Honours even in record-breaking draw

England 260 (Bell 76, Siddle 6-54) and 1 for 517 dec (Cook 235*, Trott 135*) drew with Australia 481 (Hussey 195, Haddin 136, Finn 6-125) and 1 for 107 (Ponting 51*)

England's batsmen ensured that the first Ashes Test was one for the record books, as they piled on the runs at the Gabba.

After a near-perfect performance in the three warm-up games England were given a sharp reminder on day one of the threat that even an unsettled Australian bowling unit can pose when on home soil. Three balls into the series and captain Andrew Strauss, who had amassed two centuries in the warm-up games, already had his helmet in his hands caught cutting hard to Michael Hussey in the gully for a duck.

Some spirited resistance from Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen in the afternoon session only temporarily kept the Aussie quicks at bay, and when Paul Collingwood fell for single figures England were tottering on 125 for 4.

Things went from bad to worse as last-minute selection and birthday boy Peter Siddle had a moment of clarity midway through the 66th over, managing to claim three English scalps in consecutive deliveries and complete a rare Ashes hat-trick blowing away England's middle order.

A beautifully crafted 76 from a resurgent Ian Bell ensured the tourists posted a less embarrassing 260 all out, it was Australia though who ended  the day at the crease, Simon Katich and Shane Watson guiding the hosts  to 25 without loss at the close of play.

One solitary wicket on the morning of day two was bettered in the afternoon session as James Anderson and young Steven Finn put their side right back in the contest prising out both Ricky Ponting and understudy MIchael Clarke, before Graeme Swann dismissed yet another left-hander, this time allrounder Marcus North who pushed at a looping delivery edging to Collingwood at slip.

But little did anybody know that with that fine piece of finger spin bowling the battle between bat and ball was effectively over. Hussey and wicket keeper Brad Haddin batted out the remainder of the day with relative ease, and despite some disciplined bowling from Anderson on the morning of day four England found no help from the pitch or crucially umpire Aleem Dar.

Instead England were forced to look on in awe as Hussey and Haddin both made clinical centuries in a mammoth stand of 307 - then a record for any wicket at the Gabba. A determined Steven Finn made light work of the tail to bag impressive figures of 6 for 125 but the damage had been done with England still trailing Australia by 202 runs at stumps.

The enviable solidarity of the England team over the last few years has led many commentators to remark that this may be the country's best chance of winning Down Under for over 20 years, and if the resilience shown by Messrs Strauss, Cook and Trott on the final two days of this Test match are anything to go by they may well be right on the money.

Throughout day three a combination of timely flourishes and solid defensive play saw both openers notch up impressive hundreds with Strauss the only victim, stumped on 110. Jonathan Trott, England's 2009 Ashes hero, joined in the fun and had himself a half century before the close, England walking off the field well placed on 309 for 1.

The run-fest continued on the final day's play Cook breezing imperiously to his maiden Test match double ton, and Jonathan Trott making it two hundreds in two Test matches against England's oldest rivals. Amongst the carnage Australia's attack took a pounding, Mitchell Johnson looking decidedly out of sorts, and that's not just the moustache. His match figures of 0 for 170 pushed his bowling average to 41.05 against the Poms and for the first time in 39 Tests he went home wicketless.

The declaration eventually came with England 517 for 1, becoming only the sixth team in history to pass 500 for the loss of a solitary wicket. Cook also recorded the highest individual score by a batsman at the Gabba and his and Trott's 329-run stand became the highest by any England pair in Australia.

A potentially tricky 41 overs was well negotiated by the hosts and the match was drawn, a half century for Ricky Ponting came as little consolation though after a sapping two days in the field.

Contrary to what some sports fans may tell you there is such a thing as a 'satisfying draw,' even after five days cricket. A momentous fightback on days four and five went a long way to proving how settled this England side is. Moments of individual brilliance aside it is the England team that will ultimately be tested over the next two months, and with cracks now glaringly visible in the Australian set-up, England go to Adelaide with the wind behind them.

England dominate in final warm-up

England XI 523 and 0 for 11 beat Australia A 230 and 301 (White 111, Hughes 81, Bresnan 4-86, Panesar 3-63, Tremlett 3-67) by 10 wickets


With still a third of England's warm-up games to play England have decided to effectively name four of their starting eleven over a week before the 'real' Test begins by sending their youthful trio of seamsters and world-class cherry tweaker up to Brisbane for a hard-earned net. In their absence England's batsman were instead joined by four back-up all eager to stake their claim should Messrs Flower and Strauss choose to make changes during the five match campaign.


Strauss called correctly and gave his new look attack the first opportunity to exploit what looked a lively surface. Chris Tremlett, who has undergone a cricketing rebirth since his move from Hampshire to Surrey last summer, took the new ball and was first to strike, drawing Phil Hughes into a defensive poke high outside his off stump edging to keeper Matt Prior. Tremlett carrying where Andrew Flintoff left off in 2009 exposing Hughes with the shorter ball, a frailty he will have to overcome if he is to feature this winter.


Ajmal Shahzad who has been on the fringe of the England setup for much of year joined forces with Tremlett and together they caused havoc on a pitch that was doing just enough. Shahzad was justly rewarded with the wicket of Test hopeful Usman Khawaja having beaten the outside edge on numerous occasions and spitting some Sidebottom-esque banter at the hapless Aussies for good measure.


Tim Bresnan came on as first change and despite looking the least threatening soon joined in the fun catching Callum Ferguson on his crease with a ripsnorter that barely feathered the outside edge. Exactly five overs later and  Bresnan had Monty Panesar to thank for his second wicket of the morning. Opener Ed Cowan who had quietly trundled to 31 pulling a short ball in the air only for the Monster to pull off a blinding catch with his right paw, naturally he took the plaudits.


When Tremlett had captain Cameron White bowled for 5 through the gate the hosts found themselves tottering at 58 for 5 and in danger of complete capitulation. However wickie Tim Paine and allround Steves, Smith and O'Keefe, provided some steadfast lower order resistance, both Smith and O'Keefe passing fifty ensuring Australia posted a respectable 230. Aptly it was Tremlett and Shahzad who finished most impressively, the former bagging four wickets, while the Yorkshireman claimed three victims at an economy of well below three.


Seven overs at the tail end of the day against the England captain and his deputy was an unlikely consolation for Australia A, and the prized wicket of Andrew Strauss made sure the hosts had something to build upon on day two.


Nightwatchman Panesar removed Australia's bowlers had less luck on the second morning Cook soon passing fifty to back up his unbeaten century in Adelaide. But a mini-collapse (don't say it too loudly!) in the afternoon that accounted for Cook, Trott and Pietersen left England teeering at 137 for 5.


As it turned out Australia A claimed their sixth wicket over 60 overs and 240 runs later as the tourists took complete control of the match. It was England middle order stalwarts Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood who exacted most of the damage, the former batting his way to a hefty 192 and effectively rubbishing any chances of an Australian victory.


