Escape for England Cricket Team

Hosts left in a pickle by defiant No.11 By Ryan Daniels

ANDREW STRAUSS admits he should never have doubted Graham Onions could pull off a second amazing escape as England saved the third Test in CapeTown in dramatic fashion yesterday.

It was No.11 Onions who kept out the last over at Centurion as the tourists began their four-Test series against South Africa with a nerve-jangling draw – and he was at it again at Newlands.

Morne Morkel made things even tougher for the Durham tailender than Makhaya Ntini had last time. But the 27-year-old came through just as well for a precious nought not out which kept England 1-0 up with one match to play and in an unbeatable position in the series.

Ian Bell (78) and Paul Collingwood (40) had shut out the Proteas for 57 overs in a 112-run stand and it seemed sure, after beginning the last day on 132 for three, they would not end up facing another precarious situation. But they did, leaving Strauss fearing the worst when Onions and Graeme Swann had to keep South Africa at bay for the final 17 balls.

‘I was thinking, “We’re in this situation again and it’s not often the end of the story is the same”,’ said the England captain. ‘I was feeling pretty comfortable until Graham went in there. But he did a great job again.’ Strauss admitted the tourists should never have put Onions – and Swann – in such a position on the final day of such a crucial Test match.

But he admired the way the pair showed such battling spirit to escape defeat. ‘I always feel as batsmen we should apologise to him [Onions] for having put him in that situation – although I thought it was an unbelievable partnership between Collingwood and Bell,’ he added. Onions claimed he too was hoping Bell and Collingwood would save him from an arduous spell in the middle all over again.

‘Ian and Paul got us into a fantastic position – and with ten overs to go I was thinking, “I’m quite happy with my trainers on and nothing to worry about”,’ he explained. ‘All of a sudden a few wickets fell and I was next into bat. ‘It was a lot worse waiting to go into bat than actually being out there.

CRASH, BANG, WALLOP TWENTY20 CUP FINALS DAY - EDGBASTON 2009

It may have started as recently as 2003, but in its short life cricket’s twenty cup has become as much as part of the English summer as big brother and extensive cloud coverage. Thankfully, of course it has retained its popularity for more successfully than the former and despite repeated exposure to the latter – and Final day, which this year takes place this very Saturday, is always something of a carnival for players and fans alike.

So, while the England selectors sit around looking for phone numbers of Mark Ramprakash, Robin Smith, Denis Compton and WG ‘Bloody’ Grace, the four remaining county side in this year’s renewal will head to Edgbaston for the day of, well, thwacking it as hard as they possible can.

Who are the runners and riders, then? Well, the first semi final see Northanst take on Sussex in the tie between two sides not that well versed in Twenty20 success. Sussex may have won three County Championships in the past six season, but this in only their second appearance at a Twenty20 Finals Day (the first, in 2007, saw them go out to Kent in Semi Finals), while Northants will be considered the outsiders of the bunch – they have never been in the last four of this competition and currently find themselves in the lower division of both the County Championship and the limited-overs Pro40 competition.

The second semi is a different matter entirely, however, for both Kent and Somerset are previous tournament winners looking to join Leicestershire as two-times victors.

Kent, champions in 2007 and runners-up to Middlesex 12 months ago, are narrow favorites with bookies- led by England hopeful Rob Key, the spitfires will e buoyed by the news that the 20-year-old South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell will be available after playing a key role in his side’s quarter-final victory over Durham last month.

Somerset won’t go down without a fight, thought- the 2005 winners have been in grand form all summer and, with Australian legend Justin Langer leading a side that also contains Marcus Trescothick and the tournament’s leading remaining wicket-tacker in Alfonso Thomas, the Sabres have plenty of ammunition with which to go to battle.

Twenty20 being what it is, however, mean that any prediction or current form will almost certainly go out the window in blaze of boundaries and wickets; but, for what it’s worth, we are backing Somerset to go all the way and thee off Sussex in a thrilling final, Get the cider on ice, and all that.

Shane Watson: Makeshift Opener did well in its first outing

Shane Watson did well in its first outing as a Makeshift Opener. Australia should stick with Phillip Hughes, who is fantastic young player. A real raw talent, he need some time to get used to of Test Cricket. But despite all his failure in this Ashes series, he still average 52.44 in his 5 test career so far, and most of his dismissal were unlucky, in first test he got out on a wide leg stump delivery, which i believe 99 time out hundred he will deposit for a boundary.

He is a fearless openers, who just play his shots and believe in his ability to score on any bad delivery. He will come back soon stronger and harder as a player and i hope he will not stop his style which is attacking, people want to see good cricket, which is a combination of Good batting, good fielding and good bowling . I wish him good luck in his future.

Shane Watson is a wonderful cricketer, who can bat anywhere in a test or onday side, but i still believe in test he should bat at number six or seven.

SHANE WATSON: Sledge ban has harmed us

SHANE WATSON fears Australia’s competitive edge has been blunted since they were told to cut the sledging. Cricket Australia wrote to each member of the touring party ahead of the Ashes series ordering them to tone down the chat because as role models they had to set the right example.

