Imagine Cricket - Blog RSS (Opinion)

Pakistan Complete Series Whitewash

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:22:38 +0000

Pakistan sealed a 2-0 series whitewash in their Test series in Bangladesh, by beating the hosts by seven wickets in Mirpur. Requiring just 103 runs for victory, Pakistan reached their target in under 21 overs with captain Misbah-ul-Haq wrapping it up in style by smashing a huge six into the crowd.

Having built up something of a fight in the second half of their second innings, the home side were finally dismissed for 234, after By Chris White

South Africa Crush Sri Lanka Inside Three Days

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:49:24 +0000

South Africa crushed Sri Lanka in the first Test at Centurion, wrapping up the match inside three days thanks to a ten-wicket haul in the match from seamer Vernon Philander. The Proteas were dominant from the outset and the tourists simply couldn’t live with the aggressive bowling and classy batting from the home side.

Resuming day three on 389-9, South Africa were eventually dismissed for 411 w...

By Chris White

Bring Back the 50 Over Competition

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:33:45 +0000

At present, the English counties play two forms of limited overs cricket, the Twenty20 Cup, which, as it suggests, is 20 overs per side, and the CB40 – can you guess how many overs that involves? Yes, 40, but the England team play Twenty20 and 50-over One-Day Internationals, making the g...

By Chris White

Australia Draw Two-Test Series

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:48:58 +0000

Australia beat South Africa by two wickets in Johannesburg to level the two-match Test series at 1-1, prompting millions of questions as to just why the series between two of the biggest sides in world cricket, particularly in the Test arena, consists of just two matches.

The Australians chased down their target of 310 on a rain affected final day, resuming needing 168 for victory with seven wickets in hand, and Ricky...

By Chris White

Aussies to Face South African Test

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 10:59:48 +0000

With the first Test getting underway this Wednesday, the new-look Australia side led by Michael Clarke could be in for a difficult tour, as they look to make amends for last year’s Ashes defeat on home soil. This is their first real test since that defeat, and going to South Africa is never easy in any format of the game.

The South Africans are a strong unit in every sport they ...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Yorkshire

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:17:15 +0100

Well I’ve reached the end of my journey around the English county grounds, and the last stop is a ground that has seen some of the most memorable moments and matches in English Test history.

This week, I’m at Headingley, the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club since 1891. I’ve walked in through the Kirkstall Lane End of the ground, and the impressive new pavilion and changing rooms are immediately obvious, glistening away on the boundary, con...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Worcestershire

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:49:58 +0100

I’ve gone west this week – no jokes about cowboy’s thank you – to one of the most picturesque grounds on the county cricket circuit.

New Road, the home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club since 1896, is set in the centre of Worcester on the banks of the River Severn, which runs alongside the boundary.

The beautiful Anglican Cathedral built between 1084 and 1504 stands proudly ove...

By Chris White

What Is A 'Super Over'?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:50:35 +0100

At what was already lined up to be a day of drama, big hitting and excitement, this year’s Twenty20 Finals Day threw up two, yes, two, extra periods of excitement that even the paying public would have scarcely believed they were seeing unfolding in front of their eyes.

The two semi finals, the first being between Leicestershire and Lancashire, were ...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Warwickshire

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:45:34 +0100

Having just about calmed down from the euphoria of England’s 4-0 series whitewash against India, it’s back on the road to a ground that looks almost unrecognisable after the recent redevelopments. Despite all that, there is still that special feeling of being at a Test match ground that has seen a number of historical domestic, Test – and ...

By Chris White

England Series Ratings

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:44:24 +0100

Having wrapped up a 4-0 series win against India to go to the top of the world Test rankings, I take a look at each of the England players that contributed to the side moving to the top of the world with marks out of ten given out for their performances over the four matches.

ANDREW STRAUSS (Captain) – 6. A quiet series from the England skipper, who averaged 38 over the course of the series. He would have liked...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Sussex

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:29:25 +0100

From the hustle and bustle of central London at The Oval last week, I’ve taken a trip down to the south coast this week – coming to an abrupt halt before ending up in France – as I take a look around the ground that the first First-Class county call their home.

Founded in 1839, Sussex County Cricket Club are the oldest county side in the country an...

