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Alastair Cook praised Kevin Pietersen’s commitment to the England team and insisted that his knee injury had become too painful to play through

Andrew McGlashan21-Mar-2013Alastair Cook praised Kevin Pietersen’s commitment to the England team and insisted that his knee injury had become too painful to play through following the decision to rule him out of the final Test in Auckland and all cricket for up to two months, including IPL.But Cook was hopeful that Pietersen, who joined in with fielding drills at Eden Park before flying home on Thursday evening, may yet be available for the home series against New Zealand which begins in mid-May. The key target, however, remains the Ashes and, before that, the Champions Trophy with the former certainly the priority. England’s one-day side has learned to live without Pietersen but they would be weakened by his absence for the Champions Trophy.In the present, the Test top order will be less stable without him even though he has not been at his best during this series, hindered, it has emerged, by the knee problem since the warm-up match in Queenstown. The injury has been managed for two Tests, with Pietersen scoring 73 in Wellington and spending most of the time in the field, but the deciding match has been considered not worth the risk with Cook making it clear that the move would have been made regardless of the opposition.”We’re getting robbed of him in this game. He hasn’t been 100% fit, but he’s put his body on the line trying to play for England,” he said. “That’s all you want from all your players. He felt he could get through, and we felt he could get through, those two games. This game might be a step too far.Alastair Cook is hopeful that Kevin Pietersen may yet be available for the home series against New Zealand•Getty Images

“It’s important now we don’t jump to too many conclusions. He goes home and gets to see the specialist, and sees exactly what’s wrong with him. It’s important he’s fit as soon as he can be. You do look sometimes at future planning, but I think if this was an Ashes Test match he wouldn’t be playing in it.Surgery may yet be needed to correct Pietersen’s problem, which could be caused by cartilage damage, but Cook is hoping for positive news from the scans that will be taken in a few days.”At the moment, it’s not great for English cricket that one of our senior and best players has an injury concern going into the summer. That’s not ideal. If the injury is not so bad, as we hope, and it’s just a bit of rest and no operation needed then on the plus side he gets a bit of time off and is ready to go for the Ashes.”Pietersen’s injury means that three senior players will now be undergoing recovery ahead of the English season with Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan at different stages of recuperation from elbow surgery. Alongside the injuries to Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in India, where both fast bowlers flew home before the end of the trip, England’s resources have been tested.”We all know in the dressing room that you are going to miss players at certain times through injury. That is what happens, in any professional sport. Touch wood, we can get into the summer with a fully-fit squad now. Bressy and Swanny are recovering well from their operations.”Come the first Test against New Zealand, you want a fully-fit squad. That doesn’t always happen, and when it doesn’t you’ve got to have the strength in depth – that’s why I think we’re in quite a healthy position as an England squad, that we can call on very good players to come in.Jonny Bairstow will replace Pietersen in the middle order and will have to battle against the modern problem of coming into a Test without any cricket behind him. Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, was respectful of the back-up England have in their squad but did not pretend that the loss of Pietersen wasn’t significant.”He’s one of those who can take the game away from you pretty quickly so even though he wasn’t at his best in this series he was still able to make an impact in the last Test,” he said. “From their point of view they still have some good options, but they certainly aren’t Kevin Pietersen.”For Pietersen, his injury brings an early end to a six-month period which also started with him out of the team but for very different reasons. He was “reintegrated” during the Test series in India, with significant success, not least the monumental 186 he scored in Mumbai, followed by an unremarkable one-day series there in January before being rested for the limited-overs matches in New Zealand.Cook, who was a central figure in getting Pietersen back in the side following the problems of the summer, has been delighted with his contributions.”That innings in Mumbai was a fantastic one at a very crucial time, and that shows his worth to the team. Not many people could play that innings, and that’s why we need him in an English shirt as often as we can.”It’s great to have him back. I said at the beginning of the winter, in India, you want to be able to pick from your best squad. We managed to do that, and he’s fitted in really well. It’s just a shame that his winter has ended a little bit early with his knee.”

