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Ramprakash backed for Test recall

August 10th, 2009 | No Comments

Mark Ramprakash

Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash is being backed for a remarkable England recall for the decisive fifth Ashes Test – seven years since he was last capped.

Australia crushed England to level the series going into the final match at The Oval, Ramprakash’s home ground.

He turns 40 in September and has not played for England since 2002 but has been in prolific form for his county.

"If I was an England selector picking my best side, he’d be in it," said Surrey cricket manager Chris Adams.

"He is playing the best cricket of his life," Adams, who briefly played for England, both at Test and one-day international cricket, told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He’s a fine player, whether it’s the right time to bring him back into a Test match is a different story"

Australia captain Ricky Ponting

"He has done so for three years. I believe strongly he has been the best batsman available for England for those three years.

"I know Kevin Pietersen would have something to say about that but from what I’ve seen from Mark this year he is an exceptional batsman, a batsman at the top of his game."

Adams echoed comments made by former England captain Alec Stewart, also a Surrey stalwart, who suggested a one-off return for Ramprakash might be the best option for a side enduring a middle-order crisis.

Only one England batsman, skipper Andrew Strauss, has scored a century in the series so far, compared to Australia’s return of seven.

Ravi Bopara, Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, who replaced the injured Pietersen, have all disappointed.

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"The Oval is Ramprakash’s home ground, as usual he is scoring countless runs, and let’s be honest, its not like he can do much worse than the current team"

The Ashes England

Between them, Bopara, Collingwood and Bell contributed a total of just 16 runs during the fourth Test at Headingley and England coach Andy Flower has suggested the batting line-up might be altered following his side’s innings and 80-run defeat.

Earlier in the summer Essex batsman Bopara cemented his place at number three with three consecutive centuries against West Indies but the 24-year-old has struggled against Australia, scoring 105 runs in seven innings at an average of 15.

England named Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott in their squad for the fourth Test and he is another being touted to replace Bopara for The Oval Test, which starts on 20 August.

Kent captain Rob Key’s name is also being bandied around, with former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott and BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew backing his inclusion.

Meanwhile England are again waiting on the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

He was seeing knee specialist Andy Williams on Monday with England captain Andrew Strauss keen for an early decision.

England waited until the morning of the fourth Test to rule Flintoff out.

The Lancastrian had said he was fit enough to play but was overruled by Strauss and Flower.

Strauss said: "Hopefully we’ll know two or three days out from the Test match whether he’s fit enough to play.

"He’s still desperate to play in that final Test but he realises he’s got to be fit enough."

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"As everyone remembered that it’s actually 1-1 rather than 0-4, Andrew Strauss took on the role of Corporal Jones: "Don’t panic, Mr Mainwaring!""

But it is Ramprakash, who won the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show in 2006, whose name is causing the biggest stir.

The right-hander has played 52 Tests, scoring 2350 runs at an average of 27.32 with 12 half-centuries and two tons.

In 12 Tests against Australia he has notched 933 runs at an average of 42.40 with one century, coming at The Oval in 2001.

He was dropped after scores of nine and two against New Zealand in Auckland seven years ago but has since moved from Middlesex to Surrey and continued to dominate opposition bowling attacks at county level.

In 2008 he became only the 25th player to score 100 first-class centuries with a ton against Yorkshire at Headingley, and on Sunday he showed he was still going strong with 134 not out against Derbyshire.

It was the 108th first-class century of his career and moved him level with Pakistan’s Zaheer Abbas in 16th place on the all-time list.

"He’s a fine player, whether it’s the right time to bring him back into a Test match is a different story," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

"It’s amazing how quickly things change either the way the media sees the team or even the way the team looks upon itself."

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Ponting plays down crowd antics

August 6th, 2009 | No Comments

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley: England v Australia
Dates: Friday, 7 August – Tuesday, 11 August Start time: 1100 BST
Coverage: Live Test Match Special commentary (from 1025 BST on day one, 1045 BST on remaining days) on BBC Radio 4 LW, 5 Live sports extra, the Red Button and BBC Sport website. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting insists he has no problem with the booing he has faced in the Ashes series to date.

