As if by magic...

It has just been confirmed the IPL will be held in Soth Africa. Despite my distain for the format of the game, I do feel very sorry for the cricket-bonkers Indian public.

An excellent piece here on the possible effects of the decision to move the IPL out of India in only its second season.

IPL in England?

I for one certainly hope not. I find the whole Twenty20 game a bit of a circus. The ECB should be concentrating on getting the England team ready for the Ashes in what is already a very hectic cricket fixture list this summer.

Catch Up...

Been away for a few days so a little out of the loop. Over the weekend England won and lost an ODI against the Windies. When I say won, what I mean is gifted, by default a result. Is this the lowest England have ever fallen in ODI history. Perhaps. Lawrence Booth writes a cracking piece for The Guardian today, have a read here .

Nasser Hussain...

Like Michael Atherton, Nass generally gets it spot-on in his column, just a shame about the paper he writes for...

Stuart Clark signs for Kent...

I don't generally have an awful lot of time for Giles Clark, but I think he has every right to be furious with Kent after their decision to sign Aussie bowler Stuart Clark. It started with Middlesex signing Phillip Hughes, are the Counties determined to hand the Aussies the Ashes this summer?

Mad, mad world...

I can't be the only one who thinks this is one of the most extraordinary proposals even by English cricket standards...

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium...

Sadly the right decison has been made with regards to this failure of a cricket ground. There was nothing wrong with the Recreational Ground in the first place...

Views from the Sunday's...

Nothing better than a good read of the papers on a Sunday with a cuppa. Some cracking stuff out there this morning particularly this piece by Simon Wilde about the forthcoming Ashes series.

Monty bashing in The Times...

Although on the face of it a little harsh, there are some wise words written here by Patrick Kidd. After Graeme Swann's performance in the Carribean this winter I don't think we'll have to worry too much about Monty's performance in an England shirt this summer...

Today's Guardian...

I enjoyed this little look at the Aussies over my morning coffee.

Phillip Hughes joins Middlesex...

Middlesex have created a bit of a storm by signing the new Aussie hot-shot batsmen Phillip Hughes for the first six weeks of the county season.

As an England fan it's not ideal that one of the main threats to our bid to recapture the Ashes this summer will be able to acclimatise to our wickets and get his eye in for the start of the series, but it's unfair to point the finger at Middlesex as they're only looking out for themselves and as a cricket fan I'll certainly be popping down to Lords to cast my eye over this extraordinary looking talent.

Atherton's latest thoughts...

Some interesting points in Michael Atherton's latest columns. I like this piece about the England players not being derserving of the wages. However, I can't agreed about this piece about Andy Flower, it smacks of the cheap option to me, something the ECB are very good at.

West Indies v England Test Review...

It was a test series that England were expected to win and win comfortably at that. As I listened to yesterday's final enthralling session, my flat mate mentioned to me about the Aussies once again tearing the South Africans to shreds, my response was that England are a long way from challenging our friends Down Under and that we're trying to scrape a draw with a fairly poor, if resurgent West Indian side.

And that is exactly where England are right now, down there in lower regions of test cricket. Yes, the batting was good in places, but it was helped by so very friendly pitches for batsmen, but the bowling was, at times, dire. Yesterday I berated Andrew Strauss for not declaring before lunch and I stand by that, yet the real cause of the defeat was that Nash and Chanderpaul were dropped and given lives, something that is always likely to bite you on the backside.

In truth the Windies won the series in one session when they sensationally bowled England out for 51 in Jamaica, but toothless bowling and a very some strange declaration decisions have cost England dear.

With just a two match series, once again against the West Indies, to come in England before the Ashes start Strauss' men, are a long way from being a good test side. I'm expecting a heavy series defeat for England this summer and it will leave the selectors a real dilemma before the tour to South Africa next winter, the rebuilding has to begin. Flintoff, Collingwood, Shah, Harmison, Sidebottom, Bell and even Panesar will all come under the spotlight. Like the toiling in the Caribbean, it could be a long way back for England yet...

What a finish...

...to a fantastic last day. England tried everything they could, but the West Indies held to clinch the series and probably deserved that. The real winner today was the game of cricket itself, what an incredible finale.

Full review of the series tomorrow, I'm drained after that.

