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July 31, 2006
Bichel solves pickle
Posted on 07/31/2006 in Essex
Struggling to recapture your early-season form in the County Championship? Bowlers worrying surgeons more than opposition batsmen? Send for an Australian allrounder to ease your woes. Andy Bichel..s arrival has revitalised a bruised and bullied bowling attack and reignited hopes of a successful season. Bichel is Essex..s first Australian purchase since Stuart Law left in 2001. Mark Waugh, Michael Kasprowicz and Allan Border preceded him. Going Aussie works. ..Bichel..s had a great effect on the dressing room,. says captain Ronnie Irani. ..He..s got so much experience and we needed help with the bowling a bit. Like all Aussies he..s always up for it; he..s not just over here for a holiday.. Bichel..s impact was immediate. He took eight wickets on his Essex Championship debut against Derbyshire, including 6 for 38 in the second innings to secure a first four-day victory in four tries. He then carried his form into the Twenty20 Cup. There were worries that at 35 he might be past his best but next to the creaking and groaning Alex Tudor and Darren Gough you can almost see him in short trousers.
Daniel Brigham, The Wisden Cricketer
Local uprising
Posted on 07/31/2006 in Durham
England's Paul Collingwood, Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett are testimony to the quality of Durham..s local talent. And Collingwood, Durham..s first homegrown player to appear for England, is convinced more will follow. ..Some of them could be in the same position as us in the next five or six years,. he enthused after a rigorous work-out against academy bowlers before England..s one-dayer at the Riverside.
It is a far cry from Durham..s pioneer days in 1992 when seven
established pros rode north. One of them, Paul Parker, now teaches
classics at Tonbridge School. ..It was a fantastic adventure,. he
recalls. ..At the end of the previous season I..d been asked to step
down as captain of Sussex and in a way I..m grateful I left because
it gave me the opportunity to join Durham. Old age and creaking
joints eventually caught up with us and with hindsight it was
probably doomed to failure. But that..s not how we saw it; we went
up there to give it a real go..
Andrew Collomosse, The Wisden Cricketer
Jones the happy
Posted on 07/31/2006 in Derbyshire
Confident and laughing, Steffan Jones presents the new smiling face of Derbyshire. Last season Jones prised nine Championship wickets from Northampton..s benign pitches in six games. Halfway through this one he had more Division Two victims .. 32 .. than any homegrown player. What went right? ..Everything really,. he says. ..I..m bowling for a start. Last half of last season I didn..t play. And Dave Houghton is the best coach I..ve had. He really rates me, which makes a difference to my confidence. They just told me to go out and bowl quickly, which I..m doing: I..m bowling quicker than I..ve ever done. Dave Houghton gave me a goal. I..m just really, really happy in myself. I..ve had my first baby, so that..s given me an extra incentive . I..ve got to perform, take wickets, win a contract.. Although June brought two Championship defeats, dampening the wilder talk about blazing to promotion, some things really have changed at Derby .. including the traditional greentops. ..It..s very like what I was bowling on at Somerset,. says a surprised Jones.
Paul Coupar, The Wisden Cricketer
July 30, 2006
Players thrive on steep earning curve
Posted on 07/30/2006 in Derbyshire
Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000. Surrey top the pay league, with their players earning an average salary of £60,000, and that excludes the bumper earnings of their overseas recruits. Yorkshire are at the bottom of the pay league, with an average salary of £30,000.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, James's article has gone a long way to dispelling the belief that county cricketers are sports paupers. While they still might to be able to hold a candle to any footballers in the Premier League, their pay is not as bad as it once was.
Click here for the full story.
July 29, 2006
Prior injury for Sussex
Posted on 07/29/2006 in Sussex
Sussex were forced to call up their replacement keeper, Andrew Hodd, when Matt Prior pulled a hamstring during their Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. However, it didn't stop Prior striking an aggressive half-century although he might struggle to be fit for the key clash against Lancashire next week.
