waiting

How long can one wait to 'do justice' in words to the series just concluded?

Day 1 at The Oval

The Rock Star & the One Man Band
Shane Warne’s sheer poetry with the ball is drowned out by the clashing beats of his persona. Bowling with a majesty that is nothing if not riveting, his art could have been poetry if it weren’t for the way he is- he is more the in-your-face rock star than the beautiful poet, more Morrison than Blake.

Yesterday, he was a lone warrior. If there was one reason any English supporter (or a neutral who might ‘feel’ for them, and be glad that the dominating team is being challenged) would not mind Australia retaining The Ashes, it would be Shane Warne. He is the one you would feel bad for, his passion. And this defiance in the face of loss or adversity was visible yesterday. On a first day pitch that offered only a little assistance, amidst a bowling attack that looked toothless at worst and manageable at best, he donned his leather jacket and took to the stage in a blinding flash of drama and style. What followed was a mesmerising act, leaving all who witnessed it in awe of the depth, character and talent that characterise his performances. If Australia lose the Ashes, more than anyone else, it will be a travesty to this man.

Side notes:
Simon Katich had been speaking to Warne a few overs before the Strauss dismissal, and moving in straighter from his sill mid-off position. At one time, he and Warne chatted, and I could hear Warne say as he walked back to his mark “just ask punter”. Not long after, Katich took that stunner (photos 4 & 5) to dismiss Strauss.

Andrew Flintoff
Played beautifully, played with class. When he gout out, though, it seemed to me there might have been a bit of anxiety writ on his face as he walked off, knowing that England might be looking at a score lower than what would take the heat off (photo 18) them. Unlike Flintoof, who looks at ease and like he is enjoying himself most of the time.

It might just have been both teams were a tad defensive (safe) in the way they played yesterday- England once Warne was bowling, Australia most of the time Warne was not.

Awaiting

In about 6 hours, the most anticipated test in recent history shall commence. Well, at least the most anticipated Test since Lord’s in July, or Edgbaston or Old Trafford…
Its been that sort of series, hasn’t it.

At the start, most of us would have, at best, hoped wildly that the series would come down to the last test. How many actually believed that The Oval would host a decider is quite another thing. Expectations ranged, not so widely, from England wining nothing to winning a dead test to winning a solitary live one. Everything else was in the realm of hope, be it for an Englishman or a neutral. And everything else was in the realm of the unreal, even nightmarish, for everyone down under.

Yet, 43 days and four tests later this is no nightmare. Not even the most ardent Australian fan can fault the series. It is more than anyone could have asked or hoped for, more than the most gifted of scriptwriters could have created- anticipation has, inexplicably and wonderfully, risen from test to test.

Today we are left talking about how much Jones and McGrath will affect this decider, whether some players who till recently were atop a hill are over it, whether the lions will be left licking their wounds, or will they claw their way back, if weather will, eventually, play a part in this series, or if it could boil down to the toss of a coin.

Truth be told, none of it really matters. This series has already transcended such trivialities- leaving them as mere points of discussion. We would be better off contemplating the riveting charm of this game, yet it can be hardly articulated, so we settle for the normalcy of such discussions. Its just that sometimes, they seem almost incidental in the bigger picture.

After every test I have tried to consciously lower my expectations, not wanting to be disappointed, not believeing such exhilarating cricket could sustain itself. Every time, I have been proved wrong. Every time, I have been left happily shaking my head. Whatever happens at the Oval, I will still be here, marvelling at this game.
Its been that sort of series, hasn't it.

preparation

Am I wrong, or is this pretty un-Australian? It definitely is not like the Australia I have known/seen for a few years now. What sense could it make for Ponting to defend his captaincy prematurely, even if it could be practise for a week later? It smacks of insecurity to me. Like last week’s issue, this is not about whether he is to blame or not. It is about why he is talking about it to begin with.

