Day 31: A tale of two bowlers

It is never wise to compare players in men's and women's cricket or different formats. I'm not going to do that conventionally. I'm going to comment on the contrasting days that two cricketers had today.

South Africa's women have one of the best opening bowling partnerships. Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail complement each other. Kapp is a bowler who is difficult to score from, added with a stubborn streak you would be forgiven for thinking you'd have it a bit more comfortable from the other end.

You would be wrong of course because Ismail is a bowler who can rush even the best of batters. It is one of the factors that make South Africa such a difficult team to play. With over 100 T20i wickets to her name Ismail is leading the way in the format for South Africa.

Today she prevented Pakistan from levelling the T20i series with figures of five for 12. Not only did she skittle the top order out, but came back to dismiss Aliya Riaz and Ayesha Naseem when they looked like pushing South Africa close.

As a team, South Africa would be expecting to do better on all fronts. They are, however, finding a way of winning comfortably.

The other bowler I wanted to talk about was George Garton. A bowler of genuine pace, who has impressed those that have seen him play. He almost got a surprise Ashes call up not too long ago.

As can be the case injury and others ahead of him in Sussex's pecking order has stilted his progress.

One of the few people that can say that 2020 was a good year for him. He impressed in the T10 tournament with variations in pace and skills. He followed with a good season at Sussex, where he played a string of championship games.

In a format such as T10, there is always a bad day just around the corner for a bowler. If you get a batsman who is middling everything, then you are in trouble. Nicholas Pooran took a liking to Garton today on the way to a 26 ball 89.

Garton's two overs went for 48 runs. Even though it is just a T10 game, it will be interesting to see how Garton reacts. With the short turnaround in games, I would expect it has already been forgotten, and the next games' plans are the only focus.

When Stuart Broad was hit for 36, the only person who has left it in the past is Broad. Garton is still young and has many more overs to bowl. He will be back on track sooner rather than later.

Day 30: The voices that matter

 So, I hear you say who are the voices in women’s cricket you should be listening to other than mine. Those who will give you insight that I can’t deliver. Several people are talking and writing great stuff, and I thought it would only be fair to tell you about them.

CricketHer

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6njc6Xu38_efFaVf3ROlWA

I guess the best place to start is with CricketHer, run by Raf Nicholson and Syd Egan. They are a pair that have always been encouraging and whose company I enjoy.

Their weekly vodcast is always informative, and sometimes Syd’s jokes are even funny. Raf is a serious font of knowledge not just on the current game, but also it’s history.

No Balls: The Cricket Podcast

https://twitter.com/NoBallsTCP

Alex Hartley and Kate Cross aren’t just superb cricketers, but their podcast is unbelievably good listening. Two of the funniest people in the game. Together they are compelling listening.

I have seen both play for England and Lancashire; they are two individuals I admire greatly. I think you’ll agree their podcast is both entertaining and informative. A must listen.

Women’s Cricket Chat

https://twitter.com/WCricketChat

As someone who has covered Loughborough Lightning for a couple of years, I have enjoyed working alongside Hannah Thompson, who co-hosts this podcast with Alexandra Pereira. They have been able to secure interesting guest on each episode so far, and I look forward to both carrying on with great success.

Hypocaust

https://twitter.com/_hypocaust

I have no idea when Hypocaust sleeps. They seem to supply all the important cricket stats on any game you care to mention. A real supporter of women’s cricket, you can trust Hypocaust on their opinion as well as the stats.

Women’s cricket Blog

https://twitter.com/WomensCricBlog

Another respected voice, Martin Davies, is usually one of the go-to people for women’s cricket news. I don’t think he has tweeted about something I haven’t automatically liked.

Women’s Cricket Day

https://twitter.com/WomensCricDay

With a more domestic focus, I am impressed what this account has done. While international cricket coverage has gone through the roof, it is good to have someone championing those at the levels just below.

If the domestic calendar finds a way of allowing a day that we can celebrate the regional and county players, this is where you’ll find all the information.

Women’s CricZone

https://www.womenscriczone.com/home

I was there near the beginning, but they soon outgrew me. They are doing good stuff to ensure that women’s cricket coverage is growing all over the world. I wish them all the best. We need a significant presence in giving the women’s cricket world a voice. They have taken their game to new places, and their analysis is in-depth with video content.

I hope the BCCI help them out and give them an Indian domestic and international set up that doesn’t seem like an afterthought.

There are many people I have missed out, but I hope this gives you a flavour of what is out there. If there is someone you feel should get a mention, let me know.

Day 29: Does anyone care? Actually yes

There are many things in the world that a lot of people get enjoyment. Some of these I would find uninteresting, embarrassing to do or plain don't like. That is perfectly fine. Everyone's tastes are individual, and I respect that.

If a friend has a hobby or job that I would find boring, I wouldn't tell them they are wasting their time or what they are doing is was worthless. If it is something they want to do, I would have no pleasure in belittling.

So it gets me to my point, why are people so quick to give me my opinion on just how boring cricket is. Not only that Why do people have a problem with women's sports. The most avid supporter of a men's team will disparage or downgrade the efforts of the women who wear the same badge as their heroes.

There was a particular case of this today. England Cricket's Twitter account tweeted about their women's team. With the build-up to their series with New Zealand, it was a reasonable assumption that England would do everything to promote their World Cup winners.

This sort of thing seems to have a strange reaction in some social media users. They just can not help but typing the 'don't care', or 'no one cares.'

It is, of course, a monumental waste of everyone's time. For a start, there are a lot of us who care. I have followed the fortunes of the women's game for many years. Not as keenly as others that is for sure, but I would consider myself to be invested.

I have travelled the length of England to watch county matches, spent late nights and early mornings on coaches hurtling towards interesting games with teams and players who I have grown fond of and want to perform well.

That isn't the actions of someone who doesn't care. I know I am not alone. The fact that the players have to put up with this is insulting. They have worked far harder than I to get to a position where cricket is a viable career option for them.

That we are at the stage of a professional game at the domestic level also points out that people care. If a professional game wasn't viable then fair enough, but there is.

If the next time you see a post about women's sport and feel your opinion of no one cares is the case, just think does anyone really care what you think? And jog on.

Day 28: Bonjour France

 France’s women’s cricketers will take part in their first ICC qualification tournament later in the year. In August, they travel to Scotland hoping to gain a place in the next round of qualification for the T20 World Cup.

Today they announced the 18 players who will train throughout the year and will hope to represent their nation.

The players named were Lara Armas, Sabine Baron, Emmanuelle Brelivet, Cindy Breteche, Tarra Britton, Alix Brodin, Maëlle Cargouet, Emma Chance, Thea Graham, Jennifer King, Louise Lestavel, Sabine Lieury, Magali Marchello, Sophie Pecaud, Beatrice Pierre, Tracy Rodiguez, Marie Violleau, Irma Vrignaud.

With the T20 format open to more international teams is an excellent start to make cricket a more global sport. For a start, there hasn’t been cricket at the Olympics since 1900. France were silver medalists one of the more bizarre pieces of cricket trivia.