Darren Bicknell calls time
Posted on 07/29/2006 in Nottinghamshire
Darren Bicknell has announced that he will end his 20-year career at the end of the season. Bicknell, 39, began his career at Surrey, with his brother Martin, before moving to Nottinghamshire in 2000. This summer he is averaging 35 from nine Championship matches but Notts have some young batsmen waiting in the wings such as Will Smith and Samit Patel. Martin Bicknell is also ended his career at the end of the summer at Surrey.
July 25, 2006
Hallmark leaves Bradford club in the lurch
Posted on 07/25/2006 in Yorkshire
A historic cricket club which provides access to the sport for deprived youngsters claims it has been left £6,000 out of pocket after one of Bradford's biggest firms pulled out of a deal over a new ground.
Daisy Hill Cricket Club has been searching for new premises for several years after continued vandal attacks on its ground, off Lynfield Drive, Bradford.
But, after spending thousands of pounds on architects, surveyors and planning fees over the past two years, club chairman Graham Langton says their hopes have been dashed by the site owners, greeting cards manufacturer Hallmark.
Click here for the full story
July 24, 2006
Loye to have scan
Posted on 07/24/2006 in Lancashire
Mal Loye is to undergo a scan to determine the seriousness of his recent back problems. Loye was forced to sit out a chunk of Lancashire's Twenty20 matches and, although he returned for the Championship match against Kent and Pro40 against Nottinghamshire, things are still not right.
He told the club website: "I will have this scan to determine the extent of the problem which I hope shouldn..t be too bad. I want to try and get to the end of the season with pills and what ever else it takes."
Loye has a history of back problems stretching back to his days at Northamptonshire.
Botham and Flintoff don the white coats
Posted on 07/24/2006 in Hampshire
Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff both made unexpected appearances during a testimonial match for Liam Botham at The Rose Bowl. While neither man actually played, both took turns to umpire.
Botham senior, who retired in 1993, vowed at the time never to take part in another game. "If I can't reappear on a cricket field on behalf of my own flesh and blood, when could I ever make a comeback?. he grinned after a ten-over stint dressed in a fetching pink shirt. "But I won't be doing that again in a hurry. Umpiring is far too much like hard work for grandfathers like me."
July 21, 2006
Taxi (or rather helicopter) for Flintoff
Posted on 07/21/2006 in Lancashire
It would only happen to Andrew Flintoff, well in the cricket world anyway. After he opened the bowling for Lancashire in the final innings of their Championship match against Kent, he raced off the field at Canterbury into a waiting helicopter to fly to a benefit function at Windsor Castle. He was presenting the prizes at a Twenty20 charity match between a Prince Andrew XI and Andrew Flintoff XI. Only in Flintoff's world.
PA problems
Posted on 07/21/2006 in Yorkshire
County outgrounds often throw up some of the best stories and the current match between Yorkshire and Warwickshire at Scarborough is had its fair share. The PA system has been the main talking point - literally - as the second day crowd was treated to updates from a nearby bowls tournament.
The Times reports: "After broadcasting a conversation between engineers on Wednesday, the PA system was again beset by gremlins. This time spectators were treated to announcements from a bowls tournament nearby. The problem was traced to a strong aerial on the pavilion and the local authority was called in."
A pilot's bravery
Posted on 07/21/2006 in Essex
A sobering story from the Sun of a 16-year-old pilot who died when his Cessna light aircraft crashed on a cricket pitch in Southend, Essex. It seems that Sam Cross deliberately steered the plane away from houses as it was coming down. One eyewitness said:
..I suspect he deliberately pointed the plane to make sure he didn..t hit anything. Half an hour earlier the field would have been full of children coming home from school..
