The Googly

Remembering Alec Stewart

In the interests of fair play, and this Googly correspondent would never allow bias to sully these pages, it is only right then to have a look at Alec Stewart's glittering career. After all, Jack Russell was highly praised earlier this week, and you can't have one without the other. Alec made his Test debut against the West Indies in 1990 at Bridgetown. It was not hugely auspicious - a mere 13 in the first innings, and not called upon to do more than hold up an end in the second as Larkins saw England safely to the win. Three years later, however, Stewart had matured and times had changed. He flayed a still strong bowling attack and hit two centuries at that same ground.

But for many of us, he's better remembered as the archetypal wicketkeeper, sharing the gloves with Jack Russell until he gained the upper hand, and indeed took the captaincy from Michael Atherton in 1998. It was a good selection by the powers-that-be, and Alec led the team to victory against South Africa. The celebrations didn't last that long. Failure in the Ashes and the 1999 World Cup saw him, rather viciously axed. Back for more success in 2000 (a century in his 100th Test) didn't help his cause when an Indian bookmaker alleged that Stewart had provided information during the 1992-1993 tour of India, but nothing was proven and in 2002, Alec became England's most-capped Test cricketer. He retired in 2003 and these days is a regular member of the Test Match Special team, adding wisdom, humour, insight and not a little irreverence to the commentary.

A national treasure? Only time will tell, but with an MBE and OBE to his name, he certainly has fans out there.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig}

The Cricket Show: has Darren lost his dazzle?

Last night's Cricket Show had none of its usual sparkle, and it wasn't until half-way through that I realised why. The list of guests was as extensive as always - starting with Paul Nixon (pictured right), and one might have expected with the Badger up first that a rip-roaring fun night was on the cards. However, despite the opening topic being that of "jelly-beangate" - which you would have thought would have provoked some laughs, it was all very low-key.

Then I clicked: Goughie didn't have a co-host to bounce off. No Tuffers and no Corkie made for very few laughs. I'm sure R5Live presenter Vassos Alexander was doing his best, but sadly he brought no fizz to the party - perhaps he'd been briefed to keep a grip on potential anarchy.

Still, Nixon was good value and it was good to hear him enjoying his captaincy at Leicestersire and having a good time in his benefit year. The sweetie issue was, obviously, raised, but neither Nixon or Gough wanted to spend much time on it. Dazz revealed that he "can't get his breath around it" which was a suitably sweet thing to say, and a lot of sense was talked about the difference between jokey banter at the crease and real abuse. Sree Santh came in for a few harsh words - mainly about the beamer. In 20 years Gough reckons he's never bowled one and that a cricketer shouldn't be playing at the highest level if he can't control the ball.

Geraint Jones joined them and agreed that it had all been blown out of proportion. He reckoned Chris Tremlett and Sidebottom had done really well but that India had just controlled the ball better (apart from Sree Santh, obviously!) and won because they were the better side on the day. It was all rather flat.

Talk moved on to Twenty20 Finals day - Alex Gidman spoke for Gloucestershire and Mal Loye for Lancashire. Unsurprisingly all were really looking forward to the occasion and all reckoned they were in with a chance of the win. Perhaps it was asking too much for any revelations - after all, no-one was going to say that their team was useless with no chance of doing anything and the whole day was going to be a fiasco! One of the few things I learned was that Kent have signed Lasith Malinga and they reckon he'll be playing tomorrow.

This was about as good as it got - when the last minutes of the show were taken up with discussing the Twenty20 team mascots, I felt that there was a bit of barrel-scraping going on. So that was pretty much it in a week that cricket overall has failed to deliver much excitement. I'm hoping that The Cat will be back next week and zany humour and hysterical laughter will set the airwaves humming again.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

In celebration of: Jack Russell

As debate rages, or perhaps more accurately, there's a bit of a discussion going on, about who currently is the best-placed man to wear the gloves for England, it seems apt to have a bit of a look back at the man whose name is synonymous with England wicketkeeping. Jack Russell (pictured right giving a bit of guidance to forgotten man Geraint Jones) is, for many of us, the first England wicketkeeper to sear into our consciousness. A man known as much for his "economy" with tea-bags (there is a story that he was known to make one bag last an entire five day Test match) as for his gloving skills, England has in these days, still to find a modern icon to stand behind the stumps.

