Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Henry Blofeld, while commentating on the second Test between Pakistan and England, described the desert around Abu Dhabi, as being sandy in colour! Nice one Blowers, and I even hear that you have actually spotted a bus go by in the desert!

What can be said about England’s batting performance in that Test, well I know one thing for sure, they cannot play spin. 19 out of the 20 English wickets to fall were to spin; in fact spinners claimed 31 wickets out of a possible 40 for the entire match.

I could rant on about the English performance, but enough has been said in the pubs yesterday afternoon. The most common criticism flying about was why were England so negative in chasing down that mediocre total of 145 to win? Watching the collapse, I can’t remember one player wanting to take the attack to Pakistan.

Saying that, even though England’s batting was abject to say the lease, you cannot take it away from the Pakistan bowlers who bowled magnificently, it seemed that every ball coming being sent down was going to claim another victim.

I wonder what Pakistan will do for the next Test, as their opening bowler, Junaid Khan, contributed absolutely nothing to the match. He bowled a total f eight over for the entire match, going for about four an over (a lot in this low scoring match), had a duck in both innings, and to cap it off he dropped an absolute dolly in the England first innings. Somehow I think he may be dropped for the third Test.

As for that annoying wicketkeeper, Adnan Akmal, don’t you wish one of the England batsmen inadvertently wrapped their bat around him? I know there is no harm in appealing, but every ball being bowled?

What makes thing worse, I see the Aussies completed a whitewash against India, winning the series 4-0. I can already hear our antipodeans friends start to get excited about the next Ashes series in 2013. But don’t forget it was England that softened the Indians up for them last summer; I believe we won that series 4-0 and also don’t forget the Indians can only seem to play their cricket in India. So keep calm down under.

That’s enough about that, onto Somerset. Can anyone shed any light in why Roelef van der Merwe won’t be joining Somerset from June 1^st? It does say in the media that it is something to do with not being able to gain a work permit, but there must be more to it than that. And will he be unavailable for the whole of the season? So if that is the case who will be Somerset’s overseas player for 2012?

Somerset have signed Albie Morkel to replace van der Merwe, a worthy replacement if anything of his statistics are to go by - he has played 157 T20 games, taking 136 wickets at an average of 27.4, and has smashed over 2,000 runs - but , along with Chris Gayle, this is for the T20 competition only. Also, Somerset has signed Vernon Philander, only for the first part of the County Championship season, and that’s if he doesn’t get picked for the IPL.

I am sure that Brian Rose has got a few ideas who he would like to sign as an overseas player for July, August and September if van der Merwe is unable to gain Home Office clearance. Saeed Ajmal wouldn’t be a bad pick.

On a more positive note, I see that Somerset’s Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter are having a smashing time playing for the England Lions out in Sri Lanka. In the 1^st unofficial ODI, Jos hit an unbeaten ton, of just only 56 balls, which included 13 four’s and five maximums, as England racked up 335 and thus winning the 1^st ODI.

Not to be out done, Craig followed up his half century in the same match, with a century of his own in the 2^nd ODI, a bit slower than his Somerset colleague, as it came off 94 balls. Well done you two.

Unfortunately the Sunday Supplement for next week will be a bit late, as I am away in London, something to do with the Olympic Games. So, anyway, it is now 10.57, time for a pint!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Not bad, it only took until the first day of the first Test match against Pakistan to ignite the controversy fuse. This time Sky pundit Bob Willis questioned the legality of the bowling action of Pakistan’s off-spinner Saeed Ajmal when he bowls the ‘doosra’, the delivery an off-spinner turns like a leg-break.

“The off-spinner is fairly orthodox,” said Willis, the former England captain. “The delivery that I have a problem with is the doosra. The ICC have accommodated this delivery - they changed the rules to allow these bowlers to bend their elbow 15 degrees, which is what makes it so difficult for the batsmen.”

Willis even questioned why Ajmal was wearing a long-sleeved shirt on the first day. “Now why do all these bowlers bowl with their sleeves buttoned round their wrist?” he said. “Why aren’t they wearing short-sleeved shirts? Why aren’t they wearing vests like Australian Rules Football? We can see their arms. The answer is clear isn’t it, they are bending their elbow.”

Ajmal was reported to the ICC in 2009 after the umpires during a one-day international against Australia raised doubts over his action. Ajmal’s action was approved later that year by the ICC’s experts, who declared his arm does not kink more than the 15 degrees allowed.

