Aim is to become no.1 team in the world – Broad

English alrounder Stuart Broad has expressed his willingness to become no.1 test team in the world. Broad who was adjudged the man of the match in Oval test in which England have beaten Australia by 197 runs to clinch the series.

Stuart Broad told to The telegraph that woke up the smiling face. He and England have to do more in the future to attain number one spot. The absence of Flintoff would be felt, but they have used to it, when Flintoff was out of team due to injuries.

England coach Andy Flower too have expressed that England has long way to go to emerge top. He told that England team will not rest on their laurels.

Andrew Flintoff all set to give one final punch

Some exceptional players cannot be ascertained by their statistics. They are rated as great players only because of their contributions to team victories and the game of cricket. Andrew Flintoff who is playing in fifth and final Ashes test is one such evidence. Flintoff’s contributions to England victories and cricket were very imminent.

Andrew Flintoff started his career slowly and calmly. But always displayed promise to become big. Under the noble captaincy of Michael Vaughan, he went to his peak performances, especially in Ashes 2005 in which England Ashes after 16 years. Andrew Flintoff has taken 14 wickets and scored 402 runs to script England’s Ashes victory. He declared himself that he is finest alrounders to reckon with. With his huge frame he is the crowd favorites in the likes of Ian Botham and Miller. That means he declared himself as a very prominent alrounders of the world with his effective performances.

Flintoff who is retiring from Test after Ashes series has scored 3,816 runs and 225 wickets. Flintoff revealed that he is proud to play for England and involve in victories for them. He joked that if some one asked him at the age of 20 whether he would play 70 tests for England, he could have snapped their arms.

Anderson needs victory for Flintoff

James Anderson urged his team mates to lift their perfomances to win fifth and final test oval. He wants that victory to be dedicated to Andrew Flintoff who is playing is last Test match. Andrew Flintoff is declared fit and will be playing in Oval. Anderson wants to send Flintoff with the winning note that too Ashes victory.

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke has told that Australians would not play for a draw as that will help them retain Ashes. He told that in 50 odd Tests played, they only played for winning and never forced a draw. He would like to desperately win the fifth test match and by that lift Ashes.

Michael Clarke is very consistent so far in the current Ashes series. He has scored 445 runs at an average of 89 with two tons and a crisp 93. His overall Test average is 50 plus, which is the benchmark of the great player.

Kent’s Joe Denly in England ODI squad

Uncapped Kent’s opening Joe Denly has been included in the seven match ODI series against Australia and in the Champions trophy. Denly is also been included in T20 squad that happens after the fifth the final test at Oval.

National selector Geoff Miller have told that Joe Denly have performed excellently in ODI games in domestic circuit. With Kevin Pietersen not in the seat it is time for Denly to show what he is capable of.

Andrew Flintoff who will be retiring from Test cricket after Oval test is also named both in ODI and T20 squad. Adil Rashid and Luke Wright who played for T20 world cup too named in both ODI and T20 squad.

Andrew Strauss will be captaining ODI and Paul Collingwood would be leading T20 side.

Its time to become a hero says Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen told that it is time for English players to become a hero by performing and getting Ashes in the fifth and final Test match at Oval.

It does not matter how many centuries have been made or how many five wicket haul has been achieved, performing and winning the final test is bigger than any thing, he told in an article. He told he would visiting the team to see players smiling and get abuse from them for not playing on Thursday. He would not advise them as it is not his job.

English players should switch off TVs and radio and should concentrate on what to do in the final. They should calmly assess and try to emulate what Flintoff has done, he added. He asked the players to stand before the mirror and ask themselves, ‘do you want to become a hero and savior for England’.

Jonathan Trott replaces Ravi Bopara for Oval Test

Jonathan Trott of Warwickshire is replacing Ravi Bopara in the fifth and final test to be played in Oval on Thursday. Trott is expected to play in middle order with his follow county man Ian Bell. Monty Panesar too might get a definite chance to pair with Graeme Swann.

England selectors were much convinced with the performances of Trott and Bell in the Warwickshire match against Nottinghamshire by scoring centuries. That means prospects of Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key playing the Oval Test is becoming null. It is understood Ashley Giles who played key role in their inclusion in to the team as he himself is the director of cricket for Warwickshire.

Another key thing for England is Andrew Flintoff right knee is improving and all set to play in Oval. He might come in place of Graham Onions. Onions have so far done well but lacking swinging deliveries like James Anderson.

England Squad for Oval Test:

1 Andrew Strauss (captain), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Jonathan Trott, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Andrew Flintoff, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steve Harmison, 12 Monty Panesar, 13 Graham Onions, 14 Ryan Sidebottom.

