Ed Sheeran: The Up and Coming Talent

At the age of just 19, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran already has a wealth of experience in the music world, and is a highly talented prophecy. With already an EP and two albums out as well as 100 written and recorded songs by the age of 18, Sheeran surely has a future in the music business.

His unusual combination of a folk-funk-indie genre has earnt him supporters across the land and his popularity is forever growing as his collaborations with mainstream artists and production of more and more songs continues to increase. It certainly is a major outlook on British music today, and the improvement it is slowly making in the rcent years with big breakthrough acts like Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding and Jessie J hitting the spotlight with devastating force. Sheeran will be next.

His support acts on the tour of Just Jack in 2009, and another breakthrough act in Example in 2010 saw the youngster lavished with praise as well as being given the opportunitiy to perform more regularly in front of crowds he should expect to be in front of in the coming years. His reputation is forever growing and despite originating from Suffolk, Sheeran spends most of his time living in London recording, writing and performing gigs in front of present and future fans.
He played his first gig in his home county in 2005, and in 2008, Ed really began entering big-time territory, being named as the "Next Big Thing" in the music world at the East Anglian band contest.

He has become so popular among other artists he has even supported big name acts like Jay Sean and Gabriella Climi on their tours as well as being highly associated with Nizlopi and Scorcher.

What makes Sheeran different is that his songs offer something unexpected and unoriginal, but that's what makes his work something to admire. His songs are mainly personal, relating to his fans or his girlfriend in which he has revealed he writes a lot of songs for. His combination of indie-funk shows the amount of creativity and initiative he has. He is an exceptionally clever musician for such a young age, and this is why many other artists appreciate his talents. In fact, if Sheeran were a footballer, he would be considered a "hot prospect".

The potential of Sheeran can only put him in better stead for the future, and infact, his newly released album "No 5 Collaborations Project" hit top spot in the iTunes album chart, beating Grammy award winner Rihanna. His album has been an instant hit, and despite being rejected by many recording companies, Ed still decided to sell the album himself before agreeing to a major music contract with Atlantic labelling. Yet another album in his growing list, joining "The Orange Room EP" (2005) and his first two albums, "Ed Sheeran" (2006) and "Want Some?" (2007).

When rejected by record labels, they suggested he sell his latest EP for free in order to raise his profile, but Sheeran is so eager for his latest work to succeed he is selling his album for £5 on his official website. Labelling companies will be sure doubting their lack of faith now in Sheeran following his success in the recent iTunes album chart.

His new album sees duets and supports with some well-known grime artists including Wiley and Devlin. His talents with a guitar are exceptional for a 19-year-old starting to learn in just 2002, and for sure, Sheeran's future in the music world will be one to be highly noticed in the coming years.

Many artists he has collaborated and supported with have sung the praises of Sheeran and the impulse he will create on the music industry. Keep an eye on this young man. He will be huge, and to be honest, I went to see Example at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth in October 2010 as a fan of one artist. I walked out, a supporter of two. Since then, Sheeran has been a very popular number in my household. He is unique, and a naturally gifted musician.

I leave you now with my favourite song that Sheeran has produced to date. In my opinion, one of my favourite songs of the past year.

The Real Cricket

Most people who watch the sport yet have no idea on how to play the game believe it to a be a boring activity where men or women stand around for hours on end chasing a small red ball around a field.



They are theoretically correct, but are otherwise wrong. Cricket is a game of passion, one based on respect for one another with a huge amount of skill or technique shown. Cricket, albeit completely different from fashions shows and teaching, demand a high amount of skill and a stunning control of anxiety levels, something you would never see in the before-mentioned activities, lifestyles, or even careers.








Here are the link to a few videos, which will show everybody, what cricket is truly about and hopefully after watching, you will truly understand why it is considered one of the most loved sports in the land.




























AND FINALLY.....

What is a cricket blog without one of the most popular cricket related incidents in the past year? This from the England Cricket team sent humour and admiration into the game for a long time to come. I know for sure, it won't be long before I am sprinkling everyone close to me! Enjoy.

Gareth Messenger's Top 11 Ashes 2010-11 Players

What a fantastic achievement for the England national side to come away from Australia with a 3-1 series win, retaining, and more importantly winning the Ashes for the first time in 24 years on Australian series.
In this blog I will go through my top 11 players from the last seven weeks and looking at how their impact on the sides influenced the performance of others and their side's results.

1. Alastair Cook
This man was absolutely inspirational this series. Man of the match in the last test at Sydney for his brilliant 189 and awarded man of the series, and the second youngest player to reach 5000 test match runs, trailing only the great Sachin Tendulkar. Averaging 127 for the entire series and scoring a total of 766 runs throughout the five test matches, Cook's sudden resurgence in form in the past year has made him one of England's most important assets. There were times before the series where some thought Cook would not even be on the plane, but the first test match where the 26-year-old scored a sparkling 235* in the second innings to play for a draw. As previously mentioned, at only 26, Cook has a huge future in test cricket and perhaps more importantly the perfect replacement for current captain Andrew Strauss. Well played Alastair and well deserved number 1 spot!

