England's Performance Squad 2010- where are they now?

England's Performance Squad for the forthcoming winter was announced earlier this week, and it boasts a number of highly talented young cricketers; some of whom have already broken into the national side.

The tour is designed to give those who are selected a chance to play in conditions that are very much different to those in England, something which the selectors feel will give them an advantage when these players hopefully make the transition into the full side.

However, it has been asked whether a full winter of cricket on foreign soil is good for the future of the English team, as burnout is now a genuine worry after what happened at the World Cup on the sub-continent in March.

A look back at how the players who travelled to the West Indies last winter have performed over the English season could shed some light on whether the Performance Squad can enhance a player's international prospects, or if their careers take a backwards step once they arrive back home.

Jimmy Adams (Hampshire): Scored over 900 first-class runs in a season of relegation for the Royals. Looks set to take over the captaincy from the retiring Dominic Cork, and at 31, may have missed the boat in terms of national selection.

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire): A breakthrough season for the young wicket-keeper as he topped the batting charts at Headingley whilst announcing himself on the international stage with a breathtaking innings in the final one-dayer against India. Touring India next month with the one-day side.

Jonny Bairstow has already starred in an England shirt

Ravi Bopara (Essex): Bopara was not at his fluent best in 2011, but still picked up two test caps after an injury to Jonathan Trott. He remains a key member of England's limited overs sides and should also tour with the test side this year.

Danny Briggs (Hampshire): Only 38 wickets in four day cricket in a disappointing first-class season for the slow left arm bowler. Continues to impress in limited overs cricket, especially on the spin friendly pitches at the Rose Bowl.

Maurice Chambers (Essex): Chambers disapponted this year, only taking 23 wickets in Division Two. Looks to be well down the England pecking order after his own poor form and the emergence of others.

Jade Dernbach (Surrey): One of the success stories of the summer as Dernbach burst onto the international scene with impressive performances in both one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches. His ability to mix out and out pace with a number of variations on the slower ball means he could be a potent weapon for years to come.

Steven Finn (Middlesex): Despite falling behind Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan in the test match pecking order, Finn has still had a decent season after helping Middlesex to the Division Two title. He also improved his one-day game and was rewarded with selection for the matches against India.

Andrew Gale (Yorkshire): Gale had an indifferent season with the bat, despite a few good innings. He missed out on the final matches of the season after breaking his arm in the nets, meaning he was powerless to help as the Tykes were relegated from Division One in an unceremonious fashion.

James Harris (Glamorgan): 44 first-class wickets at an average of less than 27 is a sign of more progression for the Welsh seamer. His selection for this winter's Performance Squad shows that he is still very much on the radar of the selectors.

James Hildreth (Somerset): Despite playing half a season at the batting paradise that is Taunton, Hildreth failed to reach 1000 runs in first-class cricket, and the form of others may mean he has missed out on pushing for an England place. Still one of the most talented batsmen in county cricket.

Craig Kieswetter (Somerset): South African-born Kieswetter has established himself as England's one-day and Twenty20 wicketkeeper due to some impressive performances behind the stumps and with the bat at the top of the order. Still has a plenty to do to force Matt Prior out of the test team.

Adam Lyth (Yorkshire): After being tipped as the man to replace Andrew Strauss, Lyth had a massively disappointing season which culminated in him being left out of the Yorkshire side for a large part of the season. 2012 could be a make or break year for the left-hander.

Liam Plunkett (Durham): Of all the players who toured the West Indies over the winter, it is Plunkett who has disappointed most during the 2011 season. He featured in only two first-class matches for Durham, and despite signing a new contract at the Riverside, it seems his international career may be behind him.

Adil Rashid (Yorkshire): Rashid was another Yorkshireman who disappointed this season as he looked to be half the player that he has been over previous seasons. A total of 33 wickets in four-day cricket is an incredibly low total for a man of his talents, and it seems that he has fallen down the England pecking order.

Ben Stokes (Durham): Despite being hampered by a serious finger injury for almost half of the season, Stokes made a big impression in the domestic game as comparisons were drawn with Andrew Flintoff. Even a slightly disappointing one-day series against India hasn't spoiled a good season for the 20-year old.

James Taylor (Leicestershire): Described as the best middle-order batsman in Championship cricket, Taylor scored almost 900 runs at an average of over 38. An England call-up seems to be a matter of not if but when, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him selected for the Test squads over the winter.

Taylor has already starred for the Lions

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire): Despite not figuring for the national side as much as many would have hoped, Woakes confirmed himself as one of the top all-rounders in the country as he picked up 56 wickets and scored almost 600 runs. If his form continues, he could be an England regular for years to come.

The performances of last year's squad are varied, and whilst some have prospered and gone onto bigger and better things, others have failed to live up to the expectations that were placed on them.

