Associate teams have a place in the Cricket World Cup

So it’s the time every four years in the cricketing world where we complain about how long this world cup takes about the poorer teams in the competition aren’t providing the proper spectacle.

Although this world cup seems an improvement upon the farce in the West Indies it is still lasting nigh on seven weeks.



However, the International Cricket Council’s drastic solution for the next world cup see’s the teams cut to ten which seems very harsh and would mean that some decent associate teams may miss out. Leaving the associate nations to instead focus upon Twenty/20 cricket in the world events that are held every two years.

So far in this world cup we have already seen Ireland shock a lethargic England side, Canada push Pakistan close, Ireland almost beat Bangladesh, Zimbabwe show they could at times match Australia and England nearly suffered further embarrassment against Holland. Is it right that the ICC is pushing these teams out?

Of course you have seen that Kenya have been constantly beaten easily so far and except for the recent Pakistan game Canada have been nowhere near the standard required. But would Ireland be here if there were only 10 nations in this world cup.



Kevin O’Briens brilliant 50 ball century typified this and when you have Netherlands also pushing England close with Ryan Ten Doeschate (above) hitting 100 you have to question whether the ICC have gone the wrong way about shortening the tournament.

A simple was to rectify the tournament would be having 12 teams with the three best associate teams as well as test playing nations with two groups of six and only the top two qualifying. To have quarter-finals in a world cup which contains just 14 teams is a bit silly when you would say that only 8 of the sides are of a decent standard.

To leave the associate teams out in future world cups could prove costly especially if teams such as Ireland continue to develop and provide shocks. Instead their best players like George Dockrell may follow Eoin Morgan to play for England. Perhaps a mistake was made by not offering Ireland test status.




Whatever happens in the years to come, people will remember O’Briens (above) fantastic innings as he went in with no hope for the Irish and led them to victory. Perhaps the ICC should look at this before tampering with the tournament yet again.

Will the English Wicket-Keeper debate ever end?

Ever since a certain Alec Stewart retired in 2003, England have struggled to replace a fantastic 'keeper-batsman. First they tried Chris Read and then he was replaced to some success with Geraint Jones, then Read again before Matt Prior had a chance. He faltered at first so Tim Ambrose stepped in only for Prior to regain the gloves and impress since returning to the England fold, including being named as one of Wisden's players of 2009.

Sadly England seems to have lost the sheer competitiveness and quality in the 'keeper department. During the mid to late 1990's England could chose from Alec Stewart, Jack Russell, Richard Blakey and Warren Hegg. All international class 'keepers and in Stewart and Blakey fine batsmen as well.

Even though England have two of the highest regarded 'keepers in world cricket in Chris Read and James Foster (below), both have never been given the opportunity due to apparently being weak batsmen.



However, this season has seen Foster start off in great style both behind the stumps and in the middle. Against Durham he shared a record 5th wicket stand for Essex scoring 169 against bowlers such as Mark Davies and Liam Plunkett who both have been involved with England this winter. He also managed 88 against Hampshire in the opening fixture and seems in good nick.

Matt Prior's place has also again started to come under scrutiny. Although since returning to the England side his glove work has improved, certain people still feel it is under-par especially compared to someone like Foster who reminded cricket fans what he can do in last years world 20/20 when he stumped Yuvraj Singh, something most keepers wouldn't have been quick enough to manage.



Prior (above) has lost his spot in the 20/20 team to Craig Kieswetter, the South-African born 'Keeper-Batsman who impressed in Bangladesh and for England Lions with the bat but again many feel his glove work is not up to scratch and he has failed so far in the county championship with the bat.

The other rival for the 'keeper spot is Steve Davies. After an impressive summer for Worcestershire last year he was called up as a replacement for Prior in the Champions Trophy and made his ODI debut against Australia managing just 5. However, he toured with England as the back-up 'keeper to Prior suggesting that his name is in the frame.

One name that could possibly be on an England team sheet in years to come is Yorkshire's Jonny Bairtsow. Jonny is the son of former England and Yorkshire 'Keeper David Bairstow and is follwowing in his dad's footsteps in taking the role on at Yorkshire at with some success. The 20-year-old made his debut last season as a batsman and impressed with three half centuries along with replacing Yorkshire's first-choice 'keeper behind the stumps.