2. James Anderson
Who said this man couldn't bowl well in Australia? Do not underestimate the talents of James Anderson who came away from Australia this year as the series leading wicket taker with 24 wickets. Ironically, conditions suited the swing bowling of Anderson and the Australians struggled to face England leader of the bowling attack. His best bowling displays would have to be his 4-wicket haul in the demolition of Australia in the first innings of the fourth test, bowling the hosts out for just 98, and in the final test at Sydney for match figures of 7-127. Anderson also continued his good form to reach 200 Test wickets in the third test when he dismissed Peter Siddle. Most of the attention was on Swann pre-Ashes, but it will be Anderson taking the majority of the plaudits for his display in Oz, making him one of the most feared seamers in the world.

3. Mike Hussey
Mr Cricket himself. Third spot was a difficult one to choose with so many great performances, but Hussey proved to the world that he is still capable of performing brilliantly at such a high level, and in a batting line up of vast experience and wealth for the first few tests, he proved to be the only one who took responsibility throughout the entire series, scoring a total of 570 runs including a fantastic 195 in the first test at The Gabba followed by scores of 93 and 116 in the second and third test respectively.

4. Jonathan Trott
Fanatstic performances from Trott. This series effectively strengthened his claim as the best number three in the world, and it has really all come his introduction to test cricket in the final test match of the 2009 Ashes series in England. Trott continued his godod form into this run of matches scoring just under 450 runs including innings scores of 135* in the second innings of the first test in that wonderful partnership with Alastair Cook, as well as a man of the match performance in the fourth test with a stunning 168* to help England to an innings and 157 run victory at Melbourne. Only disappointment would be his first Test duck in the last match, but that won't take too much of the gloss of what has been an incredible series yet again for England's established number three.

5. Andrew Strauss
The captain has now led England to two Ashes successes and was involved in another. His performances both on the field and off the field have proven to be strokes of genius at times and his relationship with coach Andy Flower has given the England side stability and confidence in their performances. A disastrous start to the Ashes for both him and England when he was dismissed on only the third ball of the entire series in an exact replica of the first wicket of the 2009 series (Bowled Hilfenhaus, Caught Hussey at Gully) but that will not bother Strauss too much. His early series form was mixed, dismissed for a duck and 1 in the first innings of the first two tests but scoring a fantastic 110 in the second innings at Brisbane in England's total of 513/1 declared. Outplayed Aussie captain Ricky Ponting on the field both as a performer and a leader. Another success for Strauss in what has been a sparkling test career to date.

6. Shane Watson
Watson this year made a lot of runs for the Australians and at times were key to their progression at the start of the innings. Looks suited to that opening spot at the top of the order but his failure to go on and make big big scores will concern him. You can always rely on Watson to contribute and make good scores but his lack of hundreds this series will undoubtedly go toward Australia's lack of joy this year. Despite this, he scored 435 runs in the series and contributed with the ball and played a huge part in the Tests. One could say he was only one of the few players who gave their all this winter for Australia and I like the way he plays so Watson gets my number six spot.

7. Chris Tremlett
The Surrey man came in for the injured Stuart Broad for the third test at the WACA in Perth. At first I was a little sceptical at the decision simply because, without sounded biased, I am a fan of Tim Bresnan and felt he would be the suitable replacement for Broad. But credit is where credit's due because Tremlett was sensational. It was the best decision made and full respect to Strauss and Flower for choosing the giant. He starred in the Perth test with figures of 5/87 in the second innings and then bowled perfectly in partnership with Anderson the rest of the series getting 4/26 in the demolition of Australia at the MCG. Tremlett finished with 17 wickets and therefore comes 7th in my top 11 Ashes players for the 2010-11 series.

8. Ian Bell
I always have been and always will be a fan of this man. He is probably one of the world's most underrated batsmen and reached 4000 test runs when he hit 68 not out in the first innings of the second test. The first test he top scored with a nicely played 76 in our total of 260 after captain Strauss had been dismissed with the third ball of the series. Bell's hard work came to reward in the final test when a hardly grafted 115 gave him his first Ashes century in his long lasting career. At number 6 he looks comfortable and settled, but with Paul Collingwood now retired from Test cricket, Bell may see himself pushing up to number five in our next test series against Sri Lanka.

9. Peter Siddle
People may question this and ask why Mitchell Johnson isn't here but Peter Siddle grabbed himself 14 wickets and bowled well. The England batsmen feared Siddle's bowling and this was immediately proved from the first test when the Victorian fast bowler saw himself get 6/54 including a hat-trick on his 26th birthday - the first Ashes hat-trick since Darren Gough in 1999. I've been highly impressed with Siddle's effort and persistancy with the ball and he has even been able to contribute a few times with the bat with scores of 40 and 43 in the fourth and fifth test respectively, but without him, Australia's attack would have struggled even more than what it already did.

10. Matthew Prior
Brilliant with the gloves. Solid with the bat. Matthew Prior again staked his claim why he should be regarded as one of, if not, then the best wicketkeeper in the world. His 85 in the fourth test at Melbourne proved his worth in England's lengthy batting line up and this was only enhanced with a magical 118 off just 130 balls in the final test match in which England hit their highest test score ever against Australia.

11. Graeme Swann
Finally what list isn't complete without this man. Mr Sprinkler himself and the greatest spinner in the world at the minute. I wouldn't say I was disappointed with his performances because he is a great bowler but he perhaps didn't make the impact many were expecting in the series. Only picking up 14 wickets, Swann found it difficult at times to find some dangerous turn on what seemed like seam-friendly pitches down-under. But regardless, Swann's contributions were vital as always, making it hard for the Australians to play and threatening with every ball.