Eight of the seventeen players who toured the West Indies have featured for the national side since the start of the 2011 domestic season, whilst five of last year's team have been selected for the this winter's Performance Squad.

Time will tell whether the Performance programme is of a benefit to England teams of the future, but for now many of those who have been selected are beginning to prove that it is a worthwhile exercise.

Yorkshire Premier League Round-Up (30/07/2011)

Taken from The League Cricketer's Association, published on 1/8/2011

Barnsley and Castleford played out a thrilling tie after both teams racked up 249 from their 55 overs.

It was Barnsley who made first use of the pitch, and had Matt Wilson (70*), Jason Booth (64) and Steve Nuttall (55*) to thank as they posted a very competitive score. Chris Young was the pick of the Castleford bowlers as he returned figures of 5-122.

Andrew Chadwick was the main stay of the reply as he made 66, whilst Jamie Pickering (38) and Scott Hopkinson (31) both chipped in as the league’s sixth place side equalled the score of their opponents, despite Oliver Hannon-Dalby taking 4-60.

Leaders York extended their lead at the top as they posted two victories over the weekend. On Saturday they crushed Appleby Frodingham by 179 runs. The champions again set a score of over 300, with Nick Kay (72*), Andrew Tute (64) and Oliver Hairs (63) all making half-centuries.

Appleby never got close to reaching their target of 321 as Tom Pringle (4-33), Kay (3-23) and Ryan McKendry (3-32) shared all ten wickets.

The following day, the league’s top side again posted a large score, as they made 322-9, with Liam McKendry hitting 141. Nick Taylor was the pick of Harrogate’s bowlers as he took 5-72.

York again tasted victory as they restricted their opponents to 232-7, although their failure to take all ten wickets meant that they only took six points from the match. Ross Sedgley’s unbeaten 86 secured a point for his team, despite Dan Woods returning figures of 4-90.

Rotherham remain in second place after a five-wicket victory over Harrogate. Excellent bowling from Nathan Smith (5-37) and Gurman Randhawa (3-48) restricted the North Yorkshire side to 197. Smith then made 58 in support of Jordan Lowe (84*) as Rotherham reached their target in less than 49 overs.

Cleethorpes now sit in third place after a brace of victories. It was the Osmond’s who starred on Saturday as first Alex took 6-19 as Doncaster were bowled out for 107 before Rory struck an unbeaten 62 to see his side home by seven wickets.

On Sunday, it was Sheffield Collegiate who fell to defeat as it was again the same family who did the damage. Collegiate made 235-9 from  their 55 overs as Alex and James Osmond shared six wickets.

It was then left to Rory to again provide the runs as he made 112, despite Will Street taking five wickets.

Elsewhere, there were victories for Yorkshire Academy, Scarborough and Sheffield Collegiate over Driffield Town, Sheffield United and Hull respectively.

York increase their lead

Taken from The League Cricketer's Association, published on 18/7/2011

Oliver Hairs was the star of the show as York stretched their lead at the top of the league with a 131-run victory over Barnsley at Shaw Lane.

Hairs struck 103 from 72 balls to set his side up for a total of 269-9 from their 47 overs. He gained support from Alex Collins, who made his fifth half-century of the season, and opener Duncan Snell (45). For the Tykes, Yorkshire seamer Oliver Hannon-Dalby took 6-81 from his 17 overs.

Barnsley made their way to 71 without losing a wicket, but were then bowled out for 138, with James Stuart top scoring with 37. Leg-spinner Tom Pringle claimed figures of 6-42 as his team went eleven points clear at the summit.

Second-placed Rotherham had to settle for three points from their rain-affected match at Sheffield Collegiate.
Rotherham chose to bat after winning the toss and made 174-8, with Gerhardus Rudolph and Stuart Gray making half-centuries. In reply, Collegiate made 130-9 from 28 overs, as Ed McKenna made 58 whilst Ollie Jackson took 3-23 for the visitors.

In the weekend’s only other match, Scarborough beat Doncaster Town by 45 runs in 30-over game.
Scarborough, who are unbeaten since May, made 171-6 as Darren Harland made 70 from 63 balls. For bottom side Doncaster, 16-year old Curtis Free took 3-39 from seven overs.

In reply, the South Yorkshire side were restricted to 126-8 despite Alex Gosney’s patient 41.

The four other matches were all washed out without a ball being bowled.

York remain on top in Yorkshire

Taken from The League Cricketer's Association, published on 13/7/2011

With the 2011 season heading now past the half-way point, York are top of the pile and look set to retain their title for the fifth season in a row.

A ten-wicket victory over lowly Driffield strengthened their position at the summit as Daniel Woods took 5-32 to set up the win. Tom Pringle also took three wickets as their opponents were shot out for 96.

