Believe it or not, Cricket is a ` foreign import to England`
March 25, 2009
Today, cricket is among the most widely played sports in the world and considered the quintessential English pastime. However according to researchers, the ‘gentleman’s game’ is actually a foreign import to Britain. They have stumbled upon new evidence that cricket was imported to the country by northern Europe immigrants who settled in the country sometime in the 14th century. It faced resistance from the local population.
The Daily Telegraph reported: “This claim by the researches from England’s traditional cricketing rival Australia clearly challenges the traditional theory that cricket evolved from children’s games played in Britain since Anglo-Saxon times.”
The researchers’ findings were based on an analysis of a 1553 poem. There’s reference to the sport made in a 1553 poem attributed to Johan Skelton who links it to immigrants from Flanders, in modern day Belgium, France and Holland. Skeleton writes:
“O lorde of Ipocrites/ Nowe shut vpp your wickets/ And clape to your clickettes!/ A! Farewell. King’s of crekettes…”
Paul Campbell of Australian National University added:
“The discovery of this poem is very intriguing. It could be the earliest known reference to the game we know as cricket.”
Studies revealed weavers from Flanders first settled in rural areas around Kent and Surrey and it was here that English game of cricket we know today originated.
Andrew Strauss steps in Kevin’s shoes
January 11, 2009
England faced a day of turmoil. Captain Pietersen’s and coach Peter Moores’ hung in balance after the dispute of non-inclusion of Michael Warne.
As a result of fall out between the captain and coach, Kevin put in his papers while Moores was sacked by England and Wales Cricket Board just before England’s West Indies Tour beginning on 21st January.
Pietersen said:
“I consider it would be extremely difficult for me to continue my current position with the England team. Accordingly I have as of this morning decided to stand down as England captain with immediate effect. Notwithstanding my resignation as England captain I fully intend to be part of both England’s one-day international squad to tour the West Indies next month, and do all I can to recapture the Ashes during the summer.”
Voicing his concern, Kevin added:
“I’m extremely sad and disappointed to have relinquish the captaincy at such an early stage- only recently he took over captaincy in absence of the injured Michael Vaughan- especially in a crucial year for England cricket in such circumstances, and particularly when I feel that I have had much more to offer the England team as captain.”
ECB’s MD Hugh Moris expressed praise for Kevin saying:
“Kevin is highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated that he is willing to remain part of the England team.”
British Media showers praises on Sachin Tendulkar
December 19, 2008
One commentator called Sachin “Mother Teresa of cricket” after India successfully chased down a total of 387 to win the Chennai Test. The Daily Telegraph quoted Geoff Boycott as saying:
“As he gets older, he does not dominate bowling as he did in his younger days. He does not have the same range of shots and has to use his brain instead. It makes no difference because he is just as effective as he ever was.”
Sachin’s fourth innings century grabbed most of the British Media attention. In John Etheridge words in The Sun,
“Sachin Tendulkar has always been able to unite the vast country of India and bring joy to its billion inhabitants. But what he did in Chennai Monday- little more than two weeks after the terrorist attack on his home city Mumbai was extraordinary even by his exalted standards.”
According to former England player, Derick Pringle who writes for Daily Telegraph,
“It was a new ground too for Tendulkar, India’s pre-eminent batsman during the first innings, but rarely a dominant figure in last-day pursuits.”
Fraser says,
“It was one of those special moments, which make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, similar to when an under-fire Steve Waugh hit the last ball of the day’s play for four to complete a hundred against England in Sydney six years ago.”
England team had left hastily for home immediately after the dreaded terrorist’s attacks in Mumbai on 26/11. Hats off to the courageous players who returned back in no time to battle out in the Test series.
England cricket team leaves Indian Shores.
November 29, 2008
As an aftermath of terrorists attack on Mumbai on the 26th of November, touring England team decided to end the tour half way. KP and company flew back to London boarding home borne flight from Bangalore.