By Chris White

England Should Have Gone With Taylor

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:03:20 +0100

Having wrapped up the Test series with India so comprehensively, moving to the top of the world rankings in the process, England named their squad for the Test of the summer, with Ravi Bopara keeping his place in the side despite only making seven in England’s innings at Edgbaston.

With Jonathan Trott...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Surrey

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:55:55 +0100

One of the grounds in world cricket that has had nearly as many names as fantastic day’s play! This week, I’ve come into the capital for a look around one of the oldest Test match grounds in world cricket.

The Kia Oval as it is presently titled, or The Oval to us purists, is the home of Surrey County Cricket Club in Kennington in South Lo...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Somerset

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:27:42 +0100

Having recovered from England’s fantastic victory against India last week, I’ve gone south from Trent Bridge, and down to somewhere much more quiet – until Trescothick, Kieswetter and co start batting anyway.

Since 1882, Somerset County Cricket Club have played their home matche...

By Chris White

Naive Bell Reprieved By Spirit Of Cricket

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:12:45 +0100

England batsman Ian Bell made an outstanding 159 in the second innings of the second Test at Trent Bridge, but it took him two goes to do it, having been given run out off the final ball of the afternoon session after great confusion.

Bell had played beautifully and had reached 137 when Eoin...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Nottinghamshire

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:52:06 +0100

Last week I went for a look around Wantage Road, home of Northamptonshire, and, having recovered from the highs of England’s first Test victory over India, it’s back in the car for a look at the venue for the second Test – is that planning or what?

Now I just need a tic...

By Chris White

Matt Prior - The World's Best Keeper Batsman

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:19:09 +0100

Matt Prior’s unbeaten 103 at Lord’s in the first Test match against India said all there is to say about the man, and the quality of the man. This century, coupled by his impeccable glove work throughout the match at the Home of Cricket – a difficult place for a glove man, undoubtedly proves that he is the best wicket keeper batsman in...

By Chris White

England Go One Up With Dominant Display

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:28:54 +0100

England sent out a clear message to the rest of the world in the first Test match against India – we want to be the world’s number one. Andrew Strauss’ side dominated the match for all but an hour on day four, and went 1-0 up in the four-match series with a 196-run victory.

The bowling attack, lead by Jimmy Anderson who took 5-65 including the big wickets of Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar and Raina, were unplayable as a unit on Mond...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Northamptonshire

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:56:22 +0100

It’s a drive back up the motorway for me this week, having had my visit to Lord’s quite rudely interrupted by a stadium full of supporters and two teams trying to play a Test match.

Apparently just having a look around needs a match ticket and I was thrown out! Anyway, this week, I’ve come to a much quieter area of the country.

The County Ground at Northamptonshire has been the home of the county since 1885, and hosted its first competitive match in the Minor Counties Ch...

By Chris White

99 Not Out

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:26:54 +0100

With one of the most eagerly anticipated Test series’ in recent years getting under way this week, a lot of the talk hasn’t focussed on which team will come out as the number one ranked Test match team, or the leading scorer in the series, or even the highest wicket taker. Instead, it has focussed on one statistic regarding one rather special player.

Standing just 5 feet and 5 inches tall, Test series starting on Thursday.

The England skipper made 78 in the first innings, and then a fine unbeaten ton in the second innings as he went in search of some much needed runs ahead...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Middlesex

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:32:01 +0100

Having visited some of the nicest cricketing grounds in the country in recent weeks, I’ve just got off the tube at St John’s Wood in London, and walked through the Grace Gates and standing there in front of me is nearly 200 years of cricketing history. This week, I’m at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket.

The nickname is given because it is the home of everything truly important in cricket – the England and Wales Cricket Board, (ECB), the European Cricket Council, (ECC), and, up until 2005, th...

By Chris White

T20 Groups Drawing To A Close

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:00:58 +0100

With the group stages in both the north and south of the country now coming to a close, many teams are now either qualified for the quarterfinals, out of the running completely, or fighting for the remaining spots in the next round. So, who has done what, and who needs to do what, in order to reach Edgbaston at the end of August?

