Original and always best

It's easy to be swept away by the whirlwind that is Twenty20 cricket. The game is explosive, only takes a couple of hours and is, lets be honest, wall-to-wall entertainment. Spectators pay good money just to see players such as Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Brendan McCullum and David Warner bludgeon six after six while shattering the confidence of the medium pacer at the other end.

Cricket has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent times, but three players in particular are trying their hardest to make sure that cricket is still being celebrated for it's genius on the field...in all its, dare I say, old-fashioned glory.

The trio I'm talking about are Hashim Amla, Michael Clarke and Alastair Cook.

These three are players that I would call "proper test match cricketers". They all play the game in its pure form and show that you don't have to slog a quick 60 to excite and enthuse fans.

Hashim Amla

It's an extremely difficult task to shine in a team that is the number one test team in the world, but Hashim Amla does, and beautifully so. When you consider that other batsman in the South African top order include Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers, it makes Amla's dominance even more impressive. His effortless technique and calm aura is something to behold when combined with his ruthless demolition of the best bowling attacks around the world. He has scored 5,088 runs in his 63 test matches to date, at an average of 50.37, including 17 hundreds and 23 fifties. The highlight being his 311* against England at the Oval this summer, making him the first South African in test history to score a treble-hundred. Even as an England fan, it was a joy to watch. But that is what Amla possesses, a certain likeability. If you like your cricket, you like watching Hashim Amla bat and you're in luck because he enjoys a long stay at the crease.

Michael Clarke

We've heard of the 'Captain's Curse' before, but Michael Clarke has taken that, turned it into a half-volley, and dispatched it all around the park. After the ego-shattering 3-1 Ashes loss at home in 2010/11, the Australian test team was left in disarray. Matters declined further when Ricky Ponting resigned as skipper and it looked like it would take this great cricket-loving nation a while to get back to where they're used to being. Enter Michael Clarke. I don't think his tactical game is anything out of the ordinary as captain, but the one thing he does better than anyone, is lead by example. His career stats measure up at 6,356 runs in 84 tests to date at 50.84, but it's his form as captain that is most impressive. He caressed his way into the record books in Adelaide by becoming the first player to score 4 double-hundreds in a calendar year, surpassing the great Don Bradman's record in the 1930 tour of England. If you ripped out the middle pages of the textbook, you'd find Michael Clarke.

Alastair Cook

Simple, determined and, above all, effective. Certain players in world cricket bring the x-factor to the game by playing flamboyant shots and wowing spectators in the process; Alastair Cook isn't pretty to watch, but he gets the job done. A proper test cricketer who digs in, knows his game and plays to his strengths to unerring perfection. He is in the mould of former England opening batsmen such as Michael Atherton and Geoffrey Boycott; perhaps not the most naturally gifted, but makes up for that with grit, concentration and bloody mindedness. England have a true team player at the helm now, who will go about his job in a workman-like manner; perhaps a few could learn from his approach to the game. 6,772 runs in 84 tests to date at 48.71. Holds the world record for the most time spent batting during a test series (36 hours, Ashes 2010/11, 766 runs), only English test player to score 1,000 runs in their début year, youngest English cricketer to reach 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 test runs, second in the list of total hundreds for England in test cricket (21)...and he's only 27 years-old. If he carries on in this vein (his recent rearguard 178 in India suggests he will) then he will break every batting record going for his country.

As a purist, these three players give me hope that the rise of the Twenty20 era is not changing the way players play the game and that test cricket is still regarded as the pinnacle of the sport.

England in a Spin...Part II

During the T20 World Cup in September, I expressed my worry (as a fan) regarding England's inability to play spin; but even the most dedicated supporter would have to agree that the last 18 overs of the second day of the first test in Ahmedabad was simply unacceptable.

Fans all over the UK set their alarms at 3.50am on Thursday morning, made a cup of tea and settled in front of the TV in anticipation of the start of a evenly-matched test series against India. By tea on the first day however, doubts would have been setting in as to whether this series would be as evenly-matched as expected; but by stumps on the second day, their fears were confirmed...this series has the potential to be extremely one-sided.

Why? To quote myself from a previous post; "England cannot play spin". But this isn't the only reason why England are struggling in the sub-continent, the other reason is poor selection choices.

From bad to worse
It started badly for England. The toss in India is key, and unfortunately, Alastair Cook called wrong and Mahendra Singh Dhoni had no hesitation in electing to bat on what can only be described as an absolute feather-bed.

