubt the Black Caps will find the England tour considerably more difficult, but all bar the under-cooked Jonny Bairstow had something to offer in the past month or so. Maybe NZ have uncovered new stars in Williamson, Boult and Rutherford, but they will surely be overpowered this summer. While the shocking assault on Jesse Ryder today also puts cricket into perspective, it is heartening to see a low-ranking side give the big boys a real run for their money. Meanwhile, Prior will continue to keep English spirits high - along with his amazing Test batting average.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Battle of the wicketkeepers
As with goalkeepers in football, England has often been synonymous with world-class wicketkeepers. For every Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton and David Seaman, cricket has been blessed with Godfrey Evans, Alan Knott, Matt Prior and maybe even Alec Stewart when his batting was added to the mix.
When Stewart started to focus on opening the batting and subsequently retured, there were several suitable candidates clamouring to take the gloves. Warren Hegg had a couple of opportunities on the 1998-9 Ashes tour Down Under. The following summer, 20 year-old Chris Read claimed six catches and a stumping in a Test victory over New Zealand, but he has managed only fourteen other appearances since then despite clearly being one of the best 'keeper-batsmen in county cricket, even skippering Nottinghamshire to domestic success. Like the others, Essex's finest, James Foster was discarded after an Ashes game, the last of seven caps between 2001 and 2002.
Geraint Jones may sound Welsh, was born in Papua New Guinea but was also the latest in a long line of distinguished Kent 'keepers. He was lucky (or good) enough to be the incumbent during England's purple patch between 2004 and 2006, including the famous Ashes triumph of 2005. He played 34 times in only 2 1/2 years but it was the Aussie backlash in 2006-7 which finished his Test career, even if the heavy defeat was hardly his fault. Tim Ambrose earned eleven Test appearances in 2008-9 after heavy scoring in the Championship and, unlike the aforementioned rivals, began and ended his spell with half-centuries. However, this wasn't enough to keep him as the number one gloveman. Sadly his domestic form with Warwickshire suffered and he eventually took time out of the sport before recovering last summer to help win the title.
Ambrose has been dogged by Matt Prior. The latter displaced him at Sussex and now he has done the same for England. However, this has proved to be a justified decision by selectors as the balding one has gone on to become the fourth highest in England history, in terms of both Test caps and dismissals. His Test average, batting mostly at seven, is an impressive 43, superior even to Alec Stewart's, and his skills behind the stumps has meant his place has not really come under fire - until now.
This week's news of Craig Kieswetter's dropping in favour of his Somerset team-mate and friend, Jos Buttler, in the ODI squad, demonstrates the wealth of 'keeper/batsmen in the county game again. Paul Nixon enjoyed international recognition in his twilight years, and both Phil Mustard and Stephen Davies were given a go for a year or two, along with Prior, of course. With the rise of T20, the ability to thrash bowling to all corners has become an essential part of the 'keeper's armoury. Kieswetter's famous leg-side hoiks eventually had him promoted to opening the batting but it's a while since he delivered a really good innings.
Buttler has earned a reputation for brutal 'finishing', developing his 'scoop' shot and 'inside out' thumps over extra cover. His extraordinary List A average of almost 60 owes much to the fact that a third of his innings have ended not out. However, I feel he needs to have some decent innings for England behid him, rather than just a number of lively cameos. Of course, if he bats at seven in T20, it's not often you get the chance to smash a half-century, especially when your team-mates at the top of the order are doing their jobs.
It's been a few years since the Wedmore lad scored a first-class century and I can't believe he's already 22. Therefore, he is well below Kieswetter and Prior in the Test pecking order. The main danger to the latter surely has to be Jonny Bairstow. While playing 5 Tests, 7 ODIs and 15 T20Is, the Yorkshireman has yet to stand behind the stumps. However, he has a first-class batting average of 46 and has not disgraced himself as a specialist batsman in Test cricket. He can be a highly destructive number three or four in limited overs but has yet to prove it at the highest level. Nevertheless, Jonny is a mere 23 and could become the England regular in a few years' time. However, Matt Prior will have something to say about that!
When Stewart started to focus on opening the batting and subsequently retured, there were several suitable candidates clamouring to take the gloves. Warren Hegg had a couple of opportunities on the 1998-9 Ashes tour Down Under. The following summer, 20 year-old Chris Read claimed six catches and a stumping in a Test victory over New Zealand, but he has managed only fourteen other appearances since then despite clearly being one of the best 'keeper-batsmen in county cricket, even skippering Nottinghamshire to domestic success. Like the others, Essex's finest, James Foster was discarded after an Ashes game, the last of seven caps between 2001 and 2002.
Geraint Jones may sound Welsh, was born in Papua New Guinea but was also the latest in a long line of distinguished Kent 'keepers. He was lucky (or good) enough to be the incumbent during England's purple patch between 2004 and 2006, including the famous Ashes triumph of 2005. He played 34 times in only 2 1/2 years but it was the Aussie backlash in 2006-7 which finished his Test career, even if the heavy defeat was hardly his fault. Tim Ambrose earned eleven Test appearances in 2008-9 after heavy scoring in the Championship and, unlike the aforementioned rivals, began and ended his spell with half-centuries. However, this wasn't enough to keep him as the number one gloveman. Sadly his domestic form with Warwickshire suffered and he eventually took time out of the sport before recovering last summer to help win the title.
Ambrose has been dogged by Matt Prior. The latter displaced him at Sussex and now he has done the same for England. However, this has proved to be a justified decision by selectors as the balding one has gone on to become the fourth highest in England history, in terms of both Test caps and dismissals. His Test average, batting mostly at seven, is an impressive 43, superior even to Alec Stewart's, and his skills behind the stumps has meant his place has not really come under fire - until now.
This week's news of Craig Kieswetter's dropping in favour of his Somerset team-mate and friend, Jos Buttler, in the ODI squad, demonstrates the wealth of 'keeper/batsmen in the county game again. Paul Nixon enjoyed international recognition in his twilight years, and both Phil Mustard and Stephen Davies were given a go for a year or two, along with Prior, of course. With the rise of T20, the ability to thrash bowling to all corners has become an essential part of the 'keeper's armoury. Kieswetter's famous leg-side hoiks eventually had him promoted to opening the batting but it's a while since he delivered a really good innings.
Buttler has earned a reputation for brutal 'finishing', developing his 'scoop' shot and 'inside out' thumps over extra cover. His extraordinary List A average of almost 60 owes much to the fact that a third of his innings have ended not out. However, I feel he needs to have some decent innings for England behid him, rather than just a number of lively cameos. Of course, if he bats at seven in T20, it's not often you get the chance to smash a half-century, especially when your team-mates at the top of the order are doing their jobs.
It's been a few years since the Wedmore lad scored a first-class century and I can't believe he's already 22. Therefore, he is well below Kieswetter and Prior in the Test pecking order. The main danger to the latter surely has to be Jonny Bairstow. While playing 5 Tests, 7 ODIs and 15 T20Is, the Yorkshireman has yet to stand behind the stumps. However, he has a first-class batting average of 46 and has not disgraced himself as a specialist batsman in Test cricket. He can be a highly destructive number three or four in limited overs but has yet to prove it at the highest level. Nevertheless, Jonny is a mere 23 and could become the England regular in a few years' time. However, Matt Prior will have something to say about that!
Monday, 13 June 2011
Performers of the Week: Matt Prior's kit
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...
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...
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