February 21st, 2007 by 
Gruff
And so another West Indian great has decided to have a bit of a whinge. Michael Holding has claimed that the ‘World Cup will be devalued by the number of non-Test playing nations taking part’.
The timing of this is poor to say the least plus it is a somewhat blinkered view which does a grave disservice to the ‘minnows’ who have fought hard to get to the elite ODI cricketing tournament.
Holding does make a good point that there are maybe too many teams but I thought the cricketing community was keen to share the beloved game with the rest of the world, and encourage growth. Not Michael Holding it would seem.
Holding claims ‘it is counter-productive…(to have) a team playing in the World Cup and getting absolutely hammered’. What Mr Holding has failed to recognise though is that it is not just the immediate affect of playing but its further reaching consequences.
We are of course talking about money. Something anyone associated with West Indies cricket should know the benefits of.
The affect of Stanford’s millions is already being felt, and surely an extended World Cup can only be of benefit to the local economies of the West Indies.
These minnows can also provide the odd surprise or two. Ask Kenya last time around. Players learn from playing against the best.
Holding also claims that he can ’see nothing wrong with giving the smaller teams the odd tour and a few games against the bigger teams from time to time’. So what’s the difference between them taking a thrashing in the World Cup or at any other time. The Champions Trophy is not taken with any real seriousness by the test playing nations, and how are they expected to develop as players or their national infrastructure without greater exposure.
I agree there are maybe a few too many teams, but it is after all a ‘World’ cup so let’s involve as much of the World as possible. Everyone loves an underdog. Apart from Michael Holding apparently.
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February 19th, 2007 by Gruff
From our Friend Wickman of Royal Cricket
So it has started. The World Cup predictions industry. Wickman loves it. Apparently there are eight good teams in the tournament. And one of them could win it. Wow!
First of all we get Sir Viv. Now Sir Viv has a ground opening to publicise. So first of all he wades into the England team. England, he says, are unlikely to win the World Cup. Well blow me down IVA. You are predicting that a team that has won a handful of games in the last year - and has been absolutely dicked on by Sri Lanka in its own back garden over the Summer - might struggle to win the World Cup? Well done. You haven’t lost it. Read the rest of this entry »
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December 25th, 2006 by Gruff
Welcome to another episode of our England cricket podcasts.
Discover how Duncan Fletcher motivates the England players.
Listen here
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December 15th, 2006 by Admin
Monty Panesar revealed his frustration at not being selected in England’s Ashes XI this week. The Commentary Box can once again expose more of England’s squad secrets, as they desperately cling to faint hopes of retaining the Ashes. Lift yourself out of Ashes gloom with another installment of our satirical Ashes podcasts.
Click here to listen or download our latest Ashes podcast
Written by Fergie & Performed by AJ
Please email us if you have any comments or ideas for more podcasts.
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December 12th, 2006 by Ferg
Stepping away from the debacle that is The Ashes, I have my attention rudely grabbed by Alex Ferguson. Sorry, Sir Alex Ferguson, in my opinion the most laughable knighthood ever. That is until the words “arise, Sir David Beckham” are inevitably heard, at least.
Doing his best impression of the three mice from the famous nursery rhyme, Ferguson sought to refute the entirely justified claim by, well, by almost everyone, that Cristiano Ronaldo is a diver by saying that he is “the most fouled player in the country”.
That he may be, but how many of these fouls are caused by the ripple of disturbed air from an opposition defenders snort of laughter at his feeble attempts to con the ref, rather than, say, actual physical contact is up for discussion. But apparently not in Sir Alex’s Govan-themed mansion. Read the rest of this entry »
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December 5th, 2006 by Gruff
Since the article outlining the statistical reasons why Panesar should already be playing against Australia, never mind be picked for the Melbourne test, nothing has changed to suggest that he will get the nod in for the next test in Perth.
England have snatched defeat from a nailed on draw. Giles still looks unthreatening with the ball and on a pitch offering spin to Shane Warne and even Kevin Pietersen, but he has provided adequate support with the bat in one innings.
In fact his position in the side looks increasingly more likely for Perth. Incredible when you consider he dropped Ricky Ponting which went on to cost England 107 runs and potentially the chance to win the game. Not to mention that he now seems to be running up a non existent incline in the field, and has taken only 2 wickets in 4 innings. Read the rest of this entry »
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December 5th, 2006 by Admin
Dear Sirs,
Steve Harmison just doesn’t seem interested. He’s in the prime years of his career and he’s struggling with technical details regarding his action! He doesn’t seem to be the bowler he once was and I think you just bring in Mahmood and let him have 15 tests. Let him find some rhythm and some form. I’ll be willing to bet that he’ll do AT LEAST as well as Harmison. I’m afraid that the Aussies have seemingly got one over on him and I don’t think they’ll let up now. So let him go back to where he wants and let someone else come in. Giles should be surplus once we return, so thanks Ashley, but goodbye. Bring Monty in for the summer and beyond. Read the rest of this entry »
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December 4th, 2006 by Admin
We are able to exclusively reveal what went on in the meeting that followed England’s balls-up at Brisbane, including a clue to England’s selection proceedure works and why Steve Harmison’s radar was pointed to the Gold Coast.
To listen to our latest Ashes Podcast,
CLICK HERE
Written by Fergie & Performed by AJ
Please email us if you have any comments or ideas for more podcasts.
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December 3rd, 2006 by Gruff
After Panesar had whirled his way to 3-39 in Pakistan’s second innings in the third test at Headingly this summer, Fletcher begrudgingly purred that the mecurial Panesar, who’d won the hearts of a cricketing nation, was now the best finger spinner in the world.
“As a finger spinner there is probably no one to match him in world cricket at the moment - his control is very, very good,” said Fletcher of Panesar.
England’s enigmatic coach also stressed that what the side needed “as a priority in Australia is to bowl them [Australia] out twice”.
So why after the disastrous Ashes opener in Brisbane has he decided to stick with Ashley Giles? Giles himself conceded before Ashes that he was not as good a bowler. Read the rest of this entry »
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From Wickman of Royal Cricket