Things got worse when the team sheet was announced. One specialist spinner and three-seamers. In India? I cannot hide my frustration here. Graham Gooch and Andrew Flower are experienced, skilled and intelligent batsmen, surely they know there is only one type bowling that is effective in the sub-continent. When you tour abroad, the first thing you do is look at how the opposition go about their cricket at home. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all play a minimum of three spinners and, at most, two seamers. This is no coincidence. Wickets in this part of the world offer nothing to the seamer; no conventional swing, no reverse swing, no seam, no pace, no carry. Spinners prevail and there is no better example than India's first innings scorecard in this test:

7 of the 8 wickets fell to "spin". I put spin in inverted commas because Patel and Pietersen are part-timers at best. However, take  nothing away from Graeme Swann's efforts, he bowled beautifully and perhaps deserved more than his 5-fer.

My view: play Panesar. I think everyone is in agreement there. But Bresnan has to make way. He simply offers nothing in these conditions. Sehwag hitting him for six back over his head in the first morning of a test series just shouldn't happen. The fact that there were 68 overs between his spells is a clear message that Alastair Cook admits the wrong decision was made at selection. You need added extras as a seam bowler to be effective in India; namely height and pace or guile. Broad and Anderson have this, as does Finn, Bresnan does not.

Poor batting
There's poor batting, then there's the 18 overs that occurred on Friday evening. Nick Compton on début looked solid and untroubled until he got a jaffa from Ashwin. That would have bowled many a more experienced batsman. Trott shouldn't have been allowed to opt for a nightwatchman with 20 minutes left to bat, he sent James Anderson to certain death. But the reason for his decision became apparent when he strode out at number 4, then quickly back to the shed again; all at sea, England 40-3 after chasing leather for 160 overs and over 5 sessions. Stark contrast to the ease of accumulation showed by Pujara, Sehwag and Yuvraj. The English batsmen had the best view in the house when watching how to bat in India, there are no excuses.

In  my opinion, their mind-set was wrong. If you bat not to get out, only one thing will happen; you'll get out! As hard as it might be, you need to forget the situation and play each ball on its merit. We've all heard it before, it's basics of cricket. Sadly the England batsmen even failed at that, a desperate effort from the visitors.

The optimist in me would say that Cook looked untroubled and can grind out an innings better than anyone in the team; Pietersen's best innings' come when he has a point to prove; Bell is England's best player of spin and Patel and Prior are in fine form so England will turn this around and bat long tomorrow. However, reality and experience tells me that England are really up against it here and have a real battle on their hands to avoid an innings defeat, let alone asking India to bat again.

A welcome luxury

The two key warm-up matches against India A and Mumbai A were designed for two things: to let the batsmen bat and the bowlers bowl.

So we find ourselves at the point where the next time that England take the field in a competitive sense, it will be in the first test of the four-match series against India in Ahmedabad. The question everyone is asking is; who will be in the England XI? Flower and Cook would have been hoping that the first two warm-up matches would have given them a better idea of the team they'll pick, but in my opinion, it has given them more of a headache than when they started.

Samit Patel did wonders in the warm-up games, scoring 104 and 60 and taking 5 wickets. You simply cannot drop him in this form. A good option at number 8 and a genuine spinning option; he must play for me.

As I see it, there are two key decisions; Morgan or Bairstow and Root or Compton?

Morgan or Bairstow?
Both middle-order batsmen, both inexperienced, both only played against Mumbai A, only one of them can bat at 6. They joined each other at the crease last week at 66-4; when Morgan fell for 76, the score was 222. Bairstow went on to make a brilliant 118. Neither player made this decision an easy one for captain and coach, but I'd opt for Bairstow. He has the ability to adapt his game to the situation and is tighter than Morgan early on in his innings. A real talent for the future and has earned his call-up. Morgan can feel extremely hard-done-by, but he'll be waiting if Bairstow fails and will have plenty more opportunities. My prediction is that Jonny Bairstow will come of age this series.

Root or Compton?
I alluded to this in my last blog, and it still hasn't been resolved! The 21-year-old or the 29 year-old? Debutants at 21 you think of Trescothick, Vaughan and Cook and what they went on to achieve. Then at 29 you think of Mike Hussey and Jonathan Trott, can England find another already established cricketer that is finally ready to step-up to the test arena? I'm going to put my current view across here, but my opinion on this changes like the wind! In the first test I'd go for Compton. I really like Joe Root and he has a very bright future as an England opener. So why go for Compton? There are two main reasons; firstly, India is a tough place to play and Compton's added experience is vital, and secondly, Cook will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders during that first test as captain and the last thing he wants to be doing is worrying about the guy at the other end. Usually, the latter would be a weak excuse, but in this case, there is precious little difference between Root and Compton, so it's a win-win really. I just fear that Cook might have one eye on the welfare of Root, rather than doing what is most important for him and the team, which is scoring runs.

For what it's worth, my team for the first test would read: Cook (c), Compton, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior (wk), Patel, Broad, Swann, Anderson.

