Another one bites the dust...

It’s quite something that even though England have enjoyed a very successful few years at Test, one day and even Twenty20 level I still feel a sense of doom and gloom when they take to the field. More often than not it’s unfounded but then, like in the defeat to Ireland, my faith in my pessimism is restored.

When Strauss and Pietersen walked out to face South Africa in the small hours of Sunday morning I was watching and the doom and gloom was with me. Six balls later I sat unhappily smug as South Africa’s own Peterson removed both openers in the first over.

Despite a stand of 99 from Trott and the immaculate Bopara, England were bowled out without playing their 50 overs for just 171. My smug dissatisfaction grew and continued to do so when South Africa sat comfortably at 124-3.

Why, though, do I feel this way when England have demonstrated on so many occasions that really, they are never beaten (or victorious) until the final ball is bowled?

England duly took four wickets in five overs and, crucially, for just three runs. The wickets were shared out, Broad taking four, Anderson two and one apiece for Bresnan, Swann and Yardy but the pick was surely Broad, his four coming in just 6.4 overs and for 15 runs. England, in the end, won by six tight runs.

Winning the Ashes Down Under was a fantastic achievement but, typical of us English, we put it down to a much diminished Australian side rather than the brilliance and talent of our own men. There can be no such claims for this game, South Africa with the ball were outstanding, as too were England. It’s just that England were just plain better on the day.

It’s the fact that I doubt anyone expected them to be that is odd. Ok, England are very capable of shooting themselves in the foot still – I bring you back to the Ireland defeat as a perfect case in point – but overall it really is about time they were given the creedit and confidence they deserve, by me and many others.

The question now is whether or not they can win this World Cup. Good enough? Yes. Likely to throw it away with one bad performance? Possibly. Sensational to watch? No question.

The thrilling draw with India, the desperate but failed attempt to hold back Ireland and Kevin O’Brien in particular and now this incredible victory over South Africa. There is no better team to watch in this tournament, that’s for sure.

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Anderson takes 4 as England take charge against Australia in Adelaide

Yeah, ok, England didn’t win the right to host the World Cup in 2018 and it may be due to corruption, bribery, the English media, the BBC in particular or David Cameron. We’re all down about it as we’ll have to wait even longer to bring the game ‘home’. But cheer yourselves up!

In the Southern Hemisphere a little band of Englishman (and South Africans) is doing something that hasn’t been done for quite some time – competing and potentially winning against the Aussies at cricket.

In the first Ashes Test in Brisbane England salvaged a draw by putting in an innings of true brilliance, scoring 517-1 to post a target Australia had little hope of reaching in the time left. Captain Andrew Strauss led the way with 110 before falling, Jonathan Trott stepped in to score an unbeaten 135 not out but it was Alistair Cook who stole the show with an unprecedented 235 not out at the Gabba.

Confidence was high going into the second Test in Adelaide then and so it has proved after the first day. Just a few hours ago Australia were bowled out for just 245 on a wicket traditionally known for being batting-friendly. The England bowlers have followed on from where their batting counterparts left of in Brisbane, Jimmy Anderson showing that his game has improved immeasurably by finding wickets – 4-51 off 19 overs with four maidens – while Swann looked like he was returning to form with two wickets, Finn and Broad each grabbing one themselves.

If Strauss, Cook and Trott can retain their form from the first Test this wicket holds much for them and another 500+ innings beckons. At the moment, though it’s early days, things are looking decidedly good in Australia for England so put your World Cup blues behind you and instead get behind a successful English team. It’ll cheer you up, I promise!

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Small, innit! But means a lot to England and Australia

With the Ashes Series just 12 days away it’s a good time to look at the squad England have taken to Australia to attempt to retain the urn so brilliantly won in 2009 at the Oval.

Winning at home is one thing, winning in the Aussies own back yard is quite another and the squad picked and preparations done in the run up to the first Test on Thursday 25th November at the Gabba are vital.

So far the warm up matches have gone well and England’s players look in good form. Confidence appears high at the moment but it could all change when that first ball is bowled. Can England captain Andrew Strauss instill the confidence required in his men?

