Bore draw in the West Indies- test cricket at its worst

Coming from a background where cricket is our number one sport, I have grown up to appreciate test cricket and the beauty of a cover drive.

The finest player to ever grace such shot is former national team captain Michael Vaughan, under whom, England experienced their finest hour, after reclaiming the Ashes in 2005.

The 20/20 phenomenon is just a commercial gimmick, as any old Dick can smash a ball around a ground when there are only three fielders outside the circle.

The first test defeat against the West Indies, after a measly 52 all out, has to classed as one of the worst performances by a test nation, and meant England were, once again, a laughing stock.

People thought that after the Pietersen-Moores affair, the only way was up, but the team plunged to further lows.

Runs have been coming at a premium, with the teams scoring 566, 600 and 749.Good batting you may think, but the wickets have been flatter than a ran over hedgehog.

It is something that the authorities need to take a look at, as it seems grounds men are being ordered to roll such pitches so that tests go on for the full five days, but this is coming to the detriment of results being achieved.

Think back to the excitement of 2005, which turned out to be one of the greatest test series ever. Heroes such a Flintoff and Pietersen were made as the nation caught Ashes-fever.

The only thing caught in the West Indies so far, has been Daren Powell’s ankle in the ditches of the abandoned second test pitch.

What a farce!

And there is more controversy.

The referrals systems that is being used for the first time is a joke. I have never been a fan of technology as it undermines the ability of the on-field umpire, but when you have an incompetent buffoon in Darryl Hair, who has no idea how to use the equipment, it makes it more of a mockery.

Remove its use before more cock-ups occur.

This test series has been as entertaining as a joke in a Christmas cracker. Seeing the substance in my sixth-month-old nephew’s nappy has provided the family with more material to talk about than the cricket itself.

As to the state of the England team, you would have to be the biggest optimist to think that the side will recover by the time the Aussies arrive in June.

Sure, they’ve lost a number of illustrious players such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Matthew Hayden from the last time we met, when they panned us 5-0, but look at what is coming through.

Phillip Hughes has become the youngest ever player to score centuries in both innings of a test match, against a South African side that would have topped the ranking had they beaten Australia.

Another hiding looks on the cards as the men from down-under look to continue to set the benchmark in international cricket.

Shamoon Hafez

Rashid looking to emulate his heroes

Saturday 17th January 2009

I was invited to an evening dinner, at Bradford University, to celebrate the achievement of Adil Rashid, being selected for England's tour to the West Indies.
I got to speak to him, as well as, Yorkshire CC captain, Anthony McGrath.

Vikram Solanki, Kabir Ali, Usmaan Afzal and Sajid Mahmood. Just a few of the players that have failed to establish themselves in the England cricket set-up.

Now another player of Asian descent has been selected by the ECB for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.

20-year-old Adil Rashid, of Yorkshire, is the latest player to have a go at international cricket, at a time when the game is in disarray. The Moores-Pietersen debacle has lead to a change in the captaincy and divisions in the squad.

Andrew Strauss has been appointed as the new captain, yet Kevin Pietersen is still part of the squad. It remains to be seen how they cope with the fiasco that has occurred, and what impact it will have on Rashid’s debut tour.

Despite having an admirable domestic record, with both bat and ball, the pressure will be on the youngster to transfer his form to the global stage, and test himself against the best players.

“I’m just looking to knuckle down and play cricket, and not be worried about the expectations that are on me, whether it be from the county, the supporters or media,” said Rashid.

Although still a young man, he has set himself the highest of standards with Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne being his heroes.

Coming into the team as an all-rounder, he is looking to establish himself as someone who is able to take wickets, as well as, making contributions with the bat.

The Bradfordian said, “It just depends on the day whether I am in the mood for batting, bowling or even both. I have to wait and see how I feel on the morning of the match.”

Anthony McGrath, the new Yorkshire captain, having taken over from the retired Darren Gough, has seen Rashid’s performance since his debut against Warwickshire, when he took 6/67.

Ever since the showing in his first match, McGrath knew that Rashid was a special talent and being picked for England is just the beginning of things to come.

“His selection by the ECB can be fully justified, by his consistent performance for us (Yorkshire). In my opinion, he is the best leg-spinner in the country, an art which is very difficult to perfect and on top of that, he is a tremendous batsman as well.”

On a personal note for McGrath, it is his second stint as captain of Yorkshire and he is confident that they can have some success, in at least one of the four trophies that they are competing in next season.

“We’ve got a good bunch of lads and one of the youngest squads for quite a long time, and if we get off to a good start next season then we should be able to win something.”

With praise being given to Rashid from a former school teacher, and also Stewart Regan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire CC, he will be looking to make his mark on international, starting with a trip to the Caribbean.

Shamoon Hafez