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!


Ball on Willow

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.

County Cricket News: Hampshire

HAMPSHIRE

The county side have chosen to drop their "Royals" nickname for the limited-overs formats of the game as they celebrate their 150th anniversary this season.

Rod Bransgrove, Hampshire's Chairman, said; "[The logo] provides a perfect balance between recognising the important historical milestone and developing a modern feel that will help the club continue to move forward for years to come." This comes after the club unveiled a new shield for the occasion.
____________

IN

Matt Coles, the medium-pace bowler, has joined Hampshire for the 2014 season from Kent. The England Lions left-handed batsman has signed a three-year deal after being on loan at Hampshire at the tail end of last season.

Will Smith signed a two-year deal to play for Hampshire at the end of the 2013 season. The right-handed batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler previously captained Durham from November 2008 leading them to a County Championship title in his first year as skipper.

Ex-pro footballer Joe Gatting eventually followed his Uncle, ex-England captain Mike Gatting, into cricket - signing for Sussex in 2009 and making 152 on his debut. Sussex "wanted to strengthen [their] batting and Joe ticks that box" according to Hampshire manager Giles White.


Ball on Willow

KP to Captain Daredevils

The Delhi Daredevils have named former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, 33, as their captain ahead of the IPL season this year. 

KP took to twitter to write in 140 characters or less on the subject; "I'm excited about leading the Delhi Daredevils. We want to have a hard working and fun environment where we enjoy our cricket."

Pietersen is England's record run scorer. As such, combined with his recent involuntary exit from international cricket (making him available for the entire IPL season for the first time), KP is looking like a force to reckoned with.

He missed the 2013 tournament because of injury but back in 2012, playing again for the Daredevils, he scored an average of 61 runs a game.

The Delhi Daredevils paid £880,000 at auction for Pietersen last month.

One person who can't wait to see KP's performance in the IPL is Australian cricketing legend, Shane Warne. "He's a world-class player. He's always been one of my favourite players to watch. I love seeing him bat, the way he takes on the game."

Pietersen, who has previously represented The Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Deccan Chargers in the IPL, said he felt "incredibly honoured" to be "working alongside [former South African batsman and coach] Gary Kirsten". He also spoke highly of their squad, combing "youth and experience" with "a brillant coaching set up".

Good luck to KP, his season starts April 16th.

Ball on Willow.

Saying Goodbye to Smith

Graeme Smith, the South African skipper, has let the sporting world know that the final test in the series at home that his team is currently playing against Australia will be the last of his lengthy international career.

Smith spoke out saying; "This has been the most difficult decision I've ever made. I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old.

Scoring 9257 test runs in his career, he is behind only South Africa's leading run scorer of all-time: Jacques Kallis. As the fourth ever youngest Test captain Graeme Smith will be truly missed in the world of international cricket.


Ball on Willow.

KP Back With Daredevils

Kevin Pietersen was bought for the underwhelming (in comparison to expectations) amount of £880,000 in the IPL auction by the Delhi Daredevils who let him go when last season ended because of commitments they presumed he would have playing for England.

KP was the third highest purchase on the first day of the auction and only England player. The likes of Bell, Bopara and Dernbach still to be sold to the highest bidder - but ties to England means their IPL season will be cut short to May 13th.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore bought India's Yuvraj Singh for £1.37m whilst Australia's Mitchell Johnson went for £640,000 by Kings XI Punjab.


Ball on Willow.

KP Signs With Surrey

Kevin Pietersen has signed a new contract with Surrey this week. He said he was "absolutely delighted to have agreed terms with Surrey and am thoroughly looking forward to playing my cricket for the club this summer. I've had some of my best moments in cricket at the Kia Oval and I'm really excited at the prospect of getting back out there playing in what will hopefully be a brilliant summer for us all at Surrey." 

KP will represent the Surrey lions in the Twenty20 Blast form of the game with the possibility of him appearing in first-class matches and 50-over games.