Andrew Strauss (Captain)

Strauss is far and away the best leader England have had in quite a long time. His ability with the bat and tactical mind will be tested to the full but it’s his ability to lead that makes him stand out as a vital – if not the vital – man in the squad. When the going is tough, as it surely will be in Australia, he is the perfect man to gee up his troops, rally them and keep them going.

With the bat he is quality, capable of scoring big yet calm enough to take his time if required. Going into an Ashes series away from home, Strauss is the captain you’d want to follow.

Alistair Cook (Vice-Captain)

There’s no doubting his talent, but Cook has had a tough time over the last 12-18 months, and he needs to bring consistency to his game. That said, if he is in form he will be a player the Aussies will fear. A century in the last warm up game against South Australia indicates he is hitting form at just the right time but there will be harder tests ahead, a fact that Andrew Strauss admitted to himself after the drawn match. Cook needs to retain his confidence now.

James Anderson

Has grown into an awesome bowler and has the ability to take the wicket of any batsman in world cricket. He will find it tougher in Australia with the Kookaburra ball swinging less than our version, but if he can find his line and length and tease something from it then he’ll do well. Confidence is sometimes an issue with Anderson so when things aren’t going his way he’ll need to remain positive and Strauss will have to keep him going.

Ian Bell

Bell’s form is an up and down one for sure and injury has kept his appearances limited in recent months. He’ll be called upon from the off though and if he is on a peak and not in a trough then you’ll see runs from the guy. He seems to be a lot more confident in his own abilities these days too, so if he keeps that going he could prove one of England’s key men. Or he could lose it, flop and not score a run. That’s the way it is with Bell.

Tim Bresnan

A relative newcomer to the England Test scene, Bresnan is not likely to start the first Test unless there are injuries to England’s first choice attack. He has proved very capable with the ball, however, and is in the squad on merit. Bresnan needs to make sure he stays sharp if he finds himself sitting on the bench for the majority of the Tour because it’s rare that a team doesn’t suffer at least one injury.

Stuart Broad

Without doubt one of England’s key players and could be considered the deciding factor in the team winning the Ashes in 2009 with a five wicket haul at the Oval in the final Test. A brilliant bowler who will be used a lot against Australia’s batsmen. He will definitely need to be in form if England are to retain the urn this year. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do Down Under.

Paul Collingwood

We’ve already said that things will not be easy for England in Australia but if there is one man you want to rely on in such circumstances it’s Paul Collingwood. Strong with the bat, a brilliant fielder and can way in on the bowling front too, he’ll be a lynchpin. His form is actually poor at the moment but Collingwood relishes a challenge and plays so much better under pressure than not. Another one of Strauss’ key players.

Steven Davies (Wicketkeeper)

Davies will play understudy to Matt Prior behind the stumps and won’t be called upon unless Prior suffers injury. If he is required though, he’ll bring huge talent with the bat and decent skills with the gloves. He’s managed to oust Craig Kieswetter in the one day form of the game, so he might well be deserving of his place in the Ashes squad.

Steven Finn

Young but mature, Finn is a tall fast bowler that can do a lot with the ball. He’s played himself into the Test side and continues to play to stay there, despite a couple of other very good bowlers pushing him hard, not least Chris Tremlett. As a partner for any of the bowlers in the attack his role will be vital in trying to bowl the Aussies out and keep runs at a premium.

Eoin Morgan

Morgan is considered the seventh batsmen for a squad of six and this bugs me. He has proven on more than one occasion that he is capable of stepping up and playing well in a variety of circumstances. If, as is expected, he is left out of the team for the first Test I’ll be bitterly disappointed, especially as there are other, bigger name admittedly, batsmen who don’t deserve to start right now. I fully expect Morgan to force his way into the first time during the series though. He could prove the difference if things are tight.

Monty Panesar

A surprise inclusion for me, Monty has been absent from the Test scene for a while and is very unlikely to get a look in with Graeme Swann playing so brilliantly. His temperament must also be in question – he’s been in trouble before for excessive appealing, for example, and the pressure cooker environment of an Ashes series is not where I’d like to see Panesar playing.

