http://www.keecricket.com Web pages for the cricket fan Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:47:05 CET en http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---oliver-bretts-blog-pietersen-must-banish-the-demons-forthwith http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---oliver-bretts-blog-pietersen-must-banish-the-demons-forthwith Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:47:05 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---oliver-bretts-blog-pietersen-must-banish-the-demons-forthwith England's two Tests in Bangladesh starting on Friday come with a sub-plot that threatens to be more fascinating than the main event.

Kevin Pietersen arrived in international cricket five years ago with such clamour that it seems preposterous for him to be locked in such a grim struggle to find form, and it is all starting to get a little bit out of hand.


1 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/lalit-modirsquos-thoughts-on-test-cricket---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/lalit-modirsquos-thoughts-on-test-cricket---cricket-blogs Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:18:19 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/lalit-modirsquos-thoughts-on-test-cricket---cricket-blogs Time zones, Lalit. Time zones.

At least half the matches your team plays aren't in your country. If it's all about broadcasting rights then one nation's day-night match is the opposition's daytime match.


3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---%A0chief-executives-blog---issue-3 http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---%A0chief-executives-blog---issue-3 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:09:49 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---%A0chief-executives-blog---issue-3
If you missed my first two blogs,








6 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---richard-scottrsquos-global-cricket-academy-diary-days-8--9 http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---richard-scottrsquos-global-cricket-academy-diary-days-8--9 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:02:54 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---richard-scottrsquos-global-cricket-academy-diary-days-8--9 It's another warm one and we've got a very tough day ahead, which we'll be spending the entirety of out in the middle in 40 degree plus heat! As we near the end of this trip, I can't help myself wondering what the weather is doing back home and sneak a quick glance at the BBC weather site online for the Lord's area.









10 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket----sam-collins-goodnight-brett-lee http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket----sam-collins-goodnight-brett-lee Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:47:31 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket----sam-collins-goodnight-brett-lee
His Test career was an odd one. He finishes as Australia's fourth highest wicket-taker with 310 wickets in 76 Tests - more than Benaud, Lindwall, Thomson, Hughes and Miller. Yet for the English, Lee will be remembered primarily for his pace, and as an inconsistent nearly man, despite opening the b

9 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/brett-leersquos-test-career---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/brett-leersquos-test-career---cricket-blogs Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:19:46 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/brett-leersquos-test-career---cricket-blogs
In many ways, Brett Lee was the perfect Australian fast bowler. He was a proper, 96mph, charge-to-the-crease, rip-your-shoulder-out-of-its-socket fast bowler who was stunning to watch, yet when h

8 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---middlesex-bowler-is-new-lord-of-the-inn---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---middlesex-bowler-is-new-lord-of-the-inn---cricket-blogs Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:08:40 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---middlesex-bowler-is-new-lord-of-the-inn---cricket-blogs







8 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---cricket-blog---global-cricket-academy-india-ndash-richard-scottrsquos-diary-days-4-to-7 http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---cricket-blog---global-cricket-academy-india-ndash-richard-scottrsquos-diary-days-4-to-7 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:55:16 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-ccc---cricket-blog---global-cricket-academy-india-ndash-richard-scottrsquos-diary-days-4-to-7 We awake to another fine, sunny and gloriously hot day. Following a healthy breakfast that consists of omelette on toast at the hotel, we're off to the ground to play in our first competitive game out here; a 10am start for a forty over match against a very keen looking local eleven.










9 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---craig-kieswetter-ndash-yes-or-no http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---craig-kieswetter-ndash-yes-or-no Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:44:06 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---craig-kieswetter-ndash-yes-or-no
Our initial feelings when Somerset wicketkeeper, Craig Kieswetter, started eating up column inches was: ‘No, not another one. Too many wicketkeepers!'


7 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---chief-executiversquos-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---chief-executiversquos-blog Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:18:17 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club---chief-executiversquos-blog








8 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---and-the-number-one-test-side-ishellip http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---and-the-number-one-test-side-ishellip Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:41:20 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---and-the-number-one-test-side-ishellip
Don't tell us that originally there were no Tests scheduled. If you fancy a sandwich and there's no bread in the house, you don't go out and buy a single slice of granary.


3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club----chief-executives-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club----chief-executives-blog Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:35:24 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/middlesex-county-cricket-club----chief-executives-blog
Firstly, it can never be underestimated the diversity of the roles that we all find ourselves taking on at Middlesex.








5 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---england-lions-----ecb http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---england-lions-----ecb Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:10:19 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---england-lions-----ecb
Like the rather unloved stadium, the solitary piece of furnishing looks like it has seen better days.










