The Reverse Sweep

The mystery of Ajmal Shazad's sacking solved

Perplexed? So were we. Just what made Yorkshire jettison the bowler that only last week coach Jason Gillespie described as "a fantastic bowler"? We've been investigating the possible reasons here at the Reverse Sweep.

Secret Texts

In a routine check on Shahzad's mobile phone, several congratulatory texts sent to Lancashire players in wake of their championship triumph last September were discovered and brought to the attention of Colin Graves. The chairman concluded it was a "bloody disgrace" and immediately reached for his axe.

Names

As a proud Englishman, Graves had previously presented Shahzad with an ultimatum to change his christian name on account of the wreckage caused to England's batting over the winter by one Saeed Ajmal. Shahzad refused - et voilà.

Upsetting Sir Geoffrey

It is little known that Shahzad is a bit of a prankster and an expert computer hacker. Having surreptitiously gained access to new Yorkshire president Geoffrey Boycott's iPad, Shahzad uploaded a virus, which meant that every time Boycott tried to open an application, a replay of that fearsome over to Boycott in 1981 from Michael Holding played. This proved too much for Boycott, who still bears the psychological scars and sticks of rhubarb to this day. 

Enraging Bres

Not content with incurring the wrath of Boycott, Shahzad frustrated by the knowledge that Tim Bresnan would be given the new ball at Scarborough against Leicestershire, was caught out enacting Tanya Aldred's witty line in this year's Wisden that Bresnan "still has the air of a man with an emergency cheese sandwich in his back pocket". Shahzad was caught red handed by his irate team mate with a baguette filled with camembert in one hand and Bresnan's cricket whites in the other.

Mind the hair

Shahzad could normally have counted on the support of his usual new ball partner Ryan Sidebottom, but an hour before being apprehended by Bresnan, he had been exposed as the culprit who sabotaged Sidebottom's beloved curling tongs during last week's numerous rain breaks at Chelmsford.

Morgan's solitary friend

Never ones to like a scab, Yorkshire's players were furious when they discovered that Shahzad was the only one of their number to have registered his support in the recently published survey by the Professional Cricketers' Association of the Morgan Report.

Dizzy

The final straw was when Shahzad's last supporter - Gillespie - finally tired of Shahzad humming the irritating early nineties tune by Vic Reeves and The Wonder Stuff whenever he was in his presence.

Don't believe any other rubbish you might hear.

Where next?

County Championship XI of the week #4

County Championship 2012 Preview: Division 2 - Yorkshire

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves gets straight to the point

10 reasons why neutrals should be glad Lancashire won the County Championship

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County Championship 2012 Preview: Division 1 - Worcestershire

Odds-on favourites to go down even before they lost their first six games last season, Worcestershire somehow defied history and circumstance to escape the relegation trap-door and temporarily at least lose their yo-yo tag. Can they survive again in 2012?

Strengths

The knowledge that they can compete at this level ought to embolden a threadbare squad. If (and it's a big if) Phil Hughes can regain the form and confidence of his sojourn with Middlesex in 2009 then he will prove to be an inspired acquisition as overseas player. His fellow countryman Michael Klinger is a good choice until Hughes arrives. The seam attack is led by the experienced Alan Richardson - last season's leading wicket taker in Division 1. 

Weaknesses

If Hughes doesn't fire then big runs will be required from Vikram Solanki and Moeen Ali in what looks a slightly brittle and inexperienced batting order. The injury to Gareth Andrew will rule him out for the first couple of months, which means even more responsibility falls onto Richardson's shoulders - in fact he may as well change his name to Atlas. Unfortunately, Saeed Ajmal is only available for the T20.

Main man

If Alan Richardson can get close to the 73 wickets he managed in 2011, a sequel to the Great Escape could be on.

Look out for

Any adjustments Hughes has made to his game following his dismal exit from the Australian Test side. Dinner dates with Martin Guptill, who is playing for Derbyshire, are unlikely.

Prediction

9th - We got it wrong last year, but surely Worcestershire don't have enough to stay up again? Our reputation as tipsters is already shot so we'd be delighted if they proved us wrong.

Where next? 

Read our Division 1 previews: Durham, Lancashire, Middlesex, Notts, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Warwickshire and Worcestershire

Division 2 previews: Derbyshire, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northants and Yorkshire

2011 County Cricket Review: including Heroes of the Season, Best and Worst XIs, and a whole host of other nonsense

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Worcestershire

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Pakistan vs England - Pakistan series marks out of 10

Mohammad Hafeez – 7 (190 runs at 38.00; 5 wickets at 16.00):  Set the tone with the early dismissal of Cook on the first morning of the series and followed up with the bat in the first game and the ball in the second where he also snared Cook to set England’s pitiful 2nd innings collapse in motion.

Taufeeq Umar – 3 (87 runs at 17.40): Started off the series well with a fifty as he and Hafeez set a national record with their fifth century opening stand. Struggled badly thereafter, firstly against Swann in Abu Dhabi and then versus Anderson back in Dubai.

Azhar Ali – 9 (251 runs at 51.20): Gave his bowlers something to work with in Abu Dhabi and then set up another win in the final game with a career defining 157. Displayed remarkable powers of concentration, restraint and skill throughout the 727 balls he faced over the course of the series and was the only batsman on either side to average over 40.

Younis Khan – 7 (193 runs at 38.60): For two and a half Tests, England kept Pakistan’s master batsman quiet but it was always likely his class would shine through and so it proved to pass with a majestic hundred in the final Test. Now averages 67 since returning to the side in October 2010. With mentors this good, it is no surprise that the likes of Azhar are blossoming so well. See also The criminally underrated Younis Khan

Misbah-ul-Haq - 9 (180 runs at 36.00): His calm, disciplined and calculated approach at the crease and in the field was mirrored by his charges. Even when Pakistan were behind in the last two Tests, there was no panic and a bowling change here and a fielding change there by Misbah helped Pakistan prevail. His record now stands at five wins and two draws in his seven series as captain during which time he also averages 65 with the bat. Imran had his cornered tigers, but Misbah has created the most professional side in Pakistan’s history. His captaincy was so good that he gets two extra marks for it. See also Responsibility and Misbah-ul-Haq

Asad Shafiq - 7 (167 runs at 33.40):Learnt his lesson after playing across the line when well set in the 1st innings in Abu Dhabi to play a decisive knock in the 2nd innings that helped give his bowlers something to play with. Stood tall with 45 as Pakistan were routed for 99 in the final Test to show that he has a big future at this level.