The valuable kit on which the players depend on for their lively hood has been left at the Taj. Skipper Kevin Petersen said they may have to play the test series in blue.
He said “If we’re looking what’s going on at the moment, all our cricket stuff is in storage at the Taj hotel so we’ll be the first team to play a Test match in blues (one-day kit) that’s for sure. So I don’t know. If we do come back, we’ll have to get all the logistic stuff sorted out first.”
Kevin added,
“the decision to go back to London will buy us some time and if we need to fly back on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday next week then so be it.”
However it is believed that suspense will end soon. An emergency meeting is on the cards involving England team management comprising players, representatives of the professional cricketers association, security experts and every concerned party.
Former captains Bob Willis and David Gower backed Ian Botham and Mike Atherton in urging the English cricket team to reconsider their decision and return to India. They expressed fears that other teams may boycott England if KP & Co doesn’t return.
Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire apologies publicly
November 1, 2008
Allen Stanford is the owner of the T20 Super Series, featuring English cricketers. According to Stanford, had he been aware of the women with whom he was pictured laughing and joking were wives and girlfriends of English cricketers, he would have just left the enclosure after saying the customary “hello”.
In an interview with BBC Radio Five Live, the businessman said: “When I saw these young ladies sitting there, the cameraman said it would be great shot if I get in the middle of them. I had no idea who they were. If I knew they were related in any way, shape or form to the English cricket team, I would have said a polite hello and left.”
Stanford added: “I never grabbed Prior’s wife Emily and put her on my lap as has been reported. She herself sat on his knees after willingly vacating her seat for him. The cameraman said we had 30 seconds, so I said, ‘where I am going to sit?’ At this point this young girl got up and said, ‘Here take my seat’. So I sat in the middle. The girl who was stood up plopped down on my knee. I didn’t put her on my knee or sit her on my knee, she just plopped down. It was strictly an innocent thing. I apologised to Matt and to Kevin, the England captain.”
Stanford’s actions were rightly criticised by English players. According to a report in The Guardian, Professional Cricketers’ Association Chief Executive Sean Morris, who was away in Antigua, termed the multi-million dollar event a ‘garden party’.
Moriss said, “There is a feeling that they are pretty uncomfortable with a number of things. The pitch is slow and unreliable and unsuitable for such a high-profile encounter; lights have given problem to the catchers. It all gives you a feeling that you are turning up for a bit of garden party.”
Redknapp pulls a fast one: two last minute goals
October 31, 2008
As far as Tottenham fans are concerned, Harry Redknapp Tottenham’s new manager, might as well be the famous Harry Potter. His new side achieved the near impossible magic feat of securing a 4-4 draw away to Arsenal in the north London derby despite trailing by two goals, the final whistle just one minute away.
Into the 89th minute, it seemed it was the end and the game was up when Arsenal led 4-2. But fate had other thing in store for the New Tottenham side. Goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon were responsible for a remarkable share of the spoils. The game ended 4-4.
Tottenham led in the 13th minute when in a spectacular fashion, from fully 40 yards out, England midfielder David Bentley flicked the ball up and lobbed a whirling volley over the head of Manuel Alumunia. On either side of the half-time, headed goals from French central defenders Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas, surged Arsenal in front. Before Darren Bent scored Spur’s second goal, Emmanuel made it 3-1. Last minute Jenas and Lennon’s goals turned the match on its head.
Britain fans cheer Beijing heroes
October 16, 2008
Thousands of fans are going to line the streets of London to greet the country’s Paralympians and Olympians for a parade that celebrates their success. The 12 floats are being led by Chris Hoy, triple gold medalist, and his cycling teammates. Rebecca Adlington, double swimming gold medalist, and Eleanor Simmonds, Paralympic star, are on the final float.
After having headed beyond St Paul’s Cathedral and up the Strand, all the athletes will be gathering in a packed Trafalgar Square.Victoria Pendleton, Rebecca Romero, Hoy, and Paralympic champions Rachel Morris, Simon Richardson and Sarah and Barney Storey were the first to show up and were cheerily welcomed by thousands of fans.