Cricket has a reputation as a sport that shrinks those at the top table, where other sports are expanding. If the Netherlands doesn’t qualify for the football World Cup, it isn’t down to lack of opportunity; if their cricket team fails, it isn’t always down to performance on the field.

That women’s cricket will be at next years Commonwealth games is fascinating. With fixtures due to be played at a world-class venue like Edgbaston will be all the better. The Birmingham situated ground was the scene of the first World Cup final.

This won’t be the first time cricket has been part of the Commonwealth Games, but will be the first time in the T20 format and the first involving women. I have read somewhere that Birmingham 2022 will be the first multi-sport competition to offer more medals for women than men.

France will have some tough competition in Scotland, with the home side will be strong contenders. Also involved will be Ireland who has some outstanding players. The Netherlands will be no pushovers, Germany are the other teams involved.

Germany’s women hosted international games against Austria last year. With the global pandemic preventing sport from being played worldwide, it was a welcome relief to watch some international cricket.

Day 27: My Sussex XI

 

Today I gave my boss an old book about the history of Sussex. CCC. It did get me thinking about the players I have seen over the years, and for today's article, I started to think about what would my best Sussex XI over the years I have been watching? I might do a few of these with a few different counties or a Sussex XI without any of the County Championship winning teams, or a before my time XI.

1.  Bill Athey – When you think of Athey's career, it isn't the final years of it. I became a firm fan of the club the year he joined, and he always seemed a reassuring appearance at the top of the order as Sussex entered a period of transition.

2.   Robert Montgomerie – Montgomerie is my type of cricketer, reliable, far from flashy but gets the job done. There were fantastic players at Sussex at the same time as him, but he got things done. As a short-leg fielder, he combined with Mushtaq Amend to pick up buckets full of wickets. I was also lucky enough to see half of his first-class wickets; a certain Kevin Pietersen at Trent Bridge.

 

3.  Murray Goodwin – I will never forget the innings he played to win the Pro-40 league at Trent Bridge. Sussex had no hope, and the title looked to be as good as Nottinghamshire's, he never panicked and a six from the final ball of the season sealed the trophy.

 

4.  Chris Adams – I admire Adams as a great captain and an all-round hero. He had a very good team at his disposal, but they never seemed to get the credit even though they won everything in sight. The same group might have won everything without him but not in the same style.

 

5.   Michael Yardy – If there is any player who deserves a lot of credit over the glory days, Yardy is up there. A formidable batsman who dug in and scored big runs. The first player I ever saw scoop the ball over the keeper for four.

 

6.   Matthew Prior – A fine batsman who won everything with Sussex and then had an excellent career with England. A player that worked hard on his keeping, to become a very good gloveman. In an era when players who might have been better technically behind the stumps the way he batted ensured he was one of the first players on the teamsheet.

 

7.  Peter Moores – I may have left someone out here, but I don't care. When a lot of players left Sussex around 1997 Moores was still there. He captained an inexperienced side and when Adams joined they worked together to win Sussex their first County Championship.

8.  Mushtaq Ahamed – seen as a gamble when he signed for Sussex he proved a perfect fit. He took wickets for fun and seemed a player his teammates were in awe of. Had Sussex signed him earlier and had injuries towards the end of his career, you wonder just how much more Sussex might have won.

 

9.   Ollie Robinson – In some ways, Robinson embodies what Sussex have done since I can remember. A player that had lost his way elsewhere Sussex seemed the last opportunity for Robinson. Not rapidly quick like Jofra Archer (who somehow doesn't make the cut) but a bowler who forces players into making the mistakes. The rotation of England players over the next year might allow Robinson to make his Test debut.

10.James Kirtley – The Lord's final of the C&G Trophy in 2006 will take some beating. Sussex looked to have succumbed to nerves, but Kirtley held his. I remember as a junior member Kirtley running activities at and England under-19 international match at Hove. I followed his career ever since. I was there for his Test debut at Trent Bridge and many of the big days of his career.

11. Jason Lewry – I went for Lewry instead of Archer, and many Sussex fans and former players will agree. As part of the opening partnership with Kirtley, Lewry was one of those players that always picked up wickets. It is also good to have the variation of a left-arm bowler in the team.

Day 26: England's women have questions to answer

Less than a day after it was announced that New Zeland's men would travel for a series with England, similar plans have been revealed to bring over New Zealand's women as well.

With England's women currently in New Zealand, it will be great to see how both teams continue to progress with a 50-over world cup next year.

New Zealand has world-class players in captain Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Any Satterthwaite, Leah Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr. Together, they can beat any side in the world, and when New Zealand is on top form, they are a delight to watch.

England is on the rung of teams just above New Zealand and are also prone to the occasional off day. The top order's capability to plunder runs has to an extent shut out any potential new batters in the ranks.  

It can be argued that the Kia Super League and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint has not produced someone with the weight of runs to replace them. Georgia Adams has raised her hand as someone who could force their way into the England squad in the next year.

Tash Farrant's inclusion has also proven that the door to England selection is closed to no one. That gives hope to the new raft of full-time players. Some of those names are further off than others but now with an opportunity to practice every day. With the chance to play on pitches that have been served up by county cricket, England is hoping their problem is not having enough players to pick from but having too many.

Lisa Keightley may have been in the England job for over a year now the pandemic means she still hasn't had a real opportunity to see everyone play. How much that might dictate England's selection for the year ahead is yet to be determined. With bubbles still a real possibility for a long time, it may necessitate more rotation despite England's schedule relatively light.

The fringe players will also need to be on hand in case of injuries, and other consequences mean that they will have more nets and warm-up games to impress the England selectors.

I would like to see England start to take a specialist wicket-keeper as back-up for Amy Jones. I know that Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill would argue that they are wicket-keepers, but I feel they should concentrate on their batting, especially in ODIs.

In the warm-up games that England's contracted players played in at Derby last year, Michael Bates donned the gloves for one of the teams. It felt like an opportunity missed.

Ellie Threlkeld would be one of the favourites to take that next step up, although others would have a good argument for their inclusion.

 

Day 25: Things Get Serious

What was clear last summer that even though the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy was arranged at short notice, the teams involved were taking it seriously. There still is serious discussion as to what direction the regional centres are going in terms of playing staff. Is there too much focus on the future? Or should the best players regardless of age, be chosen?

What cannot be doubted is the investment being made by each regional centre. One look at the Thunder coaching staff shows undoubted class under head coach Paul Shaw who previously had a spell as England Women's coach.

Craig White, his assistant, will prove invaluable with a wealth of knowledge. As will Stephen Parry as spin bowling coach. With Alex Hartley and Hannah Jones two of Thunder's main spinners and with a chance of Sophie Ecclestone available when not on England duty, Parry will have three outstanding left-arm spinners to help coach. Parry also a left-arm spinner played white-ball cricket for England, and this will be his first full-time coaching role after retiring at the end of last season.

Western Storm announced a partnership with the Bendac group to work on their digital services. What improved massively, mainly due to Covid-19, was the streaming of games. Every team upped their game. It has become apparent that there is a market for the women's game at a domestic level and that it needs to be covered properly.