Although many will say Prior will hold onto the gloves for this winter's Ashes, Foster has reignited his hopes of challenging for the place along with showing his class as a potential international all-rounder. If England also continue to play with 6 batsmen and the 'keeper going in at 7 would Foster look out of place? This one will last until someone finally nails down the place.

Is Beckham's injury a blessing in disguise?

A mundane Sunday was brought to life with news that former England captain David Beckham had torn his Achilles tendon whilst kicking a ball unchallenged for AC Milan against Chievo.




But whilst some in the media are saying it’s a huge loss and the facebook groups springing up in the wake of the news, you have to question how much of a loss he is to England and whether he would have been on the plane at all going to South Africa.

It also appears that he will now not add to his previous 115 caps as an England player or achieve another landmark is a glittering career of becoming the first England player to play in four world cups.




Beckham (above) has worn his heart on his sleeve for England for the past thirteen years scoring important goals such as his free-kick to help take England to the 2002 World Cup against Greece, the penalty to defeat Argentina in that world-cup and another free-kick to beat Ecuador in the 2006 World Cup. His tears when resigning the captaincy for England showed how much he loved playing for England and leading his country, something which all England fans admire.

Whilst many will say his experience would have been invaluable and his set-pieces could have changed games even former England internationals like Gary Lineker are saying Beckham isn’t a huge loss and some football pundits saying it's no loss at all. You also have to question whether experience and set-pieces would have been enough to take him to South Africa as England have a wealth of competition for the right and left wing positions, especially since Beckham seems to have lost that little bit of pace he did have.

If Beckham had gone to the world cup where would Capello play him? Gerrard, Lampard and Barry seem certainties in the middle and Michael Carrick impressed against Egypt. Lennon and Walcott have played a lot under Capello down the right and Milner has impressed this season and don’t forget Shaun Wright-Phillips or David Bentley.




Now Capello must turn his attention to that once taken right-wing slot with players injured, coming back from injury and some just not performing. Aaron Lennon may miss the rest of the season with injury, Theo Walcott (above) has started only seven games for Arsenal this season, Joe Cole is returning from injury and struggling to get in the Chelsea team and Shaun Wright-Phillips hasn’t been in best of form. Two players who have impressed are David Bentley who has played well since coming in for the injured Lennon and the other James Milner. Add to that other wingers in Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson and you have to question how big a loss Beckham is.



James Milner (above) may be the man to finally nail down that right-wing position that has been vacant ever since Beckham’s imposed international exile by Steve McLaren. The young Aston Villa winger has impressed this season playing out of position in the centre of midfield and whilst playing for England has appeared on the left wing and at right-back. He just may be the versatile player that England need in a small squad of twenty-three.

Beckham injury probably means the end of a marvellous England career spanning thirteen years. Whilst personally he wouldn’t have been on the plane to South Africa for me, he did inspire many and led his country by example and always gave his best.

However, England and Capello can now move on and leave the shadow of David Beckham behind them.

Bangladesh v England 1st Test Preview: Rock Hard Beds and Injuries Galore

England’s two match test series start tomorrow against Bangladesh and it hasn’t been the easiest of lead ups to a test series.




Kevin Pietersen (above) seems very much out of form and is struggling to cope with Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners, one department where they are not lacking. England are also without three of their frontline bowlers with James Anderson at home resting after injury, Ryan Sidebottom again is back home injured and Graham Onions unavailable after a back injury and on his way home. Stuart Broad also remains a doubt after suffer back spasms.




Broad’s injury hasn’t been helped by the beds used in the hotel where the England team are staying. Broad (above) described them as being as hard as advertising boards and if it wasn’t for a hotel worker suggesting to England ‘keeper Matt Prior some foam for a more comfortable night’s sleep. Broad and his fellow team-mates have followed suit and now Broad is edging toward full fitness though he still remains doubtful and told Sky he wouldn’t play unless he was 100% fit.

If Broad doesn’t play it will most likely leave Tim Bresnan (below) as England’s senior fast bowler. The Yorkshire all-rounder, who has impressed in the one-dayers against South Africa and Bangladesh, was promoted to number four in the batting order in the warm-up match suggesting that he may take the number 7 role against Bangladesh.




It also seems like England will go into the first test with 5 bowlers, although many don’t know what the line up will be. Definite starters will be Graeme Swann and James Tredwell on the turning Bangladeshi pitches and most likely Broad and Bresnan with one of Steve Finn and Ajmal Shahzad and if Broad doesn’t make the first test it seems like both Finn and Shahzad will start with Liam Plunkett missing out all together.