Others may have taken it as a rest day but neither Zimbabwe nor Bangladesh opted to put their feet up on what would have been the fifth day of their first Test

Firdose Moonda in Harare22-Apr-2013Others may have taken it as a rest day but neither Zimbabwe nor Bangladesh opted to put their feet up on what would have been the fifth day of the first Test with both camps were back at work on Sunday.Grant Flower held a net with his players who had not featured in the Test while Bangladesh were engaged in a full session after they crushing 335-run defeat. But they were not the only ones getting ready. The Harare Sports Club groundstaff were also out in full force, grateful for the extra day to prepare for back-to-back Tests.This is only the 13th occasion in Test history that the same venue is being used for two Tests in the space of eight days but it is the first time in 11 years that is happening. Sharjah was the most recent case, where Australia and Pakistan played in 2002 and Harare has hosted consecutive Tests once before, in 1999 against Sri Lanka.While it is an advantage to the teams, who have already played once at the ground and will have had some time to get used to it, it is a scramble for the organisers; this time even more so because drizzle is dominating the build-up.There was rain in the city on Sunday afternoon and early on Monday morning. After a few hours of sunshine, it came down again and more rain is forecast for both Tuesday and Wednesday, with clear skies for the start of the second Test on Thursday.ESPNcricinfo understands that Zimbabwe would like to leave a similar amount of grass on the surface as was present for the first Test. Brendan Taylor was pleased with both the assistance it offered to the home quicks and that it “took the Bangladesh spinners, which we know is their strength, out of the equation.”The reverse applied too. Bangladesh’s seamers, Robiul Islam in particular, also enjoyed the conditions and Zimbabwe’s top-order battled. In the hope they will not face a similar early wobble, Zimbabwe have to be careful not to leave too much grass on it.Their efforts in getting the balance right could all be washed away if wet weather persists for long enough to cause the surface to be underprepared. Batting could be even more difficult, which will not come as good news to either side.An obvious question would be why the second Test is not played at Zimbabwe’s other main venue, Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo? Conspiracy theorists have brought up the history – Zimbabwe have only won one Test there compared to seven in Harare while Bangladesh have never won here and drew once in Bulawayo – and the idea that the hosts may not want to play on a slower surface that may take some turn, but the real reason lies in the finances.The costs of travel for both teams to Bulawayo for a Test, back up to Harare for ODIs, and then to Bulawayo again for more limited-overs games was steeper than simply staying in one centre for an extended period. Money has also limited the number of television cameras at the matches.The broadcasters, SuperSport, are using the same number they would use to cover a domestic game in South Africa, nine, which is significantly fewer than the 24 they use for an international, and there is no DRS.

A fighting 96 at Headingley from Gloucestershire’s Australian captain, Michael Klinger, condemned Yorkshire to yet another defeat in the Yorkshire Bank 40 and maintained his own side’s place at the top of the table.

02-Jun-2013
ScorecardMichael Klinger fell four runs short of a century•Getty Images

A fighting 96 at Headingley from Gloucestershire’s Australian captain, Michael Klinger, condemned Yorkshire to yet another defeat in the Yorkshire Bank 40 and maintained his own side’s place at the top of the table.Once again, Yorkshire’s depleted one-day attack was unable to put their opponents under sufficient pressure as they chased a 241 target which they achieved with five wickets and 11 balls to spare.With Tim Bresnan playing for England, Liam Plunkett and Jack Brooks injured and Ryan Sidebottom and Steven Patterson rested, teenage seamer Ben Coad was given a first-team debut and he deservedly picked up the important wicket of Hamish Marshall.Marshall and Klinger shared an opening stand of 74 in 12 overs, Marshall setting the tone by driving Moin Ashraf over long-off for six. Coad gave away only one run in a tight first over and he went on to dismiss Marshall for 44, thanks to a great diving catch at short fine leg by Iain Wardlaw.But Klinger then found a more than capable partner in wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick, who came to the crease in place of Chris Dent who had left the field with a side injury during the Yorkshire innings.Gary Ballance just failed to hold on to a stinging chance at short cover from Klinger before the batsman drove Richard Pyrah for sixes either side of completing his 50 from 57 balls. Roderick also cleared the rope against Adil Rashid on his way to his own half-century from 55 deliveries.The stand had galloped on to 119 in 19 overs when Roderick tried to steer Wardlaw over the slip area and was caught behind for 63 from 66 balls with four fours and a six.Alex Gidman had his middle stump knocked back by Pyrah, who also had Benny Howell driving a high catch to Coad at mid-on, and Klinger robbed himself of a century by driving Ashraf to Ballance at mid-off, his 96 coming off 98 deliveries with six fours and three sixes.That left Gloucestershire on 226 for 5 in the 37th over but they were still very much in charge and Ian Cockbain and James Fuller saw them safely home.Yorkshire had reason to feel disappointed with their score of 240 for 6 after winning the toss on a good batting pitch as too many batsmen got out to poor shots when looking well set. The backbone to the innings was provided by Phil Jaques, who survived a difficult chance to Gidman at slip before he had scored and went on to make 70 off 86 balls with seven boundaries.Rashid contributed an unbeaten 43 from 30 deliveries and has not been dismissed in any of his last four innings in all competitions, boasting an average of 254.50 in the County Championship and 81.50 in the YB40.The experiment of Pyrah opening the innings with skipper Andrew Gale failed once again, Pyrah tamely driving Graeme McCarter low to Howell at cover in the second over to leave Pyrah with only 29 runs from five knocks.Gidman put down Jaques as he dived to his right and there was another fortunate moment for Jaques when he top-edged Fuller just out of 17-year-old debutant Miles Hammonds’ reach at midwicket. Gale added 52 with Jaques but after striking 26 off 28 balls, he attempted an ungainly pull outside off-stump and presented Gidman with an easy catch at midwicket.Ballance joined Jaques in a third-wicket partnership of 63, the highest of the innings, though Ballance survived a two-handed slip chance to Marshall and then a fierce on-drive to Gidman. Offspinner Hammond bowled much better than his final figures of 1 for 50 would suggest, his sole victim being Ballance when he holed out to Dent at deep backward square leg.Jaques completed his half-century off 66 deliveries with five boundaries while Adam Lyth advanced to 30 with some stylish shots until he went back to cut at Gidman and was bowled.Yorkshire were 164 for 4 in 30 overs and next to go was Jaques, who moved well outside off-stump in a bid to paddle Gidman and was bowled. Andy Hodd drove at David Payne and was caught at slip by Klinger and it took an unbroken stand of 52 in seven overs between Rashid and Will Rhodes to give the score a reasonable look.