Adnan Akmal – 6 (89 runs at 17.80; 9 catches, 2 stumpings): Defied his unpromising gene pool to shine for the most part behind the stumps with only his vociferous and persistent appealing grating (even Stuart Broad is positively mute in comparison). A fifty in the 1st Test hinted at promise with the bat too.

Abdur Rehman – 9 (19 wickets at 16.73): Formed a lethal partnership with Ajmal where his accuracy was rewarded with the first two five wicket hauls of his Test career – the first of which spun England to catastrophic defeat in Abu Dhabi. Struggled badly with the bat against Swann.

Saeed Ajmal – 10 (24 wickets at 14.70): Magnificent. Teased with the teesra, tortured England’s batsmen with his accuracy and variation and tormented Ian Bell in particular with his doosra. Was the daddy from the off with his seven for 55 in the 1st Test where he made a friend for life in Bob Willis. Usurped Swann as the best spinner in world cricket on the field and best entertainer off it. If that wasn’t enough he also became the fastest Pakistani ever to 100 Test wickets.  See also Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

Umar Gul – 8 (11 wickets at 22.27): Underrated by many and underestimated by England’s batsmen. His burst of wickets in the 2nd innings in the 1st and 3rd Tests helped finish England off and provided marvellous support to his spinners throughout.

Aizaz Cheema – 4 (1 wicket at 70.00): Only delivered 27.2 overs in his two Tests but actually bowled pretty well. At least he will be able to tell his grandchildren that he played in the side that whitewashed (or more accurately green-washed) the world’s number one side.

Junaid Khan – 2 (1 Test, no wickets): Made Aizaz look overworked when he replaced him for the 2nd Test, delivering just eight overs in the game and bagging a pair at number 11. Nice work if you can get it.

Where next?

Pakistan vs England - England series marks out of 10

3rd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

2nd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

India vs Pakistan Tests, if only...

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3rd Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

Mohammad Hafeez –  4: A quiet match for the Professor. Fell victim to the DRS on the first morning to a not out decision that should never been overturned on review. Missed a sweep shot second time round and bowled just five overs in the game.

Taufeeq Umar – 2: A poor game for the opener with just six runs and he also dropped a dolly to reprieve Cook early in England’s run chase.

Azhar Ali – 9: Mentored by Misbah and inspired by Younis in their mammoth stand, the youngster really came of age with a masterful exhibition of composure, concentration and class. His 442 ball knock was over100 balls longer than either side’s 1st innings.

Younis Khan – 9: There was always the sneaking suspicion that he was too good a batsman not to play at least one telling innings in this series and so it proved. Also took a stunner at slip to get rid of the obdurate Cook – see also The criminally underrated Younis Khan

Misbah-ul-Haq – 6: For once didn’t make much of a contribution with the bat, but his leadership was astute, inspiring, calm and even lucky when an extended debate on whether to take the second new ball saw Broad hit the new cherry down Taufeeq’s throat. The Presidency of his country surely awaits.

Asad Shafiq – 6: Batted well whilst chaos reigned all around him in the 1st innings but undone by Monty second time around.

Adnan Akmal – 6: Apart from a shocking drop to reprieve Strauss that even big brother Kamran would have snaffled with his eyes shut, Adnan put in another good display behind the stumps as well as breaking the sound barrier with his over-eager appealing. No runs this time.

Abdur Rehman – 8: Tormented England again with a second successive five wicket haul to raise Pakistan from the floor after being bowled out for 99. Forms a lethal partnership with...

Saeed Ajmal – 9: Magnificent and far too good for England’s traumatised batsmen as he weaved his magic again. Dismissed Bell for the fourth time in the series. Did Danish Kaneira really use to be preferred to Ajmal?

Umar Gul – 8: Why is he so underrated? Gave his side an immediate boost with the wickets of Cook and Trott after they had folded with the bat on the first day and then took four more wickets to seal the whitewash (or should that be greenwash?).

Aizaz Cheema – 4: Came along for the ride, didn’t score a run and bowled just eight overs in the match. Good work if you can get it.

Where next?

3rd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

2nd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

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India vs Pakistan Tests, if only...

This week 13 years ago saw the climax of an absolute classic of a Test match between India and Pakistan in Chennai.

It was a game of twists and turns with the visitors looking to have gained the upper hand when India slipped to 81 for five chasing 271 to win before a certain Sachin Tendulkar cracked a wonderful hundred  to take India within sight of victory. Then the final twist as the Little Master fell to Saqlain Mushtaq and the Indian tail was swept away with Pakistan winning by 12 runs.

That was the first Test between the two great rivals for nine years and the first instalment of five Test series that they would play out against each other until 2007. But since then nothing.

There are many very good non-cricketing reasons why Pakistan have not toured India for five years and even more is true vice versa, but the absence of these fierce battles at Test level at least is genuine cause for sadness and regret.

Being English, we regard the Ashes as the ultimate cricketing contest, but India versus Pakistan is not far behind. Surely there is merit in staging a three (preferably five) match series in a neutral venue such as the UAE or even England where packed houses could be guaranteed and television receipts would be high.

The thought of Tendulkar facing Ajmal on a tricky Abu Dhabi surface or Misbah tackling Zaheer on a Headingley seamer certainly whets the appetite. But we won’t hold our breath about this happening soon, which in cricketing terms at least is tragic.

Where next?

Historic India-Pakistan summit flounders due to cricket diplomacy

Virat Kohli points the way forward for India

Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

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2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

Mohammad Hafeez - 8: After starring with the bat in Dubai, this time he contributed with the ball removing Strauss early on in the 1st innings and snaring the crucial wicket of Cook in the second after he had put England in a stranglehold with the new ball. A very fine all-round cricketer.