Pietersen has shown the world he just wants to play cricket - when and where he can - as Alec Stewart confirms; "He's playing for the right reasons, in that he wanted to play for Surrey, and he made that very, very clear. We've got a great player, a world-class player, and this is not just a great deal for Surrey but great for the domestic game as well. It will give the Twenty20 Blast a great lift-off, and if he plays in the other forms of the game then it adds to the profile of our four-day and 50-over cricket."

The ECB put out this first statement a week ago effectively ending the chances of KP ever wearing three lions across his chest again on a cricket pitch; "Kevin Pietersen has been informed by the England and Wales Cricket Board that he has not been included in the England squads for the forthcoming tour of the Caribbean later this month nor the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in Bangladesh in March.

Kevin Pietersen met with Paul Downton, the Managing Director England Cricket, this week and was told that the unanimous decision of the England management, including the selectors, was that now was the time to start the rebuilding process after England's disappointing winter in Australia."

However, this has left KP available for the entire IPL season this year. 

Former IPL chief Latif Modi said Pietersen could go "upwards of £2.5m to £3m" with each franchise capped at spending less than £6m. 

Head of cricket operations for kings XI Punjab, Anant Sarkaria said "he is such an awesome player. A lot of teams would be looking for Pietersen and we are one of them. The availability of English players for the whole duration of the IPL has always been a problem for most of the franchises. Pietersen's retirement changes the dynamics of the auction."

Hard to understand why the ECB would let go of such an influential player, but their loss is the IPL's gain. 

Ball on Willow. 

Kevin Pietersen: Explained (sort of)

The ECB have gone some way to explain their reasoning behind KP's unexpected dismissal. 

From the little bites of information they have fed the public with, many are drawing their own conclusions - most leading back to captain Alastair Cook. 

Fans have been in uproar over the past week as the ECB had left almost all questions surround Pietersen's departure unanswered. They had done, until last night. 

The ECB put out the following statement:

"It has been a matter of great frustration that until now the England and Wales Cricket Board has been unable to respond to the unwarranted and unpleasant criticism of England players and the ECB itself, which has provided an unwelcome backdrop to the recent negotiations to release Kevin Pietersen from his central contract. 

Those negotiations have been successfully concluded and whilst both parties remain bound by confidentiality provisions the ECB would like to make the following comments; The ECB recognises the significant contribution Kevin has made to England teams over the last decade. He has played some of the finest innings ever produced by an England batsman. 

However, the England team needs to rebuild after the whitewash in Australia. To do that we must invest in our captain Alaistair Cook and we must support him in creating a culture in which can be confident he will have the full support of all players, with everyone pulling in the same direction and able to trust each other.

It is for those reasons that we have decided to move on without Kevin Pietersen."

Dodging directly saying anything, for reasons earlier in the week said to be "legal" ones, the governing body have basically hinted at Pietersen's past transgressions being a ruling factor, with captain Cook's inability to trust him ultimately leading to his dismissal. 

Pietersen will no doubt cloud England's immediately future, especially if England continue to underperform. 

But what I'm more interested in is Pietersen's next move. He has now become a very lucrative commodity, set to make millions playing in the T20 form of the game. I am crossing my fingers for Pietersen to bat his heart out over the next year and show England just what they gave up just because they felt they were unable to put a stopper in the whirlwind that is Kevin Pietersen.

Ball on Willow. 

Tendulkar vs. Warne

The recently retired cricketing royalty that is Sachin Tendulkar will be appearing at Lord's this summer to celebrate the ground's 200th birthday. The ex-India international cricketer will captain the Marylebone Cricket Club in a 50-over match at Lord's. His side will be up against ex-Australia bowler Shane Warne and the Rest of the World side. 

