England’s final match in the 2007 World Cup neatly signals the start of new things for the side. The match, against the West Indies, was not without its highlights – foremost it was to be Duncan Fletcher’s last game in charge, a fact shadowed by the fact that it was also Brian Lara’s last one day International appearance. Brian Lara got a standing ovation from the crowd. Duncan Fletcher got no such thing. The irony, of course, is that in the last match of the tournament, England played by far the best cricket of the campaign. It was sloppy in …read more

Well, not yet, but Angus Fraser thinks he should be. There are really no holds barred in his attack on Fletcher. After giving Fletcher his due for a resurgence of cricket, Fraser has, seemingly unprovoked, decided that Fletcher should go.

Duncan Fletcher is the finest leader England have had but it is time for change. The current set-up, which Fletcher heads, is tired and stale, and there is no sense of fun about the England squad as they go about their work.
It is not his job to be pleasant to the media but I find it hard to believe that, …read more

David Graveney somewhat ridiculously called for an apology from anyone who doubted Duncan Fletcher’s ability, following England’s success in the CB Trophy. Evidently Graveney was on the bog when England lost the Ashes. It is often said that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but sometimes it is the only medium to portray your true feelings. So make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy Simon Barnes’ delightfully sarcastic “apology” to Duncan Fletcher.

It’s only a matter of time before Duncan Fletcher resigns / gets sacked from his position as head coach of the England cricket team. The question is, though… when? The ECB have said it won’t be until after the World Cup, if at all, but both David Graveney and David Morgan (Chairman of Selectors / Chief of ECB) have added some doubt / uncertainty to that by saying that it’s Fletcher’s decision and he has no fixed term contract. In addition there’s the uncertainty over what will happen when the England team finally escape the Ashes tour. What will happen …read more

They’re coming home, they’re coming home, they are coming….. Wait. Sorry. I was pre-empting the inevitable overreaction to todays remarkable events.
First things first, Australia were skittled in 71 overs for 244. The damage was done by Monty Panesar (5-92) and Steve Harmison (4-48). England were then 51/2 by the close of play, with Strauss not out 24 and Paul Collingwood not out 10. Far be it from me to point how extraordinary this was, as I saw posted on one forum “the debate over Giles and Panesar was decided in 7 balls this morning”. All eyes were on Monty Panesar. …read more

Wow, there are some angry people out there. No more than a nanosecond after England snatched defeat in the 2nd test of the Ashes, and the hands are out and the gloves most definitely are off. Visit any sports website, news website, forum, messageboard, chatroom and pretty much any blog and the vultures are already tearing in to anything and everything England. People are simply up in arms over the debacle. Ben Dirs, live commenting on the match, finished with:

Jones drops an inside edge off Anderson. I’m not bothered, I don’t even like cricket. Hussey then swings Anderson away for …read more

If it helps you to do the Baldrick voice when reading the above title, then please, feel free. In fact, you can just imagine it now:
“What are we going to do about winning the Ashes?”
“I have a cunning plan, m’Lord”
“Oh, do you?”
“Yes, and it’s so cunning you could brush your teeth with it.”
“OK, let’s hear it.”
“Well, m’Lord. We all know that Australia are a better side than us. The only way we’re going to win the Ashes is by getting knocked out of the Champions Trophy, so that we have lots and lots of rest, whereas they continue to tire …read more