The term colossus is generally over used in sport when describing performances but it fits Andrew Flintoff to a tee after his extraordinary bowling that wrapped up the Second Test against Australia at Lord’s. Of course the stage was set for Flintoff when he announced on the eve of the match that he was due to retire from Test cricket at the end of this series.
He was a man inspired when the tense last day unravelled and having removed both openers the day before he tore into his task without a moment’s thought for his ravaged knee and generally weakened body. He never wavered from his intention of delivering the justified victory.
From the moment he made the crucial breakthrough with his fourth ball of the morning when Haddin edged to the secure hands of Collingwood he employed an impeccable line and length, making the batsmen jump and grope. He was the only fast bowler who really disturbed the batsmen on a still docile pitch and the only concern was that he would not last long enough to spearhead the English to victory.
Afterwards he revealed that he had told Strauss that he would not relinquish the ball until the job was done and as it was Flintoff you just had to believe him. This was not false bravado, but the reaction of a sporting hero who was not to be denied on his farewell appearance at Lord’s.
Appositely he collected his first ever five wicket haul at the home of cricket and etched his name on to the treasured honours board. Naturally he won the Man of the Match and with his aura restored the Ashes moved up a gear from the dramatic rescue secured in Cardiff.
When he does retire there will be a huge hole in the England team’s armoury as his very presence lifts the spirits and the crowd. Nobody in the current set-up has that galvanising effect on the game or the ability to strike fear into an opposition as cussed and determined as the Aussies.
Yet again this match emphasised the delicious and delicate nature of test cricket at its best, and the anticipation of the next three matches is growing apace, and one can hardly say that about any one day series or tournament. We need to savour the feats of the Colossus of Preston as he will be sorely missed.
Monday 20 July 2009
Wednesday 8 July 2009
First Test fluctuates around stubborn Pietersen
When will Kevin Pietersen learn? The answer is probably never and his advocates will insist that if he plays cavalier shots and dies by the sword then so be it. Pietersen himself justified the shot by saying he has been very successful with the sweep shot but that is poppycock. He will never become a truly classy test batsman if he continues to get out in the asinine way he did today.
In attempting to sweep the generally benign and toothless Hauritz from way outside the off stump he only succeeded in hitting the ball on to his helmet and deflecting a looping catch to Katich. He looked a fool and it is the fact that he is so talented yet so stubborn that makes him such an infuriating mixture.
It was an intriguing day’s cricket in Cardiff, which has happily confirmed that test cricket is still the only game in town. The subtle evolution of the first day’s affairs, where the game swung this way and that and then back again, was both entertaining and interesting.
The first session undoubtedly belonged to the Australians as the top three English batsmen got themselves out to injudicious shots. The pitch lacked any spite and the bowling was not exactly venomous, so England surrendered the advantage of batting first by some sloppy batting.
The flow then went England’s way in the middle session guided by the combination of Pietersen and Collingwood who provided grit and determination when it was most needed. Adding just over 100 and losing no wickets meant tea was taken with England in the ascendancy.
Collingwood’s lame dismissal alongside Pietersen’s shameful one handed the initiative back to the Australians in the last session, only for Prior and Flintoff to swing things back the other way with a rapid partnership which ended when the admirable Siddle got his just rewards for his indefatigable spirit when he cleaned up both of them just before the close of play.
The beauty of test cricket was encapsulated here as each team enjoyed periods of dominance, which were halted only for the initiative to be given back. Both teams will feel satisfaction mingled with disappointment, and the balance of play is such that it is not clear who eventually “won” the day.
If England fail to reach 400 then they will have missed out and given the Australians a chance which may be the crucial difference. Through all the ebb and flow of this match one thing of which we can be certain is that Pietersen will continue to be both impressive and irritating.
In attempting to sweep the generally benign and toothless Hauritz from way outside the off stump he only succeeded in hitting the ball on to his helmet and deflecting a looping catch to Katich. He looked a fool and it is the fact that he is so talented yet so stubborn that makes him such an infuriating mixture.
It was an intriguing day’s cricket in Cardiff, which has happily confirmed that test cricket is still the only game in town. The subtle evolution of the first day’s affairs, where the game swung this way and that and then back again, was both entertaining and interesting.
The first session undoubtedly belonged to the Australians as the top three English batsmen got themselves out to injudicious shots. The pitch lacked any spite and the bowling was not exactly venomous, so England surrendered the advantage of batting first by some sloppy batting.
The flow then went England’s way in the middle session guided by the combination of Pietersen and Collingwood who provided grit and determination when it was most needed. Adding just over 100 and losing no wickets meant tea was taken with England in the ascendancy.
Collingwood’s lame dismissal alongside Pietersen’s shameful one handed the initiative back to the Australians in the last session, only for Prior and Flintoff to swing things back the other way with a rapid partnership which ended when the admirable Siddle got his just rewards for his indefatigable spirit when he cleaned up both of them just before the close of play.
The beauty of test cricket was encapsulated here as each team enjoyed periods of dominance, which were halted only for the initiative to be given back. Both teams will feel satisfaction mingled with disappointment, and the balance of play is such that it is not clear who eventually “won” the day.
