Tag Archives: potent

World Twenty20 2012: Nasser Hussain: England need to get right at the top

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England need to get right at the top against New Zealand

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UPDATED:

22:00 GMT, 28 September 2012


Needs to step up: Craig Kieswetter

Needs to step up: Craig Kieswetter

England need to sort out their top order. All through this tournament they have had to react to a crisis because of the tone set by their openers.

Alex Hales and Craig Kieswetter are good players individually but they are not clicking together.

Kieswetter has either used up too many dot balls and put pressure on Hales or gone too early, like the other night. They have to set the right tone for the likes of Eoin Morgan.

Flexibility matters

England seem a little bit too driven by statistics at the moment. For instance Morgan has said the stats show he is best between the sixth and 20th overs.

Fine, but use a bit of common sense and be flexible. In the absence of Kevin Pietersen, Morgan is England’s best player and you don’t want him coming in when 13 an over are required.

On a flat pitch like this one at Pallekele he can win any match. If he’s the finisher, give him enough time to finish. Why are England hiding Morgan

Nowhere to hide: England need to get Eoin Morgan into the game earlier

Nowhere to hide: England need to get Eoin Morgan into the game earlier

Respect but no fear

New Zealand are, if anything, a carbon copy of England so there is no unorthodoxy or mystery to fear. But that doesn’t mean to say they are not a very potent team.

They are certainly as good as West Indies and, as we saw here, also Sri Lanka. Brendon McCullum’s stats are as good as Chris Gayle’s while Ross Taylor is a six hitter and Tim Southee showed himself to be a good death bowler here.

Yes, respect them England, but go and express yourselves.

England v South Africa: James Anderson ready for showdown with Dale Steyn

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I'll swing it for England! Anderson ready for showdown with world No 1 Steyn

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UPDATED:

22:48 GMT, 17 July 2012

There was a time when Jimmy Anderson, as he readily admits, would have shrunk in the face of the pressure that will come with leading England's attack in their heavyweight clash against South Africa.

Not now. The Jimmy Anderson who will take to the field at The Kia Oval tomorrow is a very different character from the one who struggled so badly on tour in South Africa eight years ago – or even the one who all too often flattered to deceive until he was asked to step out of the long shadows once cast by Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison and spearhead England's bowling unit.

Anderson, 29 and now at the peak of his powers, is perhaps the key man in the England team who will defend their world No 1 ranking against Graeme Smith's bruisers over what promises to be three intense, high quality Test matches.

Swing the zone: Anderson is in the mood to fire England past South Africa

Swing the zone: Anderson is in the mood to fire England past South Africa

If Anderson emerges as a more potent force in this Investec series than South Africa's Dale Steyn, that could tip the balance the hosts' way.

'In the past the pressure may well have got to me in particular and perhaps a few of the other guys,' said Anderson in the unusual first Test setting of The Oval rather than a Lord's ground busy getting ready to host the Olympic archery tournament.

'But now it's more exciting. You want to play in big games. You want to test yourself against the best in the world, which is what's going to happen in the next few weeks.'

And there are none better than Steyn, the undisputed top ranked bowler in the world for three years and the man who is looking to lead South Africa's attempt to become the first visiting team to win a Test series in England since, well, the last South Africa side to tour here four years ago.

It is a battle of unassuming characters hardly hewn in the best traditions of big, bulky fast bowlers. Neither Anderson nor Steyn is particularly tall and both could almost be described as slight.

Final preparations: England begin the series with South Africa at the Kia Oval

Final preparations: England begin the series with South Africa at the Kia Oval

Final preparations: England begin the series with South Africa at the Kia Oval

But put a cricket ball in their hands
and they become the most dangerous propositions in the world game, only
with differing strengths.

'He is a slightly different bowler to me, probably more aggressive,' said Anderson when asked to make the inevitable comparison with his opposite number.

'He's a bit quicker, swings the ball late and is probably a bit more attacking, whereas my role can be a holding job at times. There are plenty of differences.'

Has the No 3 ranked bowler in the world learned anything from the No 1

'As you go through your career you try to learn from as many bowlers as you can,' said Anderson. 'I've watched him many times and tried to pick things up from him. You do that with all bowlers, trying to soak up as much as you can.'

Ups and downs: Anderson hasn't always had it his own way against the tourists

Ups and downs: Anderson hasn't always had it his own way against the tourists

Ups and downs: Anderson hasn't always had it his own way against the tourists

The Lancastrian is very much his own man
now, a confident, prickly figure on the field but still, by his own
admission, a little socially awkward off it when placed in an
environment in which he does not feel totally comfortable.

