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.
Showing posts with label Paul Collingwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Collingwood. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
England win 2010 ICC World Twenty20
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.
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.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Master's of all trades: A bright future for English cricket
Over the past two decades cricket has been blessed with a handful of truly extraordinary performers. Yet it seems that as we enter the second decade of the new millennium that these once-in-a-generation superstars are now all but absent from our beloved game. Gone are Warne and McGrath, Ambrose and Walsh, Hayden and Langer and in their place a new breed of cricketer, the modern day allrounder.
Now don't be fooled. This new crop of talent are not, perhaps regretably, all budding Ian Bothams, Imran Khans, or, dare I say it, Andrew Flintoffs. They are not extroverts, nor sticklers for controversy, but rather normal, law-abiding professionals whose exploits tend to remain on the back rather than the front pages of the now presumably disinterested press. They are however slowly paving the way for a new era in international cricket, and one I'm happy to say is being led by the English.
So, what is this new 'all-rounder' I speak of? Well, in the absence of what Geoffrey Boycott would call truly 'great players', and with international cricket now played regularly across three different formats, cricketers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to diversify beyond the confines of their chosen specialty if they are to remain a permanent fixture in their team. This, as was evident with the Indian team this summer, is a mantra more readily embraced by some nations than others.
The hard truth is that unless you bowl at 95 mph, average over 50 runs per innings or turn the ball both ways then you can no longer rely on your primary trade, be it batting, bowling or wicketkeeping, to keep you in cricket's elite.
As the world's premier test nation, Ashes holders and World Twenty20 champions, England, it seems, have bought into this new philosophy of utility cricket more than most. Having watched with great interest, and at times a surprising amount of jubilation, England's ascent to the peak of the game ever since the disastrous series in the Caribbean in early 2009, I think it now time to reflect on why England's band of multi-talented cricketers have got this far.
Lead by example
If asked who more than most was responsible for England's rise to the top few would give Peter Moores any real consideration. Yet whilst his tenure as England coach may have been marred by scandal leading to his eventual dismissal in early 2009, he was to make one decision that would prove pivotal to England's subsequent success - Andy Flower.
Having employed Flower as batting coach at the national academy in 2005, Moores went on to appoint him his assistant when he took charge of the England team some two years later. While Moores' impact as a coach may have been generally uninspiring, his recognition of Flower's talents would be crucial to England's longevity as a top flight team. Taking over temporarily after Moores' departure, Flower eventually agreed to take the job full time, and despite a sticky start in the Caribbean England has never looked back since.
Alongside Andrew Strauss, Flower has taken an approach quite unique from that of his predecessors. With little support from cricket's 'old boys' he has set about creating a squad of professionals whose value is measured by their all-round performance rather than a player's reputation; a welcome departure from the narrow-mindedness that haunted England after the 2005 Ashes.
It is an approach that no doubt stems from his own experience as a cricketer. A world class wicket-keeper batsman and also national captain not too long ago, England's 'team director' knows full well the importance of cricketers who can contribute beyond their primary trade, and after nearly three years in charge his work is starting to pay off. England's bowlers now field better than almost entire sub-continental teams, Prior has elevated himself to perhaps the best wicket keeper batsman in the world (now Sanga has hung up his gloves) and England no longer have any genuine tail-enders. Flower has not only hand-picked a world-beating side but has developed an effective and lasting ethos that could see England at the top of the international game for many years to come.
Staying in shape
One of the marked changes to English cricket under Andy Flower has been to make cricketers into athletes. Over the years and largely thanks to exercise-resistant commentators like Sir Ian and Lord Gower, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether cricketers are perhaps over-trained. With new dietary regimes, team building weekends and even in-house psychologists many of cricket's stodgy elite have rubbished England's decidedly alcohol-free approach to match preparation. Once again though they couldn't be more wrong!
With the help of fitness fanatic Graham Gooch, Flower has created a team of lean and powerful cricketers whose physical prowess has been a deciding factor in recent times. Even Australia, whose penchant for fitness has been at the heart of their success for years, had to tip their hat to England this winter as they were made to toil in the heat for days on end as the likes of Cook and Trott pilled on the runs. Meanwhile the likes of Broad and Anderson had their feet up on the balcony fresh to rip through the Aussies as and when England decided they'd had enough.
Even against India this summer, who on paper looked a fine match for the home side, England's stamina and focus ultimately proved the deciding factor between the two teams. Indian players were sent home injured and England never took their foot off the pedal. Whilst fitness levels may only give a team an extra five per cent in a one day match (India's love-affair: IPL), over the course of Test series teams can find themselves quickly out of touch with their rivals if they are not physically prepared.