Ponting was targeted by sections of the Edgbaston crowd during the third Test and officials have asked for fans to respect the Australians at Headingley.

Heightened security will be in place for Friday’s fourth Test in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

"It’s no bigger a deal in this series than others I’ve played. It’s part and parcel of what we do," said Ponting.

"It happens everywhere around the world. I’ve actually really enjoyed the spectator participation in this series.

"The Barmy Army are the best group of supporters in any sport around the world. They come to the cricket to enjoy themselves.

TOM FORDYCE BLOG

"If Ricky Ponting is worried…he’s doing a pretty good job of disguising it"

"Sometimes it’s small minorities that make days a little disappointing for others and I think that’s what it has been right throughout the series so far.

"But these complaints haven’t come from the Australian players. The administrators at some of the venues have been disappointed with how some of the crowd have reacted."

England fans were heavily criticised for their conduct during the rain-affected third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, which ended in a draw on Monday, preserving England’s 1-0 series lead.

Much of the criticism was levelled at fans who heckled Ponting as he walked out to bat, something that has also occurred at other grounds.

And Ponting confirmed that he was involved in a heated exchange with a fan after being dismissed last Sunday.

"There were some words exchanged," said the 34-year-old. "As it turned out he (the fan) was later thrown out of the ground.

"It’s probably a security thing more than anything else. Where we had to walk on and off the pitch there were a lot of spectators too close to us. It was an area exactly where a steward should have been."

Drunken fans have caused problems at Headingley in the past and organisers want to reduce the number of incidents.

"I don’t think it’s malicious… In a way it’s probably a sign of respect for him"

England captain Andrew Strauss

When England played South Africa last year, 81 people were ejected from the 18,000-capacity ground in three days, prompting Yorkshire County Cricket Club to take action.

They have increased the number of stewards by 20% and more than 300 are now set to be deployed when the Test begins on Friday.

Beer stalls are set to open at 1045 BST and shut for an hour in the afternoon, with organisers maintaining the discretion to extend this closure period.

There will be an alcohol-free, family stand, a number of specially assigned "spotters" at beer stalls around the ground to identify drunken spectators and prevent them purchasing further alcohol, and free water will be readily available at stalls.

Yorkshire will also enforce a ban on musical instruments, meaning Barmy Army trumpet player Bill Cooper will not be permitted to play, while England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke has written a message in the official programme asking fans to respect the Australians, and especially Ponting.

"It’s about fans enjoying themselves but respecting others and the game of cricket," a Yorkshire spokesman told BBC Sport.

"We’ve worked hard with police and advisory groups to see what we’re faced with and cut down on crowd problems.

"We’ve received criticism in the past so you look at what you’ve done and cut your cloth accordingly."

Australia practice at Headingley

The Barmy Army, England’s notoriously vocal supporters’ group, has insisted its members were not behind the jeering of Ponting.

"We weren’t responsible for the booing," said Katy Cooke, general manager of the group. "From what I can gather it was pretty tongue-in-cheek.

"He’s one of the best, if not the best, batsmen in the world and if we can get under his skin and stop him concentrating 100% on his batting, then we’re doing a service to the England team."

England captain Andrew Strauss admitted he had some sympathy for his opposite number, who appears to have assumed the ‘pantomime villain’ role during the series.

"I do empathise with him a little bit," Strauss said. "Booing him in those circumstances is probably a little over the mark, but our supporters are generally fantastic.

"There’s a little bit of light-hearted ribbing there, and that is the way it should be. It’s certainly what we will get in Australia when we go there.

"I don’t think it’s malicious. It’s the way it’s construed more than anything. In a way it’s probably a sign of respect for him.

"You just don’t want to see things develop and get worse and worse to the extent there is genuine abuse there of opposition players.

