ODI Team of 2009

It’s Christmas Eve and most of the cricket in 2009 has been played. About time, then, for a team of the year; starting with limited overs cricket…

1. Tilakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 2009 record: 980 runs @ 57.64, top score: 160, 4 hundreds

Dilshan has come of age this year. His astounding eye and aggressive approach has ensured Sri Lanka a flying start and he has looked almost invincible towards the end of the year, culminating with a preposterous 160 from just 124 balls as his side just failed to chase 415 against India last week.

2. Shane Watson (Australia) – 1013 runs @ 50.65, top score 136*, 3 hundreds and 29 wickets @ 21.41, best 3-29

The Aussie opener did a good job when called upon to open during the Ashes, but he has found some real form in the shorter version of the game. Showing signs of turning into a world-beating all-rounder.

3. Virender Sehwag (India) – 800 runs @ 47.05 best 146, 3 hundreds

I almost left Sehwag out of both the Test and one-day sides, but after his recent form that seems a little harsh. Sehwag has played a number of telling innings in both forms of the game this year and spearheaded an India side who have reached no 1 in the world in Tests and no 2 in ODI rankings.

4. Paul Collingwood (England) – 705 runs @ 50.35, top score 105*, 1 hundred and 17 wickets @ 32.47, best 3-16

Collingwood’s form has been at the heart of England’s turn around in form.  In turmoil after the one-day series against Australia, the side hit back with strong performances at the Champion’s Trophy and an impressive victory in South Africa. Collingwood has been at the heart of it all; reliable with the bat, a partnership-breaker with the ball and stunning in the field.

5. Yuvraj Singh (India) – 783 @ 39.15, top score 131, 2 hundreds, 14 wickets @ 40.28, best 3-31

Another superb year for Yuvraj. Whilst his form has been patchy at times, he has been destructive at times, particularly towards the start of the year when he blasted centuries against West Indies and Sri Lanka. He has developed into India’s X-Factor and they missed him sorely at the Champion’s Trophy.

6. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 671 runs @ 51.61, top score 105*, 2 hundreds and 26 wickets @ 22.88, best 3-8

Shakib Al Hasan has single-handedly carried Bangladesh cricket for some time now. Another wonderful year by the all-rounder adds more weight to Bangladesh’s continued status as a Test-playing nation. It would be a tragedy for someone of Shakib’s quality to miss out on top level international competition.

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India) – 1198@70.47, best 124, 2 hundreds

Has led India with style and ruthlessness. Dhoni’s wicket-keeping has been solid, his batting explosive and he even took the gloves off to have a bowl against West Indies – and took a wicket. Dhoni has matured into a world –class captain and has shouldered the responsibility of batting in the middle order with ease.

8. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 259 runs @ 28.77, top score 48 and 24 wickets @ 28.66, best 4-20

Often overlooked in such lists, the New Zealand skipper has stepped his game up a gear this year, especially in one-day cricket. Vettori’s miserly off-spin has made him one of the most valuable properties in world cricket and he has improved his batting in the lower order. Like Shakib, he is often left to carry a modest team.

9. Umar Gul (Pakistan) – 27 wickets @ 25.51, best 4-58

Had a wonderful World Twenty20 and has spearheaded the Pakistan bowling attack during a tough year, on and off the pitch. His sharp pace and spearing yorker make him the world’s premier limited-overs seam bowler.

10. Dale Steyn (Souh Africa) – 26 wickets @ 27.26, best 4-27

The Proteas paceman’s season has been hampered by injury lately, but his form early in the season, against Australia, was outstanding. He also enjoyed a good Champion’s Trophy, despite South Africa’s failings.

11. James Anderson (England) – 34 wickets @ 23.91, best 5-23

Over the last two years, Anderson has developed from a pacey chancer to leader of England’s bowling attack. Reliable in Test matches, he has been outstanding in the one-day game. When England need a wicket, they throw the ball to Anderson. Finished the year by destroying an experienced South Africa, claiming five for 23 to lead England to a historic series victory.