Taufeeq Umar - 4: The early signs were good as he and Hafeez compiled another fifty opening stand on the first morning, but looked unsure against spin and heard the death rattle in both innings against Swann.

Azhar Ali - 8: Courageous four hour 13 minute vigil for 68 precious runs gave his bowlers something to play with. Some criticised his approach, but without his Misbah-esque knock Pakistan would have been doomed.

Younis Khan - 3: Pakistan are 2-0 up in the series and their best batsman has yet to contribute. He got a beauty from Broad in the 1st innings an even better delivery from Panesar second time around.

Misbah-ul-Haq - 9: The MBA captain proved to be the master strategist again. His own contribution with the bat saw an impeccably watchful and well-timed 1st innings 84, but it was the way he organised, energised and deployed his troops that was so impressive. In seven series as captain (including the one off Test with Zimbabwe), his side have won five and drawn two with Misbah's own contribution being 1133 runs at 70.81. That is extraordinary.

Asad Shafiq - 8: Gave his wicket away when well set in the 1st innings but no doubt chastened by the criticism of Mohsin Khan, he quickly learned his lesson to form the crucial partnership of the Test with Azhar second time around. 

Adnan Akmal - 5: Failed to deliver with the bat this time and was like an excitable puppy behind the stumps where he made Stuart Broad look a reluctant appealer in comparison. Could do with turning down the volume and doubling the concentration.

Abdur Rehman - 9: Turned the ball more than anyone and having played the support role to Ajmal with aplomb took centre stage to devastating effect to rip England's doomed run chase to shreads.

Saeed Ajmal - 9: Became the quickest Pakistani to 100 Test wickets and the fastest since Ian Botham over 30 years ago. England played him better than they had in Dubai, yet Ajmal still took seven for 130 in the match and now has 17 wickets in the series at 13 a piece.

Umar Gul - 6: Only bowled 16 overs in the game, but did help peg England back by removing Ian Bell with the second new ball. A couple of lusty blows helped raise England's target even further.

Junaid Khan - 3: Bagged a pair and bowled just eight overs in the match, so should have plenty left in the tank for Dubai.

Where next?

2nd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England

Misbah-ul-Haq second only to Bradman

Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

Pakistan's gripping yarn keeps on spinning but fails to enthral Hollywood

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An Arctic Tale starring Alastair Campbell, Andy Flower and the England cricket team

We were at an event the other night where Tony Blair's spin doctor Alastair Campbell (a master of the Teesra long before Saeed Ajmal) gave the keynote address and shared with us a list of acronyms that he kept close to hand during his time in government.

Number six or seven (we cannot remember exactly) was HAP, as in get your head above the parapet in times of crisis.

That's exactly what England coach Andy Flower did the day after England's humiliating ten wicket defeat to Pakistan in the 1st Test in Dubai (a location that still doesn't sound quite right for Test cricket).

Flower's honest appraisal was that the nature and extent of the loss would act as a wake-up call to the squad with him reasoning that the long break between England's last Test against India at The Oval in August and this one had left the team fatally under prepared and undercooked.

With the bowlers, we are not sure this really applies. The four man attack stuck to their task well, hardly gave anything away and bowled Pakistan out for a sub-standard total on that pitch.

The problem of course lay with the batsmen who barely exceeded Pakistan's total in their two innings put together. Not content with playing Ajmal as if he was the devil himself - one would have thought that having endured 13 years of Campbell's New Labour England would be able to handle a bit of spin - they seemed to be attempting to outdo each other to see how many times they could be strangled down the legside. The cherry on the top though was Kevin Pietersen's (an absolute liability before he has got off nought) grotesque, hare-brained dismissal in the 2nd innings.

Indeed, Pietersen, Ian Bell and Alastair Cook only totalled 15 runs between them during the match - less than James Anderson on his own and nearly five times less than the number of Graeme Swann managed. That's not undercooked, that's frozen - arctic like frozen.

Where next?

1st Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

1st Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

How good are this England cricket team?

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1st Test: Pakistan vs England - Pakistan marks out of 10

Mohammad Hafeez - 8 : Struck with his third ball to further embellish his golden arm tag. Batted beautifully but fell just 12 runs short of a deserved hundred after missing an attempted sweep off Swann. Had the honour of hitting the winning runs.

Taufeeq Umar - 7:  Notched up another fifty as part of his fifth century opening stand with Hafeez (a Pakistani record) before being undone by a peach of a ball from Broad to lose his off-stump.

Azhar Ali - 1: Surprised early on by movement off the seam to feather an edge behind off Broad: a failing that was all too evident in England in 2009.

Younis Khan - 5: Struggled initially against England's plan of bowling straight to him, but looked well set on 34 before suffering the embarrassment of being dismissed by the innocuous Trott.

Misbah-ul-Haq - 8: If Margaret Thatcher was the Iron Lady then Misbah is rapidly beoming the Iron Captain. Master stroke to turn to spin in the sixth over of the match brought immediate dividends. Batting falls into the efficient and effective category rather than the entertaining and engrossing one but brought up 2000 Test runs and his 12th 50+ score in 21 inns since taking over captaincy during which time his average is 74.

Adnan Akmal - 8: It is hard to believe that he comes from the same gene pool as the butter-fingered Kamran such was his tidiness and dependability behind the stumps. Looked assured with the bat too. Labour may have picked the wrong Milliband, but it seems Pakistan eventually picked the right Akmal.

Abdur Rehman - 7: The support act to Ajmal in the 1st innings although he did get one to turn to get the crucial wicket of Swann. Picked up three victims second time around though including Morgan with a clever arm ball. A good foil to Ajmal.

Umar Gul - 7: Perhaps the frustration of bowling on this pitch prompted his ridiculous persuasion of Misbah to refer one that pitched two pitches outside leg stump in the 1st innings, but kept running in and was rewarded by the collective brain fade of England's top four second time around.

Saeed Ajmal - 9: Made a friend for life in Bob Willis and a potential bunny in Bell as he dismantled England on the pitch and in the mind with a seven wicket haul in the 1st innings and ten in the match. Has 93 wickets in his 18 Tests now and 63 at 23.60 in the 11 Tests since Misbah assumed the captaincy. The best spinner on the planet? On this showing, without a doubt. Could even afford to smile at falling foul of the DRS (and the bungling Bowden) when batting.