"No-one wants to see that – but some light-hearted ribbing is obviously both entertaining and quite helpful."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Live – England v Australia

August 3rd, 2009 | No Comments

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, day five:

By Tom Fordyce

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1028:
Maybe the van driver was on the blower to his bookie. If he had been, the odds he’d have been quoted would be draw 1/4, England win 11/4, Aussie win 50/1.
From BBC Sport’s Oliver Brett at Edgbaston: "Blue skies earlier in the morning have quickly given away to a generous helping of cloud cover that might help create those swing conditions that worked so well for England on the second morning. My hunch, though, is that it might need to get a bit warmer for the ball to really hoop about."1020:
On the cycle in this morning, I played a quick game of Traffic Light Oracle. You know the one – as you approach a green light, you give yourself a scenario; if the light is still green when you get to it, that scenario will come true. On the basis of that journey, I can confirm that the following will happen today: Australia will be all out for a lead of 120, England will have 20 overs to knock them off and that bloke in the white van wants to get off his mobile phone and look where he’s going.

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Live text – England v Australia

August 2nd, 2009 | No Comments

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, day four:

By Tom Fordyce

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e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

PLAY DUE TO START AT 1200

1130: I’m not going to mess about – the biblical downpours of Saturday have abated, the groundstaff have mopped like maniacs and the umpires ruminated with positive results – we’ll be up and running at midday. Lunch at the usual time – can’t interrupt the best-laid tables of man, of course – with tea from 1610-1630, and the evening session extended to two and a half hours should light permit. <br/

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Live text – England v Australia

July 31st, 2009 | No Comments

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston, day two:

By Tom Fordyce

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e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

1101: WICKET Hussey b Onions 0, Aus 126-3You’re not dreaming – this is real…

1100: WICKET Watson lbw Onions 62, Aus 126-2Onions – why has he been given the first over THAT’S WHY…

1055: Here come the England fielders. Ah, that’s blown it.

From Alex in Leeds, TMS inbox: "Boss out. Cricket on. Punter out. Game on."
From Jae Pearse, TMS inbox: "Draw this one. Win the next. Job done."1050: Glimpse of Warnie. Varnished Weeble.From Trevor in Bristol, TMS inbox: "In work. Bored witless. Miserable colleague. Entertain me."1045: Weather forecast Cloudy but dry. Dreadful on Saturday. Hmmm.From Andrew Farrell, TMS inbox: "Raining in Telford. Today’s plan Too much booze. Not enough cricket."1040: So then. Optimistic Strange this. Feel like Clarkson. Talking in. Bursts.From Samuel McMahon in sunny Bradford, TMS inbox: "Poor yesterday. Awful line. Length no better. Must Improve."1030: Sunshine. Of sorts. Wispy clouds. Covers off. Start on time. Sentences of. Two words. Or Three

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Live text – England v Australia

July 30th, 2009 | No Comments

Third Test, Edgbaston, day one:

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606(Not all comments can be used)

Inspection at 1100 BST

1028: If Hughes is out, it looks like Shane Watson to come in. But will he open, or slot in lower down the order Could be a job for Mr Cricket, you’d think…From Chris W, TMS inbox: "I’ve just googled Caroline of Brunswick…..I can see what George was thinking."

1021: Breaking news via the Twitter feed of Aussie opener Phillip Hughes: "Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys, it’s a BIG test match 4 us." Is this the first time that a team line-up has been revealed via Twitter
NB George continued to hit the brandy hard for the three days before the wedding. On the morning of the ceremony, he was found face-down asleep by the fire in his private quarters. We’ve all been there.

1015: When, in 1796, the future George IV was first introduced to his new wife Caroline of Brunswick, he was said to be so shaken by her appearance that he retired to the far end of the room and called for brandy. Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting could be forgiven for doing the same after seeing the state of the Edgbaston pitch on Thursday morning. Wet It’s like the Sargasso out there. Delayed start, and we’ll have an inspection at 1100

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 20th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Test, Lord’s, day five:

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606(Not all comments can be used)

