Monday 24th November
James Allenby signs for the mighty Somerset from Glamorgan,
somehow we should have seen that one coming. The Matthew Maynard connection,
plus subtle hints on his Twitter account.
So another all-rounder, just what Somerset needs. Great
batting average, good bowling average, not a Nick Compton, but we shall see I
suppose.
So as the year draws to a close the wonderful game of
cricket is still being played throughout the globe. England kick-off their
winter campaign on Wednesday with an ODI series against Sri Lanka. All before
Christmas, then off to Australia for more ODI’s, all warm up matches before the
World Cup.
Me thinks they could be confidence shattering, demoralising
warm-up games as, they are playing against probably three of the four sides who
will feature in the semi-finals of next year’s event: India, Australia and off
course Sri Lanka.
The bookies usually have a good idea, and England are even
below New Zealand in the betting list. Australia are firm favourites to win, I
suppose with the World Cup being played in their own back yard, why not, plus
they have gone top of the World ODI rankings.
You may think I sound pretty defeatist, you may be right.
But having watched England for many a year I just seem to know that they just
can’t compete when it comes to the World Cup. The last time they done anything
of note is when they reached the final in 1992, when they lost to an inspired
Pakistan team. Since then they have struggled to get to the quarter-finals, let
alone the semis.
Looking at the odds for the forthcoming series in Sri Lanka
the bookies think it will be a tight contest, 4-3 being the favourite score
with most bookmakers in favour of the hosts. I think a 7-0 drubbing is more
realistic, and at 25-1, well surely it is worth a small wager? Ravi Bopara is
in the England squad.
Thankfully next winter back to normality, with a Test series
in South Africa too look forward to.
Not much to say this week, let the cricket commence on
Wednesday, and by next Monday I will be eating humble pie.
Time for skittles and Thatchers, I wonder if we can revenge
our narrow home defeat of last week.
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