The Home of Cricket will host the bicentenary celebrations on July 5th with this being Tendulkar's second time at such an event - last time honouring Princess Diana in 1998. He spoke about his return to the English ground, saying: "It is an honour to be asked to captain MCC in such a prestigious fixture. Lord's is such a special place to play cricket and I am very much looking forward to help celebrate its bicentenary by taking part in this match."

Warne will be quietly confident though, having previously taking 19 wickets in four tests he played at the ground. He said; "I always enjoy playing at Lord's and as an Honorary Life Member of MCC I'm really excited about coming back...[to] the most famous cricket ground in the world."

The MCC will be overseen by president Mike Gatting and Rahul Dravid - Tendulkar's former India international team-mate. Shaun Pollock, ex-South Africa captain, will be taking charge where the Rest of the World team is concerned. 

I'm not at all biased when I say C'MON MCC, I'll see you there!

Ball on Willow. 

KP Gets The Axe

Days into his new job position (officially), Paul Downton had to make a decision that would change the dynamics of our England squad as we know it today, that could take out possibly the best batsman England have ever had. 

The ECB managing director has already had to deal with Andy Flower's decision to step down from his post as technical director - something that was out of his control.

Kevin Pietersen is something he can control. Or maybe he decided that he couldn't and that is why he gave him the axe earlier this evening.

Downton spoke out about his decision some May find controversial; "The time is right to rebuild not only the team but also the team ethic."

England's MD clearly referring to several scandals that KP has been at the heart of.

His public fallout with, England coach at the time, Peter Moores that led to both men stepping down from their roles - which for Pietersen meant leaving his short-lived ODI captaincy, lasting all of 39 days. 

It was clear to many that the dressing room was split on who they sided with, creating the first cracks in a united England squad and signs of strain in the dressing room. Alec Stewart said, "it's very difficult to go back into a dressing room when you know you haven't got the full backing of everyone in there."

Next was the texting scandal with the South Africans mid-series. As the media plastered the story across front covers of newspapers for weeks, Strauss commented saying, "how things have worked out over the last couple of weeks hasn't been ideal for anybody" as Pietersen was dropped in the summer of 2012 from the England squad because of his refusal to clarify the situation regarding these texts - rumoured to have been defamatory towards both Strauss and Flower. 

In October 2012, ECB spoke of KP's possible return to the England squad after Pietersen held a press conference saying, "we have drawn a line under it and it is time to move forward."

He was controversially included in the test squad that successfully toured India, under Cook's watch, scoring a test century and two fifties. 

Paul Downton did, however, sing his praises and wish him the best for his future in cricket, "Clearly this was a tough decision because Kevin has been such an outstanding player for England, as the fact that he is the country's leading run-scorer in international cricket demonstrates.

England cricket owes a debt of gratitude to Kevin, who has proved to be one of the most talented and exciting players to ever represent the country and his 13,797 runs are a testimony to his immense skill. This decision brings some clarity now for the future of the England teams and we all wish Kevin the very best in the rest of his career."

Kevin Pietersen spoke his piece regarding what looks to be his removal from the England squad. "I will continue to play but deeply regret that it won't be for England. Playing cricket for my country has been an honour, every time I pulled on the England shirt was a moment of huge pride for me and that is something that will live with me forever. 

Although I am obviously very sad the incredible journey has come to an end, I'm also hugely proud of what we, as a team, have achieved over the past nine years. I believe I have a great deal still to give as a cricketer."

But Pietersen did have several high points of his career. He was given player of the series in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 for his efforts with the bat after he scored 47 off 31 in a partnership with Kieswetter of 111 in the final against Australia - among other high scores that helped England get there. 

But we all know Pietersen had one true low point in his England cricket career: his hair. That god-awful bleached mohawk!

At the end of the day "a game of cricket, is just a game of cricket" or so says KP - at least now the man can play in the IPL til his heart's content. 

Ball on Willow.

England: The Next Chapter

Where do England go from here? Who will lead them there? And can they ever reclaim that number one spot?

