For years and years English cricket fans have waited for James Anderson to deliver a career defining performance and at Trent Bridge on Day Two of the Third and final test with New Zealand it finally happened.
After Kevin Pietersen, Tim Ambrose and Stuart Broad had steadied England's innings with the hosts eventually being bowled out for a respectable 364. From then on it became the Jimmy Anderson show!
In front of the plush new stand at Nottinghamshire's home ground Anderson took on the New Zealand batting lineup single-handedly.
The Black Caps could not come to terms with the pace and swing of Anderson and by the end of Day Two England were sitting pretty with a lead of 268 while Daniel Vettori's tourists drifted precariously towards a 2-0 series defeat.
By the close Anderson had dismissed six New Zealand batsmen for a personal loss of just 42 runs with the visitors finishing at 96-6.
It is very rare for one bowler to dismiss an entire team in an innings but if Anderson's bowling is as eerily deadly on the morning of Day Three then it could happen for him here because
Could Anderson be becoming one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket or is this another false dawn?
Here is the video of Anderson bowling a bouncer at Daniel Flynn in the second test which hit the batsmen more than a little hard!
Friday 6 June 2008
SPURS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?
Okay Tottenham Hotspur may have had a disastrous 2007/2008 campaign, excluding the Carling Cup of course, but next season could be the start of a revival at White Hart Lane.
Ask anyone what Spurs' problems have been and they will say defensive fragility and a lack of balance, especially on the left hand side of midfield. Well today Juande Ramos has solved one of those problems.
Tottenham have agreed a deal with the mighty Barcelona for 19-year-old Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos - who believe it or not has a wand of a left foot and is not afraid to take his man on.
The diminuitive winger has been labelled the 'New Ronaldinho' in many quarters over the last year but his brief career failed to ignite at the Camp Nou where he played second fiddle to Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and perhaps most importantly fellow youth graduate Bojan Krkic.
Dos Santos made 16 starts for the Catalans in a disappointing season for the club, however he showed glimpses of the talent that alerted the giants of the game - a hat-trick in the final day 5-3 win at Murcia being one of them.
In recent seasons Spurs have used the trusty Steed Malbranque on the left side while the likes of Jamie O'Hara, Teemu Tainio and Gareth Bale have all had a go at filling the gap. The right wing has not been such a problem although Aaron Lennon endured a tough campaign and many feel he will move on - with Sevilla's Spanish winger Diego Capel also being linked with Ramos' side.
If Dos Santos can have the impact many hope and make the left side of the North Londoners midfield his own then it could be an exciting move for both club and player and potentially a snip for Ramos with the Mexican whizkid costing well under £10million.
The defensive and goalkeeping issues still need to be addressed but if Ramos can lock the backdoor next season and keep Dimitar Berbatov happy - and in form - then maybe, just maybe, Spurs will finally make a Champions League push.
Is it time for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and particularly Liverpool to be wary?
Ask anyone what Spurs' problems have been and they will say defensive fragility and a lack of balance, especially on the left hand side of midfield. Well today Juande Ramos has solved one of those problems.
Tottenham have agreed a deal with the mighty Barcelona for 19-year-old Mexican international Giovani Dos Santos - who believe it or not has a wand of a left foot and is not afraid to take his man on.
The diminuitive winger has been labelled the 'New Ronaldinho' in many quarters over the last year but his brief career failed to ignite at the Camp Nou where he played second fiddle to Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and perhaps most importantly fellow youth graduate Bojan Krkic.
Dos Santos made 16 starts for the Catalans in a disappointing season for the club, however he showed glimpses of the talent that alerted the giants of the game - a hat-trick in the final day 5-3 win at Murcia being one of them.
In recent seasons Spurs have used the trusty Steed Malbranque on the left side while the likes of Jamie O'Hara, Teemu Tainio and Gareth Bale have all had a go at filling the gap. The right wing has not been such a problem although Aaron Lennon endured a tough campaign and many feel he will move on - with Sevilla's Spanish winger Diego Capel also being linked with Ramos' side.
