England spearhead James Anderson has agreed to be an executive producer for the upcoming Warriors documentary. Jimmy broke the news live on BBC Radio 5 Live and the Today Programme on Radio 4. The groundbreaking documentaryfollows a group of young Maasai from a remote region of Kenya who have formed a cricket team to help educate and unite their community. A deeply traditional tribe, the Maasai are male-dominated and women have few rights - even over their own bodies. Subsequently HIV is rife and many now believe the future of the Maasai is under threat. The Warriors cricket team aims to utilise their new-found unity to inspire members of their own tribe, and to change some of the harmful traditions that jeopardise the future of their own children. The Warriors' ultimate ambition is to travel to England and play in the Last Man Stands World Championships. The tournament is set to kick off in August 2013, with the opening ceremony being held at Lords.
"There are so many messages the game can give," Anderson told espncrinfo.com. "Getting 11 random guys and getting them to work together, even though they might not get on and may be from very different walks of life, just shows how you can work with different people."
"Cricket has always been tagged as the gentleman's sport," Anderson said. "That's definitely still there. The game has changed and has probably become more competitive. Maybe there isn't as much camaraderie between opposition teams any more. But the respect all players from all countries still have for the game is still there and it is never going to die out."
BBC Test Match Special dedicated a programme to the Warriors, with Graeme Swann interviewing Jimmy about his involvement, and Jonathan Agnew speaking to director Barney Douglas about the project. Check it out below... If you are interested in getting involved in the project, you can find out more by visiting:
It's Movember so let's trawl the archives and take a look at five of England's finest ever crumb catchers. Basil D'Oliveira
Basil sporting a classy "swashbuckler" moustache here. A slightly elevated and more bushy variant on the pencil moustache, the South-African born right-hander oozes class, while avoiding any unwelcome comparisons to seedy Italian mobsters.
George Ulyett
Unlike many on this list, George Ulyett was a lifelong supporter of facial fur. Pictured here showing off his own version of the Mexican gringo moustache, there is scarcely an image of George remaining without his well-pruned lip insulation. A talented all-round sportsman, fans of Sheffield Wednesday football club will also fondly remember his trademark 'tache when he played in goal for the club in the 1882-83 and 1883-84 seasons.
Graham Gooch
Famed for facial hair, Graham Gooch was particularly fond of the handlebar. Here the talismanic opener can be seen enjoying a distinctly bushy variation on his stock moustache. The extra hair clearly borrowed from his ever-receding hairline!
Adam Hollioake
Quite a statement here from the fesirty former England one-day captain as he tries out the distinctive horseshoe moustache. Such an imposing alteration to a man's facial composition though can often be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the craftsmanship and levels of testosterone required for such a drastic change in image must be admired. But, for many the uncanny likeness to 1980's porn stars can often prove too much. Certainly a high-risk strategy.
Ian Botham
Classic example of the "lazy boy" moustache. Simple and easily maintained it seems a perfect fit for Beefy, unlike that "mobile" phone.
In recent years it would be fair to say that amongst cricket's premier commentators any debate as to the future of Test cricket has been treated as something of a hot potato.
In an attempt to uncover the truth behind the future of the game, journalists and life-long cricket fans Sam Collins and Jarrod Kimber have travelled the cricketing world to ask the "heroes, villains, ogres and accountants" of the game whether (gulp) Test cricket really has a future in the new fast-paced and money-driven Twenty20 age.
And they've gone a made a film about it.
On their travels, Collins, former editor of thewisdencricketer.com, and Kimber, former editor of Spin Cricket Monthly Magazine and author of Australian Autopsy and When Freddie Met Jesus, track down a plethora of cricketing royalty in a quest to discover why the game has found itself at such an ugly crossroads.
Their hit list features some of the sport's most influential kingpins, including Lalit Modi, Ian Chappell, Giles Clarke, N Srinivasan and Michael Atherton, as well as a wealth of current and former players, such as former England captain Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and Rahul Dravid.