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke is in retreat. If not in retreat from England, then certainly from history

Daniel Brettig at Trent Bridge09-Jul-2013Australia’s captain Michael Clarke is in retreat. If not in retreat from England, then certainly from history.On the eve of the first Test at Trent Bridge, Clarke was adamant that the next 10 Ashes matches would not define him as a player or a captain, and that they were no more important than any Test against any other nation. As globalised thinking, it could perhaps be construed as refreshing. But on the day before going into battle against an accomplished and experienced England side, it almost sounded as though Clarke did not want to stake too much on a series he may very well lose.”I’ve read it will make or break my reputation as a captain. Personally, I don’t feel like that,” Clarke said. “Every Test match I play in, every time I walk out to bat I try and make a hundred, whether it’s against Bangladesh, India, South Africa or England. That doesn’t change my mindset. Because of the history and tradition of what comes with Ashes cricket, which is fantastic, it obviously builds this series up and that’s great for the game, but as a player my mindset will be no different than it was last summer. Every time I captain Australia I want us to win.”I understand there’s so much expectation that comes with an Ashes tour, and that’s from fans back at home, this is everything to an Australian fan, the biggest series you play as a cricketer. But as a player, that expectation I have on myself every single day, I’m not more disappointed if we lose the first Test against England than if we lose the first Test against South Africa or India and the excitement when we win will be no different. There’s no more pressure from within.”By contrast, England’s captain Alastair Cook was comfortable enough in himself and his team to accept the extra weight that comes with an Ashes bout, particularly one to be played over an extraordinary two legs, spanning 10 cricket grounds, 50 playing days and two continents. Cook’s England are warm favourites, but he said the additional expectation from the rest of the nation and the world was something the best players learned to live with and ultimately thrive on.”They are the biggest Test matches we can play, as an Englishman or an Australian,” Cook said. “The history and the tradition and the rivalry, how much the whole country gets behind both sides whether you’re in England or Australia. I think it can define a career. It’s not the be all and end all, but I’ve had some very fond memories in Ashes series of winning it and hope to add a few more over my career.”I think the external pressure and the hype is that there is more interest in the country in general. For players who are aware of that and can deal with that, clearly the cricket stays the same. It’s the same 22 yards, the same red ball, but it does heighten. That’s where you want to test yourself, in increased pressure situations.”As much as Clarke did not wish to acknowledge it, Australian cricket’s direction over the past two years has been aimed primarily at putting up the strongest possible bid to wrest the Ashes back from England. The Argus review that followed the 2010-11 defeat at home stressed the need to prioritise Test cricket, and the elaborate player fitness management regime overseen by the team performance manager Pat Howard was geared towards ensuring all first-choice players would be fit for the first day’s play in Nottingham.Lastly, the summary removal of Mickey Arthur two weeks ago to be replaced by Darren Lehmann was deemed imperative because Australia’s next opponents were not Bangladesh, nor anyone else. The Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, the chairman Wally Edwards, and Howard all agreed that the quest for the Ashes required decisive action.So far it has worked. Lehmann’s appointment has sent a rush of good feeling and relaxation through the touring party, and Clarke counselled his men to enjoy themselves. “The media and the public will build it and it’s a fantastic series to be a part of, so instead of being scared of it, enjoy every single moment,” Clarke said. “Love being out there and hearing the Barmy Army, seeing so many people in a packed house, love walking out at Lord’s for the first time for the guys who haven’t experienced that.”You spend a lot of time together, it’s always tough cricket, but the boys are in a fantastic place. They’re excited about what lies ahead and we know we will walk out there and give our absolute best. We have prepared as well as we possibly can. Guys are excited about facing if the ball is swinging or reverse swinging or if Graeme Swann is spinning it. We have a chance to play against a very good England team, in their own backyard, we’ve got nothing to lose, we’ve got a great group of players with plenty of talent, let’s get out there and enjoy every minute of it.”Just don’t think it will define you.

