It was with a touch of sadness that I heard the news this morning that Andrew Strauss has decided to retire from all cricket. His emergence onto the international scene in 2004 coincided with cricket becoming an obsession rather than a background interest of mine, and his incredible run scoring feats in his debut year soon established him as my favourite cricketer. That he went on to become statistically one of England’s greatest batsmen of all time, and undoubtedly one of his country’s finest captains was therefore a source of delight.
Many of Strauss’s best performances came at critical times, when the team most needed him. The unforgettable Ashes summer of 2005 will always be remembered as the series of Freddie Flintoff and three other demon England pace bowlers. However, it was Strauss who was the only man on either team to reach three figures twice – first at Old Trafford, where without his 2nd innings 100 Australia would surely have gone 2-1 up, and then at The Oval. I would argue that his knock at The Oval was even more important than Pietersen’s in securing the urn. By the time Pietersen came to the crease on that magic Monday England were in the lead and, barring a terrible collapse, the job was done. Things would have been very different had Strauss not struck 129 first time round. He came back to bite the Australians again in 2009, when he was Player of the Series and scored a crucial century at Lord’s, his home ground.
Of course, events over recent years may have taken an entirely different course had Strauss not hit his highest Test score, 177, in the third Test against New Zealand in Napier in 2007/08. The innings followed a dreadful run of form in the preceding year and exclusion from the series in Sri Lanka in late 2007. A duck in the first innings had only added to the pressure. Had he not delivered then he would almost certainly have been excluded from England’s cricket that summer. Would he have got another chance? Maybe. Would he have been installed as England captain in 2009? Almost certainly not. In fact, with no realistic alternative at the time, I think it is reasonable to assume that had Strauss not scored that 100 KP’s demands would have been adhered to, Andy Flower sacked, and England would have been in a total mess again before they knew it.
Strauss’s hundred in Napier was an early indication of his ability to cope with high-pressure situations. He both took over and relinquished the England captaincy with the team in a mess involving their star batsman. On each occasion he dealt with the situation purposefully, fairly and effectively. From the very start, his relationship with Andy Flower brought about progress. Within a year, the team advanced from being average to world class. A large part of this was the emphasis placed on batsmen not giving their wickets away, bowlers bowling tighter lines and an improvement in fielding standards. With a different captain, standards might not have been raised, but Strauss was so highly respected within the camp that, a notable exception aside, the players always did their very best for him. Achieving that respect will be a great challenge for Alastair Cook in the months to come.
Perhaps Strauss’s greatest strength as a batsman was his back-foot play. Anything short or wide was fearsomely punished by his cut and pull, and this contributed to his fine record when faced with an underperforming bowling attack, particularly in one-day cricket. But this shouldn’t take anything away from the man’s skill. Watching him take Mitchell Johnson to pieces in 2009 was a fantastic exhibition of somebody playing to their strengths.
One-day cricket was never supposed to be Strauss’s forte – a lack of options principally being the cause of this – but when thrust back into the side as captain after the sacking of you-know-who he stepped up to the plate marvelously. Between 2009 and his perhaps premature retirement from the format after the 2011 World Cup he was England’s leading one-day batsman. The highlight of his one-day career will be his hundred against India at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in that last World Cup. On that day his performance exceeded even the Little Master’s glittering earlier century, and ensured that England came within one run of beating the eventual champions.
So to Strauss’s legacy. Few players can claim to have led England to Ashes wins at home and away, and have won the Ashes a further time as a player. Nor has any other England captain led their team to the top of the rankings since they were introduced in 2000. Leading the team to two more wins next year would have topped things off, but he can hardly complain. As a batsman Strauss’s average doesn’t match up to the global greats of the past decade. But his final mark is better than that of Michael Atherton or Nasser Hussain, and only marginally inferior to Michael Vaughan’s. He also scored 21 100s, just one behind the national record shared by Wally Hammond, Geoff Boycott and Colin Cowdrey and the same as Kevin Pietersen’s current tally. He won’t be ranked as an all-time batting great, but is certain one of our best in the past twenty years.
The decision to go now surprised many, and I myself would certainly have liked to see him go out in a blaze of glory after leading the team to a series win in India, two more Ashes triumphs and back to the summit of the rankings. But it wasn’t to be, and if, as he said in today’s press conference, Strauss has reached the stage where he can no longer find the motivation to get better, he’s done the right thing to step aside before the slope becomes ever more slippery.
