Form over reputation – why England must pick Jonny Bairstow‏

How rather timely that on the day England were bowled out for 103 at Lord’s and subjected to a 405 run thrashing by Australia, two Ashes hopefuls should score hundreds for their respective counties.

The most in-form batsman in the domestic first class game, Jonny Bairstow of Yorkshire, continued his fine run of form by scoring 139 against Worcestershire at Scarborough, while Nottinghamshire’s James Taylor amassed 163 unbeaten runs on day one against Sussex, before he was eventually dismissed for a career-best 291.

The pair were recently involved in the England’s squad which beat New Zealand 3-2 in their ODI series. Although Bairstow was not picked in the original squad, Jos Buttler’s finger injury meant he was called up for the final match in Durham. The 25-year-old from Bradford duly blasted England to victory with a match-winning 83 runs from 60 balls.

While Taylor’s knock at Horsham was his first championship hundred in an unusually inconspicuous summer for the 5 foot 6 batsman, Bairstow has been scoring heavily in red-ball cricket all season long.

Having made three half-centuries and two centuries prior to his England ODI call-up, Bairstow followed his T20I appearance at Old Trafford with a double-century (219*) against Durham, before hitting 108 at Edgbaston versus Warwickshire a week later.

The man who was cast aside by his country following his bit part role Down Under when England were whitewashed 18 months ago, has now tallied up 906 runs at an average of 100.67 and at an impressive strike rate of 75.44.

Unfortunately for Jonny and James, England’s typical reaction to a crisis is, don’t panic.  But why keep faith with out of nick batsmen when Bairstow is in the form of his life?

Occasionally England will pick a scapegoat and remove him from their batting unit, despite that individual not doing little wrong. Nick Compton, Michael Carberry and James Taylor himself will testify to that. Oh, and Kevin Pietersen of course.

If England do make any changes for Edgbaston, Gary Ballance will probably be the unlucky loser. Opener Adam Lyth has been catapulted into the deep end and not yet given enough of a chance to prove himself at Test level, so he will likely stay. As for Ian Bell, despite being increasingly run-shy efforts at international level, his past efforts will likely result in him keeping his place for his home Test.

Ballance is dreadfully out of form and thus may be the man to step aside, despite the fact that Bell or Root would subsequently have to shuffle up the order to No3, with Bairstow slotting in at No5.

Whether new coach Trevor Bayliss decides to act remains to be seen. But it is surely time for England to stop picking batsmen on reputation, rather than form. They cannot continue to persist with low-confidence batters purely on the basis that they’ve scored runs in the past.

After all, it didn’t hurt Australia to swap the diminishing old guard of Brad Haddin and Shane Watson for the younger, hungrier duo of Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill.

England must follow their opponents lead if they are to bounce back from their crushing defeat at Lord’s and revitalise their hopes of winning back the Ashes on home soil.

 

#CWC15 – Team of the tournament (Group Stages)

Here’s our team of the tournament so far, a starting XI and four additional squad members. Surprisingly enough, there’s no Englishmen. Oh, and if you don’t like “data”, then maybe don’t read any further…

1. Shikhar Dhawan – India

One of the more controversial selections in the XI, although other openers have scored more runs than the Indian, 337 runs at 56.16 including two match-winning hundreds is pretty conclusive data. Dhoni and the selectors deserve credit for sticking with him during a sticky patch of form.

2. Brendon McCullum (c) – New Zealand

The Kiwi captain skippers our side thanks to his proactive tactics and fielding positions, and opens the batting because of his imperious strike-rate (187.59). His personal highlight of the group stages was smashing England’s bowlers all over the Cake Tin in his 25-ball knock of 77.

 3. Kumar Sangakkara (wk)– Sri Lanka

Sanga might be 37-years-old and on the verge of retiring from ODI cricket, but that hasn’t stopped the Sri Lankan from scoring four consecutive hundreds (a world cup record) as well as 496 runs at 124.00. He’s still keeping too!

4. Mohammad Mahmudullah – Bangladesh 

Successive centuries in Bangladesh’s last two games against England and New Zealand, 344 runs at 86.00, his runs were critical in ensuring the Tigers progressed to the quarter-finals.

GENIUS – South Africa captain AB de Villiers has been in sparkling form so far in the World Cup.