July 20, 2006
Roll up for Botham's testimonial
Posted on 07/20/2006 in Hampshire
No, not that one ... When Liam Botham took five wickets on his county debut aged 18, England thought they..d found a chip off the old block. Sadly for the cricketing fraternity, Liam thought better of trying to cope with the expectation of emulating his father and headed instead for rugby, where he ended up playing both codes. Cricket..s loss was rugby..s gain, until injury cut short his career aged just 29. To that end he..s been rewarded with a testimonial match . of cricket . which will see Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen line up against Shane Warne at the Rose Bowl this Sunday in a Twenty20 fest. Well, if your dad..s Ian Botham and he can..t pull in a few favours, who can? He..ll be there, too, of course. If you fancy heading down there, tickets are priced £10 for adults and £5 for children.
July 18, 2006
Somerset five to learn fate
Posted on 07/18/2006 in Somerset
Richard Johnson, Keith Parsons, Simon Francis, Michael Parsons and Neil Edwards will all learn in the next few weeks whether they will be offered new contracts. All their deals run out at the end of the season and Brian Rose, the director of cricket, says decisions will be made soon.
Somerset are also already scouting around for next year's overseas players. They have approached Justin Langer about returning, but he won't decide his future until after the Ashes, but the county are in the market for a batsman and a bowler.
Rose said: "I am inundated with details of players who might be interested in joining us, but I need to be very selective indeed."
July 15, 2006
Moeen Ali to leave Warwickshire
Posted on 07/15/2006 in Warwickshire
Worcestershire have made an approach to Warwickshire regarding the former England Under-19 captain, Moeen Ali, who is looking for a move away from Edgbaston. Despite some promising performances, including a half-century on Championship debut, Ali has struggled to gain a regular spot in the team even though Warwickshire have struggled this season. Naqaash Tahir, the young seamer, is also rumored to be heading to New Road.
July 13, 2006
Joyce back for Middlesex
Posted on 07/13/2006 in Middlesex
Ed Joyce is fit to resume his season after recovering from the ankle injury be picked up during England's Twenty20 clash against Sri Lanka at The Rose Bowl last month. When he first suffered the injury, it was feared Joyce would miss most of the season, but he is now ready to resume his challenge for an England place.
Tickets selling fast for Trent Bridge
Posted on 07/13/2006 in Nottinghamshire
With Nottinghamshire featuring in their first Twenty20 quarter final, the Trent Bridge fans have pledged their support in the best way possible and have ensured they will be giving their full support to the team. Tickets for the match went on sale on Wednesday morning and more than 2000 seats have been booked for the clash with the Northamptonshire on July 24.
Deputy chief executive, Lisa Pursehouse responded to the demand and said. ..We knew there would be a big response but to be honest it has exceeded expectations. We deliberately gave people the opportunity to book in advance and get a discount and many are keen to take advantage of that.
"Clearly people want to be part of a special occasion and with another 12 days to go, we expect numbers to build steadily. The ticket office is going to be open over the weekend during our Championship match with Hampshire and it will be interesting to see what the figures are like on Monday morning..
Tickets can be purchased from the Trent Bridge ticket office by calling 0870 168 8888 or by logging onto www.nottsccc.co.uk. The closing date for advanced bookings is 1pm on Saturday July 22.
July 12, 2006
Twenty20 quarter-finals
Posted on 07/12/2006 in Miscellaneous
Following the final round of qualifying matches this is the draw for the Twenty20 quarter-finals. The matches will be played on Monday July 24.
Essex v Yorkshire at Chelmsford
Leicestershire v Kent at Grace Road
Gloucestershire v Surrey at Bristol
Nottinghamshire v Northamptonshire at Trent Bridge
July 7, 2006
Paul Harris joins Warwickshire
Posted on 07/07/2006 in Warwickshire
Warwickshire have offered a contract to the 27-year-old South African Paul Harris. The club has agreed a deal for the remainder of this season and for the 2007 season.
Harris, a slow left-arm bowler, trialled with the Warwickshire 2nd XI last month whilst over in England playing for the Lancashire League Club Fleetwood. Paul has played first-class cricket in South Africa for the Northerns, Titans and Western Province.
He said: ..It was a very big decision but I am sure I have made the right one for my future and I look forward to playing for the Club for a long time..
