England started their two day tour match against the Chairman's XI, in between the first two Ashes tests, in Alice Springs today.
Ballance put himself as a front runner for the newly available spot in the England Ashes 1st XI with a top-score of 55 as England declared late in the day on 212-7.
Australia closed the first day with 16 for no loss, Cazzulino and Harris putting the runs on the scoreboard for the home side.
The slow pitch in the Northern Territory stadium saw Joe Root open the batting, with Carberry who was dismissed with a catch at mid wicket, suggesting England are preparing the Yorkshire County Cricket occasional off-spinner for the number 3 spot.
My first choice to replace Trott at number 3 would be Ian Bell. But with his first test match stats Down Under standing at; 37 runs across two innings and just one catch to his name - is our summer Ashes hero the right man for the job?
What do you think?
Ball on Willow.
Friday, 29 November 2013
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Trott's Timescale
Warwickshire County Cricket team (to be renamed the Birmingham Bears in the 2014 season's T20 Blast tournament) has confirmed there is no return date for England batsman Trott.
Director Dougie Brown spoke out about the situation; "It's all about Trotty getting better. There's no timescale from us and I'm sure there's not from England either".
England coach Andy Flower explains that Jonathan Trott "needs time to reassess" and get some "rest and recuperation" but hopes he "will continue to be a brilliant international batsman for England in the future".
The South-African born batsman flew home, shortly after England lost the first test of the Ashes to Australia by 381 runs, to be reunited with his wife and 3-year-old daughter.
Colin Povey, Warwickshire chief executive, promised to give him "as much support as we can" on his road to recovery from the long-standing stress-related condition that saw the ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year pull out of the current Ashes series down under.
Ball on Willow.
Director Dougie Brown spoke out about the situation; "It's all about Trotty getting better. There's no timescale from us and I'm sure there's not from England either".
England coach Andy Flower explains that Jonathan Trott "needs time to reassess" and get some "rest and recuperation" but hopes he "will continue to be a brilliant international batsman for England in the future".
The South-African born batsman flew home, shortly after England lost the first test of the Ashes to Australia by 381 runs, to be reunited with his wife and 3-year-old daughter.
Colin Povey, Warwickshire chief executive, promised to give him "as much support as we can" on his road to recovery from the long-standing stress-related condition that saw the ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year pull out of the current Ashes series down under.
Ball on Willow.
Broad on Brits Bashing
Stuart Broad isn't fazed by the Ashes sledging that the Aussie squad are serving the Brits. In an interview he said they "train [themselves] to expect that" and how no line has been crossed on the field. Broad did touch on off field verbal behaviour saying; "As an England side we can pride ourselves on how we don't comment on the opposition".
This came after the Australian captain Michael Clarke was docked 20% of his match fee for threatening Jimmy Anderson at the crease in the opening match in Brisbane. Off the pitch, David Warner commented on Jonathan Trott's first test performance; "The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak." before back-tracking slightly, agreeing "he went a bit too far".
This came after the Australian captain Michael Clarke was docked 20% of his match fee for threatening Jimmy Anderson at the crease in the opening match in Brisbane. Off the pitch, David Warner commented on Jonathan Trott's first test performance; "The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak." before back-tracking slightly, agreeing "he went a bit too far".
Shortly after the decision was made to take Jonathan Trott out of the England squad to focus on his health. Broad said it's "heartbreaking for us to lose Trotty...he's been an integral pat of the side for the last 4 or 5 years...in his 49 tests".
So who's to fill the number 3 spot in England's batting order?
My bet? Ian Bell.
Wishing Trott all the best!
And that's Ball on Willow.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
News Update 27/11/13
Ireland qualify for the World t20 after continuing their unbeaten streak with a win against Hong Kong by 85 runs.
Other international cricket news: Scotland will take on Italy after finishing 4th in their group. The playoffs come after they beat Denmark by 75 runs in Dubai.
Gayle has torn his hamstring running for a single against India. He will be out for the rest of the tour.
In county cricket: Trescothick has been confirmed as Somerset captain for the 2014 season. It will be his 21st season playing for their 1st XI, with James Hildreth as vice-captain.
And that's Ball on Willow.
Other international cricket news: Scotland will take on Italy after finishing 4th in their group. The playoffs come after they beat Denmark by 75 runs in Dubai.
Gayle has torn his hamstring running for a single against India. He will be out for the rest of the tour.
In county cricket: Trescothick has been confirmed as Somerset captain for the 2014 season. It will be his 21st season playing for their 1st XI, with James Hildreth as vice-captain.
And that's Ball on Willow.
Bresnan's Back
Yorkshire and England batsman Tim Bresnan has returned from injury to score 57 not out after recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back.
The all-rounder helped the England Performance Programme to 376-9 after being put into bat by the Queensland 2nd XI.
Also in the EPP side; Moeen Ali scored 83, keeper Jos Buttler with 54 and Middlesex 1st XI Sam Robson scored an impressive century in Brisbane.
Ball on Willow.
The all-rounder helped the England Performance Programme to 376-9 after being put into bat by the Queensland 2nd XI.
Also in the EPP side; Moeen Ali scored 83, keeper Jos Buttler with 54 and Middlesex 1st XI Sam Robson scored an impressive century in Brisbane.
Ball on Willow.
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
SPOTY Shortlist
The 10 names have been announced and now the speculation begins.
Mo Farah
Christine Ohuruogu
Hannah Cockroft
Andy Murray
Chris Froome
Justin Rose
Sir Ben Ainslie
AP McCoy
Ian Bell
Leigh Halfpenny
3 athletics stars in the mix; Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu and Hannah Cockroft. Men's tennis star Andy Murray, cyclist Chris Froome, golfer Justin Rose, sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, jockey AP McCoy, cricketer Ian Bell and rugby union star Leigh Halfpenny.
