James Tredwell said that an end-of-season phone call from Andy Flower gave him the belief that he could earn an England recall

Andrew McGlashan29-Feb-2012James Tredwell, who was named in England’s Test squad for their tour of Sri Lanka, has said that an end-of-season phone call from Andy Flower, the England team director, gave him the belief that he could earn an England recall. It was an ideal early birthday gift and Tredwell is determined to grasp the opportunity even though he could mix more drinks than bowl overs.Tredwell, who was told of his call-up on the eve of his 30th birthday on Monday, is one of four spinners named in England’s 16-man squad for the two-Test series, alongside incumbents Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar plus Samit Patel, the Nottinghamshire allrounder, who replaced Eoin Morgan. Tredwell last played for England at the 2011 World Cup and had seemingly drifted down the pecking order when Panesar was recalled for the series against Pakistan while young spinners, such as Scott Borthwick and Danny Briggs, were given chances in the one-day game.”I had a call from Andy Flower at the end of the summer outlining England’s plans and that I was still very much part of them,” Tredwell told ESPNcricinfo. “That really drives you on if you know you are still in their thoughts. You know that if anything happens to the guys in possession you could get a call.”Tredwell has not required his fellow spinners to suffer an injury or loss of form to earn a place. Instead England’s selectors have decided to give themselves cover for both Swann and Panesar. However, it will need one of those two – most likely Swann – to be ruled out of a Test for Tredwell to earn a second Test cap but that doesn’t mean he won’t be trying to put pressure on his team-mates in the lead up to the first match in Galle.”I may be going just as cover, I’m not sure, but I’ll certainly be going there to impress and get a game in my own right,” he said. “Pakistan went in with three spinners and they did well in the series [in the UAE] so they [England] may be looking down that route.”Tredwell is also seen as a solid cricketer to call on at the last minute, which is the most likely scenario for backup players on tour, instead of throwing in the raw talent of one of the younger spinners who played on the various Lions tours and one-day series during the last few months.”I’m a few years older and I’ve been through some highs and lows which stands you in good stead,” Tredwell said. “It’s great that those others have had a go in the one-day format but Test cricket is slightly different and they’ve gone for a slightly older man. I need to go out there and put my hat in the ring during practice.”Tredwell has had a curious international career to date with one Test, against Bangladesh in Dhaka, in which he took commendable match figures of 6 for 181 as a partner for Swann, and five one-day internationals. His previous England appearance came in a city he’ll shortly be visiting again, Colombo, in the World Cup quarter-final against Sri Lanka where the hosts surged to victory by 10 wickets.In the game before that Tredwell had produced his finest performance in an England shirt with 4 for 48 in the crunch group match against West Indies. It was his first game of the tournament – and he had yet to take an ODI wicket – but he claimed key top-order wickets, including Chris Gayle’s, as England secured a nailbiting 18-run victory to keep themselves in the tournament for a few more days. It is a match still clear in Tredwell’s memory and one that provides him with confidence.”This recall was a little bit of a surprise, I guess, having not been involved during the winter, but equally having played last year and done well in my second last game at the World Cup the belief was still there that I can do it at that level. With the tours the way they were this winter I knew that something may crop up.”

Angelo Mathews is determined to play his role as an allrounder for Sri Lanka despite being sidelined by constant leg injuries

