Wins for KKR & England

Picture of the week

The big match

The big match this week was the final of the fifth IPL between the Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders. A strong performance from the CSK top order (Hussey 54, Vijay 42, Raina 73 & Dhoni 14) left them at 190/3. Manvinder Bisla batted well for 89 off 48 balls and was supported by Kallis (68). Kallis departed after 18.5 overs KKR needed 16 to win. Shakib Al Hasan & Manoj Tiwary saw them home with 2 balls to spare.

Who's hot, who's not

In Focus: The Race to 23
Another century for Andrew Strauss this week puts him on 21 in total for his country, one shy of the current record of 22.Not far behind Strauss though are Pietersen on 20 & Cook on 19. Ian Bell is also up there on 16.

Video of the week

My Twenty20 XI-Batsman

Last week I picked my openers, now I need to find some batsman. 3 from the following will make it into the XI

Kevin Pietersen-Proven Matchwinner, whoever he plays for

Eoin Morgan-Has flair & an X factor

Suresh Raina-Scores runs for fun in the IPL

Mahela Jayawardene-Still a class act

MS Dhoni-The finest limited overs captain in the world

England Up and Running

Picture of the week

Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli cross during their unbeaten partnership of 204 against the Delhi Daredevils.

The big match

 The big match this week finished (arguably, rather surprisingly) on Monday with England beating the West Indies by 5 wickets. The West Indies put up a valiant fight with a young inexperienced side and can be proud of how tricky they made it for England. The hosts will welcome the return to form of Strauss, Cook and Bell ahead of the South Africa series later this summer. The tourists will go into Friday’s second test without the impressive Shannon Gabriel who is out of the rest of the series with injury.

Who's hot, who's not

 In Focus: Jonathan Trott

Jonathan Trott is pretty much England’s answer to Shivnarine Chanderpaul; capable of batting for long periods and making runs whilst not getting out. He has his critics in the short forms of the game (I myself remain sceptical about him in the One Day side) but he was initially considered by England as a t20 specialist before getting his first cap for the final Ashes test in 2009.

Video of the Week

This weeks video is from the World Cup last year as Stuart Broad helps England to an unlikely win over South Africa

My Twenty20 XI-Openers

Chris Gayle & Brendon McCullum

After much deliberation, I’ve decided to go for Gayle & McCullum to open. Both of them would be able to clear the ropes early on giving a good platform for the rest of the team.

Next week: Batsmen

The summer starts here

Picture of the week

Richie Firth from the Christian O’Connell Breakfast show on Absolute Radio was locked out by his Dad so went and joined him for a bit of cricket at the Oval

The big match

So the big match this week is the first test of the summer, England vs West Indies at Lords. After a difficult winter, England have to win this series to stay as the number 1 test team in the world. Jonny Bairstow looks set to make his test debut at number 6, a position England have struggled to fill for the long term since the Flintoff days.

It’ll be tough for a young West Indian team in England, the hosts should win the first test, not by an innings though.

Who's hot, who's not

In Focus: Kemar Roach

If there’s a West Indian bowler capable of causing England problems this summer, then 23 year old Roach is most likely to be the man to do it. Untypically short for a fast bowler, he is capable of bowling speeds in excess of 90 mph. In the 2011 World Cup he took a hat-trick against the Netherlands and will surely feature in the Windies plans for the Twenty20 World Championship in the autumn.

Video of the week

This week’s video comes from the commentary legend that is Danny Morrison

My Twenty20 XI-Openers

Over the coming weeks I’m going to be compiling a t20 XI, starting with the openers. Any player is legible as long as they are currently playing a form of t20 cricket.

Virender Sehwag – Still going strong in the IPL

Chris Gayle – Obviously

Brendon McCullum – Big hitting Wicketkeeper

Marcus Trescothick – Still class for Somerset

Openers will be announced in the next post.