Aizaz Cheema - 6: Suckered Trott into a dreaded legside caught behind on the first morning and looked lively until suffering a hamstring injury in the 2nd innings. That Pakistan will probably be stronger and more balanced if Junaid Khan or Wahab Riaz replace him is no reflection on Cheema.

Where next?

1st Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10

Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

Responsibility and Misbah-ul-Haq

How good are this England cricket team?

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Cricket heroes: Saeed Ajmal

This may seem a strange thing for an England supporter to write the day after a bowler has just taken seven for 55 against our country, but it just confirmed that we're big fans of Saeed Ajmal here at The Reverse Sweep.

Ajmal adds a splash of colour to an otherwise obdurate and unusually attritional Pakistan side led by the calm and composed Misbah-ul-Haq.

Off the pitch, the ebullient Ajmal understands theatre - one only needs to view his post-match interviews to see that.

He also knows that he has got into the heads of the England batsmen, who simply cannot pick him. As such his pre-series assertion that he had developed a new delivery - the Teesra - in part led to the confusion that unfolded in the middle yesterday. Shane Warne, who has invented more deliveries than the Royal Mail would be proud.

Ajmal is a late-developer - he only made his Test debut at the age of 31, but he has proved a quick learner on the biggest stage (perhaps that understanding of theatre again) and already has 90 wickets in seventeen and a half Tests at a decent average of 28.

Those figures are impressive enough, but since Misbah took over the captaincy in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal in October 2010 and he finally became a first-choice pick, Ajmal has got even better with 60 wickets in nine and a half Tests at 24, with an economy rate of 2.5 and strike rate of a wicket every 57 balls.

He was the leading wicket-taker both in Tests and international cricket in 2010, and if he continues to bamboozle the number one side is likely to usurp Graeme Swann as the best spinner on the planet come the end of the series.

Suggestions that his action is suspect seem like sour grapes to us and thankfully have not been backed up (in public at least) from the England camp. Ajmal is just a damn good bowler who for the England batsmen at least seems impossible to read - an anomaly in this digital age.

Let's hope that Ajmal continues to add an unpredictable splash of colour in the spectacle of Test cricket. With Misbah, Younis Khanand now Ajmal all having been bestowed with hero status here at The Reverse Sweep, Pakistan are rapidly infiltrating our minds. That's mastery of vulcan mind tricks that we can also add to Ajmal's arsenal.

Where next?

Cricket memories of 2011: Pakistan rise from the abyss

The criminally underrated Younis Khan & the criminal negligence of Ijaz Butt

Cricket memories of 2011: Butt, Asif and Amir are sent to jail

The best Test XI of 2011

How good are this England cricket team?

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Cricket memories of 2011: Pakistan rise from the abyss

For any other side the banning and eventual imprisonment of its former captain and two best bowlers coupled with the fact that for security reasons the team has to play its ‘home’ matches on foreign soil, an upturn in its fortunes would be more or less impossible.

But Pakistan are not a normal cricket team.

Following a successful tour to New Zealand, Pakistan performed admirably at the World Cup; sauntering to the semi-finals before losing to hosts India.

Since then things have continued to improve under the calm leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq, who at this rate will emulate Imran Khan in captaining his country past his 40th birthday.

If a drawn Test series in the Caribbean was a mild disappointment, a clean sweep of Test, ODI and T20 rubbers with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh showed that Pakistan are beginning to make real progress. Misbah and Younis Khan have provided stability in the middle order whilst the top three of Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali have all flourished. With the ball Saeed Ajmal reached 50 Test wickets for the year and has a claim to be the best spinner in the world at the moment and Umar Gul and Abdur Rehman have also impressed.

Whilst the opposition has been weak, Pakistan’s re-emergence seems to have momentum and they can be expected to provide a tough test for England when the two teams clash in the UAE from the end of January.

Where next?

The criminally underrated Younis Khan & the criminal negligence of Ijaz Butt

Responsibility and Misbah-ul-Haq

The Ten Commandments of Ijaz Butt

Hope from despair for Pakistan

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The best Test XI of 2011

Alastair Cook (927 runs at 84.27, 4 100s): Started off the year in Sydney with his third hundred of a prolific Ashes series before scoring runs for fun against Sri Lanka and then grinding India into submission with a monumental 294 at Edgbaston.

Rahul Dravid (1145 runs at 57.25, 5 100s): We could have gone for either Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez as a specialist opener but instead we opt for the reluctant opener and highest Test run scorer of the year. 2011 was the year of Dravid's resurrection. Whether it was showing the Indian youngsters how to do it with a brilliant hundred on a treacherous Sabina Park wicket or singularly manning a burning bridge in England with three hundreds and a quarter of the team's total runs in the series, Dravid was immense. 

Kumar Sangakkara (1034 runs at 49.23, 4 100s): Others may hadmore impressive averages in 2011, but King Kumar was the second highest scorer in Tests and saved matches at the Rose Bowl and even more memorably at Abu Dhabi where his epic 644 minute 211 foiled Pakistan. Finally his 2nd innings hundred at Kingsmead helped set up a famous win for his side. If that wasn't enough like Dravid he also shone away from the crease too with his already legendary Cowdrey Lecture.

Kevin Pietersen (731 runs at 73.10, 2 100s): A close call with Younis Khan(765 runs at 85.00) but we judged that KP's runs came against sterner opposition. His double hundred at Lord's against India showed a new responsibility to Pietersen's batting whilst his 175 at The Oval showed that he was back to his flamboyant peacock strutting best.

Ian Bell (950 runs at 118.75, 5 100s): From just 11 visits to the crease in 2011, Bell hit one double hundred, four further hundreds and two fifties. He also finally removed the monkey off his back when batting at three with a brilliant match-turning hundred at Trent Bridge and a masterly double hundred at The Oval. Could well be the best batsman in the world at the moment.