Bell is a changed man nowadays, no blond highlights, ripped jeans or cocky swagger and most importantly a departure from the school boy inhibitions about technique and in its place a new found thirst for runs. He still compiles his innings in meticulous fashion however, watchful early on punishing the bad ball, and later on able to rotate the strike and find pockets in the field to keep the board ticking over, truly a joy to behold.


Bell and Collingwood guided England through to the close of play Bell having passed his ton with consummate ease and Collingwood not out on 74 within sight of the three figures that alluded him against South Australia in the previous game. 

Resuming on 335 for 5 the destructive duo added a further 42 runs before Collingwood edged behind to Paine trying to pull Clint McKay falling 11 runs short of a century. Bell powered on past 150 partnered by keeper Matt Prior (27) and Tim Bresnan (36) and was eventually caught at cover eight short of a double century. The Warwickshire batsman came to the crease at 137 for 5 and left with his team in complete command at 487 for 8, his contribution a testament to Bell's renewed importance to the England team over the past 18 months leaving the likes of Eoin Morgan to carry drinks around cricket grounds the world over.


Chris Tremlett was eventually caught at mid off trying to clear the ropes but not before England had passed 500, eventually bowled out for what at a day ago seemed an unlikely 523.


After a marathon 141 overs in the field the Australians could be forgiven for a slight lapse in concentration when returning to the crease on day three to try and make a dent into what was now a potentially match-winning deficit of 293. And after a promising start led by a determined Hughes England broke through thanks to the wiley arm of Tim Bresnan forcing Cowan into dragging on. The very next ball and Australia were two down and Bresnan on a hat-trick, Khawaja edging low to Prior behind the stumps to leave the hosts delicately poised on 66 for 2.


The Yorkshireman failed to complete a hat-trick but did take his tally to three six overs later, Callum Ferguson bowled for 10 and capping off a disappointing match for the South Australian. The arrival of Cameron White sparked a mini-recovery for the home side with White and opener Hughes sharing a stand of 101 for the fourth wicket. But is was Tremlett's extra lift that again proved Hughes' undoing, Strauss taking a sharp chance at first slip to send the left-hander on his way for a gritty 81.


However his departure marked the beginning of the end for Australia A who capitulated in the face of what was now inevitable defeat. Paine and Smith managed just two runs between them as Tremlett laid down a marker for his fellow second-string compatriots. Monty Panesar made useful contributions knocking over the tail and giving himself a much-needed confidence boost.


Amongst the carnage White remained imperious passing fifty and soon a hundred with relative ease proving his repertoire extends well beyond the hustle and bustle of limited overs cricket. The Aussies eventually crept over 300   but a lead only 10 runs meant 9 balls into England's second innings and Strauss' team had completed a comfortable victory over a team of talented international cricketers.


The 'real' Test is now in sight for England and if the last three weeks are anything to go by on then it has been a near perfect pom performance thus far...

Cook hits timely ton in England draw

South Australia 221 & 2 for 48 drew with England XI 8 for 288 dec & 1 for 240 dec (Cook 111*, Strauss 102)

An uncanny ability to rescue an international career from troughs of unimaginably poor form with match-winning knocks under the most immense pressure has epitomised Alastair Cook's cricket over the last two years. While his neck may not quite have been on the line in this second warm-up game against South Australia, England confidently opting not to bolster their squad with a third opening batsman, it would be hard for any England fan who has followed the Essex stroke maker this summer to say with some conviction that a solitary ton amongst a handful of failures is enough to ensure a return to the consistency that typified his first year as a Test match batsman.

Three days earlier Cook had been given his first chance to silence the critics, England winning the toss and electing to bat first. But after an assured start he decided to delay his batting epiphany for another two days and instead gift Peter George his third wicket of the day to reduce the visitors to 63 for 3 on the opening morning. Kevin Pietersen soon followed caught off the bowling of Queensland paceman Ben Edmondson by the magnificently named Aiden Blizzard leaving England in need of some plucky resistance in the afternoon session - enter Paul Collingwood.

An uncharacteristically fluent innings from Collingwood on the ground where he crafted his highest ever Test score guided England to 226 for 4 before, six runs short of a hundred, he edged a Jake Haberfield delivery to a grateful Callum Ferguson in the gully. Ian Bell powered on for another six and a half overs taking his side past 250 and himself past 50, and with a declaration now imminent Matt Prior and Graeme Swann chipped in with brisk cameos to propel England to 288 for 8 declared in just over 78 overs. In turn Strauss was afforded the luxury of unleashing his trio of youthful seamers on a weary South Australian opening pair, but some steadfast defensive play ensured the home side suffered no casualties come the close of play.

Day two began promisingly for England, Stuart Broad making the breakthrough at the end of his second over of the morning drawing James Smith into edging the ball through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. James Anderson then bagged opener Daniel Harris with the first ball of his over to make it two wickets in two balls for the tourists. A spirited South Australian middle order fightback kept them afloat until Michael Klinger wofted his bat at a James Anderson delivery only to spew the ball into the grateful hands of Kevin Pietersen and spark a mid-innings collapse.


Anderson continued his impressive work removing wickie Graham Manou for 0, but it was England's premium tweaker Graeme Swann who caused the most damage taking four of the final five wickets to skittle the state side out for a lowly 221 and finish with figures of 22.4 overs, 4 for 68. 


England returned to the middle for the majority of the evening session to cap off an impressive day for the touring side. Strauss and Cook taking England to 94 without loss at stumps and a lead of 67 going into the final day. The captain was in particularly imperious form hitting three sixes and five fours in his 56 not out, reaching his fifty at almost a run a ball. With Cook and Pietersen now in competition for least-assured batsman in world cricket, Strauss's new-found penchant for the boundary rope and even the spectators stand has provided fans with renewed optimism as to the dynamism of England's top order.


There was little respite for the home side come day three too and Cook and Strauss both kicked on at a pace. As Cook passed fifty Strauss was closing in on another century making light work of the South Australia attack hitting the ball to all parts. His inevitable century was only marred by a switch dismissal shortly after, but 102 from just 121 deliveries meant his Strauss's innings was sure to be the talking point well beyond the stands in Adelaide.

Backed up by Jonathan Trott, Cook too cashed in on the final day and his 111 not out, including 18 fours and a six, will have gone some way to relieving the pressure that had begun to build after scores of 5, 9 and 32 in his three innings on the tour so far.


A rain interrupted afternoon meant England's bowlers were unable to forge any hopes of a victory, but two wickets for Jimmy Anderson proved once again that the man from Burnley may well have a bigger part to play in this series than some narrow-minded critics are suggesting.


All in all a very worthwhile outing for what appears to be still a very polished pom outfit. Every bowler grabbed a scalp despite limited opportunities and England were a class apart with the willow. A slight concern still hangs over Kevin Pietersen who was denied a second bite at the cherry this time around, and one can only hope that the frighteningly predictable nature of Alastair Cook's batting record does not become the subject of some smart-arse statistic relayed by one of Sky Sports' increasing smug Hollywood Elite!

