Who's going to dominate the T20? These guys...
Chris Woakes - Warwickshire: After one of my longest running (in the 10 months of me having the site) bandwagons, Chris Woakes was selected for England during the Australia ODI series. Woakes is blessed with an ability to control the ball and keep it tight, while also being a real wicket taking option, making him the perfect T20 bowler. He's also pretty flipping good in Four Day and Forty Overs, and he's just hit a century for the Lions. So all in all, Chris Woakes should be England captain.
Tim Murtagh - Middlesex: Was I ever going to go through a county players to watch list without getting Murtagh in somewhere. Was a bit indifferent last year, but is a really great T20 bowler (on top of everything else), so watch out for a resurgent Murts as the Pink Army advance towards the T20 title... (you heard it here first!)
Alfonso Thomas - Somerset: Simply the best death bowler in T20s ever. You can't argue with the figures (although Dirk Nannes might), and Thomas is set to have another great season all round, but T20 is his forte. Expect wickets.
Showing posts with label The Diggler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Diggler. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Monday, 28 February 2011
National Identity Part Three
OK, third time lucky. I've already written two blogs in a matter of minutes about nationality and such, and missed the point I wanted to make. So this time, I'm definitely going to mention it.
In doing my research for the one of the earlier blogs about George Dockrell (yes, I do research sometimes), I stumbled across this. "Birth Country No Bar at the CWC". I suggest you read it, as it's far more interesting than anything you'd read on this site.
The nations at the World Cup can be (and have been, many times) split into two camps - the Big Boys and the Minnows. Players will want to play for the Big Boys, because it increases their chance of success, and for associate players, increases their chance of playing in tests. (As well as a heap of other reasons, seen in the second of my three-parter) And every nation will want to best players at their disposal to play for them.
So Big Boys England have recruited Trott and Pietersen (as well as Irish Joyce and Morgan turning out for them as well). South Africa have got Imran Tahir in. And New Zealand got Grant Elliot (must be gutted that Tendulkar doesn't have a second-cousin in Dunedin). They are able to attract players who are good enough to be playing internationally for their nations of birth for whatever reason to play for them.
The Minnows, however, have it differently. As seen with the Morgan / Joyce / Dockrell issue, the associates will struggle to keep hold of their best and brightest. So they will look to find anyone with even the slightest heritage of the nation, or the slightest inclination to live in their country for an allotted time. Hence the Indian and Pakistani Canadian side, South African heavy Dutch, and antipodean Irish team.
While I, and plenty others don't like it, it's in the ICC rules for players to move around, so countries are well within their rights to get in the foreign legion. It shouldn't be, but that's by the by.
Of course it must be difficult for Ireland and the rest to see their best players being lured away by the bright lights of test cricket. So with smaller player pools and their best local talents being lost, no wonder they're turning overseas. Add on top of that the advantages that having good experienced imports can bring.
Cricket Ireland's Barry Chambers said
And Dutch Ed van Neirop said players from overseas had lifted the standard of cricket "enormously".
While this could be stopping local talent from emerging, it could also be improving the skills of the guys around and helping them compete. It's a difficult situation. The Minnows want to keep their best players, and their best players want to play for the Big Boys.
There are three groups of adopted nation-ites. Group 1 - the foreign national brought in to improve a side (see here Trott, Pietersen, Trent Johnston). Group 2 - the associate player who wants more (see here Morgan, Joyce). And Group 3 (the "have your cake and eat it" bunch) - the guys from the big nations who aren't picked for their country, but try and get picked at home. (see here Dirk Nannes playing for Holland in the 2009 T20 World Cup before playing for Australia). Were I in charge of the ICC, I'd immediately outlaw all of 1, 2 and 3, but sadly I'm unlikely to become president in the next few years, so the situation will continue. The foreign legion in cricket is a growing problem, and ultimately devalues the notion of "inter-nation" cricket.
I don't really know what to say about this anymore, I've been writing about players applying for new passports solidly for a few hours now, and I have nothing else to add. So there's my conclusion - inter-nation cricket should be between the people of one nation and another. Not people of various countries all wearing one shirt, facing off against a team of players for other disparate countries wearing another.
In doing my research for the one of the earlier blogs about George Dockrell (yes, I do research sometimes), I stumbled across this. "Birth Country No Bar at the CWC". I suggest you read it, as it's far more interesting than anything you'd read on this site.
The nations at the World Cup can be (and have been, many times) split into two camps - the Big Boys and the Minnows. Players will want to play for the Big Boys, because it increases their chance of success, and for associate players, increases their chance of playing in tests. (As well as a heap of other reasons, seen in the second of my three-parter) And every nation will want to best players at their disposal to play for them.