Sa'adi Thawfeeq05-Apr-2012Angelo Mathews, touted as the heir apparent to the Sri Lanka captaincy, is determined to play his role as an allrounder in the team despite being sidelined by constant leg injuries.Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka’s chief selector, suggested on the eve of the Test series against England that Mathews faced a potential future as a specialist batsman, saying: “I don’t think we can use Mathews as an allrounder in the future. He has some problem with his legs and it is very unlikely he will bowl much. We have to look at him purely as a batsman.”Mathews himself, who was powerless to intervene as England crawled towards a position of authority on the second day of the second Test in Colombo, disagreed. “Definitely I am not going to give up on my bowling in ODIs and T20 cricket,” he said.”The longer format I need to rethink and manage my workload. I’ve been having a few issues in my legs. I really don’t know why I tend to get injured constantly. I am trying my level best to get rid of those injuries.”Mathews missed the World Cup final against India last year and was ruled out of the Asia Cup last month as well as the first Test of the present series.”If I have a long season I need to readjust and think about my workload because playing in all three formats it takes a lot out of you,” he said. “As an allrounder it’s very demanding. You need to keep yourself fit.Mathews returned to the Sri Lanka side after being forced to miss the first Test at Galle because of an injury to his right calf and scored a cautious 57 from 157 balls to help Sri Lanka to a first innings total of 275.”We were looking at around 300-plus when we went to bat in the morning but the English bowlers bowled really well. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat on as it was getting slower and slower but the bowlers made it even harder for us,” he said.”The English have played really well for the first couple of days and we need to get back into the game by taking a few wickets early on. If we can do that we can push them back. The wicket is not that great to bat on and it’s pretty slow so we need to keep bowling in the right areas and do the right things.”Mathews said that Alastair Cook. who was missed at 20 and remained unbeaten on 77 at the close. was the key batsman to dismiss. “If we had held onto that catch it would have been different, but chances do go begging sometimes. Nevertheless he batted well and he held his nerve. We need to get his wicket early tomorrow.”

Afsar Zazai, 18, led Afghanistan to an improbable three-wicket win over Netherlands on his first-class debut

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2012
Scorecard Afsar Zazai, 18, led Afghanistan to an improbable three-wicket win over Netherlands on his first-class debut. Netherlands were favourites to win when they had reduced Afghanistan to 111 for 6 in their chase of 233 on the second day. But Zazai did not give up and along with Mohammad Nabi (25) and Samiullah Shenwari (20 not out) took Afghanistan to second position on the points table behind Ireland.Afghanistan needed another 122 to win at the start of the third day with only four wickets standing. Wicketkeeper Zazai added 76 with Nabi and an unbroken 46 for the eighth wicket with Shenwari. He hit 13 boundaries in his patient unbeaten innings of 84 from 156 deliveries. Though Nabi fell to Michael Swart with the score on 187, Shenwari supported Zazai as he carried Afghanistan to the target.

24-May-2012
ScorecardKyle Coetzer went on to make 96 from 236 balls as Northants took control•ICC/Helge Schutz

Northamptonshire captain Andrew Hall and David Willey each took two wickets as the hosts continued to boss their match against Gloucestershire.Scotland international Kyle Coetzer made 96 off 236 balls, including 12 fours, as Northants added 109 to their overnight total before finally being bowled out for 411. In reply, Gloucestershire struggled to the close on 156 for 6, still 255 runs behind their opponents and needing another 106 to avoid the follow-on, with Willey taking 2 for 32 and Hall 2 for 33.Northants began the day looking strong on 302 for 4 with Coetzer resuming on 81 and Hall beginning his innings. Hall made just a single, however, before he was trapped lbw by Ian Saxelby in the third over of the day. Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy then made only eight before he departed in the same manner to give Liam Norwell his first wicket of the season.Coetzer then fell cheaply just four runs short of a second century of the season when he smashed Gloucestershire captain Alex Gidman to Ed Young at deep midwicket. The collapse continued when Willey (18) was bowled by Norwell as the visitors clawed their way back into contention with Northants on 366 for 8 at lunch. Lee Daggett was the next to perish, but only after a painfully slow 15 off 80 balls, when he missed his drive off Kane Williamson and the ball hit his middle and off stumps.Young then took the final Northants wicket when David Burton (11) played him on to his stumps, leaving Con de Lange unbeaten on 40. Burton, who his playing in his first County Championship game of the season, struck in the fourth over of Gloucestershire’s reply when he emphatically bowled Benny Howell for 4. New Zealand international Williamson then made only seven before he edged Willey on to his leg stump.The visitors’ problems deepened when Alex Gidman departed for 4 when he was superbly caught by Hall at first slip off the bowling of Willey to leave them on 38 for 3 at tea.Chris Dent departed on 42 when Stephen Peters took a good low catch diving forward at extra cover off Daggett. Ian Cockbain followed for eight when he edged Hall to Peters, who this time was standing at first slip, before Hall struck again when he took out Will Gidman’s off stump to condemn the batsman to a 10-ball duck.Hamish Marshall and wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty then survived the final nine overs and will resume tomorrow on 49 and 9 respectively.