England though are cautious not to expect too much from their players, and whilst they firmly believe that players who contribute to all areas of the game are truly valuable commodities, they also understand that, especially considering English cricket's jam-packed schedule, it is not realistic to expect the same eleven players to perform at the same level all the time. As a result England management have introduced the strengthening and conditioning programme, giving players the opportunity to rest their bodies and to work on their core fitness for when they return to the team. Another example of staunch traditionalists eating their words the programme has been and continues to be a resounding success, and the resting of players like Steven Finn, James Anderson and Kevin Pietersen has helped England keep key players fresh and develop new and exciting prospects, especially in the longer form of the game.
Team Spirit
England more than most are a team who want to do things for each other. They enjoy one another's success and they work as a team. Whereas Andrew Flintoff tried to (and often did) do everything himself this current England team whilst brilliant individuals combine to create a truly all-round team motivated not just by their own performance but by the efforts of others.
Never does an England player in a post-match interview heap the praise on himself. Whilst it may be dull for those writing about the team, each and every player always takes time to congratulate the team effort and to express their delight that, despite having taken five wickets themselves, it is all the better only for the overall team performance. There is a sense of democracy about England at the moment. There is no great void between younger and older players, or one player propping up the team all the time, instead each player recognises that they can make a contribution and crucially that, however small, that contribution is valued.
To be an 'all-round team' a feeling of togetherness is essential, this means both on and off the field. Freddie's pedalo for example may have found England cricketers pushing the boat out a little too far in their spare time, but a few years later and Graeme Swann's Ashes diary seemed to have quite the opposite effect. Providing a hilarious but also encouraging insight into the England team's after hours shenanigans Swann's tapes revealed a team enjoying each other's company and a team spririt that has helped England team become the epitome of modern day all-rounders.
Now don't be fooled. This new crop of talent are not, perhaps regretably, all budding Ian Bothams, Imran Khans, or, dare I say it, Andrew Flintoffs. They are not extroverts, nor sticklers for controversy, but rather normal, law-abiding professionals whose exploits tend to remain on the back rather than the front pages of the now presumably disinterested press. They are however slowly paving the way for a new era in international cricket, and one I'm happy to say is being led by the English.
So, what is this new 'all-rounder' I speak of? Well, in the absence of what Geoffrey Boycott would call truly 'great players', and with international cricket now played regularly across three different formats, cricketers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to diversify beyond the confines of their chosen specialty if they are to remain a permanent fixture in their team. This, as was evident with the Indian team this summer, is a mantra more readily embraced by some nations than others.
The hard truth is that unless you bowl at 95 mph, average over 50 runs per innings or turn the ball both ways then you can no longer rely on your primary trade, be it batting, bowling or wicketkeeping, to keep you in cricket's elite.
As the world's premier test nation, Ashes holders and World Twenty20 champions, England, it seems, have bought into this new philosophy of utility cricket more than most. Having watched with great interest, and at times a surprising amount of jubilation, England's ascent to the peak of the game ever since the disastrous series in the Caribbean in early 2009, I think it now time to reflect on why England's band of multi-talented cricketers have got this far.
Lead by example
If asked who more than most was responsible for England's rise to the top few would give Peter Moores any real consideration. Yet whilst his tenure as England coach may have been marred by scandal leading to his eventual dismissal in early 2009, he was to make one decision that would prove pivotal to England's subsequent success - Andy Flower.
Having employed Flower as batting coach at the national academy in 2005, Moores went on to appoint him his assistant when he took charge of the England team some two years later. While Moores' impact as a coach may have been generally uninspiring, his recognition of Flower's talents would be crucial to England's longevity as a top flight team. Taking over temporarily after Moores' departure, Flower eventually agreed to take the job full time, and despite a sticky start in the Caribbean England has never looked back since.
Alongside Andrew Strauss, Flower has taken an approach quite unique from that of his predecessors. With little support from cricket's 'old boys' he has set about creating a squad of professionals whose value is measured by their all-round performance rather than a player's reputation; a welcome departure from the narrow-mindedness that haunted England after the 2005 Ashes.
