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« March 2007 |
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April 30, 2007
Lord's announce Cowdrey Lecturer
Posted on 04/30/2007 in MCC
Christopher Martin-Jenkins will be the first career journalist to deliver the Cowdrey Lecture when he gives his speech on Monday 16 July at Lord’s. Martin-Jenkins, the Test Match Special commentator and The Times correspondent, will be the seventh Lecturer. Previous lecturers have all been former international cricketers, including Richie Benaud, Sunil Gavaskar and Martin Crowe.
Keith Bradshaw, the MCC Secretary & Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that Christopher Martin-Jenkins has accepted the invitation. He has vast knowledge of the cricket world acquired during his 40 years as a journalist and broadcaster, and I am greatly looking forward to hearing his views on the world game in a different forum. The Cowdrey Lecture has proved to be a popular fixture in the Lord’s calendar, and I am sure that this year will be no exception.”
April 27, 2007
Mullaney bludgeons Lancashire victory
Posted on 04/27/2007 in Universities
A memorable maiden first-class century, including 10 sixes, from Steven Mullaney powered Lancashire to a four-wicket win against Durham UCCE at Durham University. Lancashire fell away to 56 for 5 before Mullaney adding 73 with Paul Horton. Mullaney then opened up, reaching his hundred off 92 balls, putting on a match-winning 123 with Iain Sutcliffe who made just 15.
Derbyshire opted for practice ahead of potential victory against Cambridge UCCE at Fenners as they decided not to enforce the follow on.
Kabir Ali completed match figures of 11 for 55 as Worcestershire raced to a 10-wicket win against Loughborough UCCE at New Road
Ryan McLaren's six wickets guided Kent to an innings-and-10-run win against Cardiff UCCE at Canterbury in a match which isn't first class.
April 26, 2007
Counties gain useful practice
Posted on 04/26/2007 in Universities
The Cambridge UCCE batsmen refused to fold against Derbyshire but are still a long way behind at Fenners after the county reached 504. Frederik Klokker turned his overnight into a century.
Iain Sutcliffe gained useful batting time with an unbeaten century before Lancashire declared 44 behind Durham UCCE to try and open up the match at Durham University. The University's lead was 123 by the close.
Loughborough UCCE made a better fist of their second innings against Worcestershire as Arun Harinath and Will Gifford, against his own county, added 107 for the fifth wicket at New Road. However, they are still facing defeat after Worcestershire reached 352
Cardiff UCCE were forced to follow on by Kent at Canterbury and are still 158 behind.
April 25, 2007
Latest University round-up
Posted on 04/25/2007 in Universities
Derbyshire enjoyed a day of batting practice against Cambridge UCCE at Fenners, led by a century from Dan Birch (130). Danish wicketkeeper Frederik Klokker finished unbeaten on 62.
Lancashire's young attack were made to work hard by Durham UCCE at Durham University. Laurie Evans struck his maiden first-class century on a slow, low pitch. Oliver Newby and Steven Croft grabbed two wickets apiece.
Kabir Ali claimed 5 for 16 as Worcestershire rolled Loughborough UCCE for 104 at New Road. Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 101 then led an impressive reply.
Neil Dexter and Matthew Walker hit centuries as Kent piled on the runs against Cardiff UCCE at Canterbury. Darren Stevens made 87 and Geraint Jones chipped in with an unbeaten 36 in the match which isn't first class.
April 23, 2007
England trio available for Lancashire
Posted on 04/23/2007 in Lancashire
Lancashire have been boosted by the news that Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood will be available for the Championship match against Hampshire, at The Rose Bowl, starting on May 9.
For Flintoff it will be his one first-class outing ahead of the first Test against West Indies and for Anderson and Mahmood a chance to stake a claim for one of the pace bowling slots.
Flintoff and Mahmood are also available for the Friends Provident match against Northamptonshire on May 6 while Anderson can play against Durham the following day.
Lancashire are also hoping that Brad Hodge and Muttiah Muralitharan will be available for the Hampshire match following their involvement in the World Cup.
April 20, 2007
Surrey open Ben Hollioake Learning Centre
Posted on 04/20/2007 in Surrey
Adam Hollioake and his father John will officially open the Ben Hollioake Learning centre at the Brit Oval on Friday. The Learning Centre is named after Adam’s brother Ben, the prodigiously talented Surrey and England player who was killed in a road accident in 2002.
The centre, which has all the latest IT equipment to help with learning, is an integral part of the Surrey Cricket Community programme, and is the home of two major projects – Playing for Success and the Education Project - aimed at young people from the local area.
“The Ben Hollioake Learning Centre is a great facility that obviously benefits a lot of people,” said Adam, “and will leave a great legacy by which to remember Ben."
The Hollioakes are also running the marathon this Sunday for the CHASE Ben Hollioake Fund... in full cricket gear.
