Story England Domination - 2015 Onwards

[Papa_Smurf]

I rarely step in to this forum. And this is only the second occasion where a story has managed to make me stay and get hooked on.

So good job

Keep it up!

 

[Twiggy_87]

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?

I just made them up on Excel...alot of effort...hence the slow continuation to the story...haha

I will only be doing test matches on the cricinfo scorecards, and just summaries for Twenty20's and ODI's

2nd test will be up tonight guys...

 

[RPHKR]

Eagerly waiting for updates ! KUTGW !!

 

[Twiggy_87]

2nd Test: England vs Bangladesh

England clean sweep with brutal innings win
17th May 2015

England have taken home the chocolates in an expected clean sweep, but it didn't come any sweeter than the hosts could have imagined. Bangladesh gave their all in the opening test at Cardiff, managing to lose by 5 wickets in a match that had them in control. A week later, England provided the comeback of form they needed, with an innings victory to take the series 2-0.

When Tamim Iqbal, century maker in the first test, was caught off a short Mark Footitt delivery by Mike Morgan six minutes into the game, and then super batsman Shuvagoto Hom out a couple overs later lbw to Stuart Broad, we knew destruction was on the cards.

Bangladesh were all out for 160 just after tea on the first day, and would go into the rooms at stumps with the Poms in total control. All bowlers took wickets for the home side on a batsman friendly Leeds wicket, with Footitt taking 3-33 as the best. Resistance by in form Shahriar Nafees (48) was probably the only thing helping a 100-plus score.

Fresh from a superb, match-winning, hundred at Cardiff, Alistair Cook looked in control once more. Slowly contributing back to back hundreds, but it was his partner in crime who made the headlines.

Charles Weir proved his claim as one of the best openers in the game, smashing his way to his second double hundred, before being bowled out for 206. It would be Weir's sixth test century, and after 31 tests holds an average of 64.21.

Cook and Weir put on a 281 run opening stand. Mike Morgan pushed his way to 40 while Steve Moriarty kept his front foot on a test spot with another solid half-century down the order. The Poms declared at 9-516, with only Kevin Pietersen the form concern. He made a golden duck after producing only 33 runs for the series.

Skipper James Taylor stopped the resistance by Bangladesh on a deteriating English wicket, claiming 6-84 off 22 overs. He would take home the man of the series where it was his bowling alone. He took 16 wickets in the two tests, including two five-wicket hauls.

The tourists have the one day series and a twenty20 in the next few days to try and claim back that much needed confidence.

Charles Weir hits another six in his massive double hundred

 

[Twiggy_87]

Key men give England the edge
17th May 2015, Cardiff

It may have only been Bangladesh, still regarded in world cricket as a minnow, but England retains its No.1 test status thanks to great series from three important men in the English side.

Newly appointed skipper James Taylor delivered with the ball despite struggling with the bat. It was his first test series as captain, and he would like to forget his 2-match batting average of 13.33. His work with the ball however was exceptional. 6-84 in the 2nd test is his best innings figures in first class and test cricket. He has taken 5 wickets on 14 occassions.

He is no slouch with the bat though, making close to 4,500 runs at 46.87. At only 25, he is on the verge of all-round records. He already has an amazing 253 test wickets.

The other contenders for man of the series were unlucky. Charles Weir and Alistair Cook, both opening batsman, were incredible in the 2nd test, while posting runs in the first test.

Weir is an interesting character. He hits the ball hard, he hits the ball high, and he is quick between the wickets. His part-time wicketkeeping sees him a good slips catcher. With Ian Steele the preferred gloveman, Weir can focus more on his striking.

Only 26 years old, Weir has impressed with more than 2,500 runs at an average of 64.21. He has made six hundreds and 16 half-centuries in his short, 31-test career.

Cook on the otherhand is a veteran. Along with Pietersen, the most experienced men, Cook still looks to be in his prime. His average of 52 is outstanding for a long-term opener of 104 test matches. It was against Bangladesh that he would bring up century number 26 and 27.

Player Snapshots

 

[Twiggy_87]

Captain Kieswetter misses Natwest series through injury
20th May 2015, Cardiff

Fresh after England's 2-0 series win over Bangladesh in the five day game, the attention turns to Twenty20 and Limited Overs cricket against the sub-continent tourists.

England have suffered a blow with limited over captain Craig Kieswetter out for the next month with a broken finger. Sustained a couple days ago in a county match for Somerset, Kieswetter will be a major loss for the team.

A massive striker from the get-go with an impressive 42.95 average, it is his leadership that will be missed more. Stuart Broad will take over the reigns as skipper in the shorter version of the game.