If Dos Santos can have the impact many hope and make the left side of the North Londoners midfield his own then it could be an exciting move for both club and player and potentially a snip for Ramos with the Mexican whizkid costing well under £10million.
The defensive and goalkeeping issues still need to be addressed but if Ramos can lock the backdoor next season and keep Dimitar Berbatov happy - and in form - then maybe, just maybe, Spurs will finally make a Champions League push.
Is it time for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and particularly Liverpool to be wary?
I'VE WORKED IT OUT!
Yesterday I wrote on the ongoing Ronaldo saga with the tug of war between Manchester United and Real Madrid taking over the back pages day after day. After a night and morning to think over the whole story a light just flicked on in my head a few seconds ago.
Last night I wasted a couple of hours watching Ronaldo interviews on YouTube - I really need to get out more - and started to get an idea in my head that Ronaldo himself is not necessarily feeding the press rumours on purpose.
This morning Cristiano's mother has spoken of her belief that England is the player's home and that he is very happy to be continuuing at Old Trafford next season.
One line in particular stands out: "...the future only god knows".
Now where have i heard that before? Oh that's it every interview Ronaldo has given to a TV station in recent months, from the Champions League final build up where he says "I stay in the club" to the Football Writer's Awards where he again re-iterates his desire to stay. However, the quotes the media pick up on are the ones where he says that "only God knows what the future holds".
These are taken a meaning that Ronaldo is unsure over his immediate future as the media are looking for a story and something to hang it on. At the moment Ronaldo is blockbuster in whatever he does and people read the paper and watch the news to find out what he has done now.
Not a day goes past without speculation about his future but perhaps there is no need for all this. Ronaldo has already stated on a number of occasions that he wishes to stay and it could be suggested that all he is saying in the alleged unsure sections of interviews is that he will be at the club as long as they want him. Perhaps Ronaldo realises that the club are in charge and will decide his future and is merely explaining that if United decide they want him no longer then he would have to move on.
This post may become a daily event as speculation grows, although hopefully in shorter form. However, I think I might have worked out what Ronaldo is saying. That he wants to stay a Manchester United player and that he is merely covering all bases.
It appears the quotes eminating from Brazil yesterday have been discredited in the wake of Ronaldo's mother's comments. Although predictably the press have taken these on as gospel and the backpages are filled with "Ronaldo: I Want Real Deal" or "I'm off to Real".
It appears there is no immediate end in sight...
Last night I wasted a couple of hours watching Ronaldo interviews on YouTube - I really need to get out more - and started to get an idea in my head that Ronaldo himself is not necessarily feeding the press rumours on purpose.
This morning Cristiano's mother has spoken of her belief that England is the player's home and that he is very happy to be continuuing at Old Trafford next season.
One line in particular stands out: "...the future only god knows".
Now where have i heard that before? Oh that's it every interview Ronaldo has given to a TV station in recent months, from the Champions League final build up where he says "I stay in the club" to the Football Writer's Awards where he again re-iterates his desire to stay. However, the quotes the media pick up on are the ones where he says that "only God knows what the future holds".
These are taken a meaning that Ronaldo is unsure over his immediate future as the media are looking for a story and something to hang it on. At the moment Ronaldo is blockbuster in whatever he does and people read the paper and watch the news to find out what he has done now.
Not a day goes past without speculation about his future but perhaps there is no need for all this. Ronaldo has already stated on a number of occasions that he wishes to stay and it could be suggested that all he is saying in the alleged unsure sections of interviews is that he will be at the club as long as they want him. Perhaps Ronaldo realises that the club are in charge and will decide his future and is merely explaining that if United decide they want him no longer then he would have to move on.
This post may become a daily event as speculation grows, although hopefully in shorter form. However, I think I might have worked out what Ronaldo is saying. That he wants to stay a Manchester United player and that he is merely covering all bases.
It appears the quotes eminating from Brazil yesterday have been discredited in the wake of Ronaldo's mother's comments. Although predictably the press have taken these on as gospel and the backpages are filled with "Ronaldo: I Want Real Deal" or "I'm off to Real".
It appears there is no immediate end in sight...
