The Great British Cricket Tea

As the rain begins to fall all over the country, it must mean it is the cricket season. But whenever water falls from the sky while you people are in their flannels it means they have another opportunity to nibble at the highlight of any cricket match - the tea.

Dear friend, and extremely talent food-journalist Fiona Roberts has written us a few words on why it is such a vital cornerstone of British society.

Matt Prior: England's Un-Hyped Hero

Since succumbing to just 51 in the second innings at the beginning of the year against the West Indies at Kingston, England have gone from strength to strength.

They failed to win the series in the Caribbean but claimed victory in the return two-Test series at home, before famously claiming the Ashes for the second time in three attempts.

Continuing on, the first two Tests against second in the world South Africa have seen Andrew Strauss’ men take a lead and set themselves up fantastically with one-and-a-half games remaining.

Much of the media attention has been focussed on Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Jonathan Trott, Graeme Swann and the captain Strauss – while Matt Prior has been largely overlooked.

The wicketkeeper position since the retirement of Alec Stewart in 2003 was a huge problem for England. Chris Read and Geraint Jones swapped gloves, with neither cementing their place nor performing with much certainty.

Prior got his chance in 2007 before Tim Ambrose took the hot seat for most of 2008 – however the Sussex man regained his spot during the winter and hasn’t looked back.

He averages just over 42 in his 25 Tests and after initial question marks over his glove-work, he has improved significantly to be a reliable figure behind England’s stumps.

His batting for the calendar year 2009 was at an average of 43.52, which included one century and six half-centuries at the bottom of the England order.

Helped with the likes of Broad and Swann who can hold a bat, England’s tail which traditionally never wagged has been as lively as a hamster on speed.

The situation tomorrow (Jan 5) in Cape Town sees Prior needing to lead the England batting as they trail South Africa by 50 runs with three wickets remaining.

The improved ability and reliability at the bottom of the England order has been crucial in their success – notably hanging on the draw at Cardiff against the Australians.

A lot of off-spinner Swann’s success can in some part be put down to Prior’s improved form as a wicketkeeper. The Nottinghamshire player has gone from near-international obscurity at the beginning of 2009 to be the tormentor of Australia and having success currently in South Africa.

Prior has been performing quietly and confidently, and as England strive to get to the top of the Test hierarchy their wicketkeeper will surely be key to their success.

Should Ian Bell be in the England Team?

Should Ian Bell be in the England Side?

Going into the Second Test between South Africa and England, much of the media attention was on the selection of Ian Bell. The Warwickshire batsmen has been criticised for not scoring enough runs, and so I used the vast database ofCricInfo.com to see if the condemnation was justified through facts.

Since making his debut in 2004 against the West Indies, Bell has notched up 50 Test caps at an average of 38.90 runs per game. He has a highest score of 199 and has made eight centuries and 21 fifties.

His average is the key stat, and is probably a little short of what itshould be for a top-class middle order batsman. He undoubtedly has talent, but is often criticised of lacking discipline and temperament while batting.

He is currently tenth in the England average chart (minimum 20 innings) for the Noughties, in-between two who have captained their country: Mark Butcher (40.45) and Mike Atherton (36.87)

Bell Burst Onto the Scene With Runs Against the West Indies in '04

Player	Ave
Thorpe	53.30
Pietersen	50.18
Strauss	44.27
Trescothick	43.79
Collingwood	42.83
Cook	42.09
Vaughan	42.02
Prior	41.56
Butcher	40.45
Bell	38.90
Atherton	36.87
Stewart	36.07
Hussain	34.70
Flintoff	32.83
Key	31.00

So know we have a wide sense of Bell’s contribution since 2000, lets narrow it so it focus more on his career and immediate teammates around him.

This table shows England players selected as batsmen/wicket-keepers/all-rounders since the beginning of the 2005 (calendar year).

The chart shows Bell to have the ninth best average over this period, though with his number of caps shows a level of consistency. Jonathan Trott for instance has only played two Tests this year, with great success (average 64.25) to make him an anomaly at the right of the chart.

