One Day Series starts today

India begin their One Day International (ODI) thrashing of England at the Rose Bowl today, weather permitting. The hosts' record in the 50 over game is poor and although Collingwood should prove to be a wise choice of captain, it is too soon for the Durham man to have had a major influence on an under-performing side. India meanwhile will go into the series with great heart.

The first game, hosted by Hampshire CCC, is a day night affair starting 14.30 (BST) today (Tues 21st August.) Collingwood confirmed that Prior, who had a difficult time in the last test of the recent series, will continue to open the batting:

"Matt has come in for a bit of criticism but we believe he is the best wicket-keeper/batsman to go out there and do the job," the England skipper told the BBC, before reflecting on his side's recent one day record:

"We want to get better and know we have to. We've got a great opportunity of playing a lot of one-day cricket to develop our skills and approach."

India will bring in Yuvraj Singh, as expected. The all rounder has had an impressive ODI career so far. Captain Rahul Dravid told English fans what they could expect from Singh:

"He's got the power, he's got the skill and he's matching that power and skill with temperament, mental strength and brains. That's a deadly combination. He is up there among the best one-day players in the world, without a doubt."

England v India: Reflections on 3rd Test

India won the 3 match Test series 1-0 after a draw at the Oval. India were in complete control of the game after amassing 664 in the first innings then bowling England out for 345. Knowing that a draw was enough to win the series, Dravid opted not to enforce the follow on and India declared on 180-6 setting England 500 to win (at 5 an over) - a near impossible target. The highlight of the game was probably Anil Kumble's maiden Test century, bizarrely India's only individual ton in their 664. Kumble was playing his 118th Test the popular leg spinner will have delighted cricket fans everywhere by finally reaching 3 figures. Zaheer Kahn led India's superb seam attack throughout the series.

England fans will have enjoyed another Kevin Pietersen ton and will be praying that Matt Prior's shocking performance was a one off. Despite missing their first choice seam attack, it was the batting that really underperformed. Either Strauss or Bell could find their place under threat in the not to distant future. With the ball Sidebottom continued his... er, 'Indian' Summer, Anderson found some form and Tremlett impressed in his first couple of test Matches.

The King of Spain is dead(ish). Long live the King.

The ‘King of Spain’ – Ashley Giles – has retired from cricket (but is thankfully alive and well.) ‘Gilo’ has struggled with injuries throughout his career, especially so in the last 2 years and has been forced into retirement by constant hip problems. He will be fondly remembered by English cricket fans (indeed any cricket fans that enjoy watching Australia lose, which is just about anyone who isn’t from Down Under) for his part in regaining the 2005 Ashes. Giles took 10 wickets, proved a very useful gully fielder (5 catches) and perhaps most memorably, scored a half century and assisted Kevin Pietersen in seeing off the Australian’s last ditch attempt to get their hands back on the Urn.

Giles has always been more popular with (former coach) Duncan Fletcher & his team-mates than with the press. He was a steady, reliable cricketer who contributed much to England’s considerable improvement over the last 7 years, but always suffered in comparison with Shane Warne, the flamboyant talisman of international cricket and a genius. It was never a fair comparison and England skipper Michael Vaughan told the BBC how highly he regards ‘the King of Spain’:

"Ashley's retirement is very sad news and everyone in the England dressing room will miss his professionalism and, of course, his sense of humour. In my view, Ashley has to be one of the most under-rated cricketers ever to pull on an England shirt. He was a key member of the England Test side which won six successive Test series and I know how much his team-mates valued his contributions to our success."

Gilo himself said: "I would have liked to have left cricket at the very top, still playing the game I have always loved. But there is no chance of me returning to cricket at any level, whether it be on the village green or Test arena."

So long, Ashley. We'll look forward to your words of wisdom on Test Match Special. Enjoy the cakes.

cricket: Pietersen fit for 3rd Test - England v India

• Kevin Pietersen, England's leading batsman, has been declared fit to play in the 3rd test against India starting tomorrow. The middle-order stroke-player missed training yesterday but at the pre-match press conference Michael Vaughan stated the Pietersen was ok. "He's fine. He had a virus and it was a bit more of a concern on Wednesday but he seems to have pulled through pretty well," the England skipper said. Pietersen has scored 203 in the first 2 Test Matches.
  

• India have prepared for the 3rd Test with a match against the Sri Lankan 'A' team in which the Indians battled to hold on for a draw.