Thursday 5 June 2008
IS TIGER READY?
Tiger Woods is still recovering from knee surgery as the draw for the first round pairings at US Open - the second major of the season - is made. So the question must be ask, is the greatest player in the game's history ready to claim his 14th major or is he back too soon?
Before the US Masters there was talk of a Grand Slam for the world number one in 2008 - of course that dream disintegrated when Trevor Immelman claimed the title at Augusta in April - now there are doubts as to if he will even see out the season. Tiger's third operation on the same knee in recent years is perhaps a sign of a chronic problem, will it affect his hunt of all of Jack Nicklaus's records?
On a brighter note for the man who seems to have everything - gorgeous wife, new born child, more money than he could ever spend and the admiration of millions of golfer and non-golfers around the world - this year's US Open is at one of his favourite venues.
Woods has already won at Torrey Pines this season when he cruised to an eight shot victory in the Buick Invitational and he has won six times there in the past - including each of his last four.
Before suffering the injury to his troublesome left knee Woods was - to all intents and purposes - untouchable. At the Buick nobody could get near him from the start of Thursday to the final putt on Sunday. Tiger was at his dominating and imperious best that week but he enters the US Open a wounded animal in more ways than one.
Not only is his knee still potentially a little short of full fitness but the elusive Grand Slam slipped away in his last outing. However, you know what they say about facing wounded animals!
Would you back Tiger this week? Or is your money going elsewhere?
Before the US Masters there was talk of a Grand Slam for the world number one in 2008 - of course that dream disintegrated when Trevor Immelman claimed the title at Augusta in April - now there are doubts as to if he will even see out the season. Tiger's third operation on the same knee in recent years is perhaps a sign of a chronic problem, will it affect his hunt of all of Jack Nicklaus's records?
On a brighter note for the man who seems to have everything - gorgeous wife, new born child, more money than he could ever spend and the admiration of millions of golfer and non-golfers around the world - this year's US Open is at one of his favourite venues.
Woods has already won at Torrey Pines this season when he cruised to an eight shot victory in the Buick Invitational and he has won six times there in the past - including each of his last four.
Before suffering the injury to his troublesome left knee Woods was - to all intents and purposes - untouchable. At the Buick nobody could get near him from the start of Thursday to the final putt on Sunday. Tiger was at his dominating and imperious best that week but he enters the US Open a wounded animal in more ways than one.
Not only is his knee still potentially a little short of full fitness but the elusive Grand Slam slipped away in his last outing. However, you know what they say about facing wounded animals!
Would you back Tiger this week? Or is your money going elsewhere?
THE RONALDO DEBATE RUMBLES ON...
It's time to be honest, I am starting to think that perhaps, just perhaps, Ronaldo does really want to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid. The worst nightmare of United fans everywhere could become a horrible reality.
At this point I also venture to suggest that the quotes released today that have been attributed to the 23-year-old Portuguese seem a little far-fetched and as cruel as it may sound - I believe them to be - controversially - a fixture of Jose Gomes' imagination. Sky Sports News have interviewed Gomes and fellow journalists - who claim they have not seen the Brazilian journalist at Portugal's training camp in Switzerland - and the Portuguese national side's Press Officer claims Ronaldo has not conducted any interviews at all. Meanwhile, in Gomes' interview with presenter Sam Matterface he was pressed on why he failed to ask Ronaldo why he wished to leave and what reasons he had for wanting to join Real Madrid and on each occasion the Terra Newspaper reporter basically pleaded the 'fifth ammendment'.
On such quotations my personal jury is not even out - they have already delivered a unanimous verdict. However, they say there is no smoke without fire - and the fire is that Ronaldo himself has not quashed the rumours as he could have done.
With this in mind I will now look at what the potential repurcussions would be for United should Ronaldo make a potentially record-breaking move to Spain:
The biggest problem for United would be replacing the 42 goals the Portuguese scored this season - a mammouth task even for some of the world's finest strikers including the like of Fernando Torres or much linked Karim Benzema. Also let us not forget that Brazilian midfielder Anderson failed to score this season and with the ability he possesses it is hard to believe he will not become a regular contributor next season.