At the moment England are fourth in the ICC World rankings - trailing behind South Africa, India and Australia respectively in Test cricket. 

Our ICC Twenty20 Championships standing has sunk even further. As we sit seventh in the table it is rather hard to see how we ever won the World T20 title back in 2010. 

Four years. Four years passes and we've had another Olympics, another leap year, a presidential election. Four years and England have fallen from hero to zero. 

After a disastrous whitewash in the Ashes against Australia at the end of 2013, England coach Andy Flower has decided to step down. The technical director expalins his decision to leave his post; "To start with a clean slate and begin to instill methods to ensure England are moving in the right direction will be incredibly exciting. But I do not feel like I am in a position to undertake that challenge."

It seems Alastair Cook will keep his captaincy though, as Flower goes on to say; "following the recent very disappointing Ashes defeat it is clear to me that this is now the time for England cricket, led by Alastair Cook, to rebuild with a new set of values and goals."

Andy Flower had a very impressive record after last summer; leading the England squad to three Ashes wins and the World Twenty20 in 2010.

The new managing director Paul Downton spoke highly of Flower; "Andy has been the most successful coach in England's history and we at the ECB are very disappointed to see him leave the role as team director. We respect his decision and the reasons for it but we are keen to keep Andy's experience and outstanding knowledge within the ECB." Downton and Flower are in the "advanced stages" talking over a new role at the ECB thought to be coaching the young players in England's academy in Loughborough. 

It definitely doesn't seem like we've seen the last of Flower.

UPDATE: However, we have been told that we have already seen the last time Kevin Pietersen will wear the three lions on his chest. How will this shape the future of England cricket? Who will lead England there? England limited-overs coach Ashley Giles? Gary Kirsten: head coach of IPL team Delhi Daredevils? Maybe Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell? Or one of the former coaches of the Sri Lanka national side: Graham Ford and Tom Moody? We've been told a decision will be made within the next two weeks.

Ball on Willow.

Broad and Prior Save a Life

Stuart Broad and Matt Prior might not have been the Ashes heroes us English folk so badly needed them to be this winter but I felt a great sense of British pride when I read the headlines today in sport. Amongst Man City preparing to host West Ham at the Etihad stadium, ex-Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger revealing he is gay, Schumacher hospital updates and talk of Paul Lawrie being in fine form with hope of another Ryder Cup this year there was a cricket update from Australia that didn't have us holding our heads in our hands (or banging it against a brick wall!).

As Broad and Prior were returning to their hotel after spending the evening at a Barmy Army fundraising event - they found a man, claiming to be from Cheltenham, on the edge of a bridge in Darling Harbour.

Prior was the hero of the hour, which is how long it took him to talk the man into coming down, before police arrived on the scene to take over.

Broad and a member of England's security was with the wicketkeeper who gave a modest statement saying, "We just did what anyone would do in that situation."

Broad, however, took to twitter to sing Prior's praises over what he did; "Matt Prior is a best friend of mine and I'm very proud of him. It was a tough situation but so glad he was there."

Wishing that man all the best and hoping he gets the help he needs. 

Well done boys!


Ball on Willow.

County Cricket News: Gloucestershire

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Overseas player and first team XI captain Michael Klinger has gone back to Australia to play for the West End Redbacks in a 50-over competition. The 33-year-old will return to play for the county side this year hoping to continue where he left off.

Michael Klinger's stats for 2013:
1105 Championship runs
702 YB40 runs
366 Flt20 runs
163 High score (vs. Hampshire)
6 centuries (11 half centuries)

Klinger spoke about his time with Gloucestershire; "It's been a highly competitive six months of cricket. It makes me more excited about coming back next year. I've loved my time here. I came here not knowing what to expect from a full season but it was great to play some hard cricket."

