Farcical England selection stinks of "Jobs for the Boys" (posted 4/9/08)

Recently, England named three controversial squads: the squad of players rewarded an ECB central contract, the squad of players selected for the Stamford Super Series, and a squad for the India ODI series.

Of the players awarded with a central contract, Michael Vaughan was a surprising inclusion. Let me make it clear that had Vaughan been on sparkling form this season, I would have no hesitation in praising the ECB's rewarding of him.

However, Vaughan has been in woeful form this year, averaging single figures versus South Africa. Considering that Vaughan has averaged only 37 in the past five years since taking the test captaincy, it has been widely assumed that without the captaincy he would have been dropped a long time before this summer.

Despite resigning as the captain, Michael Vaughan has somehow regained a central contract. Speculation surrounding the news is that Kevin Pietersen was keen to have Vaughan as part of the side for his experience and knowledge of test cricket.

Vaughan, like any other batsman, should only be selected if his past form and ability warrants it. Kevin Pietersen, however, does not see it this way.

What sort of message is this sending to fringe players such as Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara? Vaughan has been in appalling form this season, yet still gets rewarded vast sums of money!

This farcical decision is the sort of "jobs for the boys" selection that will do England no favours. In light of England continuing to select batsman for reasons other than their batting, it is no surprise that they have begun to lose test series worryingly frequently.

Another questionable selection by Geoff Miller and his fellow selectors is the choice to pick Alistair Cook as a member of the Stamford Super Series squad. Alistair Cook has only ever played five Twenty20 games in his career, averaging only 10 at a strike rate of under 90. 

It is understandable that the ECB want to reward their players, but surely this is not a suitable explanation for the inclusion of Cook. If this was the case, why wasn't Monty Panesar or Michael Vaughan included?

If ability is not taken into account when selecting a squad, how on earth are players such as Joe Denly or Graham Napier going to break into the side?

This is a sad day for English cricket. It is clear to see that selection is no longer based on ability alone. It seems you have to be part of the exclusive ECB clan to get near selection.

This needs to be addressed immediately by the ECB, and it is no wonder England have failed to progress since the 2005 Ashes Victory.

Ashes Series 2009 - The build up begins (posted 3/6/08)

In 2004, in the build-up to the 2005 series, Michael Vaughan's England were in great form, winning 7 out of 7 tests in the 2004 summer and becoming the only country to remain unbeaten throughout the year.

It was this form that Michael Vaughan was able to build upon, and with a hungry young side, England and Vaughan had the beginnings of a team that would eventually win back the Ashes for England.

However, such a rosy picture cannot be painted this time around. Fitness doubts over 2005's player of the series Andrew Flintoff, combined with an out of form middle-order makes for unpleasant reading for an England fan.

However, some sparkle of optimism for England can be found when looking at the rare frailties arising for their Australian counterparts. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill's retirement leave Australia without a proven front line spinner in their ranks, just 12 months before the contest begins. 

Considering Shane Warne's 40 wickets in the '05 encounter kept the Australians afloat at times, the likes of Beau Casson or wildcard 36 year-old leg spinner Bryce McGain are likely to be called upon at some stage.

Unfortunately for England, despite a key weakness in the spin-bowling department, the rest of the Australian side still look like a team capable of maintaining their no.1 spot in the ICC test rankings that.

From the side that whitewashed England 5-0 in 2006/07, Australia have lost Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. Brad Haddin has already had an impressive start to his international career in one-day internationals. 

Langer's replacement, Phil Jaques, has made a steady to his test career (averaging 45 after 10 games). Despite playing in the 2006/07 series, Stuart Clark seems a ready made replacement for McGrath, continuing McGrath's legacy of making 'line and length' bowling fashionable again.

However, Stuart MacGill's inability to recreate the form that led him to becoming the 5th quickest bowler to 200 test wickets has led Australia into panic. One possibility is to play four seam bowlers, with Michael Clarke (who has a growing reputation of possessing a 'golden arm') and batting All-rounder Andrew Symonds providing the spin bowling option.