Kevin Pietersen

Call me controversial if you like, but I don’t want to see Pietersen start at the Gabba. I don’t doubt his awesome ability, he is one of the world’s best batsmen, but consistency hasn’t been one of his attributes for a very long time and he frustrates me so much with the way he gets out from strong positions. He deserves to be in the squad – but Morgan should start ahead of him until proven otherwise.

Matt Prior (Wicketkeeper)

A hugely improved wicketkeeper and a fantastic batsmen at number seven, Prior is one of those you can rely on. He’ll keep wicket calmly, play unselfishly and can score runs fast late on if it’s required. He’ll be a mainstay of the team and one of Strauss’ unofficial vice captains I think. Should England lose him to injury it would be a massive blow – that’s how important he has become.

Graeme Swann

The second best bowler in the world as it stands, Swann’s ability to bowl consistent, often devastating spin will be one of England’s main weapons against the Aussies and they will, even if they don’t admit it, fear him the most. He has, on occasion, proven quite handy with the bat too, and is one of the main reasons that England are so strong batting right down the line. England’s most important player? There’s a case for it.

Chris Tremlett

England had something of an injury scare in the run up to the Ashes when Jimmy Anderson broke a rib. The man responsible? Tremlett. His power and pace is awesome and he’ll be pushing Finn and perhaps even the aforementioned Anderson for their places. It’s a level of competition that England need in the bowling attack and Tremlett is actually a vital part of the squad, even if he doesn’t play.

Jonathan Trott

Like Collingwood, Trott’s ability to play under pressure is what makes him stand out from the crowd. He is unflappable and very consistent in scoring runs, vital to winning any Test match, let alone an Ashes Test. He takes his time when playing too, which will frustrate the Aussies a lot and no doubt lead to some verbals on the pitch. Trott will enjoy that as much as he does hitting fours and sixes.

So that’s the squad and for me it is well balanced with enough competition for places to keep all the players on their toes. Is it strong enough to retain the Ashes Down Under? On that I’m not so sure, but I think it is the squad with the best chance of doing so. Much will depend on the Australia squad and their level of confidence going into the series, of course, but it does promise to be an epic one.

What do you reckon? Can England win in the Southern Hemisphere or is it a step too far for them?

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For fans of Flintoff and cricket in general it was a sad day. Despite the fact the timing of his announcement was met with cynical derision by certain people (Charlie Sale for one!), I choose to focus on the positives. First of all, we’ll not see Freddie struggle to make comeback after comeback only to break down and suffer bitter disappointment. For me, he’s made the right decision, for him and us as cricket fans.

We can now focus on the good he did in the game – and the bad he did off the wicket too, if we’re to be fair and balanced. So I’m going to pick five ‘highlights’ from his career that I remember fondly, starting with that last Ashes competition in 2009.

On the last day of the fifth Test at the Oval Australia captain Ricky Ponting was proving his usual stubborn self with the bat. Australia were still in with a shout of winning the match and the Ashes. Right up until Flintoff ran him out with a superb throw of the ball on 66. It was right that a moment of inspiration from Freddie contributed to vitory and ultimately, England winning the Ashes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvh-rh3S7hM[/youtube]

Of course, it was the Ashes in 2005 that made Flintoff a real England hero, especially when he bowled a sensational over – often described as the greatest over ever – that took the wickets of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting. There’s no way to describe it that does it justice, so just watch it.

Genius. But what makes Freddie as popular as he is is not just his cricket, it’s his personality. Fun-loving, entertaining and occasionally fallible, he appears to be one of us. Speaking of entertaining, check out this sledging during a Test against the West Indies and especially that of batsmen Tino Best – he basically talks him into giving up his wicket! “Mind the windows, Tino!”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1NFbVx0uN8[/youtube]

Back to the cricket though, and his first hat trick. Again, it’s the West Indies on the receiving end as they chase 49 from 29 balls in a one day international in 2009. Freddie gets hit for four and then goes on a rampage. Bowled, LBW, bowled. Lovely stuff.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftjRR6j6C98[/youtube]

You can’t talk about Flintoff without mentioning his drunken behaviour. He’d probably prefer I didn’t, but it was one of those things that made us like him, made us feel like he was one of us. Who wouldn’t go get smashed after winning the Ashes for example? Alright, we might not all go out and steal a pedalo in St Lucia, but hey, that’s Freddie! That picture of him celebrating in the dressing room in 2005 with a cigar sums him up.