Bell is above Ashes 2005 heroes Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones and also Ravi Bopara, who earlier this year was being hailed as the next great England batsman.

These records do not reflect too badly on Bell. He does not have the average he perhaps ought, but he is there-or-there abouts; has produced over many matches; and is surrounded by names of recent England ‘legends’.

Critics would further argue another batsman could have done a better job from county cricket. This argument is of course valid, but unproven. Who is to say what Mark Ramprakash might have averaged for his country over the last five years or Michael Carberry – but Bell has been wearing the Three Lions and scoring some runs.

However, if we then look at stats for the calendar year 2009, the results are not so kind on the under-pressure batsman.

As is quite clear 2009 has not been a good year for Bell. He has only scored two more runs than opening bowler, James Anderson, and is behind county team mate Trott despite batting five more times. He is also behind all-rounders Stuart Broad and Flintoff – the latter batting in 2009 on one fit leg – as well as off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Statistics are very fragile things, and must be used with great care – there are many comedy sketches which dismiss the use of them as they can be used to prove anything.

This look at Ian Bell does not give any certainty as to whether he should or should not be selected – but gives an extra piece of information for Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss to potentially use.

The beauty of cricket statistics is they do tell a story, but not always the whole story. Bell may have had to go in and hit out to score an extra few runs before a declaration arranged for an hour and given away his wicket for the team; he may have had a few horrible umpiring decisions go against him – none of which are given as an aside in the statistics.

How Accurate was MoreThanBalls Twelve Months Ago?

Twelve months ago I made some comments about what I would like to see happen in the sporting calendar of 2009. Looking back some of the results are quite interesting and some more accurate than others.

Although the original post was to be less of a prediction but more of a wish list, I thought I would look back and see if my wishes came true...

The Lions in South Africa:

Wish – 2-1 Lions victory with the pack being the key.

Reality – Saying the pack is going to be key in a rugby Test Series is rather obvious in retrospect, though it was crucial in the 2009 tour to South Africa.

Phil Vickery was embarrassed in the First Test by Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira, which gave the Boks the penalties and the platform to take a crucial lead.

The second Test was one of the most exciting and brutal in recent memory, and for a rush of blood to the head of Ronan O’Gara, the Lions would have had the opportunity to draw the three match series against the World Champions.

Accuracy – 3/10 (but who cares, it was a fantastic series)

The Ashes:

Wish – A repeat of 2005 with the emergence of Stuart Broad to win the urn.

Reality – Fairly spot on. Australia did lack the personalities and world class ability of 2005, though Ricky Pointing and Michael Clarke did fill these boots and Ben Hilfenhaus in particular shone. With Andrew Strauss and Andrew Flintoff bowing out for England in Test cricket, they managed to scrap a series win with equal drama to the last instalment.

Stuart Broad did come of age in the series, and with Flintoff’s retirement will need to continue.

I think the next series in 2013 being broadcast on terrestrial television speaks volumes as 2009 did not grab the public’s hearts as much as 2005, despite the drama of Monty Panesar holding on with the bat at Cardiff.

Accuracy – 9/10

British Boxing:

Wish – Calzaghe to retire, Hatton to fight Oscar de La Hoya, Carl Froch to slowly grow and Haye to fight the Klitscho’s.

Reality – Calzaghe retired while Hatton has (perhaps) been forced to retire after he was humiliatingly dismantled by Manny Pacquiao.

Froch however, has become a much bigger name on the world stage this year. He went to American and defeated the previously unanimous world middleweight champion, Jermaine Taylor, and won his first fight in the exciting Super Six Series against American prospect Andre Dirrel.

David Haye has had the most successful year though. It seemed to be all doom and gloom after his fight with Wladimir Klitschko was cancelled after Haye injured himself at his training camp in Cyprus. However, he came back and defeated Nickolai Valuev on points to become world heavyweight champion.

A fight against one of the brothers he has been shouting about should come about next year.

Accuracy – 5/10

I also asked for the England football team to become less like pre-madonnas. I was feeling a larger sense of pride in the side, but after the revelations about John Terry earning money from giving businessmen tours of Stamford Bridge, it is obvious their desire for money is omnipresent.