England 'tick all the boxes' in Ashes warm-up

England XI - 8 for 223 dec. and 4 for 243 (Strauss 120*) beat Western Australia - 8 for 242 dec. and 223 (Swann 4-101, Broad 2-26) by six wickets

A tortuous beginning to the summer has left the Aussies with only a solitary victory so far in the build up to the Ashes later this month. Defeat by India in the Test and One Day series was swiftly followed by defeat to Sri Lanka in the only Twenty20 International and the first two One Day games of the three match series between the two sides, their only respite a dead-rubber win in the third ODI. Little consolation with Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakarra declaring his team's win as the finest in his tenure as captain.

Much to the dismay of Messrs Clarke and Ponting, England completed a convincing victory over Western Australia in their opening warm-up game, with captain Strauss on top form batting through England's second innings to cash in with 120 not out and see his side to victory in style.

England lost the toss and were asked to field first. With Jimmy Anderson the only surviving bowler from the last Ashes tour Down Under, it was up to the youthful pairing of Steven Finn and Stuart Broad to get to grips with the traditionally less forgiving Kookabura ball. In only the second over of the day however Broad, who has had a glorious summer with bat and ball, found himself on a hat-trick after dismissing opener Liam Davis and Michael Swart for a duck, both men guiding their shots into the safe hands of the English slip cordon.

Broad soon added another victim to his tally prising out captain Marcus North for 19 after some dogged resistance. Finn, Anderson and Graeme Swann all chipped in with a wicket a piece and the evergreen Paul Collingwood proving his continual importance to England's chances abroad, extracted the home side's two settled batsmen, catching Wes Robinson off his own bowling for 62 before running out the dangerous Adam Voges on 72.

Western Australia declared on 242 for 8 giving England a tricky six overs to bat before the close of play, and unfortunately for the visitors Alastair Cook fell victim to the late pressure when he was bowled off the midriff by Steve Magoffin for 5, with England due to resume on 10 for 1 in the morning.

Day two brought mixed fortunes for Strauss's men who struggled to take a firm hold on the game. After the loss of Cook the previous evening, the England top order failed to crack on and  were undone by the seam and spin of the struggling domestic outfit. Magoffin bagging Strauss to claim the scalp of both the openers, before Trott was once again snuffed out by spin, caught behind off the bowling of Michael Beer.

Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior failed to make it to double figures and with Kevin Pietersen going well at the other end Ian Bell was also unable to give any sustained support departing for 21 from 42 balls. It was left to Broad to reclaim some dignity for the touring side and he ably accompanied Pietersen, both men passing fifty and taking England past 200. A late order cameo of 37 from 25 balls from Graeme Swann that included six boundaries ensured the hosts lead was only 19 at the halfway stage.

But useful contributions from Davies, Robinson and Swart meant that Western Australia closed on 109 for 1, 90 ahead of England with only a day left to play.

Day three brought about a renewed sense of purpose for England, and although a draw seamed the most likely result with just 90 overs in the day four wickets from Graeme Swann ably backed up by Finn and Broad saw the hosts lose their final nine wickets for a meager 93 runs and set up an intriguing fourth innings run chase.

The early loss again of Cook did not prove as disastrous this time around as Strauss provided the backbone to a enterprising display from England's top six. Three of the five bowlers used by captain North had economy rates above five and Jonathan Trott was the only England batsman to score his runs at a strike rate less than fifty, Bell and Pietersen scoring at more than a run a ball.

Strauss proved no slouch too, and his unbeaten 120 came from just 140 balls including 15 fours and a six, his hard work in the one day game recaptured magnificently into the longer format. England completed the chase within 50 overs claiming a six wicket victory and with it their first win of the tour, an enviable result for all Australians whose preparation for this year's Ashes has not begun quite so smoothly.

Can Pietersen step up, again?

Despite a summer of low scores, Twitter rants and exile from both county and country, many still consider Kevin Pietersen the key if England are to retain the Ashes this winter.

Rewind back to May and Pietersen was enjoying what he described as the  best week of his life, inspiring England to their first ever World Cup victory in the ICC World Twenty20 and witnessing the birth of his first son.

Since then little has gone the way of England’s talismanic number four who has not scored a hundred for England since March 2009, and who’s Test average is dipping perilously below 50.

Having been dropped justifiably from the one day series against Pakistan Pietersen joined up with new county Surrey in a bid to resurrect his form in time for the Ashes. No doubt an environmentally conscious decision from KP who parted company with Hampshire earlier in the year after observing that "geographically it just doesn't work – I live in Chelsea."

A hundred against Division Two outfit Sussex at Hove in the CB40 provided welcome time in the middle however a second-ball duck against Glamorgan in the County Championship ensured that questions still remained over his consistency at the highest level.

In a desperate attempt to regain form Pietersen agreed to travel to his home country of South Africa at the end of the season to play for KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins in two four-day matches.

A breezy 36 from 48 deliveries against the Warriors including six fours was largely overshadowed by a second-ball duck in his final game against the Titans, yet Pietersen remained upbeat about his progress abroad obviously rejuvenated by a return to his birthplace.

Questions still remain however, and as one of only seven survivors of England’s last series down under  many have suggested that the 30-year-old does not deserve to simply stroll back into the dressing room as he has done for the last five years.

Critics will no doubt point to statistics, and rightly so, 2010 marks the first year in which Pietersen has failed to average above 40 in Test cricket passing 50 only once, not to mention an average of just 17.81 in 17 one day games since 2009.

It must not be forgotten also that England’s heroic triumph over the Aussies last year was orchestrated largely in his absence, an Achilles injury ruling him out of the final three Test matches, a factor that some attest to his dip in form over the past twelve months.

The decision to retain Pietersen for the Ashes therefore hinges almost entirely on reputation. England fans will still nurture fond memories of a young Pietersen charging down the wicket to the likes of Warne and McGrath in 2005, and if his performances in the World Twenty20 are anything to go by the fire still burns brightly within.

Much like his middle-order colleague Paul Collingwood Pietersen has made his reputation as a man for the big occasion, and they do not come much bigger than the historical battle between two of cricket’s most fiercely competitive nations for a small but highly sought after urn.

Whether he will once again unleash that fire still remains to be seen, but one thing that you can be sure of is that come November 25 there is one name that Ricky Ponting will be hoping is not scribbled on the team sheet and that is Kevin Peter Pietersen.

Young Finn wins Emerging Player Award

Steven Finn was named as the ICC's Emerging Player of the Year 2010 at the annual awards ceremony in Bengaluru, India after an impressive maiden year in Test cricket.

Having only made his debut in March of this year against Bangladesh, called up to replace the injured Graeme Onions, Finn  has made a lasting impact on the England team this summer taking 32 wickets at an average of 23.21 including consecutive five wicket hauls at Lords and Old Trafford in May and June.

On the docile pitches of the sub-continent he showed a level of patience well beyond his years and was duly rewarded a first home cap in the return series against the Tigers two months later. Finn's impact was instantaneous, carrying the England bowling display in the first Test at Lords with figures of 4 for 100 in the first innings, going one better in the second innings leading the attack to claim his first five wicket haul, finishing the match with a tally of 9 wickets and a first Man of the Match award in Test cricket. His award was a testament to the hard work and determination shown by the young fast bowler sending down a titanic 49 overs all together in back to back innings.