It is an approach that no doubt stems from his own experience as a cricketer. A world class wicket-keeper batsman and also national captain not too long ago, England's 'team director' knows full well the importance of cricketers who can contribute beyond their primary trade, and after nearly three years in charge his work is starting to pay off. England's bowlers now field better than almost entire sub-continental teams, Prior has elevated himself to perhaps the best wicket keeper batsman in the world (now Sanga has hung up his gloves) and England no longer have any genuine tail-enders. Flower has not only hand-picked a world-beating side but has developed an effective and lasting ethos that could see England at the top of the international game for many years to come.
Staying in shape
One of the marked changes to English cricket under Andy Flower has been to make cricketers into athletes. Over the years and largely thanks to exercise-resistant commentators like Sir Ian and Lord Gower, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether cricketers are perhaps over-trained. With new dietary regimes, team building weekends and even in-house psychologists many of cricket's stodgy elite have rubbished England's decidedly alcohol-free approach to match preparation. Once again though they couldn't be more wrong!
With the help of fitness fanatic Graham Gooch, Flower has created a team of lean and powerful cricketers whose physical prowess has been a deciding factor in recent times. Even Australia, whose penchant for fitness has been at the heart of their success for years, had to tip their hat to England this winter as they were made to toil in the heat for days on end as the likes of Cook and Trott pilled on the runs. Meanwhile the likes of Broad and Anderson had their feet up on the balcony fresh to rip through the Aussies as and when England decided they'd had enough.
Even against India this summer, who on paper looked a fine match for the home side, England's stamina and focus ultimately proved the deciding factor between the two teams. Indian players were sent home injured and England never took their foot off the pedal. Whilst fitness levels may only give a team an extra five per cent in a one day match (India's love-affair: IPL), over the course of Test series teams can find themselves quickly out of touch with their rivals if they are not physically prepared.
England though are cautious not to expect too much from their players, and whilst they firmly believe that players who contribute to all areas of the game are truly valuable commodities, they also understand that, especially considering English cricket's jam-packed schedule, it is not realistic to expect the same eleven players to perform at the same level all the time. As a result England management have introduced the strengthening and conditioning programme, giving players the opportunity to rest their bodies and to work on their core fitness for when they return to the team. Another example of staunch traditionalists eating their words the programme has been and continues to be a resounding success, and the resting of players like Steven Finn, James Anderson and Kevin Pietersen has helped England keep key players fresh and develop new and exciting prospects, especially in the longer form of the game.
Team Spirit
England more than most are a team who want to do things for each other. They enjoy one another's success and they work as a team. Whereas Andrew Flintoff tried to (and often did) do everything himself this current England team whilst brilliant individuals combine to create a truly all-round team motivated not just by their own performance but by the efforts of others.
Never does an England player in a post-match interview heap the praise on himself. Whilst it may be dull for those writing about the team, each and every player always takes time to congratulate the team effort and to express their delight that, despite having taken five wickets themselves, it is all the better only for the overall team performance. There is a sense of democracy about England at the moment. There is no great void between younger and older players, or one player propping up the team all the time, instead each player recognises that they can make a contribution and crucially that, however small, that contribution is valued.
To be an 'all-round team' a feeling of togetherness is essential, this means both on and off the field. Freddie's pedalo for example may have found England cricketers pushing the boat out a little too far in their spare time, but a few years later and Graeme Swann's Ashes diary seemed to have quite the opposite effect. Providing a hilarious but also encouraging insight into the England team's after hours shenanigans Swann's tapes revealed a team enjoying each other's company and a team spririt that has helped England team become the epitome of modern day all-rounders.
Monday, November 22, 2010
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...
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...
Thursday, October 07, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Bangladesh v England, 1st Test, Chittagong
England 599 for 6d (Cook 173, Collingwood 145) & 209 for 7d beat Bangladesh 296 (Tamim 86, Swann 5-90) & 331 (Siddique 106, Swann 5-127) by 181 runs.
Graeme Swann was the talk of the town on day five as he recorded his first 10-wicket haul to send England to victory in the first test against Bangladesh, but not before Shakib's men showed tremendous resistance to fend off the English bowlers in front of their home fans at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Siddique and Rahim carried on where they had left off and managed to ensure a wicketless morning session, Siddique going on to make a marathon ton, eventually snuffed out by Swann for 106 having faced a titanic 292 balls.
The magnitude of Siddique's knock must not be underestimated however, and his century marked the fourth Bangladesh batsman to record a maiden century this year. He negotiated Finn and Broad well surviving a close LBW shout from the former, and after looking assured against Swann's flight and guile for so long succumbed moments after his milestone giving England the crucial breakthrough. Swann's unsavoury send-off was not what Siddique deserved and the Nottinghamshire spinner later apologised for his reaction.