Lunch, Day Five - West Indies v England...

I have to say I was very keen on the idea of Andrew Strauss as England captain and I still am. He seems to have really enjoyed the role and his batting has come on with the extra responsibility, but the lack of courage in declaring could get to be a bit of an issue.

In Antigua he waited far, far too long and today with a test match series on the line again the moment came and went. Very disappointing. One wonders how the very negative looking Windies will react to what should be a gettable score. As a cricket fan foremost, I'd like to see them really go for it. Shame I don't think they will...

Graeme Swann...

Now I like Swanny, I really do, but I think he's being a bit optimistic here, but let's hope it happens as that would bring some real entertainment to today's conclusion of play, the game of test cricket hasn't exactly covered itself in glory during this series...

More on the referral...

Let's hope this this ridiculous system is finally buried after yesterday's debacle...

Fine for Monty...

Monty has been fined for over appealing during the fifth test against the West Indies. Perhaps if the umpires got their decisions right...

The Referal System...

It's daft and it has to go as not even the umpires seem to understand it. Chanderpaul should have been given out. Madness.

The Aussies are coming...

And the star of the show could just be this young lad. All of a sudden our friends from Down Under don't look so out of touch. Gulp.

David Gower...

I always enjoy reading Gower's words, shame he doesn't do it more often really. Read his latest musings here .

Kevin Pieterson...

Very, very good feature with the former England captain Kevin Pieterson written by the excellent Paul Kimmage. Have a read here .

Geoffrey Boycott...

Listening to Test Match Special on the radio I'd forgotten what a bore Boycott is on the radio. Can't the Beeb come up with anyone else? Honestly, what a clown...

Collingwood hits another century, Prior returns with a ton...

Another slowish day in Trinidad made bearable by the fact the Paul Collingwood not only got his 100 but also surpassed the 150 mark, 'keeper Matt Prior marked his return after paternity leave with an excellent 100, question is, is when will Andrew Strauss declare? Congratulations to both men, marvellous effort...

James Lawton on Saturday...

Wise words from the Independent's cheif sports writer about Steve Harmison. Have a read here.

KP goes on the stroke of lunch...

So a tough old fashioned test match going on today. Owais Shah had to retire hurt which was a shame as I'd like to have seen him have the chance to hold on to that number three slot with a good knock, although Shah's running gave everyone some heart-stopping moments.

Ryan Hinds grabbed the headlines for the day so far, clean bowling talisman Kevin Pieterson 'through the gate'. With two spinners in side England will be watching with interest.

Special mention for skipper Andrew Strauss, another very, very good knock. It's not as fluid as the one in the previous test but it's a good score and hopefully it will be converted into a three figure score... all the best skipper.

Slow going at lunch...

England have made there way to 74-1 at lunch today in Trinidad in a fairly incident-free first morning. Alistair Cook was the only man to fall caught behind from a corking Darren Powell ball, aside form that it's been a toil of a day so far...

Toss won, England to bat...

Andrew Strauss wins the toss and obviously has chosen to bat, great news. Not such great news in my mind is the selection of Monty Panesar. Just listening to Sir Ian Botham on Sky and he's said the same as I did yesterday, why not play Rashid? He offers something a bit different and what exactly will we learn about Monty in this test? Still, all the best lads, a score of 400-450 looks to be par-for-the-course so at least that please...

Amjad Khan...

Kent paceman Amjad Khan will make his debut today in the fifth test in Trinidad, clearly the England management have been reading this blog. Best of luck Amjad, lord only knows England need a real strike bowler right now...

New Full-Time England Coach...

So it looks like it could be Andy Flower's job according to this report. Personally I think this is rushed appointment. Still, we'll see...

West Indies v England Fifth Test Preview...

So, England now can't win the series it was widely expected they'd breeze through, but the Chris Gayle's men have provided a sterner test than most predicted and I for one am pleased to see the West Indies producing good cricketers again.

The shambles that was the 51 all out aside, there hasn't been an awful lot wrong with the batting. Andrew Strauss has looked like he's enjoyed the responsibility of leading from the front. Alistair Cook has made runs and got the century monkey of his back. Paul Collingwood has been in sublime form and Ravi Bopara made an impressive return to the test side. Questions still remain about the number three spot; Ian Bell looks horribly out of form and Owais Shah certainly hasn't cemented his place in the team.