Misbah-ul-Haq (765 runs at 69.54, 1 100): Pakistan's inspirational captain proved a calming influence on his exhuberent team and an even calmer presence at the crease where he scored seven fifties to go with his one hundred. As captain his side beat New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and drew in the Caribbean, which given the turmoil when he took over from the disgraced Salman Butt was nothing short of remarkable.

Matt Prior (519 runs at 64.87, 3 100s): Like Cook and Bell started off the year with a hundred in the Sydney Test. He then scored hundreds at Lord's against Sri Lanka and a crucial 2nd innings effort against India after England had suffered a mini-collapse. Perhaps even more important is the speed at which he gets his runs with his strike rate of 89 being the highest of anyone with more than 250 runs in 2011. His work with the gloves continues to impress just don't mention that Lord's dressing room window.

Stuart Broad (33 wickets at 22.30, 1 five-for; 239 runs at 39.83, 3 50s): Welegedera, Gul, Philander and team-mates Bresnan and Tremlett ran him close but Broad's performances against India gets him our vote. In the first two Tests he bordered on the Bothamesque – the partnership with Prior steadied the ship at Lord’s, his fifty at Trent Bridge lifted England from the abyss and his hat-trick the next day dramatically changed the course of the match. He ended the series with 25 wickets at 14 and 182 runs at 61.

Dale Steyn (28 wickets at 19.57, 2 five-fors) - South Africa may have only played five Tests in 2011 but it is impossible to leave the best bowler in the world by a country mile out especially with a strike rate in 2011 of 38.2. Became the second quickest in history (after Lillee) to 250 Test wickets and at his best reminds one of Malcolm Marshall in his pomp. Yes, Steyn is that good.

Saeed Ajmal (50 wickets at 23.86, 3 five-fors): The leading wicket taker in Tests in 2011 and now arguably the best spinner in world cricket - his upcoming battle with Swann in the UAE will be fascinating. Pips team-mate Abdur Rehman, Devendra Bishoo and Rangana Herath for the spinners role in our XI.

James Anderson (35 wickets at 24.85, ER 2.93, SR 50.8, 1 five-for): Completed his demolition job of Australia at Sydney and then moved on to the small matter of India's stellar batting line-up in the summer where he made a certain Sachin Tendulkar look mortal. After Steyn the best quick bowler in the world.

Where next?

The best Test XI of 2010

Read our Cricket Review of 2011

Are Cook, Trott and Bell more impressive than Pippa Middleton's derriere?

Dale Steyn's formidable statistics

Responsibility and Misbah-ul-Haq

Rahul Dravid - The impenetrable wall

Kumar Sangakkara's captivating story

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Who should England pick to face Pakistan?

It's been a long time since England played a Test match - 22nd August to be precise when they completed a resounding 4-0 victory over India at The Oval. 

Since then every other Test playing country - even regrettably Zimbabwe - have been in action whilst the likes of Andrew Strauss have taken to their sofas, inserted their pipes and caught up with the first series of Danish sensation Forbrydelsen (that's The Killing to you and us) on BBC 4. 

England's next assignment as they look to cement their position as the number one ranked side is in the unlikely surroundings of the United Arab Emirates where a three Test series with a rapidly improving Pakistan starts on January 17th in Dubai. 

Whilst there is a whole host of mince pies, mulled wine and other festive delights to negotiate before then, the encounter with Team Misbah will come closer into view with the announcement of the touring party this Friday. 

The selectors don't have any injuries of any significance to worry about but they will need to factor into their deliberations what make-up will be required for the slow turners that will likely be prepared for the 'home' side and their wily spinner Saeed Ajmal. 

England will have to make serious consideration to foregoing their usual six batsmen policy to play two spinners in each of the three Tests. Either that or they retain a four man attack of either three seamers and one spinner or two seamers and two spinners. The squad they name will need to cover each of these eventualities.

With the six frontline batsmen picking themselves, the discussions will centre on identifying the spare batsman, back-up keeper to Matt Prior, two spinners to accompany Graeme Swann and whether to pick four or five seamers.

The spare batsman will probably be Ravi Bopara, although we'd opt for James Taylor. The keeper will be one of Steven Davies (back-up Test keeper in the last touring party, but who hasn't been seen since), Craig Kieswetter or Jonathan Bairstow (who could double up as the spare batsman) with Davies getting our vote as he is the best keeper of the three. 

The choice of seamers will likely be in order of preference James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and if a fifth quick is required Steve Finn with Graham Onions next to step in. 

The most interesting decision will be in the spin department. Monty Panesar is by some distance the second best spinner in the country and also has experience on his side, but the selectors seem to like Scott Borthwick and it cannot be a coincidence that Samit Patel announced only a few days ago that he was withdrawing from the IPL auction to concentrate on securing a Test spot.

Borthwick is a big spinner of the ball, can bat and has the added bonus of being a leg-spinner. If England play a second spinner instead of a sixth batsman than Patel could slot in at seven behind Prior. But both are probably not quite Test class yet, so Panesar plus Patel seems the best option to us. 

Of course this could have been the tour to blood Adil Rashid, but he has fallen out of favour with the selectors and had an erractic season with Yorkshire last summer, so once again he will have to sit on the sidelines.

Make no doubt, Pakistan will be a tough proposition for England - as they were in 2005 just a few weeks after that famous Ashes triumph - and the selectors will need to ensure that Strauss and Andy Flower have the requisite resources and flexibility in the squad to combat the steely Misbah and his rapidly improving Pakistan side. 

Our 17 man squad: Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Taylor, Prior, Davies, Swann, Panesar, Patel, Bresnan, Broad, Anderson, Tremlett and Finn.

Where next?

Andy Flower and the curse of autobiographies

Spot-fixing: What should the ICC do next?

Is this the greatest England XI of the last 30 years?

England v India: England series marks out of 10

The England cricket team's newest recruit from South Africa

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes 

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

After 827 days, finally some good news for West Indies cricket

 
It seems an eon since West Indies bowled out England for 51 at Sabina Park in the first match of the Strauss and Flower regime.

Since that rather ignominious day on 7th February 2009, England has bounced back to win Ashes series’ home and away and become World T20 champions.

The fortunes of the victors of that Kingston Test have sadly gone in completely the opposite direction. What has heralded at the time as a turning point in the fortunes of West Indian cricket, became yet another false dawn.