Collins and Kimber's film is largley punctuated by their encounters with friend and Aussie batsman Ed Cowan as he embarks on his debut Test series against India. The duo follow his journey through all four games and speak to him about what it means to play Test cricket in 2012. Running in parallel to what becomes an increasingly sinister excavation of the game's inner elite, Cowan's story questions whether an unashamed love for Test cricket can really outweigh the cynicism of an increasingly corporate sporting world, and provide a compelling case for the game’s survival.
However, as India's series goes from bad to worse and their fans chose to switch off, Collins and Kimber realise that the future of Test cricket, and the in fact whole fabric of the game, is already severely under threat.
The England selectors today announced a 16-man Test squad to be captained by Alastair Cook for the forthcoming four-match series in India.
The squad includes two uncapped batsmen, Somerset's Nick Compton and Yorkshire's Joe Root, and three spin bowlers: Samit Patel, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.
National Selector Geoff Miller said: "Nick Compton has performed well consistently for Somerset in county cricket this season, made big hundreds and shown that he has the temperament and the technique to play at a higher level.
Nick Compton
"Joe Root is a player who has been successful at every level from county cricket through to EPP and England Lions, and he deserves this opportunity to step up to the next level and press his case for a place in the Test side."
Kevin Pietersen, who was omitted from England's last Test match of the summer against South Africa, has not been included in the squad.
ECB Managing Director - England Cricket Hugh Morris added: "Both ECB and England team management have had meetings with Kevin Pietersen to address the issues which led to his omission from the final Investec Test match against South Africa.
"These discussions remain private and confidential and, as there are issues still to be resolved, Kevin has not been considered for selection for the India tour."
The selectors have also named a 17-strong England Performance Programme squad, which will undertake a month-long tour of India from mid-November, and a seven-man squad for next month's Hong Kong Sixes tournament, which will be captained by Leicestershire batsman Josh Cobb.
ECB Performance Director David Parsons said: "The England Performance Programme looks to identify and develop players that can go on to be world-class cricketers for England in the future.
"This year, following a brief period of training at the National Cricket Performance Centre, Loughborough, we have the opportunity to take players to the sub-continent to work on specific skills which will further their individual games.
"As in previous winters we will be shadowing the England team and their tour, which is a model we have successfully used since 2006, providing England with a group of players that can be called upon should the need arise.
"The England Lions squad for the tour to Australia in February 2013 will be selected towards the end of this training camp in December."
England Test squad to tour India
Alastair Cook (captain, Essex) James Anderson (Lancashire) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Ian Bell (Warwickshire) Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Nick Compton (Somerset) Steven Finn (Middlesex) Graham Onions (Durham) Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Monty Panesar (Sussex) Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire) Matt Prior (Sussex) Joe Root (Yorkshire) Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire) Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
England Performance Programme squad to tour India
Jos Buttler (Somerset) Gary Ballance (Yorkshire) Scott Borthwick (Durham) Danny Briggs (Hampshire) Varun Chopra (Warwickshire) Matthew Coles (Kent) Jade Dernbach (Surrey) Ben Foakes (Essex) James Harris (Glamorgan) Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire) Craig Kieswetter (Somerset) Stuart Meaker (Surrey) Azeem Rafiq (Yorkshire) Toby Roland-Jones (Middlesex) Ben Stokes (Durham) James Taylor (Nottinghamshire) Chris Wright (Warwickshire)
England squad for Hong Kong Sixes
Tournament to be played at Kowloon Cricket Club on October 27 and 28
Josh Cobb (captain, Leicestershire) Adam Ball (Kent) Keith Barker (Warwickshire) Ben Brown (Sussex) Chris Nash (Sussex) Tom Smith (Lancashire) Ross Whiteley (Derbyshire)
Andy Hurry (manager, Somerset)
England Test squad - Tour itinerary
Oct 25: England squad leaves UK Oct 26-28: Training at ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai Oct 29: England squad arrives in India (Mumbai) Oct 30-Nov 1: Tour match (opponents TBC), Mumbai (CCI) (0400 GMT) Nov 3-5: Tour match (opponents TBC), Mumbai (BKC) (0400 GMT) Nov 8-11: Tour match (opponents TBC), Ahmedabad (SPS Navrangpura) (0400 GMT) Nov 15-19: First Test, Ahmedabad (Motera) (0400 GMT) Nov 23-27: Second Test, Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium) (0400 GMT) Dec 5-9: Third Test, Kolkata (0400 GMT) Dec 13-17: Fourth Test, Nagpur (0400 GMT)
As the third ICC World Twenty20 tournament kicks off this evening, I thought I'd post some highlights of England's historic win against Australia two years ago at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter led the way, tearing apart the Australian attack before Eoin Morgan and captain Paul Collingwood guided England comfortably over the line to secure victory and put an end to a 35 year wait for ICC silverware.