In my Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, Law 24.3 clearly states what a fair delivery is; Ajmal’s delivery looks fair to me. Somehow I think with two umpires on the pitch, a third (TV) umpire and a match referee (plus even a reserve umpire), if anything was untoward they would have spoken about it and take any action deemed necessary.

This was a shame for Ajmal, as he completely bamboozled the English batsmen with his doosra in the first innings, claiming seven English wickets and virtually making the game a one sided contested just on the first day.

Pakistan went on to win in just three days. Ajmal finished with ten wickets for the match and picked up the Man-of-the-Match award. A bit of an embarrassment for the number one Test team in the world. I did predict in one of my previous blog’s that England would lose the first Test, I also predicted that they would win the series 2-1, but somehow a massive improvement is needed and that prediction could go all wrong.

Also, in last week’s blog I said that Ajmal was the danger man, but it was more about his new delivery, the ‘teesra’. It looks as if England did take their eye off the ball waiting for this new delivery and forgetting things like the doosra.

So controversy strikes between these two sides, admittedly the two teams were unaware of what was being said at the time, it was only someone’s opinion, sadly it made all the headlines for the wrong reasons. Plus, it seems, that England are being very careful in what they are saying to the press, clearly keeping things low key.  

Anyway, here’s my list of great controversial moments which has happened between England and Pakistan:

1.     Mike Gatting and Shakoor Rana (1987). “One rule for one,” I believe that was the quote. This finger-wagging incident at the Pakistani umpire, Shakoor Rana, caused an international incident. Gatting moved a fielder during the bowler's run-up, Rana called Gatting a "****ing cheating ****", a slur Gatting returned with interest. Rana refused to continue until he received a formal apology. I believe the tour was nearly called off as a result.

2.     Inzamam, ball-tampering and a walk-off protest (2006). Umpire Darrell Hair punished Pakistan for ball-tampering and they refused to reappear after tea. The match had to be forfeited - the first in 1,814 Tests and 129 years. An ongoing row ensued, which resulted in Hair being banned from umpiring.

3.     Afridi dancing on a length (2005). A gas canister exploded in a soft-drinks machine, everybody’s attention was elsewhere and Shahid Afridi decided to practice his dance moves on a good length. England were furious and, when replays showed the Pakistan all-rounder had ‘Moonwalked’ on the wicket he was banned for one Test and two ODIs.

4.     Jonathan Trott of Wahab Riaz (2010). These two had to be separated after a very heated exchange as the teams practiced before a one-day international at Lord's. The pair were eventually pulled apart by the former England captain and now batting coach, Graham Gooch.

Lastly, my favourite:

5.     Ian Botham's mother-in-law quip (1983). Botham said that Pakistan was "the kind of place to send your mother-in-law for a month, all expenses paid". He was forced to apologise. Eight years later, in the World Cup final, Botham was dismissed for nought, Sohail asked: "Who's coming in next? Your mother-in-law?"

These are just five and there are loads more and not one mention of match fixing in sight! For me, the ‘elephant in the room’ is that all incidents always involve Pakistan. I suppose they do push the laws to the absolute limit.

In one of my supplements last summer I mentioned about an incident which happened at Bearsted Cricket Club in Kent, where one neighbour’s pitch invasion lead to her arrest. She marched on to the pitch in a protest about stray balls potentially landing in her garden. Solicitors letters, threat of legal action, possible closure and the parish council getting involved. Things are not getting any easier for the club, especially one of the suggestions is to tell batsmen not to hit lofted shots!

The captain of Bearsted, Andrew Dampier was quoted in saying: “At the end of the day we’re playing bloody cricket, we’re not sacrificing people on the green.” But there is still a threat of legal action and the costs for the cricket club, which, as we know here in Over Stowey, village clubs run on a tight budget and there is no end in sight for poor Bearsted, with the threat of closure still lingering over them. I know my opinion reflect those of a lot of people I have spoken to. Didn’t she know there was a cricket club right next to the house you was going to buy, and there is a threat of cricket being played at the cricket club!

Another club, Lymington CC in Hampshire, are in consultation with the town council about the future of cricket being played at their ground, due to health and safety, as there is a risk to the nearby tennis players being hit by sixes.

The council wanted to move the club to another ground, but the club said they will fight that move through the courts. The club have been at their ground for 175 years, so very much steeped in history. “If the health and safety concerns had gone through, the ramifications for hundreds of ground sharing sports clubs would have been colossal,” Peter Tapper, club chairman and secretary has been quoted in saying.