Alastair Cook described the five-match ODI series against Australia as the ideal preparation for the Champions Trophy and 2015 World Cup

George Dobell28-Jun-2012Whatever the hype and hysteria over the next couple of weeks, there be will no World Cups or Ashes urns won as England and Australia resume hostilities in the NatWest ODI series. Instead, these five games represent not a destination, but a step on the journey for both teams.That does not render this series worthless. It will act as a barometer of each side’s true position and provide an idea of how they must improve. It might also provide a vague guide to next year’s ICC Champions Trophy. The fact that Lord’s is expecting a capacity crowd of 30,000 underlines not only the draw that encounters between these two sides still has, but the draw of a wonderful, well-run ground. To regularly fill a stadium of this size in the current economic climate is a fine effort.That England go into this series with an outside chance of becoming the No. 1-ranked ODI side – they will need to win 5-0 to do so – speaks volumes not just for their progress in recent times, but also for some anomalies within the ranking system. A team that has lost so comprehensively in both India (5-0 at the end of 2011) and Australia (6-1 after the 2010-11 Ashes series) will surely have to win a major global trophy to convince that they are more than a very good side in their own conditions.That remains a key aim of this England side. Indeed, this series has been scheduled very much with a view to the World Cup, to be played in Australia and New Zealand in 2015, and the Champions Trophy, to be played in England next year. In return for this five-match series, England will have the chance to acclimatise with a five-match ODI series in Australia ahead of the World Cup, while these games should help both sides prepare for the Champions Trophy.It was a point made by England captain, Alastair Cook, as he looked forward to the games. “The reason this series is in is because of the 2015 World Cup,” Cook said. “We really want to have some warm-ups in Australia to get used to those conditions just before that World Cup. That makes sense for our preparation then, so obviously as a reciprocal thing they have to come here. As players we don’t mind. It’s going to be a brilliant, hopefully, ten days.”We haven’t won an ICC [one-day] trophy and we have a good chance next summer in our home conditions. That would suit us well. Clearly in a four year cycle you build to the World Cup but on the way you have to win as many games as you can. The Champions Trophy next year is half way to the World Cup and a good stepping stone.”England have a dismal record in the last five World Cups and, despite the recent success in the UAE, they also have a modest ODI record away from home. But, in their own conditions, they are dangerous and recent performances suggest they are heading in the right direction.No other side is playing ODI cricket with the same methodology as England. While all other major sides have at least one explosive batsman at the top of the batting order, England have opted for batsmen of more solid, traditional style and a line-up that increasingly resembles their Test side. One of the few concessions they have made to ‘specialist’ limited-overs players comes with the selection of Craig Kieswetter as wicketkeeper. And it is his place that is, arguably, most at risk.But just because no-one else is doing it does not make England’s method wrong. Indeed, against two new white balls and a No. 1-rated ODI side boasting at least two high-quality fast bowlers, England may well be grateful for batsmen of the class of Ian Bell, Cook and Jonathan Trott at the top of the order.It is worth remembering that England, too, would be playing quite differently had Kevin Pietersen not departed. But, just as Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss only came to form the captain/coach partnership that revived England’s fortunes through the successful calamity that was the sacking of Pietersen and Peter Moores, so we may come to reflect in time that Pietersen’s retirement proved to be a blessing in disguise. Bell, in particular, has been given a fresh chance to fulfil his undoubted potential in this format.Cook said he was not surprised how quickly England had moved on from Pietersen. “It’s a great sign of strength,” he said. “It’s an encouraging sign as a captain that we have a good squad of players, that if someone is no longer here we have got people who can come in and perform straight away.”We are very much a developing one-day side and we’re desperate to keep going up the rankings,” Cook said. “I think we are progressing as a team. People are starting to feel comfortable in their roles in the set-up, but that doesn’t count for anything when you walk out on the pitch.”We’ve got a really good test of ourselves now. They’ve proven they are going to be a really tough and dangerous one-day side and a tough side to beat. We’re got to have to be at our absolute best.”Each international side has a couple of guys who can get it up to 90mph and these guys are now in a similar position to us in that they have eight or nine guys who can play in their fast bowling slots. They’re in a position of strength just like we are.”

