Doubts over new World Cup pitches

The recent pre-World Cup briefing in Barbados impressed the New Zealand manager who declared it an administrative success. The only cause of concern was that most of the tournament's pitches will be unused surfaces.

"Most of them will be brand new; a few will have some sort of play on them before the tournament, but it's definitely going to be a journey into the unknown for all teams, including the hosts," he commented.

All grounds for the World Cup would be fitted with sand-based outfields to better accommodate the region's downpours, something he felt could change the basic characteristics of the wickets.

"Merely upgrading the outfields so that they're sand-based and able to drain well is likely to make some sort of difference to the pitches, given they'll potentially be a shade drier and might need slightly different treatment."

Let's hope that we'll have a tournament that isn't let down by the state of the pitch and the weather holds off!

World Cup: An Investment For The Future

The outgoing US Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean , Mary Kramer, recently commented that next year’s World Cup Cricket, although seen by some as a threat to Caribbean economies in some quarters is an investment for the future. She stated:

“Although the returns might not come immediately, the opportunities to have a fabulous event that is going to be seen by millions around the world, is going to result in an infrastructure that creates a legacy for future events, and future business opportunities should not be missed.”

These political/economic issues are often missed by fans. But for the locals a positive legacy of such tournaments is imperative - just look at the keen interest that is surrounding the London 2012 Olympics.

Inzamam cleared of ball-tampering

So Inzamam Ul-Haq has been cleared of tampering with the ball in the game against England this summer. But, he was still found guilty of brining the game into disripute.

Let's hope that we can all put the whole affair against us, learn what we've got to learn and hope for a fantastic Ashes Tour and Cricket World Cup next year.

England Ashes Team

This is the Englad cricket squad to go down under and take on the Aussies!

Andrew Flintoff - Captain
Marcus Trescothick
Andrew Strauss
Alistair Cook
Kevin Pieterson
Paul Collingwood
Ian Bell
Chris Read
Geraint Jones
Ahsley Giles
Monty Panesar
Steve Harmison
Mathew Hoggard
Sajid Mahmood
Liam Plunkett
James Anderson