And this one seems really garbled to me:

"I said as early as the second Test I probably wasn't as sharp at changing
momentum at different times and being as defensive when I needed to be,"Ponting
said. "You go in on what you think is right at the time. I'm not a great one at
looking back and analysing previous Test matches or previous innings and picking
out what I've done well or what I haven't done well because I actually feel I'm
doing the right things at the right times in the game."

So he says that
a. he knows at one point he wasn’t decisive enough with the field changes.
b. yet he will not look back at tests and analyse what he’s done because he believes he is doing all the things that matter, at the times they are needed.

In other words, he says he is the first to acknowledge he wasn’t sharp enough, but actually he has done everything right, so no looking back required here.

Um…what, again?

off-field

Some not so on-the-field-thoughts I liked reading.
The Spin (who had messed up his subscription list for a while, or did not like my email id too much) rethinks the possibility that cricket is the new football.

You know that cricket is finally making a mark on the nation's consciousness
when England players are the subjects of red-top kiss-and-tells. It is a fine
moment for our game.

Elsewhere, this trend of thought is called twaddle, and I can’t help but agree. But the point he makes is about cricket becoming popular amongst women, like so:

My own theory is that women are finding in cricket an antidote to just about all
the things that most of them detest about football: not merely the inescapable
ubiquity of the Premiership, both on television and in the conversation of their
male partners and friends, but its total lack of class.

Then Sue mott, who’s writing tone I liked when I first read this in july (seems so long ago), is grateful cricket is not football, nor will be.

Cricket will never be football, to its eternal relief. It will enjoy itself
during this lavish spell of fortune and capitalise on the benefits at grassroots
level that this wonderful Ashes series must produce. But Freddie Flintoff will
never be David Beckham, which is entirely good for Freddie Flintoff, and Kevin
Pietersen will only be Sir Elton John in the experimental hair-do
department.

But her process of recovery from Trentbridge makes even nicer reading with gems like this:

A perfectly sensible primary school teacher in her forties telephoned at this
point to report that if England lost she was going to hang herself from her
apple tree. And put the phone down. One might have alerted the Samaritans in
such circumstances but that would have meant missing the next ball. She'd have
to take her chances.

And this

Cricketers may have played finer innings, bowlers may have bowled better balls,
batsmen may have conjured truer shots but for sheer, knife-in-the-gut spectacle,
we have never seen anything like it.

Mark Nicholas, too, talks about the ability of this series to draw out the most unlikely of fans and followers- like his godson’s sisters.

...never, in the 16, 11 and eight years they have been on the planet - has any one
of them struck up a conversation about cricket. Were I to do so do, they would
probably go and play with the traffic.

Gideon Haigh (does he write everywhere?), besides his excellent tour diary on cricinfo, contemplates the chance that winning is wearisome for this Aussie side.

Ricky Ponting's Australians, by contrast, have sometimes looked very sated
indeed, like those handsome lions in wildlife documentaries apparently always
snoozing on the savannah after gorging on zebra. "Hunt?" they seem to say. "For
another camera crew? Forget it. I only work for Attenborough."

I don’t know. Its hardly thinkable that an Aussie is bored of 8 ashes wins. That's Ashes wins, mind you. Make no mistake, these lions are going to fight back. The only thing is, will they wait till they are down in this test as well, before getting fired up? This time, that could be too late- they have to hit the ground running at The Oval, at the risk of chipping their claws. Better a proud manicure later on than an embarassed licking what could be your own (very deep) wounds.

not so (sub)tle

The Urn is not in a Pratt’s hands. Nor residing in a Fletcher smile, and definitely not in a Vaughan fist-pump. It is uncomfortably twitching between Aussie fingers, unsure of its fate, but preparing for some travel, Similarly, no smiles, taunts or rule-stretches are going to put it on a boat to the mother country- that ticket will be issued by two teams- one reluctantly , the other gleefully.