• India's domestic cricket board has threatened to ban any player who signs up for the country's breakaway Twenty20 league (the ICL - Indian cricket League)
  

Cricket: Jellybeangate - the Verdict

Jellybeangate - The Chucker's verdict - Much ado about nothing

Zaheer Kahn brandished his bat at the England slip cordon and later knocked half the England team over with a superb display of swing bowling, but why was he so wound up by Jelly beans on the pitch?

England skipper Michael Vaughan said: "The guys eat jelly beans, jelly babies, chewing gum on the pitch and that's what was brought out at drinks. There were a couple on the floor and I guess one of the players might have left them on the crease as a little bit of a prank for the new batsman."

Indian captain Rahul Dravid did not feel that players' antics crossed the line during the 2nd test (where Jellybeangate overshadowed not only a fantastic game, but several more worrying incidents of verbal and even physical aggression): ""If it was not crossed we were close to it in some cases, but it is a tough Test match between two close teams trying to win. I don't think at any stage it got very bad."

So neither of the Captains are worried about cricket losing it's soul after a few sweets were left on the popping crease, why should the press get their knickers in a twist? Personally I think it's been a wonderful series so far, two well matched teams, both have talented players and yet neither side could claim to be world-beaters just yet. Huge numbers of Indian fans are attending the games giving the Barmy army some competition and adding to the atmosphere. The Oval should provide a great finale. It's just a shame that the series in not being played out over 5 or 6 tests.

2nd Test (day 4): England v India

India assumed complete control of the match today and only a day of solid rain can prevent a victory for the tourists. Michael Vaughan made a century for England as his team made 355 all out, but this put the hosts only 73 ahead. India ended the day 10-0 needing just 63 more runs to win with 10 wickets in hand.

Collingwood and Strauss made half centuries but it was Zaheer Kahn who will look back on the day with the most pride; his 5-75 kept his team in charge and paved the way for almost certain victory. Zaheer trapped Cook lbw to make the first breakthrough in the innings before Strauss and Vaughan built a solid partnership that took them to the lunch break. Strauss went soon after the restart and Pietersen followed for just 19 - clearly unsettled by a Santh beamer.

Vaughan and Collingwood put on a century partnership but the last session saw England fold and India take complete control. The last 7 wickets fell for 68 runs as Zaheer ran wild. Ryan Sidebottom was left not out on 25 (43 unbeaten runs in the match!)

India's opening pair safely negotiated 3 overs to reach 10 for no wicket and they will surely relish returning tomorrow to make the final 63 runs and go 1-0 up in the 3 match series.

Paul Collingwood paid tribute to Zaheer Kahn at the end of the day's play, telling the BBC:

"He really does control his swing both ways. It's hard to line him up sometimes. We want to combat that by altering our position in the crease but it's been difficult for us."

2nd Test: India dominate Endland

2nd Test (day 1) - Trent Bridge - Day 1

India's bowlers dominant after late start

Only 55 overs were possible on the 1st day of this second Test Match, but India made the most of their time the middle and reduced England to 169-7. Rahul Dravid won an important toss for India and quickly decided to put the home side in on a green wicket that had been under covers for 2 days. Strauss' Much Hoped for Triumphant Return to Form was absent as he disappeared in the 3rd over with Vaughan Pietersen and soon to follow. Cook and Collingwood shared a 50 partnership but both perished quickly after hitting this modest landmark. Zaheer Kahn picked up the fist two wickets and added to his tally late in the day when he trapped Bell lbw with 5 overs remaining. In the meantime, Kumble had removed an unusually watchful Prior leaving England heading in to the 2nd day still 31 runs short of 200 with Tremlett and Sidebottom at the crease.

For the home side the tail must wag and the bowling will need to be nothing short of excellent given India's intimidating batting line up. For the visitors it has been a brilliant day's work and they are now strong favourites to go 1-0 up in the series. There is, of course, up to4 days of cricket to be played yet and some random weather to contend with.

The Chucker

Warne backs India's 'rebel' 20/20 competiton

India's proposed 20/20 cup has been backed by Shane Warne who expects to be performing there. Already former West Indies captain Brian Lara has signed up. Shane Warne told the Times:

"Playing cricket in India is always an experience. That is one reason why I am keen to take part in the new Twenty20 League in October and November. The organisers are ambitious and if the whole package is right, then I’ll be out there."

The controversial competition has sparked comparisons with Kerry Packer's World series that shook the world of cricket 30 years ago. Warne believes that the tournament will serve a useful purpose:

"People the world over are turning to Twenty20 for a quick fix of cricket and they will love the spectacle in India."