AUSTRALIA SECOND INNINGS

BBC Sport’s Oliver Brett on Twitter:"Phone call overheard on 274 bus: ‘If anyone at work asks where I am, just say I’m sick’"From Steve in Manchester, TMS inbox: "When England were playing the Windies at Old Trafford several years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting at a table in an Indian restaurant next to Mike Gatting, Graham Gooch and John Emburey. I can confirm that Gatting does indeed eat dessert. And he also eats about 30 onion bhajis and 42 popadoms."1042: Talk around me turns to England’s tactics. Consensus is settling on an in-out field, with the bowlers preferring all-out attack (four slips, gully, fly slip) and the batsmen blaming bowlers in general for failing to knock over 10 wickets for less than 500.From Russell in Nottingham, TMS inbox: "After a nightmare Sunday, including two people you hoped you’d never have to see again inviting themselve round for dinner and insisting on watching the golf over the cricket (flippin’ cheek) glad to be back at ‘work’ ready for the quick, stress-free end to the Test match."From James in London, TMS inbox: "Getting married on Thursday but the nerves about that are nowhere near how nervous I am about today. No fingernails left to chew already and we haven’t had a single delivery yet…"1034: On the other hand, no-one has ever successfully chased more than 418 to win a Test. Haddin got lucky a few times on Sunday evening, Hauritz is protecting a dodgy digit and Fred roared in like Frank Tyson. Gulp….1031: Let’s do the sums. Over 130 runs were scored in the final session on Sunday. 209 more are needed. On that basis, if Australia are still batting come tea, they’ll have won.1021: They said it couldn’t be done. For as long as anyone could remember, a target like that was considered out of reach. Many great men had tried and failed. On 20 July, it finally happened. Still – enough of the Moon landings – do we think Australia will chase down 522 to snatch this from England’s grasp1015: Gnawing of nails, pulling out of hair, covering face with hands. All these and more may be needed as the nervefest that is Manic Monday begins to unfold. Anxious Does Mike Gatting eat dessert

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 20th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Test, Lord’s, day five:

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606(Not all comments can be used)

AUSTRALIA SECOND INNINGS

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 19th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Test, Lord’s, day four:

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606(Not all comments can be used)

1046: Hold up – the covers are coming off! What’s that Start at 11.15am1042: No news yet on any declaration, but you’ve got to think England will call it quits at 311-6 and a lead of 521.1035: Keep your panic housed, though. It’s by no means set soggy for the day – most likely to be on-off, and the drainage at HQ is a thing wonder. Remember that Test two summers ago against India when dolphins were swimming round the outfield at 12.30pm, and by 12.45pm dust-devils loop-the-loop from extra cover to long leg

1030: I won’t mess about – it’s raining at Lord’s, and the covers are on. We’ll have a delayed start.<br/

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 18th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Test, Lord’s, day three:

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606(Not all contributions can be used)

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Russell Crowe was in the Test Match Special boxon Friday talking to Jonathan Agnew during the dramatic evening session. He’s the first cousin of New Zealand’s Jeff and Martin but is very much an Australian, and he wasn’t very impressed by his side’s display. From Andy Tyacke, TMS inbox: "Yesterday I bought a pair of Australian-made swimming trunks. The size is given as: UK 100 centimetres; Australian 95 centimetres. Does Oz work to a different metric system or do Australian males lie about their girth"1035: Dry at Lord’s, covers being removed. Before we get underway, a minute’s silence to mark the passing of Henry Allingham, Britain’s oldest man. Asked about the secret to his longevity, he answered, "Cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women."
We shall not see his like again.BBC Sport’s Oliver Brett on Twitter:"Just spotted an Australian selling his ticket to an England fan. Oh dear."1025: Yawn, stretch, rubbing of eyes – all well this watery Saturday morning Who’s getting the teas in I’ve brought the shortbread fingers.<br/

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 17th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Test, Lord’s, day two (1100 BST start):

LATEST ACTION (all times BST)

By Tom Fordyce

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Tom Fordyce’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as first word) or use606. (Not all contributions can be used)

ENGLAND INNINGS

1119: 379-9 And so it comes down to Trevor Bailey and Chris Tavare, aka Monty and Jim. Anderson gets off the mark – of course he does – with a pushed single that almost sees Monty run out as he daydreams a dwardle down the track. An air of resigned shock around HQ.

Michael (having a difficult day), Cleadon, Sunderland, text 81111:>"It’s a miserable day up here, my girlfriend crashed her car with me in it this morning, I was late for work, I’m tired but at least my overly relaxed office don’t mind me catching up on the live text all day and I can really see Strauss…oh."

