Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 8^th December

The ECB has announced a provisional 30-man squad in preparation for the 2015 World Cup, which will be reduced to 15 before the start of the tournament. Alastair Cook has been named as captain, for me the right move.

No real surprises amongst the names, and thankfully England’s best bowler, James Anderson, is within the 30, and will surely figure in the 15 man squad for the World Cup. At least Anderson is accurate and will not give away pointless wides.

So far in this series England have conceded 43 runs in wides compared to the home country’s 20. If games go to the wire, fine margins like how many wides bowled may be the difference. It is not just an extra run it’s also that extra ball.

Sri Lanka won the 4^th ODI in the last over with three balls to spare. When I was watching it I couldn’t help think that after 48 overs the game should have finished and the home side was some 12 runs short, need I say anymore?

I think they would have still won as they timed the run chase to perfection, but who knows? Just give yourself a chance England, and that means ironing out the little things that make the difference.

Out of the 30 names, who will make the 15-man squad to compete and not get any further than the quarter-final? The only one who is certain to go will be Alastair Cook himself; the others are a bit of a lottery.

Who I would like to go and who will go are two completely different matters. I know who I would like, they are as follows: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Alex Hales, James Taylor, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Liam Plunket, Jack Brooks and Chris Woakes.

Out of that lot, only 10 will go, with other places being filled by the likes of Steve Finn and Ravi Bopara. Why, just simply why?

Whoever is announced they will still have my support, and how many times between now and the end of the World Cup I will say something like: “I told you Bopara is rubbish” or “How many more wides?”

Frustrating times ahead, a bit like my skittles tonight I expect.

Sellsy's Monday Supplement

Monday 1^st December

I write this with a heavy heart, as, along with all off the cricketing world, I still find the tragic loss of Phillip Hughes very sad indeed.

Tributes have been made throughout the sporting world, with sportsmen and women alike getting out their bats, from Neil Robertson and the snooker yesterday to the Rugby autumn internationals over the weekend.

I have seen on the social networks local cricket club players paying their won tributes by supporting the #getoutyourbats #408 and #63notout campaigns.

Over Stowey, the Club I am associated with, paid their own tribute with the club flag being flown at half mast, along with bats and hats from the club.

While Australia mourns, cricket very respectfully carries on. For me, the most fitting tribute was from the New Zealand side in the third Test against Pakistan.

• They didn’t bowl one bouncer throughout the game.
• No fielder was in close wearing a helmet.
• No wickets were celebrated.
• No batting milestones were celebrated, only acknowledgements that they have reached that particular score.

Clearly still upset, the Kiwis played and won, but the result wasn’t important, just respect.

Phillip Hughes – R.I.P