England sign off in style

England completed a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka, winning the second Test by six wickets. Sri Lanka had moments in both Tests to win each game. Joe Root lead from the front and even took two wickets today to ensure England would not have to chase over 200.

Root now has a lower Test bowling average than batting average. It would be laughable to call him an all-rounder, but the stats do lie.

There is a lot of work for England ahead for England. It was pleasing for Dom Sibley to get some runs in his final innings of the Test year's Sri Lanka leg.

New Zealand will tour

Today The ECB announced that England will be playing New Zealand in two Tests early this summer. New Zealand is currently the top-ranked Test team. It somehow doesn't feel right that they are shoehorned in and for only two tests. Hopefully, we will see New Zealand more often in the Test arena and over here.

 

Day 24: Coach Franks

Paul Franks is someone whose career I have followed since he made his Nottinghamshire. As someone who is from the same town as you, that becomes understandable. It would have been fantastic to see him play more than once for England. What cannot be denied is that he has been a tremendous servant at Notts.

To see him as the assistant coach for the county of my birth is reassuring. I know that he won’t be satisfied with that.

What helps coaches are there are opportunities to work all over the world. Like in so many occupations, the chance to work in different places with different people helps broaden your horizons, but you become better at your job if you are savvy.

As announced on Trentbridge.co.uk Franks will be coaching in the UAE with Team Abu Dhabi for a T20 competition. It gives him the chance to work with some world-class players, that is never a bad thing.

 Coaching is a difficult job. Players, only have to worry about their game; as a coach, there are many more people to care about; each with their worries, how they train best. To get the best out of a team of players is never easy.

Franks is an essential part of the Nottinghamshire team. It is well documented that Notts recruit players from further afield than Newark. It might be a fair assessment that there are not enough players coming through the academy, making the locals such as Franks on the coaching staff and Jake Ball and Luke Fletcher as senior players all the more important.

It would be fantastic to see Franks become head coach at Notts in the future.

Josh Davey is a cricketer I have always liked. A very watchable bowler who bowls a reliable line and length. I remember seeing Davey play international cricket before I saw him in county cricket.

During the 2015 World Cup, Davey was regularly Scotland’s best bowler. Figures of three for 40 against New Zealand ran the hosts close.

While Scotland failed to win a game at that World Cup, it would be outrageous if a team like Scotland could not qualify for the top competition in international cricket. As always, the biggest problem is growing the game around the world. That means that sometimes one of the big players isn’t going to qualify for the knock-out stages. Surely the best interests of the game are more important than advertising revenue.

Ireland will find it harder to qualify for the next World Cup as Afghanistan beat them with ease in their second ODI. Paul Stirling top-scored for Ireland with 128. Rahmat Shah with 103 not out and Hashmatullah Shahidi with 82 ensured that Afghanistan won by seven wickets.

Day 23: Intriguing international action

South Africa won the second ODI at Durban by 13 runs. It doesn't show how Pakistan stayed in the game just when it looked like South Africa would steamroller them.

In the ODI format, there aren't many opening partnerships than Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt. Both looked in good form before Wolvaardt found a way to run herself out for the second game in a row.

With Lee in the mood, it could have been a long 50 overs in the field. South Africa failed to convert their good start into a score of 300. Had it not been for Marizanne Kapp with 68 out of 45 balls, South Africa may not have made it past 230.

Kapp also took three wickets as she left Pakistan 17 for two. Ayabonga Khaka was the star with the ball with figures of four for 40. Omaima Sohail 41, Nida Dar 51 and Aliya Riaz 81 took Pakistan close to what would have been a remarkable win.

England's fast bowling trio took all ten Sri Lankan wickets. It does raise doubts with England's spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess. It is not an easy fix of course and to then compare England's spinners with Sri Lanka's on their home turf can cause problems not there.

Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley both fell for single-figure scores before Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow lead the re-build.

With three days of this series, left attention has started to shift towards the tour of India. What is sure is that it will be a tough ask to win there. England will have Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer available for that tour, and while it won't solve all these problems, it will solve some.

England's women travel to New Zealand tomorrow and should prove to be an intriguing series. Since September, most of England's players haven't played a competitive game while others did play in the WBBL before Christmas.

It will be a good chance for New Zealand to start well. England has been slow starters in recent years, and with New Zealand's players been in domestic action, there should be a few close games.

Day 22: Cricket books appeal

Cricket books have a remarkable quality that brings long-forgotten memories and feeling back to life. The crucial moments in a game that a scorecard of that day cannot entirely paint. The way the person three rows in front consumes a sandwich that was buried under their Playfair Annual. The mood of the crowd or the clouds' shape and size that you have suspiciously towards the ground.

Cricket is a consuming sport at times; there is a lot to be caught up in from the finest details to the bigger broad strokes that have hooked us at one time or another.

It was discussing Fatty Batter by Michael Simkins that I realised just how nuanced books on just one subject could take us to a wide array of places. One moment you can be reading about the extraordinary exploits of some of the biggest names in the game. Ben Stokes On Fire does just that. The way someone of Stokes's calibre talks about the thoughts going through his head as he fired England to a World Cup Final victory.

For most of us, that thing never happens. 18 not out batting at eleven to win a second XI game against Edwinstowe may fondly remember, but it wasn't played under the same pressure.

What is probably unique about cricket is streaky innings played by a nobody can have a similar appeal to a world cup winner.

The image of cricket played on the village green with the local blacksmith steaming in bowling to the lord of the manor is still an enduring one. Even though for the most part that has disappeared. The mix of professional and amateur may have vanished in the 1960s, but the spirit lives on.

Day 21: Robinson close to return to the game

 Since Mark Robinson's time as England women's coach came to an end, what he did next was always going to interesting. As a coach, there isn't much the Robinson hasn't won. An outstanding record with Sussex saw him coach them to back-to-back County Championships and a handful of white-ball trophies.

As England women's coach saw him help his side win the World Cup at Lord's in 2017. He made difficult decisions such as removing Charlotte Edwards as captain. It was a bold move for someone newly in the job. Changes needed to be made.

The World Cup was not won the easy way, defeat in the first game at Derby meant England would win every match after that point. The final played in front of a packed Lord's saw Heather Knight lift the trophy.

Robinson lost his job in 2019 after a disastrous Ashes series. While there could be some blame put upon the coach's shoulders, Australia's investment off the pitch was paying dividends on it. Australia had a knack of winning most if not all the critical points during the series.

Had it not been for the global pandemic, Robinson would surely have donned his coaching shorts and baseball glove and giving eager cricketers throw-downs sooner.

Warwickshire should be a good fit under Paul Farbrace, Robinson will be given the support to turn around the fortunes of a county that demands performances on the field.

I remember when Robinson joined Sussex. I had only started going to Hove regularly when he signed. At a Sussex open day, I managed to bowl a ball at him in the nets. I was probably the worst delivery I have ever bowled.

As a player, the memories I have are him playing in the Sunday League. He was at times a bowler hard to get away, and along with Umer Rashid, they would dry up the rate of opposition teams during those tricky middle overs.