If Bresnan and Finn (below) both start it will be very tough on Plunkett and Luke Wright, as both Finn and Bresnan weren’t in the original test squad. Sadly, Plunkett has failed to impress in either his sole appearance in the one-day series or the warm-up game, whilst Wright hasn’t really been looked at by England for the five day format. Finn is also seen as a future star after he made his debut for Middlesex aged 16 and last season took 53 wickets.



Another uncapped player likely to miss out is Michael Carberry. The Hampshire opener who has been selected in place of the resting Andrew Strauss didn’t impress too much in the warm-up match and with it looking like England will play 5 bowlers Jonathan Trott looks set to open the batting alongside stand-in skipper Alastair Cook and Ian Bell coming in at three.

Kevin Pietersen though needs to score runs after failing in South Africa and in the one-dayers in Bangladesh. It seems that the Bangladeshis have found a flaw in his batting especially against left arm spinners and it is key that he along with the rest of England’s batting line up score if England are to play five bowlers.

Certain key England player’s lack of form and an inexperienced bowling line-up makes for interesting reading for this test series. It all kicks off on Friday at 3am (available on Sky Sports)

Probable Line Up: Alastair Cook (c), Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Steve Finn.

A Team Full Of Englishmen... Kind Of

Last Friday England’s one day side completed an expected series whitewash over Bangladesh in the three match series thanks to Craig Kieswetter (below). However, some are criticising the amount of non English born players, such as Kieswetter, in the current test and one day teams.

The criticism first started after England’s triumph in the 2005 ashes with Australian’s claiming South Africa had won the Ashes and not England after Kevin Pietersen’s century at the oval. Pietersen though has been criticised more due to his criticism South Africa’s non-white player quota which led him to come to England to look to play cricket. However, Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior, both South Africa born, have cemented their places in the England squad over the past 6 years and they haven’t been as largely criticised until now due to both growing up in England.

Now the issue has been brought back into the limelight with the debut of Jonathan Trott (below) in the 2009 Ashes series and last week Craig Kieswetter who was drafted into the one day side to open alongside Cook after Joe Denly failed to score big runs in the warm-up games in Abu Dhabi. Both players have played for South Africa Under-19’s and Trott for South Africa A and this has left some England fans angry.

One former captain in particular has criticised the use of players who have made the switch from South Africa to England. Michael Vaughan last summer accused Trott of having celebrated with his native South Africa side after their victory at Headingley when he was supposed to be 12^th man for England. Even though he denied the argument it does show the issue with playing for an adopted country.

Vaughan (below) amongst others have also criticised the current England team after the selection of Craig Kieswetter. The Somerset Wicket-Keeper had been groomed by England ever since he declared he wanted to play in England and not for South Africa and was immediately in the England Lions squad as soon as he was eligible to play. However, some former players have questioned this along with the Kolpak ruling which allows foreign players to stunt young English player’s development. Vaughan again has backed this calling for England to put out a “pure” English eleven.

Although not classed as English by many fans all those South Africans are technically English. Kevin Pietersen’s mother is English, England Captain Andrew Strauss’ mother is also English and he moved to England at the age of six, Matt Prior’s father is English and he moved to England aged 11 and Craig Kieswitter’s mother is Scottish and he lived here 3 months of the year before moving to England to do his A-levels. Jonathan Trott on the other hand has no close relation with England which many fans and critics of England have taken issue with.

Queries have also been raised about Eoin Morgan (above). The Irish born batsman chose to play for England as he is unable to play at the top level for his native country. However, the point to make is that England has used players not born in Britain before as have other nations and the fuss is only about the amount of non-English players in the squad. Former England players Allan Lamb, Tony Grieg and Basil D’Olivera all were from South Africa and Andy Caddick was a New Zealander.

Whilst other nations may complain about England using players born in different nations some nations in particular forget they also do this. A prime example is Andrew Symonds the Australian all-rounder who was born in Birmingham.

Questions do need to be asked about why England needs to turn to Trott and Kieswetter. Is there not enough talent within English cricket? Are the selectors missing out an giving good young batsmen the opportunity to play? It seems the former although many will ask why players such as Michael Carberry and Joe Denly aren’t given more of an opportunity.

Although the ECB seem to have won the battle with Kolpak players it seems that it is neglecting to take the same standards when selecting England squads. It seems that until this is rectified young English talent may be neglected.