SA v Eng: Reaction – Test Cricket At Its Best

South Africa and England played out a thrilling draw in the first Test at Centurion. This was Test match cricket at its very, very best; providing twists and turns, changes in balance of power and drama to the final ball of the match.

Many will look at England, who were left clinging on against a rampant Friedel de Wet, and suggest they were lucky to escape with a draw.

But the tourists more than played their part in the match and a number of individuals turned-in excellent performances. Jonathan Trott continues to show his maturity, Graham Onions bowled well and showed his nerves are strong with the bat, Paul Collingwood demonstrated the determination and skills he has made his name for, and Kevin Pietersen’s swagger seemed to be returning during his vital 81 this afternoon.

Swann on song

And then there was Graeme Swann. Swann has enjoyed a superb year as England’s premier spinner and that continued at Supersport Park. A hard-earned five-fer and an innings-saving 85 saw him pick up the man of the match award.

But there are some concerns for the tourists, heading to Durban for the second Test. Alaistar Cook and Stuart Broad look horribly out of form and Matt Prior doesn’t appear to have the stomach for a fight, despite his improvment behind the stumps.

The biggest problem, however, is the continued selection of the gutless Ian Bell.

End of Bell?

How many times has Bell got to show the selectors what a poor player he is? Yes, his cover drive is nice to look at, but if you lack the mental qualities to apply that ability at the highest level, you haven’t got a hope.

The time has surely come to throw Bell on the scrapheap where he has regularly shown he belongs and look to the future.

Looking ahead to the second Test at Durban, starting on Boxing Day, the England selectors have a few big calls to make. Luke Wright should replace Bell, as a poll by the Guardian suggests; he has as much chance of scoring runs and offers something with the ball – it has clearly been a mistake to go in with only four bowlers.

Cook and Broad will probably get another chance, but chances are quickly running out.

Until then, we can all enjoy Christmas safe in the knowledge that Test match cricket is alive and well…. and England are just about level in the series.

South Africa All Out, Referrals Not Convincing

England dismissed South Africa for 418 in their first innings of the first Test at Centurion, in what is warming into a nicely balanced contest.

The tourists will be fairly happy with their display. The bowlers worked hard for their ten wickets,  Graeme Swann the pick of the bunch with 5 for 110.

For the hosts, Jacques Kallis stroked a chanceless hundred and there were decent contributions from Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy and Mark Boucher – but none made enough runs to take the game away from England.

The one contentious issue has been the new referral system. On day one it worked splendidly, giving reprieve to Prince and AB De Villiers.

But, on day two, Graeme Swann trapped Morne Morkel on the crease and everyone – umpire Steve Davies included – thought it was a straight forward decision.

Hawkeye, however, disagreed and Morkel was given another life. From every angle I saw, it looked as plum as an lbw can be.

If the system is there to make Test cricket better – and it needs something given the terrible crowd at Supersport Park – I’m not sure this system is it.

Watching Morkel, a hulk of a man, prod around for an extra half hour, blocking and nudging, is not going to turn anyone’s eye from Twenty20.

As if batsmen need any more help in this day and age; bigger bats and smaller boundries, now coupled with some extra lives, spells a dark era for the world’s bowlers.

Superb England Put the Frighteners on Proteas

England produced one of their finest one-day performances to hammer South Africa at Port Elizabeth today, and Jimmy Anderson provided the star turn once again.

Anderson had his finest hour in the blue of England as the tourists rolled Graeme Smith’s men over 119, their lowest ever total in ODIs in South Africa, before Jonathan Trott’s unbeaten half century saw England home by seven wickets.

The spearhead of England’s attack, Anderson has emerged as a world-beater over the past two years and must now be considered as one of the finest fast bowlers in the game. His efforts today, bowling a full length and extracting uneven bounce from a pitch with a St John’s pitch with a grassy top, were as good as anything Brett Lee or Dale Steyn have produced.

