Posts from ‘June, 2009’

It appears to be worse than we thought. Cricket Coaching Genius™ John Buchanan is now in the UK on a “fact-finding” mission for a week. But, according to Cricinfo, the ECB are essentially going to allow Buchanan to invent a job for himself.

On Tuesday, Michael Vaughan is to announce his retirement. The whole world knows about it already, but Tuesday will apparantly bring the official rubber stamp.

Something has clearly happened to Alistair Cook recently. Not content with a couple of quickfire half-centuries, he has now smashed 100 off only 57 balls against Surrey in the T20 Cup. That’s a strike rate of 175.43. For a player renowned for his sedateness at the crease, this is some achievement.

Whilst Brett Lee and Stuart Clark both took 3 wickets, Nathan Hauritz endured a rough time at the hand of the Sussex batting lineup, as they plundered 98 runs from his 18 wicketless overs.

The success of the recent World Twenty20 has intensified the debate surrounding the future of test cricket and what needs to be done to maintain it’s position as the pinnacle of cricket. There is little argument amongst players (Chris Gayle excepted) and officials that there is where it should remain. But how to achieve this?

Next season, in order to fit everything in, the ECB is proposing that the County Championship be reduced to 14 matches per team instead of 16.

Australia chalked up 349-7 at Hove today, but had their lower order to thank for it as the top order did not perform.

Amongst the war of words that is brewing before the Ashes, here’s a revealing contrast for you from players on either side regarding the “art” of fast bowling

This isn’t exactly news, but it’s being posted here to point out the inevitability of it all. Yes, Shane Watson has hurt his knee and won’t play in the Australian’s first tour match against Sussex.

With Michael Vaughan’s omission from the ECB’s Ashes training squad and the England Lions team to face Australia, it is clear that a number of players are now ahead of him in the England pecking-order