6 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---the-south-african-way-of-taking-wickets-in-india http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---the-south-african-way-of-taking-wickets-in-india Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:56:05 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---the-south-african-way-of-taking-wickets-in-india
4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---dale-steyn-can-swing-a-cricket-ball http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---dale-steyn-can-swing-a-cricket-ball Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:16:13 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---dale-steyn-can-swing-a-cricket-ball
Shaun Tait might have notched 160kph this week, but Dale Steyn's shown that if you add swing to the mix, you're sorted. In fact, he didn't even need to resort to scorching pace against India.


6 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---what-is-a-good-cricket-pitch http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---what-is-a-good-cricket-pitch Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:05:37 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---what-is-a-good-cricket-pitch
In cricket, what people describe as a good pitch is invariably one that is good for batting. It is flat, offers even bounce and little spin. Batsmen score hundreds with ease and the cricket is boring.


7 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/worcestershire-sign-avatar-director-james-cameron---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/worcestershire-sign-avatar-director-james-cameron---cricket-blogs Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:50:18 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/worcestershire-sign-avatar-director-james-cameron---cricket-blogs
"I have always dreamed of being a professional cricketer and I am thrilled to take up this opportunity with Worcestershire."


5 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-future-england-captain---king-cricket-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-future-england-captain---king-cricket-blog Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:03:27 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-future-england-captain---king-cricket-blog
Warning: this article may contain some petty, bigoted views about certain strands of British society

Leadership attributes
There is no standout candidate to be the next England captain, yet England have clearly plumped for Alastair Cook. Why? Presumably he is ‘made of the

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---adam-mountfords-blog-bullring-poised-for-thrilling-finale http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---adam-mountfords-blog-bullring-poised-for-thrilling-finale Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:37:59 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---adam-mountfords-blog-bullring-poised-for-thrilling-finale
Not only are we situated right at the top of the tallest stand at the famous Wanderers Cricket Ground, but being here on the Highveld in Johannesburg we are already about 2000m above sea level.

We will certainly get an amazing view of what will hopefully be the exciting climax that this seri

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---ball-tampering-england-must-try-harder http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---ball-tampering-england-must-try-harder Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:15:03 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket-blogs---ball-tampering-england-must-try-harder
Our stance on ball tampering is that players should do whatever they can get away with. To us, that's the divide: if you're caught, you've crossed the line.

There's a similar situation in rugby, where someone like Richie McCaw regularly acquires the ball from within a melee of

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/why-test-cricket-can-never-die---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/why-test-cricket-can-never-die---cricket-blogs Sat, 09 Jan 2010 09:51:19 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/why-test-cricket-can-never-die---cricket-blogs
We've said it before and we'll happily say it again. Test cricket can offer something that no other sport can. It offers more than any other form of cricket offers too.


4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-ndash-treat-us-to-an-innings-of-rare-beauty---keecricket-com http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-ndash-treat-us-to-an-innings-of-rare-beauty---keecricket-com Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:00:57 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/alastair-cook-ndash-treat-us-to-an-innings-of-rare-beauty---keecricket-com
Look on the bright side though. It's only very occasionally that a match situation calls for one of cricket's finest sights: the innings of no intent.

The situation


5 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/mike-hussey-is-a-man-you-canrsquot-give-a-fourth-chance-to---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/mike-hussey-is-a-man-you-canrsquot-give-a-fourth-chance-to---cricket-blogs Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:58:21 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/mike-hussey-is-a-man-you-canrsquot-give-a-fourth-chance-to---cricket-blogs
4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/jacques-kallis-went-big---cricket-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/jacques-kallis-went-big---cricket-blog Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:30:23 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/jacques-kallis-went-big---cricket-blog
Once upon a time, hitting a hundred was an achievement. Nowadays you hit 170 and the man of the match award goes to someone who hit 230. Jacques has never hit a double hundred and we like him because of this.


3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/listen-to-test-match-sofa----cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/listen-to-test-match-sofa----cricket-blogs Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:47:44 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/listen-to-test-match-sofa----cricket-blogs
It's not too difficult to explain what it is. Imagine Test Match Special broadcast from someone's house and with absolutely no pretence of impartiality.


2 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/2009-the-year-in-cricket---keecricket-com---blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/2009-the-year-in-cricket---keecricket-com---blog Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:37:40 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/2009-the-year-in-cricket---keecricket-com---blog
January

4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/keecricket-com---as-a-spin-bowler-graeme-swann-is-englandrsquos-most-important-player http://www.keecricket.com/story/keecricket-com---as-a-spin-bowler-graeme-swann-is-englandrsquos-most-important-player Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:03:06 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/keecricket-com---as-a-spin-bowler-graeme-swann-is-englandrsquos-most-important-player
Obviously, taking nine wickets for not a lot had a huge impact on how England won this Test, but nowadays Swann HAS to perform.