5. AB de Villiers – South Africa 

The South-African captain is a run-getting genius – 417 runs at 83.40, with his highest score (162*) the fastest 150 ever (64 balls) in one-day international cricket. He even burgled 4 wickets with his dodgy medium-pace.

6. Glenn Maxwell – Australia

It took “The Big Show” just 51 balls to make his maiden one-day international hundred against Sri Lanka, with the 26-year-old Aussie epitomising the role played by the modern-day 360-degree run-scoring batsman. Maxwell boasts the best tournament strike rate at 190.37 and an average of 64.25.

7. Sean Williams – Zimbabwe

A surprise selection in the XI perhaps, but the Zimbabwean leftie has scored 339 runs at 67.80 and also taken 7 wickets with his gentle spinners. Innovative with the bat, canny with ball in hand, the relatively unknown all-rounder heads home having had a truly impressive tournament.

8. Daniel Vettori – New Zealand

The experienced Kiwi provides a genuine spin option in the team, getting the nod ahead of Imran Tahir and Ravichandran Ashwin courtesy of his 13 wickets at 13.69, with an economy rate of just 3.21 runs per over.

9. Mohammed Shami – India

India’s fast-bowlers have played a crucial role in making sure the team go into the quarter-finals unbeaten and Shami has been the pick of the bunch, with 15 wickets at 12.60.

10. Mitchell Starc – Australia

The Aussie left-arm has easily outshone the other bloke with the same first name that bowls left-arm rapid for that lot (Johnson), taking 16 wickets at an average of just 8.50; mostly with fast, in-swinging yorkers. Best figures of 6/28 against New Zealand.

11. Trent Boult – New Zealand

Another left-arm quick that pitches it up and swings it back into the right-hander, the Kiwi has taken 15 wickets at 15.60, with a best of 5-27 against the Australians. Although Tim Southee destroyed England, Boult has been consistently menacing.

 Replacements

12. Josh Davey (Scotland) > Jerome Taylor (West Indies)

The Scot takes the back-up seamer role by virtue of having one more wicket than his West Indian counterpart (15). Yes Taylor swings it big at pace, while Davey only bowls medium-fast, but it’s nice to have a Scottish lad in the squad.

13. Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe) > MS Dhoni (India)

In the battle to deputise behind the stumps, the Zimbabwean wins the wicket-keeper dual having amassed 433 runs at 72.16. Although Dhoni has a higher average (83.00), Taylor surprisingly has a marginally better strike rate.

14. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) > Wahab Riaz (Pakistan)

Both these lefties have impressed, but the Kiwi makes the squad by virtue of being a genuine all-rounder. Riaz took 14 wickets for Pakistan but slightly expensively, while Anderson made 158 runs at 39.60 and took 10 wickets.

15. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) > Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

The Bangladesh captain is a phenomenal all-rounder (186 runs at 46.50; 7 wickets), but the Sri Lankan is simply a class act. Dilshan opens the batting and also bowls at critical period, excelling at both (395 runs at 79.00; 5 wickets).

Ashes abomination

Now for the classified cricket results: Australia 5-0 England. Congratulations to Darren Lehmann and his coaching staff, congratulations to Michael Clarke and the other ten mightily impressive individuals who wore their Baggy Green caps with honour and did their country proud. They batted positively, with purpose and deliberate aggression; they took the game to the opposition bowlers and knocked them off their lengths, before knocking them to all parts of the ground. Ten centuries to the opposition’s one. As for the bowlers they followed their plans, hitting a fuller length consistently, pegging back the English batsmen with sheer pace, before strangling them with their discipline. The fielders helped too, snaffling a good ninety per cent of the catching opportunities offered their way, backing up their bowlers perfectly.

As for England, this is rock bottom. A 5-0 whitewash in a series they were expected to win. Having won the last three Ashes series, there was hope from the travelling fans that this might be a famous fourth victory, a win to confirm England’s dominance over their old rivals. However, the tourists were utterly outclassed in every match, every department and in every possible way. From the moment they were outplayed in the opener at The Gabba, with Jonathan Trott returning home due to a stress-related illness, it looked as if things could continue to get worse; and they did. England’s batsmen had no answer to the pace of Mitchell Johnson, the skill of Ryan Harris, the persistence of Peter Siddle and the gentle off-spin of Nathan Lyon. This record-breaking team became the very first England side to lose all one hundred wickets in an Ashes series. What an incredible achievement, a horrendous low.