The ECB has announced that 10 players have been awarded central contracts for the 2013 season.
The players awarded contracts are James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Matt Prior (Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire) and Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).
In addition to these players awarded central contracts a further four players have been awarded incremental contracts.
These players are Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset) and Graham Onions (Durham).
In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are ongoing and they remain private.
National Selector Geoff Miller commented: "Congratulations to Graham Onions who is the one addition to the listof players who have been awarded increment contracts.
Graham Onions
“This is in recognition of the effort he has put in since his return from injury in 2011 and an indication that we feel he has plenty to offer England in the coming months.
“Contracts are ongoing recognition for those players who have regularly been selected for England and have performed consistently, as well as players who we feel could play an important role for England over the next 12 months.”
England and Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott has been ruled out of the remainder of the domestic season with an undisplaced fracture of the third metacarpal in his right hand.
The injury was sustained during the fourth one-day international in the current NatWest Series against South Africa and, although initial X-rays were clear, a subsequent MRI scan revealed a fracture at the base of his third metacarpal.
Jonathan Trott
No intervention is required and the 31-year-old should be able to resume batting in three to four weeks and is expected to available for the tour of India next month.
Trott will miss Warwickshire's CB40 Final against Hampshire at Lords on 15 September, but is expected to be available for England's Test tour of India at the end of October.
England Test captain Andrew Strauss today announced his retirement from professional cricket with immediate effect.
The 35-year-old Middlesex opening batsman, who led England to two Ashes victories and the summit of the Test rankings, is retiring after 14 years in the professional game.
Strauss will be replaced as Test captain by Alastair Cook, who will also continue to lead the one-day international side.
Strauss made his England debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2003 and was awarded a Test cap a year later against New Zealand, scoring a century on debut.
Strauss scores a century on debut against the Kiwis
He has gone on to win 100 Test caps, captaining the side in 50 of those matches, and also make 124 appearances in ODIs and four in Twenty20 internationals.
His international career has spanned 11 years, during which the left-handed batsman has scored 21 Test centuries and six ODI hundreds.
Strauss said: “After much thought over the last few weeks, I have decided to step down as England Test captain and announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.
"It has clearly been a tough decision to make, but I believe that it is both in the best interests of the England cricket team and myself to step down at this stage.
"There are too many people who have helped me on this incredible journey to mention them all by name, but I would like to thank all the Middlesex and England players I have played alongside, as well as the phenomenal coaches and support staff with whom I have been fortunate enough to work.
"Particular mention has to go to Andy Flower and Duncan Fletcher in that regard. It would also be remiss of me not to thank Middlesex county cricket club, the ECB and the PCA for their support and guidance over the years.
“No-one can play international cricket for any length of time without having an incredibly strong support network around them, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my family for going through it alongside me over the course of my England career.
“I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved as a cricketer, and I have found myself very fortunate to play in an era when some of English cricket's greatest moments have occurred.
"I have loved every minute of it and all that remains is for me to wish Andy, Alastair and the rest of the team the very best for the coming months. I will be an interested spectator."
