Story England Domination - 2015 Onwards

[Twiggy_87]

England announce Taylor new captain with 2015 contracts

Fresh from one of the most successful 'Ashes' campaigns, England have hit a new high in world cricket, sitting upon the top of ICC Rankings in the Test arena, while they are sitting only one point away from top in the shorter version.

A 2-1 victory on Australian soil saw the Lions regain 'The Ashes' after the Aussies stole the urn back a few years back. It was new skipper, James Taylor who lead from the front, and the young man is ready to continue his rise on the cricket scene by leading a strong, young and successful team at both levels.

"We have a variety of depth, but more importantly, we have the best players in the world, and there is plenty of cricket in them" Taylor said. "Players like Ian Steele, Mike Morgan and Charles Weir have bounced onto the scene and they are still five years from their prime"

Taylor is only 25 himself, and is the no.3 batsman in the world. He started making tonnes for Leicestershire from the 2008 summer, and it was a surprise call-up into the 2010 test side against Bangladesh that changed everything.

Only 20 years old, Taylor became the 647th player to wear the Blue cap and has never missed a beat since making an immaculate 181 in only his second test innings. An unbeaten double-hundred in the 2011 Ashes at the MCG saw his name go into the record books.

"It is a great honour being named captain of the oldest cricketing nation, and to be picked at only 25, it is mindblowing" the skipper said. "There is alot of work still to do, and I am confident as a team we can all improve and take the next step"

Taylor has already played 62 test matches, and knocked over some brilliant all-rounder records. He has accumulated close to 4500 test runs with 12 hundreds, while also taking 237 wickets including 12 five-wicket hauls.

"The way J-T is going, he will end up being the first and only player to ever make 10,000 runs and take 500 wickets" said veteran Kevin Pietersen. "He is so talented and has another ten years in him. He can make runs quick, save games by playing defensive, or can get three quick wickets that can turn the game".

The other news in terms of the contracts stems to the youthful side of the squad, but staggering international experience despite the ages. New inclusions include batsman Paul Marsh and Jonathan Bairstow, all-rounders Tom Fessey, Anthony Howarth and Marcus Pickering, while quick paceman Aaron Mercer also joins the 20-man list.

Jonathan Clare, Thomas Whitehead, Graeme Swann, Andrew Strauss, Luke Fletcher and Greg Ramshaw all missed out.

2015 Contracted Players
1 Bairstow, Jonathan
2 Broad, Stuart
3 Cook, Alistair
4 Fessey, Tom
5 Footitt, Mark
6 Howarth, Anthony
7 Kieswetter, Craig
8 Marsh, Paul
9 Mercer, Aaron
10 Morgan, Eoin
11 Morgan, Mike
12 Moriarty, Steve
13 Munday, Michael
14 Pickering, Marcus
15 Pietersen, Kevin
16 Steele, Ian
17 Taylor, James (c)
18 Weir, Charles
19 Williams, Robbie
20 Wodehouse, Christian

 

[Twiggy_87]

The English summer is only ready to heat up

The 2015 summer of cricket is looming for cricket fans and the like, with Pakistan and Bangladesh taking on the no.1 test nation.

England will be host to two test matches to the No.9 ranked nation, but they are on a big improve, with their last two series seeing a 2-0 victory over New Zealand at home, while an amazing 1-all draw against Australia in their top-end series.

Pakistan however will be tough competition, ranked 4th overall, and having some strong wins. England have proven to be too good though, winning 2-1 in their last series, back in 2012.

The shorter form of the game and Twenty20 Internationals are also booked in around the UK, with 3 ODI's vs Bangladesh and late in the summer, a 5 match NatWest series against Pakistan.