With Finn's injury, claims could be made for Onions or Bresnan, but I feel that Anderson and Broad as the seamers, Swann and Patel as the spinners, and Trott and Pietersen as the part-timers gives England enough balance.

Steven Finn's injury is a massive blow for England, I genuinely believe that he would open the bowling for any other test nation, including South Africa. The sooner he's back taking the new ball for England, the better.

Claims for Onions, Bresnan, Panesar, Morgan and Root are all valid, which is why Flower and Cook have a good selection headache before the first test in 9 days time.

Who would your XI be?

Let's talk about Kevin

The dust has settled, conversations have taken place, compromises have been met, and the outcome is one that all England cricket fans should be happy with...Kevin Pietersen is, as I type, on his way to Mumbai.

Whatever your opinion on Kevin Pietersen, it's undeniable that above all, he is the most naturally gifted cricketer in the England side, possibly in the world. On ability he would comfortably walk into any team in the world in any format, and there is only a handful of current players you could say that about.

The news of KP's inclusion would have been music to one persons ears in particular. New captain Alastair Cook will be keen to make a winning impression stepping into the shoes of one of the most successful and popular England test captains of all time, and his task has been made much easier with Kevin Pietersen available for selection.

So how does Kevin help to balance England's team in India?

His experience is invaluable. Batting in India isn't for the faint hearted, the fans are passionate and create a cauldron in favour of the home team, one sign of vulnerability and you'll do well to reach double-figures. KP isn't exactly a stranger to batting in Indian conditions, but I won't go into that as I'm keen to keep this an IPL-free zone!

Batting at four, he is link between the top and middle orders, and that middle order is likely to be inexperienced consisting of names such as Morgan, Bairstow and Compton. Who better for those aspiring test cricketers to partner than one of the best players in the world?

Then there's his hidden weapon that is a captains go-to option; his off-spin. In India, this is likely to be extremely helpful for Cook when the seamers need a break from bowling with an orange in the extreme heat on a flat deck, a double-spinning option of Swann and Pietersen is a luxury for the new skipper. Without KP, a specialist spinner such as Panesar or Briggs would have to be considered, or alternatively an all-rounder like Patel, but a batsman won't need to be make way with KP in the fold.

One man gives this side a much more balanced look. Not forgetting the presence and 'fear-factor' that he brings. Kevin Pietersen is a match-winner, and every opposition knows it.

Like him or love him, it's great for cricket that Kevin Pietersen is playing in this series, because he is certainly box office and England are a stronger team with him at 4. He's a great advert for test cricket and I'm sure that the cricket-mad Indian fans are looking forward to watching him as much as the England ones. Let the series and the 4am starts begin!

End of the T20 road...

On Sunday evening, the sporting world witnessed one of the great comebacks it has ever seen. The grit and determination shown by the European golfers in Chicago was enough to stir the emotions of even the disinterested sport fans among us.

Approximately 9,000 miles away, in the remote setting of Pallekele in the Hill Country of Kandy, Sri Lanka, the England T20 team watched on, inspired, I'm sure, by the feat of these fellow sportsman. Yorkshire youngster Jonny Bairstow tweeted: "Great win for the Ryder Cup lads! Hopefully we will carry it on this evening". England beating the hosts to progress to the semi-finals was nothing in comparison to the heroics produced by Poulter and co.,but it made one believe. Unfortunately, all this fuelled us with was unfounded optimism.

If England fans let their head rule their heart, they would come to the conclusion that not only Sri Lanka are a more superior team, but also that it would have been almost embarrassing if England had somehow made it into the last four. As expected, the unerring precision of Mahela Jayawardene with the bat and Lasith Malinga with the ball was more than enough to facilitate England's undoing, whose naivety left them wanting not for the first time in this competition.

It still boggles me why England change their team so much for the T20 format. Why do they go for youth and inexperience? Surely, like any other format, you need a mixture of both experience and youth? Let's look at some of the other nations batsmen at the T20 World Cup, starting with South Africa. They include Kallis, Amla, De Villers, Duminy. India; Gambhir, Sehwag, Dhoni, Kohli. New Zealand; Guptill, McCullum, Taylor. Australia; Watson, Warner, Hussey. West Indies; Gayle, Samuels, Bravo.

Then you look at England; Kieswetter, Hales, Wright, Bairstow, Buttler. These names don't match up to any of the above. I'm not suggesting to pick Cook and Trott, there needs to be some aggression in the short format. But I can't help but think that Ian Bell and Matt Prior have been sat at home for the last fortnight, watching their country produce mediocre performance after mediocre performance, thinking "why on earth aren't I playing?" Matt Prior has Test and ODI strike-rates of 64.82 and 76.76 respectively, and Ian Bell returning 51.26 and 74.54 to boot, which clearly suggests they 'get on with it'.