Strauss poses with the Ashes urn
David Collier, ECB Chief Executive, commented: “On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket, I’d like to thank Andrew Strauss for his outstanding contribution to the game.
“Andrew has been a highly successful captain and opening batsman for Middlesex and England, who will be remembered for leading the side to two Ashes victories and to the top of the Test rankings.
"He has shown tremendous integrity, dedication and commitment both on and off the field and under his leadership the side has grown immeasurably and reached new levels of professionalism.
“Andrew’s calmness and authority when dealing with some of the most difficult moments in our sport in recent times should be applauded and I have no doubt that his contribution as an ambassador for the game will be recognised by anyone who has had an opportunity to spend time with him.
"His legacy within the game will be felt for many years to come and we now need to continue to build on the progress we have made under his leadership.
“I would like to congratulate Alastair on becoming Test captain. He has shown he has the traits needed to be a successful captain and has demonstrated his leadership capabilities as one-day captain over the last 16 months.
"On behalf of the ECB I would like to wish Alastair and Andy Flower all the very best for the exciting challenges that lie ahead.”
Alastair Cook will take over from Strauss as England Test captain
Cook said: “Andrew’s contribution to England cricket in recent years is evident to everyone who follows the sport, but only those of us who have been lucky enough to share a dressing room with him are fully aware of his immense contribution to our success.
"He has been a fantastic captain, has led from the front for three and a half years and is a true ambassador for the game.
"To have played 100 Tests for your country is a phenomenal achievement and I want to congratulate him on a superb career.
"I know this can’t have been an easy decision for him and everyone in the dressing room will be sad to see him go.
"I’m very excited by this new challenge; it is a huge honour to be appointed Test captain and I am very much looking forward to captaining the side in India this winter and beyond, but my immediate focus is on this current NatWest one-day series.
"Once the series is over I will turn my attention to the Test captaincy and building on the work Andrew has started.”
Surrey and England Lions batsman Tom Maynard has died at the age of 23. Maynard's body was found on the rails near Wimbledon Park tube station early yesterday morning.
Maynard had reportedly been pulled over by police for "driving erratically" just an hour before his death. Police said he abandoned his black Mercedes and fled the scene.
Maynard, whose father Matthew Maynard played four Test matches for England, was tipped by many to one day represent his country after an impressive start to his county career.
Surrey Chairman Richard Thompson told the ECB: "Our thoughts at this awful time are with Tom's family and friends and all those that were close to him.
"Tom Maynard was a prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career and was clearly destined for far greater things. The impact Tom made in such a short period of time for Surrey CCC spoke for itself.
"There is a profound sense of loss at the passing of Tom. To lose anybody at such a young age is an utterly senseless tragedy."
ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said: "This is a very sad day for everyone connected with Surrey County Cricket Club and for Glamorgan County Cricket Club where Tom spent the early part of his career.
“Tom was a player of enormous potential who had already represented England Lions and had an exciting future ahead of him. Our hearts go out to the Maynard family for their tragic loss and we send them and all Tom's many friends and colleagues within the game our deepest sympathies."
One of the nation's favourite comedians and impressionists, Rory Bremner, today announced he will be teaming up with the England and Wales Cricket Board and fronting a festival which will see a host of comedians visiting Friends Life t20 games across the country.
Rory Bremner's 'Stand Up for Friends Life t20' tour will spearhead a wider marketing campaign by the ECB entitled 'Something Completely Different' which will see the Friends Life t20 competition launched in a fun, fresh and exciting way to bring even more fans to the tournament - which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Taking place from June 21 to July 8, the tour will bring together two of the nation's favourite pastimes - cricket and comedy - with every first-class county receiving a visit from a comedian at a t20 match.
Comedians Jimmy McGhie, Paul Sinha, Rob Beckett, Stu Goldsmith and Chris Martin will each attend a game over the two-week period where they will interact with the crowd via the tannoy, pose for pictures with fans and inject fun and laughter into the match-day experience.