I have no doubts that he will be a success with Warwickshire. A quiet man on the surface he is not afraid to make the hard choices. He is very considered in the way he thinks about the game and gives little away.

The players that play for him will get someone supportive and allow them to develop their games, and that is what you need and will get from Robinson.

Day 20: women's international cricket is back!

There are days you curse the way that the cricketing schedule works out. Today was one of them. Women's international cricket returned to South Africa as they took on their Pakistan counterparts. It turned out to be an exciting finish with Pakistan nearly stealing victory in the latter stages when all hope had looked lost.

There has been increased chatter about Test match cricket is the best form of cricket after the Australia v India series that finished this week. I don't doubt that for a second, it is something I will often shout from metaphorical rooftops.

However, the other formats have their moments. The 2017 and 2019 World Cup finals proved that ODI cricket has much to offer. It proves that sometimes more than the game's length, you need two teams that refused to roll over.

A low scoring game can have the same if not more drama that a high scoring game. The hard-fought 30 has the same weight as a quickfire hundred, and that is what makes cricket a joy to watch, but the nerve-shredding edge of the seat nail-biter.

South Africa are a team I have admired for a while now. I was impressed with their 2017 World Cup run. They blew the West Indies away at Leicester and came close to knocking out the eventual champions England in the Semi-finals.

Although Dane van Niekerk isn't available for the current series through injury her side oozes class. Laura Wolvaardt is a classical batter, with one of the best cover-drives in world cricket. The fact that she may never play Test cricket seems unfair.

Shabnim Ismail is a bowler who can hurry the best batter on her day and in combination with Marizanene Kapp South Africa have an opening attack that can flatten top-orders with ease.

Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez are contrasting batter in the line-up, Lee belts bowlers while du Preez accumulates runs but has found a way of hitting sixes with ease.

Pakistan is starting to prove that potential can be turned into more consistent performances. Nida Dar and Diana Baig were close to getting their team over the line today. Baig struck in the first over trapping Lee lbw for a duck in the first over. The opening bowler took 3 for 46 and Nida Dar 2 for 35.

A 60 run partnership for the ninth wicket took the game down to the final ball, with four to win it could have gone anyway.

What is proven is that the world needs more women's international cricket.

Day 19: Am I looking forward to the Hundred?

 You’d expect me to talk about the Australia v India series. It was good, no doubt about that and is a remarkable story. There will have been many millions of words written by better writers and more respected.

I can offer an angle on the Women’s Hundred tournament though. No, honestly stick with me here. I still have reservations, too numerous to list here. I can guarantee they are the same as yours.

Once the squads started to be announced beyond the headline names, the real interest was going to start for me. Players who I have spoken to followed their careers. The players I want to perform well every time they step onto a cricket arena.

Having covered Nottinghamshire for two years, I became fond of Kirsty Gordon and Sonia Odedra both friendly people and wonderful competitors. To see that they had signed up was pleasing news—Gordon with Birmingham Phoenix and Odedra with Southern Brave.

Another exciting signing for Birmingham Phoenix is Abtaha Maqsood the Scottish international spinner. With Kathryn Bryce also signed up with Trent Rockets there will be a good Scottish presence in the competition. It would be a travesty if one of the sides couldn’t find a spot for Sarah Bryce.

It is really important that women’s cricket doesn’t just have strong teams at the top of the tree with the likes of England and Australia but that they take the other teams with them. With the commonwealth games and who knows Olympics in the future showcasing women’s cricket we need to ensure we can put on the best show possible.

The Hundred will offer a glimpse to a trestrial audience some of the biggest names in women’s cricket. Marizanne Kapp is one of those names. She is an economical bowler and offers something with the bat. Her South Africa teammate Mignon du Preez will be representing Manchester Original.

I know I can’t wait, but I will be following the women’s domestic season closely, from county T20s in April and May to the regional centres and the Hundred beyond.

Another conversation that was kicked-off by the cinclusion of the Australia v India series was where does Test match cricket stand in the women’s game? The only two teams that play in that format are England and Australia. The multi-format Ashes places a lot on the Test match and with no first-class cricket for women outside this series it will be difficult to expand.

As it stands England and Australia are the only two countries just now that can do anything to change that. It will take effort and a change of mind from the national boards. If you asked any international player or domestic for that matter, they want the opportunity.

Day 18: Singh on Song

During Ireland’s ODI series against England in the summer, it was the new generation of players propelling them forward. Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher all showed early promise. Along with Simi Singh, they were at the core of Ireland’s revival today.

Ireland’s experience top order fell early leaving UAE in the ascendancy when Andy Balbirnie was the third wicket to fall with the score on 10. Having spent some time in Abu Dhabi with little to do after the cancellation of two of the four ODIs, Ireland could be forgiven for a sluggish start.

For Ireland to win by 112 runs was down mainly to the efforts of Singh. The all-rounder first weighed in with 54 not out from 57 balls, to propel Ireland to 228 for 6.

It was hos bowling that stole the show as he returned figures of 5 for 10 to leave UAE all out for 116. It was the sort of game that Ireland needed going into their series with Afghanistan.

England look forward to Friday

England won by seven wickets in the end against Sri Lanka. Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence ensured England finished the game without any more scares. 

What will be interesting is how England will line-up on Friday for the second Test. The batting line-up will stay the same, but the bowlers used won’t be. With the India series so close and the workload over the next twelve months, England will look to rotate their pace bowlers.

Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Sam Curran you think will be rotated. Dom Bess and Jack Leach will continue as the main spinners and expectations will be on them to have found a groove and bowl England to victory. You would expect Moeen Ali not to be risked.

Day 17: Left-arm spin is best

Many people can say they have legitimate grounds for say 2020 wasn’t a good year for them. Jack Leach is up there. Recovering from Sepsis during the New Zealand Tour at the end of 2019 was not a great start. Add to that 2020 where he hardly turned his arm over, and you know just how important his international comeback in Sri Lanka was, not only to him but England.

Leach doesn’t strike you as someone happy to get on with the job at hand, the quiet man that will win you games without any fuss. The one not out at Headingley his stand out batting performance. Who remembers his night-watchman innings against Ireland?

England’s spinners came into the first Test undercooked, that is for sure. As mentioned before England’s bowlers will need to be on it in the next couple of months. For Leach and Dom Bess to both take five-fors in the match is a promising sign.

Neither bowled at their best and England thanks in part to a dodgy start by Sri Lanka, and a double century from Joe Root, England were always in a strong position to win.

Sri Lanka improved significantly second-time-around, and that gave Leach and Bess to bowl themselves into a rhythm. Bess took eight wickets in the game, yet Leach proved his reliability in the second innings. Teams need to have a bowler who can move the ball away from right-handed batsmen. Leach eventually found the right line and length. You would expect that to happen with the best part of 42 overs under his belt in the second innings.

One thing for sure is that it is never easy to bat fourth in Sri Lanka and teams have been undone chasing low totals. England did their best to prove this; Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley went cheaply to the impressive Lasith Embuldeniya. Root followed soon after to a single that was never there.