In a less attritional affair at Old Trafford Finn proved equally affective. With Bangladesh following on once again it took a mere 10 overs for Finn to extract five Bangladeshi batsman and secure an innings victory for his team. His performances in the two match series earned him his first Man of the Series Award and was enough to put Finn as odds on favourite to board the plane to Australia come November.

A further flurry of wickets in the first two Test matches against Pakistan affirmed his place in the England eleven and consequently his nomination for the award.

Finn beat Australia's Tim Paine, Pakistan's Umar Akmal, and Sri Lanka's Angelo Matthews to the title that was awarded to Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Graeme Swann and James Anderson were also included in the Test Team of the Year, and Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad selected in the One Day Team of Year.

Swann, who was also nominated for the Player of the Year Award picked up by Sachin Tendulkar, played 10 Test matches within the period under consideration for the award, between August 24, 2009, and August 10, 2010, claiming 49 wickets at an average of 27.55. Anderson notching up 41 wickets in two less matches at 22.53.

Interestingly had the consideration period been more accommodating to the English season and accounted for the final two Test matches between England and Pakistan, Swann would have taken 16 more wickets at an improved average of 23.72. His figures against Pakistan reading four matches, 22 wickets at 12.22! Quite amazing when you also consider he was initially overlooked in the preliminary shortlist, only added when the ECB voiced there bewilderment at his absence!

A successful year for England's limited overs team that included series wins over Australia and away to South Africa could not be ignored and it was Stuart Broad and Paul Collingwood who broke into the One Day Team of the Year for 2010.

Broad, who has been ever present for England in all forms of cricket this year featured in 19 competitive one day matches taking 37 wickets at an average of 24.45, including 10 wickets in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.

Collingwood who again has been a regular feature in all England ventures this past year, racked up 24 matches in coloured clothes, averaging 47 with the bat and picking up 12 wickets. His performances on the tour of South Africa stood out in particular, hitting an unbeaten 105 at Centurion and averaging a colossal 91.66 in the four match series in which England triumphed 2-1, also claiming the Player of the Series Award after the final match was washed out.

All-time World XI

It's 2am the pub doors are shut and the landlord slides the ash tray over and offers you a cigarette. In the dim lit quarters of the local boozer you are invited into what seems like a conversation of the utmost importance, and one you have no doubt mused over whilst Gower and co. revisit the flaws in Alastair Cook's batting for umpteenth time during a damp ODI at Old Trafford in mid-summer. The conversation that ensues regards the small issue of deciding cricket's all-time Test XI, and inevitably as you seek to defend the merits of modern day cricket whilst the barman lectures you on the good old days, no draft is put forward.

Unrivaled cricketing encyclopedists Cricinfo will soon take on this titanic challenge and unveil their all-time World XI lineup, after leading cricket buffs from the eight major Test-playing nations gave them a head start nominating their country's best ever team.

As I sit at home with little prospect of befriending a semi-drunk landlord I thought I would have a proverbial stab at this perpetual cricketing conundrum....brace yourselves....

1. Sir Jack Hobbs (England) - 15 Test centuries at 56.94 on pitches that would ruin the careers of many a modern day batsman, Hobbs played competitive cricket past the age of 50, maintaining an average of over 50 in first class cricket and amassing a ridiculous 61,760 runs in 834 matches dubbing him 'The Master.'

2. Virender Sehwag (India) - With a Test match strike-rate of 81.56 Sehwag is arguably the most destructive opening batsman of his generation, scoring his runs at a faster rate than any other batsman in history. 22 hundreds and 21 fifties at an average of 54.14 including 79 sixes is only half the story - truly unstoppable!

3. Sir Don Bradman (Australia) - The greatest batsman of all-time Bradman is honoured with the fabled number three slot, reserved for the team's best player. End of conversation.

4. Sachin Tendulkar (India) - Adored by millions Tendulkar is the complete modern batsman and has gone on to score more runs in international cricket than anyone else in history, as well as the most hundreds in Test match cricket. Over twenty years after his debut Test aged sixteen 'The Little Master' remains the textbook batsman and a hero to young and old worldwide.

5. W. G. Grace (captain) (England)  - A controversial inclusion seeing as no man alive can remember playing with or even seeing the great man. It is estimated that he scored over 101,000 runs in all forms of cricket, and took over 7,500 wickets in his mammoth tenure as a cricketer but it is his presence alone that merits his inclusion in the all-time XI.

6. Sir Garry Sobers (vice-captain) (West Indies) - Versatility personified Sobers could do anything and everything. An elegant batsman, multi-faceted bowler and exceptional fielder anywhere on the field Sobers was the quintessential all-rounder, within the confines of the boundary rope he was capable of near enough anything.

7. Kumar Sangakkara (wicket keeper) (Sri Lanka) - A more consistent performer than Gilchrist and a wily captain Sangakkara is the model 21st century wicket keeper/batsman. An average of 56.85 in Test matches puts him alongside today's finest strokemakers and having successfully kept wicket to Murali for over ten years Sangakkara has become one of the game's most skilled glovemen.

8. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) - Seemingly able to make the ball talk on almost any surface Malcolm Marshall was quite simply a lethal weapon. Boasting an extraordinary strike rate of 46.7 and an equally impressive average of 20.94 including 22 five wicket hauls, Marshall was proficient in out-swing and in-swing bowling as well as possessing a fearful bouncer, he possessed an X-factor that demanded inclusion.

9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) - 414 wickets in 104 Tests Wasim Akram was a wicket-machine. His left-arm approach provides the attack with something different and his ability to contribute with the bat was certainly a factor in his selection.

10. Shane Warne (Australia) - A true competitor Warne's enthusiasm for the game was matched by a supreme talent for leg-spin bowling. An ability to turn the ball at freakish angles he was Australia's go-to man for well over a decade and much like Grace and Sobers Warne's passion and desire to win renders him an invaluable member of the bowling attack.

11. Sydney Barnes (England) - A cricketing phenomenon Barnes was quite simply unplayable. In all cricket he took 6,229 wickets at a frankly stupid average of 8.33. Those who knew him say he sent a different delivery down each ball making fools of almost every man that faced him, the bowling trump card.

Honourable mentions: Viv Richards, Sunil Gavaskar, George Headley, Brian Lara, Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Adam Gilchrist, Alan Knott, Michael Holding, Muttiah Muralitharan, Curtly Ambrose.

The final team comprises of three Englishmen, two Australians, two West Indians, two Indians, a Sri Lankan and a Pakistani.

Do you agree?

Bangladesh in England ODI Series 2010

England v Bangladesh 1st ODI, Natwest Series, at Trent Bridge  July 8 2010.

England 251 for 4 (Bell 84, Strauss 50) beat Bangladesh 250 for 9 (Siddique 51, Al Hasan 76) by 6 wickets.