The 'Stand Up for Friends Life t20' tour will culminate in Cardiff on August 25 when keen cricket fan Bremner will attend t20 Finals Day and perform a selection of his legendary impressions of some of the nation’s best-loved cricketing names.
Going to any one of the 18 counties for a Friends Life t20 game is a fun, social and exciting experience and for two weeks there's going to be even more of a spectacle on your doorstep. So make sure you don't miss it and 'Stand Up for Friends Life t20'.
Bremner said: “Cricket and comedy go well together, as anyone who has seen me play will testify!
“Twenty20 cricket has been one of the game’s great success stories in the last few years and I hope this campaign will continue the great work of bringing cricket to a wider audience.
“The comedians will bring yet more entertainment to the games and I can't wait for the campaign to get under way.”
Steve Elworthy, ECB spokesperson, said: “The 'Something Completely Different' theme aims to put the fun of being with your friends and family and leaving with some great memories at the heart of your summer.
“We cannot think of a better way to do this than to bring comedy to cricket to enhance what is already a fantastically unique matchday experience, and we have some great comedic names on board touring the grounds.
“We are extremely excited to have Rory on board and are thoroughly looking forward to his 'Stand Up for t20 Tour' kicking off.”
The England selectors today named a 14-man squad for England's three-match NatWest ODI Series against West Indies, beginning on Saturday 16 June at the Ageas Bowl. A 13-man squad for the NatWest International T20 at Trent Bridge on Sunday 24 June has also been named.
Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell is the only player included in the NatWest Series squad who was not involved in England's most recent 4-0 series win against Pakistan in February.
National selector Geoff Miller said: "We are anticipating a very competitive NatWest Series against West Indies and are looking to continue to build on the progress we made in limited-overs cricket earlier this year against Pakistan.
“Kevin Pietersen's recent decision to retire from one-day cricket means we now start looking at other options available to us as we prepare to defend our ICC World Twenty20 title and look towards next year's ICC Champions Trophy and the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup."
England NatWest Series squad:
Alastair Cook (Essex, captain) James Anderson (Lancashire) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Ian Bell (Warwickshire) Ravi Bopara (Essex) Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Jade Dernbach (Surrey) Steven Finn (Middlesex) Craig Kieswetter (Somerset) Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire) Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire) Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
England NatWest Int T20 squad:
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Ravi Bopara (Essex) Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire) Danny Briggs (Hampshire) Jos Buttler (Somerset Jade Dernbach (Surrey) Steven Finn (Middlesex) Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire) Craig Kieswetter (Somerset) Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire) Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
NatWest Series: England vs West Indies
Saturday 16 June - Ageas Bowl, 10:45am Tuesday 19 June - Kia Oval, 10:45am Friday 22 June - Headingley Carnegie, 10:45am
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today confirmed that Derbyshire’s Garry Park and Gloucestershire’s Paul Muchall have received penalties under the ECB’s discipline code.
During the Second XI Championship match between Derbyshire and Worcestershire on May 23-25 2012, Park was reported by umpires Ben Debenham and George Wood for a Level One breach of the code (abuse of cricket ground, equipment or fixtures/fittings). During the Second XI Trophy match between Gloucestershire and Glamorgan on May 25 2012, Muchall was reported by Peter Hartley and Paul Pollard for a Level One breach of the code (bowling a fast short pitched ball and/or accidental high full pitched ball that results in the bowler being disallowed from bowling any further in that innings). Both players have received reprimands. These penalties will remain on their records for a period of two years and the accumulation of nine or more penalty points in any two-year period will result in an automatic suspension. ecb.co.uk
ECB today announced a new seven-year deal with ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) for the exclusive multi-platform rights to broadcast ECB's domestic and home international programme across all the broadcaster's territories in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
ESS are the ECB's current broadcast partner in the region, having held the contract for the past five years.
The new agreement, which runs from 2013 to 2019, will encompass more than 300 days of live international cricket, including India's next two tours to England in 2014 and 2018 and three home Ashes series scheduled for 2013, 2015 and 2019.