Strauss’s place in the England pantheon of greats is sure to forever be debated. But for me he was quite simply an England legend.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Monday, 20 August 2012
South Africa v England - Marks Out of Ten
England's meeting with South Africa was billed as a contest that was impossible to predict. The top two sides in the world went head-to-head in a hard fought series but in the end there was one clear winner - South Africa.
At the start of the series I posted my man-for-man assessment of the key battles that would decide the contest - http://thepavilioncricket.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/south-africa-v-england-man-for-man.html. Many were extremely difficult to call at the time, but now it is quite clear, and over the course of the series, it was emphatically South Africa that won the head-to-heads.
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss 4/10 - Captained efficiently, if just occasionally too defensively. Contributed little in the way of runs, and in particular was often out between 20 and 40. A scrambled brain seemed to effect some of his batting, and who can blame him given how long South Africa kept him out in the field and the off-the-field drama surrounding a certain key member of the team. Morne Morkel in particular seems to have his number.
Alastair Cook 6/10 - Started the series with a superb century, but would have wanted more from Headingley and Lord's. His innings at The Oval was a typical Cook knock - unflustered and unwilting. But after not going on the next morning things only went downhill. Vernon Philander is a tricky bowler for him to deal with early in his innings.
Jonathan Trott 6/10 - Good contributions with his first and last efforts, but no hundred, and nothing of note through the middle. Uncharacteristically flirted at a few too many outside off stump, and at times forgot about his strengths.
Kevin Pietersen 8/10 - Failed to capitalise on two starts in the 1st Test, but showed everybody how good a player he is at Headingley. His knock not only ensured that the series was still live this week, but was also the most exciting innings played by a player on either side. Here is not the place to discuss what has happened since.
Ian Bell 56/10 - Far from his finest series, and capped off what has been a disappointing year for him in England whites. Only two decent contributions - a fighting knock in the 1st Test which proved in vain, and his first innings partnership with Bairstow on Friday. Why he doesn't field short-leg any more, where I'd rate him as the best in the world, is a mystery to me.
Ravi Bopara 5/10 - Once again a case of missed opportunities. His one Test wasn't a total disaster, and he remains deserving of an extended run.
Matt Prior 7/10 - That he was the second leading runscorer was a surprise to me, but indicates how important a cog he is in this England side. However, he tended to give his wicket away at critical times a little too often in this campaign. Flawless once again behind the stumps until rare drop this week.
Tim Bresnan 3/10 - Tried his hardest but didn't get the same movement, pace or wickets that he did when in his best form a year ago. Rightly dropped for Lord's.
Stuart Broad 5/10 - The worst of the England seamers at The Oval, but did improve as the series went on. Also made some handy contributions with the bat. Concerning that his pace was well down, reducing the effectiveness of the full length he used so brilliantly a year ago. Will surely re-find that nip soon.
Graeme Swann 4/10 - The fact that he isn't quite as incisive as he was a couple of years ago is becoming less of a statistical oddity and more of a worry. Leaving him out at Headingley was a mistake, but 4 wickets from two matches on somewhat helpful pitches is not good enough from somebody that some still bizarrely tout as the best spinner in the world. At least his batting has picked up.
James Anderson 5/10 - Never quite found his best form either. Graeme Smith emphatically won his battle with Jimmy, and less wickets fell with the new ball than in recent series. Would be wrong to say he bowled badly though. Uncharacteristically poor effort in the field too, typified by the drop of de Villiers yesterday.
James Taylor 5/10 - Would not have expected to get a chance this summer, and didn't exactly grab it with both hands when it came. Rightly praised for supporting innings at Headingley, but otherwise hasn't grabbed his chance. Has fallen back behind Jonny Bairstow in the pecking order for now, but is undoubtedly highly talented.
Steven Finn 6/10 - Did nothing to justify his billing at Headingley, but was the best of the England pacemen in the 3rd Test. Bowled fantastic spells on both Day 1 and Day 4, and quickly learned not to run into the stumps at the bowlers end. Can expect to remain first choice in India.
Jonny Bairstow 8/10 - Took his chance well this week, with fifties in both innings. Failure to convert either to a place on the honours board will disappoint him, but he must now be a shoo-in to tour India, and stands a chance of a place in the XI. Demonstrated that problems against the short ball were grossly exaggerated.