For this was perhaps the most devastating aspect of the series, the fact that it was at the very least supposed to be a contest. But no, England were completely annihilated by the Australians. 381 runs, 218 runs, 150 runs, 8 wickets and 281 runs were the margins of victory in the five matches. England failed to even run their opponents close; they failed to make their challengers work for even one of their five victories. Are there enough words in the English language to describe how bad they were? Words for performances so pathetic, pitiful and feeble; a defeat so crushing, humiliating and devastating, from a team so incompetent, abysmal and inept. They say you can’t become a bad team overnight, but somehow England did. Having comfortably won 3-0 in the summer, they lost the war in extraordinary fashion.

From Ashes conquerors, to Ashes captives. English heroes meekly surrendered their swords, spears and bows of burning gold. Not even the Barmy Army’s resounding performances of Jerusalem could inspire their side into battle. England’s typical resistance was replaced by submission. Alastair Cook’s mind was scrambled and his batting subsequently disintegrated. Kevin Pietersen’s ego took an almighty battering; he looked out of sorts with the bat, out of ideas and was without his typical swagger and bravado. Matt Prior’s miserable run of form continued, as his lack of runs combined with some sub-standard wicket keeping saw him lose his place to Jonny Bairstow. Graeme Swann was frequently smashed out of the park by the Australian batters and retired shortly after defeat was confirmed. Jimmy Anderson toiled with little reward, his powers of swing deserting him. Only Stuart Broad and new boy Ben Stokes showed any resilience. Only they will return home with their pride still in tact.

What next then for England? The one-day series provides an immediate opportunity to amend their shortcomings, although even a few victories will not make up for the disappointment of such a catastrophic loss. England must examine themselves, work out how they allowed this to happen and make the necessary changes to make sure that it never happens again. Coach Andy Flower described this as an “end of an era” for his “underperforming” team and stated that this “is a chance for some sort of renewal for the England national cricket team”. If this were the English national football team, that renewal would inevitably involve the introduction of a new head coach and a brand new set of backroom staff. However, whatever one’s opinion on the matter, this will not happen, as Flower is set to continue as team director. It is now the Zimbabwean’s job to try and rebuild this broken team, to get them ready for the visit of India and Sri Lanka this summer, before the Aussies return for the Ashes in 2015.

England in crisis after Ashes defeat

On June 23^rd, Australian cricket was officially plunged into crisis, following the sacking of South African coach Mickey Arthur just seventeen days before the start of the 2013 summer Ashes series. Despite the appointment of new coach Darren Lehmann, Australia could not emerge from the doldrums and England went on to convincingly win the series 3-0.

As we now know, England’s retention of the precious urn did not last long. Just one-hundred-fourteen days on from the final day of fifth Test match at the Oval, England’s grip on the Ashes had already been relinquished, as Australia completed a 3-0 win of their own at the WACA, winning by 150 runs to add to their 381 and 218 run victories in the first and second Tests.

It has been an incredible turnaround by coach Darren Lehmann, captain Michael Clarke and their boys in Baggy Green, but for England, the series has been a complete catastrophe. The tourists have not just lost every game, they have been utterly humiliated and totally outplayed in every department. The batsmen have failed to put together a first innings score of any consequence; the fielders have dropped a number of significant chanced; the seamers have toiled unsuccessfully; whilst the spinners have been carted out of the park and out of the attack.

As three coin-toss defeats out of three for Alastair Cook suggests, England’s luck has run out. Thus far in the series, very few positives can be taken from England’s performances. Australia’s bowlers have gelled supremely as a unit and their batsmen have played with aggression, consistently putting together good partnerships and big totals. England have simply had no answer, no Plan B to counteract Australia’s dominance. The English players have wilted in the heat and under the pressure of a hostile media campaign and a brand of cricket to back it up.