Alec Stewart favors Ravi Bopara

Former English Player Alec Stewart has warned England selectors not to ignore completely in the lines of Mark Ramprakash who have dropped for umpteen number of times. He advised selectors that Ravi based on his form can be dropped from the England side for the last Ashes Test but treating him like Ramprakash is not correct.

Ravi Bopara have clearly struggled in Ashes series and all set to be axed from the team. Stewart sees lot of potential in him and looking forward to watch him play for another 10 plus in international arena. He argues talents like Ravi Bopara and Mark Ramprakash are in English county cricket.

Significantly, Mark Ramprakash, 39, perform exceedingly well in county and England selector’s eye is on him. But he was left playing in county cricket for seven years by now. Marcus Trescothick who was in thick of news of making a comeback is likely to be ignored.

Marcus Trescothick can be brought back in says Somerset CEO

England’s huge loss in Headingley has created widespread criticisms in England. There were general opinion among fans and former players to replace under-performing players with the players who are top in county cricket like Marcus Trescothick and Mark Ramprakash.

Marcus Trescothick, 33, left handed opener has returned from Australia before the start of Ashes tour 2006-2007 due to stress-related disorder. But he is leading English batsman in their domestic circuit and scored 1,130 runs in 18 matches at an average of 78 plus so far in this season. Trescothick also cracked 14 centuries at international level. Mark Ramprakash playing for Surrey showing his top form for three years and averages more than hundred. Ramprakash is also having good average of 42.40 against Australians.

Other than Trescothick and Ramprakash, Robert Key and Jonathan Trott are also front-runners to get a selection.

Australians are back in their winnings ways by beating England by an innings and 80 runs

There is a saying, “Giants cannot be kept quiet for long”. Australians not in verge of things, played like true champions as they cannot be kept quiet silent for long. Australia, undoubtedly one of the power houses in the cricket world was back with the bang. They have beaten England comprehensively by an innings and 80 runs in the 4th Ashes test at Headingley.

This victory means that they have not only leveled the series 1-1 but also given a chance for them to retain the Ashes. Right from the day one, Australians dominated the proceedings and played like a true champions. To start with, they have restricted England to paltry 102 in the first innings in which Peter Siddle took 5 for just 21.

Australia batted well in their first innings to score 445 runs and given a huge first innings lead of 343. Marcus North scored a brilliant century and created partnerships with Michael Clarke who himself missed a century by 7 runs. Ricky Ponting too batted well to score 71. As Ponting expected, make-shift opener Shane Watson hit useful 51. Stuart Broad lone English bowled excelled by taking 6 for 91 runs.

England started off well in their second innings before Hilfenhaus and Johnson started their rampage act. Skipper Andrew Strauss scored 32 and got lbw to Hilfenhaus and Ravi Bopara went lbw for a duck to Hilfenhaus again. Then Johnson who was projected as a strike bowler peaked at the right time. In no time, he has removed Alaistair Cook for 30, Ian Bell for 3 and Paul Collingwood for 4.

Resuming 82 for five in the third day, England again had a nightmarish start. Night watchman James Anderson edged the third ball of Hilfenhaus and Ponting at slip grabbed it. Matt Prior who scored 22 fell to outswinger of Hilfenhaus and Haddin took a brilliant catch behind. Then Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann came in to act. Broad and Swann forged an aggressive partnership. They have scored 100 runs in 73 balls. Broad sweetly timed the ball and scored boundaries continuously. Graeme Swann too was in hammering mood. They both have reduced margin of defeat. But defeat is always in the cards since 2 more days left. Broad utilized the catches dropped by Aussies. Finally he fell to Siddle for 61 runs caught by Watson at deep square leg. Then Swann and Onions got out to Johnson after interval. It was all over for England in less than 3 days. Johnson ran in to form by taking five wickets for 69.

Andrew Flintoff puts Ashes higher than IPL and world cup

English alrounder Andrew Flintoff have told that he rates as an Englishman Ashes rivalry against Australia is ultimate thing, even better than world cup or IPL. Playing for England in Ashes for these five weeks is been best. But Flintoff prematurely announced his test retirement owing to continuous injuries. He told in last four years, two years has been spent in rehabilitation.

Flintoff recalled great players, great contests and tradition involved in Ashes. He further recalled Edgbaston crowd’s noise was amazing, the ground is fully packed, we have to just with it and enjoy, veteran alrounder added.

Flintoff who have starred in Ashes 2005 England win, have done well in Edgbaston too to gain a lead. He is looking forward to lift Ashes for England before he leaves the team.