Buttler makes his Test debut

As Prior takes the rest of the summer off due to injury, Jos Buttler steps up to play his first Test match for his country. 

His Test debut will be the third Investec Test in the 5-match series against India. 

Buttler, 23, was brought in to replace Prior - who had a thigh injury - in the first Test but was not needed in the end. 

The Lancashire wicketkeeper will be playing under a microscope. Many believe Prior, 32, is passed his peak (including myself) and apart from the odd high score - isn't scoring as well as he should be. Although the same could be said for several senior players in the team, if England are truly serious about rebuilding this team - some hard decisions are going to have to be made. 

This is Buttler's chance to prove not only can he handle the gloves for England but also that he can score the runs they've so desperately been searching for. 

James Whitaker, national selector, said: "Jos Buttler comes into the squad following some very exciting limited overs performances for England and a good record with a lancashire this season...[He] fully deserves this opportunity. Matt Prior has contributed a huge amount to the England side over his 79 Tests."

The only other change to the 13-man squad headed to the Ageas Bowl is the dropping of Lancashire spin bowler Simon Kerrigan. 

Will the third Test be as disappointing as the last?

Sunday 27th July, Ageas Bowl, Southampton, 11:00 GMT

Ball on Willow

Anderson in Alleged Assault

Lancashire fast-medium bowler, Jimmy Anderson, could be charged with a Level 3 offence - after Ravindra Jadeja claimed abuse. 

The International Cricket Council have put forward claims against Jimmy with a Level 3 grade. This means the case will be referred to a judicial commissioner within 14 days. The penalty (if found guilty of the charges) is between four and eight suspension points. Two points bans you for one Test match, which means the bowler could miss the rest of the Test series against India if found guilty and given the maximum sentence. 

Anderson "categorically denies the accusations made against him and the ECB have pledged their total support of the player should he be charged by ICC" read a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board who reacted "with surprise that the Indian team has made [these] allegations".

The alleged incident took place as the players came off the pitch for lunch on the second day of the first Test against India at Trent Bridge.

BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy said; "Both the ECB and the Indian board have tried to resolve the situation amicably but I understand the Indian captain MS Dhoni is determined to push the matter forward. Anderson says Jadeja moved towards him in a threatening manner as the players went up the pavilion steps for lunch. Anderson put his hands up in defence and it was all over in a couple of seconds."

Anderson could plead his case as soon as today (Wednesday). However, unless he is acquitted, the crowd at Lord's will be missing Jimmy Anderson on Thursday for the second Test against India of the five match series. 

Ex-England captain, Mike Atherton, has also weighed in on Anderson's situation, "I guess everybody is surprised just because this seems to have happened very early on in the Test match and nothing was said, nothing happened, until a day or two afterwards. So there has been a long time-lag and it seemed to be a match played in reasonable spirits."

"It is one easy way of winding Anderson up and the rest of the team after a heavy Test match. There is going to be a bit of spice around on Thursday I should think because of this. The prospect of a ban for a player is not a pretty one but England have countered - they have strongly denied the accusation - so there is a bit of high feeling on both sides."

As the Man of the Match for the first Test putting 81 on the scoreboard in a record-breaking 11th wicket partnership with Joe Root to leave England in a threatening position on the final day, England will surely miss Anderson - should he be found guilty. With this in mind Alastair Cook has weighed in on India's misconduct claims; "It's probably a bit of a tactic by India. We are surprised, but we can't let it be a distraction."

UPDATE:

James Anderson will be playing at Lord's on Thursday as it has been confirmed his case would not occur before day one of the second Test at the Home of Cricket. 

Don't miss the second Test: Thursday 17th July 11am, Lord's.

Ball on Willow.

Podmore starts with a Blast

Harry Podmore made his 1st XI debut for Mddlesex in the Natwest t20 Blast game against Essex.

His impressive stats of 2 for 20 were not enough to give Middlesex the win, as Essex took the game in the final over.

The Eagles won their sixth t20 game out of their last eight meetings with the Panthers. 

Essex won by 2 wickets with 2 balls to spare in a thrilling game at Chelmsford last Friday.

Podmore replaced Rayner in the only change to the winning side that played against Somerset at The Kia Oval on the 18th.

The former ECC boy's first ball claimed the first Essex wicket. Ryder was out for 8 with a catch by promising youngster; Ryan Higgins. Harry was hit for a boundary in his second over, but it was when he was given the ball for the penultimate over that you knew this game was going down to the wire. ten Doeschate hit Podmore's second delivery for six but couldn't hold out as he gave Morgan some catching practice in the covers two balls later.

Middlesex should be disappointed to not come out of it with a win but not completely disheartened as 153 was a decent total against the Eagles, and new paceman Harry Podmore showing the cricketing world that he can step up and play first class cricket shows that there are exciting things to come in the Panthers' future...

Ball on Willow

Collingwood to retire?

Say it isn't so!


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ICC Test Challenge

Truth be told, I have been a little preoccupied watching the Masters to pay much attention to the cricketing world news. Something did catch my eye though...

The ICC have approved a play-off system that will give Scotland and Ireland the chance to participate in Test cricket.

The ICC Test Challenge will occur once every four years. Starting in 2018 it will see the top non-Test countries, that come out from the ICC Intercontinental Cup, play the lowest ranked Test side in 4 5-day matches.

David Richardson, the ICC chief executive believes linking the Intercontinental Cup with Test cricket will give it "greater context".

But would we lose great players such as Eoin Morgan who maybe wouldn't give up their Irish eligibility to play for England? I think we are still a long way off this happening.

However, this is the aim for Ireland captain William Porterfield. "The ultimate goal of Irish Cricket is to not only stop players moving on and playing for England, but [to get] the county lads that are playing in England back home and on full-time contracts playing domestic cricket there."

So what do we think?

Is this going to damage England further, or do Ireland deserve a chance to play with their players against the big boys?


Ball on Willow.

Root Extends Yorkshire Contract

England batsman and off-spin bowler Joe Root has signed a new contract with Yorkshire CCC that will see him play for the Division One side until the end of the 2016 season. 

Root missed the ICC World Twenty20 tournament because of a fractured thumb but looks as if he will have recovered in time to play Yorkshire's opening game against Middlesex at the end of April.

Middlesex vs. Surrey

Middlesex take on rivals Surrey in a pre-season friendly at Merchant Taylors' today.

Middx won the toss and chose to bowl first.

15:50 - Surrey have just declared after little over four hours at the crease on 189-4 in 60 overs. 

What have Middlesex got up their sleeves to pull off a win against their closest rivals?

Bad light ends the first of two days for Middlesex and Surrey. Middlesex were 4-2 after 8.3 overs at close of play.

Middlesex declare on 241-7 after just over 59 overs on day two of the friendly.

Ball on Willow.