The County Scene: Week 11 - Tigers crumble in three as Saffers star in shorter form

Before we hit the main issues in English cricket this week, I would first like to share a nice little moment I experienced earlier this week. I was watching highlights of Zimbabwe vs India from Harare (as you do) and Ravindra Jadeja had just spanked another six over long-off. As is the annoying trend these days, music blared out of the tannoy in response to this blow. What did they play? Jedward. Simple pleasures and all that...

Anyway, in all the excitement caused by the meaningless tri-series in Africa, I almost forgot there was a test match on at Old Trafford. The result was as I predicted:

England 419 (Bell 128, Prior 93, Pietersen 64, Shakib 5-121) beat Bangladesh 216 (Tamim 108, Swann 5-76) and 123 (f/o) (Finn 5-42) by an innings and 80 runs.

It was a pretty spectacular/pathetic collapse by Bangladesh's batsman in the face of some tricky conditions and very capable bowling from England. Finn's figures flattered him slightly, as it was Jimmy Anderson and debutant Ajmal Shahzad who particularly impressed, making use of conventional and reverse swing respectively to totally outclass all bar Tamim, who again played without restraint in another exuberant knock. It took two beauties from Anderson to remove him. And only Abdur Razzak in the lower order was able to play Graeme Swann on a track which has been a haven for many an England spinner over the years (witness Ashley Giles to Damien Martyn in 2005 and Monty Panesar to 11 Pakistanis in 2006). However, the ball of the match goes to Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who removed the untroubled Ian Bell with a ripper that pitched on leg and spat back to hit off. The slow left armers union rejoiced. Well I did anyway. It was a timely innings for both Bell and Prior, who effortlessly made scores after being put under some scrutiny recently. Prior only really got out trying to improvise with the tail-end, but looked much more mature with bat and gloves in this match. This was a positive response to pressure, notably from Steven Davies and Craig Kieswetter. Other than that, not much can be learned from this performance, such was the comprehensive nature of it and the feeble capitualtion of the opposition.

So on now to the Victoria Sponge Lad of the Week Award. Nominations are taken from week 1 of the FP t20 tournament:

Loots Bosman (Derbyshire) - The Falcons got off to a flyer, with two comfortable victories out of two. They managed to beat Leicestershire by 11 runs in their opener, with Bosman top scoring with 39 out of 165-5. The real star was Steffan Jones, who picked up 3-20 off his overs, in the face of an Andrew McDonald onslaught (67 off 50) but the Foxes never quite looked like making it. However, the South African opener, who failed in the World T20 last month but has been brutal in the past up top with Graeme Smith, came to the party big time against Yorkshire. He made 94 off 50 in a partnership of 141 with young West Indian Chesney Hughes (who looks a bit of a find by the way). Despite Aussie Clint McKay picking up 4-33, Bosman lifted his new side to 222-5. Which is massive. Yorkshire never even got close, losing by 65 runs.

Imran Tahir (Warwickshire) - It could be argued that I've plumped for another South African here. Tahir was called up for the 3rd Test against England in the winter as competition for Paul Harris, the left-arm piechucker. However, Tahir is from Pakistan and hadn't got the relevant paperwork to make him eligible to play for the Proteas. Much embarrassment for the selectors as Harris was rapidly re-instated. The fact remains though that Tahir is a man that they will need in the future. Warwickshire have been crap in the Championship this year, a fact I have relished as Somerset have pumped them home and away. However, they are a threat in limited overs cricket. When a bowler bowls 4-0-14-3 in T20, it's been a good day for him. When you add the fact that it was three of Northants' most dangerous international batsmen (Mal Loye, Niall O'Brien, Nicky Boje) that he got out and you realise how big Tahir's contribution was. BUT HE DIDN'T GET MAN OF THE MATCH. Having restricted the opposition to 147-5, way below par, Darren Maddy, a previous winner with Leicestershire, smashed 88 of 42 to lead the side home by 8 wickets. He would not have been able to do this so freely if Tahir hadn't set the game up for him. It's a batsman game...

Michael Yardy (Sussex) - another left-arm spinner and member of the victorious England side, Sussex skipper Yardy's little innocuous darts have proved so hard to get away as the champions got off to a 100% start. Somerset were crushed by 53 runs at Hove, Yardy with 4-0-17-2 (I maintain that James Hildreth's lbw decision was a shocker and a turning point in the match but hey ho). He then went even better with 4-0-14-2 against Middlesex in a 28 run victory. In a low scoring game, it was even more crucial that he contributed with the bat, something he doesn't do as regularly in this form as in county, given his reputation as a nudger and nurdler. Yet a crucial 37* off 28 in a stand with overseas man Dwayne Smith lifted his side to a winning total.

The winner... just because he doesn't get enough recognition. Imran Tahir. LAD.
RM