After being their top run-scorer last year, Klinger is still looking to do better; "I want to try and perform well next year and back it up, because sometimes it's difficult when the opposition get to know your strengths and weaknesses. From a personal point of view, to get another good season is what I'm after. But obviously it's more important for the team to keep moving forward. We've lost our way at times but if we can correct that next year and maintain it in the four-day game then we are going to be very hard to beat."
____________

IN

Tom Smith has made a move from Middlesex after a short-term loan in June has become permanent in a three-year deal. The left-arm spinner spoke about his new contract: "I am really excited about joining Gloucestershire permanently. It has been a great three months on loan and to be staying here for the next three seasons is a fantastic challenge for me."

The 26-year-old said he "thoroughly enjoyed [his] loan time and to have the opportunity to join this young and exciting squad was an easy decision to make."

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell; "I am delighted Tom has agreed to sign a contract. We are pleased with the progress he has made since joining us and the all-round skills that he is starting to show. He controls the scoreboard when he bowls in all forms of the game and I rate him highly. His batting has been somewhat neglected in the past, but he has played a number of promising innings for us and will be useful in that respect too."

* * *

23-year-old Will Tavare has been offered a one-year deal with Gloucestershire CCC. After his return from playing in Melbourne this winter the right-handed batsman, right-arm medium pace bowler will move up to the first XI hoping to amass as many runs as he did for the second team (nearly 1000).

The nephew of former Kent, Somerset and England batsman: Chris Tavare spoke about his upbringing with the sport; "I come from a cricketing family and it has always been my ambition to play cricket professionally so I am very excited at the opportunity Glou. are giving me,"

John Bracewell commented on Tavare's impressive season with the second XI; "Will has been our leading run-scorer in second XI cricket. He deserves the opportunity to move up and provide extra competition for our batting places."
____________


Ball on Willow.

County Cricket News: Glamorgan

GLAMORGAN

Glamorgan have acquired no new players for this summer but will have overseas player Jacques Rudolph if Cricket South Africa clear the request.
____________

Simon Jones has been released from the Welsh Dragons after he fails to secure a new contract. Jones has 18 caps for England and
____________

NEW CONTRACTS

Ruaidhri Smith, Ben Wright, Will Bragg, Andrew Salter and David Lloyd have all received new two-year contracts at Glamorgan CCC. They will be playing alongside captain Mark Wallace and veteran Glamorgan batsman and slow bowler Dean Cosker - under the direction of newly appointed head coach Toby Radford.
____________


Ball on Willow.

Whitewashed

Whitewashed. Outplayed. Even the greatest of spin doctors would have a hard time giving this Down Under Ashes series a positive spin for England.

Australia truly crushed the visitors as England folded within three days in the final test to win the series 5-0 and take back the urn on home soil.

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott didn't mince his words when he spoke out about England's performance in the final test. "It's pathetic - there is no other word. It's humiliation. England have just disintegrated. How do you get bowled over in 32 overs? It's bad enough to lose, but its how you lose. This is a worse loss than when we lost 5-0 (in 2006-07) because they had great players like McGrath, Warne and Gilchrist last time."

England didn't last 3 hours at the crease in Sydney, Michael Clarke's men bowling Alastair Cook's out for a pathetic 166. A total nowhere near the required 448 to win.

So what went wrong? And can we do what we did after the 2006-07 series and bring the Ashes home once again?

Credit where credit is due...

Australia came out from day one with a ferocity that was severely lacking from their dismal summer performance.

One player of particular note in the Aussie side was Man of the Series left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. He took 37 wickets this series, a far cry from the bowler the British press loved to deride in 2009-11.

The only stand-out performance from the England camp I would consider is Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes. Although arguably wasted - his six wicket-haul in the first innings, averaging almost 40 in the two innings batting and taking a further two key wickets: danger-men Smith and Johnson - Stokes shows great promise for the future. The youngster has already had comparisons drawn to him and the great Freddie Flintoff. No pressure!

What's left to say?
...Better luck next time boys?


Ball on Willow.