So why Ricky Ponting chooses now to let loose his deepest feelings about fielding substitutes might be open to debate, but is not much of a mystery to me. It serves little purpose at this juncture, but does reflect one thing- this captain, even this team, is rattled. Other words come to mind. Frustration. Haplessness. Cribbing. Venting.

Of course, I don’t say this because of the subs-issue; that itself is a sub-issue. It is a symptom, not a cause. Lets not worry- at this point- whether he is justified or not. Sure, bowlers going off at will for so-called nature calls is really a bit much, and Fletcher and Vaughan could do better to explain their subbing system (how, I don’t know, because the objective seems clear and only the most creative of excuses could convince most of us otherwise). So let that debate be. I just believe that this is hardly the time to get so touchy about it, irrespective of how long it has been troubling you. Surely there are more pressing matters at hand, ol’ chap- like a test match it is imperative for you to win. Is a sub is going to snatch that urn from under ya nose?
No, I thought not. So think about those who could mate, ‘cause it’s all ready to happen.

(like someone in office said- Warne and Mcgrath couod have their own team meeting and say- ok its you ‘n’ me mate, we gotta keep these burnt bails with us, awright?)

phew

aargh. No time to blog. What a match yesterday!
I thought Geraint Jones may just have ensured his public lynching but he now has Hoggard and Giles to thank. Warne and Lee- champion efforts from them. I hope Simon Jones recovers- it will be the first time all 5 Tests of an Ashes series have seen an unchanged English side since 1884-85! And, ideally, Pidgeon should be back as well- so everyone can give it all they've got. Its an Ashes beginning for so many people in the English side, but an end for many in the Aussie team...

And the session count is looking like a complete massacre. Who would've thought.

Meanwhile Ganguly wants the batsmen to perform. Watch out, a formidable Zimbabwean attack awaits...And uh, who plans this stuff anyway?

Trent Bridge- Day 1

Day 1 of the fourth test might have ended with England only just taking honours (and not as many of them as they looked set to), but that’s really not the point. For me, this day was all about something else. Not something we have seen for the first time this series, but something we have not seen in so consistent a manner- a lacklustre Australian side. The body language seemed low on energy, no-balls came in giant Christmas socks for the English, catches were dropped, and it was a bit of luck that saw them end the day having really lost only the one session, in my opinion.

Will England win the Ashes? Who knows, given that they have to bugger-all win both matches from here. But a drawn series here will be one that Australia will walk away from with much the heavier hearts than England. In that old inexplicable and sometimes silly phrase- a draw would almost be a ‘moral victory’ for England, and a would feel like escape for Australia- for they look much the less inspired team. Irrespective of how this series ends and where that little urn goes (or stays), Cricket Australia must be worrying.

If they aren’t, they should be.

wed, 24th

It’s just another test, Ricky? It better not be, matey, cause if you guys play as carelessly (and, dare I say, overconfidently?) as you have been, it might not be that easy as just another test for the (erstwhile?) juggernaut. But Tait's playing, and that's exciting. And if McGrath fails the fitness test, this could be a dodgy test for them...

Meanwhile the much awaited(?) Rest of the World squads have been announced. I too had polled in my selection to cricinfo. I can’t believe Shoaib has made it to both sides, and though he will probably be entertaining, this juggling of entertainment and form/skill is something that can only be proven right or wrong in hindsight. Vaas must surely make the side but he doesn’t. I would still prefer Sangakarra in both forms of the game, and surely Inzy could have been slotted in there somewhere? (And what's with squads of thirteen?)

Strength

Thats what the white band on Shane Warne's wrist says. I saw him acknowledge the crowd yesterday after his 600th, point out the band and kiss it for all to see. I wondered what it was, and now I know.
Irrespective of what else he may be, what a bowler he is. genius.

Old Trafford

The third test is due to start in moments. Unfortunately, the only thing that keeps coming to mind is that how can we be anything but a tad let down. After Tests 1 & 2, how can anything match up to those thrills?
Then I think- maybe nothing can. But maybe nothing needs to. For that is the beauty of test cricket- maybe they will play sober, unfrenzied, dare I say, normal cricket- and we will still be fascinated, won’t we. I can only hope the tussle goes on, the fight is till the brilliant mixture of a street scrap and a polished contest.

