Ajmal plants the Saeed of doubt into England

England sure do have a task on their hands. After the first day of the first test between Pakistan and the English in Dubai, it is Pakistan who have gained an early and mouth-watering initiative in the early stages of this series.
Andrew Strauss seeming rather reluctant to pick Monty Panesar, in conditions where England's seamers have struggled in the past. On the sub-continent. An area of the planet where no English bowlers have really set the level of fierce, penetrating fast bowling.
Tremlett, Broad and Bell started after injury scares. As did Kevin Pietersen. Strauss wins the toss, and elects to bat. Mistake Number One. An out of form Jonathan Trott would surely be looking for some big runs to end his worst run of form in an England shirt? Would Eoin Morgan really cement his claim for a place in the Test side? And would the opening duo of Alistair Cook and captain Strauss provide England with the backbone to a steady innings. The Answer? No.

England were bowled out for a miserable 192. An innings that was saved by the resourcefulness and stubbornness of wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Prior, and part-time batsman Graeme Swann. England found themselves 94-7, with Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal picking five of the seven. Ian Bell's injury worries were certainly proof in the pudding as he went first ball. Cook managed only three, and the erratic Pietersen once again gave the critics something to cheer about after only scoring a painful two runs off 29 balls. Trott looked a mere shadow of his normal self, whilst Strauss' naivity sent his bails toppling to the floor.
Morgan provided a brief test for the Pakistan attack, for which Ajmal happily obliged by dismissing the left-hander LBW for 24. Prior's resurgence though, and Swann's aggravating batting has taken England up to a more respectable total. Prior's battling 70 not out, and 35 from Swann left England 192 all out. A total most England fans would be stunned to se, but one Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower have to deal with, and quickly.
England need some early wickets on day two, with Pakistan reaching 42-0 at the close.

The day belonged to Saeed Ajmal though, and on a grander scale Pakistan. The start to this test match has buried any sorrow memories for a country in the spotlight of international cricket. The spot-fixing scandal of Butt, Amir and Asif seems long gone. Pakistan is under a new stewardship, and a new era. Ajmal's match figures of 7-55 off 24.3 overs shows a sheer passion and drive to overcome their problems. This team will centre around the more experienced players, but the chance for the younger generation will soon be approaching. Ajmal has set an example for Pakistan to learn from past human errors, and time to give the cricketing world something to think about.

England certainly have an early problem on their mind, and the decision to leave spinner Monty Panesar out of the team for this test will certainly be banging around in his head for a while, with 9 of the England wickets being dismissed by spin bowlers. England's first day in Dubai has been a horror, and something which must be amended quickly. Maybe Swann will be able to succeed in the same way Ajmal did, or is it time for a seamer to make a name for themselves in the sub-continent? Stuart Broad has a lot of critics to answer to. Chris Tremlett has competition from the likes of Steven Finn and Graham Onions. James Anderson will be looking to continue the form which has made him England's leading bowler, and one of the best bowlers in the world.

So, I leave this message to the England coaching staff and players before tomorrow's crucial play begins. You are the best in the world, you are number one in the world, but my oh my, you have a fight on your hands.

You call me G-Man, They call me Captain

Big news coming from Kent the past week. Belnor Cricket Club's AGM (Annual General Meeting) was held this Monday gone, and we have a new Sunday captain. It's Winchester's very own Gareth Messenger making me the youngest captain to ever be in charge of a team in the club's history.
To say I'm honoured is an understatement. I am proud, very proud. After joining the club in 2007, to go from a 16-year-old 'newbie' to a 19-year-old mature cricketer in charge of an organised side can only make me a better player and a more responsible human being for sure. The role of captaincy is to deliver good performances both as an on-field player and as an off-field player. Tactics on the pitch require thought, experience and understanding of the game - I still have a lot to learn - but having played cricket since the age of just five, and men's cricket since the age of 11 I feel I have a fair knowledge of the game and how I can change a game.

I have always wanted to captain and a couple of years ago I thought I wanted it, however was forced out of it based on pure inexperience. Now I'm a better player, a more clever player and one who has a great relationship with my team-mates.

I did find it surprising winning the votes. 7-2 I believe the score was against the club's former captain who has been in charge the past 2 years. I believe in success and enjoying the game. I will go full throttle next year wanting to win every match we play - I am very competitive. I will go to every match with the intention of becoming the club's most successful captain.
What also surprised me was the congratulations I received from my team-mates as well, despite not even being at the meeting.

The most succesful Sunday captain of our club's history was way back in 1994, winning 11 of his 19 matches in charge which was 57.89% of his games. To say I will better that in my first year would be silly. That's a great achievement for our club, but nobody has done better than that. My target for first year is to win 50% of my matches. I myself want to contribute more to the side with my own performances especially with the bat. If anything, my main attribute-bowling was my disappointment last year and I excelled in the batting arena.


I will demand improvement from every player who contributed to the Sunday team last year. I will work them harder than before, but I will guarentee they will enjoy it. Nobody likes to lose a game of cricket, but everybody likes to enjoy a game. The only way to enjoy a game is to play well. If we lose, then we lose, but I want to see us play well. As long as we play well, results will come, if we do not play well then we're the makers of our own downfall.

If anybody is curious and would like to read my stats as a Belnor Cricket Club player then here they are: http://belnor.play-cricket.com/profile/statistics.asp?id=10661301

When the season gets closer I will be blogging more, and I aim to do a match report both on my blog and as a leaflet so my players can read at the end of every match. I will keep my readers updated on the club's preparation and my side's plans for the upcoming 2011 season. For now though, over and out Roger Wilko!