As well as covering all England's home Investec Tests, NatWest Series and NatWest International T20 fixtures, the deal will also give ESS the right to transmit 60 days' coverage every season from all ECB's key domestic competitions: the LV=County Championship, Clydesdale Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 competitions plus selected England Lions, England Under-19s and England women's matches.
ECB Chief Executive David Collier said: "This new agreement demonstrates the enormous appetite for cricket worldwide and the global pulling power of a successful England team and a vibrant county game.
"In a challenging economic climate with all sports facing tough competition for funding streams, it will also provide an important source of additional revenue for funding the development of our game at all levels.
"TV audiences for cricket are expanding rapidly in Asia and the Middle East and we look forward to working closely with ESS to give both our international and county teams the widest possible TV exposure over the next seven years."
Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, said: "We are delighted to further extend our partnership with ECB with whom we have shared a very strong relationship over the past two decades.
“Over the years, we have continued to showcase the best cricket action from around the world to fans from the India sub-continent and this acquisition further re-affirms our position as the leader in cricket broadcasting."
The England selectors today named a 12-man squad for the third Investec Test against West Indies commencing Thursday 7 June at Edgbaston.
Paceman James Anderson is the only omission from the squad selected for the two previous encounters of the series.
Anderson received treatment during the course of the second Test for a minor quad problem and it has been decided missing the final clash will give the 29-year-old an opportunity to overcome several minor injuries.
England won the second Test by nine wickets at Trent Bridge to move into an unassailable lead, having emerged victorious in the first game at Lord’s by five wickets. Preparations for the series finale will begin at Edgbaston on Tuesday.
National Selector Geoff Miller said: “We have been made to work hard for our two victories so far and are delighted to have secured the series, but we know that we will need to continue to play some good cricket if we want a third win against West Indies this week.
“James Anderson will miss this Investec Test as we look to manage his workload ahead of a busy period of cricket this summer and beyond, a decision which is in the best interests of the team and James himself.”
England squad for the third Investec Test:
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex, captain) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Ian Bell (Warwickshire) Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Alastair Cook (Essex) Steven Finn (Middlesex) Graham Onions (Durham) Kevin Pietersen (Surrey) Matt Prior (Sussex, wicketkeeper) Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire) Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
It has been an intriguing twelve months for Test cricket. Amid fears for the health and longevity of the game’s premier format, 2011 churned up some of the most exciting and hotly contested cricket in recent years. England destroyed almost everyone in their path on the way to becoming world number one, Australia and South Africa shared the spoils in perhaps the greatest two match series ever, Sri Lanka won their first Test in South Africa, and India and the West Indies helped record only the second ever scores level draw in the history of Test match cricket. And that really is just the beginning.
In and amongst such drama though was of course plenty of individual brilliance and with the 2012 now finally underway it seems only appropriate to indulge my inner schoolboy and compile my ultimate Test XI for 2011.
Are you in agreement?
Alastair Cook 927 runs at 84.27. Without a doubt the stand out batsman of 2011, Alastair Cook has gone from strength to strength since his extraordinary end to 2010. He began the year by adding a magnificent 189 in the final Ashes Test in Sydney to take his series total to a mammoth 766 runs before notching up a further 390 runs in three Tests against Sri Lanka including two centuries and a 96. If that was not enough, Cook rounded off his landmark year by crafting a career best 296 against India as he helped England ascend to number one in the world.
Rahul Dravid 1145 runs at 57.25. One of only two batsmen to score over 1000 runs in 2011 Dravid succeeded where many of his Indian colleagues failed. A match-winning century against the West Indies in Jamaica in June was only to be outdone by three back-to-the-wall hundreds in England as he proved himself to be a class above the rest of India’s old boys.
