Sam Hain scored his third century of the season in the CC today. He has to be one of the unluckiest cricketers not to have played any form of international for England.
Hain's lifetime averages in all forms of the game read:
First Class - 40.35 50 over - 57.30 T20 - 41.07
This season:
First Class - 76.57 T20 - 139.00 (at a SR of 168.14)
James Hildreth is the one I always think of as unlucky.
Sam Hain scored his third century of the season in the CC today. He has to be one of the unluckiest cricketers not to have played any form of international for England.
Hain's lifetime averages in all forms of the game read:
First Class - 40.35 50 over - 57.30 T20 - 41.07
This season:
First Class - 76.57 T20 - 139.00 (at a SR of 168.14)
James Hildreth is the one I always think of as unlucky.
Hildreth was certainly unlucky so far as Test cricket is concerned anyway. The thought was that he was vulnerable to the short pitched ball but, to my mind, we wouldn't truly have known if that were the case unless he was allowed to show at the highest level whether that is the case.
Hildreth has retired now but Hain is still only 27 and excels in all forms of the game. When one sees the likes of Dan Lawrence appearing in England squads it is a real head scratcher as to what Hain has done wrong. Hopefully he will get his chance soon enough.
Talking about vulnerabilities to short pitched bowling brings me onto Will Pucovski, the Aussie international who has had to miss so many periods of time due to at least 11 incidents that caused him to suffer concussion. One of the lads who has been assisting my son coaching this summer is currently doing his Level 2 over the course of the next four Sundays at Tonbridge School. Puckovski is on that course along with West Indies international Kieran Powell. The former is over here playing for Weybridge CC and the latter for Ashtead CC.
Coincidentally, the two teams met each other on Saturday. Powell opened the batting and scored 151 off 126 balls in Ashtead's total of 444-8 declared (63.5) and Pucovski hit 111 not out off 107 balls out of Weybridge's reply of 395-6 (56). One suspects that both are having to take their Level 2 here because they are not allowed to lead a coaching session without it and presumably they are being paid to play and coach here. I suspect the sooner Puckovski gets himself qualified the better so far as Weybridge are concerned - they had no less than 20 senior and junior games on Sunday alone! I also hope that he manages to overcome his difficulties and manages to climb back up the cricketing ladder when he returns home - assuming, of course, that he still wants and has that desire to do so.
Hain would have played loads for England if he wasn't Australian. It's definitely held against him. Arguably, rightly so (and it's notable that fewer Saffer-raised cricketers are being roped in as well)
Hain would have played loads for England if he wasn't Australian. It's definitely held against him. Arguably, rightly so (and it's notable that fewer Saffer-raised cricketers are being roped in as well)
Hain's far more English than a lot of the players that have played for us and recent ones too. He wasn't born in Australia but in Hong Kong (unless I'm mistaken Hong Kong was still a British Colony in 1995). Both parents were British and they moved to Australia when he was three. He has been living here since he was 17, has always held a British passport through his parentage and qualified to play for England in 2016. By comparison, Tom Curran was born in South Africa but grew up in Zimbabwe, came here when he was 17 and made his England debut when he was 22. Both Tom Curran's parents were from Zimbabwe too. We even changed the eligibility rules just so Jofra Archer could play for us and not wait seven years to do so. Hain has already been here nine years.
Hain has also played for the England Lions and one would have thought that, unless this was a token gesture aimed at hoping he'd fail, his Australian background shouldn't stop him from playing international cricket for us.
Hain would have played loads for England if he wasn't Australian. It's definitely held against him. Arguably, rightly so (and it's notable that fewer Saffer-raised cricketers are being roped in as well)
Hain's far more English than a lot of the players that have played for us and recent ones too. He wasn't born in Australia but in Hong Kong (unless I'm mistaken Hong Kong was still a British Colony in 1995). Both parents were British and they moved to Australia when he was three. He has been living here since he was 17, has always held a British passport through his parentage and qualified to play for England in 2016. By comparison, Tom Curran was born in South Africa but grew up in Zimbabwe, came here when he was 17 and made his England debut when he was 22. Both Tom Curran's parents were from Zimbabwe too. We even changed the eligibility rules just so Jofra Archer could play for us and not wait seven years to do so. Hain has already been here nine years.
Hain has also played for the England Lions and one would have thought that, unless this was a token gesture aimed at hoping he'd fail, his Australian background shouldn't stop him from playing international cricket for us.
I get the sense he'd be closer to Test selection if Sam Hain the 4-day cricketer played a bit more like Sam Hain the T20 cricketer. And he'd be closer to short-form selection if...well, I'm not sure. If he scored even faster? He's definitely worth a go in the white-ball stuff
India have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee and Australia 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rates in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final at The Oval.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after India were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration while Australia were found to be four overs short.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
India have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee and Australia 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rates in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final at The Oval.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after India were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration while Australia were found to be four overs short.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
The fines aren't enough. There needs to be more intervention from the Umpires and even penalty runs imposed. Only then will things change.
India have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee and Australia 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rates in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final at The Oval.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after India were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration while Australia were found to be four overs short.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
The fines aren't enough. There needs to be more intervention from the Umpires and even penalty runs imposed. Only then will things change.
30-over sessions is the only way to remedy appalling over rates. You can't leave the field until at least thirty overs have been bowled in the session. Want to get off on time? Bowl your overs quicker.
India have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee and Australia 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rates in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final at The Oval.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after India were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration while Australia were found to be four overs short.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
The fines aren't enough. There needs to be more intervention from the Umpires and even penalty runs imposed. Only then will things change.