Alastair Cook has done his best as a captain, but there is no doubt that the mental toil of captaincy has taken its toll on his batting. Kevin Pietersen remains England’s greatest enigma, the superstar batsmen lacking in common sense and any consideration of a cautious mindset. Could the scorer of 8,000 Test match runs have played his last for England? Matt Prior’s form has been simply woeful, particularly with the bat, whilst his glove work has also come under scrutiny after a poor performance at Perth. He too is another man some are suggesting is past his best, along with experienced spinner Graeme Swann and swing machine (but not with the Kookaburra ball it seems) James Anderson.

Whilst it is unlikely the later two will be dropped, there is a distinct possibility that Jonny Bairstow could replace Prior behind the stumps in Melbourne. Fellow-Yorkshireman Gary Ballance could also feature, but it remains to be seen whether one of the three big seamers will get an opportunity. Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin and Chris Tremlett have all been criticised for not pushing their case heavily enough in what ought to be perfect conditions for tall fast-bowlers Down Under.

There is a slight silver lining to the horizon. Michael Carberry has come in at the top of the order and batted with maturity and composure, but at the age of 33, it is unlikely he play a part in future Ashes series. Joe Root, promoted to no.3 due to the unfortunate departure of Jonathan Trott, will be a key man for England in the coming years, but he still has a long way to go before he reaches his full potential. Ian Bell has shown glimpses of his class, whilst Ben Stokes underlined his promise with a maiden Test century at the WACA.

There are two Tests left in the series, but the outcome of the final two games is redundant, for Australia have already regained the Ashes. Regardless of the reasons for their performances, the inquest has well and truly begun. Question marks hang over the heads of a number of key players and also over the future of coach Andy Flower, although the Zimbabwean is remaining tight-lipped on the subject. England must try to regain a little pride from the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, show some backbone, and avoid a 5-0 series whitewash. If they were to do so once again, it could have disastrous consequences for English cricket.

Bailey selection a no-brainer

Australia today named their squad ahead of the first Ashes Test against England, notably including left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson and uncapped batsman George Bailey.

Although Bailey is yet to make his Test debut, the 31-year-old Tasmanian has a wealth of international experience, having skippered both the ODI and t20 sides. Bailey’s form in limited-overs cricket has given the Australian selectors little choice but to pick him and he will surely slot straight into the XI at no.6.

Having been selected ahead of fellow Tasmanian Alex Doolan because of his superior international pedigree, the consistency of Bailey’s performances since his debut in March 2012 has been extremely impressive. In his 35 one-day matches for Australia, Bailey has scored 1539 runs at an average of 54.96, with only India’s Virat Kohli scoring more ODI runs in that time period. In addition, in their recent one-day series, Bailey made four scores of 80+ against India, including a knock of 156 from 114 balls.

But despite his emphatic form for Australia over the past year, Bailey made only 256 runs at 18.28 in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition and thus question marks remain over whether he can replicate his form in the shorter formats in Test cricket. National selector John Inverarity was quick to point out that in the previous Down Under, Bailey made 697 Shield runs at a significantly healthier average of 58.08.

Regardless of the statistics, it is clear that Bailey oozes international quality and possesses all the necessary skills to be successful in the Test arena. England’s bowlers found themselves on the receiving end of his powerful stroke play at the back end of the summer, when Bailey made scores of 82, 87 and 4 in the NatWest ODI series. Subsequently, Bailey will know what to expect from this current England attack and he will be extremely confident that he has the ability to score runs against it.

Whilst he is widely known for his powerful stroke play, Bailey’s technique is solid and he is compact in defence. His attacking instincts are perfectly suited to the aggressive brand of Test cricket Australia will look to play. Alongside Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, Bailey’s inclusion means the Australian batting line-up suddenly looks strong and balanced. The Baggie Greens’ Achilles heel in England was their inconsistent batting line-up, which subsequently produced erratic batting displays. However, their weakness in the summer could prove to be their greatest strength this time around.

Thus with his recent form against India in mind, Bailey is a player who could play a critical role in Australia’s attempts to regain the Ashes. His form alone demands that his is one of the first names on the team sheet for the first Test at The Gabba.

Alex Hales – The best t20 batsman on the planet?

After firing England to victory in their final t20i match against Australia at Chester-le-Street, opening batsman Alex Hales has been ranked as the number one Twenty20 batsman in the world in the official International Cricket Council Twenty20 standings.