So it was heartening that 827 days and 18 Tests later, Darren Sammy’s side finally won another Test match.

The Guyana Test was an absolute classic.

Two struggling but evenly-matched sides, a difficult pitch, only one batsman reaching fifty and a masterful exhibition of off spin bowling from Saeed Ajmal.

The pendulum swung one way and then the other, but in the end it was the Pakistan batting that proved the more brittle and their catching that was the clumsiest and most amateurish.

Over 20% of the West Indies runs (76 runs out of 378) in the match came from its last pair – they won the match by 40 runs.

It doesn’t mean a West Indian resurgence up the rankings will follow. It may prove to be another false dawn.

But it does show that some fire is left in the belly and that in Devendra Bishoo, who made an impressive bow at the highest level, West Indies has a highly promising leg-spinner with the talent and character to be a top Test bowler.  

One thing’s for sure, the 2nd and final Test of the series has a lot to live up to.

Where next?

Our all-time West Indies XI to celebrate the release of 'Fire in Babylon' 

Fire in Babylon - relive the glory years of West Indies cricket & weep at its current parlous state 

Cricket heroes: Malcolm Marshall

Cricket heroes: Viv Richards

Cricket heroes: Michael Holding

Time for a coup d'etat at the WICB over Chris Gayle cock-up

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Worcestershire

 
Against all odds Worcestershire were promoted from Division 2 last summer despite having lost the likes of Gareth Batty, Steven Davies, Stephen Moore and Kabir Ali before the season even began.

Strengths

Vikram Solanki is a loyal servant and regular runs contributor and Saeed Ajmal looks a good choice of overseas star for the second half of the season, but the rest of the squad has a distinctly journeymen look about it.

Weaknesses

Worcester are very good at getting promoted, but very bad at not immediately getting relegated back to whence they came - in fact they are the ultimate yo-yo county. And this squad appears to be significantly weaker than the one that failed to escape the trap door last time.

Main man

Solanki apart, Moeen Ali appears to be a talented batsman and now has the stage in Division 1 to try and fulfil his promise.

Look out for…

The gap between Worcester and the rest at the bottom of the table. It should be significant.

Prediction

A distant 9th – Worcestershire have less chance of survival than Bob Willis has of being given a Mr Happy award.

Where next?

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Sussex

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Somerset

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Nottinghamshire

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Lancashire

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Hampshire

County Championship Preview - Division 1: Durham

2010 County XI of the season

Read all our 2011 World Cup posts here

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

England vs Pakistan: 4th test - Pakistan marks out of ten

When England were 102 for seven just after lunch on Friday, the Pakistan team were in ecstasy as they contemplated completing their fightback to draw the series with England.

But ecstasy turned to agony as first Jonathan Trott's and Stuart Broad's partnership and then a spineless batting display condemned Pakistan to their biggest ever test defeat. Then came the ignominy of the spot-fixing scandal, which could end the careers of a number of their side if the allegations are proven.

So, it may seem churlish and unimportant now to cast our marks out of ten for the Pakistan XI who played at Lord's, but we will do so because Trott's and Broad's achievements deserve to be remembered.

Imran Farhat - 2: If Farhat is a test match opener than I am the King of England. Sorry Imran, but an ability to cope with the new ball is kind of important if you want to open the batting. Two shocking dismissals especially the wild heave-ho in the second innings.

Yasir Hameed - 2: Actually made Farhat look half-decent. His charge down the wicket to Broad after the follow-on was irresponsibility personified. Now, we wonder if there was something more sinister involved?

Salman Butt - 5: At least the captain showed some fight with the bat even if he couldn't contend with Swann's extravagant spin. If the allegations about Butt's involvement in the spot-fixing scandal are true it will be dreadfully sad as his dignity and ability as captain seemed just what Pakistan cricket needed.

 

Mohammad Yousuf - 3: Will probably be wishing now that he had stayed retired. Undone by a wonderful yorker by Broad in the first innings and fell to a sucker punch in the second. Here, unlike at the Oval, Yousuf looked like a man who hadn't picked up a bat in seven months.

Azhar Ali - 5: Didn't kick on from his wonderful knock at the Oval, but with all the on and off-field turmoil going on around him, is it any wonder the inexperienced Azhar looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights?

Umar Akmal - 6: Undone by the Lord's sightscreen and Finn's height in the first innings, but enjoyed himself second time around when the pressure was off. Showed that butter fingers run in the family with a truly awful drop to reprieve Cook.

Kamran Akmal - 5: Although he kept wicket well enough for the second successive match (surely a record for the older Akmal?), his batting has truly fallen apart. Should be replaced by Zulqarnain for the tests against South Africa even if the allegations against him prove unfounded.

Mohammad Aamer - 9: Wonderful bowling confirmed that Aamer is perhaps the most talented bowler of his age in the history of cricket. He's certainly the best 18 year old we've seen and his control and mastery of conventional and reverse swing is truly remarkable. One desperately hopes that the allegations against him are not true - otherwise his story will have a sad and tragic end.

Wahab Riaz - 3: Was impotent, expensive and ineffectual with the ball and disappointing with the bat. May well prove to be a one test wonder.

Saeed Ajmal - 4: With Trott and Broad playing him so well, Ajmal was ineffective for the first time in the series. The extravagant spin and bounce found by Swann makes Ajmal's performance all the more disappointing.

Mohammad Asif - 6: Found a beautiful nip-backer to snare Strauss but it was all downhill from there as he was nullified by Trott's clever tactics. It is now alleged that Asif's chequered career has taken yet another wrong turn.

England vs Pakistan: 3rd test - Pakistan marks out of ten

Spirit in the Pakistan camp is obviously high given that they were able to put heavy defeats at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston behind them to bounce back with avengeance at the Oval. Pakistan sides of recent vintage would have descended into chaos and recrimination after two such crushing defeats, so captain Salman Butt and coach Waqar Younis should take a lot of credit for avoiding this.