2009 was a great year for sport and ended a fantastic decade. I cannot wait to see what transpires over the next 12 months, but it should be exciting!

Total: 17/30

Why the Ashes 2009 Will Not Capture the Country as 2005 Did?

As I write the Ashes are tied. We enter the final day of the Second Test at Lord’s with the possibility of England defeating Australia at the home of cricket for the first time since 1934; or equally Australia complete the largest run chase in history to win a test match.

We have already had the drama of Cardiff, as Paul Collingwood, Graeme Swann and then remarkably James Anderson and Monty Panesar gallantly gritted out batting performances inspired by Roy of the Rovers.

Remember Gary Pratt – the substitute fielder who ran-out Ricky Ponting and made the captain so irate in a series changing moment four-years ago. Well, Ponting has already blown-his-mouth off at England for disrespecting the Spirit of Cricket by bringing on the physio to waste time in Wales; his dismissal in the first innings at Lord’s; and at Ravi Bopara for not accepting Nathan Hauritz’s word after replays were inconclusive as to whether the catch had carried.

The excitement of 2005 is despite what many expected, being matched if not bettered this time around - and we still have three tests and a day left of the series. Though even if tomorrow we see Siddle and Hilfenhaus needing only three to win – as it was at Edgbaston – the level of celebration or despair will never match that of the triumphant victories four years ago because of its broadcasting.

The Ashes of Vaughan, Jones and Flintoff was the last test series to be shown live and on terrestrial television in England. This time all we have is a 36-minute highlights programme (once adverts have been taken into consideration) a day. Of course Test Match Special continues to offer delectable coverage. But for the next generation of Pietersens and Andersons the dulcet tones of Henry Bloefeld will not be enough to turn them from the much more accessible football or rugby, or equally their computer games and Harry Potter.

With tickets being sold out months before the series, and even then the cheapest ticket not offering much change for £50, if any, no-longer can cricket’s next generation be inspired by the stars of today, to replay scenarios in gardens or playgrounds across the county.

Sky aims to have 10-million customers by 2010 – which is still only reaching one-sixth of the population, and that being largely the wealthy and based in the south – not the demographic that has given rise to England’s most renowned Ashes winning heroes of the last 30-years – Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff.

The newspapers are dominated by what interests their readership, and although the Ashes is prevalent throughout, the Open Championship has arguably overshadowed the cricket. Undoubtedly every year this is a hugely popular event, and with Tom Watson almost making history as the oldest winner of the championship it became even more romantic and intriguing.

However, one cannot ignore the impact of constant BBC broadcasting of the event. Since Thursday, four rounds of golf have dominated their daily schedules. Especially with the temperamental weather in many places, fans and those who have previously had no interest in the sport have been transfixed by what they have seen.

I don’t think that it will become apparent how important and significant the switch to pay-to-watch television has been for a few years when there may well be a dearth of talent. Many predicted cricket may well be in trouble at the time the government decided to remove home test matches from their protected list of sporting events to be broadcast on free-to-air television.

William Buckland in his book, Pommies, went further and looked at the rotten core of English cricket – the establishment and its administration. Many of what he says is quite extreme, but the general synopsis of English cricket facing major problems is certainly accurate.

Twenty20 cricket will not kill test cricket – but the fact that it has been snatched away from the general populous and only the rich are allowed to watch it from their debenture seats, supping their champagne will.

This Ashes is only the tip of the iceberg. However spectacular, it will not reach the heights of 2005 – because there aren’t enough people able to watch it to help lift it up.

Nottinghamshire Face Tough Times in 2009

Going into the last round of County Championship and Pro40 matches last season, Notts were more than able to finish the season with two pieces of silverware. But losses to Hampshire and Sussex meant that the Outlaws ended 2008 empty handed.

