Graham Thorpe

England can capitalise on SA complacency

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:04 -0800

Unlike most people, I genuinely think England are more than capable of beating South Africa in the one-day series.

England have always been a confidence side and if the squad can settle quickly then who knows how successful they can be against a South Africa side never lacking in that department.

I think South Africa may well be very complacent going into the one-day international series and the two Twenty20 fixtures; England can capitalise on that. ...

Unconvincing Cook a major gamble

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:22:16 -0800

I am very unconvinced by the selection of Alastair Cook in the one-day and Twenty20 squads - it represents a huge gamble from England.

It is nothing but a risky move from the management and he has to show something in a coloured England shirt that he has not shown before.

I saw him hit a good century in the Twenty20 Cup for Essex against Surrey this season and was impressed, but he has never looked authoritative enough for England in the limited-overs formats. ...

Experience eluded English teams

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:41:06 -0800

The two English sides - Somerset and Sussex - did not set the Champions League on fire, but that was mainly to do with their inexperience of playing Indian conditions.

There is not enough international experience in Somerset or Sussex's squads and that has probably counted against them as they Andy Nash described England's running of the Twenty20 format as like watching Des O'Connor, while in India it resembles an Elvis Presley concert. I vehemently disagree with that kind of assessment. ...

Banish fitness doubts for Bangladesh tour

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:29:00 -0800

I am all in favour of key England players being given a break in the winter tour of Bangladesh, including the captain Andrew Strauss.

The skipper (pictured) has suggested that players may be rested for the trip in February and use it for development purposes.

His views have been met with indifference from many quarters. Many people do not seem to understand that although cricketers want to play for the country in every match, it is not always possible. ...

Champions League a priceless experience

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:33:49 -0800

The inaugural Champions League in India is an intriguing competition for the public to follow and it has everyone in the game very excited for the opportunities it will create.

I would definitely see the tournament as very close to international level and it represents a perfect platform for less-established county players to make a name for themselves. ...

Watson and White welcome in new era

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:19:03 -0800

New Zealand had Australia under the cosh early in their innings, but Cameron White and Shane Watson showed immense character in steering their side to victory.

Once Watson and White had weathered the storm after Tim Paine and Ricky Ponting had fallen early, Champions Trophy campaign against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Friday - and it will be a tricky opener.

Sri Lanka lost to India in the final of the Triangular Series recently and they'll be looking to come back hard in this tournament.

In the opening match Sri Lanka looked sharp as they