McGrath is running around the pitch, bowling, even, and they seem hopeful. I have my doubts, but that’s not based on anything as such. Lee being back is great of course, without the both of them it might have been too much of a blow. With the both of them, it might be too much of a blow as well, but for the other side.

The calls everywhere have been for more ‘sane’ cricket, and that would seem logical. Neither team played conventional test cricket at Edgbaston, and that will be the most important thing for them to address. Of course, there will now be the fear of playing conventionally, carefully, and having the other side ambush you with an approach similar to the last match. And in doing so, take the game away in the matter of a couple of session, even a single one. Yet, I don’t believe either team should be (will be?) foolhardy enough to throw caution to the winds again. The Flintoffs, KPs and Gilchrists should play as is their wont- nothing changes there. It is the Haydens, Clarkes, Strausses (or “Straussy”, as Warne would say). The Vaughans, Martyns and Bells that need to get their act together.
Either way, it is another cracker in prospect in a series that hasd already surpassed my expectations.

And that’s the toss- England bat, and they will face Lee and Mcgrath.

Session count

1st Test
day1-E/E/A day2-d/A/A day3-A/E/A day4-A

2nd Test
day1-E/E/A day2-E/E/E day3-A/d/E day4-E

3rd Test
day1-E/E/E day2-E/A/E day3-A day4-E/E/E day5- E/d/A


4th Test
day1-E/A day2-E/E/E day3-E/A/E day4-E/E/E

5th Test - does it matter???:)

This post has been updating and is linked from the ‘session count’ in the sidebar.

thoughts on the live advert for Test cricket

My two-pie bit on yesterday, and indeed, the preceding 3 days. I might not say anything epochal, but then- what do I know, I just write.

Edgbaston was a rollicking ride that test cricket has always the ability to be, sometimes is, and often is supposed to not be. For even the hardiest of believers in the charm of Test cricket, though- old school or new- this was a roller coaster that threatened to leave you giddy with exhilaration. Much like a good long row of full beer mugs would, actually, but I digress.

The second test was pivotal, really, immeasurably so for one team- and that is the team that played the match with the desperation that they surely felt coursing through their veins in the lead up. A 2-0 deficit was always going to be virtually another end to another Ashes in the most hopelessly predictable of ways. It must have been a possibility England would have been all to aware of, with substantial help from their unforgiving media. We’ll never know how much of a boost the exit of McGrath just before the toss would have been for team morale, but it was definitely reflected on the pitch. Ponting’s call at the toss might have been right, but his call on whether to bat or bowl was not. It is a decision that, I suspect, he is not getting too much (neough) flak for as yet. A certain toss in Brisbane and a certain England captain come to mind, though conditions, and teams, were substantially different then. It is only at the end of the series that this call might look more, or less, telling.

Again, I wonder if it was the absence of McGrath that allowed the English batsman to play with such abandon in the first innings. More likely a combination of a plan and a matter of striking while the iron was hot, the end result was stunning. England racked up an astonishing 407 on the first day and set was would be an equally astonishing tone for the rest of the match.
All batsmen then batted with similar lack of caution that sometimes bordered on, and often was, reckless. It was the sort of batting that ensured we were on the edge of our seats, couches, beds or bar stools- but it was also poor play.

I am not sure what is better- uniformly rash cricket or good judgement from one team and not so good from another; seeing that the former is more likely to produce thrills of the sort we have just been through, while the latter is what we have gotten used to (and bored of) in Australia’s long reign at the top. It really works both ways, for both are fabulous to behold. Somehow, though, coming at the time it did- when Australia’s supremacy was starting to border on the dull, and when the oldest rivalry was being played out- I’m rather enamoured by this impetuousness that offers equality.