Finally, an iconic image from the 2005 Ashes again that showed the softer side of Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. Australia lose the Test at Edgbaston by just two runs and as the England team and fans celebrate deliriously Flintoff ambles over to console a distraught Brett Lee. Lee, who had just scored a gutsy 43, was down on his haunches. Flintoff sank down next to him and shook his hand. It was, frankly, a beautiful moment.

There are hundreds more moments from Flintoff’s career that could have made this article. It was pretty difficult picking my favourite five and looking around the net I see that several others have chosen much the same, mostly relating to the Ashes series of 2005 and 2009. And why not? Freddie was “Mr Ashes” as well as an England superstar.

When people look back through the record books Flintoff’s stats will not put him up there with the very best all-rounders to be honest – an average of 32 with the bat and 33 with the ball in Tests is not all that brilliant – but Flintoff is more than just a cricketer. He’s a character and I hope the rumours of him forging a television career are true.

• Andrew Flintoff full career stats

Personally, I’d love to see him commentating alongside Botham or Boycott. Either would be a dream team for me. For now, though, I’ll just wish Freddie all the best for the future and thank him for the memories. Cheers, fella, here’s to you.

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A crap World Cup won’t be remembered but alleged Pakistan spot fixing in cricket will be.

Andy Murray in the Australian Open final won’t be remembered but John Higgins “almost” agreeing to throw snooker matches will be.

Even a successful European Ryder Cup-winning team won’t be remembered but Ferrari getting away with blatant cheating in Forumla One will be.

There’s so much cheating and corruption, whether real or alleged, going on at the moment that I can’t even begin to address each one individually. It just seems that winning, either in the sport or winning money on the sport, is now the be all and end all. It makes me sick.

There’s two types of corruption – cheating and match fixing. Neither are acceptable. With the former you stamp on the individuals or teams and make the penalties as harsh as you can. The latter, sadly, is so much harder to deal with. You can and should penalise the sportsmen and women in question but that’s not the real problem. It’s the betting syndicates and dodgy characters convincing these sportsmen and women to throw matches or alter the outcome of a game that are the problem.

How in God’s name you find them, prove it and prosecute I just don’t know. I wish I did. If you cannot trust the event, game or tournament you’re watching why would you watch?

That’s the danger for sport at the moment. ALL sports. Not just snooker and cricket. I’m now convinced it’s in every sport where there’s money. So football, rugby and the like are all in doubt in my eyes.

What a sad, sad state of affairs.

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Innocent until proven guilty is right and proper and as such the remaining games of the tour should go ahead. Those three under suspicion should not play a part simply because it would cast doubt on any result but they shouldn’t be prematurely pilloried by the public or press. They may be innocent.

However, if they are found guilty they should receive far more than a lifetime international ban. They should not be allowed to play professional cricket of any kind ever again and they should be prosecuted and jailed. Harsh? Damn right. How else will the message that corruption and cheating will not be tolerated get through not only to players but those influencing them?

I wrote a piece about corruption in sport a while back in which I pointed out the rather obvious fact that the more money there is in sport the more corruption there will be. Cricket and Hanse Cronje in particular were touched upon.

The introduction of Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League have only increased the opportunity for shady characters to influence results and incidents.

The fact that this latest scandal has hit Test cricket is odd but hardly surprising. The question now is what can and will be done about it?

The three players in question – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – have been charged and suspended, yes, but how they are going to be investigated is what concerns me. Clearly the ICC did little last time despite Condon’s warnings and their public announcements of non-tolerance are hollow.

I think they worry too much about the public image of cricket. To undergo a thorough and likely damning investigation right across the sport would tarnish it, of that there is no doubt. But surely it is better to do that now than to have every result in doubt forever?!

A clean sport would receive far more public support than one suffering from even a suspicion of corruption. Right now, the cricket watching public are disgusted. It can’t go on.