Nel cleared for Essex
Posted on 04/20/2007 in Essex
Andre Nel has been cleared to play for Essex by the South Africa board. Nel, the fast bowler, won't have much time to rest after the World Cup. If South Africa make the final on April 29, he will have just two days off before turning out for Essex's first match, against his former club Northants. The Championship tie begins on May 2.
Nel will stay with the county until mid-June, his second stint at the club, after a brief stay in August and September 2005. Upon his departure in June, Nel will be replaced by Australian all-rounder Andy Bichel who will remain with the County until September. Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is contracted to Essex for the whole season, subject to international commitments.
Everyone at Essex was, needless to say, delighted.
April 19, 2007
Hemp and Powell flay students
Posted on 04/19/2007 in Universities
David Hemp and Michael Powell picked up centuries as Glamorgan gave Oxford UCCE the run around at The Parks. Mark Wallace also made 97 and No. 3 as the led grew to 236.
April 18, 2007
Bradshaw leads Oxford fightback
Posted on 04/18/2007 in Universities
Glamorgan were provided with a tough work out by Oxford UCCE at The Parks. Duncan Bradshaw hit 96 as the students recovered from 21 for 3 to post 251. They were handed a late boost when Matthew Elliott was bowled by the second ball of Glamorgan's reply
April 17, 2007
Old Trafford celebrations continue
Posted on 04/17/2007 in Lancashire
To celebrate Old Trafford’s 150th birthday, Lancashire will host a sporting dinner on May 9 where former England and Lancashire batsman – and current sports agent – Neil Fairbrother will be answering questions. Call 0161 2824053 for more information.
Essex take on Southend
Posted on 04/17/2007 in Essex
Essex will play footballing neighbours Southend FC in a Twenty20 match on Monday, May 7 at the Roots Hall football ground. Tickets are £10 in advance. For more information check out the Essex official website
April 16, 2007
Warne spins Hampshire to victory
Posted on 04/16/2007 in Universities
Shane Warne eased himself into the new season with 5 for 17 as Hampshire crushed Cardiff UCCE by 610 runs at The Rose Bowl. Cardiff started with a promising stand of 109, but Warne then took three wickets in an over. James Bruce went one better, claiming a hat-trick, although none of this will count in the statistics as this wasn't a first-class match.
Somerset wrapped up a 330-run win against Loughborough UCCE at Taunton, but the students put up a batter fight in the second innings. Arun Harinath, on Surrey's books, struck 57 while Mark Turner bagged four wickets
Surrey were denied victory as the Bradford/Leeds UCCE lower order put up impressive resistanceat The Oval. After slumping to 41 for 6 it appeared all over, but Thomas Merilaht hit 74 not and Oliver Roland-Jones 53, his second half-century of the match.
Nottinghamshire were one wicket short of victory against Durham UCCE when time ran out in in Durham. Samit Patel and Charlie Shreck shared eight wickets as Durham fell from 267 for 4 to 287 for 9 but couldn't quite grab the final scalp.
Middlesex opted for batting practice against Oxford UCCE at The Parks, with David Nash reaching 102. They then managed four Oxford wickets in the remaining time.
MCC announce Young Cricket Photographer award
Posted on 04/16/2007 in Miscellaneous
Jessica Homer will be MCC's Young Cricket Photographer 2007. Homer, 28, from County Down, was the unanimous choice of a selection panel which included the top cricket photographer Graham Morris, who will act as her professional mentor.
During her summer with MCC, she will photograph a wide range of matches and naturally she was “delighted to have won”. Keith Bradshaw, MCC’s chief executive, was more effusive: “Her portfolio was outstanding, and her potential is obvious.”
Jessica is a freelance photographer whose work has appeared in a variety of regional daily newspapers including the Gloucestershire Echo. MCC's Young Cricket Photographer scholarship is now in its fifth year.
April 15, 2007
Counties continue to out-class universities
Posted on 04/15/2007 in Universities
Nottinghamshire made a better fist of their second innings against Durham UCCE. After being rolled for 183 in Durham, Notts began to exact some kind of revenge, skittling Durham for 142 and eking out a lead of more than 300 by the close.
There may be much tutting about mismatches at the World Cup; on this side of the Atlantic Northamptonshire had their own version, absolutely crushing Cambridge UCCE by a thumping innings and 329 runs at Fenners. Gareth James struck Cambridge’s only fifty in either innings, while Robert White became Northants’ third centurion.
Continue reading "Counties continue to out-class universities"
April 14, 2007
Students struggle against counties
Posted on 04/14/2007 in Universities
Durham UCCE handed Nottinghamshire a tough start to the season by rolling them for 183 in Durham despite being 92 for 0 before lunch. Jason Gallian hit 73 but the middle and lower order fell in a heap, including Chris Read for 15. However, the students struggled in reply and stumbled to 95 for 7 by the close.
Chris Rogers and Stephen Peters helped themselves to centuries after Northamptonshire skittled Cambridge UCCE for 79 at Fenners with Johann van der Wath taking the season's first five-wicket haul.