Australia almost entered the match on the same high they left Lord’s with, tempered at the last minute by the withdrawal of their most dependable performer. The feeling of loss that they then stepped onto the pitch with, was never really assuaged. England, on the other hand, had an unexpected boost to what was surely an already fired up mind and body. They never let either go.

Today, Australia will be smarting but can’t be expected to wallow in their loss. They will be charged up in a way they seldom have been in recent years, for they will be fighting for pride that has very rarely been attacked thus. England, on the other hand, might still be feeling the rush. Letting that disturb their focus is a worry that we should not have about this England team- as long as they are concerned about it. It’s the one thing that could ruin them- getting carried away. I don’t expect them to, though- and Old Trafford promises to be a cracker. The only thing is- how can anything top what we have seen till now?

And, can anything at all top the most diversely and bizarrely entertaining opening days we have seen at Lord’s and Edgbaston? I don’t think so, but then- what do I know.

Sunday

What was a scintillating Saturday should make for an overwhelming weekend as England are poised for a famou win. Spearheaded by the talented, spirited, passionate and thoroughly enjoyable Andrew Flintoff, England are on the brink of an Ashes victory that actually matters, squaring up a series that is justifying all the hype that preceded it. This the second match truly was a crucial one- a win for Australia would pretty much ensure which way the Ashes were blowing- the same theu have been for 17 years. In the face of that, England have come up with a spirited performance in a seesawing match- in the process entertaining us no end. While this is hardly conventional Test cricket, no one can argue that this is afr too entertaining to condemn. One day hangover or carelessness, who cares?

Meanwhile theother cricket for the Sunday has turned out to be a semi final with the West Indies oulling off a surprise win over Sri Lanka yesterday. And, this was a Lankan side that included Murali, Zoysa and Jayasuriya. Today, though, they will be without the consistent though irritating Chanderpaul, leaving them a terribly inexperienced side (um, they have been one all tour, actually). Kumble and Yuvraj come in from the previous match, but I have still seen pretty much nothing of the series, and it promises to stay that way.

The Ashes, on the other hand, are coming out of my ears- and I would not have it any other way. Who cares who to support, when there is such fantastic cricket to see, and cricket with such an edge.

Edgbaston

The second test is not too far away now, and there is a lot of excitement not because of anything else but because a certain MLL* has just been ruled out of the match, and we await the news on how bad his ankle is. Apparently he fell over on a cricket ball, while chasing a football. Or so Darren Lehmann says. Saw a few pictures, he seemed to be in a lot of pain, and I find it a little incongruous people are laughing about it. Can't expect Englishmen to not be upbeat from it, but heck some discretion might be in order. :)

Either way, this should definitely even things up a bit. Its still overcast over in Edgbaston, but with the MLL* out, they're thinking it might work for Australia to bat first and let Warne loose on Days 4 and 5. Open house on how much this will affect the match- my take is that could be pretty crucial. Gillespie and Kasper might not be able to fill in the shoes too well. They'll miss the guidance of McGrath. Crucial, yes- whether it will be decisive, only time will tell.

Toss- Australia win and will have a bowl. There's some of that discretion I was talking about from Marc Nicholas. Vaughan maintains they were going to have a bat anyway; now I can't say how good (bad) the pitch might be, but England have a great chance here to rack up some runs and negate the Warne factor towards the end of the match, if it goes the distance. The second test, and the excitement is on again. Over at Will's the barrage of comments should be starting anytime now...!

*MLL- Master of Line&Length

war

Not content with following the Ashes series from afar, English and Australian
soldiers are staging their own five-match 'Desert Ashes' in Iraq. The venue for
last Thursday's opener was a rolled-out patch of earth next to the helicopter
landing site in the southern town of Al Muthanna. Resplendent in gold-and-green
pyjamas donated by Cricket Australia, the Aussies swept home by 119 runs - a
massive margin in a 25-over game. Each match is scheduled for the first day of a
Test, starting with a coin toss synchronised with Michael Vaughan's in England.

link

reads

'If they can't send over a better side than this there's not much point in the Ashes.'