A Comedy of Errors
If all Bangladesh could muster in the Test arena were brief moments of brilliance or an inspired session here and there, the more forgiving and fast-paced nature of the one day game it was possible would prove a more fruitful format. Early signs were promising for the Tigers, all top six batsmen reaching double figures including two half centuries from Junaid Siddique and Raqibul Hassan. But it was the former who fell crucially short of a big score, run out for 76 with three overs remaining. Raqibul guiding the ball to midwicket for an easy single, only for Faisal Hossain, Raqibul's runner, to be caught ball watching. Shakib set off from the non-striker's end but was surprised when he saw Faisal motionless, in confusion Shakib desperately ran back for his own crease while Faisal stutteres halfway down the track. The ball was sent in to Kieswetter, Raqibul grounding his own bat but to no avail as Faisal was nowhere to be seen, a comedy of errors that prevented the tourists posting a more challenging total on a good batting deck at Trent Bridge.

The Tortoise and the Hare
In reply England began positively, Kieswetter building on his impressive summer so far with a useful knock of 32 from 40, but it was his the England captain that was most adventurous crashing 50 off just 37 deliveries. The manner in which Strauss went about his business was a sure sign that he refuses to be typecast as a one-paced, methodical opening batsman only suited to Test cricket. It appears his assuredness in defence actually heightens the impact of his aggression, pouncing on anything marginally off-line Strauss never descends to recklessness but instead punishes the opposition for ill-discipline in spectacular fashion.

However, moments after raising his bat for his half century the England skipper was run out by Mahmadullah. Kieswetter dabbing one into the covers, Strauss calling for the single but tragically underestimating the accuracy of the throw not diving to make sure of the run and caught napping inches short of the crease. In the absence of Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, it was up to Ian Bell to negate the middle overs in the crucial number three position.

Joining Paul Collingwood initially, the pair manipulated the field expertly keeping the board ticking over at a healthy rate, Collingwood eventually succumbed to the left arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan making way for Eoin Morgan. Bell maintained a steady pace rotating the strike admirably in order to allow Morgan to flay the bat more willfully, the Irishman chipping in with a swift 23 from 26 deliveries including two fours and a six. It was left to Bell and Yardy to finish off the job with just under five overs remaining. The experience showed by Bell, who remained unbeaten on 84 underlined the entire England chase, a professional display from a confident group of cricketers who have yet to lose a series (or World cup competition) this year.

England v Bangladesh 2nd ODI, Natwest Series, at The County Ground July 10 2010.

Bangladesh 236 for 7 (Kayes 76, Shahzad 3-41) beat England 231 (Trott 94) by 5 runs.

Team Spirit
At the halfway stage there was a sense of deja vu about proceedings, Bangladesh having posted a below-par total were set the task of restricting, or most likely bowling out England if they were to claim victory. There was certainly no room for a patchy bowling effort and you felt that to win the game Bangladesh would require a high class team effort.

Rubel Hossain led by example claiming the scalps of openers Strauss and Kieswetter in consecutive overs to leave the home side 58 for 2 after nine overs. Collingwood survived the bowling Powerplay and was unlucky to be dismissed soon after by Abdur Razzak who was fortunate to see the finger raised for an appeal lbw. Seven balls later and England's middle order hero of late Eoin Morgan was sent back again by Razzaq for just one run. This time England had no complaints, the ball going on to hit the top of middle stump.

Yardy continued his nervy England career with a woeful 10 from 24 balls to take England over the hundred mark, Shakib outfoxing the Sussex allrounder, luring him into the pull shot only for the ball to slide under Yardy's bat and clatter into his offstump. Meanwhile Jonathan Trott went about his business providing much needed solidity to England's flailing run chase, his fifty coming off 91 deliveries, and as Luke Wright departed with over 15 overs remaining it was Trott who really held the key to what would now be a surprise defeat for England.

The bowlers provided little resistance, Stuart Broad providing some brief entertainment, his 21 featuring a four and a six. Ian Bell did return to the field despite a suspected broken foot, but with three balls to go and six runs remaining it was Trott, who required the same amount of runs for his century, who was last to go, the two Islams combining to force an edge from Trott's bat and complete a famous victory for Bangladesh. A wonderful effort and one that ensured the series would go down to a crucial decider at Edgbaston.

England v Bangladesh 3rd ODI, Natwest Series, at Edgbaston July 12 2010.

England 347 for 7 (Strauss 154, Trott 110, Mortaza 3-31) beat Bangladesh 203 (Bopara 4-38) by 144 runs.


Record Breakers
So one a piece and all to play for, and following a dramatic victory two days previous Bangladesh were on the brink of their first series win against England in history. As it turned out it was the hosts who entered the record books that afternoon, the immovable forces of Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott milking the Tigers for all they had notching up a second wicket partnership of 250, the highest ever in England's one day history, surpassing Strauss and Flintoff's 226 run partnership recorded against the West Indies at Lords in 2004. A nervy start soon became an enterprising double act lifting England from 1 for 1 to 251 for 2 four balls into the final ten overs of the innings Strauss and Trott playing against the grain of their stereotype.

Trott was powerful and precise in his shot selection and remained focused throughout while Bangladeshi heads slowly dropped unable to find a breakthrough for a whole 240 balls. It took a joint effort between captain and former captain to prise Trott from the wicket, the Warwickshire stalwart creaming a full delivery to midwicket where Shakib took an athletic catch, but not before Trott had notched up his first ever one day international century, and another under-pressure knock when his team was in need of inspiration.

At the other end Strauss compiled an innings he has been threatening to produce all summer. Having been run out in farcical circumstances two days ago the England captain was determined to cash in on this occasion creaming the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts for his remarkable 154. A strike rate of 110 underlined the brutality of Strauss's knock which included five rare sixes, his eighth of the summer, having only scored a further ten since his debut in 2003.

Australia in England ODI Series 2010

England v Australia, 1st ODI, Natwest Series at The Rose Bowl, 22 June 2010.


England  268 for 6  (Morgan 103,  Harris 3-42) beat Australia 267  for 7 (Clarke 87) by  4 wickets.

Anchor
Michael Clarke dropped anchor for Australia to help the tourists post a competitive 267 for 7. He hit some sweet drives and blows through the covers but an inability to accelerate his innings in the final overs proved critical, especially when you consider the match-winning efforts of England's anchor Eoin Morgan in reply. Two wickets a piece for Broad, Anderson and Yardy meant the Aussies never settled into a partnership with Clarke very much the backbone of a less-than-fluent batting effort by Ricky Ponting's men.

Saviour
In much the same fashion as Australia, England's batting heavyweights all got in and got out with the exception of one man, for the tourists it was Clarke and for England it was Eoin Morgan. As a result the difference between the two sides largely rested on how each man went about his task. For Clarke it was setting up a challenging total, and whilst he batted through until the 50th over 87 runs from 97 deliveries highlighted Clarke's inability push the run rate up above six an over. Conversely Morgan maintained a steady strike rate throughout, manipulating the Aussie bowlers with shots all around the park before crashing his second boundary of the 46th over to seal a win for England and a magnificent century for Morgan who rightly bagged the Man of the Match award.

England v Australia, 2nd ODI, Natwest Series at Sophia Gardens, 24 June 2010.