But a man who this month became only the second England bowler to take 500 international wickets, after Sir Ian Botham, and is placed fifth on the all-time list of English Test wicket-takers, is completely comfortable in his leading role.

'Essentially my job is the same as it's been for the last 12, 18, even 24 months,' said Anderson. 'I have to go out there and set the tone, take the first over and try to bowl as accurately as I can for long periods of time. That's exactly the same in this series.

'There might be added pressure because this is a big test for us. And there might be more patience needed as South Africa are renowned for being resilient and soaking up pressure better than most other countries.

Crunch clash: It's the No 1 v No 2 Test teams in the world

Crunch clash: It's the No 1 v No 3 Test teams in the world at the famous old ground in south London

Crunch clash: It's the No 1 v No 2 Test teams in the world

They have four batsmen in the top 10
in the world and it's really exciting as a bowler to test yourself
against batsmen like that.'

The fact that this series is being
played in England should give Anderson, the king of swing particularly
when he has a Duke ball in his hands, the edge.

'Of course we're confident,' said Anderson. 'This is going to be our toughest challenge for a while but we've been playing well at home and we think we have the necessary weapons to beat them.'

It was not always thus but Jimmy Anderson is a formidable proposition now. As South Africa might discover to their cost over the next month.

Euro 2012: Giant Roy Hodgson structure unveiled to boost England

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Roy the Redeemer: Giant image of Hodgson unveiled to watch over England at Euros

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UPDATED:

10:17 GMT, 7 June 2012

England's hopes of success in Poland and Ukraine were given a boost on the eve of the tournament as a giant construction of 'Roy the Redeemer' was unveiled on the White Cliffs of Dover.

The huge image of new manager Roy Hodgson stands at an impressive 100ft tall and overlooks the English channel and over to France – England's first Group D opponents on Monday in Donetsk.

The saviour: A giant construction of Roy Hodgson is installed over the White Cliffs of Dover

The saviour: A giant construction of Roy Hodgson is installed over the White Cliffs of Dover

The redeemer: Roy Hodgson will be looking over France when they play England on Monday

The redeemer: Roy Hodgson will be looking over France when they play England on Monday

About Roy the RedeemerFloor to forehead the height of the structure is 100ftThe width is 96ftWeight – 8 tonsThe structure is made from 160 x 8ft x 4ft panels. Each panel is comprised of 22ml HDF weighing 32kg a sheetThe build involved 96 hours of continuous printing

The stunning structure is a reproduction of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue which overlooks Rio de Janeiro, but with the face of Christ replaced by England's new ‘saviour’, Roy Hodgson.

The huge image, which has taken one week to install, is the work of betting company Paddy Power who hope it will inspire the Three Lions to glory this summer.

The betting company hope the structure will bring hope to England fans after numerous setbacks to the team including the loss of key players such as Gary Cahill, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry combined with players such as Scott Parker and Danny Welbeck who are struggling to find fitness, Paddy Power hope the statue will be a potent symbol of hope when expectations for success are at an all time low.

Huge figure: The image of Hodgson stands at over 100ft tall

Huge figure: The image of Hodgson stands at over 100ft tall

Paddy Power's Ken Robertson said: 'Since Christ the Redeemer was constructed in Rio de Janeiro in 1931, Brazil has gone on to become the world’s leading footballing nation.

'We’re hoping some of that success can rub off on England in time for their Euro 2012 opener against France on Monday. Anyway, at the end of the day this is definitely the closest Roy will get to Rio this month!'

French Open 2012: John Isner loses another marathon match to Paul Henri Mathieu

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Isner fails long-haul test as marathon man suffers defeat in second epic encounter

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UPDATED:

20:46 GMT, 31 May 2012

Marathon man John Isner was at it again, taking a French opponent to the wire and challenging records for longevity late into the evening.

Unlike against Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon he lost, going down 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 18-16 to world No 261 Paul Henri Mathieu, who brought the main Philippe Chatrier Court to its feet with a victory that took five hours and 41 minutes to complete.

As Heather Watson battled valiantly on court two before losing 6-3, 6-4 to Germany’s Julia Goerges, she could hear the roars from across the way as Mathieu sealed the most unlikely win against the No 10 seed.

At last: Paul-Henri Mathieu celebrates winning his second round match against John Isner

At last: Paul-Henri Mathieu celebrates winning his second round match against John Isner

Playing the long game: Isner

Playing the long game: Isner

He missed almost all of last season with a knee injury that destroyed his ranking, but held off from cramping to see off the huge-serving Isner on his seventh match point. It was the event’s second longest match in terms of time and contained the highest number of games of any match in the era of tiebreaks.