1115: 378-9 Three overs, three wickets, and that was a stinker – a big booming drive aimed at a full inswinger, and Broad’s castle is breached. Looking at the replays there was an inside edge, but the feet were rooted. Anyone want to start this morning again

1113: WICKET Broad b Hilfenhaus 16, Eng 378-9 Jimmy Anderson now, and if we’re looking for silver linings, he’s got to be eyeing this enormo-swing and licking his Lancashire lips. Oh my giddy aunts – ANOTHER ONE’S GONE!

From James the geophysicist, TMS inbox: "Simon in Oxford, I will severely put myself out and completely change the non-existent plans I had on Sunday to take the Lord’s ticket off your hands. Don’t worry, I don’t expect any compensation."

1107: WICKET Swann c Ponting b Siddle 4, Eng 370-8 Swanny to the trenches, and he gets off the mark with a clip off the toes for four. Short leg in for the Cardiff hopper. Siddle, a sweatband halfway up his forearm in the style of His Airness, gets dabbed away for a single legwards before a steepling lifter zips past Swann’s retreating ears. Another short one – and that’s got him, prodded feebly to second slip. Two overs, two wickets…Former England seamer Angus Fraser on TMS: "If England do get bowled out cheaply and the ball is moving around, it gives them the opportunity to get some early wickets."1103: Eng 364-7 If you’ve just spat your mid-morning cuppa at your PC screen, you’re not the only one. That one swung like Tarzan on a vine – starting out wide, dipping back in and banging back the off stump as Strauss shouldered arms. Calamitous start for England, joy unconfined for the tourists. Ricky Ponting’s face is in danger of splitting, his smile is so wide.

1102: WICKET Strauss b Hilfenhaus 161, Eng 364-7 Here we go – Hilfenhaus to Strauss – and HE’S BOWLED HIM!1050: Traditional pre-bell heads-up – could you F5 it before we roll into action Video scorecard reasons. Reth’pect.From Simon in Oxford, TMS inbox: "I need advice. I have, this morning been offered the opportunity to come down to Lord’s on Sunday. Another friend has also offered me the chance to go to Turnberry. All the while it is my girlfriends birthday and I should really be with here in Manchester. I am in a severe quandary. Any suggestions"Former England spinner Phil Tufnell on TMS: "We’ve got to get up to 460 to put the Australians under pressure."Meanwhile, fresh from regaling his Wimbledon colleagues with tales of his past badminton glories, Radio One Newsbeat’s David Garrido has been ‘helping’ the Barmy Army take on the Aussie Fanatics. David describes his own bowling as "amazing".You be the judge by checking out his video of the match.1035: Humid out there at the mo. Could it swing Wrinkled old purveyors of wobble are sniffing the air like Bisto kids. There’s movement in them there clouds.BBC Sport’s Oliver Brett on Twitter:"Hauritz gingerly taking part in touch rugby, Watson – remember him – jogging around. Covers are being hauled off – should start on time."1025: Having said that, the covers are currently off at Lord’s. There’s rain forecast – it is the middle of July, after all – but there’ll be cricket this morning or my name’s Martin McCague.
1015: Morning – all well Hope you’ve packed your snorkels…
<br/

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 16th, 2009 | No Comments

Second Ashes Test, Lord’s, day one:
England v Australia (1100 BST start)

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)

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1015: There’s only one way of saying hello today, and it’s with the following two words: Freddie plays!

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 12th, 2009 | No Comments

First Ashes Test, Cardiff, day five:
England v Australia

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)

By Ben Dirs

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on the action

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with ‘For Ben Dirs’ in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as the first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