Having closed my eyes and stuck a pin in one, I’ll start by looking at the south group.
By Chris White

England Clinch ODI Series Win

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:04:03 +0100

England wrapped up a 3-2 series victory against Sri Lanka, with a 16-run victory at Old Trafford in the last of the 5-match series. Set a decent target of 269 for victory, Sri Lanka slipped to 131-5 before Angelo Mathews and Jeevan Mendis put on 102 for the sixth wicket as the hosts were put under a great deal of pressure.

With 17 runs required off two overs for victory, Jade Dernbach finally removed Mathews, and then took Lasith Malinga with the very next ball to clinch a nail-biting...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Leicestershire

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:38:10 +0100

Having been up at Old Trafford last week, it’s a trip back into the Midlands for me this week as I stop off in Leicester on my journey around the county cricket grounds of England, pulling the car into the car park of Leicestershire CCC at their Grace Road ground.

The original site on Grace Road was purchased from the Duke of Rutland in 1877 and Leicestershire spent £40,000 developing the area into a cricket club, athletic track and hotel. The ground was completed in time for the 187...

By Chris White

Cook Ton Silences His ODI Critics

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 09:46:43 +0100

Despite yet another poor performance by England against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on Sunday, one positive factor to take away was a century from skipper Alastair Cook, a man who has been regularly knocked regarding his one-day form and his strike rate.

Out of a disappointing total of 246-7, Cook made 119 from 143 balls – after being dropped by Mahela J...

By Chris White

Broad Should Be Dropped

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:56:44 +0100

Despite being made the England 20-over captain, surely it is only a matter of time now until the England coach Andy Flower and one-day skipper Alastair Cook make the decision to drop Stuart Broad from the one-day team, at the very least.

Broad looked under par in the recent...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Lancashire

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:02:36 +0100

To some, it’s the real Old Trafford, to others, it’s the other Old Trafford, either way, my journey around the grounds of English cricket has taken me to Manchester, and the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

The site on Talbot Road, in Old Trafford, has been used for cricket since 1857, when it began life as the home of Manchester Cricket Club. In 1884, Old Trafford became the second English cricket ground to host Test cricke...

By Chris White

Disastrous Start For Skipper Broad

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:19:03 +0100

Stuart Broad’s first game as captain of the England 20-over side got off to a horror start as Sri Lanka handed out a 9-wicket thrashing in Bristol, as just three batsmen made double figures for England.

Batting first and having left out the in-form Ian Bell, England lost openers Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter for 2 and 4 respectively, and were indebted to 41 from Kevin Pietersen, coming off just 27 ba...

By Chris White

Ian Bell: The Unsung Hero

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:19:50 +0100

In the past few months, the England Test side have pulled off some fantastic performances, with the Ashes victory down under the obvious highlight. While Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott rightly received the plaudits for the way they played in that series, there is one man who regularly gets overlooked for the job he does within the England order, and I think it’s time we gave him the credit he deserves.

Ian Bell has been an integral part of the England team in recent years since naili...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Kent

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:09:02 +0100

Having been ‘down south’ last week prior to the first Test match to be held at the Rose Bowl, I’ve now travelled up to the picturesque St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, the home of Kent County Cricket Club.

As one of the oldest grounds around, having hosted first-class cricket since 1847, it is steeped in history, but it is more famous for something other than how old it is and even some of the fantastic players to have graced the ground.

The St Lawrence Ground is one of ...

By Chris White

A Poor Test

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:22:53 +0100

In a Test series that was dominated by the poor weather, England came out victorious 1-0 in the three match series thanks to the brilliance from the bowlers in Cardiff, but what have we actually learned from the games with Sri Lanka? Other than the British weather is still as reliable as ever!

The Sri Lanka side, on the whole, was very average and even an under-par England side should have won this series had the weather not intervened in all three games. They look nothing compared...

By Chris White

Give KP A Break

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:53:21 +0100

Many people seem to have forgotten some rather crucial information when it comes to whether or not Kevin Pietersen should be in the England team, so I think it’s time I sent out a little reminder to those calling for him to be dropped.

Test Appearances: 73
Test Innings: 126
Test Runs: 5,743
Test Average: 47.85
50s: 22
100s: 17
Test Best: 227, vs. Australia, Adelaide, 2nd Ashes Test 2010

Now, the most important of those statistics in my opini...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Hampshire

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:20:07 +0100

It’s as far south as you can go this week on my tour around the county grounds of England and Wales, as I stop off at the newest Test ground on the circuit.