Rahim's knock was equally as impressive and capped a magnificent match for the 21 year-old (with the bat at least!) but a rush of blood to the head saw him york himself charging a loopy delivery from Swann. Once the two danger men had been removed Bangladesh's lower order was exposed and Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad set aboutpicking up some cheap wickets as the hosts looked to take on the pacemen. And as the 'panther-like' Carberry gobbled up a tame chip from Naeem in the 115th over Swann had 10 and England had finally won!
Graeme Swann rightfully took the man-of-the-match award for a match-winning effort with the ball on a surface rarely gave assistance to the bowlers, and honourable mentions must go to Cook and Collingwood who cashed in on some suspect Bangladeshi bowling on the first two days and produced fine hundreds to put England in charge from the very early on. Possibly the most intriguing element to the test match came in the resistance shown by the hosts. After almost two days in the heat watching England amass 599 declared there heads were well and truly buried in the sand but a more than useful batting line up produced some outstanding efforts, forcing England to bat again and wait until the final day to seal victory. Rahim and Siddique gave little away and provided a number of mini-victories for Bangladesh in the match but were not always backed up by their team mates and often lacked the killer instinct inherent in the world's top teams. But the future looks bright and if such mini-victories can become more frequent especially in the bowling department then the only way is up for Shakib's men.
After a positive result in the one-day series England were looking to continue their good form into the longer format marking the beginning of their preparations for the eagerly anticipated Ashes series this winter. With Andrew Strauss still on a much-deserved break from test cricket Alastair Cook was given his first chance to captain his country in the five-day game. And it was changes all-round as England brought in two fresh faces for their opening match in Chittagong, Michael Carberry would get a long-awaited chance filling in for Strauss at the top of the order whilst young Stephen Finn, a 6ft 7 giant from Middlesex would try to prove himself in less-than-familiar conditions.
Day One
Whilst Cook's chance to captain England would be inevitably short-lived he did his chances of one day leading his country no harm on the first days play, as himself and Kevin Pietersen piled on the runs in the sub-continental heat. Finishing on an unbeaten 158 Cook provided the backbone for his side as they closed on a 374 for 3. Earlier Pietersen had amassed a well crafted 99 only to be undone by his nemesis, the left-arm spinner, but alongside Cook they marched England into dominant position.
Despite Cook becoming the fifth England batsman to score a century in his first match in charge, it was Shakib Al-Hasan, the Bangladesh captain that caused the major talking point. On a pitch that looked certain to deteriorate as the game progressed Shakib unfathomably opted to field giving the English batsman the chance to post a handsome first innings total. The obvious lack of confidence showed by Shakib did little to inspire his bowlers as they toiled throughout most of the day and England profited from some decidedly ordinary test match bowling. So England stood pretty after day one and even at this early stage it seemed that Bangladesh would be chasing the game from here on in.
Alastair Cook enjoys a dream-start to his first stint as
captain with a well-crafted century on Day One
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Day Two
Moments of inspiration from the hosts on day two were overshadowed by another authoritative display by England. Cook was unable to reach his double-hundred (a statistic that continues to haunt England's batsmen) pulling a ball straight back to the bowler adding only 15 to his overnight score. But Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell ensured that the tourists posted a chunky 599 for 6 sharing a stand of 184 in 35 overs, Collingwood comfortably passing his hundred whilst Bell dug in for a well played 84.
Yet as bad as Bangladesh may be in the field they are a much improved side clasping the willow, batting very deep and boasting the audacious talent of Tamim Iqbal at the top of the order. And Tamim did not disappoint finishing the day on 81 not out, in which he punished anything a fraction short or wide and just about anything else that caught his eye. Unfortunately though support was hard to come by as Staurt Broad and Graeme Swann shared five wickets to restrict the Tigers to 154 for 5 at stumps, Mahmudullah, who with Tamim had threatened a sizeable partnership, unable to hold on until the close of play and was caught at slip trying to sweep Swann.
Paul Collingwood adds to Bangladesh's misery as he brings up his 10th Test hundred
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
The enterprise showed by Tamim was an example to his fellow team mates but it seemed the counter attack remained a one man show as Bangladesh's top order refused to grind out an innings and give the opener any support. It was a similar scenario in the field, after a hammering on the first day spirits stayed nailed to the floor with shoddy work both in the outfield and behind the stumps. A team who in the recent one-day series had often found themselves on the cusp of an upset now appeared devoid of any hunger for victory and as the sun set in Chittagong it seemed their hopes of a win had all but vanished.