The Chucker

link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/shane_warne/article2141139.ece

Batsmen to adopt sunglasses trend?

A report on the BBC website suggests optical technology could soon make bad light an excuse of the past. Nick Dash, England player's optimitrist - who configures their sunglasses according to individual needs (it's a different world..) - told the BBC:

"Players often have two or three different lens types, one which is used in bright light and one that is used at the end of the day. So you can have a lens that allows 28% of the light in and one that allows 50%. However, a great addition over the last month or so has been the photochromic/transition lenses that enhance the red ball but also change darkness depending on the amount of light."

Sunglasses are already a popular accessory of the fielder, but the heat (and therefore mist) created by wearing a batting helmet means that Batsmen are yet to take advantage. However Dash cites tinted contact lenses as a possible answer:

"Unlike sunglasses these lenses sit directly on the wearer's eye, reducing visual distortion and giving clear vision from all angles."

How long until we have sponsored contact lenses in Kevin Pietersen's eyes then?

The Chucker

link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6896095.stm

Dravid asks for middle-order improvement

India Captain Rahul Dravid has asked his star-studded middle order to answer their critics with a run-fest at Trent Bridge. The imposing line up of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman managed just 192 runs between them at Lords though it would be unwise to expect such a poor run of form to continue from all 4 batsmen given their brilliant individual records.

"The only way to answer this criticism is to perform. It's not something to worry, or fear, about. It's life!" He said in response to criticism of his under performing batsmen (including himself!)

"Reputations are built only on performances. You can't have big reputations without performances. You don't expect the young and inexperienced guys to perform because they have not done it before" he said "When you play for India, pressure will always be there because there are expectations and there's a responsibility to do well. Anyway, reputations do not matter. Every game starts at 0-0. It's how you perform that matters."

One suspects that the England bowlers will not get such an easy time in the days ahead.

The Chucker

Vaughan confident as england name squad

Michael Vaughan spoke positively at a press conference ahead of tomorrow's Second Test against India at Trent Bridge. England named an unchanged side - unsurprising perhaps given the heroics at Lords - which means that Chris Broad has returned to Leicestershire and will continue to wait for his Test debut.

Vaughan discussed the weather (well, he is British) and the possible impact of it on the game:

"We'll just have to switch onto the conditions and think about how we are going to react, as a batter or bowler. We believe the forecast over the next few days is better than it has been for the past few weeks." he told BBC Sport and dismissed criticism of slow over rates costing England a victory in the First test (which ended due to bad light / rain with England needing just one more wicket):

"You can nit-pick and talk about the over-rate but we tried to force the game and I don't think we could have done any more."

The Chucker

How good is Alan Donald?

Earlier this summer we watched Harmison and Plunkett bowling at second slip and fine leg. Now with our entire first choice seam bowling line up out injured (Harmison/Flintoff/Jones/Hoggard) Donald turns the inexperienced and the out of form (Tremlett and Anderson) into bowlers capable of running through the brilliant Indian middle order. Ryan Sidebottom has surely benefited from Donald's advice too and has settled into the squad very well indeed.

The Moores era is really beginning to take shape. How long can Donald remain part of it? I certainly hope he's around for a few years and we do not end up with another Troy Cooley situation. Surely the ECB have learnt from that?

The Chucker

1st Test - England v India

Rain saves India

In Britain we love to discuss the weather so what better way to end the first test than going off for bad light and staying off due to rain? England were heading for victory with just one wicket needed but the Gods intervened and the teams left Lords with the series still level at 0-0 going into Friday's second test. The game itself was thrilling with England starting strongly, Andrew Strauss' 96 setting up the possibility of a big score before a middle order collapse ensured that normal service was resumed. More surprising was India's failure to get close to England's 298 - a collapse of their own against the swing of Sidebottom and Anderson leaving them trailing by 91 in the first innings.

Kevin Pietersen made a century in the second innings and India were set 380 to win. Wickets fell regularly and only the exciting batting of Dhoni offered any real resistance, though he was fast running out of partners when the players left the field of play in the late afternoon. They were not to return and we go to Trent Bridge looking forward to another interesting game.

The Chucker

Welcome to The Chucker

The Chucker is a new cricket blog. Initially we will be focusing on International cricket, in particular two sides currently battling it out, England and India. Obviously, there are strong connections between the two countries and with Monty Panesar proving to be a huge cult hero in England yet having such close ties to India, it seems like a good time to celebrate the relationship and goodwill between the two sporting adversaries. Forget the 'Tebbit Test' let's enjoy the special atmosphere of an England versus India Test series.

The Chucker