The defeat leaves South Africa with no chance of victory in the one-day series and puts them firmly on the back foot heading into the Test leg of the tour.

England, awful against Australia at the end of the summer, now look like a real force in ODI cricket. Trott has brought assurance to the top of the order and the return of Kevin Pietersen brings quality to the top order.

In Collingwood and Morgan, England have players in extraordinary form who bring balance to the side. And, in Tim Bresnan, they seem to have found a bowler who compliments the qualities of Anderson, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad.

Most importantly they have the edge in the series and have installed in South Africa something which is not easy to shake – fear.

Highlights of the 2nd ODI: SA v Eng

Click here to watch highlights of the second ODI between South Africa and England, at Centurion.

Collingwood Enjoys Day in the Sun

Paul Collingwood played the innings of his England career as England eased to a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the second ODI at Centurion yesterday.

Playing in a record 171st ODI, Collingwood stole the show for a well-drilled England side - who delivered a near-perfect performance to take a 1-0 lead in the series – hitting his fifth one-day hundred. He also picking-up two key wickets and claimed a magnificent catch in a true man-of-the-match effort.

Elsewhere, Jonathan Trott impressed once again, hitting 87 as opener and bowling seven overs of tight medium-pace. James Anderson, while a little expensive, picked-up three wickets and Eoin Morgan delivered another example of his prowess as a finisher with a brisk, unbeaten 27.

The only negatives for England were three uncharacteristic dropped catched from skipper Andrew Strauss and some unconvincing bowling from Adil Rashid and Sajid Mahmood.

Next up, the third ODI at Cape Town on Friday.

 

SA v Eng First ODI Preview: Weather Set to Ruin First ODI

England’s first ODI against South Africa at the Wanderers today (12.30pm GMT) seems destined to be ruined by the weather.

The outlook from BBC Weather looks pretty glum for Johannesburg.

James Anderson said on Twitter this morning:

 JimmyAnderson9 Raining again today. Not looking good for game later

If the teams do see some action, Kent spinner James Tredwell looks set to make his England debut, less than 24 hours after being drafted in as cover for the injured Graeme Swann.

Stuart Broad has also been ruled out for the first two ODIs so Tim Bresnan is likely to play.

Paul Collingwood is set to make his 171st ODI appearance, making him England’s most capped player in the format, surpassing Alec Stewart’s record.

England (possible): Strauss, Denly, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Morgan, Prior, Wright, Bresnan, Tredwell, Anderson.

Best bet: Top England batsman – Paul Collingwood at 9/2 with www.Coral.co.uk

Plenty to Ponder for Selectors After Loots Goes Ballistic

England escaped with a 1-1 draw in the Twenty20 series and more questions may have asked than answered.
Let’s start with the positives. In Eoin Morgan, England have unearthed a real gem from the Emerald Isle. The young Irishman gave another expert example in finishing a limited-overs innings with a blistering, unbeaten 85 in the first match. Morgan whacked 7 fours and 5 sixes – including a towering heave out of the ground over square leg, off Dale Steyn, which left the South Africa quick scratching his head.
Similarly, Jonathan Trott seems to be a man with unnerving temperament and bags of talent to boot. Trott picked up where he left off in the Ashes, hitting 84 in his two innings at a decent rate.
Paul Collingwood and James Anderson also looked in good nick and Kevin Pietersen’s breezy 29 at Centurion suggested three months away from cricket has not dented his confidence.

The story elsewhere looks rather more glum.
Joe Denly was out first ball at the Wanderers, making it two in a row, and managed only 14 in the second game today.
Whoever decided picking Alaistar Cook in this form of the game needs to take a serious look at themselves. England, for the large part, played positive cricket in both games, but what kind of message is it sending about the side’s commitment to Twenty20 when they select someone with such a lack of purpose to bat in the powerplay.

The bowling was, at times, even worse. Sajid Mahmood has learnt nothing from his couple of years out of the national set-up. After disappearing for more than 10-an-over in the first game, he was smacked to all parts by the brilliant Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman this afternoon, conceding 61 from his four overs – the second worst figures in internatonal T20. He will hope his chance has not come and gone.