It has to start with the ICC taking a stand now, in conjunction with the police and other authorities in every cricketing nation. Arrests, prosecutions and jailing should take place and that HAS to include the players found guilty too. Often sportsmen get away with actual criminal charges simply because of who they are, but that can’t continue.

Yes, the dodgy bookies and dealers need to be taught that they can’t influence sports but the players also need to learn that, whatever the related circumstances, they simply cannot agree to assist them.

As a fan of many sports, not just cricket, it would put me right off if I thought there was any chance what I was watching was somehow tainted and I would rather see my sporting heroes banged up than have the whole sport ruined.

If, for example, Ryan Giggs was found guilty of match fixing I would gladly though sadly see him punished to the fullest extent of the law. Giggs is my ultimate sporting hero. That’s how strongly I feel about it and imagine most sports fans would feel too.

So come on…let’s put a stop to this in cricket and every other sport now before the whole thing is rendered pointless. Investigate, charge, prosecute and jail. Enough is enough, especially in cricket.

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There are no less than six debutants in the team, all but one qualifying automatically after good seasons on the tour, the other, Edoardo Molinari joining his brother Francesco (another debutant) via wildcard after winning the Johnnie Walker Championship. The rest include Martin Kaymer of Germany, Ross Fisher of England, Peter Hanson from Sweden and the outstandingly talented Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland.

All have had great seasons and deserve their place ahead of more established and experienced stars – Monty has picked on form, not reputation. With one exception; Lee Westwood.

Westwood, who has six Ryder Cups under his belt, is currently recovering from a calf injury and may not make it but Monty obviously feels his experience is needed in a team of rookies. I agree. Despite the fact he won’t play any serious golf between now and October, he’ll be a fantastic boost to the team. Should he not, Justin Rose, with two PGA tour titles to his name this season, will step in.

The other two wildcards were given to the equally experienced Major winner Padraig Harrington and England’s Luke Donald. Strong picks again, though Harrington appears to be the only one NOT picked on form, but for his Major titles. Plus, he hasn’t won a Ryder Cup match since 2004, so the pressure will be on him.

Despite the relative inexperience of half the team, this looks a side with a good balance and underlines the strength of European golf at the moment. The fact that the likes of Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia (playing at least), for example, aren’t included shouldn’t be a cause for concern, but a statement of strength to the Americans.

It’s a risk, yes, but a calculated one on Monty’s part and the presence of Miguel Angel Jiminez alongside Westwood and Harrington should calm any debut nerves. Graeme McDowell, too, has one Ryder Cup on his CV and will be an important part of the team.

Monty’s real strength and advantage over his counterpart Corey Pavin, however, is the team he has assembled to work behind the scenes and in the dressing room.

Working as his vice captains and monitoring the play as it unfolds across Celtic Manor will be Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley.

Bjorn brings passion, McGinley tactical know-how and Clarke…well, Clarke is just huge in personality and influence. Like the playing team, the backroom staff is well balanced and will serve Monty well.

When announcing his final line-up, Monty also added Sergio Garcia to his vice captains, purely on the fact Garcia ASKED to be included somehow. This, according to Monty, “shows what the Ryder Cup means to him and he is going to be a great asset to us” – can’t argue with that, frankly.

I really can’t remember a stronger dressing room in recent Ryder Cup history, certainly not when Nick Faldo lost two years ago. Perhaps when Ian Woosnam led Europe to victory at the K Club in 2006 with a record equalling points total.

The inclusion of Clarke I particularly like as I’ve always been a big, big fan of his. The only shame is that it means Jose Maria Olazabal has to stay home, with long standing injury problems given as the reason. Seems a weak excuse to me, but as I said, Monty is being ruthless, such is his desire to beat America.

Back to the playing staff, though, and who I’ll be watching closely. Definitely the Molinari brothers playing together (the first time brothers have done so since 1963) but it’s McIlroy that really excites me. Just 21 this kid seems to have it all and I can’t wait to find out how he’ll fair in the pressure cooker that is the Ryder Cup. I really hope he puts on a show.