SOUTH AFRICA
Graeme Smith 8/10 - Showed a more inventive side to his captaincy than he has in the past, and stepped up with runs at The Oval. Remains a thorn in England side, and is set to remain so for years to come. Predictions that this series would be his last as captain were wide of the mark.
Alviro Petersen 8/10 - Underrated by some in England, he showed us his definite abilities in Leeds. Not the flashiest of players, but doesn't give his wicket away and can score quickly if necessary. Caught well in the field.
Hashim Amla 9/10 - What can you say? An almost flawless performance, and only misses out on a 10 because of his double failure in the 2nd Test. You could easily argue that he is the leading batsman in the world right now. Also one of the calmest people I have ever seen.
Jacques Kallis 8/10 - Talk of him being poor in England was nonsense. As was the suggestion that he is no longer a genuine all-rounder. Scored his share of runs and chipped in with crucial wickets. Despite one dropped catch his slip fielding remains solid.
AB de Villiers 6/10 - Not the best series with the bat for the man rightly regarded as the most versatile batsman in world cricket. However, he took to the challenge of wicket-keeping with ease, and was far from a liability.
Jacques Rudolph 6/10 - No big contribution, but in truth he was rarely needed at six.
Jean-Paul Duminy 8/10 - Two years ago Duminy had all sorts of issues - against the short ball, against off-spin, and in particular against Swann. But he appears to have sorted all of them, to the point where he played Swann with ease yesterday afternoon. Also dynamite in the field.
Vernon Philander 8/10 - Predictably couldn't maintain his stunning Test figures, but showed everybody how he earned them with his stunning spell last night and this morning. Doesn't give an inch with the new ball and is also quicker than some give him credit for. Batting contributions were overdue but crucial.
Dale Steyn 8/10 - The big man was the leading wicket taker but in some senses went under the radar in this series. After the first day he was nevertheless always a threat and ensured that England could never relax when the new ball bowlers came off.
Morne Morkel 8/10 - Another who largely silenced the doubters. Still bowls wayward balls, but also has the measure of a number of England's top order. Pace and bounce are a lethal combination.
Imran Tahir 5/10 - Not effective enough against top order batsmen, and will have disappointed South Africa with his Test efforts thus far. Nevertheless took some important wickets.
At the start of the series I posted my man-for-man assessment of the key battles that would decide the contest - http://thepavilioncricket.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/south-africa-v-england-man-for-man.html. Many were extremely difficult to call at the time, but now it is quite clear, and over the course of the series, it was emphatically South Africa that won the head-to-heads.
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss 4/10 - Captained efficiently, if just occasionally too defensively. Contributed little in the way of runs, and in particular was often out between 20 and 40. A scrambled brain seemed to effect some of his batting, and who can blame him given how long South Africa kept him out in the field and the off-the-field drama surrounding a certain key member of the team. Morne Morkel in particular seems to have his number.
Alastair Cook 6/10 - Started the series with a superb century, but would have wanted more from Headingley and Lord's. His innings at The Oval was a typical Cook knock - unflustered and unwilting. But after not going on the next morning things only went downhill. Vernon Philander is a tricky bowler for him to deal with early in his innings.
Jonathan Trott 6/10 - Good contributions with his first and last efforts, but no hundred, and nothing of note through the middle. Uncharacteristically flirted at a few too many outside off stump, and at times forgot about his strengths.
Kevin Pietersen 8/10 - Failed to capitalise on two starts in the 1st Test, but showed everybody how good a player he is at Headingley. His knock not only ensured that the series was still live this week, but was also the most exciting innings played by a player on either side. Here is not the place to discuss what has happened since.
Ian Bell 56/10 - Far from his finest series, and capped off what has been a disappointing year for him in England whites. Only two decent contributions - a fighting knock in the 1st Test which proved in vain, and his first innings partnership with Bairstow on Friday. Why he doesn't field short-leg any more, where I'd rate him as the best in the world, is a mystery to me.
Ravi Bopara 5/10 - Once again a case of missed opportunities. His one Test wasn't a total disaster, and he remains deserving of an extended run.