It has been the bowling attack that has let England down, no question about that. I for one think we might be seeing the end of Steve Harmison's test career, he simply can't get chance-after-chance anymore. Ryan Sidebottom, while clearly not fit, has looked decisively under-par. Monty Panesar may well have a real fight on his hands to claim back his test shirt after Graeme Swann's impressive form. Jimmy Anderson has bowled well given that the Caribbean rarely helps genuine swing bowlers. Stuart Broad has seen his already lofty stock continue to rise with some fine bowling. He is Andrew Flintoff's natural replacement when Freddie calls it a day with test cricket - which I suspect could well be after this summer's Ashes.

So in a game that England need to win to tie-up the series, what will they do? Prior has already been told he's going to be recalled, this will mean there is a decision to make over the number three spot again. I'd like to see Kevin Pieterson promoted to that spot and see Bopara keep his place with Shah the man to miss out. In the bowling attack, groundsmen in Trinidad have hinted at there being some swing which will please Anderson. I'd like to see Adil Rashid given a test start, playing Monty in this test will teach the selectors nothing, Monty needs to go back to his county and remember how to bowl like he did when he burst on to the scene with all sorts of potential. With Sidebottom looking little threat and Harmison looking uniterested could there be a case of handing Amjad Khan his debut. I'd certainly like to think so.

Prediction? I'm going for another draw and a series defeat for Strauss' men. Sadly.

Porky Players...

Humorous look at some of the game's 'larger-than-life' characters here.

Ryan Sidebottom...

Interesting piece on Sidebottom's selection for the forth test against the West Indies. Harsh?

Alternative View...

Interesting piece from Sarah Hoggard (wife of former England great Matthew Hoggard) in today's Times. Have a read here.

Samit Patel...

News is filtering through from the West Indies that Samit Patel has been sent back to the Lions tour as he isn't in the 'required physical condition' to play for England. If this is the case, what a plonker. How very disappointing especially as Patel had been a very exciting prospect.

More Atherton...

Surely Mike Atherton has to be a shoo-in for the sports writer of the year, rarely does someone get it so spot on.

Have a read here .

Positive news from Yorkshire...

This story slipped completely under my radar, not a nice one but good to see the player is on the road to recovery.

Rattling good cricket blog....

I stumbled across the Corridor, it has to be said it's a brilliantly put together site that looks good for a read over one's morning brew...

Lahore Terrorist Attack Analysis...

Former England skipper Michael Atherton is always worth reading. Read here.

Andrew Flintoff love in...

With the game of cricket in total shock today, I started digging round You Tube and in an effort to cheer myself up I start looking at Fred's greatest moments, and boy did I come up with a couple of belters. Enjoy...

Fred's magic spell against Kallis

Fred's greatest over?

Great news for Sky this summer...

Now this could be the signing of the summer. Having Beefy and Warney in the commentary box could be better than watching England at various points during the summer.

More reaction from Lahore...

As ever, Simon Barnes in The Times has some good views. Read here.

Yes No Sorry...

For those that don't know, I write a column for the world famous Yes No Sorry magazine.

Available in all good county shops and read by the England team.*

Details for subscription can be found here

* Probably

Welcome...

With a very bad sense of timing I’ve decided to launch my new blog about cricket on the arguably the most devastating day in the game’s history. I woke this morning to reports of the Sri Lankan team being attacked by gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan. It’s an incredibly sad sorry, not least for the 12 policemen shot dead but also for the future of the game in Pakistan.

It seems highly unlikely that anyone will want to tour to face Younus Khan’s side in the near future and surely the 2011 world cup will be moved from the region. Perhaps what is most shocking about this attack is that sport and politics are thought to be exempt from each other so to see this level of attack is very frightening. What is also sad is the likelihood that Pakistani cricket is likely to be brought to its knees by this and the game will be much the worse for that.

On a lighter note, the aim of this blog, as a current non-commissioned sports writer with a particular passion for the game of cricket, is to write about the game with a healthy dose of humour and no doubt some shameless plugging for anyone who has a spare £2.50…

Enjoy.

All feedback appreciated.