England looked nervy on 14 for three, and when Jonny Bairstow tried to run himself out next ball, Sri Lanka suddenly looked to have a grip on the game.  

No more wickets fell before bad light ended the days play with England 36 short of the win. Tomorrow will be a good indicator of Dan Lawerence’s temperament in ensuring those runs get chalked off with little fuss.

Tomorrow Ireland will resume their ODI series with UAE as they play their second and final game. Later in the week, they will take on Afghanistan in a series with World Cup qualifying points on the line.

Day 16: Spin it to win it

Is it possible for a spinner to find the rhythm they need in just a day of match practice? The answer is usually no. However good the conditions. It would never be easy for Jack Leach and Dom Bess. Leach hasn't played much cricket in the last 12 months, and Bess has been under scrutiny during the same time despite five wickets in the first innings. Bess has the credit of an impressive tour of South Africa in the bank, and Leach deserves his chance.

It was also inevitable that Sri Lanka would bat better second time around. England are still on top of course, and with two days to go, it won't be easy. More formidable challenges await in India, but there is no expectation that the rest of the Test series with Sri Lanka won't be tricky. How England respond will be interesting. Of course, this isn't a full-strength England side. Ben Stokes, Rory Burns and Jofra Archer aren't in Galle. James Anderson is having his workload managed. It is a long year of Test cricket for England as ever the build-up is to the Ashes next winter.

With the first two days' efforts, expectations are high with Sri Lanka well beaten in South Africa recently that could have given the position they would roll over. The first innings did little to dispel that.

What England need over the next seven days cricket is to find a way of winning. There is enough promise there, and one disappointing day doesn't make a Test year.

Ireland play

Ireland finally managed to play some cricket today. It wasn't the planned ODI against UAE, but instead, Afghanistan stepped into the breach as the two sides ramp up preparation for the series between the two sides. Ireland lost by 23 runs, but the majority of the squad took part.

South Africa let Luus

South Africa announced its women's squad to face Pakistan. Without the services of Dane van Niekerk, Sune Luus will lead the Proteas.

Pakistan's new coach David Hemp will be hoping to see his side beat a well organised South Africa team.

Make or break day

Australia will be kicking themselves that they failed to reach 400 in the fourth Test at The Gabba. Tim Paine needed to bat well, talk that his place was under pressure not just as captain, but also behind the stumps.

Australia will have to bowl well in the first session. If there was ever a day was made for Cheteswar Pujara to bat all day, then this is.

Day 15: Root Master

 Had five of the first team dropped out at the last minute, I would have played against a young upstart from the Yorkshire Academy by the name of Joe Root. His off-spin caused my clubmates more trouble that day than his batting; our leg-spinner had him caught behind by a wicket-keeper who couldn't catch a cold.

You could tell there was something special about him. The same could be said when Root scored his first century for Yorkshire at Scarborough against Sussex.

A quiet confidence that suggested greater things. It was inevitable that Root would play for England, and the only debate was where he would rank along with the best. International rivals have burst through the stratosphere such as Kane Williamson and Virat Kholi, but don't bet against Root catching them up.

His Test average is still very good, but the expectation of turning a bucket load of fifties into big tons is as crushing as it is willed.

The way that his bowlers and Sri Lanka's batsman turned the first Test clearly in England's favour took the pressure off Root who was able to ease his way into the series. Batting alongside Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow on the first evening must have been pleasing for him.

To bring along a debutant to an assured debut knock of 73 for Dan Lawrence would be rewarding. But leading from the front with an unbeaten 168 not out with room to add was not just pleasing to himself but everyone in the England dressing room.

England goes into day three 185 runs ahead, and Root will resume with Jos Buttler. The aim to put England out of sight. Sri Lanka cannot (you would imagine) bat as poorly second time around and England will be wary of being set a small but tricky target on a well-worn pitch.

India keep Australia guessing

A Marcus Labuschange century should have been enough to put Australia out in front of a battle-weary India. But India keeps on chipping away at an Australia side whose batting has never found more than one or two batsmen willing to stand up and ensure that Australia secures the series.

India's bizarre collapse in the first Test to subside to 36 all out may not have been the only time Australia looked on top, but it was the only time they made India pay.

They battered and bruised India, they sledged to an inch of the line, or just over. India shorn of their big-name big-time players still came back for more. Even if Australia win this Test, then India will come out of it with a lot of credit.

The upcoming series between England and India looks set to be an intriguing one.

Day 14: Busy day for both England teams

There was always an expectation that England’s women would be travelling to New Zealand about now. It should, of course, have been for a 50 over World Cup. World events put an end to that, but they were able to organise a tour that includes three ODIs and Three T20s against their hosts.

Also announced were the players that will represent England. The headline news being Anya Shrubsole will miss the tour through injury.

There are also recalls for Tash Farrant and Georgia Elwiss. Farrant has been unfortunate not to represent England more. With limited playing time, she eventually lost her central contract.

Farrant went back to the domestic game and was rewarded with a professional contract and the captaincy with South East Stars.  It does give hope to players outside of the core group of contracted players. With Katie George injured, it means Farrant will be the left-arm seam option.

What is rather ominous for England is the form of Sophie Divine. Only hours before England’s squad was announced raced to a 36-ball hundred in the Super Smash.

 Simply the Bess

Dom Bess put a disappointing summer behind him as England’s men got off to a brilliant start to their tour of Sri Lanka. Having won the toss, Sri Lanka chose to bat first. Bess was the first to say that he has, and will bowl better as he finished the day with figures of 5 for 30. it was just the sort of performance that could prove his worth to the team and help him kick on.

Sri Lanka’s batsman found inventive ways to get out; it will be one of Bess’s easiest five fer. Much was placed on Bess being in the team. England have shown faith, and today he helped England into a strong position.

It was never going to be the case that England would play both James Anderson and Stuart Broad in this test. Broad got the nod, and it paid off, his 3 for 20 being his best in Sri Lanka.

Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root shared an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 110. With England due to bat last on a pitch that is already spinning the expectation will be to bat all day tomorrow. If they do that there is a good job that they won’t have to bat again.

Day 13: Why I write

With it looking increasingly likely that travel will have to be kept local, what options does that leave someone who wants to write about cricket?

The standard of games streamed last year improved dramatically. It does make it easier in some regards. The thought of eating Pringles all-day while in the comfort of your own home is appealing.

You can’t see if the fast bowler is brooding at fine leg or if there has been a change in the deep. Even in an empty stadium, there is nothing like being there. I was fortunate enough to cover some games from the ground in 2020. The reassuring walk towards Trent Bridge was comforting.

I missed my trip to Worcester, a ground I have always tried to visit every year for as long as I can remember.

When covering the women’s game, my aim has always to try and be fair to every team. To say that you don’t have favourites would be lying. Since I started writing about the women’s domestic game geography has been the main factor in this. I don’t make any money doing this. Therefore there are budget factors, and scheduling one as well.

With reduced public transport the only teams viable to cover were Lightning and Central Sparks. Northern Diamonds and Thunder were just out of reach. I still got to watch in person all the teams from the northern group.