Hoy told BBC News 24: “It is just unbelievable. Everybody is so happy and it is great to see so much positivity. It is a nice feeling. It is the stuff of dreams.” Team GB’s chef de mission, Simon Clegg, said “To have this reception is really fantastic. We have recognised bringing all the athletes together has been challenging.”
The second float carried 22 of the 24 rowers – those who won medals in Beijing, included gold medallist Mark Hunter in the lightweight double sculls with Zac Purchase.
Hunter said: “I would not miss this for the world. Our success is everybody’s success.”
And the Golden Foot award goes to…Cristiano
September 13, 2008
In the Premier League’s last season, Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored as many as 31 goals. It is this fete which led Cristiano to believe that he changed the game. The Portuguese international told La Gazzetta dello Sport after receiving the trophy at a ceremony in his native Madeira on Saturday:
“With this Golden Boot I have changed football a little. Usually strikers won it and I’m a winger.” the confident footballer added, “The best candidate for the other prizes is Cristiano Ronaldo. To be honest, I think I have been the most consistent and the best. And over the time I want to enter the book of the all time best.”
Ronaldo was referring to the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year prizes after getting United to the Champions League.
Rolando had been on the sidelines since undergoing surgery on his right ankle in July. He said: “I do not fear a hostile reception at Old Trafford after making an unsuccessful request to be sold to Real Madrid. When I put on the United shirt, I give my all. And I am already in the history of the club. When I play again the fans will love me again.” He went on to say, “No one knows my future, but I don’t see myself in the shirt of another Manchester team.”
However, public memory is short. Fans will cheer the ‘Golden Boot Boy’ when they see him score those magical mid-field goals.
The Indian Cricket League is likely to be flooded by Britain talent.
September 9, 2008
The Daily Telegraph reported that Graeme Hick and Mark Ramprakash are among those players from England who are eyeing the lucrative Indian Cricket League (ICL) for an unofficial mini World cup to be held in India sometime later this year.
However, both these players are over-the-hill England cricketers. Hick has already announced his retirement last week after 25 seasons with Worcestershire while another veteran Ramprakash has100 first class hundreds to his credit.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has ruled that those signing contracts with the ICL would be barred from county cricket. Besides Hick and Ramprakash, Darren Gough, who is in his last season as Yorkshire captain, is also on the ICL radar. Other probable to be roped in include Ali Brown, Dominic Cork, Glmorgan off spinner Robert Croft, Sussex skipper Chris Adams and former England all-rounder Mark Ealham. It is interesting to see how many of them actually sign up.
The proposed ICL mini World Cup will be featuring teams from England, India, Pakistan, Africa and New Zealand.
Eleanor Simmonds becomes the youngest UK Paralympic gold medal winner
September 8, 2008
Teenager Eleanor Simmonds created history when he became the youngest ever individual Paralympic gold medal winner for Great Britain. The 13-year-old came up with a sensational swim and shocked her rivals in the thrilling 100m final at the Water Cube.
“I did not believe I would be able to do that,” stated Simmonds, who was born with achondroplasia (dwarfism). Meanwhile, Welshman Dave Roberts successfully defended his 100m title. The swimmer set a new Paralympic record with a record time of one minute 0.35 seconds.
Although he was pleased with his eighth gold medal, the 28-year-old admitted he was hampered by his goggles that leaked during the final. “There are not too many people who defend their titles three times. However, I would have liked to go 59 seconds,” he said. “My goggles leaked when I dived in. But if Michael Phelps can do it, so can I.”
Simmonds had been seen as a medal prospect only for London 2012. The Walsall-born Paralympian timed one minute 18.75 seconds to pip Mirjam de Koning-Peper, the runner-up, at the finish line. Simmonds was trailing going into the final lap, but produced a superb last 25m sprint.