30-over sessions is the only way to remedy appalling over rates. You can't leave the field until at least thirty overs have been bowled in the session. Want to get off on time? Bowl your overs quicker.
The spectators might get a bit grumpy if they can't have lunch until 1:30 though!
India have been fined 100 per cent of their match fee and Australia 80 per cent of their match fee for maintaining slow over-rates in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 Final at The Oval.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after India were ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration while Australia were found to be four overs short.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
The fines aren't enough. There needs to be more intervention from the Umpires and even penalty runs imposed. Only then will things change.
30-over sessions is the only way to remedy appalling over rates. You can't leave the field until at least thirty overs have been bowled in the session. Want to get off on time? Bowl your overs quicker.
The spectators might get a bit grumpy if they can't have lunch until 1:30 though!
more chuntering from the crowd might get them to hurry up, too.
I thought Sam Hain was some sort of Scottish harvest festival type thing?
I was surprised that Dan Lawrence has played as many Tests as he has, is he favoured because he has come through the England age group system? Probably not a lot in it either way though.
Not exactly a vacancy in the middle order at the moment though is there? If one does come up you would probably be looking at a batting all-rounder or Foakes filling it anyway?
Annoyingly the day I'm going to Edgbaston, Sunday day 3, is when the weather is due to change. Hot and sunny for the first 2 days, then showers on days 3 to 5
The Test ground allocations for the next 2 Ashes and India series have been announced, with Southampton getting its first Ashes Test in 2027
England Men will take on Australia Men in a five-Test series at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Ageas Bowl in 2027, with England Women meeting Australia Women in a Test match at Headingley as part of a multi-format series the same summer.
In 2031, the Men’s sides will contest five Tests at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, Headingley and Trent Bridge, while the Women’s multi-format series will include a Test match at The Ageas Bowl.
Further details of the match allocations, which have been agreed by the ECB Board, include:
England Men’s next two Test series against India will take place at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and Emirates Old Trafford in 2025; and at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Emirates Old Trafford and The Ageas Bowl in 2029.
Annoyingly the day I'm going to Edgbaston, Sunday day 3, is when the weather is due to change. Hot and sunny for the first 2 days, then showers on days 3 to 5
Realised annoyingly I'm going up to Leeds halfway through the Test at Headingley - if I'd have realised I'd have maybe tried to get an early train and get tickets for the Sunday.
If @KillersBeard can't do it then I'm sure @killerandflash can. But in case they can't, the MCC is made up of regions of players who are playing members and the Finals day showcases the best four regions in two semi-finals and a final.
Addick Addict has pretty much nailed the explanation. I was lucky enough to commentate on last years event and the standard is very high. MCC region teams can include players who play in the minor counties leagues and players who still have ambitions to make it to the main county circuit. Whether that makes them ‘Amateurs’ or Professional’ I’m not entirely sure.
Addick Addict has pretty much nailed the explanation. I was lucky enough to commentate on last years event and the standard is very high. MCC region teams can include players who play in the minor counties leagues and players who still have ambitions to make it to the main county circuit. Whether that makes them ‘Amateurs’ or Professional’ I’m not entirely sure.
That is very much the moot point especially as even if they aren't playing for a minor county there is every chance that some are being paid something by their club. Equally, you do get ex pros, who are MCC playing members, turning out too - e.g. Simon Guy, the ex Yorkshire player.
Comments
Hildreth was certainly unlucky so far as Test cricket is concerned anyway. The thought was that he was vulnerable to the short pitched ball but, to my mind, we wouldn't truly have known if that were the case unless he was allowed to show at the highest level whether that is the case.
Hildreth has retired now but Hain is still only 27 and excels in all forms of the game. When one sees the likes of Dan Lawrence appearing in England squads it is a real head scratcher as to what Hain has done wrong. Hopefully he will get his chance soon enough.
Talking about vulnerabilities to short pitched bowling brings me onto Will Pucovski, the Aussie international who has had to miss so many periods of time due to at least 11 incidents that caused him to suffer concussion. One of the lads who has been assisting my son coaching this summer is currently doing his Level 2 over the course of the next four Sundays at Tonbridge School. Puckovski is on that course along with West Indies international Kieran Powell. The former is over here playing for Weybridge CC and the latter for Ashtead CC.
Coincidentally, the two teams met each other on Saturday. Powell opened the batting and scored 151 off 126 balls in Ashtead's total of 444-8 declared (63.5) and Pucovski hit 111 not out off 107 balls out of Weybridge's reply of 395-6 (56). One suspects that both are having to take their Level 2 here because they are not allowed to lead a coaching session without it and presumably they are being paid to play and coach here. I suspect the sooner Puckovski gets himself qualified the better so far as Weybridge are concerned - they had no less than 20 senior and junior games on Sunday alone! I also hope that he manages to overcome his difficulties and manages to climb back up the cricketing ladder when he returns home - assuming, of course, that he still wants and has that desire to do so.
Hain has also played for the England Lions and one would have thought that, unless this was a token gesture aimed at hoping he'd fail, his Australian background shouldn't stop him from playing international cricket for us.
I was surprised that Dan Lawrence has played as many Tests as he has, is he favoured because he has come through the England age group system? Probably not a lot in it either way though.
Not exactly a vacancy in the middle order at the moment though is there? If one does come up you would probably be looking at a batting all-rounder or Foakes filling it anyway?
https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3537061/major-match-venues-for-202531-announced
Although it won't be as good as your preferred format of the game will it?
Googling pubs near the ground as we speak!
Whether that makes them ‘Amateurs’ or Professional’ I’m not entirely sure.