These two clubs both have an impressive Facebook campaign to keep cricket being played at their grounds, as the benefits to the local community are immense as we know here at Over Stowey. I would encourage everyone to have a look and join both these campaigns. Click on the links below to join:

Bearsted Cricket Club

Lymington Cricket Club

Finally, had my first weigh-in early today, weighed in at 16st 2lb, have already lost 6lb’s in just under two weeks, so on track!

Ok, 10.57, time for a diet cider!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

Since my major announcement last week that I’m on the comeback trail, I have been inundated with good luck messages; actually they wanted to know where I can get a wider bat from!

Well I weighed in at a staggering 16st 8lb and Gary, who is attempting to do the same thing, weighed in at 15st 9lb. We are not going to look at the scales again for another fortnight, so will update you then on our progress. White wine and soda is not the most tasteful drink, so I did have a drop of cider last night, it was Wassailing you know, and do regret it quite a bit this morning!

Apart from that news, not a lot has happened this week. Chris Gayle signed for Somerset for the T20 campaign, replacing Kieron Pollard who is on tour in the UK with the West Indies. Not a bad replacement I suppose.

Somerset’s top order does look a bit scary, but who will open the batting? Will Marcus drop down the order? Will he even play? One thing Gayle does bring to the side is a little more strength in the bowling department, but we shall see. No doubt there will be injuries, England call up’s, plus players will be rested, but with everyone available it may become a bit of a selection headache for Brian Rose and Andy Hurry.

On the subject of bowling strength, I see Somerset’s George Dockrell dismissed Kevin Pietersen, while he represented an ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI against the English tourists in a warm up game, before the Test series start against Pakistan this week. Trouble with left arm spinners eh Kev?

If you look at Dockers statistics, he has played quite a few games on the international scene for Ireland, with a very health average, not bad for a 19 year old; will he be Somerset’s number one spinner this forthcoming season?

The Somerset boys are back in training, as I notice the snack shop Pain et Vin, is busier than usual, but I expect it is all healthy stuff they are snacking on, just like yours truly.

England start the first Test on Tuesday against Pakistan in Dubai, their first Test series since becoming the number one Test side in the world, and this won’t be easy. Since the match fixing scandal Pakistan have regrouped and have become a bit of a force to reckon with, especially at the their adopted home in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Off spinner Saeed Ajmal could be the danger man for Pakistan, as he has claimed to of developed a new delivery called the ‘teesra’. Ajmal has told the local press that this delivery would “drive England to distraction,” we shall see I suppose.

In the most recent warm up game, England spinner Monty Panesar has increased his chances of selection by taking eight wickets in the match and thus helping England to win by 100 runs.

I can see England starting with two spinners on Tuesday in Monty and Graeme Swann and changing the formula which has worked so well for them over the past two years or so, we shall see.

The bigger problem at the moment seems to be in the batting. Only Alastair Cook making any notable runs, the rest look like they are still enjoying their Christmas pudding.

I still think England will win the series, but it isn’t going to be easy.

It was sad to learn this week that a former Over Stowey cricketer, Tony ‘Dixie’ Rich, had died. I have great memories of Dixie playing for Stowey, and he served me well during my spell as 2^nd XI captain.

The sort of guy I could just chuck the ball to and get 12 overs on the bounce for next to no runs, and picking up a few wickets in the process. Plus he was a hard hitting middle order batsman, with his one handed six being a bit of trademark shot.

Well, that’s about it for now, it is 10.57, time for a massive hangover cure, as that Rich’s cider seemed to had it’s effect on me last night, but a cracking night Wassailing!

Sellsy's Sunday Supplement

A Happy New Year to one and all, hope you had a great Christmas, I know I had a Boxing Day never to forget.

2012 has kicked off with a bang, Michael Clarke smashing 329 not out in the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground for Australia against India. Not to be out done, Jacques Kallis hit 224 for South Africa against Sri Lanka in the deciding third Test at Cape Town. With centuries being scored for fun by both the Australian and South African batsmen, runs are a plenty so far in this year.

Now, Michael Clarke, he declared early on day three while he was still not out, and he had the world record in his sights. For me, I would have been really selfish and batted on and on and on until he eclipsed Brian Lara’s total. There was still time in the game to dismiss the Indians, in fact well over two days, this was proved as the Aussies won with just under four sessions to go. But no, he declared and will probably regret it for the rest of his life….. What an absolute idiot!