Itinerary

Bangladesh in England

1st Test at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (6-10 May 2015)
2nd Test at Headingley, Leeds (14-18 May 2015)

Only Twenty20 Int'l at Headingley, Leeds (21 May 2015)

1st ODI at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street (24 May 2015)
2nd ODI at The Rose Bowl, Southhampton (26 May 2015)
3rd ODI at Nevil Road, Bristol (28 May 2015)

Pakistan in England

1st Test at Lord's, London (8-12 Jul 2015)
2nd Test at Old Trafford, Manchester (16-20 Jul 2015)
3rd Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham (30 Jul-3 Aug 2015)
4th Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham (7-11 Aug 2015)
5th Test at The Oval, London (20-24 Aug 2015)

1st Twenty20 Int'l at Trent Bridge, Nottingham (30 Aug 2015)
2nd Twenty20 Int'l at County Cricket Ground, Bristol (1 Sep 2015)

1st ODI at County Cricket Ground, Bristol (4 Sep 2015)
2nd ODI at Lord's, London (6 Sep 2015)
3rd ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham (9 Sep 2015)
4th ODI at The Oval, London (12 Sep 2015)
5th ODI at County Ground, Taunton (15 Sep 2015)

Cardiff will host the first game of the summer

 

[Twiggy_87]

Williams gives shake up to bowling attack
1st May 2015

Middlesex seamer Robbie Williams has successfully knocked on the door of selectors, proving terrific form in the opening weeks of the cricket season to earn a spot in the 12-man squad for the first test starting later this week.

After a playing a very comprehensive Ashes role and then Bangladesh tour in 2013, Williams struggled last summer, taking only two wickets in two tests at an average of 118.50.

The selectors however have given the 28-year old another chance at the big time, proving too good for his county in the first two championship games, taking 13 wickets including 5-40 against Yorkshire.

It is unknown whether Williams will be carrying the drinks or not, most likely depending on the forecast and pitch to whether four seamers are taken in...something that has been unusual and unsuccessful for the English side, usually going with 3-1 bowling attack and having skipper Taylor as the part time spinner.

England 1st Test Squad
Alistair Cook, Charles Weir, Mike Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, James Taylor (c), Steve Moriarty, Ian Steele (wk), Tom Fessey, Stuart Broad (vc), Christian Wodehouse, Mark Footitt, Robbie Williams (12th man yet to be named)


Player Snapshot

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Bangladesh finalise squad to take on England
2nd May 2015

Mushfiqur Rahim will lead Bangladesh in the 2-match test series against England starting next week. Given the extra time to finalise their touring squad, the captain seems very impressed.

"There is plenty of depth in our team and all players seem to be in prime match form. We have a solid experience and I really think their are plenty of match winners around us." said Rahim.

One match winner is definately Shuvagoto Hom, a 28-year old batsman who has really progressed for the nation. With 6 test hundreds to his name in 29 tests, he is the best of the batsman on tour, and he proved that with an unbeaten 135 in their first innings against the MCC in their warm up game.

Their bowling however seems their strength, with Haque the man to watch, Dolar Mahmud and Mohammad Sharif also look very dangerous

Bangladesh Touring Squad
Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Shuvagoto Hom, Nazimuddin, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem Islam, Farhad Reza, P Abbasi, Mohammad Sharif, Dolar Mahmud, Enamul Haque, Talha Jubair, Mahbubul Alam

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Wodehouse to carry drinks while Mahmud pulls out
6th May 2015, Cardiff

Young paceman Christian Wodehouse has been the unlucky one, named as 12th man in the opening test of the summer. After being a regular member of the test and ODI side of recent times, his fitness and form were the reasons why Robbie Williams gets another crack before him.

However, the major blow is an quad injury to Dolar Mahmud of Bangladesh. Fresh from a brilliant performance against the MCC in their warm up game, taking 7 wickets including 5-38 in the first innings, the young bowler will miss the opening test.

England go into the game at almost unbackable odds, with the draw the next option. With the weather looking terrific over the five days, a result should be expected at Cardiff.

England
Alistair Cook, Charles Weir, Mike Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, *James Taylor, Steve Moriarty, ?Ian Steele, Tom Fessey, Stuart Broad, Mark Footitt, Robbie Williams, Christian Wodehouse (12th man)

Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Shuvagoto Hom, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Nazimuddin, *?Mushfiqur Rahim, Farhad Reza, P Abbasi, Mohammad Sharif, Enamul Haque, Talha Jubair (12th man)

 

[1iram1]

Great write-up so far. I'm surprised noone commented on this. Hope Bangladesh put up a good fight.

 

[Bevab]

I guess you're using ICC 11 or 10.

 

[Twiggy_87]

I guess you're using ICC 11 or 10.