The teams in the midlands I have grown fond of. I have been able to report on games involving Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. I have become familiar with the players involved and have always looked forward to attending their fixtures.

Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire have played some close games over the past few seasons and no more dramatic that the tie between the two in 2018. It was Warwickshire’s second tie of the season.

The Kia Super League was a window on what it would be like to have a professional set up and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy continued that good work. The passion not just from the players but those around them has been awesome. Its future incarnations and the advent of the Hundred have shown that the future of women’s cricket in England is in decent shape.

 I have made friends and met interesting people during this time and my wish is to meet up with them again and continue making sure that the world knows about these wonderful people.

Day 12: You may say I'm a dreamer

 

With the start of the County Championship fast approaching on the horizon there is still an element of doubt about how things will play out. I thought I would write about how I would love the season to unfold.

Today LV= was named the new sponsor of the County Championship; while they were sponsors as recently as 2015, it brings back memories that I will write about closer to things kicking off or during gaps in the schedule.

I guess the first thing that would need to happen is Covid-19 miraculously disappears and in its place at the start of April are clear spring days where the sun shines between 10 am and 7 pm while showers reserve themselves for the nighttime hours.

With it comes seriously competitive red-ball cricket. There is help for the bowler early, once the batsmen have their eye in the runs start to flow.

I have yet to visit the county headquarters are Taunton and Sophia Gardens; I would love to complete the set,

There is the Women’s County T20 Cup—packed days of T20 cricket, making some interesting journeys on public transport to get there in time for the first ball. The planning takes as long as the trip.

It will be good to see friendly faces. They will be there to cheer on friends and family, and it will make all the hard work worth it. Please let Nottinghamshire’s fixtures be at Welbeck. It is on the cusp of walking distance.

The action is now in full flow, and places for England and the regional teams are debated. Central Sparks and Lightning the two Midlands sides will now be on my radar. Or is there a trip further afield to Yorkshire or Lancashire?  

The Hundred for me will focus on the women’s competition which will feature domestic women’s cricket on terrestrial television for the first time. Even if the format doesn’t fit right to me, I will give my support to the players.

Where I want to be at the end of August is in Scotland. Trying to qualify for the T20 World cup will be hosts Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Turkey.

Back in men’s cricket, Sussex makes a clean sweep and England have a successful international summer.

These are usually flights of fancy in normal times, this year who knows.

Day 11: Test cricket is the winner but with reservations

The real joy of Test cricket is two teams throwing everything they have got over five days. If done correctly, the victory will be cricket. It felt like that with the third Test between Australia and India. That isn’t to say that there weren’t ugly scenes.

Australia’s will to win nudged the line of the spirit of cricket. Much is made of the phrase. There have been teams and players that have ignored it over the history of the game. Tim Paine felt the pressure today. His spell as Australian captain came out of a time of crisis in the very fabric of how Australia pushes those boundaries.

The will to win does funny things to players, and the spotlight has never shone so brightly on Paine. He spilt three chances that could have wrapped up the game for his side. 

Rishabh Pant threatened to take a game away from Australia with an innings that started with short-pitched bowling. The Australias sensed their chance; Pant was not fully fit and was not done yet. He dug in and changed the momentum. Suddenly Australia were on the back foot. A battered India started to look towards the impossible. Could they win it? It was possible and had Pant breezed past his century anything was possible.

In the end, India knew that a false move could seel their demise and stoically batted out the day. They gave chances, and as Australia did at Headingley in 2019, they let their tempers get the better of them. Mistakes were inevitable; how Australia did not win will be debated for a long time. While in India, this will go down as a moment to celebrate.

Ireland wait on in the sun

Ireland will have to wait for their next ODI a little longer as their game against UAE was suspended as four more players tested positive for Covid-19. It will be little consolation for Ireland to train in the sun of Abu Dhabi, but they will be looking for any little victory.

Finally some Women's International cricket to look forward to

Pakistan’s women have left for their tour of South Africa. With the three ODIs and three T20s to occur in Durban, both teams will be without star players. Dane van Niekerk and Chloe Tryon miss out for the hosts due to injury while Pakistan are without Bismah Maroof who withdrew from the squad for family reasons.

Day ten: Double figures

 It would appear that by the time I wake-up in the morning, Australia should have secured victory against India in the third Test at Sydney. How comfortable it remains to be seen. Pujara could put in a block fest for the ages.

I didn't see much of yesterdays play—the dangers of time zones and weary eyes. So I won't pretend I saw most of it. Had injuries not hampered India then this clash may have been closer, but you can not take anything from Australia's bowling attack and having batsman find form at the right time. Australia is a difficult place to win, let alone under covid restrictions.

Selection Dilemmas

In the leadup to a series, speculation of who will start intensifies. That has been the case for England for a while now. The 2005 Ashes-winning team just about picked itself. Only Kevin Pietersen was unsure of his place at the start; not at the end.

There are places up for grabs all through the team, and you can virtually guarantee that the side that starts this week won't be the team that finishes the English summer. Some of that will be due to the need to rotate players. Then the players need to have some time out of the spotlight and the restrictions of bubbles.

Europen Cricket 

While it is not until the end of the summer, I am intrigued by the European teams trying to qualify for the next women's t20 World Cup. Scotland host and teams from Ireland, Turkey, Germany and France, will be there. I would love to be there, too early to plan just yet, but I think it is essential to promote these teams. I should try and get some interviews. If you have any preferences, please let me know.

Cricket Book Club

I'm looking forward to the Opening Up Cricket Book Club this Friday. The book that will be discussed is On Fire by Ben Stokes. It is something I have meant to read for a while. Now there is some distance between the book's events; it will be good to read with fresh eyes.

day nine: Australia take charge

 

Another intriguing day in the third test at Sydney as Australia took patience to Cheteshwar Pujara levels. There is an extent to which you want players to bat all day, but you want them to contribute to scoring runs as well.

One of the downfalls for Joe Denley wasn’t that he didn’t see out important passages of play for England. It was that he wasn’t backing it up with a volume of runs that would have put his team in strong contention. There is no danger of Pujara being catapulted from the India side. There were one or two that wish he would get more of a move on some days. If India had come away from the days play with a lead grinding the Australian attack into the ground, he would be celebrated.

Although Matthew Wade at short-leg would have been whishing for go-go gadget hands, Australia waited for their chances as two potential catches fell agonising away from his grasp.

A series of run-outs took momentum Australia’s way. The first a swooping effort from Josh Hazlewood; barely had the ball hit the palm of his hands than it had rearranged the stumps before Hazlewood or Hanuma Vihari were grounded.

Australia found regular wickets which included two more run outs. Now Australia were in the driving seat, and Marcu Labuchange and Steve Smith were unbeaten at the close of play. It looks ominous for the Indians with their hosts 197 runs in front and two days left to go.

No room

The day was marred somewhat not by the action on the field but events off it. Two Indian players reported racist abuse aimed at them from the crowd. That is clearly out of order. With only a limited number of spectators granted access to the ground, it is not only stupid but unacceptable.