ENGLAND SECOND INNINGS

1040: Personally, I’m plumping for all out shortly after tea. And the only possible way England can escape this game without any mental scars is if they’re only five or six wickets down at stumps, with a couple of tons in the scorebook. Replay of Mark Butcher’s 173 not out at Headingley in 2001 on the telly, my God we could do with another one of those – but who’s going to hold their hand up today"Waiting for this morning’s action is a little like those days of watching Dr Who as a kid – you know it’s going to be scary, and you know those nasty creatures are about to try to destroy the good guys to continue their quest and for world domination, but you just have to watch anyway."
Ian, hiding behind the sofa in Muscat, in the TMS inbox "Why are we surprised at how England played Nine of this 11 participated in the last whitewash series Down Under…"
Andy in Aberystwyth in the TMS inbox "England are up the Taff without a paddle in this one, all over by tea me thinks."
Peter in the TMS inbox1033: Yep, Freddie, you’ve just got to bat out the day… simple as that mate…"We’ve got good players, we’ve just got to bat out today. We’re an attacking side and we’ve got to play our natural game, we can’t just play for a draw. It’s going to take someone to get a hundred, or maybe a couple of us, to save the day."
England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff
BBC Sport’s Tom Fordyce on Twitter:"Sunshine in Cardiff. Shadows all over the place. If anything’s going to save England, it’ll be partnerships not precipitation." "What depresses me so much about this gutless England Display is what appears to be the total lack of desire to win from the England team. This is a very average Australian team but as usual they bring it to the opposition hard despite their limited talents."
CourageDirectors
Tom Fordyce’s Ashes blog1019: I’ve just heard the shocking news of Arturo Gatti’s tragic death. Now, if England are going to attempt to emulate anyone today, they could do a lot worse than Gatti. In fact, Gatti probably would have won the match from here.

1010: Bright sunshine in Cardiff, and my immediate reaction is "good". England don’t deserve to be saved by the weather. Throw them a shovel and tell them to dig their way out of this mess. Prove us wrong England, show us you’ve got some stones…<br/

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Ashes live – England v Australia

July 11th, 2009 | No Comments

First Ashes Test, Cardiff, day four:
England v Australia

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)

By Ben Dirs

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Your thoughts on the action

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AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS

"Poor Michael! If he sends his bank details and $500.00 administration and bank fees then we will gladly help. Paul in Lancs, good to see you are about, Sarahs, where are you"
Miss Ruby, Perth, in the TMS inbox1119 – 498-5 Broad is called for a wide… tennis ball bounce, the ball looped about two feet above Haddin’s lid. Over-pitched from Broad and Haddin laces him through the covers for four. Haddin picks up a single with a carve to point, before Broad goes round the wicket to North. North clips to mid-wicket for one, Australia disappearing serenely into the distance like a ruddy great ocean liner… "Sorry to disappoint you folks, but Freddie isn’t fit to polish Beefy’s boots. Lord Botham could sink 20 pints, steer a pedalo through Sydney Harbour in peak hour and still rip into any of our finest 11 with results. That’s why we respect Beefy, he’s a proper cricketer, a sneering laughable rogue, worthy of an Aussie passport."
Johnny Rocket in the TMS inboxBBC Sport’s Tom Fordyce on Twitter:"Is that Richie Benaud in the Cardiff press box There’s no mistaking that tanned visage – all hail the greatest commentator of all time."1115 – 490-5 Short from Anderson and North rocks backs and tugs him away for a single, before Haddin drops into the off-side for one.

BBC Sport

BBC Sport’s Tom Fordyce in Cardiff: "The best-selling item outside the ground this morning Ponchos – plastic ones, not the Peruvian alpaca sort. It might not be raining now, but the locals know a downpour when it’s brewing."

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"With the money involved in sport nowadays, I wonder if it would be feasible to use ‘rain-prevention technology’, as in, firing those rockets up to disperse the rainclouds. Even if it’s only for big matches such as these."
Sir_Blitzo on 606
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1110 – 488-5 Broad to bowl from the Cathedral Road End… come on Broady, got to be better than yesterday… leg-side delivery flicked away for four by Haddin… bouncer top-edged for four by Haddin… Broad’s frustration gets the better of him, as he shies for the stumps with Haddin rooted in his crease. Haddin snaps his gum and narrows his eyes… "little boys," you can almost hear him thinking, "little boys…"1104 – 480-5 England skipper Strauss has a big grin on his face as he bounds down the pavilion steps, and it’s Jimmy Anderson to bowl first. Too straight, and Haddin flicks his first ball away for a single. North may be a new name to many, but he’s been around for some time now – 130 first-class matches, 9,247 runs, averages 44.67. Tidy opening over, North playing it cool.1057: Broad could do with a couple more wickets today, he really hasn’t dazzled so far. A yard or two short, he’s been well and truly sorted out by the Aussie batsmen, and we could well see Harmison and Onions coming in at Lord’s. It’s Haddin and North at the crease this morning, and here they come, as Blowers struggles to make himself heard over an ear-quivering Jerusalem.TMS’s Alison Mitchell on Twitter:"Aaaah, watching a touching embrace between TMS’s Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee on the outfield (well, a manly sort of hug)"1048: The early Pub Pontification chat in my office centres on whether Andrew Flintoff is overrated or not. The man next to me thinks he’s a marvellous cricketer, but that the hubbub surrounding him whenever he’s thrown the ball or he comes out to bat seems a bit out of proportion. The man opposite reckons he’s not fit to light Botham’s panatella. Obviously, I have no opinion on the matter.