Hales blistering knock of 96 from 61 balls propelled England to a total of 195-5 from their 20.0 overs, with Australia falling 27 runs short of their target. England’s victory meant the t20i series was tied 1-1 and Hales subsequently picked up the man-of-the-match award. Furthermore, as a result of his performance, Hales also received 65 ranking points, taking him above New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum into first place. Australian duo Shane Watson and David Warner currently sit in 3^rd and 4^th position in the standings, whilst Martin Guptill, Mahela Jayawardene, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle and JP Duminy make up the rest of the top 10.

Outlaws opener Hales’ main strengths lie in his ability to take the attack to the bowlers from the off, taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions in the powerplay overs to thrust his team off to a fast start. Providing he stays at the crease beyond the first six overs, his ability to maintain that initial momentum by picking the gaps and continuing to score boundaries is of equal benefit to his team. Hales is undoubtedly a very talented t20 performer; but is the boy from Hillingdon, Middlesex, really the best t20i batsmen in the world?

In his twenty-one Twenty20 internationals, Hales has scored 665 runs at an average of 39.11 with a strike rate of 135.99. His highest t20i score came last summer against the West Indies, when he made 99 from 68 balls – the highest t20i score by an English batsmen – and in total he has scored six t20i fifties whacking 69 fours and 19 sixes. In total, domestically and internationally, Hales has played eighty-four t20 matches, amassing 2343 runs, averaging 30.42, with a strike rate of 139.21.

These are a very impressive collection of statistics, but how do they compare with his main rivals at the top of the ICC rankings? Number two in the standings, Kiwi supremo Brendon McCullum, averages 35.50 in t20 internationals, scoring 1882 runs in 61 innings, with a strike rate of 135.49. Despite the fact that McCullum has made two t20i hundreds and five in total – including a blistering 158* off 73 balls for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL’s inaugural match – his t20i record is slightly inferior to Hales. In fact, none of the other top ten candidates have a higher t20i average than Hales, with only Shane Watson, David Warner and Chris Gayle boasting better strike rates than the Nottinghamshire man.

However, Hales relative inexperience in the international arena is somewhat beneficial regarding his generous statistical record. For any commentator, journalist, coach, player or fan of world cricket will likely argue that best batsmen in the game’s shortest format is a Gayle, a McCullum or a Dhawan (etc), and not a Hales. To be one of the world’s best t20i batsmen, one needs to be a uniquely destructive force, feared by every bowling attack on the planet. In this regard, Hales still has a long way to go until his status is sufficient to be welcomed into such an exclusive gentlemen’s club.

In order to truly become one of the best players in the world, Hales needs to be consistently successful at all levels and across all formats over the next few years. Whilst proving his ability abroad in the IPL or the Big Bash would gain him much kudos, success on the home front would perhaps be a better place to start. Hales has struggled to get into Nottinghamshire’s County Championship side this season and in the Friends Life t20 competition, he was comfortably outscored by Hampshire’s Michael Carberry and Somerset’s Craig Kieswetter. Moreover, despite scoring the 4^th highest runs tally in the FLt20, Hales only placed 28^th on the 2013 averages list.

Thus, although Hales can take a big confidence boost from the fact that he has been ranked by the ICC as the best t20i player on the planet, this is simply a blurred reality. For despite being an undoubtedly talented young player, Hales is not even the best Twenty20 batsman in the country. Sorry, Alex.

 

Flat Track Bully’s Alternative Ashes XI (summer 2013)

(Please note that any players guilty of “boring” cricket have been made unavailable for selection.)

1. David Warner
2. Shane Watson
3. Kevin Pietersen
4. Michael Clarke ©
5. Steve Smith
6. Brad Haddin (wk)
7. Stuart Broad
8. Graeme Swann
9. Peter Siddle
10. Ryan Harris
11. James Anderson

Openers

As per the above rules, picking a pair of opening batsmen from this summer’s Ashes series is a rather tricky decision. The difficulty lies in that England’s openers, Alastair Cook and Joe Root, a) batted far too slowly, and b) didn’t score enough runs. Last time around in Australia, Captain Cook was England’s hero, scoring a mammoth amount of runs (766) and anchored the English batting line-up to some big totals. There was no such repeat this time around however, as Cook made just three fifties and reverted back to his old ‘pushing one to first slip’ method of dismissal. As for Root, his 180 was an outstanding innings under very little pressure, but the Yorkshireman’s submissive stance – having been promoted to opening the batting – was simply dreadful for the modern day (t20 junkie) cricket fan to watch. Less casual supporters will remember the headline “Edgblaston” from back in 2005, the day when England scored 400 runs in one day. Root, Cook and Trott all failed to entertain in such dramatic style. Talk about digging in…

