It’s Central Contract Awards time, and the big “news” is that Steve Harmison and Monty Panesar have missed out altogether. Actually, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise – between them they only played 3 Tests this summer.
If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard the phrase “an Ashes series is no time to try new players” I’d be following the cricket from a small island in the Pacific somewhere. Why is it that all-England (by which I mean our media, who speak the words that we don’t have the wit to think of for ourselves) are so convinced of this?
So, the knee has finally hoisted the white flag and said enough is enough. Flintoff has not recovered in time for the Headingley Test, which starts this morning, and a nation will doubtless be in morning, whilst another one quietly starts to fancy it’s chances with the news that Matt Prior may be out with an injury.
The news is that Ryan Sidebottom has been recalled to the squad, and that Jonathan Trott has been included as batting cover for Flintoff, should his knees decide that they’d much prefer to stay at home than spend five days at Headingley.
With only four championship matches in May, this months selection naturally focuses mostly on performances in the limited overs matches.
On 2ndYellow: World Cup: Are Spain boring? http://bit.ly/96aPJD #fb
10th July 2010, 9:13am
On 2ndYellow: Everton: Spot the Gosling http://bit.ly/bHQGH4 #fb
7th July 2010, 12:25pm
GoodCricketWicket: Lazy Ashes reporting starts early http://bit.ly/bD6ko4 #cricket
6th July 2010, 10:27am
You can enjoy the commentary from Test Match Sofa right here using this player, for cricket's alternative listening experience. There may be the occasional swear, but absolutely no dear old things.