England 243 for 6 (Strauss 51, Bollinger 3-46) beat Australia 239 for 7 (White 86, Broad 4-44) by 4 wickets.

Applying the Brakes
Stuart Broad reached 100 one day wickets in this the second ODI between England and Australia at Cardiff, and chipped in with a further three key wickets to help restrict the Aussies to a mediocre 239 in their 50 overs. After a bright start for the batting side Broad made a timely breakthrough drawing Tim Paine into a shot down the leg side three balls into the bowling powerplay. Four overs later and having dragged his length back a fraction he was rewarded with the prized wicket of Ponting who was lured into a an uncomfortable shot outside offstump edging to keeper Kieswetter. With the captain back in the changing room Broad went about cutting his deputy down to size. A well directed bouncer proved too tricky for Clarke to safely manouvre out of danger and the ball clipped his glove and ballooned tamely to a grateful Graeme Swann at short leg. Broad capped off the landmark occasion with the wicket of Steven Smith who had looked good for his 41 from 53 deliveries, but Broad halted any ambitions Smith may have had of a half century with five overs remaining, a fatal blow that typified a lacklustre performance by the touring team.

Team Effort
In reply England's batsman combined well to cruise to victory with just under five overs remaining. With the exception of Kieswetter all the seven other batsman called upon reached double figures, captain Strauss and man-of-the-moment Morgan both passing fifty. Pietersen played well for his 33 and was only to be undone by a brilliant catch from Ricky Ponting on the edge of the ring. Paul Collingwood was dismissed two short of his half century after clattering two fours and two sixes in his innings before Graeme Swann finished the job in style with a flat six over long off.


England v Australia, 3rd ODI, Natwest Series at Old Trafford, 27 June 2010.

England 214 for 9 (Strauss 87, Bollinger 3-20) beat Australia 212 (Watson 61, Swann 4-37) by 1 wicket.

Off Break(through)
Graeme Swann pegged back the Australian top and middle order as England succeeded in keeping the opposition batsman under wraps. Ricky Ponting, whose problems against offspin have been well documented, was first to succumb to the dip and guile of Swann, drawn out of his crease only to waft into thin air leaving Kieswetter to gratefully remove the bails. Top scorer Watson was next to go Swann extracting some extra bounce from the wicket that caught Watson off guard as a simple leg side tickle was sent airborne and gobbled up at square leg by the captain. Strauss was in action again for Chin's third wicket taking a catch low to his left at the same position to get rid of big-hitter Cameron White. Swann's haul was complete when Clarke picked out Ian Bell at long off, the offspinner the only man to make inroads during the 'middle overs' helping England peg Australia back from 93 for 1 to 169 for 5 in the space of twenty overs.

Captain's Knock
A methodical 87 from captain Andrew Strauss proved vital as England narrowly stuttered over the line in a tense run chase at Manchester. An unflappable innings that only served to reinforce Strauss's credentials as 50 over captain. He was unable to reach what would have been a deserved hundred and see the innings to its finale but that was not a rarity in the England chase. The resolve of Strauss to put his team within touching distance of victory as apposed to Ponting  who absorbed 16 balls for his 3 before charging recklessly only to be stumped, was a telling statistic as England notched up an unassailable 3-0 lead with two to play.

England v Australia, 4th ODI, Natwest Series at Kennington Oval, 30 June 2010.

Australia 290 for 5 (Clarke 99, Ponting 92) beat England 212 (Yardy 57, Harris 5-32) by 78 runs.

Two Significant Figures
As Australia marched out to bat first for the fourth time this series Ricky Ponting would have been hoping for an improvement on the sub-par totals of the three matches previous that had allowed England to get their hands on the trophy in the shortest time possible. It fell on the Aussie captain and vice-captain to dig deep and take their team to a formidable total. Ponting, who has been very much the lesser captain in the series so far, seemed to break free from the shackles of Old Trafford and played with great assurance and zeal, in particular off the back foot through his favoured on side. Clarke was equally fluent and James Anderson must have been ruing his dropped catch at cover when Clarke was only on 5. With both men in fine fettle Ponting called for the batting Powerplay in the 43rd over only to haul out to a leaping Strauss at extra cover off Jimmy's first ball, walking back eight short of another one day ton. Clarke was less reckless and his inability to pierce the field in the latter overs was again put into focus. A single from the first ball of the 50th over meant he had to watch while Steven Smith faced the remainder of the over leaving him stranded on 99 not out, the ninth player in ODI history to remain unbeaten one short of a hundred.

Fiery Five-For
A fired up Ryan Harris claimed the Man of the Match award terrorising England's batsman in a woeful display at the Oval. His intentions were clear when he bagged Craig Kieswetter early on, the England keeper again victim to a ball nipping back off the seam clattering into his off stump, Harris giving the opener a good old-fashioned Aussie send off. In his next over Harris speared a bowl ominously towards Pietersen's pads trapping him successfully in front, KP was not happy but replays showed he had no reason to complain -twas plum! Harris then extracted the dangerous Morgan, who had already hit three sixes on his way to 47, the Irishman drawn into a faint edge through to keeper Tim Paine. Bresnan, who had sealed a series victory for his side in the game previous, was next to go picking out Watson on the boundary edge, and Harris's haul was complete when Stuart Broad chipped tamely to Mike Hussey at cover. Australia had broken their duck and would be looking to increase their respectability with another victory when they travel to Lords for the final encounter between these sides before the Ashes this winter.

England v Australia, 5th ODI, Natwest Series at Lords, 3 July 2010.

Australia 277 for 7 (Hussey 79, Broad 4-64) beat England 235 (Collingwood 95, Tait 4-48) by 42 runs.

Throwing Caution to the Wind
79 runs from 60 balls and a 115 run partnership with Shaun Marsh in the final over and Michael Hussey had thrust Australia from a reasonable position to one of complete dominance. Mr Cricket was in fine form crashing two sixes and five fours but it was his ability to pick gaps in the field and push for those vital twos and threes that frustrated England's bowlers at the death. Hussey was finally dismissed three balls before the end of the innings but his lower order heroics had made a lasting impact Australia closing on 277 for 7 in 50 overs having been 162 for 4 going into the final ten overs.

Raw Pace
As the fruity baritone of Michael Holding has preached for years there is no replacement for 'real' pace and when Shaun Tait broke the 100mph barrier England wickets started to tumble. It takes a good bowler to get through the defence's of the England captain, and it takes a truly great spell of bowling to send Strauss's offstump cartwheeling out of the ground and that was exactly how Tait opened his account. With England requiring nearly six an over Michael Yardy was 'sent in to push the tempo'! Unsurprisingly Yardy was back in the pen two balls after his introduction, again Tait honing in on the stumps and hitting his target with supreme accuracy. Tait was then called upon as England entered the final 10 overs, Collingwood and having made his way into the nineties held any England hope of an unlikely victory, but Tait was on hand to suitably spoil the show removing the leg stump as Collingwood advanced down the wicket trying to keep in touch with the ever-increasing run rate. Swann was last to go and it was Tait again catching the England tweaker offguard with a well disguised slower ball. Final figures of 4 for 48 earned the Aussie fast bowler a man of the match award and Australia had clawed back to a far more respectful 3-2 defeat in an entertaining series of top notch cricket.