An unbeaten half century from Duncan Snell meant that maximum points were assured without the loss of a wicket.

Rotherham Town continued their pursuit of the leaders with a four-wicket win against Barnsley, who posted 213, with ex-Yorkshire man Simon Widdup scoring 56.

In reply, Gareth Purshouse hit fifty before Gurman Randhawa followed up his figures of 4-62 with an unbeaten 39 to see his team home. Yorkshire bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby took three wickets for Barnsley.

In the Sheffield derby, it was fifth place Collegiate who came out on top with an emphatic victory over Sheffield United. Centuries from Elliot Callis and Yorkshire batsmen Joe Root helped their side compile a total of 293-3. United fell short with their reply as they were bowled out for 172, with Matthew Dixon taking 6-22.

With two games abandoned without a ball being bowled, Cleethorpes came out on top against Appleby Frodingham in the weekend’s only other match. A good team batting effort saw them reach 224-9 before captain James Osmond picked up six wickets to see his team to a thirty-run win.

Season Preview 2011-12: Leeds United Interview

Taken from It's Round and It's White, published on 6/8/2011

As everyone in football knows, Leeds United are a big club, and they will tell you they belong in the Premier League. However, after coming close last season and after being beaten to the final play-off spot by Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season, manager Simon Grayson will have work to do to get them challenging again, especially with people questioning the clubs ambition following the sale of Kasper Schmeichel.

Do they have what it takes to compete this season? We asked Leeds fan Tom Maston (@maston91) for his opinion.

What would be a dream season for you?

Promotion would be the obvious aim, and after the disappointment of just missing out on the play-offs last season, if we can go one step further then it will be a fantastic achievement. However, I would like to see us finish in the top two, as we don’t have the greatest record when it comes to play-off campaigns.

What would be your worst nightmare?

After our three seasons in League One, I can’t even contemplate dropping down to the third level of English football again. Relegation is every club’s main fear, and after a summer of limited spending, my fellow Leeds fans are scared it could be a real possibility.

What do you think of your club’s summer transfer activity?

After the loss of Kasper Schmeichel, Bradley Johnson and Neil Kilkenny, I felt that we needed to bring in five or six players. However, Ken Bates seems reluctant to spend a lot of money on the squad, and despite the additions of Andy Lonergan, Paul Rachubka and Michael Brown, I still feel we are short in a couple of positions, namely central midfield and left back. Injuries to Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma has left us with a limited amount of firepower, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to bring in a striker on a loan deal before the end of the window.

Who will be your most important player/s this season?

The front three of Becchio, Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel will be key if we are to score the same amount of goals that we did last year, whilst new captain Jonny Howson has another massive season on the cards. Paddy Kisnorbo’s return from injury could be like a new signing, and if he can continue his form from before he got injured, he could be the man to sure up our leaky defence.

Any players you would happily see the back of?

Fede Bessone was the major disappointment of last season, and it seems only a matter of time before he leaves. Otherwise, I am pretty happy with the players we have, if not with the actual make-up of the squad as a whole.

Do you have the best manager for the job?

I think so. Simon Grayson gets some unnecessary stick from sections of our supporters, but as a fan himself, he always puts the club’s fortunes first.

Opposition players that you respect?

In the Championship, there are a many experienced players who maybe should be playing at a higher level. West Ham have a number of these kinds of players i.e. Kevin Nolan and Scott Parker. Other players who I think should be plying their trade in the Premiership include Shane Long, David Stockdale and Barry Ferguson.

Opposition players that you despise?

There aren’t many in the Championship that immediately spring to mind, but if we were to be drawn against that team from Old Trafford, it would be more taxing to find someone who I didn’t absolutely hate.

Best away fans/ground in your league?

There are a number of fans who tend to help the atmosphere at Elland Road, including Leicester, Cardiff and Middlesbrough. I’m sure the relegated teams will also bring large followings, whilst a trip to Upton Park will probably be the highlight for many of the fans.

Which teams do you really want to beat this season?

If we beat West Ham and Leicester then hopefully we won’t be far away from being promoted, whilst beating our “local” rivals Barnsley, Hull and Middlesbrough would also be quite sweet.

Finally, where do you honestly think you will finish?

I honestly can’t see us finishing above mid-table, and a poor start could see us facing a difficult season.

Diary of a Club Cricketer- August

Taken from Swinging Balls magazine, published on 8/9/2011

August was another key month for the teams at Otley Cricket Club – whilst the First XI’s title challenge fell away, the Second XI made strides to ensure they avoided relegation. The Thirds had a fantastic month, with records being broken by some of their younger players.

Matthew O’Grady’s first eleven went into August with a very realistic chance of winning a first league title since the 1980s, but despite victory over relegation threatened Adel, defeats against Collingham and local rivals Burley have left the team in third place, and needing others to drop points if they are to be in with a chance of lifting the league winner’s trophy.