Pakistan will now believe that they can square the series at Lord's and have a number of factors in their favour. Mohammad Yousuf has added calmness and solidity to the batting and his influence seems to have imbued his batting colleagues with a bit more steel. Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif continue to impress and England still haven't been able to pick Saeed Ajmal. Moreover their fielding, which was so poor in the first two tests, was a revelation at the Oval.

So, how did the Pakistan team fare on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale?  

Imran Farhat - 7: Transformed from the strokeless Farhat of Edgbaston into a Tamim Iqbal clone when getting the Pakistan run chase off to a flier. Given that he also got runs in the Headingley run chase against Australia it would seem that Farhat likes the pressure cooker.

Yasir Hameed - 6: Came in for his first test of the summer and provided a much needed positive approach at the top of the order to give Pakistan's 1st innings a lightning start riding his luck in the process. Fortune ran out in the second innings with a first ball duck.

Salman Butt - 8: Is really impressing as captain both on and off the field and unlike his opposite number, everything went right for Butt here. He even managed to finally get some runs as he led from the front during the run chase. This was just reward for his dignity and bravery in dropping down to three. Captaincy record now stands at two wins and two losses - who'd have thought that when he took over amidst the chaos of Afridi's resignation?

Mohammad Yousuf - 9: A class act. Not only showed the quality that Pakistan's batting has been missing all summer, but spread calmness and confidence throughout his batting colleagues. Batted from memory at the start of his first knock, but once he had played himself in, Yousuf demonstrated exactly what he is a world class batsmen. How could Pakistan have ever left out a batsman this good? Shame on you, Ijaz Butt.

Azhar Ali - 8: Took his cue from Yousuf and visibly grew in confidence during his brilliant 92 not out in the first innings. Clearly has a lot of talent and a long test career beckons. Let's just overlook his ridiculous run out that sparked all the panic in the second innings.

Umar Akmal - 6: Immensely talented, but first innings dismissal raised questions as to how much there is between the ears. His crazy run out just three balls before the new ball cost Pakistan a big first innings lead and could have lost them the game. Redeemed himself in the second innings by showing uncharacteristic patience when the pressure was at its most intense and was rewarded by hitting the winning runs.

Kamran Akmal - 7: Lucky to play after Zulqarnain's unfortunate injury, but then surprised by catching everything that came his way. His batting in English conditions though clearly needs a rethink and his dismissal in the second innings offering no shot to Swann was particularly poor. In this form, he is a place too high at seven.

Mohammad Aamer - 9: Bounced back from a quiet time in the first innings to deliver a matchwinning Akramesque spell in the second. Bowled fast, full and gained wicked late movement. Simply brilliant, but is he really only 18? Was at the crease when the winning runs were hit for the second successive run chase.

Saeed Ajmal - 8: England's top order still can't pick him, which helped Ajmal during his long spell in England's second innings. Bowled with guile, intelligence and skill as evidenced by his fabulous over to Pietersen that sparked England's collapse. Danish Kaneria may as well set up home permanently in Essex as Ajmal won't be going anywhere for some time.

Wahab Riaz - 8: Came in for Gul to some disquiet from Pakistani followers, but had a dream first day in test cricket with a well deserved five for. The icing on the cake was his patient 27 as nightwatchman, which frustrated England no end.

Mohammad Asif - 8: Was his usual consistent self and even had the generosity to help Cook to his century by his wild shy at the stumps. How he isn't included in the ICC Cricketer of the Year longlist defies belief.

The Boundary View: England vs Pakistan, The Oval, Day Three

In a topsy-turvy day, England wrested control of the match by tea before some magnificent bowling from Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal inspired a batting collapse that once again left Pakistan in firm control of the test by the time bad light ended day prematurely at the end of the third day at The Oval.

The new Wasim?

According to his passport, Mohammad Aamer is only 18, which if true is frightening because he is already one hell of a bowler. It is too early to compare him to Wasim Akram, who along with Malcolm Marshall is the best fast bowler we have seen in over 30 years as an avid cricket watcher. That said, his performance after tea was certainly Akramesque as he combined pace, a full length and vicious reverse swing. The ball that induced Matt Prior's edge was sensational.

Unpickable

It seems that England's batsmen have found it as difficult to pick Saeed Ajmal as Pakistan's selectors. Since belatedly coming into the side at Edgbaston, Ajmal has caused problems for all of England's top seven including renowned players of spin like Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood. He bowled a fantastic over to Pietersen straight after tea and was rewarded when he suckered England's star man with the sixth delivery, which bowled him through a worryingly large gate.

Cook finds the right recipe at last

If we continue with the culinary analogies, the chef that Alastair Cook has most resembled recently has been Gordon Ramsey. Such are the expletives that have been uttered by England supporters at the end of Cook's all too brief stays at the crease this summer. We said yesterday that this was a big day for Cook and he certainly rode his luck with a number of edges through the slip cordon early in the day, but he deserved his hundred for his bottle, improved footwork and uncharacteristic positive approach. Mohammad Asif obviously agreed judging by his helping hand to get Cook from 97 to 101 - has anyone ever reached a hundred in more bizarre fashion? Cook's visa for an Australian winter is now stamped. 

The man who fell to Earth

After a stunning first two days in test cricket, Wahab Riaz was brought crashing back down to Earth in the morning session with four expensive overs. That said he did come back fighting later in the day and picked up the wicket of Alastair Cook, albeit caught off a faint edge down the leg side.

I'll do it my way

There was plenty of talk in the Sky box about the pace or otherwise of Jonathan Trott's innings. But we don't have a problem with his approach. He read the match situation, saw that Cook was batting fluently and decided that the best thing he could do for the team was to dig in and stay at the crease for as long as possible. We weren't convinced at first, but Trott is perfect for the number three role. Shame about the loose dismissal chasing a wide one then after all his hard work.

Player of the day

Cook had this one sown up by tea only for the exuberance of youth to pip him and Ajmal to the crown. Aamer's spell of 7.2-3-10-3 after tea looks like it will seal the match for Pakistan. If he can stay fit and continue to improve, then he will be the best fast bowler in the world within three years.

Zero of the day

This one has to go the umpires for prematurely curtailing a truly fascinating final session by offering England's last pair the light. It was hardly unplayable and if it is dangerous, we're with Bob Willis on this "show me the bodies". The spectators who had paid a minimum of 40 quid a ticket can consider themselves hard done by.