So Big Boys England have recruited Trott and Pietersen (as well as Irish Joyce and Morgan turning out for them as well). South Africa have got Imran Tahir in. And New Zealand got Grant Elliot (must be gutted that Tendulkar doesn't have a second-cousin in Dunedin). They are able to attract players who are good enough to be playing internationally for their nations of birth for whatever reason to play for them.
The Minnows, however, have it differently. As seen with the Morgan / Joyce / Dockrell issue, the associates will struggle to keep hold of their best and brightest. So they will look to find anyone with even the slightest heritage of the nation, or the slightest inclination to live in their country for an allotted time. Hence the Indian and Pakistani Canadian side, South African heavy Dutch, and antipodean Irish team.
While I, and plenty others don't like it, it's in the ICC rules for players to move around, so countries are well within their rights to get in the foreign legion. It shouldn't be, but that's by the by.
Of course it must be difficult for Ireland and the rest to see their best players being lured away by the bright lights of test cricket. So with smaller player pools and their best local talents being lost, no wonder they're turning overseas. Add on top of that the advantages that having good experienced imports can bring.
Cricket Ireland's Barry Chambers said
"In Ireland's case, the players have helped to take Irish cricket to a new level... The players brought a professionalism to the game which has rubbed off on the younger players coming through. Ireland keep producing real gems - Eoin Morgan before he switched to England".
And Dutch Ed van Neirop said players from overseas had lifted the standard of cricket "enormously".
While this could be stopping local talent from emerging, it could also be improving the skills of the guys around and helping them compete. It's a difficult situation. The Minnows want to keep their best players, and their best players want to play for the Big Boys.
There are three groups of adopted nation-ites. Group 1 - the foreign national brought in to improve a side (see here Trott, Pietersen, Trent Johnston). Group 2 - the associate player who wants more (see here Morgan, Joyce). And Group 3 (the "have your cake and eat it" bunch) - the guys from the big nations who aren't picked for their country, but try and get picked at home. (see here Dirk Nannes playing for Holland in the 2009 T20 World Cup before playing for Australia). Were I in charge of the ICC, I'd immediately outlaw all of 1, 2 and 3, but sadly I'm unlikely to become president in the next few years, so the situation will continue. The foreign legion in cricket is a growing problem, and ultimately devalues the notion of "inter-nation" cricket.
I don't really know what to say about this anymore, I've been writing about players applying for new passports solidly for a few hours now, and I have nothing else to add. So there's my conclusion - inter-nation cricket should be between the people of one nation and another. Not people of various countries all wearing one shirt, facing off against a team of players for other disparate countries wearing another.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Twenty20 in 20 words - North Group
So here we are, at the halfway stage of the FPt20 groups. Yes, it's been constant every day cricket for the last month, but we are only half way. So purely to take my mind of the other big game of the day, here's each county team's T20 campaign so far. In 20 words.
North Group
Notts (W7 L1): Fired by Nannes and Hussey, have strength throughout. Should make quarters easily; perhaps even trip to Rose Bowl?
Lancashire (W5 L3): Quietly useful side missing international attack. Will miss Katich but could have enough wins already to progress further.
Warwickshire (W5 L3): Very strong team with great new ball attack. Luckily better than awful kit suggests. Woakes FTW.
Yorkshire(W5 L4): Have mix with experience and a youthful captain. Just need to check registration of players.
Derbyshire (W4 L4): Unglamorous, but inconsistent. Have powerful middle order hitters, but will need a bit of luck if they are to progress.
Northants (W4 L5): Team without many flair players but very capable. Have missed Sehwag (haven't we all), but not out of running.
Durham (W3 L6): Disappointing start for County Champions; possibly strongest batting line up compromised by weakened attack leaking runs. Pity.
Leicestershire (W3 L5): Prodigious Taylor keeping them together, captain Hoggard's unorthodoxy can be both a help and a hindrance. Doubtful to qualify.
Worcestershire (W2 L6): Winter departure of key players left poor squad, will need to rally spectacularly just to save face at this stage.
Table correct as of June 27
North Group
Notts (W7 L1): Fired by Nannes and Hussey, have strength throughout. Should make quarters easily; perhaps even trip to Rose Bowl?
Lancashire (W5 L3): Quietly useful side missing international attack. Will miss Katich but could have enough wins already to progress further.
Warwickshire (W5 L3): Very strong team with great new ball attack. Luckily better than awful kit suggests. Woakes FTW.