But with England now 1-0 up in the series, fit-again all-rounder Watson warned Australia would pull out all the stops to retain the Ashes. he said: ‘One thing Cricket Australia have said to us is to make sure we know where the line is and don’t cross it. It is a sticky one because of course the general public in Australia want us to be perfect role models and the hardest thing when you play is to be extremely competitive and not cross the line.

‘It is a fine line between being perfect role models and being competitive. As a group we don’t want to lose the edge. That is the reason we have been so good in the past because of how competitive we are and we don’t take a backward step. We have got to make sure we do everything we can to win, in the end, because that is what Cricket Australia and the Australian public do want.’

Watson is set to play against Northamptonshire in a three-day tour match, starting tomorrow, and could be recalled to the side for the third Test at edgbaston in place of out-of-form opener Phil hughes. Watson said: ‘I have tightened up my technique a little bit more. I always believe I have the game and the mental game to bat anywhere in the top order.’

Hussey: Kevin Pietersen loss can swing series

MIKE HUSSEY believes the loss of Kevin Pietersen is a major blow to England’s Ashes chances. Hussey, who leads his country in a three-day match against his old county Northamptonshire today, thinks the absence of key batsman Pietersen with an Achiles injury for the rest of the series is a major boost for Australia after going 1-0 down in the series at Lord’s.

Three Tests remain for the tourists to turn the series around and Hussey said: ‘It’s going to be a big loss to England – Pietersen has obviously been a quality batsman for a long period of time. ‘They’re definitely going to miss him. It is a boost for us. He’s played well for a long time, and done it against Australia, and is probably the lynchpin of that batting order.’ The anticipated return of Ian Bell to fill the Pietersen role is an underwhelming prospect to some – but not Hussey.

‘They’ve got some pretty good replacements,’ he added. ‘Bell is a quality player, who has played very well for England before. We’re going to give him the same respect we give all the England batsmen.’ Australia themselves have form as well as fitness concerns to address before Edgbaston.

Fast bowler Brett Lee is unlikely to return from a side strain in time while seamer Stuart Clark and all-rounder Shane Watson hope to come in for out-of-form paceman Mitchell Johnson.

We can give Fred a perfect send-off

We all know how much of a difference a fully fit Andrew Flintoff makes to the side so yesterday’s announcement this ashes series will be his last in Test cricket is extremely disappointing. But all of us in the England dressing room are determined to make sure we can give Fred the send-off he deserves by winning back The Ashes.

That would be great not just for him but all of us. Fred’s had a tough career with injuries, he’s a

great person to have in the dressing room and we’re all hoping he can stay fit for the rest of the summer.

Looking at what happened in Cardiff, it was obvious for all to see we did not play well, there’s no hiding behind that. But we also have to take a lot of credit for saving the game. Many of us, myself included, didn’t contribute enough but, even though we failed individually, we stuck together as a team and Team spirit will be key if we are to reclaim the Ashes displayed the spirit which is within this group of players.

You can’t quantify team spirit, it’s that magical thing which can make average teams good and good teams great. Many teams would have had their spirit broken in Cardiff given what we went through and the situation we found ourselves in on the final day. We weren’t broken and for that, we head into today’s second Test full of confidence. Yes, we need to up our game and our skills but we’ve got the chance to start afresh with a clean slate at lord’s and we intend to make the most of it.

May be part of the problem in Cardiff was nerves, there was such a big build-up to this series and that can sometimes affect you. But with that first game out of the way, we’re relishing this second chance.

Harmy has the X-factor but we love it at Lord’s

Alot has been said after the dramatic conclusion to the first test at Cardiff. We were obviously disappointed not to win the game but we were extremely happy with our performance as a team and go into the second test at lord’s full of confidence.

England look like they will make some changes to their bowling attack, depending of course on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff. And while losing him would be a big blow for England, it was interesting to see they have brought in Steve Harmison as cover. We don’t know whether Harmison could play even if Flintoff is passed fit, as Graham Onions has bowled well and justifiably gets his place in the squad.

But, as I said last week, we were surprised Harmison was left out at Cardiff. He bowled really well for the lions in our final warm-up game and at six-foot whatever-he-is, can generate bounce – which batsmen find difficult. that’s why I don’t think selecting him would be a negative step for England, as some people have suggested. Indeed, he is a bowler with that X-factor which every side needs. saying that, I don’t think conditions were great for England’s bowlers and looking at the wicket, maybe their batsmen should have got 500 after winning that toss.

But we were absolutely delighted with our bowlers. they put in an outstanding performance and while some of England’s batsmen will be disappointed with the way they got out, credit has to go to our guys for the way they went about their jobs. Looking at lord’s, we know England don’t have a great record there and also that Australia haven’t lost an ashes test at the ground since 1934. But that doesn’t really affect us. But there’s no doubt as an overseas player lord’s brings the very best out of you. speaking personally the history of the place inspires me and there is something about lord’s which brings out that extra two or three per cent in you.

You look at the names on the honors board and there’s no doubt it inspires you to go and put your own name alongside the legends. I have played one test there – in 2005 – and didn’t manage a century. this time, especially after getting to three figures in Cardiff, it would be great

to achieve that.