Hashim Amla 423 runs at 47.00. A curious choice perhaps with the likes of Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar not included despite boasting more prolific records, but Amla’s performances, especially against Australia, earn him a deserved place. A 195 run partnership with captain Graeme Smith in the first Test in Cape Town proved his calmness under pressure after both teams had been dismissed for less than 100 runs in previous innings, and despite losing the second Test in Johannesburg Amla’s five and a half hour 105 in the second innings ensured that the match went down to the wire. A man for the big occasion no doubt.
Kumar Sangakkara 1034 runs at 49.23. The number one Test match batsman according to the ICC Test rankings and the second most prolific run-getter in 2011 Kumar Sangakkara continued to demonstrate his class against the world’s best. Sri Lanka plied their trade against stiff opposition in 2011, travelling to England and South Africa as well hosting Australia and playing Pakistan in the UAE. However, despite only one Test victory all year Sangakkara emerged as imperious as ever bagging three hundreds and a double ton to help his team remain competitive throughout.
Ian Bell 950 runs at 118.75. Rid of his boyish insecurities Ian Bell has flourished into a Test match batsman of unrivalled class. Always stylish but not always prolific, Bell’s hunger for runs has made him into a seriously effective cricketer. A maiden Ashes hundred at Sydney was followed by two unbeaten centuries against Sri Lanka, before a gorgeous 159 against world champions India at Trent Bridge. His defining innings though came in the final Test of the summer. Batting at number three in place of the injured Jonathan Trott, Bell scored a magisterial 235 to help England complete another innings victory and seal a 4-0 series whitewash. Sheer class!
Darren Bravo 949 runs at 49.94. Lofty comparisons with cousin Brian Lara are perhaps a little premature, but there is no doubting that if the West Indies are to return as a genuine force in world cricket then the continued success of Darren Bravo is paramount. Having to wait nine Test matches before recording his first century Bravo eventually reached three figures in style bagging a greedy 195 against Bangladesh this October. Two further centuries quickly followed against India, his total haul of 214 in Mumbai proving pivotal in a famous score draw.
Matt Prior 519 runs at 64.87, 34 catches, two stumpings. It has been a career-defining couple of years for Matt Prior who, provided Sangakkara doesn’t decide to re-don the gloves, now stands as arguably the world’s best keeper-batsman. Batting at number seven, Prior’s selfless attitude to batting and willingness to marshal an admittedly very capable tail has made him an indispensable part of the England set up. A century in all three of England’s Test series in 2011 only represents a fraction of his contribution.
Stuart Broad 33 wickets at 22.30, 239 runs at 39.83. Having missed most of England’s tour of Australia through injury and with the emergence of Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett as his replacements during that victorious Ashes campaign there was at least a smidgen of pressure on Stuart Broad to hit his straps in 2011, and that he did. In four Tests against India Broad averaged over 60 with the bat as well as taking mammoth 25 wickets at an average of just 13.84.
Dale Steyn 28 wickets at 19.57. Still undoubtedly the world’s most consistent and potent fast bowler, Dale Steyn had yet another year to remember in 2011. Steyn took five wickets or more in all five of South Africa’s Test matches last year, which included bouts with India, Australia and Sri Lanka. His battle with Sachin Tendulkar in Cape Town perhaps the year’s greatest cricketing confrontation.
Saeed Ajmal 50 wickets at 23.86. The leading wicket taker in 2011 Saeed Ajmal helped Pakistan complete a year of much-needed consolidation after continued controversy throughout 2010. His best haul of 11 wickets came in a losing cause against the West Indies, but he went on to lead the attack and help his team to victories over Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Sterner tests await in 2012, however with an as-yet unseen “mystery ball” ready to be unleashed the world’s top teams will have to treat him with respect.
James Anderson 35 wickets at 24.85. Now officially the spearhead of the England attack, James Anderson hardly bowled a bad ball in 2011. Seven wickets at Sydney capped off an exceptional Ashes series for The Burnley Express, and after a steady couple of outings against Sri Lanka Anderson once again turned on the magic taking 21 wickets against India in four Tests and terrorising Sachin Tendulkar with a master class in swing bowling.
