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Monday, September 15, 2008


The day out fishing with Yuvraj wasn't quite what everyone expected...

If you think those chaps in Dubai are only interested in ploughing money into some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, then you'd be wrong. So stop thinking that. No, those wealthy chaps also love a good game of cricket, as we saw last week when the fifth annual ICC awards was held there.

One of the big winners, India's Yuvraj Singh, who collected the ICC Twenty20 Performance of the Year award, was invited to plant an Indian flag on the "India" island at "The World". And when we say "The World", we mean the collection of islands off the coast of Dubai. The private and resort islands are sold by invitation only to chosen individuals who fancy owning a slice of one of the most exclusive addresses on the planet. After his phenomenal six sixes against Stuart Broad last year, it seems Singh is only happy to reap the rewards of that audacious over.

The 300 islands form the shape of the world map and were revealed by Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2003. About 90% of the islands have been sold so if you want one you'd better get a move on....

Friday, September 12, 2008

"Fetching pink" is how Dulux would put it...

As they shell out nearly $1bn on the inaugral Twenty20 Champions League...

You heard the one about the Asian broadcaster that pays $1billion for the rights to show the new Twenty20 Champions League?

No. How does that go?

Well, basically, ESPN Star have paid $1billion to own the commercial and marketing rights for the Twenty20 Champions League.

Right. I've got to admit to being a little disappointed at the punchline. Nonetheless, big news.

It sure is. It makes the Twenty20 Champions League the highest value cricket event on a per game basis.

Jees, that is barmy. What did the organisers say?

Erm, "This makes the Twenty20 Champions League the highest value cricket event on a per game basis."

Right. Without copy and pasting from a news source, remind me when it all kicks off?

It begins in December, and will include two teams from Australia, India and South Africa, one from Pakistan, and of course Middlesex from Blighty.

How come we only get to enter one?

Not entirely sure, but next year's tournament will be expanded to 12 teams, so I imagine we'll get more then.

Course it will. Then in four years time we'll have four counties from each country entering, including group stages and a tournament that drags on forever and gives non-champions the chance to win a trophy called the "Champions League".

Was that a dig at football?

That obvious was it...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

But Broady missed out...


Did you catch the ICC Cricketer of the Year awards last night in Dubai?

Erm, yeah, of course...

Sure. So you'll know that Shivnerine Chanderpaul was named as Cricketer of the Year then?

Yeah, and well done to him. Thoroughly deserved. Did Broady win the youngster gong?


Didn't see it then?

Must've popped out for a cuppa at that point.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008


If i'm in then so is Gary Pratt...

Come on then the what's the million dollar question?


Who got in the England squad for the Twenty20 pot of gold?

Correct! If only it was that easy... Personnel then please!

In the words of Thom Yorke, there were no surprises with Ryan Sidebottom returning in place of Tim Bresnan, although Alastiar Cook's place in the 15 surely just means he gets a free holiday.

I can't remember the last time he cleared the ropes?

He never has!

Weren't the central contracts dished out?


Michael Vaughan's diligent service to English cricket as well as an impressive record against the Aussies earns him the nod alongside Stuart Broad ahead of Matthew Hoggard.

What's your verdict?


Naming the same side for the Stanford Series as well as the one-day series in India bodes and reflects well on Kevin Pietersen's immediate impact upon the side as captain.

Wow, that doesn't happen very often - so what about Steve Harmison?

His timely reinvention as a one-day cricketer looks set to bolster his bank as well as his Ashes chances.

These new Increment contracts. What are they like, some U21 club?

Not quite. It's just for those who are regulars in the squad but haven't yet cemented their spots such as Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose as England's wicket-keeping dilemma rolls on.

Squad for Stanford and India ODIs:
Kevin Pietersen (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison, Samit Patel, Matt Prior (wk), Owais Shah, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom, Luke Wright


Central contracts: James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan.


Increment contracts: Tim Ambrose, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.


Tuesday, August 12, 2008

"Next stop guys: establishing world peace..."

And it's good to see he's not getting carried away...

So new England skipper Kevin Pietersen has been reflecting on the consolation victory over South Africa. Thankfully, he's not getting carried away and demonstrating that we truly have a new captain with his head screwed on and his feet firmly on the ground.


"It's been a great few days and a great few days for the side. If we play like we did this week we can beat Australia."


Ah...

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