The Surfer
Ilford's answer to Murali
A couple of weeks ago the ECB staged their first 'spin match' at Derby where a collection of the most promising young spinners in the country pitted themselves against promising young batsmen in a range of set-up situations
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
A couple of weeks ago the ECB staged their first 'spin match' at Derby where a collection of the most promising young spinners in the country pitted themselves against promising young batsmen in a range of set-up situations. Only one of the spinners involved, 22-year-old Sachin Vaja, does not have a county - but that probably won't last long. He styles himself on Muttiah Muralitharan and has already bowled at some of England's top batsmen in net sessions and has excited many coaches. Matthew Pryor chatted to him for The Times.
Full postThe 22-year-old from East London has travelled far since last August. He was discovered by Neil Burns, the chief executive of London County Cricket club, and could be at the beginning of a successful career.
Coaching no use to the greats
In The Daily Telegraph , Derek Pringle supports Shane Warne’s recent comments and argues that a coach is not much use to great players.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
In The Daily Telegraph, Derek Pringle supports Shane Warne’s recent comments and argues that a coach is not much use to great players.
This winter, England will tour India and Australia with as many as five coaches, and that is not counting the physiotherapist, masseur, doctor, media managers and security advisers who will accompany them. When England toured Australia in 1982-83, neither team had a coach.
The old days might not have been the way to do things, but Pringle goes on to suggest we might gone too far the other way ...
Full postWrong 'un who has turned out to be spun gold
James Root in The Observer carries out an in-depth interview with Mushtaq Ahmed where he talks about the importance that religion has in his life.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
James Root in The Observer carries out an in-depth interview with Mushtaq Ahmed where he talks about the importance that religion has in his life.
My religion has helped me big time It makes me disciplined. Now I don't think of tomorrow, I think for today. I used to take five wickets in a day and worry about tomorrow rather than enjoy it. I don't feel under pressure to perform any more.
People have no idea what Islam is about because of the media's negativity. If people read the Koran they would see a different message. If I do something wrong it doesn't mean Islam is wrong. Don't believe that Islam is the religion that makes people do these things. Islam says if you kill one man, you kill mankind.
Full postA gamble ... or the best available?
In today’s Daily Telegraph , two views on the Ashes selections from either side of the divide
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
In today’s Daily Telegraph, two views on the Ashes selections from either side of the divide. TV anchor Mark Nicholas bemoans the fact that England have picked a side full of walking wounded.
The damaging effect half-fit players had on the tour four years ago was quite a shock. These are the Aussies we are talking about, and wounded ones too. Now we have exposed ourselves again. It is unbelievable. Why are the doubtful starters not to be in Perth with the Academy, having a run-out in the leagues? That way they could be added to the party when proven fit, rather than subtracted if found unfit, which is so debilitating.
Ian Chappell, meanwhile, is hardly complimentary, while acknowledging that the selectors did about as well as could be expected.
When I first read the England Ashes squad my reaction was that of the ubiquitous fearsome rugby league forward, who when smashed in the jaw by an opponent in the opening scrum, grins and says: "Is that the best you've got?" However, not wanting to be a smart aleck and also mindful of a couple of atrocious 2005 Ashes predictions the thought didn't linger. It could also have been that, apart from one or two contentious issues, this was the best the England selectors could muster under trying circumstances.
Beefy the doll
Move over Boonie, Beefy's in town.
Will
25-Feb-2013
Move over Boonie, Beefy's in town.Foster's is believed to have chosen English cricket legend Ian "Beefy" Botham as the new face of its popular talking doll.
The little Beefy will appear alongside a new talking David Boon doll for the coming Ashes Tests in Australia.
In a new take on the old talking Boonie, the dolls will argue and respond to one another's wry comments.
Full postBell wants hundreds against Australia
Will
25-Feb-2013
Ian Bell has issued a warning to Australia not to underestimate him, or England, in this winter’s Ashes.
"It will be an aggressive and very good series. We played aggressively against Pakistan and we need to keep doing that, while also staying in our game plan and not getting too carried away.
Caribbean wedding for Gibbs
And here's another South African cricketer in the arms of a model
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
And here's another South African cricketer in the arms of a model. Herschelle Gibbs and his fiancé, Tenielle, are considering a wedding ceremony on the idyllic island of Antigua during next year's World Cup in the West Indies. Read the full piece in News24.
It was unusual to see Gibbs - well-known for his late night gallivanting - up and on the go before breakfast. And to see Gibbs out of bed that early and in the presence of a member of the opposite sex could only mean one thing - he was smitten.
Aussies warm to Fred
The debate over who should lead England in Australia raged on until the final moment, when Andrew Flintoff claimed the honour
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
The debate over who should lead England in Australia raged on until the final moment, when Andrew Flintoff claimed the honour. David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said it was the tightest of calls before it eventually fell to the man who was central to England's success last summer. Ricky Ponting has said it doesn't matter to him who leads England but Thornton McCamish, in The Age, says it is great news for Australian fans.
Full postI'm delighted. As captain, Flintoff will be in the game from coin-toss to post-match debriefing. Australian cricket fans now face a thrilling prospect: a summer dominated by players we can warm to.
Nitpick on the Ashes squad
England's Ashes squad was announced on September 12 and experts have a lot to say about the selections.
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
England's Ashes squad was announced on September 12 and experts have a lot to say about the selections.
Vic Marks writes in The Guardian -
If anyone is under pressure after the selection of this winter's squads it is the ECB's medical staff, who have presumably delivered the assurances about the crocks.
Watson strums his guitar
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
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The transformation of Shane Watson from a man-in-a-hurry to Australia's latest 'allrounder hope' can be attributed to his new-found love for the guitar. He taught himself to play the instrument on the internet, spending $1500. Four months on, he now belts out his favourite tunes from Maroon Five and 3 Doors Down like a pro. Watson also looks ahead to The Ashes.
"It's such an amazing way to get away and relax, go for a run along the beach or go for a swim and just chill out. I'm 100 per cent more relaxed than I ever have been and it's definitely starting to come across in my cricket."
Read the full piece in The Courier Mail.
Full post