England named the same team for a record six consecutive matches and ended their continuity in selection in style. Andrew Flintoff's return in place of Paul Collingwood was justified - although the promotion of the out of form Tim Ambrose to number six in the batting order was another decision that deserves scrutiny - but the identity of the injured Ryan Sidebottom's stand-in came as a major shock.
Darren Pattinson has only played 11 first class matches since making his debut last January. Born in England but raised in Australia - not the principal reason to oppose his selection - he turns 30 next month and is an unlikely debutant. A solid first half-season in county cricket, in which he has taken 29 first class wickets at an average 20.86, shows his talent but does not demand an international call-up.
He has been termed a typical 'horses for courses' Headingley selection. A swing bowler who delivers the ball full but without express pace, he is the type of player who has been tradtionally called up for the apparently swing-friendly conditions of Leeds and discarded afterwards on the assumption they cannot perform in other environments.
Whether Pattinson falls into this category remains to be seen. He was selected for England's provisional 30 man Champions Trophy squad and is therfore in the selectors' longer term thoughts. Ryan Sidebottom was re-called for Headingley last year and is now ranked as the fifth best Test bowler in the world. Pattinson is unlikely to perform a repeat.
Players have had more loyalty shown in them in recent times and he is unlikely to be jettisoned immediately. The fact that he has jumped the queue of pace bowlers suggests there is plenty of faith in his ability. However, even though Pattinson's selection might not be intended as a one-off, it could prove to be.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
Sunday, May 24, 2009
India Can Be Best of the Rest in Sri Lanka
Australia seem to consider India as their closest rivals, especially on home soil. Geographical rivalry with New Zealand has rarely been matched by competitiveness on the field and South Africa have been unable to channel their animosity towards their southern hemisphere rivals into good performances. England's Ashes win of 2005 was a distant memory during their 5-0 whitewash in 2006/07.
India pushed Australia close in the recent ill-tempered series between the two, when the hosts' 2-1 victory did not reflect the parity of the teams. They should have repeated the creditable 1-1 draw of 2003/04 but for a second innings collapse in the second Test at Sydney. No other team has produced such consistently strong performances in Australia, the toughest tour.
Australia's supremacy is based on their ability to win against all countries in all conditions and India must strive for similar consistency. They have gone some way to curing their traditional travel sickness, winning recent series in West Indies and England, but have failed to win contests at home that would have elevated them to a level above their rivals.
Three match home series with England in 2006 and South Africa earlier this year were perfect opportunities to claim second place in the world rankings with authority, but 1-1 draws left us wondering whether India could win when the pressure was on at home.
They now have the chance to prove themselves on the toughest tour after Australia, as Sri Lanka are a fearsome proposition on home soil. They produce wickets that Muttiah Muralitharan can thrive on and can rely on the in-form Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for big runs. They have lost only one of their last 16 home Tests, winning series against South Africa (twice) and England along the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
India pushed Australia close in the recent ill-tempered series between the two, when the hosts' 2-1 victory did not reflect the parity of the teams. They should have repeated the creditable 1-1 draw of 2003/04 but for a second innings collapse in the second Test at Sydney. No other team has produced such consistently strong performances in Australia, the toughest tour.
Australia's supremacy is based on their ability to win against all countries in all conditions and India must strive for similar consistency. They have gone some way to curing their traditional travel sickness, winning recent series in West Indies and England, but have failed to win contests at home that would have elevated them to a level above their rivals.
Three match home series with England in 2006 and South Africa earlier this year were perfect opportunities to claim second place in the world rankings with authority, but 1-1 draws left us wondering whether India could win when the pressure was on at home.
They now have the chance to prove themselves on the toughest tour after Australia, as Sri Lanka are a fearsome proposition on home soil. They produce wickets that Muttiah Muralitharan can thrive on and can rely on the in-form Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for big runs. They have lost only one of their last 16 home Tests, winning series against South Africa (twice) and England along the way.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
English Cricket Needs Andrew Flintoff
It is ironic that England have the most settled team in the history of the game and yet it is all but certain to be changed for the Headingley Test. Never before has a Test team remained unchaged for six matches. England have won four and drawn two in that sequence but there will be no more continuity in selection. Someone will make way for Andrew Flintoff.
It is testament to Flintoff's stature that he can break into such a settled eleven. He has not played a Test match since January 2007, when he captained England to defeat against Australia in Sydney. He has missed 17 matches, of which England have won seven, drawn seven and lost three. They have coped without him but still welcome their talisman back as soon as he is at full fitness.
The world cup pedalo incident and poor batting form - two half centuries in ten innings downunder in 2006/07 - are forgotten, as Flintoff must feature in England's best eleven. His aggressive bowling has been sorely missed as England continue to be inconsistent with the ball. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation in Flintoff's absence, but the big allrounder is the true leader of the attack.
Batting form has eluded the Lancastrian this season as he battled his way back to fitness from ankle surgery and a side strain. It would be unrealistic to expect him to produce the career-defining performances of 2005, when he was instrumental in England's Ashes victory, but he possesses the ability to excite more than any other player.
This is quite a claim with Kevin Pietersen in the same team, but Flintoff's batting can be even more explosive and this is why England need him: not just to win matches, but to provide excitement. The spectators at Lord's who witnessed a sixth consecutive draw at the ground would have relished even a 20 minute cameo from 'Freddie'.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
It is testament to Flintoff's stature that he can break into such a settled eleven. He has not played a Test match since January 2007, when he captained England to defeat against Australia in Sydney. He has missed 17 matches, of which England have won seven, drawn seven and lost three. They have coped without him but still welcome their talisman back as soon as he is at full fitness.
The world cup pedalo incident and poor batting form - two half centuries in ten innings downunder in 2006/07 - are forgotten, as Flintoff must feature in England's best eleven. His aggressive bowling has been sorely missed as England continue to be inconsistent with the ball. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation in Flintoff's absence, but the big allrounder is the true leader of the attack.
Batting form has eluded the Lancastrian this season as he battled his way back to fitness from ankle surgery and a side strain. It would be unrealistic to expect him to produce the career-defining performances of 2005, when he was instrumental in England's Ashes victory, but he possesses the ability to excite more than any other player.
This is quite a claim with Kevin Pietersen in the same team, but Flintoff's batting can be even more explosive and this is why England need him: not just to win matches, but to provide excitement. The spectators at Lord's who witnessed a sixth consecutive draw at the ground would have relished even a 20 minute cameo from 'Freddie'.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Oliver
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