Isner's 6ft 9in frame delivered 41 aces on the clay and it is that power, plus a determination that makes him anything other than a gentle giant on court, which makes him so difficult to put away in these situations.

Just before he sent a final forehand wide, Watson was walking to the net having finished a journey that started in the qualifying rounds a week last Wednesday and, for the second year running, carried her into the second round of the main draw proper.

She could not quite handle the explosive Goerges, ranked 27th in the world, who plays with a potent combination of big serve and forehand.

At the start of the second set it
looked like the match might run away, but Watson reeled off three
straight games and came close to levelling for 5-5 before being edged
out, smashing her racket into the ground in frustration.

She
will now head back for a prolonged grass-court season due to the
Olympics. It starts in Nottingham next week, before going to Wimbledon
via Birmingham and Eastbourne.

Scoreboard says it all: The crowd applaud at the end of the marathon match

Scoreboard says it all: The crowd applaud at the end of the marathon match

A major ambition for Watson will be to win a round at Wimbledon, which has eluded her so far, although only having just turned 20 she has plenty of time ahead of her.

Ruby Walsh: I never thought Kauto Star was finished… but Long Run will be too good

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Ruby Walsh: I never thought Kauto Star was finished… but Long Run will be too good

Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh jump the last to win The Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park

National treasure: Kauto Star

Ruby Walsh is emphatic about who should be feeling the heat most in the countdown to the William Hill King George VI Chase on Boxing Day – and it is not him.

The Irish jockey may be trying to steer national treasure Kauto Star to an unprecedented fifth win in the Kempton race but, he insists, it is amateur rival Sam Waley-Cohen on Long Run who must deal with much greater pressure.

A new hierarchy is being hailed in steeplechasing and, even after Kauto Star”s emotional defeat of his younger rival in last month”s Betfair Chase, Walsh insists he and one of the greatest jumpers the sport has seen are underdogs.

“Last season Sam was riding the big white hope, now he”s riding a superstar,” says Walsh. “I know Long Run”s a family horse but with the tag of a King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner comes that bit of pressure. He seems to be handling it well but it is a different ball game. I know that.”

Indeed, few are better qualified to comment. No other jump jockey competes so successfully at the top level as 32-year-old Walsh.

Success on Willie Mullins-trained duo Boston Bob and Zaidpour at Navan last Sunday made it 16 Grade One wins since the Cheltenham Festival in March when, returning after four months out with a broken leg, he silenced the doubters with a storming success on Al Ferof in the opener.

The 15 wins to follow have been gained despite yet another lengthy lay-off with a neck injury. In the same period, Richard Johnson has had six Grade One wins, Barry Geraghty five and, for all his success, Tony McCoy only one.

The potent ammunition supplied by Mullins and British champion Paul Nicholls ensures Walsh”s enthusiasm is undimmed, despite the physical toll and constant danger that saw a mount kick off his helmet at Newbury last month as his prostrate frame was battered by flailing hooves.

Sam Waley-Cohen on Long Run (L)

Superstar: Long Run (left)

“I”ve had my fair share of injuries, probably more,” says the jockey, whose spleen was removed following a blow to the stomach in 2008. “Injuries are part of a National Hunt jockey”s life. People from the outside don”t realise that jump jockeys don”t just do it for the money. It”s a love, an addiction.

“It”s something I live with. When you get hurt, all you think of is the next time you are going to ride a winner. Pain is temporary. Horses have been my life and are all I know. Do I have the temperament to train (when I retire) I don”t know but I”m sure I”ll find out. It will be a new challenge but hopefully one I don”t have to find out about for a long time.”

Kauto Star has played a massive role in fulfilling Walsh”s passion for riding big winners. The duo have secured four King Georges and two Cheltenham Gold Cups in their 16 successes. Their partnership stretches back to a novice chase at Newbury on December 29, 2004.

THE STORY SO FAR

JANUARY 15, 2011 King George VI Chase, Kempton

Kauto Star is 4-7 to secure a fifth King George, but the champion’s jumping lacks fluency for substitute jockey AP McCoy. Long Run, a 9-2 chance, travels smoothly throughout to beat stablemate Riverside Theatre 12 lengths, with Kauto Star seven lengths further back in third.

March 18, 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Long Run is the 7-2 favourite but makes several minor mistakes as Kauto Star (5-1) forges ahead with Denman on the final circuit. But as the trio charge to the penultimate fence, Long Run drives past his older rivals to beat Denman seven lengths. Kauto Star is four lengths further back.