Jack made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Lord's in 1988. England won and the statistics show three catches and a top score of 94 in the first innings for Jack. In his last appearance, Antigua 1998, England lost. Jack scored just nine and has no catches marked in the book. The bald statistics would show a man in terminal cricketing decline and don't reflect the service he gave to his national side. Constantly measured up against England's more favoured son, Alec Stewart, Jack departed the international stage after that unhappy time in the West Indies. What is often forgotten is that he played on, magnificently, for Gloucestershire - an integral, some would say inspirational, part of their One-day successes. Injury to his back forced him into retirement when only 40 years-old, and these days he is seen more often gracing the boundary as he paints than troubling the commentary box. However, every now and then, we do find him as a guest on Test Match Special, and young cricketers would be well advised to listen as he offers pearls of wisdom.

He is a treasure of the game and one whose eccentricities (that hat!) and talent should be remembered and appreciated.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Waiting for Freddie

Amidst the post-mortems of England's defeat by India at Trent Bridge, many names are mooted to steady the ship: Broad, Bopara, Hoggy, Rashid, Denly, Shah, even dear old Ramps. But one name looms larger than any other - Flintoff.

It will not have escaped your attention that August is upon us and that the football season will be with us before the week is out. So as the final Test of the summer approaches, it might be instructive to take stock of Flintoff's 2007 season. So far, he has bowled 23 overs for Lancashire (none for England) and scored 257 runs (none for England). Since the end of that extraordinary Ashes campaign (see right) he has scored 740 Test runs at 29.6 and taken 54 Test wickets at 31.2.

He has a game based on strength and hand-eye coordination, a body which needs a lot of work to stay fit and had a lifestyle in his twenties for which he can expect to pay in his thirties. He will turn 30 before the year is out and has played cricket since 1995.

I suspect that Flintoff will return as an injury prone Number 8 offering up numbers as he has since the Open Top Bus - a deluxe Ashley Giles, if you will. Planning the England team around him at Number 6 (as if these last two years never happened) is wishful thinking. This is why England need to think very hard about how many runs they want from Numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 and how to balance that off against bowling resources and wicketkeeping reliability. There appears little stomach to face this future in the Team England bubble, in the Press or amongst bloggers. But it's why The Trumpet's selection for the Oval would be Denly, Cook, MV, KP, Colly, Ravi, Ambrose, Rashid, Broad, Sidebottom / Tremlett, Monty.

[The Tooting Trumpet] [Image: Getty]

England cricket's wicketkeeping problems - a possible solution

Matt Prior has once again failed to set the world alight in the latest England Test match, and while in his defence not many other batsmen did either, worries still linger over the wicketkeeping position and whether Prior is the man for the job.

The question of who is England's best wicketkeeper has a very simple answer: Chris Read.  However, the question of who is the best wicketkeeper-batsman is an altogether more complex one.  There is, at least, a pool of players to choose from (unlike the dearth in the spinning department), with James Foster, Steve Davies, and Tim Ambrose the likely front-runners.  Prior has been given the entire summer at home to show that he is the man for the job, a task at which has has left too many boxes without ticks in; specifically the ones around footwork and wicketkeeping (absurdly). 