So how will England fair in 2012? They have a busy schedule ahead of them this year, playing 15 Test matches, at least 18 One Day Internationals and countless T20 games (mainly due to the T20 World Cup in the September). So I am going to stick my neck out and give you my England predictions for this year.

First up..... Pakistan, away in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Three Test matches, four ODI’s and three T20’s. A couple of warm up games and then the first Test starts on January 17^th. So what will happen? A few no balls, no doubt, will be greeted with amusement from the Barmy Army! Aside from that, England will win the Test series, 2-1, losing the first Test; get stuffed in the ODI’s 3-1, winning a token match at the end, and then the T20’s, who knows?

Back in December I predicted the England line up for the first Test, with Tim Bresnan now injured my prediction could be wrong, Steve Finn is likely to take his place. In my defence, how can you predict injuries?

Then Sri Lanka, away, for two Tests. Difficult to predict; first Test in Galle, then off to Colombo. Will take a 1-1 now, as the Sri Lankan’s have proved their worth in South Africa recently. Have they been paid yet?

When England return home they have a series against West Indies, three Test matches, which I would think England will comfortably win 3-0; three ODI’s, again England will win 3-0, and a T20. The West Indians are slowly rebuilding their team, they will soon be a force to reckon with, and that quite remarkable result in the final Test against India before Christmas shows they have a lot of fire in their belly. Somehow I think England will be to strong for them.

Next up, an unexplainable five ODI’s against the Aussies, why? I tell you why, money. The ECB have sold out again. Enough has been said about this in the past, so not going to linger on it again, but South Africa deserves a five match series. And the outcome of these five ODI’s…… I don’t really care.

With that in mind, South Africa are up next, in just three Test matches, followed by five ODI’s and three T20’s. Too many ODI’s again. Anyway, a tough series for England, as South Africa are now ranked the number two Test team, behind England. Their bowling attack looks very threatening and very settled, with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkle, Somerset’s Vernon Philander and the spinner Imran Tahir (Somerset supporters remember him from the CB40 in 2010).

Jacques Kallis is still a force to be reckoned with. His batting still looks strong; if England can get him early I think England will win the three Test series, 2-0. The ODI’s South Africa will win, and the three T0’s, well, again, who knows.

England, amongst the South Africa series, fly to Scotland to take on our friends from north of the border in an ODI at the Grange in Edinburgh. England should win this comfortably, but knowing the Scots, they will put up a very admirable performance and make England fight hard for their win.

After the summer England fly to Sri Lanka to defend their World T20 title. Will they defend it? It will be a brave man to stick their neck out to say who will win it, too many good teams, and a lot of shocks on the way. Just wish them well for the tournament.

If you think that should be it for the boys, well they then go to India for four more Test matches. I am just exhausted in thinking about it. However, at the end of the year England will still be rated the number one Test team. Why I say that? The side is very settled, bit like those all conquering Aussies back in the 90’s when they dominated.

Somerset – will win all three competitions this year – money soon to be placed on them. I just expect the odds will be shorter, again, this year. If they can get of to a flyer in the County Championship in April and May, who knows what will happen. Am just looking forward to another roller coaster summer watching cricket at Taunton.

As for my local side Over Stowey, I predict a very enjoyable summer, with a new 1^st XI captain in Steve Easden and he has a lot of promising youngsters coming through. When I see the likes of Micheal Barrow and Jack Rich, they just get taller and taller and could be a real handful with the new ball.

I wish Steve well in his first season as 1^st XI captain. Carl Woodley will no doubt support him as 2^nd XI skipper, and now they are in Division Five, hopefully things could be a lot easier on the pitch, especially with yours truly looking to make a come back this season.

Yes, you have heard it hear first. I have a plan:

·         Lose weight

·         Get fit

·         Find a wide bat!

The first part of the plan starts on Monday 9^th January, when I get weighed in. A strict diet will then take place for seven weeks. By then indoor nest will commence, and would off hoped to have shed two stone. During those long and arduous seven weeks, there will be no cider drinking (apart from the 14^th January), a lot more dog walking and will just have to tweak what I eat a little.

I was thinking about doing the Stuart Broad diet which has been widely reported in the papers this past week, he undertook a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet and could still enjoy a beer. Somehow I don’t think that would work somehow!

Will give you all updates as the weeks go on, so next Sunday, will be first report on my campaign to get myself playing cricket again.

Ok, it is now 10.57, and for nearly for the last time, its time for a pint!