If England are to regain the Ashes, they have to attack the Australian seam bowlers, which they did so successfully in 2005 (Kevin Pietersen hooking Brett Lee into the stands for 6 springs to mind).

Not only that, but the somewhat untouchable middle-order needs to fire. Since the beginning of 2007, only Andrew Strauss averages over 40. Worries continue when considering that Kevin Pietersen has made only one score over 50 in his past 8 test matches and Paul Collingwood has not hit a Test century in his past 4 series.

A major quandary of England's is where to fit Andrew Flintoff in.

Considering Flintoff's precarious fitness state, Flintoff's participation as part of a 4 man bowling attack is unlikely - Flintoff's ability to bowl 25 overs a day seems unlikely. However, the 5 man attack that helped win the 2005 Ashes allowed captain Michael Vaughan to rotate his bowlers, keeping them fresh, firing and ready to take wickets at important stages.

The main problem with using Flintoff as part of a 5 man attack is his presence in the batting order. Since the 2005 Ashes, whilst his bowling seems as hostile as ever, the pressure of batting in the top 6 may prove too strong for Flintoff.

Flintoff at no.7 seems perfect for England, though whilst aiming to field a 5 man attack, a wicket-keeper with the ability to bat at no.6 seems a likely option. ]

Despite an impressive showing in his debut series in New Zealand, question marks remain over the ability of Tim Ambrose, especially if asked to bat at no.6. One realistic option is the re-emergence of Matt Prior, who despite impressive showings with the bat, dropped one too many catches, and was duly dropped himself.

Prior is the current highest run scorer in the County Championship - no mean feat considering the amount of talent participating in the division.

Should any change take place, it has to be taken soon. What England needs in the run up to the Ashes series is continuity, and with 13 test matches between now and then, England need to make the changes necessary sooner rather than later.

Ash CC Match Report - Bidborough (a) 15/5/11 pt. 1

The magic of the Npower Village Cup was evident to all in attendance at Bidborough CC this weekend. When lowly Ash CC were drawn against Kent Village Premier League powerhouses Bidborough, few gave Ash any chance what so ever of providing significant competition for the west Kent giants.


The lead up to the tie was marred in more controversy than an episode of Eastenders. Star signing Scott Mckechnie, who had prepared for the match by appearing for Essex Second XI, and Bob Fulford and Simon Benn (both signed on a free having recently been released by Erith) were both removed from the line-up at the last minute due to confusion over the competitions rules. Team secretary Melling, aged and worn by the stress of the week’s events, refused to let the inconvenience deter his efforts, Trevor Martenstyn, Bruce Melling and Nick Cook all promoted from the reserves to help fill the vancancies. The efforts of Melling, whose boyhood dreams of appearing in the cup were cruelly dashed at the last minute, cannot be underestimated, having arranged for only the second time in recent memory 22 players to play for Ash and their reserve team on the same day.

Ash were greeted at the Bidborough Homes Community Arena by a blaze of sunshine, flat wicket and small boundaries. Captain Tripp won the toss (2 in 2 for the newly appointed skipper) and chose to bat, knowing given the conditions anything below 280 would be hard to defend. The contrasting styles of Sam Mason and Trevor Blackett entered the fray. Raw 18 year old left armer Trett, fresh from a league 7-fer opened the proceedings for Bidborough, tearing down the hill, frequently touching the 70mph mark. Bidborough captain Poulson, a bulging swing bowler from Johannesburg opened the bowling from the other end at a much more comfortable pace than his teammate. However both bowlers were greeted by the swinging bat of the dismissive Blackett. The Ash pair put on 40 for the first wicket inside 6 overs, before Trett swung one back through Blackett’s (non-existent) defences, bowled for 28 off only 23 deliveries, his captain pleased at the innings.

Sam Mason was joined by Jan Leaver, who both faced an increasingly tighter spell of bowling from the two opening bowlers. The pair put on 52 before Leaver (12) was smartly stumped by the keeper. Mason, now the anchor of the Ash innings, was joined by his captain. If the pair were to realise their dreams of a 200 target on the board at the interval, they knew the run-rate had to be increased, made hard by tight bowling and the best fielding side an Ash XI will face this year. Kent under 14 captain Waller bowled tightly, however the crowd were to be entertained further by Waller’s exploits further on into the game. Mason was caught at mid off for a well compiled 46.

