Tuesday, December 18, 2007

In Harm's Way

Steve Harmison has looked less like a shadow of his former fast bowling self than a fart trying to imitate a hurricane in the last twelve months. His wide to kick-off the Ashes will go down as the most famous misfire in English Test history; but every big-hearted trier is only ever a good towling down and a bottle of Lucozade Sport away from a shot at redemption, and Harmy is looking like he might have strapped his sights on this time.

After toiling at Colombo for figures of 3 for 111, Harmison's detractors had only to look at the surface to see what a stirling effort he had put in. Taking three wickets on a track worthy of the grim reaper after six months without a Test appearance was one thing, but chalking up over 40 overs in an innings on the subcontinent for the second time was quite another. For a man who has been accused of a rather lackadaisical approach to touring, it was timely riposte.

Onward to the third Test, and England's last chance of saving their place next to Australia at the top table, where 'Steady' Steve, as he'll probably not henceforth be known, is again right on the spot. Figures of 13-2-28-3 at the close of day one suggest that Harmison may well be motoring back to the sort of lethal consistency that once made him the fearsome fairy atop the fast bowling tree, and England's success in engineering a great Sri Lankan escape will probably rest on his broad Geordie shoulders.

Barring such an outcome, an impressive showing here and some target practice against the Kiwis will hopefully give England's big man the best chance of showing the watching cricketing world what he can do again when the Proteas come a-calling next Summer...

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Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Commentary for free...

So, not much action here, as you can see. However, this little piece has found it's way onto the Guardian's Sports blog.

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