Equally, Tim Bresnan bowled far too many four-balls and Adil Rashid was drilled for 21 in his only over today.

England will need to improve before the one-day series begins on Friday if they are to return with anything other than an overwhelming defeat.

Click here for fixtures of England’s tour of South Africa

Click here for highlights of the second T20

Twenty20 Betting: South Africa Hot Favourites for Opening T20

England start today’s Twenty20 against South Africa as firm underdogs.
Coral and Ladbrokes both have England at 6/4 to win the match, with South Africa the clear favourites at 1/2.
In terms of batting, Jonathan Trott looks a good bet to be England’s top batsman at a best-priced 9/2 with Coral and Eoin Morgan’s form at the Champion’s Trophy makes him a decent shout at 13/2.
JP Duminy, a master in this form of the game, represents value as South Africa’s top batsman at 4/1 with Ladbrokes.
With rain predicted for the weekend in Centurion – where the two teams meet for the 2nd Twenty20 on Sunday – an England series victory could represent value with Ladbrokes at 9/2. Sneaking a win tonight for the tourists and a weather-ruined weekend would spell a good start to the tour.

South Africa v England: Twenty20 Preview

England’s tour of South Africa kicks in to gear on Friday with the first of two Twenty20 internationals, at Johannesburg.

The tourists’ preparations had been going well with two big victories over the Eagles and the Warriors in 50-over matches. But they were brought back down to earth with a bang by a strong South African ‘A’ side on Tuesday – losing by four wickets in quick time.

Still, England will head into Friday’s match in good spirits after their surprisingly good showing at the Champions Trophy here in September and October, when they beat the hosts in the run-fest at Centurion.

The make-up of the Twenty20 side is perhaps the most interesting selection headache of the tour.

With Strauss unlikely to feature after claiming he was “not comfortable” with Twenty20 in April and Alastair Cook not nearly aggressive or inventive enough for the format, it remains to be seen who will partner Joe Denly at the top of the order.

Denly, the 23-year-old Kent batsman has already shown glimpses of his immense talent in his nine One Day Internationals to date. And, despite a first-ball duck in the abandoned Twenty20 against Australia, at Old Trafford, in the summer, he should be given an extended run in the shorter formats of the game.

Matt Prior and Luke Wright have both opened for England in Twenty20 but neither has looked comfortable with the role. A more likely option would be Jonathan Trott.

Having made a century on debut in the deciding Ashes Test this summer, Trott has been thrust into both squads for this tour. He has plenty of experience opening-up for Warwickshire and averages more than 40 for them in Twenty20.

The middle order – likely to be without Kevin Pietersen, who is still missing with a troublesome achilles – will consist of Wright and Prior, Eoin Morgan and Paul Collingwood.

Pietersen’s absence does leave England a batsman light and the tourists will need to think about options down the order in assembling their bowling attack.

Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad – who can comfortably bat at 8 and 9 – and Jimmy Anderson are shoe-ins. Tim Bresnan could get the nod, owing to his all-round ability, leaving one final spot.

It could be time for England to take the plunge and place some confidence in Adil Rashid. At just 21 years old, Rashid bowled with great heart and maturity at the World Twenty20 in June and impressed when given the chance in the one-dayers against Australia later in the summer.

He also showed his talent with the bat in making an unbeaten 31 – in spite of receiving a tirade of bouncers from Brett Lee – as England came desperately close to winning the first ODI of the Australia series. He has earned his chance and would add depth to the batting order.

South Africa will provide a stiff challenge, tougher than they did at the Champions Trophy, and England will have to be at their best to triumph in either game.

 

Probable England line-up: Denly, Trott, Prior, Collingwood, Morgan, Wright, Bresnan, Rashid, Broad, Swann, Anderson

Fixtures:

1st Twenty20 Friday, Nov 13, Johannesburg

2nd Twenty20 Sunday, Nov 15, Centurion