ICC 2010 mate

 

[Aditya]

That's actually a very fine start to the story. I like the concept of the story, it's in the future which I find exciting. Good luck for this mate!

 

[RPHKR]

Great start/presentation tbh ....

 

[Twiggy_87]

1st Test - England vs Bangladesh

Poms claim victory despite Bangladesh scare
9th May 2015

In what would be considered a moral victory, Bangladesh had England on the ropes for most of the game, only coming up short thanks to a determined and much needed hundred from opener Alistair Cook.

Despite being skittled for 194 after winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh's bowiling efforts kept them in the game. When Tom Fessey was dismissed in the English sides first innings, Bangladesh had them at 7-178. Batting was slow, and it took a 67-run 8th wicket stand between Ian Steele and Stuart Broad to get England to a leading score of 251.

Fast forward two sessions, and Bangladesh had hit favouritism for the win. Flying at 5 runs an over, Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees made a record stand of 228. Nafees being dismissed for 121.

The tables turned however, thanks to captain James Taylor. He took the wicket of Nafees, and Iqbal (103) in the same over. Still, at 2-233, they were in control...not for long. Taylor and Footitt produced a remarkable spell together, taking 5-9 in 3 overs.

Taylor backed up his 3 first innings wickets, taking 5-80 and being the most dangerous bowler in the match. Robbie Williams kept his spot safety, claiming 3-75, and Bangladesh were bowled out for 326. They lost ten wickets for under 100 runs.

Needing 270 for victory, England managed to make it with 5 wickets to spare, but at a well less than 3 runs per over. When Taylor was dismissed for 6, after only 9 runs in the first innings, England were four wickets down for 108 runs and the match was on the line.

Enter Alistair Cook, whose poise and concentration earned him his 26th test hundred, and first in a while. The 30 year old face 276 balls for his 104 runs, in what was a match winning score. Steve Moriarty also provided resistance, unbeaten on 80.

England go into the 2nd test with an expected 1-0 lead, but there still needs to be much more work needed before giving Pakistan a fright.

Ian Steele hits the winning runs

 

[Dipak]

Great start to the story. You're doing an awesome job. Though I would have liked to see Cook as the captain, James Taylor is an awesome player and can make a good skipper.

Cook was awesome in the second innings but Taylor was awesome with the ball but he needs to perform with the ball

 

[Aislabie]

Loving the scorecards, great job. Interesting storyline, too.

 

[Twiggy_87]

One change each for two-test decider
14th May 2015, Cardiff

England and Bangladesh have both made one change going into the 2nd and final test of the test series to start the summer. Tom Fessey misses out on retaining his spot, while Fahrad Reza has been replaced to add strength to the middle order.

Fessey, who has played in the last five tests for England, has been replaced by fellow spinner Michael Munday.

"Tom's unlucky, but the pitch at Leeds will seem to favour the leg spinner rather than the off spinner, and the experience Michael has gives him the heads up" said coach Alec Stewart.

Bangladesh have dropped Fahrad Reza despite taking a wicket bowling only six overs in the first test, as well as a handy 39 first innings score in a low score.

"Yeah, it has stunned us for sure, but his replacement has had some good games against us in the past, so we will have to wait and see" said Stewart. The replacement being experienced middle order batsman Naeem Islam.

England
Alistair Cook, Charles Weir, Mike Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, *James Taylor, Steve Moriarty, ?Ian Steele, Stuart Broad, Michael Munday, Mark Footitt, Robbie Williams, Christian Wodehouse (12th man)

Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Shuvagoto Hom, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Nazimuddin, Naeem Islam, *?Mushfiqur Rahim, P Abbasi, Mohammad Sharif, Enamul Haque, Fahrad Reza (12th man)

Player Snapshot

 

[swacker]

Graeme Swann, Andrew Strauss missed out.

Obviously there is a reason beside it to miss out.

 

[hedger_14]

Looking good so far. I tried using those cricinfo scorecards once. Found them too much effort but they look very good. Anyway, best of luck. And good to see Tamim Iqbal hit a century in that test

 

[qpeedore]

I'm loving the presentation. Simple, and you're using screens from the game itself to great effect, which is something rarely seen.

A quick question, how do you get the Cricinfo scorecards made?