Warwickshire's director of coaching, Mark Greatbatch, said: .. Due to the exceptional circumstances of the season so far with the injury to Dan Vettori and Nick James in addition to Alex Loudon being called up for England duty we have done a lot of research into a suitable replacement. Paul is a very experienced player and will add value and depth to the current squad..
July 6, 2006
Old Trafford history
Posted on 07/06/2006 in Lancashire
Lancashire's Twenty20 Roses clash at Old Trafford tomorrow is a history-making sell-out.
For the first time in the club..s history, all available tickets have been sold in advance for a domestic game .. with 15,500 fans snapping up seats for the crucial visit of Yorkshire.
The chief executive, Jim Cumbes, told the club's website: ..I never cease to be astonished by the way Twenty20 cricket has captured the imagination of the North-West public..
Andrew Crook leaves Lancashire
Posted on 07/06/2006 in Lancashire
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Andrew Crook: on his way out of Old Trafford
© Getty Images
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Andrew Crook, the 25-year-old Lancashire allrounder, is leaving the club after failing to earn a regular place in the side this season.
Mike Watkinson, the club manager, said: ..Following a recent appraisal with Andrew, it has been agreed that he will not be offered a contract for 2007. Andrew has therefore asked me to inform other counties of his availability with regard to loan cricket or trials for the remainder of the 2006 season..
His brother, Steven, left Lancashire part-way through the 2005 season to join Northamptonshire after failing to gain a spot in a strong Lancashire team. Andrew holds the Lancashire one-day batting record of 162 not out in the C&G Trophy, against Buckinghamshire, last season.
Henderson to stay at Kent
Posted on 07/06/2006 in Kent
Kent have announced that Tyron Henderson is to stay at the club until the end of the season. Taken on initially for the Twenty20 Cup matches, Henderson has already made a major impact on the club's 2006 campaign.
The Kent Chief Executive, Paul Millman, said: "We are delighted that Tyron has agreed to stay with us for the rest of this season. He has fitted into the dressing room very quickly and has made a fantastic contribution to our Twenty20 success. We very much look forward to seeing him play in both the County Championship and Pro40."
Henderson replaced Justin Kemp as Kent's second overseas player, following Kemp's early return to South Africa on international duties.
Twenty20 sell out at The Oval
Posted on 07/06/2006 in Surrey
Surrey have announced that this Friday's Twenty20 Cup match between Surrey and Middlesex has sold out.
A crowd of over 20,000 is expected at The Oval for Surrey's last home group game which will be a must win match if their quarter-final chances are to remain alive.
The sold out match is a major boost not just to Surrey but also for Twenty20 cricket in general, with the football World Cup predicted to drive crowds away from all forms of cricket for the duration of the tournament.
July 5, 2006
Habib and Sheriyar to leave Leicestershire
Posted on 07/05/2006 in Leicestershire
Aftab Habib and Alamgir Sheriyar are to leave Leicestershire, who have revealed the pair will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the season.
"We are currently going through a transitional period here at Grace Road and, in planning for the long-term future, we decided that we would not be offering either Aftab or Alamgir new contracts," Tim Boon, the county's coach, explained.
"It is important now that we do all we can to help them fulfil their ambitions in terms of the right career move," he said. "We have an obligation therefore to give them every opportunity to actively pursue a move to another county or a career elsewhere, which they can now do with our assistance and support."
Northants on pitch warning
Posted on 07/05/2006 in Northamptonshire
Northants have gained a 'poor' rating for the pitch they used during the Twenty20 match against Somerset on June 29.
An ECB pitch panel comprising of pitch liaision officers, Tony Pigott and David Hughes, was convened following the umpires report. After considering the pitch reports and interviewing the captain and coach of both teams, and the Northamptonshire Head Groundsman, the pitch panel upheld the umpires.. decision that the pitch had demonstrated excessive turn and should therefore be rated ..poor..