Subsequently, it is two Australians who slot in at the top of the order for FTB’s Ashes XI. Chris Rogers – who impressed for a man of his age – nudged and nurdled far too much for our selectors liking. Thus, Australia’s conundrum man Shane Watson finds himself opening the batting once more. His lusty style and canny knack of getting out LBW all the time is just the sort of thing cricket fans today want to see. Likewise, everyone loves a pantomime villain, and the XI would not be the same without Australia’s very own [insert Rocky Balboa opponent here] David Warner. His boxing skills, twitter antics and plentiful stroke play certainly got his name trending. Thus having showed (in glimpses) the sort of destruction they are both capable of piling upon an opposition attack and therefore, these bully boys are in the FTB team.

Middle-order

            Now you know the rules by now – no boring batsmen allowed. Sadly this means our man-of-the-series Ian Bell doesn’t actually make our series best XI. Okay, so he made a stack of runs including three hundreds and two fifties, but who wants to see someone stealing all the limelight, eh? We’d much rather watch Michael Clarke for example, who one day might get out to the ball of the series or on another, might get a massive score. After all, this side needs a skipper who refuses to let his team get bowled out and so Mr Tactical Declarations gets our vote. As for the other two batters, Kevin Pietersen picks himself on ego alone, but more importantly, he scores at more than one run an over. He’s a mystery, he’s an enigma and he’s a run-scorer. Steve Smith, like KP, very much bats in his own way, but who cares about technique when you score runs quickly and consistently? Despite not being selected for the initial squad, Smithy did his country proud and was arguably the tourist’s most consistent player with the bat. Without Belly, this team probably needs a bit of consistency.

In the wicket-keeping department, batting slightly higher than perhaps he ought, is Brad Haddin. Now there’s a proper batsman. No man at mid-wicket? Lovely jubbly. He also took a fair few catches behind the stumps (when he wasn’t letting the ball pass in between himself and first slip) and you probably need that in your Test team. Not that he had much competition for the gloves, because the usually irrepressible Matt Prior batted like Glenn McGrath with his eyes closed for the whole series. So yeah, we’ve gone for five batters and a keeper. Six batsmen is so last week.

Bowlers

Yep, we’ve got five of them and if you weren’t particularly impressed by our flat-track-bullies at the top of the order, this lot will get your tongues wagging more than a troupe of IPL cheerleaders. At seven, it’s Stuart “I only walk when I run out of petrol” Broad, because what this team doesn’t need is gentlemen. Screw the spirit of cricket; this is the flaming Ashes! Broad is big, bad and he’s a much better all-rounder than James Faulkner and Chris Woakes. Broady was back with the bat and on a roll with the ball this series, so his selection is a no-brainer. The same applies for team mate Graeme Swann – the offie with bags of character, magic spinning fingers and hands as safe as houses. He gives it a whack too and we like that, so much so that we’ve promoted him to number eight.

Two Aussies are up next as they were the only two didgeridoos that eve nr looked like taking more than two wickets. Peter Siddle is a marvellous chap, isn’t he? With aggression pouring out of his ears like steam, a Lion’s roar waiting to emerge from his mouth, he hits the pitch hard and gets the ball to talk. Moreover, he takes wickets aplenty and even when he is sent in as the night-watchman, he still scores at more than a run a ball. Watch and learn England. As for Ryan Harris, nobody knows how he has made it this far without being shot down by injury, but Ryno proved in this series that he is a damn good bowler when his body allows him to be. May all the Australian physiotherapists and masseurs be given knighthoods. Oh and don’t forget that Mr Harris enjoys a little skip to square leg and a big thrash of the old willow. Blooming brilliant.