Finally, when we arrived in London on Monday we were greeted at our hotel by the Barmy army trumpeter playing the Great escape. I thought that was great and just shows how much the fans love their cricket. this an ashes series, it’s special and it’s great for Cricket.

Bopara: I’m not Superman

RAVI BOPARA has laughed off claims he is under pressure after a disappointing start to the Ashes, insisting it would be boring if he hit a century every time he plays. The Essex batsman scored a ton in three successive Test innings against the West Indies earlier this year but that run came to an end in the first Test against Australia last week when he was dismissed for 35 in England’s first innings.

He then made just one in the second, out to a questionable lbw decision, as Andrew Strauss’ men teetered on the brink of defeat before staging a heroic rearguard effort to save the game. Asked if he was under any extra pressure going into Lord’s, Bopara – written off by Shane Warne before the series – replied: ‘No, I just go out there and enjoy it. I am not Superman, I’m not a machine.

‘I can’t score runs every time. There’s going to be days I don’t. If I got a century every day it’d be boring.’ Bopara is looking forward to returning to Lord’s this week, where he scored 143 against the Windies earlier this summer in his first Test innings at No.3. That helped him make the position his own ahead of Ian Bell, Owais Shah and Michael Vaughan, who has since retired. Bopara added: ‘I have happy memories there from the beginning of the summer. It’s also a great feeling knowing we go there with this series still level. We were relieved we got away with a draw in Cardiff. It gives us confidence that we showed great fighting character. ‘We know we have to pick things up for the next game, it’s massive. We didn’t play our best at Cardiff but we’ll come back stronger at Lord’s.’

And Bopara claims the recalled Steve Harmison has lost none of his pace, saying: ‘He’s a dangerous bowler, even for guys on top form like Ricky Ponting. It’s never pleasant facing someone like Harmy.’

Cooky won’t crumble and Jimmy can swing it England’s way, says Vaughan

MICHAEL VAUGHAN believes Alastair Cook and James Anderson are the men who can inspireEngland to regain the Ashes. While most pundits focus on Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff as England’s main men, Vaughan is convinced opening batsman Cook and quick bowler Anderson are set to play starring roles this summer.

Going into the first Test in Cardiff, which starts this morning, England’s former opener and triumphant 2005 captain said: ‘I fancy Alastair Cook to hit the most 50s for England in the series.

‘In 2005, when we won the Ashes, there were 18 England 50s, so hopefully Cooky and the boys will wrack them up this summer. ‘Cook and Anderson are both ready to move on to the next level after establishing themselves in the Test arena. ‘Jimmy has had a wonderful 12 months developing his swing while Cooky has been quietly getting on with his business. ‘A lot will depend on how he [Cook] faces Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark with that new ball. Clark troubled him in 06-07 but Cooky’s a very quick learner, he works things out and I think he’ll rise to the challenge and play his own brand of consistent cricket.’ Many say Cook is a future England captain but Vaughan does not believe the label is fair. ‘The England captain is Andrew Strauss and he has just started to roll with that position,’ he added.

‘When he finally decides it is time to step down Alastair Cook may very well be one of the candidates but it will go to the best person at the time. You don’t need to tag any young player like that, they just need to carry on with their job of scoring runs or taking wickets.’ Vaughan feels it will be a close series and warns it will be a mistake to write off the tourists because they have lost so many players to retirement.

‘They haven’t got a [Shane] Warne or [Glenn] McGrath in their ranks but they are a good team unit,’ he added. ‘They’ve changed the way they play and are very competitive so England need to get off to a good start.’ And he warned: ‘In 1989 Allan Border brought a young team here and everyone wrote them off, so dismiss Australia at your peril.’ As for the end result, Vaughan thinks Strauss’ men will edge it and said: ‘I can see it being close but England can win 2-0 or 2-1 as long as they take the chances.’

Hauritz out to escape the shadow of Shane

NATHAN HAURITZ insists he can establish himself on the world stage and play a major role in helping Australia retain the Ashes. The series gets under way this morning with the first npower Test in Cardiff and Hauritz has already encountered criticism as the Aussies’ sole frontline slow bowler.

The 28-year-old off-spinner may only have played four Tests for his country so far but he has already been condemned as a pale imitation of Australia legend Shane Warne. However, the New South Wales bowler claims it is unfair to compare any of the current side to their recently retired predecessors, such as Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and, of course, Warne.

He said: ‘Even when I’m 35 and playing my last game people will still talk about Shane Warne – after all he is the best-ever leg spinner. ‘It’s great Australia have had that but there are more guys coming through. ‘For me it’s a great vote of confidence to be the only spinner on tour. Ricky Ponting is a fantastic captain and has always shown faith in my ability.’ And Hauritz, who is expected to make his Ashes debut at Sophia Gardens today, laughed off claims the tourists’ lack of quality spinners will prove to be their Achilles heel. He added: ‘It doesn’t bother me if people think we’re not strong in terms of spin.

When I’m out there it’s just me against the batter, that’s all I’m interested in. I have to just concentrate on what I can do.’