As a consequence, Northamptonshire are on notice that any subsequent one-day pitch marked ..poor. within 12-months of June 29 will be subject to the following penalty:
If the subsequent ..poor. pitch is in the Trophy, the Pro40 League or the group stages of the Twenty20 Cup, then one point shall be deducted from Northamptonshire..s total in that season..s competition.
If the subsequent ..poor. pitch is in a Twenty20 Cup quarter-final, then Northamptonshire will concede home advantage in the Twenty20 Cup quarter-final round of the subsequent season.
Never in Fred's day
Posted on 07/05/2006 in Yorkshire
There have been many articles devoted to Fred Trueman, who died on Saturday, but a slightly different one appears in today..s Daily Telegraph by Simon Heffer, one of their political commentators.
Heffer offers a slightly left-of-centre insight to the man:
..Fred was rarely injured and missed Test matches usually only because, in his profoundly English bloody-mindedness, he had been caustically rude to someone in officialdom. His successors, none of whom has yet reached his league, spend more time recuperating from strains and stress fractures than they do engaging the enemy..
He also trots out some anecdotes, but not necessarily the ones used in most other obituaries:
..Trueman berated some Yorkshire batsmen for finding Wes Hall, the equally terrifying West Indian, so hard to play. When he, too, was knocked over by Hall, one of his team-mates had the nerve to point out that it wasn't so easy as it looked. ..Ah'd 'ave been all right,.. retorted Fred, ..if I 'adn't slipped on that pile of s--- tha'd dropped out there....
But it is his conclusion which not only sums up the man, but also the way that the world has changed:
..In his way, he had his cult of celebrity, but this was not a man who would be worshipped for the sunglasses he wore or the women he stepped out with; all he wanted to be judged by, and would be judged by, was what he could do on the field of play. He died on a day when hideously overpaid grown men wept over having lost a game of football, and one of them assisted his side by engaging in the simian action of stamping on the private parts of a rival, and being sent off. They never did that in Fred's day..
July 4, 2006
Blain set to disappear from Yorkshire
Posted on 07/04/2006 in Yorkshire
Yorkshire will release their seamer John Blain at the end of the summer. And they will let him go on loan to another club for the rest of this season, if he wants to do so.
Their director of cricket, David Byas, says that Blain, 27, has been squeezed out by the younger players. "With several promising youngsters pushing hard for first team places, John is not going to figure in our future plans,. said Byas. "But we are very keen to assist him to continue his career elsewhere."
Blain has rarely appeared in Yorkshire..s first-team since he arrived from Northamptonshire two years ago.
July 3, 2006
More tickets available for Edgbaston one-dayer
Posted on 07/03/2006 in
It..s not too late to get your tickets for Pakistan..s one-dayer at Edgbaston on Sunday September 10. Warwickshire have announced they have brought in an extra stand, with an extra 800 seats which will go on sale over the phones today.
Tickets cost £55, with a maximum order of 4 per person and there are no junior tickets within this allocation.
Call 0870 062 1902 for tickets.
July 2, 2006
Wallace signs new contract
Posted on 07/02/2006 in Glamorgan
The Glamorgan wicketkeeper Mark Wallace has signed a new three-year deal to stay at the county until 2009. Wallace has represented England Under-19s and was selected for the ECB Academy in Australia in 2002/03.
July 1, 2006
Tickets still available for Surrey v Essex
Posted on 07/01/2006 in Surrey
Tickets are still available for Surrey..s match with Essex at The Oval today, the only Twenty20 match on Saturday. The game starts at 12.30pm, with an expected finish time of no later than 3.15pm. Tickets cost £15.
Surrey are once more fielding the same eleven who have played the first three matches of the campaign.
Surrey James Benning, Ali Brown, Mark Ramprakash, Azhar Mahmood, Rikki Clarke (capt), Jonathan Batty (wkt), Stewart Walters, Tim Murtagh, Ian Salisbury, Jade Dernbach, Nayan Doshi.
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