Yorkshire(W5 L4): Have mix with experience and a youthful captain. Just need to check registration of players.
Derbyshire (W4 L4): Unglamorous, but inconsistent. Have powerful middle order hitters, but will need a bit of luck if they are to progress.
Northants (W4 L5): Team without many flair players but very capable. Have missed Sehwag (haven't we all), but not out of running.
Durham (W3 L6): Disappointing start for County Champions; possibly strongest batting line up compromised by weakened attack leaking runs. Pity.
Leicestershire (W3 L5): Prodigious Taylor keeping them together, captain Hoggard's unorthodoxy can be both a help and a hindrance. Doubtful to qualify.
Worcestershire (W2 L6): Winter departure of key players left poor squad, will need to rally spectacularly just to save face at this stage.
Table correct as of June 27
Thursday, 8 April 2010
This is the real IPL
The IPL is a place where the world's best cricketers get together and make friends. Transcending both social, political and international boundaries, these new friends are able to share a beer, go fishing, or even do some karaoke. As seen here.
Virally, Kingfisher have done a brilliant job, as this has now been seen on quite a few blogs. Whether or not this actually helps sell their product is by the by, as otherwise we would never have seen Dirk Nannes air-DJing, Middlesex's own David Warner "walking like an Egyptian", that Adam Gilchrist sings with an Indian accent, as well as Eoin Morgan, Michael Lumb and Dimi Mascerenhas dancing much more exuberantly than their teammates. So in a way, it's a public service video. Anyway, just watch it. Once it has been seen, it will never be unseen.
Virally, Kingfisher have done a brilliant job, as this has now been seen on quite a few blogs. Whether or not this actually helps sell their product is by the by, as otherwise we would never have seen Dirk Nannes air-DJing, Middlesex's own David Warner "walking like an Egyptian", that Adam Gilchrist sings with an Indian accent, as well as Eoin Morgan, Michael Lumb and Dimi Mascerenhas dancing much more exuberantly than their teammates. So in a way, it's a public service video. Anyway, just watch it. Once it has been seen, it will never be unseen.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Last Week's Poll - Who do you want to see on Twitter?
Last week's poll was which cricket personality you wanted to see on Twitter - and for the first time in the (albeit short) history of The Short Third Man there was a tie! Both Dirk Nannes and Mike Hussey scored 33% of the vote. However, as I get the casting vote, Nannes is declared the winner.
This week is a poll-fest - with three up and running! To celebrate the start of the county season, I have polls for who will win both Divisions 1 and 2, as well as which player will rip it up this year. So get voting!
This week is a poll-fest - with three up and running! To celebrate the start of the county season, I have polls for who will win both Divisions 1 and 2, as well as which player will rip it up this year. So get voting!
Saturday, 20 March 2010
The Delhi Daredevils newest fan
You have spoken. And with 40% of the votes, I am now a Delhi Daredevils supporter. The franchise boasting the talents of Sehwag, de Villiers, Dilshan, and Paul Collingwood. And the only IPL team with Dirk Nannes. Get in.
In honour of the Diggler, here is a post written by the excellent Jarrod Kimber of Cricket With Balls fame, separating Dirk fact from Diggler fiction.
Go Daredevils!
In honour of the Diggler, here is a post written by the excellent Jarrod Kimber of Cricket With Balls fame, separating Dirk fact from Diggler fiction.
Go Daredevils!
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
More IPL stuff
Contrary to previous predictions, I have actually watched a fair bit (a few overs here and there) of the IPL. However, I still haven't been fully involved in it - mainly as I do not have a team. While picking a team might be easy, each has their own unique charms that could attract me to them.
Delhi have Paul Collingwood and Dirk the Diggler; Bangalore have Eoin Morgan; Kings XI have Ravi Bopara, Rajasthan have Warne, Mascarenhas and Tyron Henderson; KKR have Owais Shah; and the rest have players who I'm either not interested in or I dislike.
So I am handing it over to you, my loyal Short Third Fans; pick for me an IPL team. I will forever follow them, look out for their score, buy their shirt, whatever. You have three days to vote.
The Short Third Man
Delhi have Paul Collingwood and Dirk the Diggler; Bangalore have Eoin Morgan; Kings XI have Ravi Bopara, Rajasthan have Warne, Mascarenhas and Tyron Henderson; KKR have Owais Shah; and the rest have players who I'm either not interested in or I dislike.
So I am handing it over to you, my loyal Short Third Fans; pick for me an IPL team. I will forever follow them, look out for their score, buy their shirt, whatever. You have three days to vote.
The Short Third Man
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