Of course there are obvious solutions to this problem in that Sir Alex Ferguson would have - potentially - upwards of £50million to spend in order to plug the gap. This money could be used to fund a mega-money move for the exciting Benzema - presumably with money to spare! Or perhaps Fergie will look at different options. With Ronaldo in Madrid there would be no place for Robinho. I am not suggesting Robinho is of the same quality of Ronaldo - because nobody is - however he has similar traits and talents, and a little under the radar he has started to develop into the player the world thought he would become.
With Robinho or Benzema in the side United would be able to operate the same fluid attacking system they have this season with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez completing the trio.
However, the heir apparent to Ronaldo's throne at Old Trafford could already be there in Portguese compatriot Nani who has shown glimpses of frigthening quality - especially in the FA Cup win over Arsenal where he teased and tormented the Gunners.
In all honesty, there are any number of potential solutions to the problem of losing Ronaldo, all with different merits.
There is no doubt that Manchester United will be weaker should they lose Ronaldo, any team would be, however they have lost big players before and always seem to come back stronger.
I would urge the Old Trafford faithful to ignore the press reports and wait until they see Ronaldo officially discuss the matter after the European Championships before thinking about whether he will stay or go.
My money is on Ronaldo blessing the Theatre of Dreams with his skills and goals once more next term, for the time being at least...
At this point I also venture to suggest that the quotes released today that have been attributed to the 23-year-old Portuguese seem a little far-fetched and as cruel as it may sound - I believe them to be - controversially - a fixture of Jose Gomes' imagination. Sky Sports News have interviewed Gomes and fellow journalists - who claim they have not seen the Brazilian journalist at Portugal's training camp in Switzerland - and the Portuguese national side's Press Officer claims Ronaldo has not conducted any interviews at all. Meanwhile, in Gomes' interview with presenter Sam Matterface he was pressed on why he failed to ask Ronaldo why he wished to leave and what reasons he had for wanting to join Real Madrid and on each occasion the Terra Newspaper reporter basically pleaded the 'fifth ammendment'.
On such quotations my personal jury is not even out - they have already delivered a unanimous verdict. However, they say there is no smoke without fire - and the fire is that Ronaldo himself has not quashed the rumours as he could have done.
With this in mind I will now look at what the potential repurcussions would be for United should Ronaldo make a potentially record-breaking move to Spain:
The biggest problem for United would be replacing the 42 goals the Portuguese scored this season - a mammouth task even for some of the world's finest strikers including the like of Fernando Torres or much linked Karim Benzema. Also let us not forget that Brazilian midfielder Anderson failed to score this season and with the ability he possesses it is hard to believe he will not become a regular contributor next season.
Of course there are obvious solutions to this problem in that Sir Alex Ferguson would have - potentially - upwards of £50million to spend in order to plug the gap. This money could be used to fund a mega-money move for the exciting Benzema - presumably with money to spare! Or perhaps Fergie will look at different options. With Ronaldo in Madrid there would be no place for Robinho. I am not suggesting Robinho is of the same quality of Ronaldo - because nobody is - however he has similar traits and talents, and a little under the radar he has started to develop into the player the world thought he would become.
With Robinho or Benzema in the side United would be able to operate the same fluid attacking system they have this season with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez completing the trio.
However, the heir apparent to Ronaldo's throne at Old Trafford could already be there in Portguese compatriot Nani who has shown glimpses of frigthening quality - especially in the FA Cup win over Arsenal where he teased and tormented the Gunners.
In all honesty, there are any number of potential solutions to the problem of losing Ronaldo, all with different merits.
There is no doubt that Manchester United will be weaker should they lose Ronaldo, any team would be, however they have lost big players before and always seem to come back stronger.
I would urge the Old Trafford faithful to ignore the press reports and wait until they see Ronaldo officially discuss the matter after the European Championships before thinking about whether he will stay or go.
My money is on Ronaldo blessing the Theatre of Dreams with his skills and goals once more next term, for the time being at least...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