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"If and when England learn to pitch the ball up and only use the short one as a surprise they might get somewhere. It isn’t rocket science – look what happened to Katich and Hussey when Anderson pitched it up."
rhiannan05 on 606
Join the debate on 6061037: Michael… have you been fibbing If you email in and can prove to me what these "other valuable things" were, then I’ll wire you the money. As for the cricket, it’s pretty difficult to know what to talk about to be honest – if we were going to get a full day’s play in, then we’d surely be chatting about how long the Aussies should bat for, but the weather forecast is so dirty, I’m not sure how relevant that chat’s going to be. "Interestingly, Michael, who needs a loan, was at a seminar here in Holland yesterday, according to an email I received. Poor lad lost his wallet two days on the trot"

Alex, hoping the rain stays away from his home ground in Leiden, the Netherlands, in the TMS inbox1031: The video scorecard has just been inserted at the top of the page, but you’ll have to manually refresh the page to see it…1028:The weather forecast from Cardiff couldn’t really be much worse:the BBC reckon it’s going to be an out and out wash-out, although they’ve already got it wrong to be fair – they were predicting drizzle from 1000 BST, and we haven’t seen any yet. Anyone got $2,500 they can lend Michael I’ve got his email address in case you’re worried about him not paying it back. "Hello. How are you doing I am sorry that i didn’t inform you about my traveling to England for a Seminar. I need a favor from you as soon as you recieve this e-mail because i misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money,and other valuable things were kept, i will like you to assist me with a loan urgently. I will be needing the sum of $2,500 to sort-out my hotel bills and get myself back home. Your reply will be greatly appreciated."
Michael in the TMS inbox1014: Hello. It looks as if we’ll be starting on time, which might be a surprise to many of you. However, after lunch Fish and his mob reckon it’s going to rain and rain and rain..

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

England must dig deep – Anderson

July 10th, 2009 | No Comments

James Anderson and Andrew Strauss

James Anderson says England must polish off Australia’s lower order and then produce a strong second innings batting performance on day four in Cardiff.

Day three of the first Ashes Test finished with Australia 44 runs ahead on 479-5.

"It was tough for us but at least I managed to get a couple of wickets," said Lancashire paceman Anderson.

"We haven’t bowled consistently well enough in this game and we need to be quite aggressive in the morning."

The weather could have quite a say in the match on Saturday, with rain forecast.

On Friday, England took no wickets between lunch and tea as Michael Clarke and Marcus North virtually batted the home side out of contention.

But Clarke was among those to describe the pitch as a good one for batsmen.

"The wicket’s nice and very good to bat on," said the Australian, who fell late in the day for 83, becoming the first dismissal under floodlights in Test cricket in Britain.

TOM FORDYCE BLOG

"For a second successive day, England wrestled the initiative back from Australia before letting it slip away completely in the afternoon"

"Hopefully the rain can stay away on Saturday and we can go on and get a good lead. If we can get a bit of sunshine, with no rain, then come day five the wicket might really turn for us.

"Hopefully we can make England bat last on that wicket."

Anderson said he felt an improvement in his own performance.

"I bowled a lot better this morning. On Thursday I didn’t hit my straps and didn’t have much rhythm. But all credit to them, they played very well in the middle session and made it very difficult for us to bowl at them.

"But we know what to do in the morning. It’s still a good pitch, the guys have all got in in the first innings, the pace is quite slow and hopefully we can put a big score on."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Clarke & North make England toil

July 10th, 2009 | No Comments

First Ashes Test, Cardiff (day three, stumps):
England 435 v Australia 479-5
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, Red Button and BBC Sport website, plus live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Live on Sky Sports
Match scorecard

Michael Clarke

By Oliver Brett

Australia maintained their solid position on day three in Cardiff, leading England by 44 runs with five wickets in hand in the first Test.

