Shakib joins Worcestershire

Good news for any West Midlands-based fans of under-exposed world class Bangladeshi all-rounders (of which, no doubt, there are many) – Worcestershire have signed Shakib Al Hasan for 2010. “I am thrilled and inspired to be joining the team once graced by Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Vikram Solanki”, he didn’t quite say. Does this [...]

Read Full Post »

Weekend Youtube: Shakib al Hasan

Shakib al Hasan has been putting in notable performances for some time, and he continues to impress despite having a relatively low profile internationally. If you’re not familiar with him, then watch the below and learn something.

Read Full Post »

Day-Night Tests on the horizon?

What might turn out to be the future of Test cricket is taking shape with the news that Bangladesh and England are set to play a Day-Night Test- assuming that the ICC agrees. The MCC’s World Cricket Committee is set to meet ICC representatives in November to discuss the idea, which could include the use [...]

Read Full Post »

Ireland vs England: ODI Preview

There’s not much time for England’s cricketers to get over their Ashes hangovers (although that seems less of a problem this time) as they head off to Belfast for a One Day International against Ireland. Paul Collingwood resumes his role as stand-in captain whilst Strauss takes a rest, and of course both Pietersen and Flintoff [...]

Read Full Post »

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh go Bonkers in Bulawayo

Whilst the cricketing world has been looking forward to the Fifth Ashes Test at the Oval, remarkable things have been happening in Zimbabwe. Trailing 2-1 in the ODI series against Bangladesh, the hosts must surely have fancied their chances of levelling it after posting 312 in their 50 overs, including a world-record-equalling 19 not out [...]

Read Full Post »

Flintoff misses the bus

What is it about international cricketers and buses? After Jamie Siddons’ concerns about Bangladesh’s coach-related timekeeping comes news that Andrew Flintoff is similarly lacing in bus-catching skills. Although no mention of alcohol consumption has been made by the ECB, The Times have chosen to illustrate Michael Atherton’s report with a picture of Flintoff downing a [...]

Read Full Post »

Ireland through to the Super Eight

Ireland qualified for the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 with a victory over Bangladesh that came courtesy of brothers Niall and Kevin O’Brien. Of the two teams, Bangladesh looked more like the side unused to the big occasion, with wickets being thrown away with gay abandon throughout their innings, with Tamim Iqbal’s run [...]

Read Full Post »

Minnows making their case

One of the criticisms that a sport like cricket,with such a limited number of established international sides, tends to face with regard to international tournaments is that some of the Associate nations are simply making up the numbers, contributing to an ICC-sponsored illusion about the relative popularity of the game outside of its traditional strongholds. [...]

Read Full Post »

ICC World Twenty20 Preview: Group A

The ICC World Twenty20 gets underway from Friday. Here’s part one of my preview: India, the defending champions, will face high expectations after emerging triumphant from the thrilling finale last time out.  The intervening years have of course seen the development of the Indian Premier League, a competition that means India’s players have a wealth [...]

Read Full Post »

Ones to watch: Wrap-up

It’s more than a year now since I named my 11 to watch, so it’s probably time to weigh up (briefly) who’s lived up to their potential and who hasn’t: Nasir Jamshed is still under 20, but had little chance to impress this year given Pakistan’s effective exile from international cricket; Virat Kohli made some [...]

Read Full Post »

New Zealand vs India: Test Series Preview

India’s Test record in New Zealand is surprisingly poor. They haven’t won a series away to the Black Caps since 1968. However, the tourists recently recorded their first ever ODI series win in New Zealand, so hopes will be high that they can deliver a long-overdue success. Crucial to those hopes will be Test squad [...]

Read Full Post »

Murali: Batsman

Bangladesh all out for 152? Seen it (youtube here). Mendis taking 3-24? Par for the course. Sri Lanka 6/5 in reply? Worth paying attention… Murali making 33 from 21 balls to win the series? Priceless (youtube here). The Tri-series final between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was quite a match, with Bangladesh coming agonisingly close to [...]

Read Full Post »