Last but not least, it’s Jimmy. Okay so he went AWOL for a couple of Tests, but he’s got to be the finest operator of the swinging ball currently playing Test cricket. That ball to Clarke at Trent Bridge was nigh on unplayable (a bit like FTB’s Ashes XI). In fact, in light of this team selection, hopefully the ICC will allow the return series Down Under to be played in a quirky new format involving Tests, ODIs and t20s, with a point system deciding the winner of the urn. Because no matter what the format, this furiously competitive bunch of showmen would entertain the crowds until the clowns come home.

Why KP’s absence would be a good thing for everyone (but him!)

England’s decision to throw James Taylor into an Ashes tour match for Sussex against Australia on Friday seems to suggest that Kevin Pietersen’s calf strain is a serious one. The injury could keep him out of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford beginning on August 1^st and 23-year-old Taylor could be the man to replace him. The Nottinghamshire batsman – who has played in two Test matches for his country – has thus been given the opportunity to prepare for a potential Ashes debut.

Taylor, who averages 47.83 in first-class cricket, could make his third international appearance one year on from his England debut, which came against South Africa on August 2^nd last year. The former England Lions skipper has been in good form in all formats this summer, averaging over fifty in the county championship and over a hundred in the YB40 competition. Although he only made 48 runs from his three innings against South Africa last summer, it is believed that Taylor is the next in line for KP’s slot, with the prodigal Ravi Bopara just behind him.

From an English perspective, should Pietersen be unfit to play at Old Trafford next week, it may be no bad thing at all. Taylor is an in-form young player with plenty of potential and on the basis of his domestic form, deserves a chance again at international level. KP meanwhile has looked far from his majestic best in the series so far, having made just 85 runs from four innings at an average just over 20. His much awaited return to the team has not quite gone according to plan for the South African-born batsman, having been absent over the past year due to personal differences and injury. The team dynamic would certainly not be affected by the absence of Pietersen’s ego, even if his undoubted talent leaves the batting line-up a touch short of experience.

This will be the opinion of the Australians – that an England side without Pietersen is a weaker one. Lehmann and co. will feel that Taylor’s lack of experience at international level is something they can exploit and having toured Australia with the Lions back in February, the Aussies should have some footage of him batting to analyse as well. One might suggest that Taylor’s lack of height (5 foot 6 inches) probably means that “Titch” will receive a polite welcome to Ashes cricket through a barrage of short pitched chin music.

England’s batting line-up, although not as bad as the Australians, have already shown frailties in the first and second Test matches, and without KP’s experience and “x-factor” ability, the Aussies will feel they can continue to unsettle the hosts relatively inexperienced top-order. Alongside the youthful Root, Bairstow and Taylor, Pietersen’s absence will put pressure on Cook, Trott and Bell to stand up and perform.

So let’s all hope that Pietersen’s injury keeps him out of the Old Trafford. It could be a good thing for everyone (apart from KP!) – for Englishman, for Australians and even more so for the neutrals, the cricket fans all over the globe who are hoping for a slightly less one-sided contest come August 1^st at Old Trafford.

Australia suffer Pattinson injury blow

After a catastrophic 347-run four-day defeat at Lord’s, Australia’s Ashes hopes have been struck with a further blow tonight following the news that fast-bowler James Pattinson is out of the rest of the series having suffered a stress fracture of the lower back. Pattinson originally complained of back and hip soreness following the Lord’s Test, yet since being assessed by medical staff, the extent of his injury has been revealed as much more severe.

Although the 23-year-old has looked a long way short of his menacing best in the series thus far – taking just 7 wickets at an average of 43.85 – Pattinson has also chipped in with a couple of useful lower-order knocks with the bat. The loss of the Victorian speedster is subsequently a major blow for the Aussies, and now Lehmann, Clarke and co. must decide on the best way to balance the side in his absence.

A straight swap could see a return to the side for left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc, who took match figures of 5-135 in the first Test at Trent Bridge. It has already been well highlighted that England’s batsmen have struggled against left-arm seamers in the past, most recently Trent Boult and Neil Wagner of New Zealand. Thus 23-year-old’s ability to swing the ball back into the right-handers may lead to the Aussies bringing Starc back into the side.

Another seam bowling option for Australia is Jackson Bird. The 26-year-old – who plays his state cricket in Tasmania – made his Test debut in last year’s Boxing Day encounter against Sri Lanka at the MCG, taking 11 wickets in two matches at 16.18. With over 100 first-class wickets to his name, Bird has the ability to swing the ball both ways and is a strong option for the tourists in Pattinson’s absence. Prior to the Ashes, fast-bowling legend Merv Hughes suggested Bird could be “one of the bowlers of the tour”.

