Impressive England knock out hosts

An extraordinary game at Centurion saw England beat South Africa by 22 runs, enough to secure a semi-final spot and eliminate the hosts.
A few weeks ago, the middle order looked like it could be knocked over by a passing wind, but yesterday saw an explosive display from Shah, Collingwood and Morgan which propelled England to 322. On this evidence, they are genuine contenders - a remarkable turnaround after the lack-lustre performances against Australia.
Shah showed both sides of his character in smacking a blistering 98 and then dropping a dolly off Smith which could have been costly. The South African captain played a gritty knock, hampered by cramp at the end, but it wasn't replicated by his team-mates.
Anderson calmed any England nerves with an assured second spell, although question marks hover over young Broad's composure, something he will have to address in the semis.
It was interesting seeing Strauss refuse Smith a runner, a demonstration of steely resolve to Flower as anyone else, after he was criticised for allowing the runner back after the collision in the Sri Lankan match.
England march on, while South Africa can only look on and ponder, yet again, what might have been.

Purposeful Pakistan beat rivals

The SubContinental showdown lived up to its pre-match billing with 550 runs and no shortage of incident as Pakistan saw off India by 54 runs.
The majestic Malik cracked 128 to set up the platform, although Yousef's 87 from 88 balls was just as crucial in setting the 300-plus total which put the game beyond India's reach.
The normally mercurial Harbhajan went for 71 off his 10 overs and, with Tendulkar going cheaply and the injured Yuvraj looking on from the stands, Indian's box office names were no draw for their more committed, though sometimes just as errant, rivals on the big occasion.
Gul and the ebullient Aamir did their best to help by overstepping and providing enough free hits to fill a career album - but India failed to capitalise.
Their reply hinged on two run-outs, ironically both involving the dependable 'Wall', Rahul Dravid, who held the innings together with a typically resolute 76, but illustrated his shortcomings with the shorter form of the game by failing to score off 27 balls.
His yes-no with Gambhir, who was playing beautifully, let Pakistan back into the game, and a similar bout of indecision would cost him his own wicket towards the end when there was an outside chance of victory.
Unfancied Pakistan now have two wins out of two. For India, the hard work begins.

Wanderers' pitch gives England direction

After half the cricket writing fraternity have eaten large slices of humble pie this morning - myself included - it's time to reflect on England's surprise six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka last night.
England were desperately looking for some inspiration before this game, and they probably didn't bank on finding it inside five overs, thanks to a Wanderers pitch that offered more movement than a steroid-charged Kangaroo. Some of the top order's shot selection left a lot to be desired, but it was still a great effort to reduce Sri Lanka to 17 for 4, even if they did let them off the hook in the middle overs.
England's batting was a shadow of its former self, with the exception of Shah's laboured knock. Why Collingwood couldn't play with such attacking verve against Australia, only he will know, and Morgan delivered some urgency between the wickets at just the right time.
Let's not get carried away though. England will need to deliver several key performances akin to this one before we can safely say they've turned the corner, but an encouraging display nonetheless.

Fans need head for heights

You may have rubbed your eyes in disbelief over your Cornflakes this morning if you saw the picture of the elevated 'stand' at Centurion.
After having cameras beaming down pictures from spaceship-style balloons, the marketeers have gone one step further and put a table and chairs for 22 fans 100 feet in the sky, all supported by what one trusts is a particularly sturdy crane.
But could you really relax and take in the view, never mind the action? And what if you became really engrossed in conversation with your neighbour, and leant back forgetting where you were?
I'm not sure it's going to catch on over the skies of Lord's or the SCG, but it shows that the commercial side of the game continues to reach new heights.

Champions Trophy yet to ignite

Three matches into the Champions Trophy, and we're none the wiser. We know Sri Lanka have a formidable batting line-up, Pakistan and South Africa are capable of blowing hot and cold, New Zealand batsmen need to show more urgency and West Indies won't pose too many threats, being bereft of so many star names.
South Africa are an enigma wrapped in the mystery in that they have some of the best players of the tournament in de Villiers, Smith and Kallis, but still an air of vulnerability. More teams may be tempted to follow the Lankans' lead and bat first, try and post a big total and see if the hosts crack under the weight of expectation.
Pakistan almost contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, although the fact West Indies couldn't even muster 150 will be as much a worry for the organisers as the players.
Reports that England are targeting a top four finish are fanciful bravado on current form, and it's hard to see them overcoming Sri Lanka today. Similarly, we may be waving goodbye to the black caps when they take on Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Hopefully tomorrow's game, when the Subcontinent comes to a standstill, will be the match that gets it all going.

Swann saves England's blushes

Typical England. Just when you think they're in terminal decline, they produced an inspired performance at Durham yesterday, with Swann's five wickets leaving Australia posting a decidedly England-like score of 176, enabling the hosts to avoid the ignominy of a 7-0 whitewash.
Swann and Strauss would have given their right arms for a turner like this in the previous six games - although the frailty of England's batting may not have made that much difference to the overall outcome.
One Swann doesn't make a summer though, and England travel to South Africa with more ODI baggage than a fully loaded 747, with question marks aplenty with bat and ball. Their insipid performances have taken much of the gloss off the Ashes victory and they will have to hope several key players - make that half the team - can somehow raise their games for the Champions Trophy.
In contrast, Ponting's men showed character and class to come back fighting after the Ashes defeat, and must touch down in the southern hemisphere in confident mood - although for all their superiority in this tournament, they're far from invincible.