Andrew Strauss was splendidly to the fore while making an unbeaten 127 for Middlesex at Uxbridge in his last innings before the first Test against South Africa next week.

David Lloyd at Uxbridge13-Jul-2012
ScorecardAndrew Strauss is back in the groove after a month off that included this visit to the tennis at Wimbledon•Getty Images

Andrew Strauss was splendidly to the fore while making an unbeaten 127 for Middlesex at Uxbridge in his last innings before the first Test against South Africa next week.Strauss had scored more than half Middlesex’s runs in their paltry first innings total of 98 before being dismissed by a virtually unplayable delivery from Andre Adams.He was then blameless as Nottinghamshire established what appeared to be a vice-like grip, not responsible for any of the five Middlesex catches that went to ground as they conceded a first-innings lead of 231.But far from deciding he had done enough before leading England in the summer’s showpiece series, Strauss tuned up his game further, batting with great certainty and fluency on a pitch that still had a trick or two in it despite having flattened out considerably compared to the first day.Strauss needed a bit of luck against the new ball – and he must have been perilously close to falling lbw to Harry Gurney’s second delivery. With just a single to his name, the left-hander was neither back nor forward but a long appeal failed to bring the response Nottinghamshire wanted from umpire Jeremy Lloyds.Thereafter, Strauss gave the Nottinghamshire precious little encouragement. Inevitably, he played and missed a few times and edged Adams, on 59, a fraction short of the diving wicketkeeper, Chris Read. Then, moments before tea, he mistimed a pull against Andy Carter that could have gone anywhere but dropped safely in the deep.Those incidents apart, though, Strauss could not have batted much better. His cover drive was working well, as it had been in the first innings, he cut and glanced confidently and, when Samit Patel’s left-arm spin entered the attack, his game went into overdrive.Patel was driven for a soaring six way beyond the marquees at long off, one of several meaty hits that saw him race from 62 to 100 in the space of 24 deliveries. By then, it looked as though nothing could stop Strauss, apart from rain, that is, which duly arrived during the tea interval and ended play two hours early.By then, he had faced 205 balls, struck 13 fours as well as that six against Patel and guided Middlesex from a position of gloom and doom to a fairly rosy 239 for 2 – eight runs ahead and, given a good imagination and a full final day, with all results just about possible.It needed more than Strauss’s first championship century of the season, at the seventh attempt, to revive Middlesex, however. Although Sam Robson, who was dropped in the slips by Adam Voges on seven, made only 26, he helped Strauss to put on 55 for the first wicket and, more important, see off the new ball.But it was the second-wicket stand of 143 between Strauss and acting captain Chris Rogers that really deflated Notts. The pair started steadily, then counter-attacked brilliantly after lunch until Rogers became just a little too confident and went lbw to Gurney, playing across the line. By then, though, Nottinghamshire knew nothing would come easy.”I think we were unlucky with the conditions over the first couple of days,” said Rogers. But he admitted: “We put in two bad days so we needed to change that – and fortunately we did. We let ourselves down in the first innings and we wanted to show each other that we are still a good side and can fight hard.”Rogers responded “I guess not” when asked whether he had ever seen England’s captain in better touch despite taking a month off since the end of the West Indies series.”Straussy was amazing,” he said. “He looks in control, his balance is just about perfect and mentally he is in a very good space. It’s amazing that when you are in good form you can have a break, come back and still play well. Hopefully he can take that into the series against South Africa.”