County Cricket News: Essex

ESSEX

Monty Panesar has signed a two-year deal with Essex following his loan there this summer. Sussex let go of the 31-year-old left-arm spin bowler after an internal investigation earlier this year.

The England spinner spoke about his time with Essex this summer. "I loved playing for Essex last season. I will always remember how the supporters and members gave me a heart-warming round of applause when I first came on to bowl at the Colchester last August. It helped me to feel respected and loved as a cricketer after experiencing a challenging time in my life."

Panesar took 14 first-class wickets in 6 matches for Essex whilst on loan, averaging 36. His best stats being a 4-wicket haul for 49.

Paul Grayson is the head coach for the Division Two side. He thought one or two clubs from Division One of the County Championships "might have too much money for [Essex to come out the winner]". But Monty said he wanted "to help the club build towards the kind of success they enjoyed in its glory days under legendary captains Keith Fletcher and Graham Gooch."

"I love the family feel of the club and value the role Essex has played in helping me move towards my best, and gain selection for this Ashes series."
____________

Seamer Maurice Chambers has been signed by the newly promoted Northants.
____________

Owais Shah retired from first-class cricket but Essex hope to sign him to play limited overs cricket.
____________

New contracts have been offered to Ravi Bopara, Greg Smith, Graham Napier and David Masters.

Ravi Bopara has extended his time with Essex until the end of 2014. The 28-year-old made his debut with the county in 2002 and has played for them ever since.

Bopara's first-class stats: 8338 runs, averaging 41.48 and has taken 150 wickets, averaging 41.75.

He was named in the England squad for the upcoming ODI's in Australia.

Paul Grayson said; "We know one of Ravi's key aims is to be playing for England but when in an Essex shirt, he's shown how devastation he can be."

* * *

30-year-old Essex all-rounder Greg Smith joined Essex at the end of 2011 from Derbyshire. He has agreed a new two-year contract with Essex after scoring a career-best of 177 against Gloucestershire and taking a 5-wicket haul for 42 against Leicestershire.

* * *

All-rounder Graham Napier has signed on for two more years at Chelmsford. The 33-year-old had an impressive last season after hitting 771 runs and taking 51 wickets in 17 games.

Napier's first-class stats: 4864 runs, averaging 32.64 and has taken 334 wickets, averaging 34.20.

In a YB40 match against Surrey, Napier took four wickets in four balls to help Essex win by 178.

Napier said; "To sign a new contract with Essex for the next two years is excellent and feels like a huge reward after the best season I have ever had in my career at the club."

Paul Grayson, Head Coach at Essex, said; "I am very happy that Graham has signed a new contract, especially after the sensational season he experienced last year. The 2013 season showed how important Graham is to the team when fully fit and I'm sure he will continue to be a key member of the side for the next two years."

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Essex seam bowler David Masters has signed on for another year, keeping him with the county until 2015.

Masters was named as Essex's top wicket-takers for the fourth season in a row. The 35-year-old had a best innings wicket-haul of 6-41 against his former club Kent.

David Masters spoke about playing cricket "for as long as [he] can continue to perform on the pitch." He said; "This will take me up to the age of 37 and I want to play for as long as I can. There is also a lot of responsibility for me now to help the younger players coming through at the club and pass on my experience of the game."

Paul Grayson thinks he "is instrumental in leading our bowling attack".
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Alastair Cook has been awarded a benefit year by Essex to captain England.

The 28-year-old said he "was honoured to be awarded a benefit year by Essex" pledging to donate at least half of what he makes to four different charities; The David Randall Foundation, Chance to Shine, Outreach Uganda and Mind.

Chief Executive Derek Bowden said: "He is a player with immense talent and has proven to be one of the best cricketers Essex CCC has ever produced. He has always shown his admiration for Essex and is a role model for supporters of the club at all ages. I'm sure I can say on behalf of the club, members and supporters that we wish Alastair the best of luck for 2014."


Ball on Willow.