England's winter programme may not set the pulse racing but there is still plenty for cricket lovers around the world to enjoy
From an English viewpoint, this is a thoroughly ho-hum cricketing winter. I have to concede that I didn't watch a ball of the one-day series in India, and the prospect of three Tests against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, followed by a couple more in Sri Lanka, is not much more attractive.
The fact that the opponents for England's pair of three-day warm-up matches for the Pakistan series next month have still to be confirmed sums up the unavoidably underwhelming nature of the whole business. The lack of interest is such that the BBC only agreed to carry an interview with Andrew Strauss on their website if it was recorded at the cheapest possible location, so hats off to the England captain for agreeing to go through with it in a shed while various workmen continued their carpentry in the background.
Fortunately for those of us in need of a spot of cricket to enhance the winter mix of football, rugby union, darts and snooker, there is salvation at hand. The last of Australia's two-Test series against New Zealand this weekend is in no way a blockbuster, but it does at least come from picturesque Hobart, a location which also provides added interest as this could well be Ricky Ponting's last Test in Tasmania.
But even a poignant Punter ton on home territory beside the Derwent would be comprehensively upstaged if Sachin Tendulkar seizes his moment on Boxing Day at the MCG. All that sentimental guff about him scoring his 100th international century at Lord's last summer was far too anglocentric. Tendulkar has a better record in Australia than he does in England, going way back to his first tour in 1992 as an 18-year-old, "back when dinosaurs roamed the earth", according to Peter Lalor in the Australian ? when he helped to ruin Shane Warne's debut Test in Sydney, and added another century in a badly beaten team in Perth.
According to Lalor, Merv Hughes, who was getting quite a pasting during the latter innings, said to his captain, Allan Border: "This little prick's going to get more runs than you, AB." It was this assessment, Lalor suggests, that got Hughes a job as an Australian selector.
Having sat out the one-day series against West Indies, Tendulkar has already flown to Australia to begin his preparations for Boxing Day, and the first of four Tests that could hardly be set up more intriguingly, irrespective of individual milestones.
India clearly have plenty to prove on the road after their miserable performances in England last summer, and must see a youthful and still convalescing Australia as eminently beatable. Yet the Aussies also have reason for optimism after winning a series in Sri Lanka and coming from behind to draw in South Africa, then sweeping the Kiwis aside in Brisbane last week.
It might not be the Ashes battle we were all relishing this time last year, but it's certainly a good enough reason for staying up beyond midnight on Christmas Day, nonetheless.
Yorkies look away now
Any thoughts on England's squad for the Pakistan series which is announced on Friday morning? The expectation is that they will name 16, which leaves plenty of room for debate about the balance of the party, and peripheral roles such as extra spinners and a reserve wicketkeeper.
I've got 13 certs ? Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Morgan, Prior, Bresnan, Swann, Broad, Anderson, Finn, Bopara. Probably Tremlett as the extra seamer, unless they go for Graham Onions. Jonny Bairstow to cover for Prior? Or will Steven Davies get the nod? Panesar as the second spinner? Maybe even Lancashire's shooting star Simon Kerrigan as the third?
If that sounds too parochial, regard it as a convenient link to the launch this week of a book to celebrate Lancashire's Championship triumph that has been 77 years in the making. Champions ? About Blooming Time (Max Books, �16.99, maxcricket@btinternet.com) has been rushed out in time for Christmas. As one journalist tweeted this week: "An ideal present either for relatives who love Lancashire, or people in Yorkshire you don't like very much."
The match reports are enhanced by interviews and a few offbeat anecdotes, including a couple from Jim Cumbes, the club's long-serving chief executive. After speculating on future career options including driving a tram and working in a zoo, the former Aston Villa goalkeeper reflects on that dramatic and excruciating last afternoon at Taunton, which he followed from Old Trafford having decided not to make the journey to Somerset. "It was on TV in the offices," Cumbes recalls, "and by 4pm there must have been 25 people there watching ? and one giraffe."
Cumbes does not explain why Lanky, the club mascot, was present at Old Trafford on a Thursday afternoon in September. But the Reverend Malcolm Lorimer, the club chaplain and historian who has published the book, must have been tempted to change the title to 25 People and a Giraffe.
"In my line of work, you have to have faith," the Reverend explained at Tuesday's Old Trafford launch, which was attended by most of the players who are already back in full training for their 2012 title defence. "But I must admit, it was tested at times."
The county have also launched a double DVD, Lancashire's Magical Season ? available from the club shop at �15, reduced to �12 for members ? featuring match coverage, interviews, the eventful trip to Buckingham Palace to meet the Duke of Edinburgh, and even commentary from Gordon Burns, formerly of The Krypton Factor. Sorry, Yorkies, but these celebrations are going to last a while yet.
Oh brother
Elsewhere this week, the former Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been confirmed as an entrant for India's latest series of Big Brother, and much more seriously, there was a possible case of umpire stoning after Bangladesh's defeat by Pakistan in Chittagong. "It's true a stone hit the window of their car," said Mesbahuddin Serniabat, security chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Another five, and presumably one of the umpires would have called "Over".
12.14pm update
Virender Sehwag has broken the record for the highest score in a one-day international, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 200 not out, after reaching 209 not out at time of writing against West Indies in Indore. We'll have a report up shortly but in the meantime, post your thoughts/congratulations below the line.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/dec/08/guardian-world-cricket-forum
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