8th January 2012
I'm writing this as I should be watching the BBC's new series of 'Sherlock', a program that has pulled Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian mastermind into the modern day - a process that, until now, the England Cricket team appeared to have also undergone. However, today in the UAE there were signs that the England team could be stuck somewhere in the middle. A batting collapse occurring after Alastair Cook did well to set the boys up, a declaration made by Straussy as England fall short of the required total and a number of batting superstars failing to do what was needed, and to make matters worse, the opposition are the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate. With a lack of coverage of the game (no TMS or Sky yet) I can only report on what the score card tells me, but the first half does not make happy reading. These past few days have uncovered major cracks in England's batting ability on the flat, dry wickets of the Middle East and these must be addressed before facing Pakistan.
If one was looking for an explanation, maybe we should go back to the summer, particularly the ODIs against India. England were playing on home wickets that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show would be happy to exhibit as an example of pristine lawn cultivation, rather than making any attempt to mimic a wicket of the sub continent. Like the 'hounds of the baskervilles', this summer's wicket choices are coming back to haunt the team. In the batting department, England are showing worrying signs of the team of old, a lonely Alastair Cook at the crease as each great name comes-and-goes without making an impact.
But, once England have put the bat down and Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann pick up the ball, England reflect the sharp, slick, savvy Sherlock. It appears that Stuart Broad is taking on Benedict Cumberbatch's role as the game-maker, a step-ahead of the rest. With an economy rate of 1.67 and statistics reading 2-15 in 9.0 overs, for a second day running Broady is impressing. Dr Watson, in this case Jimmy Anderson, is supporting Broad's sharpness by keeping hot on his heels, racking up 2-15 in 12.0 overs. So together these two are settling the fan's nerves and reassuring us that we can support our world number 1 status.
Our boys are half way between a globally successful formidable fighting force and a domestic goddess, a team of two halves. However, the mentality of this team makes me think that Sherlock will prevail, like he always does on TV, because we have a trump card - unity. Cricket is a team sport, every member must pull their weight and make their contribution for the good of the team, and through Swanny's Ashes Video Diary's the fans know that what this team have, above anything, is unity. The relationship between them and their mentality makes even the most cynical of supporter breathe a little easier when the going gets tough. I believe that the success of the bowling unit, of Sherlock and Dr. Watson, will be enough to inspire and encourage those currently below par. Oh and let's not forget, Alastair Cook. Beneath that chiseled jaw line, piercing dark eyes and sportsman's physique is a tyrant, who will simply remain at the crease, minding his own business, for hours.
Until next time, the Seam-Mistress.
I'm writing this as I should be watching the BBC's new series of 'Sherlock', a program that has pulled Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian mastermind into the modern day - a process that, until now, the England Cricket team appeared to have also undergone. However, today in the UAE there were signs that the England team could be stuck somewhere in the middle. A batting collapse occurring after Alastair Cook did well to set the boys up, a declaration made by Straussy as England fall short of the required total and a number of batting superstars failing to do what was needed, and to make matters worse, the opposition are the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate. With a lack of coverage of the game (no TMS or Sky yet) I can only report on what the score card tells me, but the first half does not make happy reading. These past few days have uncovered major cracks in England's batting ability on the flat, dry wickets of the Middle East and these must be addressed before facing Pakistan.
If one was looking for an explanation, maybe we should go back to the summer, particularly the ODIs against India. England were playing on home wickets that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show would be happy to exhibit as an example of pristine lawn cultivation, rather than making any attempt to mimic a wicket of the sub continent. Like the 'hounds of the baskervilles', this summer's wicket choices are coming back to haunt the team. In the batting department, England are showing worrying signs of the team of old, a lonely Alastair Cook at the crease as each great name comes-and-goes without making an impact.
But, once England have put the bat down and Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann pick up the ball, England reflect the sharp, slick, savvy Sherlock. It appears that Stuart Broad is taking on Benedict Cumberbatch's role as the game-maker, a step-ahead of the rest. With an economy rate of 1.67 and statistics reading 2-15 in 9.0 overs, for a second day running Broady is impressing. Dr Watson, in this case Jimmy Anderson, is supporting Broad's sharpness by keeping hot on his heels, racking up 2-15 in 12.0 overs. So together these two are settling the fan's nerves and reassuring us that we can support our world number 1 status.
Our boys are half way between a globally successful formidable fighting force and a domestic goddess, a team of two halves. However, the mentality of this team makes me think that Sherlock will prevail, like he always does on TV, because we have a trump card - unity. Cricket is a team sport, every member must pull their weight and make their contribution for the good of the team, and through Swanny's Ashes Video Diary's the fans know that what this team have, above anything, is unity. The relationship between them and their mentality makes even the most cynical of supporter breathe a little easier when the going gets tough. I believe that the success of the bowling unit, of Sherlock and Dr. Watson, will be enough to inspire and encourage those currently below par. Oh and let's not forget, Alastair Cook. Beneath that chiseled jaw line, piercing dark eyes and sportsman's physique is a tyrant, who will simply remain at the crease, minding his own business, for hours.
Until next time, the Seam-Mistress.
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