England call-ups did not help Notts for the majority of last year, with both Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom largely unavailable as they fought under the emblem of the three lions. Furthermore, it seems as if the pair may be joined by Graeme Swann this summer after his wickets in the West Indies. The spinner has taken his opportunity ahead of Monty Panesar with both hands. Arguably being the pick of the England bowlers in the Caribbean, he is surely a shoe-in for the first of the return tests on the 6th May at Lord’s. Moreover, if Samit Patel carries forward the scintillating form of last year topping the averages which saw him come second in the PCA County MVP rankings, more England caps are surely awaiting him: leaving Notts wanting with both bat and ball.

The news that Stuart Broad rejected to play in the lucrative IPL to continue to develop his game at home was a plus-point for the Outlaws, but they have also recruited experience. Ex-Surry big-hitter Ali Brown and spinner Jason Brown have joined the club to cover for the England quartet, while Mick Newell and the rest of the coaching staff will have to look to bringing through academy players to bolster the side where necessary. Luke Fletcher and Andy Carter have already put their hands up to lead the seam-attack for the county. Fletcher has made four appearances for the first team, and along with Carter, the 20 year has the promise from coach Mick Newell that “opportunities will arise for these players if they prove that they’re worth it”.

Read admits that “last season was great but we’d love to go one better and win it,” with the full knowledge that Championships require six-months of hard work and a fair helping of luck. Despite the confidence echoed by both captain and coach, Nottinghamshire may find 2009 a long, difficult and ultimately transitional year in the ever competitive 1st Divisions.

What I Want to See in 2009

At this time of year it is common-place for commentators of all interests to make predictions as to what is to happen in the upcoming year: which new band is going to make a break through; how Gordon Brown’s year will play out; and which young starlets will break through into Premiership stardom?

This post is along a similar vein, though I am going to look forward and suggest what I would like to see happen in 2009...

The Lions in South Africa: After the last time this unique team visited the Springboks a hugely entertaining series ensued against the then World Champions, highlighted with Jeremy Guscott’s winning drop goal in the second test. This time the combined forces of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales visit the new World Champions to try and achieve the same feat. Ian McGeechan will lead the side for the fourth time with his last time out being the tour of 1997 along with a very potent coaching set-up of Warren Gatland, Shawn Edwards, Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree.

South Africa in their own backyard are going to be a mammoth task but after the autumn there were signs that McGeechan should look favourably upon. Both Scotland and Wales ran the Boks close, and when bolstered by the strengths of Ireland and England the Lions will be a highly formidable force.

The pack and especially the back row will be a key battleground, and I think Wales and potentially Lions captain Ryan Jones will play a crucial role. Likewise the contest of arguably the two best wingers in world rugby at the moment – Bryan Habana and Shane Williams – will ultimately decide the battle.

What I want to happen is a close series, removed from the politics of the 2005 New Zealand tour, with fast, expansive rugby, ultimately resulting in a repeat of 1997 and a 2-1 Lions victory going down to the final test.

The Ashes: I hope the Ashes can catch the imagination of the British public as it did in 2005: but with inflated ticket prices, and the series not being broadcast on terrestrial television I fear that this won’t be the case. I am also concerned that the Twenty-20 World Cup which takes place in England immediately after the Tests will turn the new cricket fans away from the 5-day form of the game in favour for the shortened, shotgun version.

Focussing on the pitch, I want to see the same excitement that was so prevalent when Michael Vaughan and his men won the urn three-and-a-half years ago. Australia are a far weakener side with the losses of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist - who they are struggling to replace – missing not just their ability but also their personalities and fear which they struck into oppositions. Likewise England aren’t as strong as they were, but after an encouraging Test series against India, and what should be two winning series against the West Indies, England should reclaim the Ashes.

I want to see a dominant England, with a cutting edge that they have been lacking to close out matches. I would love to see the emergence of Stuart Broad as a high class all-rounder. The Notts and England bowler has all the potential to fill a roll similar to Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff and give the tail-end that extra bit of batting stiffness as Adam Gilchrist did for the Auzzies for so many years.

British Boxing: Boxing is often revered as being violent and barbaric. In many ways it is not too far removed from the Coliseum and the Gladiators in Rome 2,000 years ago. However, others see it as the most glorious of contests, and whoever has their hand held aloft in the centre of the ring is a hero. After witnessing the epic struggle between Carl Froch and Jean Pascal first hand, I have been fully converted, and cannot wait for what should be a very exciting year for British Boxing.