Bangladesh in England Test Series 2010

England v Bangladesh, 1st Test at Lords, May 27 - 31, 2010.

England 505 (Trott 226, Hossain 5-98) & 163 for 2 beat Bangladesh 282 & 382 (Iqbal 103, Finn  5-87) by 8 wickets.

On the Front Foot
Jonathan Trott has had a topsy-turvy nine months since his Ashes heroics last Summer, but with his feet back on familiar shores Trott picked up where he started off with his maiden Test double ton and his second hundred in three innings in England.  His 226 took England to an imposing 505 all out allowing Strauss to eventually enforce the follow on and lead his team to an eight wicket victory. Often criticised for his laborious manner at the crease Trott proved the glue to England's innings kick-starting his summer in the best way possible.

All Edge and No Middle
After a fine series as captain against the Tigers away from home Cook found little luck in the first Test. He was the only England batsman to be out for single figures in the first innings adjudged lbw off the bowling of Shahadat Hossain in the fifth over of the game. As it turned out Cook was unlucky to be back in the dressing room so early, hawkeye suggesting the ball would have gone over the stumps. Four days later and with England chasing 160 runs to win the Test match Cook was again trapped in front this time by Mahmadullah only for replays to reveal the ball would have flew over off and middle!

Line and Length
Five days and nine wickets later and Steven Finn is odds on to board the plane to Australia. A mechanical bowler with a conservative action Finn lets his bean pole stature and ice cool temperament do the talking. Unlike England apprentices before him who have reaped the rewards of overcast conditions or green top wickets Finn relied on persistence and skill for each of his nine wickets. In the first innings he bowled 25 overs  for four of the top seven wickets prising out genuine edges once to Strauss at first slip, and twice to Prior, before clean bowling Rahim as Bangladesh refused to play to any stereotypes and needlessly give their wickets away.

With Bangladesh following on Finn was straight back into action charging in for another 24 overs in total this time getting himself on the Lords honours board claiming a much-deserved 5 for 87. After ending Tamim's onslaught Finn went about plying his trade with great skill. Whilst plugging away outside offstump Finn used subtle variation on a wearing pitch to keep the Tigers in check and completely outclass his fellow bowlers who amassed 86 overs and 274 runs collectively for the loss of the remaining five batsman.


Adrenaline Junkie
England's eight wicket victory whilst deserved was certainly not as easy an affair as they may have expected, and one man that will not be forgotten by the Lords crowds is Tamim Iqbal. His blistering 103 in 100 balls quickly prompted comparisons with Virender Sehwag and as the feisty left hander dispatched England's pace attack to all parts the likes of Broad and Bresnan may have been wishing they were bowling to the Indian opener.

Tamim's all-guns-blazing attitude to batting though is in reality a pragmatic approach to playing for Bangladesh, who one suspects will not get very far trying to grind out results, they're simply not in the same league as the world's best. Unfortunately while a blazing hundred in a one day game may be able to alone win the odd game, a moment of such brilliance in the context of a five day match will more often than not fail to sway the final result when your team mates lack your god-given talents.

England v Bangladesh, 2nd Test at Old Trafford, June 4-6, 2010.

England 419 (Bell 128, Al Hasan 5-121) beat Bangladesh 216 (Iqbal 108, Swann 5-76) & 123 (Finn 5-42) by an innings and 80 runs.

Anchor
At 153 for 4 the England innings could have gone one of two ways, Ian Bell made sure it went the way all home fans were hoping for. Batting for five and a half hours he absorbed early pressure and then went about bisecting the Bangladeshi fielders with the kind of maturity he has shown in the past 12 months. Ably assisted by Matt Prior (93) Bell took his side to 376 for 5 before he was unlucky to fall victim to a wonder delivery from Shakib Al-Hasan that gripped sharply off the surface making a mess of the batsman's stumps.

It was the temperament of 'The Sherminator's' knock that was most telling, the man who once only scored hundreds when in the company of other centurions and who had been heavily criticised for getting out when well set was now leading his team into a winning position. If his marathon innings against South Africa was an indication of his new found maturity this was confirmation of his continual importance in the England middle order.

Unlikely Hero
While Bell and Prior were piling on the misery for his team Shakib Al Hasan the Bangladesh captain took it on himself to try and inspire a breakthrough. A thoughtful bowler Shakib has already taken six five wicket hauls in Test cricket at a healthy average of just over 30. It so happened that his hard work payed off and he was rewarded with the wicket of Ian Bell albeit against the run of play. The ball darted in to leg stump bell pushed at it expecting to be able to guide the ball into the leg side, instead the ball gripped and spun viciously to miss Bell's bat flick the off bail.

That bit of magic proved decisive as 376 for 6 became 419 all out, the captain causing the majority of the damage and picking up a hard earned five-for, his final figures reading 37.3 overs, 5 for 121 with three maidens.

Lone Ranger
Another lost cause, another outstanding innings, Tamim Iqbal's refreshing attitude to batting and abislity to rack up substantial scores from ball one has elavated the 21 year old to cult status as of late and his second century in as many matches has simply put the cherry on the cake.

108 from 114 balls was the equation this time around, exactly half of the Bangladesh total score. It wasn't enough to save his team but that was never the point Tamim is not selfish or unruly as many may presume he is a realist and his inspirational approach to batting is a lesson to all.


The Turning Point
The most improved cricketer in world cricket, it rarely comes as a surprise nowadays when Swanny bags a five-for, and that was exactly what he did after Anderson had the dangerous Tamim caught behind. Siddique was too easy for Swann his impatience his undoing eventually succumbing to Swann's immaculate line and length and edging to Prior. Islam was next to go, lured into wafting outside his offstump only to mistime his drive and gift Swann a classic offspinner's dismissal gripping and turning and crashing into the middle stump.

The rest was childsplay for a man of Chin's quality and as his fingers rolled over what was to be the final cherry of the Test Hossain was trapped on the crease and swiftly adjudged lbw by the crooked finger of Billy Bowden, game, set, match!

England v Australia, ICC World Twenty20 2010, Final, Bridgetown

England 148 for 3 (Kieswetter 63, Pietersen 47) beat Australia 147 for 6 (D Hussey 59) by seven wickets


On 16th May 2010 England recorded their first ever ICC global title with a comprehensive seven wicket victory over Australia. Despite another accomplished all-round display by Paul Collingwood's versatile bunch, it was England's bowlers that proved the deciding factor, who after 13 legitimate deliveries had already three of the Australian top order. David Hussey did his best to propel his side to a competitive score with 59 from 54 balls but, as Michael Clarke later conceded, 147 for 6 was always 25 runs short and England made their opponents pay, reaching Austalia's target with three overs to spare.