The Rose Bowl in Southampton is the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club, and was opened back in 2011 after the club made the move from their old County Ground, which had been their home since 1885. The name came from the area that the ground is built in, an amphitheatre-like valley, which also adds to the character of the groun...

By Chris White

Why Pakistan Are Better Off Without Afridi

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:29:32 +0100

When the Pakistan Cricket Board suspended Shahid Afridi’s contract last week, my first thought wasn’t that they’d made a rash decision, but actually, that the PCB had made a very bold, and beneficial move for the sake of the team.

For a number of years now, I have been in the ‘against’ column when it comes to Shahid Afridi, and it isn’t at all performance related. When he hits a ball, he’s a phenomenal player, don’t get me wrong, but some of his antics have really rattled my cage,...

By Chris White

Lords Misses Out On 2012 West Indies Test

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:46:13 +0100

England take on the West Indies in a three-match Test series in 2012, and it will be a ground-breaking series before a ball is even bowled.

It was announced this week that there would be no match at Lord’s in the series – the first time a team touring England will not have played at the Home of Cricket. Instead, the matches will be played at Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Cardiff.

Grounds were permitted to apply for Test matches with sealed bids and the ECB have chosen what...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Gloucestershire

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:50:23 +0100

From last week’s trip over to Cardiff, it’s a short drive back across the river Severn to Bristol on my journey around the county cricket grounds, as I find myself in Bristol, the home of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Home to Gloucestershire since 1889, the County Ground is currently going through a redevelopment to bring it into line with the more modern grounds around the country, allowing it to bid for more international matches.

The ground is steeped in characte...

By Chris White

4 Bowlers or 5?

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:26:02 +0100

After the highs of Australia over the winter, it was about time the English media found something to slag off with the England cricket team. Currently, it is the issue of whether we should be playing a four or five-man bowling attack against the Sri Lankans.

For the last two, even three years, England have played a four-man attack of Anderson, Broad, Swann and one from Tremlett, Finn, Bresnan and Shahzad and have found themselves running through their opposition. For some reason, having...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Glamorgan

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:10:17 +0100

This week in my trip around the county cricket grounds, I cross the Severn Bridge (paying the toll charge of course!) into Wales and down the M4 over to Cardiff.

Glamorgan County Cricket Club, the only Welsh county side in the English game, play their home fixtures at the impressive SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff, along the banks of the River Taff.

The old Sophia Gardens ground was developed, with work starting back in 2007, with the aim of bringing the capacity up to 16,000 and the...

By Chris White

Twenty20 Kicks Off

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:28:09 +0100

With the English cricket season now six-weeks old and in full flow, it's time to take a break from the County Championship. Put away the whites, the red ball and that "we've got 4-days to win this" attitude, because it's Twenty20 time!

The exciting 20-over format is back for it's ninth season in England, and with teams now fully aware of the task at hand, the focus now is getting through the group stages and on to Edgbaston at the end of August.

Reigning champions Hampshire - who...

By Chris White

England Stun Tourists To Win Rain-Affected Test

Tue, 31 May 2011 17:22:10 +0100

Having capitulated in just 24.4 overs against England in the rain-hit first Test match at Cardiff, Sri Lanka have some major problems to resolve ahead of the Lord’s Test, starting on Friday.

With 3 hours of play left in the game, Sri Lanka should have been walking out at the Swalec Stadium on Monday evening for some net practice, preparing themselves for the trip down the M4 to the home of cricket, with the scores level at 0-0. Instead, they were bowled out for just 82 at the hands...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Essex

Thu, 26 May 2011 14:44:31 +0100

The next stop on our cricketing journey Around the Grounds takes us down to ‘Fortress Chelmsford’, home of Essex County Cricket Club.

The County Ground is a real love it or hate it cricket ground, with many opposition players being daunted by the close proximity to the vociferous home support.

Many England players have plied their trade at the County Ground, including Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Darren Gough, Graham Gooch and James Foster.

Essex have used the sm...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Durham

Mon, 23 May 2011 15:25:06 +0100

Our next stop on our ‘Around the Grounds’ series, takes us way up north to one of the newest international grounds in the country, but one set in picturesque surroundings.

Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, to give it its official title, is the home of Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-Le-Street. This 11,000-seater stadium has seen a number of developments since its first match back in 1995, and hosted its first one-day international during the 1999 World Cup, when P...