So who makes your top three?
Mo Farah was the second man in history to complete the Olympic and World 'double-double' in 5000m and 10000m.
Christine Ohuruogu is the first British woman to win two World Championship titles.
Hannah Cockroft set a new Championship record as she secured the sprint double abroad in Lyon.
Andy Murray brought the 77-year drought for a British Wimbledon win to an end in straight sets on the hottest day of the year in 40 degree heat inside Centre Court.
Chris Froome - can it be two cyclists in a row for the SPOTY award - he won the 100th Tour de France this year.
Golfer Justin Rose won his first major at the US Open.
Sir Ben Ainslie was nominated last year for his incredible achievements at the London Olympics but this year he created yet more history as he helped inspire an American Cup win. A moment in history unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon. The American team trailed 8-1 with one more loss the end of the competition. Oracle Team USA enlisted the help of Ainslie and the 8-1 trail soon became an 8-8 tie with the finale a winner-takes-all moment for both teams. USA won by 44 seconds. Incredible!
AP McCoy, 18 times champion jockey, won his 4000th race this year.
Ian Bell was England's Ashes hero in the batting lineup. Bell's usual average is 21 and in the Ashes he racked up an average of 62 with a total of 562 runs equalling Denis Compton's home Ashes record in 1948.
Rugby Union star Leigh Halfpenny starred int he winning British & Irish Lions tour kicking a new Lions test record of 21 points.
So my predictions?
1. Andy Murray
2. Mo Farah
3. Sir Ben Ainslie
What are yours?
We'll find out Sunday 15th December when Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan present the evening to a 12,000 capacity crowd.
Ball on Willow.
Christine Ohuruogu
Hannah Cockroft
Andy Murray
Chris Froome
Justin Rose
Sir Ben Ainslie
AP McCoy
Ian Bell
Leigh Halfpenny
3 athletics stars in the mix; Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu and Hannah Cockroft. Men's tennis star Andy Murray, cyclist Chris Froome, golfer Justin Rose, sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, jockey AP McCoy, cricketer Ian Bell and rugby union star Leigh Halfpenny.
So who makes your top three?
Mo Farah was the second man in history to complete the Olympic and World 'double-double' in 5000m and 10000m.
Christine Ohuruogu is the first British woman to win two World Championship titles.
Hannah Cockroft set a new Championship record as she secured the sprint double abroad in Lyon.
Andy Murray brought the 77-year drought for a British Wimbledon win to an end in straight sets on the hottest day of the year in 40 degree heat inside Centre Court.
Chris Froome - can it be two cyclists in a row for the SPOTY award - he won the 100th Tour de France this year.
Golfer Justin Rose won his first major at the US Open.
Sir Ben Ainslie was nominated last year for his incredible achievements at the London Olympics but this year he created yet more history as he helped inspire an American Cup win. A moment in history unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon. The American team trailed 8-1 with one more loss the end of the competition. Oracle Team USA enlisted the help of Ainslie and the 8-1 trail soon became an 8-8 tie with the finale a winner-takes-all moment for both teams. USA won by 44 seconds. Incredible!
AP McCoy, 18 times champion jockey, won his 4000th race this year.
Ian Bell was England's Ashes hero in the batting lineup. Bell's usual average is 21 and in the Ashes he racked up an average of 62 with a total of 562 runs equalling Denis Compton's home Ashes record in 1948.
Rugby Union star Leigh Halfpenny starred int he winning British & Irish Lions tour kicking a new Lions test record of 21 points.
So my predictions?
1. Andy Murray
2. Mo Farah
3. Sir Ben Ainslie
What are yours?
We'll find out Sunday 15th December when Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan present the evening to a 12,000 capacity crowd.
Ball on Willow.
BBC Sports Personality
It's that time of year again when the Sports Personality shortlist of 10 names is announced. It will be broadcast at some point on the One Show tonight (from 19:00 GMT).
The awards are being held on Sunday 15th December this year at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Gary Lineker commented on the venue saying; "It's going to be tough to follow last year, the most unbelievable sporting year in living memory, but the fact that it is the 60th anniversary, the fact that it is coming to Leeds, means it's still going to be a huge show."
Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater added; "We're thrilled Leeds is to host BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013. The sporting heritage of the city is outstanding and the new arena will be a great venue from which to celebrate the very best of sport."
The awards are being held on Sunday 15th December this year at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Gary Lineker commented on the venue saying; "It's going to be tough to follow last year, the most unbelievable sporting year in living memory, but the fact that it is the 60th anniversary, the fact that it is coming to Leeds, means it's still going to be a huge show."
Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater added; "We're thrilled Leeds is to host BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013. The sporting heritage of the city is outstanding and the new arena will be a great venue from which to celebrate the very best of sport."
Last year's winner of the award was of course Tour de France winner and British Olympic road cycling champion, Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins. He was presented the prestigious public-voted award by the then-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge and legendary footballer David Beckham - who received his very own Sports Personality award ten years previous in 2002 - in front of a televised audience exceeding 15 million.
Who do you think will make it onto the list of 10?
Who do you think will edge out the competition to claim the title?
My money's on the British number one tennis player Andy Murray.
Winning the US Open got him 3rd place last year, behind Jessica Ennis (now Ennis-Hill) and Wiggo. Can being runner-up it the Australian open and of course taking the Wimbledon title, for the first time by a British player in 77 years, be what gets him the win?
15th December, we'll find out!
That's Ball on Willow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)