Matt Prior 7/10 - That he was the second leading runscorer was a surprise to me, but indicates how important a cog he is in this England side. However, he tended to give his wicket away at critical times a little too often in this campaign. Flawless once again behind the stumps until rare drop this week.
Tim Bresnan 3/10 - Tried his hardest but didn't get the same movement, pace or wickets that he did when in his best form a year ago. Rightly dropped for Lord's.
Stuart Broad 5/10 - The worst of the England seamers at The Oval, but did improve as the series went on. Also made some handy contributions with the bat. Concerning that his pace was well down, reducing the effectiveness of the full length he used so brilliantly a year ago. Will surely re-find that nip soon.
Graeme Swann 4/10 - The fact that he isn't quite as incisive as he was a couple of years ago is becoming less of a statistical oddity and more of a worry. Leaving him out at Headingley was a mistake, but 4 wickets from two matches on somewhat helpful pitches is not good enough from somebody that some still bizarrely tout as the best spinner in the world. At least his batting has picked up.
James Anderson 5/10 - Never quite found his best form either. Graeme Smith emphatically won his battle with Jimmy, and less wickets fell with the new ball than in recent series. Would be wrong to say he bowled badly though. Uncharacteristically poor effort in the field too, typified by the drop of de Villiers yesterday.
James Taylor 5/10 - Would not have expected to get a chance this summer, and didn't exactly grab it with both hands when it came. Rightly praised for supporting innings at Headingley, but otherwise hasn't grabbed his chance. Has fallen back behind Jonny Bairstow in the pecking order for now, but is undoubtedly highly talented.
Steven Finn 6/10 - Did nothing to justify his billing at Headingley, but was the best of the England pacemen in the 3rd Test. Bowled fantastic spells on both Day 1 and Day 4, and quickly learned not to run into the stumps at the bowlers end. Can expect to remain first choice in India.
Jonny Bairstow 8/10 - Took his chance well this week, with fifties in both innings. Failure to convert either to a place on the honours board will disappoint him, but he must now be a shoo-in to tour India, and stands a chance of a place in the XI. Demonstrated that problems against the short ball were grossly exaggerated.
SOUTH AFRICA
Graeme Smith 8/10 - Showed a more inventive side to his captaincy than he has in the past, and stepped up with runs at The Oval. Remains a thorn in England side, and is set to remain so for years to come. Predictions that this series would be his last as captain were wide of the mark.
Alviro Petersen 8/10 - Underrated by some in England, he showed us his definite abilities in Leeds. Not the flashiest of players, but doesn't give his wicket away and can score quickly if necessary. Caught well in the field.
Hashim Amla 9/10 - What can you say? An almost flawless performance, and only misses out on a 10 because of his double failure in the 2nd Test. You could easily argue that he is the leading batsman in the world right now. Also one of the calmest people I have ever seen.
Jacques Kallis 8/10 - Talk of him being poor in England was nonsense. As was the suggestion that he is no longer a genuine all-rounder. Scored his share of runs and chipped in with crucial wickets. Despite one dropped catch his slip fielding remains solid.
AB de Villiers 6/10 - Not the best series with the bat for the man rightly regarded as the most versatile batsman in world cricket. However, he took to the challenge of wicket-keeping with ease, and was far from a liability.
Jacques Rudolph 6/10 - No big contribution, but in truth he was rarely needed at six.
Jean-Paul Duminy 8/10 - Two years ago Duminy had all sorts of issues - against the short ball, against off-spin, and in particular against Swann. But he appears to have sorted all of them, to the point where he played Swann with ease yesterday afternoon. Also dynamite in the field.
Vernon Philander 8/10 - Predictably couldn't maintain his stunning Test figures, but showed everybody how he earned them with his stunning spell last night and this morning. Doesn't give an inch with the new ball and is also quicker than some give him credit for. Batting contributions were overdue but crucial.
Dale Steyn 8/10 - The big man was the leading wicket taker but in some senses went under the radar in this series. After the first day he was nevertheless always a threat and ensured that England could never relax when the new ball bowlers came off.
Morne Morkel 8/10 - Another who largely silenced the doubters. Still bowls wayward balls, but also has the measure of a number of England's top order. Pace and bounce are a lethal combination.
Imran Tahir 5/10 - Not effective enough against top order batsmen, and will have disappointed South Africa with his Test efforts thus far. Nevertheless took some important wickets.
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