That's not because England's other bowlers are mediocre. They're not.


2 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/shane-watson-and-ian-bell-and-what-they-have-in-common---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/shane-watson-and-ian-bell-and-what-they-have-in-common---cricket-blogs Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:05:04 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/shane-watson-and-ian-bell-and-what-they-have-in-common---cricket-blogs
3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-england-win-test-matches---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-england-win-test-matches---cricket-blogs Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:31:20 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-england-win-test-matches---cricket-blogs
They plod along, being solid and unspectacular and then in one innings in the field, they completely steamroller the opposition.


3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersenrsquos-weakness-against-left-arm-spin---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersenrsquos-weakness-against-left-arm-spin---cricket-blogs Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:33:46 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersenrsquos-weakness-against-left-arm-spin---cricket-blogs
All players have a confidence range. Sometimes they're up, sometimes they're down, but the extremes aren't the same for all players.


2 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-soft-is-shane-watson---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-soft-is-shane-watson---cricket-blogs Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:13:37 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/how-soft-is-shane-watson---cricket-blogs
Gayle says that Watson's easy to wind up. "He only looks big and strong but he's soft."


4 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/ian-bell-doesnrsquot-help-himself---cricket-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/ian-bell-doesnrsquot-help-himself---cricket-blogs Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:53:08 CET Sandman Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/ian-bell-doesnrsquot-help-himself---cricket-blogs
We distinctly remember Ian Bell leaving a straight one from Shane Warne before now and that was bad enough.


5 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/graeme-swann-is-probably-underrated---king-cricket----blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/graeme-swann-is-probably-underrated---king-cricket----blogs Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:38:12 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/graeme-swann-is-probably-underrated---king-cricket----blogs
Not bad for an off-spinner in any innings, many say. Maybe Warne and Murali are to blame, but everyone thinks you need mystery these days. You don't. It helps, but it's not like a spin bowler can't take wickets with turn and a bit

3 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/is-jacques-kallis-a-boring-batsman---king-cricket http://www.keecricket.com/story/is-jacques-kallis-a-boring-batsman---king-cricket Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:29:59 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/is-jacques-kallis-a-boring-batsman---king-cricket
"He just accumulates," said Nasser Hussain shortly after Kallis passed 100. ‘Didn't he drop to one knee and thock the ball over the boundary at one point?' we asked. Nasser didn't answer, because he was on telly.


6 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/should-england-pick-luke-wright-for-the-first-test---king-cricket---blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/should-england-pick-luke-wright-for-the-first-test---king-cricket---blogs Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:41:08 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/should-england-pick-luke-wright-for-the-first-test---king-cricket---blogs
7 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---india-cant-justify-test-status-without-a-bowling-superstar--ndash-telegraph-blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---india-cant-justify-test-status-without-a-bowling-superstar--ndash-telegraph-blogs Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:57:13 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/cricket---india-cant-justify-test-status-without-a-bowling-superstar--ndash-telegraph-blogs
When a fellow English columnist (sorry, "ranting Pom") recently scoffed at the table, suggesting that India were poor under pressure and didn't deserve their lofty position, he was subj

9 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/brief-encounter---cricket-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/brief-encounter---cricket-blog Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:48:11 CET Bowler Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/brief-encounter---cricket-blog
This follows the news recently that Andrew Flintoff has gone into hosiery and has put his name to a range of stripy socks, while Micha

6 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersen-booed-in-south-africa---cricket http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersen-booed-in-south-africa---cricket Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:23:47 CET terry Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/kevin-pietersen-booed-in-south-africa---cricket
5 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/a-post-about-flintoff-and-socks-because-frankly-we-canrsquot-be-arsed---cricket-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/a-post-about-flintoff-and-socks-because-frankly-we-canrsquot-be-arsed---cricket-blog Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:34:18 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/a-post-about-flintoff-and-socks-because-frankly-we-canrsquot-be-arsed---cricket-blog
7 Vote(s) ]]> http://www.keecricket.com/story/virender-sehwag-is-a-xxxxxxx-and-herersquos-why---cricket-blog http://www.keecricket.com/story/virender-sehwag-is-a-xxxxxxx-and-herersquos-why---cricket-blog Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:14:05 CET 2009 Blogs http://www.keecricket.com/story/virender-sehwag-is-a-xxxxxxx-and-herersquos-why---cricket-blog
Consider this: Sehwag's last Test innings was 131. That was a failure.

His first four Test hundreds were all under 150; all failures. After that, he cranked out 11 successive hundreds in excess of 150. Five of those 11 were over 200 and two of those

7 Vote(s) ]]>