Perhaps it was the pressure of the situation, perhaps it was the tight bowling (although his explanation his innings was due to him taking a guard for the first time is hard to believe), but no.5 Nick Cook was unable to continue a good run of early season form, bowled for a duck, his dreams of a cup hundred dashed for another year.

With the score on 112/4 off 30 overs, the captain at one end and Fyfe at the other, the travelling Ash faithful knew the game remained in the balance. Fyfe (9) was well caught behind, whilst Barritt (10) with half a bat but a full heart, ran well with Tripp before being bowled trying to cut a ball destined for middle stump. The score progressed to 169/8 before M Mason (2) was cruelly ran out by his greedy partner trying to regain the strike.

With one over remaining, Tripp was greeted at the crease by Bruce Melling, who played the bowling with ease, compiling 7 runs from 3 deliveries, compensating for Tripp’s inability to clear the ropes. Ash finished their innings on 180/7 after the allotted 40 overs, Tripp cutting his way to 44 not out.

At the half way stage both sides appeared happy with their efforts, Tripp noting “They’ve bowled and fielded well. Don’t get me wrong, if you offered me 180 at the start of the game, I would’ve shook your hand off. We need to bowl well though, the new ball will be important”.

Ash CC Match Report - Bidborough (a) 15/5/11 pt. 2

Leaver, thankfully now fit after a pre season injury, and Martenstyn took the new ball for Ash. The away fans burst into life in just the 2^nd over when Martenstyn had former Kent 2^nd XI batsmen Baldock caught in the covers for only 1. The Ash faithful grew more uncomfortable at the sight of a 90 run partnership between young Waller, who impressed further with a fine array of strokes all around the wicket, and Rossiter, favouring a more agricultural approach. 90/1 soon became 101/4 – young Waller obviously not used to the pace of Chambers caught in the deep for 56, Rossiter (41) caught by a rejuvenated Blackett off the bowling of M Mason, who in turn brilliantly ran out Harding for 0. The Bidborough fans and players and management grew restless. How were they going to explain a loss to non-league Ash to the Abu Dhabi consortium now running the club?

With an upset on the cards, Slow left armers Tripp and Barritt bowled well in tandem. 140/4 became 150/6, Tripp having no.4 Pinchin plumb lbw, whilst removing no.7 Trett bowled by a flatter delivery. The nerves were clear for all to see. Could Ash pull off a remarkable victory? The score progressed to 165 before the 7^th wicket fell, White caught behind by the impressive Fyfe off a Tripp long hop. One final push was all that was needed, fingernails chewed down to the bone, the pressure mounted. Tripp and Barritt continued their fight, every run being cheered vigorously by the home support. However it was not to be. Wicket keeper Waller (23*) seeing the home side home with a calm knock. The Ash players left the field with pain in their hearts but all with an immense feeling of pride.

They had almost achieved the unbelievable. Everyone contributing significantly to almost what was a famous victory. Bidborough were relieved yet impressed, their scorer quoting to one Ash player “you played well, we look forward to seeing you in the league soon”. If only he knew!

Captain Tripp remained positive despite defeat: “Every player has played their heart out today. We can go away from the game knowing we’ve given it our all. They thought this would be a walk in the park today, we’ve gone out there and given them a game and almost nicked it in their own back yard. I look forward to the first round next year, I’m sure the Ash members will now be a lot more willing to compete considering this performance!”

So with Ash’s dreams of a Lord’s final dashed for another year, Ash can be proud of their performance against a very strong Bidborough side.

Bowling

Leaver 4 – 0 – 29 – 0

Martenstyn 4 – 0 – 28 – 1

Chambers 6 – 1 – 26- 1

M Mason 5 – 0 – 38 – 1

Tripp 8 – 2 – 23 – 3

Barritt 8 -1 – 34 – 0