November 19, 2011 Betfair Chase, Haydock

With his future on the line, 6-1 chance Kauto Star is given an attacking, front-running ride by Walsh. Long Run, the 6-5 favourite, holds on stoutly despite three blunders in the back straight but can’t reel in Kauto Star, who goes away to win by eight lengths.

Rarely does a jockey have a chance to forge such an extended relationship with a mount. That this era is close to an end was emphasised when Kauto Star”s stablemate and rival Denman suffered a career-ending injury this month.

“Kauto Star is just an incredible horse,” says Walsh. “With a racehorse, any day can be the end of the road. They are fragile. I never thought Kauto and Denman would last so many years going head to head. It”s a testament to Paul Nicholls.”

Walsh must have feared the glory days were over when 11-year-old Kauto Star, under McCoy, succumbed to six-year-old Long Run in last year”s King George. Defeat in the Gold Cup followed and then Kauto Star was pulled up at Punchestown. But now history beckons on Boxing Day as Kauto Star seeks to go one better than the mighty four-time King George winner Desert Orchid.

Walsh insists it is not sentiment that has made him choose Kauto Star over younger Nicholls-trained stablemate and 11-2 third favourite Master Minded, the former two-mile champion chaser racing over three miles for the first time.

Walsh said: “Master Minded will stay and he has a cracking chance. The plan for him has always been Kempton. The plan for Kauto was Haydock but things have changed. He”s been so good at Kempton.

“You were thinking, “Is there another Grade One in Kauto” but I never thought he was finished. He gives you so much, you never think you”ve no chance.”

Oh yes, Haydock; the most emotional day of the racing year when calls for the fading Kauto Star to be retired were drowned out as he roared to a first win over Long Run and a fourth Betfair Chase success. It was vintage Kauto Star and Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Waley-Cohen”s father Robert, couldn”t live with him. The old champion had picked himself off the canvas and bloodied the nose of the upstart who had wrested his titles away. But what of the re-match

“Kauto was in great nick, probably a better horse than he was at any stage last season, but I didn”t think he”d beat Long Run and I don”t think he”ll beat him in the King George,” admits Walsh.

“That doesn”t mean I don”t hope he will. I just think Long Run will be a better horse in the King George. Long Run looked a bit ring rusty at Haydock and that was the way he ran. Paul”s horses traditionally hit top gear three to four weeks before Nicky”s do. Paul”s are still going, Nicky”s have just caught up.”

Are those just the honest words of a professional Or could they be designed to heap pressure on Waley-Cohen Surely not, Ruby.

Stoke to be warned by Premier League over towel tactics

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Premier League will warn Stoke over controversial towel tactics

Getting shirty: Shotton limbers up for a throw-in

Getting shirty: Shotton limbers up for a throw-in

Tony Pulis can expect a call from the Premier League warning him to end Stoke”s towel tricks and play fair at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters have become increasingly innovative in their approach to long throws – culminating in Ryan Shotton drying the ball with a red towelling vest before launching throws into the box during Sunday”s win over Tottenham.

The Premier League are planning to contact Stoke when they return from their Europa League trip to Istanbul, where they face Besiktas on Wednesday night.

They will stress that, if a towel is to be provided, it ought to be available to both teams and that Shotton”s absorbent undershirt is therefore not in the spirit of the game.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been among the sternest critics of Stoke”s approach to the game and the long throws which have proved a potent weapon, especially at the Britannia, which has the smallest pitch in the Premier League.

“Nobody likes coming to Stoke,” said defender Jonathan Woodgate. “The referee doesn”t like coming, the journalists don”t like coming, the police don”t like coming. We are a match for anyone at home. We don”t make it easy for teams and long may that continue.”

Controversial tactic: The Premier League are set to warn Stoke

Controversial tactic: The Premier League are set to warn Stoke

Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock complained last month that ball boys at the Britannia made towels available to Stoke players but not to their visitors and demanded towels for his players to use.

After that game, Stoke received “a quiet word” from the Premier League”s football department.

There is no great appetite within the Premier League to engage in a major dispute over something as trivial as a towel but they are wary of the feelings among the other 19 teams in the league.

Going Potty: Stoke overcame Tottenham on Sunday

Going Potty: Stoke overcame Tottenham on Sunday

Pulis has left several first-choice players at home for tonight’s game. Stoke are already through to the knockout stages and a draw would ensure they finish top. But their trip got off to a bad start when the jet carrying the Stoke party was delayed at Manchester Airport because of congestion in Turkish airspace.

When the team did reach Istanbul they were forced to land at the Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Asia. Another short flight was therefore needed to get the team to Ataturk Airport, where they arrived three hours later than planned and less than 22 hours before kick-off.