Rain knocked 22 overs off the day’s play, leaving the Aussies on 479-5 after an historic late-evening session played under floodlights.

Three wickets did fall in the morning, Australia going to lunch on 348-4 from an overnight position of 249-1.

But Michael Clarke (83) and Marcus North (54) then put on 143 in 42 overs.

The left-handed North batted calmly and patiently on his Ashes debut, and will be there again on Saturday morning after facing 131 balls thus far.

Clarke showed his acumen against spin and was generally unperturbed against the seamers too as he played a more positive role.

TOM FORDYCE BLOG

"Michael Clarke’s model girlfriend Lara Bingle has been in town to watch her man make afternoon Ashes hay"

Tom reports from Cardiff

But late in the day he was surprised by a Stuart Broad bouncer which he gloved behind as he attempted a pull, leaving him just shy of a first Test century in England in his sixth appearance.

While Friday’s rain was largely unexpected, further heavy showers are forecast from around noon on Saturday – so the odds favour a draw despite Australia’s dominant position.

However England, whose chances of going 1-0 up with four to play appear to have completely evaporated, may yet find themselves battling to avoid defeat on the final day.

Friday dawned brightly in south Wales, with Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich resuming their marathon partnership.

Aussie skipper Ponting soon advanced his score with two boundaries, flogging a Monty Panesar long-hop through the covers and driving a Graeme Swann full toss down the ground.

Katich leant into a cover-drive off Panesar for his first boundary of the morning, and followed up with a square-cut off Swann that sped to the ropes. Australia were quickly re-establishing their dominance.

Stuart Broad

Nine overs into the day the second new ball became available and the scoring remained rapid, although Ponting had a bit of good fortune when steering an Anderson ball just wide of Kevin Pietersen in the gully at catchable height.

Finally, the stand was ended by James Anderson, Katich falling lbw for 122 to a yorker-length ball from Anderson that actually swung, unlike anything sent down by England on day two. Katich and Ponting had been together for 70 overs, adding 239.

Flintoff was bowling extremely quickly and his bouncers were not played with any ease by either Ponting or the new man Michael Hussey. Ponting top-edged one hook just over Panesar at fine-leg for the first six of the series, though it was a no-ball, and both men received painful blows.

But it was Anderson who picked up the second wicket of the morning, persuading Hussey to drive outside off-stump, the left-hander tickling an easy catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Skipper Ponting continued to make progress, until Panesar picked up his first Test wicket since the Trinidad Test in March, the slow left-armer’s fifth ball of a new spell providing the biggest prize of the day.

Ponting, on 150, could only get a bottom-edge to crash into his stumps as he attempted a cut shot, and at lunch Australia were still 87 runs behind and perhaps no longer targeting the sort of huge score that had been in their sights at the start of play.

But the session between lunch and tea in this Test has proved a graveyard shift for the bowlers – and so it proved once again with not a wicket to be had. In three days just one man has been dismissed in the middle session – Phillip Hughes on day two.

Two spectators

North got off the mark with a crisp on-drive for four off Broad, who was also cover-driven elegantly by Clarke. Frankly, Broad was not much of a threat but Andrew Strauss persisted with him.

At the other end Panesar had his moments, but Clarke hit him for an effortless straight six, and when Swann came on another fine drive, this time for four, brought Clarke his half-century.

North, patient against the seamers, started to play freely against the spinners and when Clarke pulled Flintoff powerly to the midwicket fence Australia moved into the lead.

At tea the Aussies were sitting very prettily indeed on 458-4, with Clarke on 70 and North on 50, but just three overs and five runs later the rain came down.

It took nearly two hours to get the players back out again, whereupon Clarke punched an exquisite back-foot drive off Flintoff to the extra-cover boundary.

Six overs were played under the Cardiff lights – it was the first time a Test match in Britain had been artificially lit – and while North continued to accumulate tidily, England had the consolation of removing a very dangerous-looking Clarke.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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