Cricket News

Meaker called up to England squad

Surrey fast bowler Stuart Meaker was a surprise inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for next month’s tour of India.

England will compete in five One Day International matches and a single Twenty20 contest against the team they dominated during the English summer.

The uncapped Meaker was an unexpected name in the squad list and has been rewarded for the potential he has shown over the last few months.

At 22-years-old, he has raw pace and it yet another exciting fast bowler for England to consider in the future. It will certainly be interesting to see how he does in India.

Elsewhere, Kevin Pietersen returns to the side having been rested for the most recent ODI series, while James Anderson will not travel.

There were also places for Jonny Bairstow, Scott Borthwick, Chris Woakes, although the injured Ben Stokes misses out.

Jos Buttler and Alex Haleswill join the squad ahead of the Twenty20 match in Kolkata after the five ODI matches.

Meaker was the player everyone was talking about though and upon hearing the news, he said: “I wasn’t expecting it so soon. It was definitely in my sights in the near future, it just happened to come sooner than I thought.

“I’ve been given a chance to show what I have got. I’ll work very hard when I’m out there and hopefully they will see that hard work and it will give them confidence to potentially give me a game.

“It’s a very proud day for me. This has been something I’ve been looking forward to since playing for Surrey as a young man.”

Led by Alastair Cook, England’s ODI side will fly out on 3 October head of the first match on the 14th October. Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad will join the party if fit, but if he doesn’t make it, Graeme Swann will continue to perform as Twenty20 skipper.

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Swann laments England loss

England captain Graeme Swann has labelled his side’s defeat to the West Indies on Sunday as a “horror show” saying their total of 88 all out was “unacceptable”.
England have enjoyed one of their most successful summers in history, beating both India and Sri Lanka in both the Test and One-day series and sealing their place at the top of the World Test rankings.

The two match T20 series against the West Indies was seen as the perfect way to crown a memorable summer for the national side and after a convincing win in the first game on Friday Swann and his side were expected to once again steam roller the second-string Caribbean side. Those looking at the betting would have been shocked by the way things went.

Swann’s side started well and reduced the tourists to a rather feeble 113 for five but collapsed in their own innings and ended with their lowest total in their T20 history. Fans of sports betting will be expecting the side to bounce back.

Swann was understandably livid with the performance and believes then side must improve if they’re to have any chance of retaining their world title.
“Let’s face it, to not chase 113 in international cricket is unacceptable” he told reporters. “The West Indies bowled and fielded well, but nowhere near well enough to bowl a team out for 88.

“It’s a mixture of things: a bit of pressure, a bit of inexperience and a bit of ineptitude and it all added up to a horror show.”

“It’s good fielding mixed with a bit of panic. Four run outs is crazy when you’re chasing such a small total on such a big field.”

 

Swann to captain England T20 side

Graeme Swann has been named as the captain for England’s upcoming two matchTwenty20 series against the West Indies at the Oval
Since the withdrawal of regular captain Stuart Broad due to a shoulder injury, the major debate has been who will skipper the side in the paceman’s absence.

One-day skipper Alistair Cook had previously stated his desire to lead the team, as well as talented all-rounder Tim Bresnan. However, Cook has been left out of the squad having not featured in the T20 line-up for the shortest form of the game while Bresnan has some consolation having retained his place in the team. Those looking at the betting will be wondering if the right decision has been made.

Kevin Pietersen has also been excluded from the squad as the selectors continue to rest their star man while Yorkshire youngster Jonathan Bairstow and Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs could be handed their full international debuts.

However, there is a return for James Anderson while another spinner Scott Borthwick has also been included within the party.

National selector Geoff Miller feels the squad as the perfect blend of youth and experience and believes it is important to continue to use the Twenty20 format to give the youngsters a chance to prove themselves on the international scene. People following the mobile betting need to take this into account.

Miller said: “We have once again selected a blend of experienced international performers, along with exciting young players with a great deal of talent.

“We have had a successful summer to date and will be looking to continue our form during the Twenty20 series against West Indies and finish the summer with two strong performances.

 

Morgan targets January tour return

Eoin Morgan is out of England’s one-day international squad for the upcoming tour of India and his absence will be a huge blow to the side.

The 25-year-old Dublin-born batsman is one of the main batting stars of the England team across all formats of the game and his big-hitting style has earned him quite a reputation throughout world cricket.

He has recently had to go under the knife on a right shoulder injury and he has had a recovery period of 12 weeks predicted by ECB chief medical officer Dr Nick Peirce. Anyone looking at the cricket odds will be wondering if he can bounce back.

This means Morgan is out of the tour of India in October but hopefully he will be able to return in time for England’s trip to the UAE to take on Pakistan in January.
Morgan joins Stuart Broad in being ruled out of the return one-day series with India and that will allow some of the fringe players to stake their place for a starting shirt in future tours.

After securing their dominance of the Test game, England will now be looking to show their class in one-day and Twenty20 international games but it will be made a tougher prospect without those two stars and the cricket betting promotions reflect this.

Dr Peirce confirmed Morgan must undergo a “rehabilitation programme” for 12 weeks with a view of facing Pakistan.

“We have managed the injury to date with a conservative program but Eoin has now reached the stage where surgery is most appropriate progression of his treatment,” he added.

“The recovery period is anticipated to see him return to full fitness ahead of England’s tour of the UAE commencing in January.”

With Broad also ruled out of the Twenty20 games against the West Indies, England’s one-day captain Alistair Cook has said he wants to wear the skippers armband in those games, if selected among the squad.