Day Three
England continued on their route to victory, but it was not all plain sailing as Bangladesh summoned some dogged resistance to persuade Cook not to enforce the follow on thanks to a superb 79 from Mushfiqur Rahim and a record eight-wicket stand of 113 with Naeem Islam. The dangerous Tamim Iqbal was unable to provide more entertainment for the home fans as Tim Bresnan produced a jaffa to remove the opener in the third over of the day, but as the heat intensified and the Bangladeshi batsman began to show some fight the follow on became less and less likely.
Mushfiqur Rahim frustrated the England with a gritty 79
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Naeem and Rahim frustrated the English attack for all of 39 overs with a mixture of assured clean-hitting and regimented defence, a sign of the raw potential of these yet-to-be-refined cricketers. The hole that Bangladesh had already dug for themselves meant however that these small and crucially infrequent victories lacked significance in the wider context of the match, as even a stuttering start to England's second innings meant that the tourists led by a titanic 434 at the end of day three, with five wickets remaining.
England having dismissed Bangladesh for 296 and not enforced the follow on looked to score runs quickly and in turn sacrificed wickets. Cook top-edging to deep square-leg, Carberry trapped in front by Razzak ending a poor debut for the Hampshire stroke-maker, and the loss of Pietersen and Collingwood squandered any momentum England may have began to create. Bangladesh continued to piss into the wind however and at the end of day three were still smelling not too sweet!
Day Four
Come day four and the overriding stench that lingered amongst the Bangladeshi players ever since the disastrous toss three days before was beginning to fade, and Siddique and Rahim produced a refreshing partnership late in the day to halt England's progress in the final session. Having had the hosts 110 for 5 before tea. Siddique spent four-and-a-half hours at the crease passing his fifty in that time to remain unbeaten on 68 overnight, whilst Rahim built on his 79 from the first innings and produced a mature knock albeit on a very flat deck, giving himself the opportunity to notch up a half-century on day five.
Earlier England had resumed on 154 for 5, both Matt Prior and Ian Bell still yet to score, and unsurprisingly it was Prior who was first to chance his arm dancing down the wicket to the captain Shakib Al-Hasan unable lure the ball to the middle of his bat and Shahadat Hossain steadied himself to take a regulation catch at mid on. Swann regained England's impetuous and his lively 32 from 25 balls marked the end of England's batting as Cook declared on 209 for 7, leaving Bangladesh 513 runs to win. With time possibly the more pressing issue Cook's declaration was certainly Strauss-esque in its conservatism, but with a rested bowling quartet ready to pounce on the 'minnows' of test cricket the safety of his captaincy was unlikely to come under great scrutiny.
England failed to find a cutting edge as Bangladesh
forced the tourists into the final day in Chittagong
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Day Five
Graeme Swann was the talk of the town on day five as he recorded his first 10-wicket haul to send England to victory in the first test against Bangladesh, but not before Shakib's men showed tremendous resistance to fend off the English bowlers in front of their home fans at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Siddique and Rahim carried on where they had left off and managed to ensure a wicketless morning session, Siddique going on to make a marathon ton, eventually snuffed out by Swann for 106 having faced a titanic 292 balls.
The magnitude of Siddique's knock must not be underestimated however, and his century marked the fourth Bangladesh batsman to record a maiden century this year. He negotiated Finn and Broad well surviving a close LBW shout from the former, and after looking assured against Swann's flight and guile for so long succumbed moments after his milestone giving England the crucial breakthrough. Swann's unsavoury send-off was not what Siddique deserved and the Nottinghamshire spinner later apologised for his reaction.
Rahim's knock was equally as impressive and capped a magnificent match for the 21 year-old (with the bat at least!) but a rush of blood to the head saw him york himself charging a loopy delivery from Swann. Once the two danger men had been removed Bangladesh's lower order was exposed and Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad set aboutpicking up some cheap wickets as the hosts looked to take on the pacemen. And as the 'panther-like' Carberry gobbled up a tame chip from Naeem in the 115th over Swann had 10 and England had finally won!
