Concussions, liberation and a few beers
Are my excuses for being a bit sporadic in the last few days. Thursday evening I had an unplanned encounter between my head and the bottom of Vazon Bay, after misjudging the depth of the water and a bail out off the board, needless to say, my head was a little sore after that (and a ridiculous carpet-burn-looking graze on my head and a big hole on the bottom of my board to prove it). I had a guest over the weekend, and then yesterday was Liberation Day here in the Channel Islands. So needless to say, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with other things. I caught a bit of the 3rd test between South Africa and New Zealand - a bizarre match that saw a bowler-friendly wicket on days 1 and 2, making it seemingly very difficult for any batsman to get settled. The game was eventually over inside three days, with South Africa scoring the required 217 to become victorious and win the series 2-0.
It seems all other eyes are on England, in preparation for the first of a three match Test series, at Lord’s tomorrow. There’s been the usual guff spilling out of people’s mouths in build-up to it. Newbie Alastair Cook is excited about his opportunity to play for England and thinks he can bat anywhere.
“Five-day cricket, you’ve got to be fully focused for batting a long period of time. It’s early May, so the ball should do a bit and might move around, so it’s a key to leave well, but you’re there to score runs as well,” said Cook. (from BBC Sport)
I’ll be happy to repost that if he gets a 3-ball duck, after chasing a wide one. Vaughan is still out, and Steve Harmison’s return has been further delayed due to a baby. This means Flintoff will captain his first test match on home soil, even though England have delayed the announcement of the side. Ashley Giles is still pretending that he might play cricket again. Yet-to-really-shine-Paul-Collingwood is adamant he deserves a place in the side. Though if he fails in this series, I wouldn’t expect to see him play much more.
Shane Warne inadvertently outed Freddie, in commenting over Monty Panesar’s inclusion in the squad.
“And I’m sure he’ll give Monty a lot of love.”
Sri Lanka, and in particular team coach ex-Worcestershire and Australia, Tom Moody, have been surrounded by criticism following their defeat to England A.
However, the most interesting piece of news is that of Muttiah “Murali” Muttalitharan, Sri Lanka’s number 1 and 2nd all time top test wicket taker - in 14 years of Test cricket, he has never played a test match at Lord’s, the home of cricket. And in an ironic twist, his first appearance at Lord’s could quite possibly be his only/last appearance.
Sadly a pesky day job means I won’t be able to follow it ball-by-ball on the telly. England are certainly favourites, but that doesn’t really count for much.
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