Freddie causes a stir in Dubai

Andrew Flintoff has come to Dubai to recuperate from knee surgery - but in true Freddie style, the limelight continues to shine on him as brightly as the UAE weather, as the media pores over his playing and coaching options.
The all-rounder, who signed off from Tests after the Ashes victory, has refused to sign a new England contract in order to make himself available to all and sundry, becoming the first English player to turn one down since the central contract system was drawn up 10 years ago.
It leaves the door open for him to play in next spring's Indian Premier League (IPL), while also pursuing deals with other teams globally.
He'd be advised to take the time off to really think about his goals. Can he realistically play for England in ODIs and Twenty20s, Lancashire, Chennai in the IPL and squeeze in time for South Australia or anyone else? The companies printing the shirts are going to be busy.
While in Dubai, he's exploring coaching opportunities for the national team, plans to set up his own academy, and his agent said he's also looking to do a reality TV series which could include bungee-jumping.
Let's hope his making time for rest amid all the zest.

No respite for England at Trounced Bridge

After the Ponting masterclass which secured the fifth win, opener Tim Paine put his hand up yesterday to consign England to their sixth successive defeat.
They say 111 is an unlucky number, and so it proved at Trent - for which read 'Trounced' - Bridge, representing not only the keeper's score but also the margin of England's defeat.
The hardest thing for England fans to stomach isn't so much losing to a better side, but the fact they're showing no signs of improvement ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Yesterday's defeat was England's second worst in the history of ODIs between the two sides and their 11th heaviest in 517 internationals.
Last time Ponting, this time Paine and you can take your pick from half a dozen others who will be keen to sign off with a ton in the last match.
Therein lies the difference. You're hard pressed to pick one player in the England team on current form who will make three figures.

Lee fires Aussies to series win

Brett Lee's explosive, full-length demolition of England at Lord's yesterday, which sealed the series win for Australia, showed he still had a point to prove after missing the Ashes.
Afterwards he said losing the urn has hurt the team "immensely" and they remain hungry -rather worryingly for Strauss, who isn't going to find much let-up in the last three matches.
On this evidence, England can be mighty grateful Lee didn't take part in the Test series or the outcome would have been entirely different.
Few batsmen would have coped with the toe-crushing inswingers he got going so effectively - and it was a reminder to all of the benefits of bowling full and straight, a lesson Broad hopefully reflected on as his leg stump went cartwheeling.
For England, it was deja vu again as solid foundations disintegrated and no batsmen had the courage to press on, particularly in the middle overs.
The bowling wasn't much better. Overall, I like the look of Rashed, but he served up a series of full tosses that wouldn't have looked out of place in the Devon village leagues, and there were some perplexing moments, such as when Shah was bowling when Clarke had just come to the crease.
The next three matches should be used to bring in some fresh blood, and try and salvage some respect to a disastrous series.

All White on the night

The beautifully located Rose Bowl was something of a goldfish bowl for Andrew Strauss and his men last night, who can find no escape to their ongoing ODI angst.
Of the top-end batters, only Shah, adjudged to be LBW but replays showed it outside the line, could walk away with any sense of injustice. Prior's loose pull was compounded by the skipper's slightly lazy scoop to mid-wicket when well set, although Clarke took a good low catch.
A score of 228 was never going to be enough, and Cameron White chose the perfect time to score his maiden ODI ton.
Where England go from here is anyone's guess, particularly as there's hardly a long queue of worthwhile replacements. This was far worse than Oval and Lord's, where at least they put up a fight. On this evidence, they may be heading for a 7-0 Whitewash.

ICC Global Cricket Academy eyes November launch

The ICC Global Cricket Academy at Dubai Sports City, positioning itself as an east-meets-west focal point for international cricketing excellence, is targeting a November launch.

The floodlights are up, HawkEye and video cameras are currently being installed and gym equipment will be moved in next week.

There's no debate about the use of technology in cricket here, with an integrated technology suite featuring digital data capture, and video and digital analysis providing real-time playback, and a new dimension for reviewing technique for players and officials alike.

If you can't improve your game at this comprehensive Academy, you might have to hang up your boots. Alongside the indoor training area, seven indoor practice pitches and indoor practice fielding facility, are 38 outdoor practice pitches (28 turf practice wickets and 10 artificial practice wickets), class rooms, meeting rooms, two cricket ovals, swimming pool and other leisure facilities.

The Academy will provide programmes and courses for players, coaches, umpires, curators and administrators from across the ICC’s 104 member countries, while local, regional and international teams will gain competitive experience through tournaments.

Local junior and senior cricketers will have the opportunity to participate in GCA programs in order to learn from the game’s elite.

The Academy's wide-ranging remit is to help elite umpires undertake scientific review of decisions to improve performance, provide top coaches with support and educational opportunities, enable curators to exchange ideas and expertise, and inspire administrators to raise global standards.