Graeme Swann claims another victim on his way to a match-winning 10-wicket haul
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Graeme Swann rightfully took the man-of-the-match award for a match-winning effort with the ball on a surface rarely gave assistance to the bowlers, and honourable mentions must go to Cook and Collingwood who cashed in on some suspect Bangladeshi bowling on the first two days and produced fine hundreds to put England in charge from the very early on. Possibly the most intriguing element to the test match came in the resistance shown by the hosts. After almost two days in the heat watching England amass 599 declared there heads were well and truly buried in the sand but a more than useful batting line up produced some outstanding efforts, forcing England to bat again and wait until the final day to seal victory. Rahim and Siddique gave little away and provided a number of mini-victories for Bangladesh in the match but were not always backed up by their team mates and often lacked the killer instinct inherent in the world's top teams. But the future looks bright and if such mini-victories can become more frequent especially in the bowling department then the only way is up for Shakib's men.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Bangladesh v England, 1st ODI, Dhaka
England 229 for 4 (Collingwood 75*, Cook 64) beat Bangladesh 228 (Tamim 125, Swann 3-32) by six wickets
Cook called correctly and put Bangladesh into bat, and for 9.2 overs it seemed Cook's first decision as captain had been a poor one. And with Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, implying that the pitch would remain low throughout, the visitors seemed to a have a real scrap on their hands. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 63 for the first wicket, Tamim showing real intent smashing seven fours and two humongous sixes off Ryan Sidebottom and then Stuart Broad, before Bresnan delivered a wily slower ball that found the wrong edge of Kayes's bat and was gratefully caught at mid on by Luke Wright.
Tamim continued to manipulate the English attack but two wickets from Broad in successive overs kept England right in it. Junaid Siddique gave his wicket away as Broad threw down some leg-side filth only for the Bangladeshi number three to mistime a shot straight to debutant Keiswetter at square leg. Aftab Ahmed was next to depart thanks to some stellar work from Pietersen, picking the ball up at mid on and sending the ball underarm into the stumps. His fielding has really become an integral part of his game, only two matches ago he produced a fine pick up and throw down to run out Imran Farhat and this is the man who could not catch for love or money in the Ashes winning summer of 2005. Newcomers to the game would have no idea that KP ever struggled with a part of the game that he now seems excel in. Bravo!
Nostalgia aside, Bangladesh continued in the same vain throughout the 'middle overs'. Tamim putting aside the failings of his fellow team mates, remaining impervious at the crease. Hasan provided brief company at the other end only to walk past a ripper from the 'Chin' Graeme Swann, whilst Mushfiqur Rahim was slightly more effective partnering Tamim for a full ten overs only to be run out in an embarrassing fiasco of miscommunication, a moment worthy of Owais Shah's scrapbook!
At 146 for 5 Bangladesh were in danger of falling well short of a competitive total and it did not get any better as 146 for 5 became 146 for 6, Swann finding more turn on a responsive surface and England profiting from another leading edge gobbled up at midwicket. However 63 from from ten and a half overs saw the hosts build a healthy platform for the crucial final ten, and Tamim well set they looked set for a sizeable total. England's seamers though kept plugging away and when Tamim went for a gutsy 125 the innings collapsed.
The tenth wicket of Abdur Razzaq lobbed tamely to captain Cook at mid-off, off the bowling of Sidebottom put the innings in perspective. It was a shame Tamim was never given the support he deserved, and his 125 was a rare moment of quality in an error-filled and an unintelligent batting effort from the home side. Swann maintained his fantastic form, tweaking out 3 victims for a mere 32 in his ten overs, whilst the pace attack shared five between them, their figures flattered by some wasteful batting, no seamer really showing the lethal touch that was required.
Having crumbled late on Bangladesh failed to bat out the 50 overs and finished 228 all out in 45.4 overs. All Cooks' men had to do was bat sensibly and victory would be assured. A straightforward task - Surely?
The 'Fortress' stands tall once again for England in their successful run chase
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
England began timidly and were punished early on, Craig Keiswetter walking past one from Islam, and cleared up by Rahim behind the stumps, whilst Pietersen continued his poor form edging low to slip, and the 'captain Cook' was trapped unfortunately LBW also by the guile of Islam. Yet even with three premier scalps in under 20 overs, the Bangladeshi total still looked well within England's grasp.
And it was under the sturdy hand of 'the fortress' (my own nickname for the great man) Paul Collingwood that England cruised home to a six-wicket victory, and Bangladesh were unable to complete their first ever victory over the visitors. Colly played a mature innings amassing 75 not out from 100 balls, with 7 ugly, but important boundaries - his calmness and professionalism, much like Tamim only hours before, shone out in an shaky England batting and bowling performance that would have not likely held up against stronger opposition.
Tamim rightly took the man of the match award, but it came as little consolation as Bangladesh failed to capitalise on his stellar work. England's first victory under Alastair Cook resulted in a typically Cook-esque game - devoid of consistency and flair, but instead just doing enough to cross the line.
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