Nothing will please me more than to see Monty lift the Cup on October 3rd in Wales. Despite the fact he can be a right moody bugger you can’t question his passion for the game or the Ryder Cup and what he has available in talent and support is unsurpassed. The Americans, I don’t think, have the answer to this team.

Full European Ryder Cup Team

Captain: Colin Montgomerie
Vice Captains: Darren Clarke, Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley

• Lee Westwood (Eng) Age 37; Previous Ryder Cups 6
• Martin Kaymer (Ger) 25; Debut
• Rory McIlroy (NI) 21; Debut
• Graeme McDowell (NI) 31; RC 1
• Ian Poulter (Eng) 34; RC 2
• Ross Fisher (Eng) 29; Debut
• Francesco Molinari (Ita) 27; Debut
• M A Jimenez (Spa) 46; RC 3
• Peter Hanson (Swe) 32; Debut
• Padraig Harrington (Ire) 38; RC 5
• Luke Donald (Eng) 32; RC 2
• Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 29; Debut

2010 Ryder Cup, October 1-3, The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales

The 2010 Ryder Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports and in 3D for the first time on Sky 3D, the first residential 3D channel in Europe, launching on October 1st.

Useful Links

• Official Ryder Cup Site
• Official Ryder Cup Twitter Page
• Official Ryder Cup Facebook Page

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*cough*

Bagging birdies…

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The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational tees off today, Woods defending the title he has won seven times in Ohio. Should he fail to do so, he could lose his number one position to either Mickelson or Westwood.

Here’s how. If Westwood wins and Woods is outside the top two, he will become world number one. If he finishes second, Woods fails to finish better than tenth and Mickelson DOESN’T win the tournament, he will become world number one. If Mickelson wins the tournament, he will become world number one. If Mickelson finishes in the top four and Woods fails to finish in the top 37 (yes, THIRTY SEVEN), he will become world number one.

It’s a bit complicated, but basically the odds on favourite to be the best golfer in the world come Sunday is Lee Westwood – despite never winning a major.

There’s a few stumbling blocks. First of all, while Westwood is in fantastic form, Woods LOVES this course. If he is to regain some of the form he has lost since his fall from grace, it could well be here at Firestone. Then consider this – Westwood will tee off next to Woods for the first two rounds. That’s pressure, playing alongside the man you are trying to depose!

It’ll be compulsive viewing, and you’ll want to keep an eye on Mickelson too, of course. For me, I really hope Westwood does it, his game deserves it and it might just give him that boost to win that first elusive major.

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In the end, of course, his game not only held up but shone. Not at any point did he look like he would lose his cool or his control and his mastery of the links course in tough, windy and wet conditions was a pleasure to watch.

This was golf at its best. There were other brilliant rounds over the four days, not least from Casey, Westwood and the young Rory McIlroy who, despite a torrid second day, recovered superbly to finish tied third on 8 under after a 68 on the final day.

If it hadn’t been for that 8 over 80 on the second day, we could have had a much tighter finish. Casey will feel disappointed with his 75 on the last day as again, he could have challenged Oosthuizen with a better day.

One proud man, the South African winner aside, will be Lee Westwood. He remains the nearly man at majors, but his last round of 70 gave him second place on his own – and did beat Oosthuizen’s calmly taken 71.

For a while it looked like The Open record win of 8 shots clear was under threat. Woods – whose poor putting kept him out of contention here – was the last man to win by that margin, and Westwood ensured he retains that record by pulling back Oosthuizen to a 7 shot victory.

Will Louis gone on to be a great golfer in the same mould as compatriot Ernie Els? On this evidence, he has the game and temperament so why not? He needs to push on from here now, get consistency and challenge for more major honours.

Justin Rose, who I was following closely, sadly failed to perform. He missed the cut on Day Two but I remain hopeful that the 29 year old will one day capture a major. However, if anything, I want Westwood to do it first. He’s so close to it it must be weighing on his mind and his golf does deserve it.

The next golf I’m looking forward to now is the Ryder Cup. Should be brilliant. The USA remain strong but there has clearly been a resurgence in European golf over the last couple of years – a quick look at the final leaderboard here at the Open shows that. The five behind Oosthuizen were all Europeans. Bodes well, I hope!

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