Yorkshire or Worcestershire will make a first appearance at T20 finals day after the two teams were drawn against each other in the last eight of the Friends Life t20

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jul-2012

Friends Life t20 quarter-finals draw

• Nottinghamshire v Hampshire

• Somerset v Essex

• Sussex v Gloucestershire

• Yorkshire v Worcestershire

Yorkshire or Worcestershire will make a first appearance at T20 finals day after the two teams were drawn against each other in the last eight of the Friends Life t20. Worcestershire, who qualified from the Midlands/Wales/West Group despite losing to Somerset, will travel to Headingley on either July 24 or 25, after Yorkshire secured top spot in the North Group. Neither side has previously reached the last four in nine seasons of domestic T20.The final round of group games saw several issues still to be decided, particularly in the Midlands/Wales/West Group, where four teams remained in contention for a quarter-final spot. In the end, Warwickshire’s defeat at home to Glamorgan cost them dear, as Gloucestershire grabbed second place with victory in a rain-ruined game at Wantage Road and Worcestershire’s net run-rate secured them third.Essex secured the other wildcard spot, as one of the two best third-placed sides, and a quarter-final at Somerset, despite not seeing a ball bowled in their game against Hampshire. Rain overnight in Southampton had left the pitch in a soggy, sorry state and the match was eventually abandoned at around 5pm. The point gained by Essex meant Durham had to beat Lancashire in the North Group and secure a turnaround in their net run-rate to progress – but they lost two wickets in the final over, needing six to win, as the match was tied.The West End washout denied Hampshire the chance of securing a home draw as the second-placed side with the best record – that reward went to their quarter-final opponents, Nottinghamshire, who crushed the deposed champions, Leicestershire, to amass 14 points in the North Group. Sussex suffered their first defeat of the tournament, at home to Surrey, but had already won the South Group and will therefore take on Gloucestershire at Hove. Finals day will take place at Cardiff on August 25.

The next significant date in the current dispute between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB is looming on Saturday with the deadline for England to name their World Twenty20 squad

Andrew McGlashan13-Aug-2012The next significant date in the current dispute between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB is looming on Saturday with the deadline for England to name their World Twenty20 squad.Confidential negotiations are still ongoing and Pietersen’s representatives have not given up on him being considered for the squad if the situation is resolved.Pietersen was dropped for the third Test against South Africa after failing to provide assurances that the text messages he sent to South African players were not derogatory towards team-mates, including Andrew Strauss, as has been alleged.The ECB delayed naming the squad for the third Test by five hours to allow Pietersen time to clarify what was in the text messages but no reply was forthcoming. Pietersen, who on Saturday evening released a YouTube video stating his commitment to all cricket for England, responded by saying he was “gutted” to be dropped and wanted to continue his international career.As with the Test squad the Twenty20 party was selected during a meeting at Edgbaston last week before Pietersen released his video announcing his commitment to all international cricket. Having previously retired from limited-overs cricket in June, Pietersen’s name was not in the provisional 30-man list although that in itself does not preclude selection for the tournament.However, given the tension surrounding both parties, led by Pietersen’s refusal to confirm the content of text messages, it would appear a long shot for there to be a chance of resolution before the squad deadline. And, having made such a play of team spirit and unity with the decision to drop Pietersen, the selectors and Andy Flower will not be about to make any swift about turns.When interviewed on Sunday Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, strongly hinted that the next stage in trying to reach a conclusion will come when the next round of contracts are issued in September, rather than for any imminent squads.”The selectors will be considering contracts in the coming weeks and those recommendations will go to the board and it is up to them to have a look at this issue,” he said.There is potential for Pietersen to return to action this week for Surrey if he made himself available for the County Championship match against Middlesex. Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, said they would be “happy” to have Pietersen if he felt ready to play but as of Monday afternoon had not heard anything.South Africa, meanwhile, have continued to distance themselves from the ongoing situation and have repeated their statement that the ECB have not made any approach to them to reveal the content of the messages and that the comments were “banter”.”There have been untruthful allegations in the media implicating members of our squad in the current issue between Kevin Pietersen and the ECB,” team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, said. “We stand by the same stance we have taken since we heard the news about these allegations.”Yes, text messages were sent but like we said before it was banter among team-mates, which is perfectly acceptable. The ECB has not made a formal approach to myself or any member of the team to see the text messages, as currently reported in the media.”Allegations that Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers were the recipients of the texts are unfounded. Until such time that the allegations are met with the correct facts and evidence, we shall not comment.”The internal issue between Kevin Pietersen and the English cricket board has been publicised for weeks, even before we arrived in the UK and we don’t want to get ourselves involved in an issue that has nothing to do with us.”Gary Kirsten, the South Africa coach, said the team’s preparations for Lord’s were no different. “We will focus on the work we do. We respect the opposition and will not take any Test match for granted. We will look at what the other team has and what areas we can exploit. We don’t look too closely at individuals. It’s no different to any other Test match.”The ECB, meanwhile, will want to find out why Pietersen went ahead with his YouTube video despite being advised otherwise and is unlikely to be impressed with his specific reference to having spoken to Delhi Daredevils, his IPL franchise, ahead of his announcement while seemingly not keeping his major employers in the loop and his presumption that he would play in “Straussy’s 100th Test”.During the interview Pietersen also said he had had an hour-long clear-the-air conversation with a team-mate and the named Matt Prior as the player who attempted to be a go-between between Pietersen and Flower. At the moment, however, it is picking up the phone to the ECB that is Pietersen’s only option.