James Taylor is routinely overlooked by England these days. An unbeaten double century against Sussex at Trent Bridge might begin to interest them again

Les Smith at Trent Bridge25-Jun-2013Sussex 506-5 dec (Joyce 204*) drew with Nottinghamshire 478-8 dec (Taylor 204* )
ScorecardJames Taylor made a big impression with an unbeaten double hundred in an otherwise dead match against Sussex•Getty Images

James Taylor is a young man with a long career already behind him. The problem is that some people seem to blithely assume the best of it is also behind him.At only 23, he has played with distinction for two first-class counties, captained the England Lions against Sri Lanka, and last year played two home Test matches against South Africa. Many people do not even make their Test debut by then.A couple of even younger bucks have run up and overtaken him since then, notably the Yorkshire pair of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, but although Taylor denies thinking about England, he must still have hopes, and the innings he played over the last two days – an unbeaten 204 against a Sussex side which sensed at the start of the day that it had a slight chance of victory – will have done him no harm at all.He started the day on 81 and, when hands were shaken on a draw, he was still there, 30 or so short of his career best. In the process of scoring it he passed 6000 first class runs. He now has 15 career centuries, four of which have been doubles, although not all have them been scored in Division One. Moreover he has had not one but two 97s this year.It is quite a record, yet England’s latest attitude has been to omit him from many of their various squads, squads designed to suit all challenges and all stages of a player’s career.Perhaps they have decided he will benefit by being left alone. Perhaps they will downgrade this as a dead match on a benign pitch. Perhaps they have an issue with the fact he is only 5ft 6ins. Perhaps they will look at the same score by Ed Joyce in Sussex’s first innings – an England one-day player whose time has passed – and await more persuasive evidence.Taylor acknowledged that scoring in the top division is more difficult, and therefore more satisfying. “I think it is a better standard, having played a lot of second division cricket”, he said. “It’s a step up and I think it’s important to show people I can score runs against the best bowlers in the country.”Sussex’s challenge was to take 14 wickets in the day, preferably before Notts reached 339, and on a pitch showing few signs of misbehaviour it never looked like happening. They lost only one wicket before tea, Ajmal Shahzad becoming Chris Jordan’s fifth victim. He had scored 77 and shared a stand of exactly 200 with Taylor.Once the follow-on target had been passed the match was effectively over, victim of the loss of more than 100 overs on the first two days. If either side was going to win it was Sussex after they posted their 506 for 5 declared, but the game was played on a flat surface and the batsmen had the upper hand.James Taylor is a modest young man. He played superbly, especially off the back foot, but chose to point the finger of praise elsewhere.”It was about scoring runs when we needed it”, he said, “and the batsmen stepped up. I definitely couldn’t have done it without Azmal Shahzad. He has to be proud of his performance today. It was a flat wicket but you have to deliver results and he definitely did.”Shahzad’s restrained 77 suggested a player who might be coming to terms with his wider responsibilities.Asked about his England prospects Taylor gave a politician’s answer. “Ah, I don’t really think about it too much to be honest. They’re all world-class quality players and I don’t compare myself to them. I’m my own person. But I do want to get back there as soon as possible. It’s the place to be. And the only way I’m going to get there is by doing what I’ve done today.”