Firstly there is the ‘old guard’ – Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton. It is yet to be seen what will be Joe Calzaghe’s next step. In many ways he doesn’t and shouldn’t fight again: he has a record of 45-0; he has been one of the longest reigning world champions of recent years, holding the WBO Super-Middleweight belt for 10 years; and he has now started promoting his own events. Any fight will have to make the Welshman big bucks. Perhaps a rematch against Roy Jones Jnr. or Bernard Hopkins at light-heavyweight being the most likely option before his eventual retirement. For Hatton, on the other hand, 2009 looks much more exciting. After good wins against Americans Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi, The Hitman seemingly has the options of who to fight. Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter at the moment Manny Pacquiao could be a possible opponent in the Philippines or the US, or his victim towards the end of year – Oscar de la Hoya – could come over to the UK, with much talk about a summer stadium fight at either Eastlands - Hatton’s beloved Man City ground - or Wembley Stadium in London.

Enter the new crop of talent: as already mentioned, Nottingham’s finest Carl ‘the Cobra’ Froch has an exciting year ahead of him. Having claimed a world title, he now has the opportunity to fight and become a marquee fighter. A possible fight against Jermaine Taylor, Lucien Bute or even Mikkel Kessler has been mentioned - but a British showdown on the scale of Benn versus Eubank is what Froch and Nottingham are hoping for, with a bout against Calzaghe. Equally, David Haye has already managed to catapult his way to the top of the heavyweight division after defeating Enzo Maccarinelli to unify the world cruiserweight belts, and then making the step up a division to knock out Monte Barrett. Haye, who promotes himself under Haymaker Promotions, is a character that the heavyweight division has been lacking. His confidence and charm is endearing, as he has managed to entice Vitali Klitschko into a fight which will take place in June somewhere in London. This isn't to mention Amir Khan or Olympic champion James DeGale amongst others at a very exciting time for the sport in the UK.

To see Calzaghe against Froch would be the highlight for any British boxing fan this year, possibly at the City Ground, Nottingham or at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. After all of the sledging that has gone between the two, there would be no love lost and both men would not leave without their heart and soul having been put to the limits. However, with much for Calzaghe to lose on this fight I don’t see it happening. Rather he will take another fight at light-heavy against a weak but big name boxer such as Roy Jones Jnr. and slip into retirement. Froch will probably have to make do with a fight to tie him over, perhaps against Jeff Lacy or Anthony Mundane, which would hopefully set up a big fight at the end of the year once he is better known by the American public. As for Hatton, I think a fight at Wembley against de la Hoya is a prospect too exciting to turn down. He should win, which would lead to a a match-up against one of the top fighters like Pacquiao or a return for Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Haye is the most interesting of the four; he is not unjustified to be in his position, but his mouth has got him a long way – which is fantastic for the fan. I would love to see him defeat Klitschko to set up an epic war between both brothers and the Hayemaker to spark some life into the heavyweight division – but we will have to see if he can pull off an amazing victory in the summer before we talk of that.

England Football: As far as the England football team goes I have very little to say about them. Simply, I want to be able to feel pride when supporting them, rather than feeling ashamed that a bunch of pre-Madonna’s are representing my country. Players who failed to even qualify for the last tournament as they would rather be playing for their clubs, or holidaying in Magaluf then bleeding for their country, and giving everything to win. Fabio Capello seems to be instilling this into the team a little more. I think he is the man to remind the England players, despite being Italian, of the meaning of wearing three lions on your shirt.

***

There are many other things that I could have written about: Andy Murray and Wimbledon, or as last year proved, more likely the US Open; Lewis Hamilton’s defence of his F1 crown; also the coverage of Beijing’s Olympic champions – or perhaps the reality which will see them drift into the obscurity for another four years. What is sure though, is that 2009 will throw up drama and debate, joy and despair as we anxiously wait on to see whether what we want to happen, will.

Will Gilgrass - 29th December 2008