Ireland and Northamptonshire wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien is in talks with Leicestershire

George Dobell26-Sep-2012Ireland and Northamptonshire wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien is in talks with Leicestershire. While O’Brien is contracted to his current club until the end of 2013, the county have made it clear that his contract will not be renewed and have allowed him to talk to other teams.O’Brien, 30, has a fine record in all formats of the game – he averaged 38.66 in first-class cricket for the club this year – but his availability is compromised by his Ireland commitments and Northamptonshire are hoping to free up resources to bring in new players. Steven Crook, the Middlesex allrounder, is believed to be a primary target with negotiations at an advanced stage.Northamptonshire also have high hopes for their 17-year-old wicketkeeper, Ben Duckett, who played for England in the recently concluded Under-19 World Cup. He made his first team debut for in 2012, playing one Twenty20 match, with the club hoping to fast track his progress in the coming years.While David Murphy would be the senior keeper in the absence of O’Brien, he has recently been included in the Scotland squad so his availability could be compromised in 2013.

The PCB is in negotiations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe to bring international cricket back to the country soon, according to its chairman Zaka Ashraf

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2012The Pakistan board is in negotiations with its Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe counterparts to try and bring international cricket back to the country soon, according Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman. Ashraf said the staging of two unofficial Twenty20 matches, between an International XI led by Sanath Jayasuriya and a Pakistan All Stars team, in Karachi was a boost and he expected to have “good news” early next year.”I think these matches, despite being private, are a good step,” Ashraf said. “The PCB supported and encouraged these matches and they generated a lot of enthusiasm from the fans, which is a good sign.”The unofficial games at the National Stadium were well attended by fans, who have not been able to watch international cricketers in action in Pakistan since the terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. The PCB disassociated itself from the games, however, providing only no-objection certificates to its contracted players to participate, while giving no assistance in terms of security and logistics. All arrangements were made by the Sindh sports minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah and the Karachi government.Ashraf was Karachi on Sunday, as the Pakistan All Stars won the second match, and he hoped the games would be a start of more visits by foreign teams. “When you talk of international cricket, we are in negotiations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe cricket boards and we will give you a good news as early as next year,” he said. “We are talking to two other boards as well but I am not going to reveal names. We have given them security plans and I am sure the day is not far when we have big time cricket in Karachi, Lahore and other cities.”Pakistan’s next international series is a tour to India in December and to facilitate those limited-overs matches they have postponed a scheduled tour of Zimbabwe. Pakistan were due to play two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches in Zimbabwe this December but will visit sometime in 2013 instead. It will be Pakistan’s first bilateral series against India since the attacks on Mumbai in November 2008.