The team’s most dramatic match of the month came at Beckwithshaw as Anthony Giles, who has returned to the club for the second half of the season, hit a four off the final ball of the match to secure a tie and a share of the points.

The second team have also had a mixed month, with two victories over Olicanians and Beckwithshaw being cancelled out by defeats to Burley and league leaders Adel. In the win against Beckwithshaw, 13-year old Tom Brady passed 300 runs for the season in Second Team cricket, and therefore qualified for the league averages. This is a huge achievement for someone who is playing their first year of senior cricket, and all at the club are very excited about what the future may hold for the teenager.

Speaking of teenagers, Joe Braham (14) and Dom Kellett (17) broke a Third XI league record in their match against Bilton after recording an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 241. Braham made his second century of the season after making 106, whilst Kellett recorded his maiden hundred as he smashed 120 from 90 balls.

The Third XI seem to have been spurred on by the exploits of the two teenagers, and are on the verge of qualifying for the end of season play-offs. Captain Chris Keddle has had some difficult seasons of late, and a shot at winning the league would be just reward for a number of seasons of hard work.

With two matches remaining in September, all three sides will be hoping to finish the season on a high.

Return of a Legend

Taken from Swinging Balls magazine, published 8/9/2011

For most former international cricketers, making a comeback is the last thing on the mind at the age of 48. However, for Martin Crowe, that is exactly what is at the forefront of his thoughts as he prepares for an unprecedented first season in 15 years. 

Since his retirement from the game in 1996, Crowe has tried his hand at both coaching and media work, but the ex-New Zealand captain is now in training as he looks to make a comeback for his local side Cornwall CC. Crowe began his cricketing career at the club when he was six years-old, but last turned out for the Auckland-based team in 1981, before making his international bow the following year.

The 1985 Wisden Cricketer of the Year believes that he is on track to make his return over the New Zealand summer whilst he hopes to possibly make a step up to the first-class game.

“If all goes well I hope to put my name up for something higher, but it’s a long shot given my age.”

Despite reports that Crowe’s motivation for making a comeback was that he wanted to reach 250 first-class matches and 20,000 first-class runs, he is keen to reiterate that his return is for more for personal fitness and enjoyment reasons.

“My motivation is to get really fit and healthy and to do what I enjoy the best of all; batting” he says. “I also want to go back to grassroots and give back, plus have some fun on a Saturday afternoon.”

Crowe admits the most difficult obstacle he has overcome since he announced his return to the sport are little niggles and strains in his legs, but as he approaches his own half-century in terms of age, that is very understandable.

The former Black Cap is one of a number of the cricketing fraternity who has embraced social media and Twitter. He used the popular networking site to announce his comeback, although he doesn’t feel that the use of sites like Twitter or Facebook have had a huge impact on the sport and how it is covered.

He says, “No impact of note, at this stage. I don’t have a personal PR department so I used Twitter to get a message out. It took 30 minutes to get the media buzzing, so it can work for an individual.”

Since Crowe retired in the mid-1990’s, New Zealand have struggled to consistently perform at the highest level of the game. Despite a World Cup semi-final earlier this year, their performances in all forms of the game have been largely disappointing. The low point came after a one-day series whitewash defeat by Bangladesh, and Crowe is worried about how his country’s cricketing authorities have prioritised, although he feels his comeback will have no effect on the fortunes of the national team or New Zealand’s young cricketers.

“Cricket in New Zealand is at a serious crossroad. We have wrongly decided to focus on T20 and our Test game is disappearing fast. My return will have no impact though, as its only at club level at this stage.”

Away from cricket, Crowe holds a keen interest in Rugby Union and the fortunes of his beloved All Blacks, who he is backing to finally shrug off their chokers tag and win the World Cup on home soil over the next few weeks.

“The All Blacks will get there this time, but it will be tense to the end. Australia in the Final would be an amazing event. Henry vs Deans is Trans-Tasman rivalry at its ultimate best. Richie McCaw the Number seven for New Zealand will lift the seventh Rugby World Cup.”

He also believes that hosting such a major sporting event will be a huge lift to his beloved New Zealand, saying “It will be incredibly positive for a nation that is going through a lot at present after the earthquakes in Christchurch, our second largest city. Overall apart from cost of staging it, the world will see New Zealand as a fine nation.”

The return of Martin Crowe to the sport of the cricket may seem, from the outside, to be a selfish act of a former professional who just wants to improve their career statistics and possibly take the place of a talented young player.

However, Crowe wants to give something back to the sport and help out at a grassroots level. Whilst he realises a return to first-class cricket isn’t something to which he has a divine right to, Crowe just wants to enjoy playing cricket for his local team and coaching the next generation of young Kiwi cricketers.