Obviously not the greatest title for a new reality tv show, though we could that girl off the X Factor that performed at Population this week to sing the theme tune. No, this week's post concerns the England cricket team, who are 3-0 down in the seven match series in India after three games. This morning's has been drenched in a bit of controversy after the ridiculous Duckworth-Lewis method was employed to give India a 14-run victory. The controversy comes not from the team's selection, which I'll get to in a minute, but rather the fact that the stadium the match was played in HAS floodlights, yet India won on the DL because of bad light. The floodlights were comically turned on for the post-match interviews, but apparently the ICC had rules that artifiicial lights cannot be used to continue play in a "day match". The rule is absolutely ridiculous. This though isn't really the point. England would've lost anyway, and there are really only two things that can be taken from another consummate Indian performance. 1) England finally pushed Ravi Bopara up the batting lineup. The lad bats no. 3 for Essex, so I'm not sure why he should open for England, but congratulations to Ravi for hitting an impressive 60. 2) England stopped Yuvraj hitting a thirs successive ODI century, though he did bludgen a quickfire 30odd.
Last week, Darren Gough complained about the "Old Boys" mentality in the England side. This was something eluded to by Tom Ibison on this week's "Sportsdesk" on Forge Radio (Every Monday from 8pm by the way, give it a listen). I've been a huge fan of Paul Collingwood for a long time, that double century he hit in Australia a couple of years ago was phenomenal, but his time has come. He's playing with no confidence, little technique and scoring few runs. Matt Prior managed five runs at no. 8 this morning, but he shouldn't be batting at no. 8, nor should Owais Shah be batting at no. 6. If you have to re-jig your batting lineup so much it's probably because you've not got the right personnel. Poor old Graham Napier will be sitting at home wondering what he has to do to get in the England set up. He led the 6 hitting league last year, and regularly bowls over 80 mph, he must get a call up soon. I'm a firm believer in getting the personnel to fit the situation, and County Cricket is there for a reason, to breed new England players, so it should be used as such. If the wicket keeper is to bat at no. 8 in this england side, then James Foster (yes, another Essex player) should be considered. He won The Eagles plenty of games batting in and around no. 8 last year, and his glovework is arguably the best in the country. Let me know who you'd get in the international set up, or whether we should persist with what we have. It must be remembered that this squad beat South Africa quite convincingly in the summer (albeit a tired S.A. who just wanted to go home). Cricket is increasingly turning into a ODI kind of game, and England needs to move with the times.
Congratulations to England's football side last night. If anyone saw my facebook status I was cursing Mr. Capello at 7:30 for leaving Darren Bent and Ashley Young out of the side. I think Bent showed his worth to the side when he came on, and Young was unlucky that Stewart Downing actually played quite well, with a good couple of assists, especially the second for John Terry. I'm definitely part of the Goalkeepers' Union, and while I admit that Scott Carson wasn't blameless for Germany's comedy equaliser last night, John Terry, as England's captain, should have dealt with it straight away. Oh, and if William Gallas says one more thing in the press ever, I may go over to the Emirates myself and drag him out of the stadium, the most annoying professional footballer ever. Gallas - casse-toi, le pire defenseur que j'ai jamais vu a Arsenal.
Email thoughts, views, anything at all in fact to online.sport@forgetoday.com
Ben
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I agree with your appraisal of the artificial lights scenario. I understand why the ICC wouldn't want to finish a one day match under floodlights. I'm sure it would be a completely different experience playing under floodlights and you could argue that it wasnt the same for both teams.
I think international squad pools for sports should be based on form. I mean I totally agree with your Napier remark and also it fascinates me that players like Upson manage to get in the England side. However, Capello does seem to be going a bit more on form allowing Agbonlahor and friends not just a 5 minute cameo appearance but extensive playing time. It's always confused me how the england set up seems to keep so called influential players in the side even when their form is awful and this is something that, from last nights squad, seems to be changing, and I'm all for it. I know we had injuries but it was great to see some new faces that are performing well in the prem.
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