He added, “He is a top bowler, he doesn’t give much away, he seams it and he swings it. Personally, I think he’s going to be the most important bowler for the Australian’s in this campaign.”

Alternate options for the Australians are all-rounder James Faulkner and Nathan Lyon. Rajasthan Royals star Faulkner – who has yet to make his Test debut – would strengthen the side in all departments; he averages 29.90 in first-class cricket with the bat and has taken 131 first class wickets at 22.63. Lyon – who has played 22 Tests for his country – may also return to the side and could form a duel-spin attack with youngster Ashton Agar.

There is of course plenty of time for each of these candidates to prove their form and fitness ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford, which begins on August 1^st. The Australians face Sussex in a three-day Tour match beginning at Hove on Friday, offering the likes of Lyon, Bird, Faulkner and reserve wicket-keeper Matthew Wade the chance to submit their selection credentials. Bad-boy batsman David Warner could also return to the Australian line-up for the third Test, as Lehmann desperately searches for a winning formula, in order to avoid a humiliating series defeat. Anything less than a win for the Australians at Old Trafford means England will either win or retain the Ashes.

Finn and Cowan possible casualties for Lord’s Test

Wow! It’s fair to say, that the first Investec Ashes Test of the summer was an absolute belter. With more twist and turns than a Monaco Grand Prix and drama lurking around every corner, the Trent Bridge encounter was one of the most dramatic Test matches of the decade. In a match reminiscent of the Edgbaston 2005 Ashes Test, it was again England who triumphed by the smallest of margins. The tiniest of inside edges proved to be the difference between the two sides, as Jimmy Anderson took his 10^th wicket of the match to remove Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. It was a case of so near yet so far once again for the crestfallen Australians.

But if the first Test is anything to go by, the remaining nine matches of this year’s Ashes double-whammy are going to an enthralling contest. England hold a 1-0 lead going into the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday and have subsequently named an unchanged squad. Whilst the batting line-up will remain untouched, there is a strong possibility that England may make a change in the bowling department, with Tim Bresnan potentially coming in to replace Steven Finn.

Finn, who took match figures of 2-117, is clearly short of confidence and rhythm. As the second Australian 10^th wicket stand threatened to change the game, Brad Haddin targeted the lacklustre Finn, hitting him for three boundaries in the one over. Sky pundit Bob Willis suggested Finn’s below-par performance was due in part to England’s preference to prepare a flat, turning wicket, in order to favour the spin of Graeme Swann. Michael Clarke believes England will continue to prepare such pitches, and therefore Finn’s undoubted threat on bouncier, faster wickets could thus be nullified. Jonathan Agnew believes Finn needs game time with his county side Middlesex in order to regain his confidence. However, with the next Test at his home ground, there may still yet be hope that Finn might retain his place. Nasser Hussain has called for Finn to play at Lord’s, providing there is a bit of pace in the pitch. Yet if the wicket throws up another slow, low deck, it is highly likely that Tim Bresnan will be introduced into the series. Having bowled well in the Champions Trophy and scored a ton in England’s warm-up match against Essex, the Yorkshireman undoubtedly deserves a place in the side.

As for the Australians, it is likely their side will remain similar also. Although Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon will hope to play a part in the series, strong performances from Siddle, Starc, Pattinson and Agar mean the Australians will probably stick with their current bowling unit. One position in the XI that may come under consideration however is the number 3 slot, after a below-par performance in the first Test by Ed Cowan. Cowan, who made a golden duck in the first innings and was dismissed by the part-time off-spin of Joe Root in the second, was a complete nervous wreck at the crease. The shot he played first ball to James Anderson looked every bit the stroke of a man playing in his first Ashes Test and whilst many of his Test mates rose to the occasion, Cowan crumbled under the pressure. David Warner and Usman Khawaja will thus believe they have a chance to break into the team at some point during the series, although Cowan will probably be given another chance at Lord’s. Both fans and selectors alike will be hoping that (if selected) he can regain his composure for his second Ashes Test.

See you at Lord’s.