I suggest the selectors offer the same indulgence to the other candidates: an ECB version of The Apprentice if you like.  Give one player the Sri Lanka tour, the next New Zealand, and the third the opening series of next summer.  Whoever performs best on balance gets the job through to the 2009 Ashes, for that is really what we are aiming for is it not?  [Image: Getty]

Mediawatch with Bell, Prior and Strauss

It's been a while since I trawled the pages - print and websites - for the presence of our good old England cricketers and their columns but with some time on my hands today, and in possession of a cutting passed to me from a Sunday newspaper, I settled in for the dubious delights of reading what the lads are saying. First up for scrutiny, Andrew Strauss (pictured right with Matt Prior) on Sunday - the Telegraph is not a paper happily received in this house, so it was the first time I'd read Mr Strauss's Test Match Diary and to be honest, I didn't find it overly illuminating. Yes, Andrew told us that he was "unbelievably excited" to be back in the side, that he missed being part of the One-day team but that the break was probably needed. All very much toeing the party-line, or "on-message" as they say these days. That he'd spent time with coach Andy Flower is only to have been expected after a run of such poor form and to learn that "Planning is always essential" before the first Test against India was not an insight I needed to be told. I'd be worried if the team weren't planning! His diary ended after the first three days of the match, and I don't think I'll be rushing to read more from Mr Strauss.

Over at the BBC, St Paul of Collingwood has given way to Matt Prior as the "Cricketer in the media", but sadly nothing much has changed. Prior is as predictable as Colly was - frustrated not to win the Test with only one wicket left to take, thrilled about the new-boy bowling attack, Monty is fab, Vaughany (sic) is fab, KP is fab, the mood in the camp ("the environment in the team") is fab. Everything is just gorgeous - except of course they didn't win. Bit of a bummer that! Just when I thought it was going to get interesting:

"There has also been a bit of talk about the on-field goings-on between the sides of the last Test..."

Mr Prior tailed off and told us it was "just a bit of fun". Damn, would have liked to know the details. So two rather dull incursions into the media and it was left to my own little Belly-Boy to uphold the honour of cricketers with his Guardian column. Sadly, I didn't think it was quite up to his previous high standards, but at least he started from the heart being deeply disappointed at the result against India. Perhaps the downbeat tone of the piece simply reflects how Ian feels and in contrast to the other two articles, there is definitely a feeling that Ian's column is not entirely ghosted. It has engendered an interesting debate on the GU Blog, and personally I'd much rather read a B++ piece from Bell than bother with most of the other guff.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Where did Jones GO?

When musing on the likely fate of Chris Read (probably won't play for England again) quite logically my thoughts turned also to Geraint Jones, who has become the forgotten man of the 2005 Ashes squad. So much water has passed under the bridge, and so many changes to the England side that I'd actually forgotten that he did play the first two Tests in Australia last winter. The last time I thought of him, a few months ago, he was playing nicely for his county (Kent), so I thought it time to play catch up and check how it's going for the little wicketkeeper of whom so much was expected.

It's not going that gloriously for Geraint. His batting average looks pretty nondescript at 29.09 in First-class matches, though his keeping has been fairly sharp with 20 catches and one stumping in the seven matches, and a further five dismissals in his nine Twenty20 games. However, he is lagging behind Chris Read, although doing better than James Foster, whose name seems higher up the selectors' lists than either Jones or Read. But sport is a cruel mistress, and there's no room for sentiment. Memories of his brave 85, batting with Freddie Flintoff at Trent Bridge that helped put England in a winning position back in a summer when the sun shone and the country caught Ashes Fever, butter no parsnips now in rainy, dank and miserable 2007.

I have no doubt that the selectors called it right in dropping GO during the disasterous adventure Downunder during the winter, but is it right that he is now ignored? On current evidence, sadly, I think it probably is.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Javed Miandad - not just a class batsman

Pakistan legend Javed Miandad not only had a batting average of 52 after and incredible 124 tests, he could also keep wicket a bit as well it appears.  Here he is taking a legside stumping off Saleem Malik in the 1987 World Cup semi final to dismiss the ever rotund David Boon.

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Chris Read has had his day with England, probably

Yesterday Peter Moores said, when talking about the England fast bowlers, that he's "not a big one for looking back. I think you are better looking forward ... looking to build new teams with what you have." Applying that logic to the other positions in the team, it would suggest that there is not going to be another chance for Chris Read. Matt Prior is selected for the India Tests, and James Foster (nearly two years younger than Chris) and Steve Davies (seven years younger) now both would seem to be ahead in the queue of men most likely to pull on the gloves should Prior slip up.