Biggest surprise

Kamran Akmal caught everything again and now has eight catches in the match. Who'd have thought that? 

What will happen on day four?

England need a miraculous last wicket partnership to try and eke out as a big a lead as possible, and then hope that James Anderson and Graeme Swann can replicate Aamer's and Ajmal's post-tea onslaught. Otherwise, Pakistan should ease to a five or six wicket win.

England vs Pakistan: 2nd test - Pakistan marks out of ten

Another defeat for Pakistan looked inevitable right from Salman Butt's foolhardy call at the toss. Butt's move was intended to  be a positive one, but the negative strokeless approach of Pakistan's batsmen was always likely to be ill-advised and so it proved as they fell to an embarrassing 72 all out. Pakistan could have collapsed into disarray after that, but they didn't and Butt must take some credit for that. His side fought back on both the second and third days to first restrict England to 251 after at one time being 177 for two. Then  the lower order resisted on the third day to avert an innings defeat and at least set England a target. The replacements for Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneira, Zulqarnain Haider and Saeed Ajmal, both did well. However, there are massive problems to correct before the Oval with the top six batsmen and the abysmal fielding.

Here is how the Pakistan players rated on the Reverse Sweep report card:

Imran Farhat - 5 Was far too negative in the first innings when making a 24 ball duck, but was starting to look good in the second after a lot of hard graft, before his off-stump was removed by a jaffa from Swann. 

Salman Butt - 3 Brave but ill-advised call at the toss had the wheels falling off the Pakistan bus from the start. And it didn't get any better for the captain with two more single figure scores. Looks like he couldn't buy a run at present.

Azhar Ali - 4 Full marks for perspiration but not many for inspiration. Faced a tortuous 32 balls for his duck in the first innings and took a further 15 balls to get his first run in the second. Will be annoyed that he eventually undid his patient work in his second knock to be bowled through the gate by Swann attempting a booming drive.

Shoaib Malik - 3 Shifted up to four to provide some experience and solidity and was promptly out cheaply in both innings. Throughout his career there have been questions raised about Malik's technique at test level and he did nothing to contradict the doubters at Edgbaston. Maybe he was too busy watching his back with Mohammad Yousuf returning to the scene?

Umar Akmal - 4 Clearly has bags of talent, but is low on confidence and suffering from habitual poor shot selection. Looks like he could do with a batting masterclass from the newly arrived Mohammad Yousuf.

Umar Amin - 5 Looked better at six and got starts in both innings. Drives well, but perhaps this tour has come a bit early for this youngster? Struck again with his golden arm, as Trott joined North and Watson as Amin's test victims.

Zulqarnain Haider - 8 Kept tidily in the first innings with the only blemish being spilling an inside edge from Pietersen, but missed a couple of chances off Ajmal's bowling in the second. Nearly bagged a king pair but then showed bundles of character and quality to lead a lower order fightback. All in all, an extremely promising debut. Kamran who?

Mohammad Aamer - 7 Bowled and batted with a lot of heart without getting the wickets he deserved. Hung around for 117 balls for a resilient 16 in the second innings and looks to have the technique to develop into a good number seven. No wonder there are so many comparisons with Wasim Akram.

Umar Gul - 5 Will be devastated that his hamstring will prevent him playing on the expected reverse swing friendly pitches at The Oval and Lord's. Pakistan will miss his quality and experience.

Saeed Ajmal - 8 Where has he been? Bowled with guile and excellent variations in pace and flight to bag a five for as a number of England batsmen failed to pick him. Then scored a spirited first test fifty despite being battered and bruised by the England quicks. Has consigned Danish Kaneira to spending the rest of the summer at Essex. Lucky Danish.

Mohammad Asif - 7 Was his usual reliable self with the ball without grabbing the number of wickets he deserved. Must wish that he played in a team with better batsmen and fielders who can actually catch the ball.

The Boundary View: England vs Pakistan, Edgbaston - 2nd Test Day 2

It was a brave fightback by Pakistan yesterday. Salman Butt's side may be deficient in a number of areas, but it would seem lack of spirit is not one of them. But their batsmen are going to have to produce something special to first avoid an innings defeat and then set England some sort of target, especially with conditions weighted so heavily towards the bowlers.

The main views from the boundary yesterday included:

The lucky battler

It certainly wasn't a classic Kevin Pietersen innings but it could prove to be one of his most important as the time he spent in the middle will be better than any amount of time spent in the nets. He may not have got the century he craved after seventeen long months, but don't be surprised if this is the start of a resurgence in form for England's best batsman. If it is, then Umar Amin, Umar Gul and Zulquarnain Haider should all be on KP's Christmas Card list as should umpire Marais Erasmus for allowing KP to escape that dead ball dismissal. Lucky battler indeed. 

Gone for a Danish 

It would seem that Danish Kaneira's exile in Essex may last longer than he expected and certainly until the end of the series. His replacement Saeed Ajmal bowled well, had good flight and fully deserved his five for.

Golden Arm

Chris Gayle famously putdown the qualities or otherwise of Nathan Hauritz when he described the Australian spinner's threat as "it's like I'm bowling to myself." Jonathan Trott could probably say the same of Umar Amin's innocuous medium pace, but that didn't stop him joining Marcus North and Shane Watson as victims of Pakistan's Golden Arm this summer.

The dangers of four

England seem set on going with four bowlers for the Ashes. But the fate that befell their opponents yesterday illustrated the riskiness of this policy. Umar Gul's hamstring injury meant that Pakistan were down to three frontline bowlers. It may not have been such a dire predicament on this Edgbaston wicket, but what if it happens in Adelaide?

Bob the Builder

We are surprised that we didn't see plenty of spectators dressed as Bob yesterday. The decision to stage a test at a ground where a third of it is being renovated seems strange. Edgbaston is a happy hunting ground for England and the support has been magnificent over the years, but maybe this time the ECB should have opted for The Riverside.

Player of the day

Saeed Ajmal for his five wickets, flight and control, as well as a mean doosra. Danish who?