Grassroots initiatives are thriving. The Chance to Shine campaign has now garnered £9 million in private funding and a commitment from the government that the National Sports Foundation will commit £2.5m per annum over the course of the next 10 years, bringing a sustainable cricket legacy into a third of all state schools. Urban Cricket – with the street urchin look-a-like Kevin Pietersen as its face – is up and running, bringing cricket with ‘no rulez’ to urban environments. Yo!

And with that investment, and the likes of Kwik Cricket still popular, there’s a positively rosey future for English cricket. Except if people like Athers are allowed to bore us to tears with stories of his shopping.

Post from: EveryJoe

Cricket is popular

Whilst a match-winner, it was hardly done under the most trying of circumstances, unlike others. And yes, HSBC Griffins aren’t exactly International calibre. And OK OK, it’s not exactly Wisden, but who’s to say that the Guernsey Press and Star isn’t as prestigious?

Somebody tell Fletcher I’m free next Thursday.

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Important news from the cricket world

(Although there’s a hint of Brian Lara is captain about this. In fact, there’s a hint of the tactic that England had for many years, but seem to have grown out of – if you start losing, bring back the old faithfuls. A little different in this case, but at 36, how much longer can his career really go on for?)

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Sanath Jayasuriya reads this blog

But that’s not all. Because last time I checked, Shahid Alfridi was taking a break from Test cricket. Now it seems that was a complete figment of my imagination as he’s back in the Pakistani Test squad.

And things come in threes – yep, I thought the days of comical cricketing W.G. Grace facial hair were over the day that Merv Hughes (top) hung up his bowling socks. And as King Cricket agrees, South African (of Muslim descent) Hashim Amla (bottom) has made a welcome entry to the test arena – not because of his century against New Zealand – but because of his legendary chinwarmer. And what a boof it is.

Post from: EveryJoe

Cricket changes its mind. A lot.

The game has since become dull as dishwater as it ambles to its inevitable close (the crazy frog couldn’t even put some life into it) but it neatly illustrates the change in the modern game. Gone are the days where your strike bowlers are rabbits when it comes to batting. Ye olde crickete teame used to be made up of:  Top 5 batsman, a number 6 (”slogger”), the wicket-keeper and then 4 bowlers. When you had 6 wickets down, you’d generally consider yourself to be “in the tail” (no sexual innuendo) and that polishing off the final few wickets ought to be a formality for your bowlers. Not so anymore*. Australia’s position as number 1 in the world for the last billion years is largely due to their consistent ability to bat to number 11. Glenn McGrath is not the mug he used to be, having had a few hints from former Aussie great Steve Waugh.

Freddie Flintoff and Adam Gilchrist are genuine all-rounders – players equally adept at bowling/batting/keeping wicket. But the trend of new players, these “bowlers who can bat” are interesting. And it’s not just about scoring runs. I’ve always thought that Jason Gillespie played an invaluable roll by simply “staying-in” and giving some support to other batsmen. Matthew Hoggard has a similar ability in the England side. And lets not forget Alex Tudor, who hit 99* against New Zealand in just his second test.

Will we see the role of specialist batsmen gradually eroded?

* England still have that ability of the oft-lamented batting collapse. A law unto itself.

Post from: EveryJoe

Bowlers : The new Batsmen

Post from: EveryJoe

Ashes excuses already flowing

In those days, the England team was made up of Graham Gooch, Allan Lamb, Mike Gatting and David Gower. We had fast bowlers like Derek Pringle and Neil Foster. The Australian side was as good (if not better) than it is today, with the likes of Allan Border, Ian Healy, David Boon, Steve Waugh and Merv Hughes dominating. The West Indies were actually a side worth playing – Malcolm Marshall, Patrick Patterson, Gordon Greenidge and Vic Richards. Being young, 5 day test matches seemed like they lasted 3 weeks. My brother and I would have the television as close to the garden as possible with the sound turned up – we’d be in the garden playing cricket and listening out for the action on the television. At the fall of a wicket, we’d drop everything to rush inside and see the replay. [Sticks for wickets, tennis balls with holes in, the old conifer at extra cover. Jumpers for goalposts. Them were the days. OK, Grandad, enough.]

This latest move is a strong signal – the BBC is losing its grip. They claim they’re still interested in Sport, but they simply can’t compete with Sky anymore. Their coverage of the 888.com Snooker World Championships has been exemplary, as usual. But the promising looking link on the BBC Sport Cricket homepage “Live Cricket on the BBC” leaves a little to be desired. Test match special is one thing (an institution in itself) and for those who have access to a radio whilst games are on are in for an aural treat, but I for one want to watch the cricket. I sold myself to the devil and currently enjoy Sky.

When the BBC realise that not everyone in England enjoys football and there are burgeoning number of people who want to watch the cricket, the sooner they’ll show evidence that they actually understand that making changes is good, but making the rights changes is better.

Post from: EveryJoe

Will we ever see Cricket on the BBC again?

And whilst I think leaving the club over it is ridiculous, I do agree with his viewpoint. Having lived in Southampton for 7 years, I watched cricket at The Rose Bowl on many occasions and I have to say, it’s a great ground. They have poured millions of pounds into it and the results are obvious. The ground was awarded the first International Twenty20 between England and Australia last year (where, if I remember correctly, England thrashed Australia) and has hosted 7 International one dayers. I’ve seen other high profile matches there too – Australia vs Hampshire for example. Test status was always on the cards and the decision to not award the status will be a total piss-take for the Hampshire chiefs, considering that the Ashes test has been awarded to Cardiff before any development work has even taken place. Durham were at least awarded a West Indies test in 2007.

I can’t imagine what the ECB is thinking – how can they award Grade A status to a ground which will only be grade A status after development work? How do they know the work will go to plan? The development plan still has to be agreed by local officials.

“Glamorgan County Cricket Club has created a robust business plan and a vision which makes Glamorgan a leading force in cricket throughout England and Wales. The development of Sophia Gardens will transform the venue into a modern, world class stadium and help Glamorgan Cricket enthuse a new generation of cricket players whilst providing tangible benefit to the economy in Wales and to Glamorgan cricket.”

The development of the Rose Bowl has already transformed it into a modern, world class stadium. But even if it’s rejected – Hampshire are unlikely to get the status. The reasons allegedly being that the ECB want to see more evidence of improvements in the quality of the pitches at the Southampton ground.

There appears to be a real contradiction here. Rod Bransgrove thinks it might be personal, hence his threat to quit the club. But either way, Hampshire CC have been stitched up.

Post from: EveryJoe

Major grounds in Test argument

Given his failure twice already, what do they believe has changed to make them think he’ll be successful this time? But are there any real alternatives? Ramnaresh Sarwan seems like the obvious choice to me, but his lack of discipline might prevail the third streak of captaincy for Lara.

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What’s next for the West Indies?

So if you haven’t heard of Billy Birmingham, aka “The 12th Man“, you really ought to grab yourself a CD of his. He’s the Rory Bremner of the sporting world, doing some spectacular impersonations of some of the great sporting commentators. It really is bloody funny, and if you’re a cricket fan, you should listen.

Post from: EveryJoe

Little hint for all cricket fans