Ireland's second international postponed

Ireland’s second ODI against UAE has been postponed and will be played on Saturday instead. Alishan Sharafu has tested positive for COVID-19. It is the third case within the UAE squad. With the Afghanistan series already pushed back, the game was able to be rescheduled.

Women's game in safe hands in Brazil

There was some talk about how cricket might be ready for the Olympics. That is a long shot still but with the Commonwealth Games including it at Birmingham 2022 who knows. Olympic cricket would need more teams from all over the world to be competitive. So it was interesting to read Hannah Thompson’s interview with Brazil captain Roberta Moretti Avery for the Emerging Cricket website. Here is a link https://emergingcricket.com/insight/brazil-womens-captain-roberta-moretti-avery-on-life-as-a-professional-cricketer/ it is an interesting read.

Day eight: the action does the talking

Just when it looked like it would be a day that would belong to Steve Smith, India fought back hard. With the odd bit of brilliance from Ravi Jadeja honours were in the balance.

Smith certainly enjoys batting against India, the first two tests feeling like a blip Smith added to his previous seven centuries against his current opponents.

Australia should have passed 400 with ease. Although as we have seen with this current incarnation of Australia that is not how they roll. Matthew Wade may find himself the fall guy in this innings as rashly charged Jadeja. Wade was scoring quickly and while it made some sense to keep going the new ball was in sight. His dismissal changed the narrative, and India suddenly seized their chance.

Even the best bowling attack in the world needs their batsmen to pile on the runs. There are only so many times you can bowl your team out of trouble. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma helped India to a decent start, and after both were back in the pavilion with the score on 85, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane dropped anchor.

India ended the day on 96 for 2, 242 runs behind. It sets up day three to be another cracker of a day.

Ireland lose despite Stirling display

Ireland started their tour of UAE today. It didn’t end well as the Irish fell to a six-wicket defeat to their Abu Dhabi hosts.

Paul Stirling with 131 and Andy Balbirnie 53 scored the baulk of Ireland’s runs, but they were outdone by Chundangapoyil Rizwan 109 and Muhammad Usman 102 not out as UAE reached their target of 270 with an over to spare.

It is not an ideal start from Ireland with a potentially more formidable task in Afghanistan to come after their current four-match series. It is good to see the associate nations take on full ICC members and win in terms of the world game. It was what Ireland were doing until recently and their elevation in status.

England start to warm-up

England’s players took to the field for the first time on their tour of Sri Lanka in an intra-squad game. What is evident is that some players have some work to do.

A player who performed well with the bat was Joe Root with 74 not out. Dan Lawerence and Zak Crawley also picked up useful runs.

Ollie Robinson who is looking to make his test debut returned figures of 2 for 15. With an exhaustive number of tests ahead, Robinson’s best chance of starting is now.

day seven: debuts and tour announcements

Today, the ECB announced that England's women will be touring Pakistan this October; playing two T20 doubleheaders followed by three ODIs. It is a significant step forward for not just England and Pakistan but women's international cricket. With India reluctant to travel and other women's series cancelled, it is to England's credit to make such a positive approach.

It will be England women's first visit to Pakistan. This is a step forward in improving the standard of the top nations in the women's game. There must be ten or more international sides that are capable of beating each other. There is a danger that the top three or four teams pulling away and not taking the other teams with them. There should be an expectation when you turn up to a ground that either team has a chance of winning.

David Hemp, the Pakistan coach, has been in charge since October and is an outstanding coach. If there is anyone that can un-tap some of the undoubted talents that Pakistan possesses he is it.

long-awaited debut

There is always excitement around a debut, at Sydney, for the third test between Australia and India, there was a good reason. Clair Polosak became the first woman to officiate in a men's test match. At 32, that is an impressive feat. Polosak, who has proven to be a remarkable umpire, is on fourth umpire duties.

Another debut

Othe other anticipated debut was Will Pucovski, an opening batsman who has proven his hunger for runs in the Sheffield Shield. It is difficult to judge a player on the half an hour I saw of him. The day job gets in the way of pulling an all-nighter. He did look He will be around for a while.

Pucovski didn't look phased, left well and appeared to be a good foil for David Warner. On the other hand, Warner was a little too eager to make his mark on the series. He isn't fully fit but an hour of Warner batting usually puts you in the driving seat.

Australia survived the early loss of Warner for five, and Pucovski and Marcus Labuschange shared a partnership of 100. Pucovski had survived two dropped catches to score 62. Labuschange is 67 not out overnight. Steve Smith also looked in that type of form that he wants to score and score heavily. Day two should prove another fascinating day of test cricket.

Day six: getting ready for action

Finally, events in Sri Lanka have started to turn towards the cricket. The covid tests have come back negative, and the business of winning a series is underway. It has been a bizarre year, and once again we have player relieved to be training.

The early talk has been that Zak Crawley will be moved up a place in the order in the absence of Rory Burns. Crawley who played his breakthrough innings of 267 against Pakistan last time out.

It is an excellent place for Crawley to be in and in interviews today; he is well aware that it is time to build on his good form. Things change in international quickly and can be unforgiving, just ask Gary Ballance and even Rob Key.

That, of course, opens up the number three spot. The obvious choice would be Dan Lawrence, the Essex batsman. Lawrence returned from a successful Lions tour to Australia just as the pandemic came along at the worst possible moment for the right-handed batsman. Don't bet against him taking his opportunity. With the ability to bowl some off-spin, he might just come in handy.

Australia v India

The third test between Australia and India starts tonight in Sydney. With each team winning a test each dominantly this test will be intriguing.

David Warner is back from injury, and Will Pucovski is expected to make his test debut. Another young player who started the Sheffield Shield with a stack of runs; his progress will be monitored closely.

One thing for sure is Australia's batsmen will need to perform. The tensions between the two teams reportedly quite high seem just the battle that will bring out the old Australian stubbornness and will to win. Either way, it will make for exciting viewing.

Day five: things to ponder

 

There will be a moment of the tour when we can concentrate on the cricket. Even without players having to isolate, there are still selection dilemmas. Sri Lanka and India are different prospects away from home than Pakistan and West Indies on home soil.

Individual players came out of the summers tests with credit; Zak Crawley among them. Areas where England are still looking for a player to step up and make that role their own is in the spinning department. Ideally, England would hope to have an in-form Moeen Ali with both bat and ball. That will be touch and go at least for the first test.

Dom Bess was in pole position over the summer, if he can hold onto his place going into the English season remains to be seen. His willingness to get better and improve, go in his favour. Will England prefer him to get some overs under his belt with Yorkshire? To an extent, I hope so. Then again, that also depends on the form of the other spinners.

Ireland ready to get stuck in

Ireland’s first fixtures of the year start this weekend with a series against UAE followed shortly after Afghanistan. The latter series has the added pressure of world cup qualification points on the line.

Ireland managed an ODI win against a much-changed England side in September and will be looking to build on that result.

Afghanistan has three players currently playing in the Big Bash; Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have been important players for their country and Noor Ahmad who is highly rated.