'Send them home.'

'Maybe their women's team would like a game.'

And these were not said about England:)

This and much more in a great piece on the off-field goings-on at Lord’s in The Observer.

Propriety takes a bit of a hit, though, when the Grace Gate opens at 8.30am.
This is the signal for the poshest land-rush in sport, as the spectators walk
briskly through, ties flapping around the collars of cream jackets, each member
keen not to look too desperate in the scramble for a seat. In the middle of the
Tavern Stand throng, cheers greet the popping of the first Champagne cork. It is
9.09am.

Then there is this about smugness...er-arrogance...um, sport...Oh just go read it.

The Australians never really cottoned on to the idea that sport was a way in
which gentlemen amused themselves. They had this crazy idea that it was serious.

Refreshing to read, in the midst of all the joyous and/or dismal writings on the first Test.

inanity

Bob Willis at the start of Day 1 (though you have the give the Sky team credit for this one, he was surely fed the lines) :
-said in a hopeless attempt at pulling off a Vegas announcer style-

"In the red and blue corner....England"
"In the yellow and green corner, Australia"
"The world heavyweight championship...."
and best of all
"Get ready to rumble"

Sheesh.

ps- I have added a count for the sessions won on the right. Thanks for the idea, Will (I think I got it from you?)

The Ashes Day 1

ho hum. the poll is over, and a measly 95.2% of the votes say Australia will take that litte urn thing all over again (well, the Crystal cup, at any rate).

Australia wins 3-1 52.4%
Australia wins 3-2 19.0%
Australia wins 3-0 19.0%
England wins 4.8%

(total) Australia wins 95.2%

And as I write this, Australia have won the toss and will bat first. There's a kitty coming up at work for the score at lunch today- am not sure am a part of it. Let's see- the talk is over, and it finally begins. England are already up against it, then, though Vaughan seemed unperturbed. Here's wishing them well. ( a little 'weller' than Australia, cause they need it...and so do we!)

19 for no loss, 5 overs. A couple of knocks fo the openers from the tall bloke from Durham. Hoggard is looking a little patchy right now- and there, another no ball just smashed for four.There is a kitty at work for the scoreline at lunch. I'm in- going for 90/2. There is even a 150-0 there somewhere!

43-1, and Kevin Pietersen just had a horrible start to his career. Dropping the Australian captain on a duck in your first test, the first morning of an Ashes series. That has got to hurt, KP old chap. Great ball to dismiss Hayden, though- and coming after the didgy start Hoggard had. Admittedly, he had a good shape going since morning, except he was a little off the mark. But there's Harmison's hardwork paying off as well. Langer is going for his shots, carrying none of the baggage others possibly may be from being in England for over a month. I'd back hi m to be unbeaten at lunch, and England must hope they have not lost the chance to pick up Ponting- weak starter that he is.
And there- Ponting just got the nastiest one of them all on his cheek. This is seriosu stuff, and people are bandying the world that ends in '....line' around the office.

66-2, in 16 overs, and Harmison just goes off to make way for Flintoff bowling his first Test over against the Aussies. It has been a splendid spell from the premier bowler- he came hard at the Aussies, but did not get carried away. England will be glad they did not let Ponting make the most of the retrieve he got from KP.
This has been a cracker of a first session, and irrespective of where Australia go from here (they are still entirely likely to be 300 odd at the end of the day), this has been a exhilirating show of intent from England.
And I say that, Flintoff gets his first Ashes wicket in his first Ashes over- the dangerous and gritty Langer is gone! It is 66-3, and Flintoff gets a rousing round of applause- the first maiden of the day, and Flintoff has a dream start to his first Ashes.
Ah, I am loathe to, but I must leave now-back home-

-and my word! I just can't seem to hit 'publish' here, as Martyn plays a rank bad shot to give Jones a wicket off his first ball! this has gone from exciting to shocking. Can the other Ashes debutant, Clarke, pull his team out from here? It is 66-4...