By Chris White

Around the Grounds: Derbyshire

Fri, 13 May 2011 16:40:02 +0100

In the first of our ‘Around the Grounds’ features, we take a look at Derbyshire’s County Ground.

Situated in Derby, the County Ground has been open since 1870. The 9,500 capacity, 4,000-seater stadium used to be inside the old Derby racecourse until its closure in 1939.

In recent years it has seen a number of changes, which have included a new 1,800-seater stand at the Racecourse End, and permanent marquee, purpose built for weddings and banquets.

The most dramatic – and important – change at the County Ground in recent years, however, has been the turning of the square. Before, the sun would set directly behind the bowlers arm at the Racecourse End of the ground. By turning the square to a north-south position, this is no longer a problem, which allows the players to continue the game. New drainage systems were also installed back in 2009.

The ground features a top-class indoor practice area, permanent floodlights for the ever-expanding limited overs fixtures and the Lund Pavilion gives members the opportunity to watch the game from the balcony that overlooks the lovely little ground.

The new marquee has provided a vital source of income for Derbyshire, who do not host international fixtures. For sides that only host county cricket, the extra income is a massive bonus and can make the difference between survival and financial ruin.

The ground featured a tour match in Australia’s latest Ashes tour of England, and hosted a high-scoring World Cup match between New Zealand and Pakistan in 1999.

By Chris White

Cricket Kit Guide

Thu, 12 May 2011 17:07:34 +0100

With the 2011 cricket season now well under way for most clubs, you may be realizing that your kit no longer fits, or the worst fear of all, you’ve broken your bat in the first few games of the season.

Well fear not! The good guys at Wisden have produced their 2011 ‘Good Gear Guide’, which gives you all the information you could possibly need. However, before you take their suggestion on which bat or pair of pads or gloves to buy, you might want to consider a few things.

The price of your equipmen...

By Chris White

Why Watch The IPL When You've Got The County Championship?

Thu, 12 May 2011 09:14:18 +0100

With the less said about England’s limited overs performances in the World Cup and Australia before the that, purists can be relieved that the English County season has hit the ground running with some exciting early season performances.

Some glorious early season weather has helped groundsmen to prepare pitches that will produce results and players and teams alike have been allowed to prosper and find some early season form, almost putting the glitz and glamour of the ongoing IPL into ...

By Chris White

Are Three Captains Better Than One?

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:57:00 +0100

A new era has dawned in English cricket with the ECB making the decision to elect new Captains for the One-Day and Twenty20 sides, but is this the right move to take England forward?

Frankly, no, it isn't the best move they could have made at all. Stuart Broad is the only one of the three Captains - Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook being the others - to be playing in all three formats, and this could lead to a conflict in the dressing room between the Nottinghamshire bowler and Cook in the...

By Chris White

Players Await Test Squad Announcement

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:30:58 +0100

England get their summer Test Series under way later this month against Sri Lanka in a three-match series, starting in Cardiff on 26 May.

The Test series is England's first since winning the Ashes down under this winter and expectations are going to be high against a Sri Lankan side, which on their day can beat anyone, but also lose to anyone. The side, lead by Tillakaratne Dilshan for the first time, come to England amid stories back home about match fixing from the 1990s so England could...

By Chris White

Gibson Becomes Youngest First-Class Cricketer

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:41:19 +0100

In the days where more and more young players are being given their chance to prove their worth in professional sport, cricket has pushed the boundaries even further.

15-year old Barney Gibson made his first-class debut for Yorkshire against Durham University on 27 April, and his coaches are predicting big things for the wicket keeper.

At 15 years and 27 days, Gibson takes away the record held for over 140 years by Charles Young, who played for Hampshire aged 15 years and 131 days,...

By Chris White

Keep Flower At All Costs

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:19:56 +0100

If the rumours flying around about Andy Flower being headhunted by India to replace their former coach Gary Kirsten are true, then the ECB must do literally everything they can to keep the former Zimbabwean test player in this country. There is no-one more important to the future of England’s test side than Flower. Here’s why:

He’s disciplined. As with all of the very finest sporting coaches, Andy Flower understands the importance of discipline. He has his standards as to what he co...

By Shaun Edwards