Delay to WNCL

The start of the WNCL has been pushed back it has been announced. It was always going to be challenging to keep to the original schedule with travel restrictions between states. Hopefully, there isn’t any more need to adjust things. While Australia will be confident they have plenty of depth going into next years 50 over world cup, there is always a chance that a fringe player makes it into that final squad.

Interview shortlist

 I’m going to try and arrange some interviews over the next few weeks. Is there anyone who you think would be good to hear? Someone who has an excellent story to tell? Or you are intrigued how they are planning for the coming season? Let me know, and I will see what I can do.

Day four: Covid strikes back

Organising international cricket amid a global pandemic is never going to be easy. The logistics are phenomenal. In a world where we strive for certainties, the uncertainness of it all is worrying.

The isolation and secure biosecurity-bubbles can't be good long term for players or administrators. England ended their tour of South Africa early before Christmas. Understandably precautions need to be taken. Cricket doesn't make the world go around – but it helps.

England has done well to have had very few cases of Covid-19 among their ranks. Before today's announcement, I can only think of Sarah Glenn that has had the illness among England's number.

It can't be easy for many in the squad in Sri Lanka after Moeen Ali tested positive. If there is a player who has a chance of playing a large portion of England's marathon schedule this year an inform Ali would be one of those who would be in with a chance.

It isn't the start that England would have imagined, but there is no doubting the players' resilience on tour.

Williamson continues to show class

In the tests underway, there is no stopping Kane Williamson. The New Zealand captain is in a rich vein of form. For the third test in succession, he has scored a hundred. One of those is a double century and resumes on 112 not out on day three.

Sri Lanka will be looking to set South Africa a tricky target when they resume tomorrow with Dimuth Karunaratne 91 not out. It will be difficult for Sri Lanka, and South Africa are still in a prime position to win.

Ian Salisbury

When Jason Gillespie announced his decision to leave his position as Sussex coach, I had some thoughts on who I would like to replace him. In the end, Sussex chose Ian Salisbury and James Kirtley to take over in the different formats.

Both Sailsbury and Kirtley were a big part of the Sussex sides I fell in love with when I was younger. Salisbury moved on within a couple of years of my regular trips to Hove. Kirtley would write himself into a rich seam of history for the county.

It was with interest that I read an interview in The Times by Elizabeth Amon with Salisbury. He talks about his passion for the county and what kind of coach he has become. I was impressed. He is precisely the type of person I want to be in charge of Sussex.

My wish list for a new coach was someone that had a history with the county and someone that looks to get the best out of players. Sussex have that now, and I am looking forward to how things work out.

Bowled her!

The Cricketer Twitter account asked which one wicket you would watch on repeat for the rest of your life?

I'm tempted to say Simon Jones bowling Michael Clarke during the 2005 Ashes. There can only be one winner, and that is Anya Shrubsole's winning wicket in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord's. I was at the ground when that moment happened. The sense of joy and relief was overwhelming. Also what an occasion to introduce your niece to Lord's.

 

Day Three: some opinions

why I prefer WBBL

Having watched my fair share of WBBL games over the last few years, you would have thought it would be easy to transfer over to the Men’s Big Bash. I struggled, however, when the two competitions were played side by side. The women’s game took place first, and getting up at two in the morning would mean by the time the men’s games kicked off, I required a snooze.

With that barrier out of the way, it should have been easier. For instance, a game between Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers should have been a good game to watch for today. There were familiar faces in Phil Salt, Rashid Khan, Alex Carey, and Danny Briggs in the Strikers team. All have pulled on the Sussex Sharks shirt; they were the obvious team to watch. But I wanted to see Suzie Bates, Tahlia McGrath Alex Price, Megan Schutt and Laura Wolvaardt in action.

Keeping women's international cricket at the forefront

It was a shame when the women’s series between Australia and India was postponed. India’s women seem to be on the raw end of several decisions from the BCCI. What is good to hear is that the series between South Africa and Pakistan are still set to go ahead. Neither side has been in action since last March. South Africa nearly visited England last summer, but it eventually fell through. Women’s international cricket mustn’t be an afterthought for the national boards and the ICC.

Men's cricket is important too!

It is good to see Test cricket taking place in New Zealand and South Africa.

New Zealand dismissed Pakistan for 297 by the close of play. Azhar Ali top-scoring with 93 for the visitors. Kyle Jamieson continues his impressive start to test cricket with figures of 5 for 69.

In Johannesburg at The Wanders, South Africa dismissed Sri Lanka for 157 and by the close were just 9 runs in arrears with Dean Elgar on 92 not out overnight. Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa picking up figures of 6 for 56.

A good read

Over the Christmas holidays, I have taken the opportunity to catch up on some reading. I finished Luke Fletcher’s Tales from the Front Line in fewer than 24 hours. As you would expect, it was an enjoyable read. Also among the Christmas reading was Fletcher’s Nottinghamshire teammate James Taylor Cut Short was an honest detailing of how Taylor dealt with the events that lead to his retirement.

Moeen by Moeen Ali was another interesting read. There aren’t many players in the England set-up with his background.

I quite often read more than one book at any given time so I am currently reading Steve Smith’s Men by Geoff Lemon and The Test by Simon Jones.

I have a big stack of cricket books by the side of my bed and am making good headway through them. That isn’t to say that I am not looking for recommendations. 

Day two: looking forward to the action

2 January 2021

As England depart for Sri Lanka, it would be quite possible for the Twitter accounts of some counties to post images of their respective headquarters clad in snow. While in previous years the welcome relief of those in the touring party to escape the cold climate for warmer pastures would be welcome.

These as different times, with bubbles and quarantine, what welcomes England’s is far from the usual trip to distant shores. England taking a full-time therapist with them for the first time on tour is not just sensible but essential.

Already confirmed is that Jos Buttler will start with the gloves in the tests against Sri Lanka, which when you consider Buttler is an essential player across all formats seems an opportunity wasted to give someone the likes of Ben Foakes a spell behind the stumps. What is sure though, as last year there will be a few players in contention for places.

It would be interesting to see the likes of Ollie Robinson to prove they can perform on the big stage. Robinson is a player who I have admired for a while. You can be sure that his name will pop up over the next year.

New Zealand v Pakistan

Of course, there is test cricket going on all over the place, and nowhere looks cooler to watch it from Hagley Oval where New Zealand take on Pakistan in the second test of their series.

Much has been made of how New Zealand has handled the pandemic. There is also much to admire in the way they play their cricket.

WNCL

There are some concerns about the start of the new WNCL season, scheduled to begin in the next couple of weeks. With some state borders likely to be closed. With schedulers nervously pencilling fixtures in it would be unfortunate if plans for this competition were needed.

The standard is incredibly high, and with a 50 over World Cup a year away, it may be the final chance for some players to convince the selectors they deserve to cross the Tasman Sea and pull on the green and gold.

Early Morning Radio

It was good to hear Kathryn Bryce interviewed for the BBC Stumped radio programme. Even if it was nearly three in the morning when it was broadcast in the UK. The Scotland and Lightning captain recently picked up the ICC award for Women’s Associate Player of the Decade. An award she rightly deserved.