Ed Smith and Ben Hutton enjoyed the sunshine at The Parks with a century apiece as Middlesex flayed the students from Oxford to the tune to 379 for 2.
Neil Edwards struck 212, the first double century of the summer, as Somerset reached over 400 against Loughborough UCCE at Taunton. Marcus Trescothick was bowled for 28.
John Crawley hit 105 as most of the Hampshire top order gained useful batting time against Cardiff UCCE at The Rose Bowl. Shane Warne decided to give himself some match time ahead of the Championship season.
Surrey also made good use of batting practice against Bradford/Leeds UCCE at The Oval as Jon Batty eased to 103 while Rikki Clarke and James Benning hit eighties. The major surprise was that Mark Ramprakash only reached 26.
April 13, 2007
Key caught 'sand-papering' ball
Posted on 04/13/2007 in Kent
Robert Key was caught using sandpaper on a ball during Kent's recent pre-season friendly against Nottinghamshire, but will not face any action from the club or ECB. The match, arranged between the two teams, was not an official ECB fixture so doesn't come under the jurisdiction. A picture taken by a freelance photographer showed Key using the sandpaper to assist reverse swing.
"The way the game is moving forward for bowlers nowadays is through reverse swing," Key told The Guardian, "so what we've tried to do throughout our pre-season nets was to get brand new balls, sandpaper one side, and let the boys practise bowling. It actually goes really well."
The two local officials, and Nottinghamshire's coach Mick Newell, say they saw nothing but would have at least asked questions of Key if they had.
April 12, 2007
Ramprakash thinks of quick footwork
Posted on 04/12/2007 in Surrey
Mark Ramprakash enjoyed a memorable 2006, topping the run charts and then winning the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing series to propel him from mere former-England-cricket status to celebrity. Now, though, he is ready to hang up the dancing shoes (for now, at least) and pull on the batting boots as he aims for another run-filled campaign with Surrey, back in the first Division. Ahead of the new season, Christopher Martin-Jenkins caught up with him for The Times.
Ramprakash is 37 and the new contract will presumably see him through to retirement and probably to the 13 centuries he needs to become the first batsman since Graeme Hick — and only the 25th in all — to score a hundred first-class hundreds. His taste of television fame has done nothing to alter his focus on cricket.
Worcestershire hit by Mason injury
Posted on 04/12/2007 in Worcestershire
Worcestershire will be without paceman Matt Mason for the opening weeks of the season after he failed to recover from an off-season shoulder operation as quickly as expected. He will certainly miss the first Championship match, against Durham, on April 18 but is hopeful of being fit in early May.
April 8, 2007
Trescothick on the double
Posted on 04/08/2007 in Somerset
Marcus Trescothick returned to the Somerset side with a bang as he smashed 256 off 117 balls in a pre-season friendly against Devon. His innings included 25 fours and 19 sixes as he continued his rehabilitation from the illness which forced him home from the Ashes tour before the first Test. His comeback action continues with a match against Cornwall on Wednesday before a one-day outing against Gloucestershire a three-day fixture against Loughborough UCCE starting on April 14.
April 5, 2007
Essex warm-up against Surrey
Posted on 04/05/2007 in Essex
Essex begin their domestic pre-season friendly programme when they face Surrey on Thursday and Friday (April 5 and 6) at Chelmsford. The provisional format comprises of 50-overs-per-side games on each day with play starting at 11.00am on Thursday and 10.30am on Friday (please note: format and start times are subject to change as these games are designed to provide match practice for the players ahead of the season).
“Surrey were by far the best team in four-day cricket we came up against last year, although we enjoyed success against them in Twenty20 cricket, so we are looking forward to coming up against one of the best teams in the country,” said Ronnie Irani. “It’s a bit early yet but it’s good to test ourselves against tough opposition.”
Alex Tudor, who moved to Essex from Surrey, said he was looking forward to the games. “When the fixtures came out I saw we had a couple of one-day games against Surrey and it will be good to see the guys again. We shaped up really well in Dubai (on the pre-season tour) and everyone looked pretty good. Surrey are arguably one of the strongest four-day sides in the country and it will be a good test for us to see where we are at this moment. Everything is gearing up for our first Championship game on the 18th against Derbyshire but this will give us a good pointer to see where we are at this stage.”
All eyes on remodeled Rashid
Posted on 04/05/2007 in Yorkshire
In The Times, John Westerby looks at Adil Rashid, one of Yorkshire – and England’s – most exciting young prospects:-
At the age of 18, Rashid caused more than a few flutters towards the end of last season by taking 25 wickets in his first five championship matches for Yorkshire, as well as scoring useful runs. Jason Gillespie, the former Australia fast bowler and a Yorkshire teammate, described him as the best young cricketer in England.
This year, his progress will be watched closely and Rashid is aware that he has given himself a tough act to follow. And all the more so since, having suffered a stress fracture to his back this winter, he has had to learn to bowl with a remodelled action.
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