So why are they left out of the short format? Any cricket watcher knows that the way both of these men bat would be extremely effective in T20 cricket, not to mention the added experience and balance it would bring to the England side.

Of course, there is the small matter of the best T20 batsman in the world being omitted for understandable reasons, but when he's back in the mix, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later, England all of a sudden look like a threat. A top six consisting of Bell, Pietersen and Prior is surely a must for England, in any format.

I'm a firm believer that good players are good players, in any form of the game. They will adapt to suit. Based on the batting line-ups of the rest of the nations in the tournament, they believe this, too. 

For what it's worth, my ideal T20 XI for England would be: Bell, Pietersen, Wright, Morgan, Prior, Bairstow, Patel, Broad, Swann, Finn, Dernbach.

Flower's selection decisions will have to wait though, because England are out and have a small matter of a Test Series in India to prepare for. A mouth-watering clash. Will Kevin Pietersen be on that plane?

Decisions, decisions

I feel as if I need to get this one out of the way; everyone is talking about it, and lots of different people have lots of different opinions, so here's mine...

England's greatest captain (in my humble opinion) shocked us all at the end of last month by stepping down from all forms of cricket for his country. He did it in exactly the same fashion in which he conducted his whole career; professionally, maturely and with dignity.

But this post isn't about Strauss' career or his decision to retire, but about the void he leaves and how England fill it.

The most important question is: who opens the batting in India with the new England Test captain, Alastair Cook? Do you promote Jonathan Trott from three, Ian Bell from 5, trust the weight of county runs in Nick Compton or throw in the fearless youth of Joe Root?

Let's start from the top. If you promote Trott, then who is dependable enough to stride out into the fray during the evening session, one down, against a world-class attack and a swinging ball, and be as unflappable as Trott? Currently, in my opinion, nobody. So we move onto Bell. Technically one of the best batsmen in the world and could undoubtedly bat anywhere in the top six. But his experience in the middle-order is invaluable. He adds a vitally important steady-hand to combat the exuberance of the likes of Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, James Taylor and Ravi Bopara. A middle order without him looks very fragile indeed. 20-2 could quickly become 50-5.

That leaves the two new boys, Root and Compton. The former is the only genuine opener of the two and certainly one for the future. But Nick Compton, at the age of 29, has earned his call-up and form would suggest you need look no further. But, perhaps there is a way you can find a spot for both of them in the line up?

An argument I've heard against selecting Root, is that it is a harsh baptism of fire against a strong Indian bowling-attack at home. A stadium fortress atmosphere Root certainly would not have combated before. But my argument is this: the last England opener to début in India was also aged 21, and he hasn't done too badly, has he?

England In A Spin...

Both teams had qualified for the 'Super 8' stage of the 2012 World T20 before they took to the field under the Colombo lights, but neither England or India were treating this one like a "dead-rubber".

The stage was set for these two heavyweights of the game to ignite the competition; unleashing fireworks and drama that the shortest form of the game offers in abundance. But one team didn't read the script.

England turned up to the Sri Lankan capital on Sunday night, but only in body, not spirit. The defending champions were made to look like a minnow by the heavily supported India, who crushed them with authority, ruthlessness and, above all, class.

So why did England fail so badly? There's only one answer...they cannot play spin.

Five of the top seven fell to spin. This stat would be frightening at the best of times, but a few added facts made this an extremely worrying one. Firstly, the pitch offered little for spinners, which was backed-up by England's decision to play seamer Bresnan instead of Samit Patel. Secondly, the spinning wicket-taking culprits for India were Chawla and Singh. Without wanting to offend anyone, these two shouldn't be capable of rattling through an England batting order like they did. There is no mystery there, no Warne-esque skill or Ajmal-like variety; for international batsmen, this should have been straight-forward.

This isn't the first time England's lack of ability to play spin has been highlighted in recent times. Both Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal in the tour to the UAE in January and Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath in the April tour can vouch for that.

Unless there is improvement for England, Flower and Co. must see this as a huge problem, especially with a Test tour to India looming; and you can guarantee that they will prepare spinner-friendly pitches in their own back yard. Even Eoin Morgan, who has been hailed as one of the best players of spin in the England squad, looked all at sea against India's placid tweak-duo.

Colombo expected fireworks, but the only ones provided were the crackers that went off when each England victim fell.

Let's not get too down-beat though, England didn't get to where they are without learning from their mistakes and improving weaknesses. They look to bounce-back against the West Indies in Pallekele on Thursday - but look out for wily 'offie' Sunil Narine, who was awarded IPL Player of the Tournament in his début season for Kolkata Knight Riders - there's certainly some mystery there...