As Chris looks back on his international career (15 Tests and 36 ODIs between 1999 and 2007), he may feel a bit hard-done by and perhaps a victim of Duncan Fletcher's failed bid to save his own job, followed by the regime change. A strong debut against New Zealand and a subsequent solid performance with the bat against South Africa in the winter of 1999 was not enough to keep him in the side and he was dropped, not to return again until 2003. Again he only had a brief spell in white before the wicket-keeping duties were awarded to Geraint Jones. They traded places again in 2006 when Chris got called up for the 3rd Test against Pakistan at Headingley. He didn't do enough to keep his place and it was Jones who went to Australia for the 2006-07 Ashes Tour. However, his under-whelming achievements led to Chris's return for the last two Tests, and Chris may have felt that his strong showing behind the stumps would make up for a poor performance with the bat. It didn't and Paul Nixon nicked the gloves for the Commonwealth Bank Series and the ICC World Cup.

With Fletcher gone, Peter Moores plumped for Matt Prior and may have sealed Chris's fate. But never give up, I'd say, Chris. Keep working hard at Nottinghamshire - an average of 70.30 so far this season could catch the selectors' eyes again if others stumble.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Oh to have a wicketkeeper that can do this

A little snippet of what we are all missing behind the England stumps at present.  Mr Russell really was a master...

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Tim Ambrose: catching the selectors' eye?

The Googly's own Tooting Trumpet picked Tim Ambrose for the Performance of the Day on the 24th June. Now this 24-year-old Australian-born and educated Warwickshire Bear is having the sort of season that makes you wonder when he'll get a call-up to the England squad. He came to the Sussex second XI in 2000 and moved into the first team to help them achieve Division One status in the county championship. Sharing the gloves with wicketkeeper Matt Prior was doubtless good for both of them - competition hones sharpness - but could only lead to one solution. In 2006 Ambrose moved to Warwickshire.

Ambrose is currently sitting at the top of both Warwickshire's first-class and Twenty20 batting tables this season with 475 runs from 7 first-class matches and an average of 55.66 in Twenty20. Warwickshire top their group in the Twenty20 Cup. These performances with the bat and 16 dismissals (all sharp catches) against his name as keeper - suggest that it would not be surprising to see Tim challenging Matt Prior for the England job before the summer's out.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Is James Foster a consideration for England's wicketkeeper?

If there is a genuine debate going on about Matt Prior's abilities - and I've read plenty to suggest that questions are being asked - then surely James Foster's name comes back on to the agenda?

Foster is still only 27 years old although it does seem as though he has been around on the edges of the the England team for a very long time. Back in 2000 he was still a student at Durham University when he was signed up by Essex and then selected for the England A tour of the West Indies. He was perceived as a natural successor to Alec Stewart and made his international debut in the One-day international  at Harare in October 2001. Two stumpings ensured he earned his place on the India tour later that year and he made his Test debut at Mohali in December. From what I recall, there was nothing wrong with his performance in the field, but his batting disappointed.

As the focus of balance for the England ODI team changed, Foster lost his place for the batting prowess of Marcus Trescothick and Alec Stewart came back into the Test side when Foster broke his arm. Solid county performances for Essex over the past 4 years did not lead to a recall under Duncan Fletcher's regime - Geraint Jones and Chris Read prevailed.

Maybe with Peter Moores in charge and Prior not impregnable behind the stumps, Foster will get another chance. A First-class average of 34.15 with the bat and a fistful of catches already for Essex this season would suggest he deserves close consideration.

[Image: Getty} [mimitig]

One to watch: Steve Davies

Only one letter separates this boy, Steve Davies, from the old snooker lag, Steve Davis, but skill for skill, talent for talent, they are as close as close things could be. By just 5 days or so, Steve Davies with an e, left-hand bat and wicketkeeper for Worcestershire, is eligible to feature in The Googly's One to watch slot. He will be 21 on the 17th June, and by the end of the 2006 season, was being touted as a contender for the spot of England's next wicketkeeper as Chris Read and Geraint Jones fell out of form and favour.

