The Surfer
Geraint Jones faces tough questions
Even though England are back on the winning track, two players are under the spotlight
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
 | ||
|
| ||
|
|
 |
In today’s Times, Richard Hobson flags the failings of the England wicketkeeper, with his batting under scrutiny.
“Usually the batting of a wicketkeeper is scrutinised only when the top order fails. This time Geraint Jones is facing renewed questions because of the domino effect brought about by his dismissal. He is widely considered undroppable under Fletcher, but even so the cushion provided when Giles returns will feel very comfortable.”
Former Ashes-winning England keeper Jack Richards has no doubts.
Full post'I'm hoping for a winning farewell'
I will play what will almost certainly be my last Test in England on Friday at Trent Bridge and I am very determined to go out with a win and square the series, writes Muttiah Muralitharan on bigstarcricket.com .
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
I will play what will almost certainly be my last Test in England on Friday at Trent Bridge and I am very determined to go out with a win and square the series, writes Muttiah Muralitharan on bigstarcricket.com.
Full postMonty under the spotlight
With the exception of Wayne Rooney’s foot and Michael Schumacher’s disgusting behaviour in Monaco, the weekend’s sports pages seemed to centre on one thing – Monty Panesar’s fielding and batting.
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
With the exception of Wayne Rooney’s foot and Michael Schumacher’s disgusting behaviour in Monaco, the weekend’s sports pages seemed to centre on one thing – Monty Panesar’s fielding and batting.
While Duncan Fletcher came out in support of Panesar, the debate over his dismal efforts in the field grew. The fear seems to be over the coming Ashes series and what Panesar could experience in Australia. In The Mail, Colin Bateman warned:
“There will not be much subtle wit flying round from those Aussie crowds who last winter were accused of racist comments by the touring South Africans.”
The late developer
One of the main reasons why England were made to work hard for their win at Edgbaston was the battling effort of Michael Vandort, who ground out his second Test century
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
One of the main reasons why England were made to work hard for their win at Edgbaston was the battling effort of Michael Vandort, who ground out his second Test century. It was his first Test against anyone other than Bangladesh and was a significant milestone for the opener. In The Guardian, David Hopps charts his development.
Full postVandort was a late developer, chosen once for his school 1st XI - and St Joseph's is by no means the foremost Colombo cricketing college. He has needed every ounce of Burgher phlegm to get this far. He used 46 balls to navigate the 90s. At 95 the new ball was taken. At 97 he hooked uncomfortably at Matthew Hoggard. A drinks interval delayed him on 98.
Team needs time to become ruthless
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Despite wrapping up a six-wicket victory at Edgbaston, England are still being criticised for not having a 'killer instinct' and finishing Sri Lanka quicker. But this is a very young England side - only Marcus Trescothick is over 30 - and a number of players are finding their way in Test cricket. Simon Hughes says they must be given time to develop and that should continue at Trent Bridge.
It is worth remembering, though, that four of the team have only played 16 Tests between them. Of those four, Liam Plunkett distinguished himself.
Richard Hobson in The Times, meanwhile, argues that even last summer when they beat Australia England didn't have a ruthless streak.
Full postEngland have not gone soft. They are as ruthless now as they were last summer. That is, not very ruthless at all. They allowed Australia to bat all through the final day (and what a long day it was) at Old Trafford, lost seven wickets chasing a small target at Trent Bridge and came within three runs of defeat at Edgbaston.One player who was certainly at his ruthless best was Kevin Pietersen with his amazing 142. Everyone will remember the reverse-hit sweep for six off Muralitharan, but Steve James says it could have proved one flamboyant shot too many.
What he forgot was that it was his responsibility to ensure England led by enough not to need to bat again. He forgot that his mastery of Muralitharan could not be replicated, probably not by anyone in world cricket at present, but certainly not by England's late order, lacking in time at the crease
Murali genius swept aside
In the Sunday Telegraph , Michael Atherton says that the England-Sri Lanka series has been enlightened by the battle between Kevin Pietersen and Muttiah Muralitharan .
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
In the Sunday Telegraph, Michael Atherton says that the England-Sri Lanka series has been enlightened by the battle between Kevin Pietersen and Muttiah Muralitharan.
"In terms of skill levels it has been an even contest, but Pietersen, with two audacious hundreds to his name, has emerged the champion, and not just on points ... one of the two most attacking spin bowlers of the modern game, possibly in the history of the game, reduced to containment: the hunter as prey for once."
And, according to the Mail On Sunday, Murali himself is in agreement.
Full postThe Monty Effect
Journos just can't seem to have enough of Monty Panesar, and now it's Mike Brearley's turn to take a harmless dig at the latest 'crowd craze'
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Journos just can't seem to have enough of Monty Panesar, and now it's Mike Brearley's turn to take a harmless dig at the latest 'crowd craze'. Brearley, in The Observer compares Panesar to Manuel of Fawlty Towers, reflecting the England public's multi-racial attitude.
What induces crowds not always known for their their lack of xenophobia to take someone who seems to be an improbable choice to their hearts? I'm thinking of the Monty Panesar effect.
Stephen Fay, in The Independent on Sunday, wonders about the tolerance levels of a player's limitations, referring to Panesar's abilities as a batsman and fielder. A few exceptional others got away, but Monty?
Full postThe crowd laughs out loud when Panesar simply forgets how to stop a ball short and concedes two runs unnecessarily. His colleagues do not share the joke. Andrew Flintoff shakes his head in disbelief.
A blessing in disguise
"Sachin Tendulkar's withdrawal from the tour of the West Indies may be a blessing in disguise...
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
"Sachin Tendulkar's withdrawal from the tour of the West Indies may be a blessing in disguise.... Nothing is worse in sport than seeing a great player reduced to mediocrity," writes Peter Roebuck in the The Hindu
It must be agony for him to sit on his thumps, runs unscored, energies unspent. At home, he must resemble a caged lion. Whenever he feels even remotely repaired he surely hastens to the nets to face some balls. His frustration at the setbacks must be deeply felt. Meanwhile, months pass and India accustoms itself to life without him. Yet Tendulkar must not hurry. Nothing is worse in sport than seeing a great player reduced to mediocrity by some inconvenience.
England's urban warrior
Urban cricket is defined as "no hassle cricket with no rules," and..
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Urban cricket is defined as "no hassle cricket with no rules," and... In Pietersen's hands Test cricket is urban cricket writes David Hopps in The Guardian
His worst shots bear such little relation to the coaching manuals that they should be added to the statistics on urban crime. His most brilliant shots are so ambitiously executed that, in the city, such confidence rarely comes without the assistance of a snort of cocaine. His perpetual impatience is the essence of the city, every innings played as restively as a man rushing down an escalator for a departing tube. Do not tell him that there will be another ball along in a minute. He wants this ball, this tube, now.
Full postMost Read
Writers