It was Ryan Sidebottom, to some a surprise pick at the beginning of the tournament, who inspired England's opening burst with the ball. His two wickets saw Australia slump to 8 for 3, removing Shane Watson with the third delivery of the match and after Michael Lumb had ran out David Warner for two the over before, was lucky to bag the wicket of Brad Haddin who was adjudged caught behind off his hip - albeit a mighty fine catch by a gazelle-like Craig Kieswetter.

England did well to keep the pressure on the Aussies opting to keep the ball full, persisting with a good old-fashioned line and length forcing the opposition batsmen to work for every last run. Not until the fifth over did Australia register their first boundary and with the score reading 34 for 3 after seven overs England turned to their pair of ever-reliable spinners Messrs Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy who have proved a constant burden on batsmen's strike-rates throughout the tournament.

When Collingwood plucked an attempted flick from Clarke expertly out of the air at short midwicket it appeared England's ploy to take pace off the ball was a successful one, but Cameron White, arguably one of the most improved cricketers in the last few years, had other ideas. He decided to spark Australia's innings into life in the 13th over, Yardy's third, with a six, four and six in successive deliveries, ruining Sussex off-spinner's tidy figures and transforming Australia's innings, lifting his side to 80 for 4. White was now on a roll and two fours in consecutive overs saw him quickly amass 29 from 17 balls. Collingwood was forced to react and gave Luke Wright the nod, a man yet to bowl a ball in the competition.

Targeting the yorker with every delivery Wright was soon rewarded as White lost his patience and slashed outside off-stump only to loft the ball to Stuart Broad at point who maneuvered himself well to take the catch. The less enterprising Hussey brothers joined forces to inject some last-minute fraternal fury into the innings nurdling 47 runs from 22 balls for the sixth wicket. Australia finished their 20 overs on 147 for 6, a total that would have proved more-than-competitive in previous matches, but was always going to short on a very forgiving track at Bridgetown.

Craig Keiswetter claimed the Man of the Match Award 

for his superb half century

England in reply lost Lumb early, but much like they had done against South Africa in the Super Eights, Collingwood's men were not deterred, and within the blink of an eye Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter went about putting the game beyond doubt with a second wicket partnership of 111. 

The renewed freedom in Pietersen's batting after his return to the competition for the semi-final against Sri Lanka was again evident. After Kieswetter had creamed consecutive fours off the bowling of Dirk Nannes and a third off Shaun Tait to lift England to 41 for 1 in the Powerplay, KP joined in the fun.

It was young legspinner Steven Smith who was first to feel the force of Pietersen's blade hit for a boundary four before Kieswetter collected two fours in-a-row off a particularly wayward Watson over. As Watson continued to struggle Clarke was forced to chop and change frequently. In desperate need of a break through Tait was finally brought into the attack to try and liven things up but Pietersen, as he so often does against the fiercest competitors greeted the Aussie quickie with a magisterial lofted drive over mid on for four and then added insult to injury making room to drive a sensational six over extra cover to take England's required run-rate ominously under six runs an over.

Kieswetter soon brought up his half-century from 40 balls punishing Nannes not for the first time with an audacious one-handed six over backward square leg. Kapes was unable to join his partner on 50 charging Smith only to haul out to Warner in the deep. but with seven overs remaining and only 30 runs required England were still well and truly in the driving seat.

Despite the loss of Kieswetter whose impact on the tournament has been phenomenal, Eoin Morgan and captain Collingwood sealed the deal in style. England had finally won an international limited overs competition and made it look easy.

Paul Collingwood makes his mark on England's

 first ever World Cup silverware

England v Sri Lanka, ICC World Twenty20 2010, 1st Semi-Final, Gros Islet

England 132 for 3 (Pietersen 42*) beat Sri Lanka 128 for 6 (Mathews 58, Broad 2-21) by seven wickets 


In arguably their most commanding performance to date, England went about destroying the 2009 beaten finalists Sri Lanka in an almost perfect display from start to finish. Paul Collingwood lost the toss and was thrown the ball first up, a decision that did little to deter England who, bar a dogged half-century from Angelo Matthews, managed to restrict Sri Lanka  to a less-than-competitive 128 for 6 from their 20 overs. In response England reached their target with four overs to spare courtesy of some powerful batting from the opening pair of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb, who set the stage for Kevin Pietersen, having returned to the Caribbean following the birth of his first son, to top score with an unbeaten 42 from 26 balls.

Sri Lanka's day did not start well as their decision to bat first on a tacky surface with moisture in the air proved a mistake. Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad both struck with their first balls, Sri Lanka limping to 88 for 3 in the Powerplay. Sanath Jayasuriya edged a classic Sidebottom out-swinger to the England skipper at second slip, before Broad bagged the vital wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. The Sri Lankan opener proved only weeks ago that he is no mug with the bat in the shorter format of the game amassing a titanic amount of runs in the IPL opening the batting for the King's Punjab XI, and so Broad's clever cross-seam tempter that graced the edge of Jayawardene's bat was consequently a master-stroke of Twenty20 bowling. 

At the finale of the Powerplay overs, and right on time, England's spin twins Yardy and Swann were called upon to stymie the run flow as the field opened up. Pressure soon told though with Yardy holding his lines expertly and Swann looking to take the attack to the opposition, and it was Kumar Sangakkara who eventually lost his patience with the Swann, drawn into playing at a beautifully looped delivery only to hole out to K.P at mid-off.

It was only Matthews that managed to not get bogged down by a highly-disciplined England bowling unit. He brought up his half-century from 41 balls, but even as he creamed 17 from Tim Bresnan's last over in rare episode of intent with the willow in hand, even he could not rescue Sri Lanka from slumping to a sub-standard 128 for 6.

The dangerous Mahela Jayawardene is sent back to the 

dressing room after falling to Stuart Broad's first delivery of the day

Image courtesy of cricinfo.com

In an attempt to peg England back Sri Lanka opted to open with the spin of Tillakaratne Dilshan ans Ajantha Mendis, who duly obstructed the England openers to just six runs in two overs. But when Suraj Randiv was called upon, Kieswetter got stuck in with two trademark inside-out slogs over the covers from consecutive balls and the innings was on its way.


Michael Lumb joined Kieswetter in an opening stand of 68 in eight overs for the first wicket. having ridden their luck somewhat, the dynamic duo made the Sri Lankan spinners pay! Kieswetter clattering successive fours to bring up the end of the Powerplay overs, and the old left-arm of Jayasuriya was also met with some disdain, both men exchanging sixes in the spinner's first and last over.


With Kieswetter back in the shed thanks to a well directed yorker from Lasith Malinga, Lumb continued to chance his arm and should have joined his opening partner far sooner than he did were it not for some ill-discipline by the opposition fielders. In the end his 33 from 26 deliveries proved decisive in crushing Sri Lankan spirits and the result soon became inevitable.


With their heads on the floor the men in blue and yellow still had time to endure a timely onslaught from a jet-lagged Kevin Pietersen. But as Pietersen brushed off the talcum powder and donned the gloves it appeared that any off-field activities had only inspired him further, picking up where he left off against South Africa, he played with no-inhibitions whatsoever and remained unbeaten as his team crossed the line with time to spare.