2020, Asians and ODIs

2020 selection and performance

Many people were critical of the omission of Ian Bell from the team for the recent T20; personally I don’t think this was a massive blunder. Just because he has been in excellent form in test cricket doesn’t merit his selection in the 2020 game; let’s be honest if he had played, he wouldn’t of radically improved England’s chances of winning.  Michael Lumb has performed well in domestic 2020 this year and has had experience of playing 2020 in subcontinent conditions in the IPL which should leave him in good stead for the world 2020’s in Sri Lanka next year.

Chris Woakes selection was in my opinion more questionable as in one day cricket he has proved extremely expensive in domestic one day cricket this season and has had only recently returned from injury. The reason why I assume he was selected was because of his capability to score runs quickly down the order. This is OK if he bowls well but his one day bowling is distinctly erratic.

British Asians need more from Bopara, Patel and Co

At present there is not one regular British Asian in the England cricket team and this is a massive shame given the love of cricket from the Asian community with the UK. Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel both selected for the recent t20 have flattered to deceive in their international careers so far.

The horse has probably bolted in regards to British West Indians making their way into the England side at present but there really needs to be a British Asian player who again makes his way into the England line up and galvanises support from the Asian ranks across the UK. There are plenty of Asians in county cricket at present and plenty in the amateur leagues through the UK, many with good skills and qualities, but at present they’re struggling to break into the England line up.

ODI Prospects

Feeling excitement at the prospect of the forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka is probably overstating my interest but it still should be a series that gives a better indication of where England are currently in ODI cricket. In recent times Sri Lanka has had the better of ODI’s against England but England should be winning this series.  All of England’s players are fit, they have home conditions to their favour, and they have a number of very good ODI players so there really is no reason why they shouldn’t win the series.

Musings

Boring boring T20

I find the group stages of the t20 generally the most boring part of the English county season. As a professional poker player who has a decent amount of spare time I love the freedom that listening to county cricket day in day out gives. Unfortunately t20 matches only last a couple of hours and happen in the evening when other things are happening. One of the reasons I love four day cricket so much is the fact that it’s generally a good guide of future England players; t20 in this respect is a harder tournament to grasp and statistics are harder to analyse.

Why Sri Lanka, Why? 

I read with a mixture of sadness, disgust and glee that Sanath Jayasuriya had been included in the Sri Lankan ODI and T20 squad to face England later this month. Sanath is 41, hasn’t played international cricket since 2009 and even then was clearly too old to be playing. In fact it was embarrassing watching him bat as he struggled to resemble the player that had made him one of the most watchable batsmen in the world of cricket. Surely Sanath knows that he isn’t good enough for international cricket and all he is doing is embarrassing himself and letting down his nation. It seems a lot of his selection is down to Sri Lankan politics and he is there simply to please himself and some loyal supporters. It is with glee that I look forward to England knocking him over time and time again during the series; I hope they bounce him out constantly and look to make him a walking wicket and hopefully he will realise that he shouldn’t be on the international stage and the interference in cricket matters by the Sri Lankan government is unwarranted and bad for Sri Lankan cricket. 

Revised Note: It appears Jayasuriya will retire after the first ODI. The whole things seems pretty self serving; and whether it was himself, the cricket board or the government who set up this farewell, the whole affair to my mind undermines the forthcoming ODI series and Sri Lankan cricket in general.

Under Pressure

Stuart Broad is under pressure once again after failing to shine in the first two tests of the summer. In general his bowling has been inconsistent and he looks the least likely out of any of the 5 frontline bowlers who have bowled this summer to take wickets. He did score a quick 50 in the second test but this was a streaky affair which could have ended any ball. Also of importance is the fact that England’s top 7 is so strong at the moment they shouldn’t have to worry too hard about how no’s 8-11 are batting. Steve Finn is likely to be the man to make way for the return of Anderson but it would be a big statement of intent from the England selectors and backroom if they were to drop Broad (one of their three captains), that no-one’s place in the side is guaranteed and nothing can be taken for granted. I for one would favour the decision and this being from a big Stuart Broad fanboi; I just don’t feel he is doing enough for England at the moment to keep his spot in the team.

Really Amir, Really?

This past week Mohammed Amir decided to play a game of league cricket in Surrey - because that isn't breaking the terms of  your ban???? Wow, in terms of doing retarded things that is pretty impressive. Not as impressive as bowling no-balls on demand but still a pretty retarded act. He’s come out in the press and said he asked beforehand whether he was allowed under the terms of his ban to play in the game; his new teammates assured him that it was fine. I kind of feel sorry for him; he has to have been really stupid and naive to play this game. His teammates are the real villains of the piece if you ask me. Surely they knew he was flouting the ban; they were aware the game was a league game regulated by the ECB – and yet they let him play putting the club and the player in the centre of a media storm which should have harsh repercussions for both participants. Also as a teammate I don’t think I could have played with a player who so blatantly cheated and brought sport I love to the attention of people all around the world for exactly the wrong reasons.