If England fail to reach 400 then they will have missed out and given the Australians a chance which may be the crucial difference. Through all the ebb and flow of this match one thing of which we can be certain is that Pietersen will continue to be both impressive and irritating.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
Lessons for 2010
The South Africans must be satisfied with the hosting of the Confederation Cup, which has proved to be a well run rehearsal for the main event in a year’s time when the first World Cup held in Africa will begin. After all they have Sepp Blatter’s seal of approval and that’s worth its weight in Krugerands.
As with all rehearsals, it is important to learn the lessons and see if these can make for an even better tournament come 2010 when there will be larger and more cosmopolitan crowds .
The main points of interest, in no particular order, are as follows:
Spain are not invincible.
The shock defeat inflicted on them by the US in the semi-final came at a time when the Spanish were beginning to look so formidable that an undefeated run all the way to the World Cup Final was not out of the question. The fallibility against the US may act as a timely reminder that they cannot take things for granted, or may create doubt when the pressure is on and bring back the mental fragility of previous Spanish teams who flattered to deceive.
The ball will swerve more than at any previous World Cup.
This has happened at every tournament in living memory, so no need for the swerving quotient to slow down. I have a theory here that the ever-increasing propensity of the ball to deviate in the air is more to do with the shine of the ball than anything else, and each successive World Cup organiser produces a shinier ball because it looks good on TV, especially now with HDTV encroaching our viewing.
Vuvuzelas will be a continual aural backdrop.
Many people, including the players, have complained about the noise created by these trumpets. There have been many florid descriptions of the atmosphere but the closest I can get is that it sounds like a swarm of bees but unlike swarms this cacophony never moves, it just hangs there. The South Africans bristled with indignation at any criticism and are sure to insist they are around next year to create a “unique African atmosphere”. May be marginally better than White Stripes anthem of Euro 2008.
Gloves to be worn by outfield players possibly for the first time in a World Cup.
For those who become angered by the sight of players wearing gloves at Wigan in December be prepared for apoplexy. The tournament will be played during the South African winter and several players were spotted wearing gloves during the Confederation Cup. Danny Alvez outdid everyone by sporting a rather natty polo neck under his shirt. Cue comments about playing in Wigan on a chilly December….
Brazil look invincible
The tournament favourites may justify their position if they show a similar resolve and solidity come June 2009. They showed both sides of a class team in looking imperious at times and then vulnerable at others, whilst being able to score late goals and mount a comeback as they did against the US in the final. They have also unearthed a half-decent centre forward in Luis Fabiano who could carry them to glory. As you would expect, with any team managed by Dunga, they have a solid midfield which will hunt down opponents, leaving the niceties of the game to the full backs or the Kakas/ Robinhos of this world.
So the likelihood is that 2010 will be the noisiest, swerviest, coldest and most predictable World Cup ever. So when North Korea beat Brazil in the Quarter-Finals remember where you heard it first.
As with all rehearsals, it is important to learn the lessons and see if these can make for an even better tournament come 2010 when there will be larger and more cosmopolitan crowds .
The main points of interest, in no particular order, are as follows:
Spain are not invincible.
The shock defeat inflicted on them by the US in the semi-final came at a time when the Spanish were beginning to look so formidable that an undefeated run all the way to the World Cup Final was not out of the question. The fallibility against the US may act as a timely reminder that they cannot take things for granted, or may create doubt when the pressure is on and bring back the mental fragility of previous Spanish teams who flattered to deceive.
The ball will swerve more than at any previous World Cup.
This has happened at every tournament in living memory, so no need for the swerving quotient to slow down. I have a theory here that the ever-increasing propensity of the ball to deviate in the air is more to do with the shine of the ball than anything else, and each successive World Cup organiser produces a shinier ball because it looks good on TV, especially now with HDTV encroaching our viewing.
Vuvuzelas will be a continual aural backdrop.
Many people, including the players, have complained about the noise created by these trumpets. There have been many florid descriptions of the atmosphere but the closest I can get is that it sounds like a swarm of bees but unlike swarms this cacophony never moves, it just hangs there. The South Africans bristled with indignation at any criticism and are sure to insist they are around next year to create a “unique African atmosphere”. May be marginally better than White Stripes anthem of Euro 2008.
Gloves to be worn by outfield players possibly for the first time in a World Cup.
For those who become angered by the sight of players wearing gloves at Wigan in December be prepared for apoplexy. The tournament will be played during the South African winter and several players were spotted wearing gloves during the Confederation Cup. Danny Alvez outdid everyone by sporting a rather natty polo neck under his shirt. Cue comments about playing in Wigan on a chilly December….
Brazil look invincible
The tournament favourites may justify their position if they show a similar resolve and solidity come June 2009. They showed both sides of a class team in looking imperious at times and then vulnerable at others, whilst being able to score late goals and mount a comeback as they did against the US in the final. They have also unearthed a half-decent centre forward in Luis Fabiano who could carry them to glory. As you would expect, with any team managed by Dunga, they have a solid midfield which will hunt down opponents, leaving the niceties of the game to the full backs or the Kakas/ Robinhos of this world.
So the likelihood is that 2010 will be the noisiest, swerviest, coldest and most predictable World Cup ever. So when North Korea beat Brazil in the Quarter-Finals remember where you heard it first.
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