Much to my relief, although Davies was selected for the National Academy last winter, it was first Paul "Badger" Nixon and then Matt Prior who were called upon to wear the gloves for England. This gives the young man more time to develop out of the intense limelight of the international game, though his latest performance with the bat - a fine 81 against Surrey at New Road last week (and a healthy handful of catches) will certainly keep his name on everyone's list of contenders.

A chance to show whether his junior class can be transferred to the highest level of the sport will surely come sooner rather than later.

Davies captained the England Under-19s and toured the West Indies with England A in 2005. 2006 saw him top 1000 runs for his county, his cumulative score is now over 2000, and he won the NBC Denis Compton Award for 3 years running in 2004, 05 and 06. This cricket-watcher will be keeping a close eye on the County scorecards for the rest of the season and certainly won't be surprised to see Davies in the England side before the year is out.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]

Gilchrist muses over one-day retirement

Adam Gilchrist has spoken publicly about giving thinking time to retiring from ODI cricket.  The Australian wicket-keeper did not go as far as saying he is actually retiring, but he did say, "I have been firm on playing both forms in the past, but things have changed."

In the interview with the Syndney Morning Herald, he also stated, "There is a lot of cricket coming up over the next three years, so there are things to consider."  A lot of cricket is a bit of an understatement as the baggygreen are due to play an incredible 20 tests in 2008, then there is the small matter of the Ashes in 2009.

Is this more of a well-timed dig at Cricket Australia and the ICC for their scheduling, rather than a comment about his career?  I get the feeling it might be. [Lee C] [Image: Getty]

Analysis, first Test, day two: England 553-5 (bad light stopped play)

We've just started the summer of cricket, which must mean it's the time for hyperbole. Let us salute Matt Prior as the solution to all England's wicketkeeping ills.

All joking aside - and it's difficult to joke about the subject when you've spent the last year refereeing disputes about Jones v Read - this was a very special Test debut from the young man today. He finished the day on 126 - the first England wicketkeeper ever to make a century on his first start.

His runs came off just 128 deliveries, and he was supported at the other end by Ian Bell, who quietly but assuredly snuck his way to his own hundred.

Combined with Paul Collingwood, who fell on Nelson, and Ali Cook's contribution of 105, by my maths that makes four England players who have passed the magic three-figure mark in this innings - the first time that's happened since 1938, when Barnett, Hutton, Paynter and Compton secured their tons against Australia at Trent Bridge.

Had it not been for bad light forcing the umpires' hands, I suspect Andrew Strauss would have liked to have declared after Prior and Bell had passed their milestones, and given Steve Harmison chance to hit the Windies openers at the end of the day. As it is, the declaration should follow in the morning, and then we'll see whether Prior's keeping is up to Test scratch as well. [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]

Cricket Snap of the Day

Geraint Jones - remember him? - hitting off his much preferred back foot on the way to an impressive 49 for Kent yesterday against Sussex.  Perhaps the England wicketkeeping plot is still to thicken? [image: Getty]

Should England stick with Nixon?

With the first test but two weeks away the problem vexing the England coach, even more than how to get the players to stop calling him Duncan, is who to select behind the stumps.  Paul Nixon and Matt Prior are the men named in the original England squad of 25.  There have been arguments made for and against Nixon, not just on this blog, but throughout the land.  What do you think?

Jones' butter fingers

At a crucial stage in today's match, Geraint Jones dropped Anil Kumble. Jones has missed stumpings and dolly catches before - he did during the Ashes. But the management insist that he's an important all-round player because he can contribute with the bat. At one point the criticism targeted at Jones got so bad during the Ashes that Andrew Flintoff had to intervene; he told Channel 4 that Jones had the full support of the dressing room.

England are again paying the price for not having a specialist keeper. Imagine if Jones had caught Kumble. It could have helped to turn the outcome of the first Test. It would have been great for the team's morale as well.

Jones might be handy with the bat but, in tense, knife-edge situations, you need a specialist who is going to snap up simple bread-and-butter chances.

Justin Hunt