A team of internationally experienced coaches will be led by former Aussie wicketkeeping great and cricket academy director, Rod Marsh.

Turf and indoor pitches will replicate the varying playing surfaces found in cricketing nations around the world, providing a unique opportunity for international teams to prepare for matches in a range of conditions.

Complementing it all will be sports science and sports medicine facilities allowing players and specialist team staff to assist in fitness injury prevention and rehabilitation programs.

For those that can't tear themselves away, there are even two blocks of 'top class low-cost accommodation facilities' adjacent to the GCA, including one and two bedroom suites.

Coming back to Tresco

News that Marcus Trescothick, England's talented-yet-tormented former opener, could be ready to tour India with Somerset for the upcoming Champions Trophy is heartening and worrying in equal measure.
For those that haven't read it, the start of his autobiography, Coming Back to Me, charts the time his world crumbled around him last March, when he couldn't set foot on the plane to Dubai with Somerset for a 12-day pre-season tournament.
No disrespect to Bopara, Denly and co, but England haven't replaced Trescothick since he called it a day internationally. His record for Somerset this season shows he remains, outwardly, a destructive force.
But what about inwardly? How is his mental state? Can he summon up the strength to face his demons again? And if reports are to believed, that he will use Dubai as a to-and-fro base, will it all come back to him the moment he sees the airport destination board?
One sincerely hopes not. It's a brave move, and the whole cricketing world will wish him well.

England falter for second time

Not unlike the first one-dayer, England managed to grasp defeat when victory looked easier, only this time it was even more lamentable after such a solid opening stand between Strauss and Bopara.
Even when England were coasting along at 76 for 0, in reply to Australia's 249, I can remember thinking - 'going well, but it might still be 90-odd for four' - and so it proved.
England's middle order wickets are more contagious than swine flu.
The stop-start run out involving Collingwood and Shah seemed to sum up the team's lack of direction. In fairness to the run-shy Shah, he went on Collingwood's call this time - but the fact Colly stuttered is indicative of a lack of confidence with the Middlesex man.
This was a perplexing performance from England. They kept above the run rate for almost the entire duration of their innings - and yet still didn't score a boundary between overs 30 and 40.
England need to find a Pietersen clone soon, someone who sees the ball to be hit and not pushed around endlessly. England don't need people who can hit 56 runs off 84 balls, in Collingwood's case, more the other way round, although in fairness he was lumbered with the anchor role.
England's decision not to take their third powerplay when Collingwood and Swann were effectively last men standing, was reckless, and there must come a time shortly, as Michael Holding observed, when captains realise they should be taken earlier, as runs will come in the last bat-swinging 10 overs regardless.
What will be doubly disappointing for England is that Australia's attack didn't seem quite so potent as the Oval - although the scorecard shows they all pitched in with wickets.
As for Australia, Ferguson is emerging into something of a danger man and, together with White, glued together Australia's innings nicely, laying the foundation for Johnson's entertaining late charge. What England would give for a similar duo.

Thrilling end to ODI opener

If the ensuing six games in the ODI series involving England and Australia are as thrilling as the first, then we're in for an entertaining series.
England put up a valiant effort chasing down Australia's 260 but came up four runs short - and had they not leaked 50 runs at the end of Australia's innings, and made better use of the second powerplay, then they would have been assured victory.
Australia's bowling attack is well balanced, with the return of the innovative Bracken, measured Hauritz and effervescent Lee who, while unrelentingly competitive, still managed to have a smile on his face in the final four overs.
England will be heartened by the performances of Wright and Rashed, who kept England in touch at the death, although 10 an over is always going to be a tough ask in any conditions - not least under the Oval floodlights.
Bopara regained some of his touch, but still needs to score faster - and England, as a whole, need to keep the scoreboard ticking over during times of pressure and remove those consecutive dot balls.
One aspect of the modern ODI game is the constant movement of batsmen in the crease, and you can't help wondering how more effective they'd be if they kept still.
With the slower ball now a permanent aspect of most fast bowlers' armouries, it stands to reason that you'll have more time to pick it up if you aren't hopping about like a rabbit.
The pre-meditated flick to leg is also becoming overused, and there are times when batsmen would be better standing up and crashing it through the off side.
Easier said than done of course, as the adrenalin is pumping, but something for captains and coaches to ponder.

Scrapped T20 games really hit by scheduling

Much has been written about the Old Trafford pitch and new drainage system as England had to call off their second T20 game in 48 hours against Australia - but the focus should be on administrators who chose to play the games there in the first place.
Playing with a round ball at Old Trafford in Manchester is nothing remarkable in the last week of August - at least, down the road, where Wayne Rooney and co are getting into their stride with the start of the Premier League season. But frankly, if you decide to schedule cricket at Old Trafford at the tail end of summer, you take your chances.
Now in pursuit of big bucks, the administrators have lost out - and what's more, large sections of the Mancunian public will be livid at paying out £50 a ticket and seeing no cricket.
But the schedulers have won the day. Never mind that, with seven ODIs now coming up, both teams will soon be sick of the sight of each other. We need to revert back to an era when less was more.