The second session is about to begin, and this has been one of the most exhilirating starts to a test match in a long time. Of course, there is much cricket that remains to be played, but it has been an inspired start from the home team. A gilly century, though, would make this the most astonishingly special day of Test cricket. Mouth watering, and since I languish without a laptop, I shall have to run to the computer for comments on Will's blog or updates, and with a sprained foot that's going to be dodgy...

6 down! Just when Gilchrist looked like he was settling in for a Gilly classic, Flintoff has gone and done it. Incredibly pumped, and fiery despite being carted for a few, Flintoff has got the big big wicket, which will bring The Warne in, fresh from marital discord and hundreds for Hampshire.

Final session: 32 overs, 82 runs, 7 wickets.
What a day it has been. 17 wickets have fallen as I write this, with the last recognised pair in the England lineup just being separated. England might have had the better of the three sessions in the game, but Australia are going to lounge in the hotel pool less in need of a relaxing jacuzzi than England, you'd think. Suddenly Ponting's scar might just be a symbol of hard fought victory rather than an ambush he did not survive.

So much for all the "long in tooth", " ageing", "not quite spring chickens" and "over the hills" we read about McGrath off late. Wicket number 500 was Trescothick, and soon he had the entire top 5. One might not like it, but this man is probably going to be a force to be reckoned with till the day he hangs up his newly acquired gold Pony 500 boots.

Meanwhile, it does not look like Australia's record at Lord's is under threat. See, this is it- this is why you can never lie back and say-"oh, they're screwed now." Nope, not about them Aussies.

And on that note, me and my horribly sprained right foot shall retire for the night.

reads

Mark Nicholas offers a spooky, and entertaining, list of coincidences that might just get your hopes up a little more, if you’re an Englishman.

In a piece that fervently wishes for England’s cricket team to take this season by the scruff of the neck, Sue Mott in The Telegraph tell us that Sebastian Coe is the favourite in the BBC Sportsperson of the Year stakes, and then reveals some (to me almost startling) facts.

Ian Botham was the last cricketer to win the BBC poll, in 1981. But the Sports Journalists' Association award that same year went, ironically, to Seb Coe instead. Len Hutton was the last cricketer to win the SJA poll in - wait for it - 1952.

1952? Contrast this with India, where some cricketer receiving an award every year is de rigueur.

Simon Hughes paints a gentle portrait of Andrew Flintoff. For me- more than anyone els, even the searing hot KP- I’d love to see Flintoff take this series by storm. He genuinely has the ability to, and if he can the series will be immeasurably richer.

There’s more on Flintoff in this piece, that also has this from Bob Woolmer:

"I've always felt that the way to overcome Australia is to wear down their
bowlers," Woolmer said. "They only have four main bowlers and they aren't as
young as they were. To win, England have to wear them down as the series
progresses."

I quite agree, actually. The Australians must not be allowed to dictate the pace of the game, must be made to feel uncomfortable, and that will only happen if they are forced to play a game different from their own. This here, though, might a bit much to hope for:

England's best chance of winning the Ashes is to play the long game, to keep
Australia in the field and ensure that Glenn McGrath tumbles exhausted out of
bed on the second morning of the fourth Test after a wearing summer and thinks:
"I'm not sure if I want to do this any more”

...and more of Woolmer’s advice for Englishmen here

A fantastic cricketer says he will continue his walking habit, and responds to an attemptedly tricky question thus:

When asked what he would do if Australia were two short of victory in the final Test with one wicket at hand he replied: "I wouldn't nick it."

...and you know what? I believe him on both counts.

In other news, it is interesting to note that some people in Pakistan- news editors- are possibly still suffering from a long forgotten Toronto India-Pak series hangover. They still think of ol’ Ganguly as an all-rounder…