Broad, 28, has captained the side a few times before with mixed success, but is ready to take on the role and add more to his impressive resume. Broad has taken 328 test wickets and 213 one-day international scalps at a good rate.

Michael Munday gets the nod in the 15-man squad ahead of Tom Fessey as the full-time spinner (if used) while Aaron Mercer and Anthony Howarth return to the squad after being suprised last month with ECB contracts.

England One Day and Twenty20 Squad
Alistair Cook, Charles Weir, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Marsh, Jonathan Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, James Taylor, Anthony Howarth, ?Ian Steele, *Stuart Broad, Michael Munday, Mark Footitt, Robbie Williams, Christian Wodehouse, Aaron Mercer


Player Snapshot

 

[Dipak]

Well this story is just too good and I love reading it, especially when it involves my fave team. Big blow there for Eng with Kieswetter being unfit but yeah they have an awesome squad there. It's however wierd that players like Davies haven't been picked as he's young and talented.

 

[Twiggy_87]

Well this story is just too good and I love reading it, especially when it involves my fave team. Big blow there for Eng with Kieswetter being unfit but yeah they have an awesome squad there. It's however wierd that players like Davies haven't been picked as he's young and talented.

As an Aussie, I have been experimenting alot with the English side as their are a few names I've heard but not sure how good they are in real life.

Finn, Trott, Prior all got early chances but failed, so haven't recalled them.

I like building for the future and seeing records tumble. There are alot of young players with big first class scores and figures and they have been bought in along the last 3-4 years to build my foundation. Players like James Taylor can hit well over 10,000 runs and he is well on his way to 500 test wickets as well, starting him at 21.

Davies just might sneak in at some stage as you have mentioned him though.

I am open for any suggestions. I love to let readers into the story by giving them an option to help the best XI etc.

Also, is there any other ways to get the readers involved...any help would be appreciated.

 

[timchrist984]

This Charles Weir guy sounds like a gun. If his keeping's up to scratch, he could play in the limited overs games as a keeper and give a young batsman an opportunity.

 

[Twiggy_87]

This Charles Weir guy sounds like a gun. If his keeping's up to scratch, he could play in the limited overs games as a keeper and give a young batsman an opportunity.

Superstar, especially as an opener...however, Ian Steele (the no.1 keeper) has (off the top of my head) a test batting record of 66-68 after as many tests. I haven't put up his player snapshot yet, but his career has been sensational.

Steele is more your Mike Hussey type, lower order last man standing type batsman.

The other concern is Steve Moriarty (another keeper batsman), who is a gem. Has made some massive scores for memory (I'm at work, not at home so can't tell you exactly), and it is very hard to put 3 keepers in the same team.

Craig Kieswetter has also had some success at test level too, but I have made the decision to make him a limited overs player more often than test.

ICC tends to bring the dilemmas in future years with a good pool of talent of keepers in my past careers.

 

[Twiggy_87]

Get ready for the first big hit of the summer
21st May 2015, Leads

Headingley will host the only Twenty20 between England and Bangladesh this evening with the hosts going in as favourites. The shortest version of the game has seen some experiments by England of the past few years, but expect a big performance tonight.

Jonathan Bairstow, Anthony Howarth and exciting quick Aaron Mercer have all made the cut along with international stars. Charles Weir gets his gig with captain Craig Kieswetter missing through injury.

Bangladesh have named a quite in-form side, where the bowling line up could cause a few problems. Talha Jubair shows flair while Dolar Mahmud is keen for some form.

England
Alistair Cook, Charles Weir, Kevin Pietersen, James Taylor, Jonathan Bairstow, Paul Marsh, Anthony Howarth, ?Ian Steele, *Stuart Broad, Mark Footitt, Aaron Mercer, Robbie Williams (12th man)

Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Shuvagoto Hom, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, N Nazimuddin, Mushfuqir Rahim, P Abbasi, Dolar Mahmud, Enamul Haque, Talha Jubair, Naeem Islam (12th man)


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England sizzle to smashing T20 victory
21st May 2015, Leads

Fireworks set the scene before the game, but in-form opener Charles Weir, and needing-to-find form Kevin Pietersen produced massive knocks to deliver another blow to Bangladesh.

England started like a house on fire with Alistair Cook smashing 30 off 17 balls before Weir could face many balls. It didn't matter though, as Weir and Pietersen put on a remarkable 144-run stand for the 2nd wicket in no time at all.

KP smashed his way to 71 off only 47 balls while Weir remained unbeaten on 83, facing 54 deliveries. Talha Jubair snaring 2-31 in the only solid spell for Bangladesh.

Iqbal and Nafees looked good early...holding their position and putting on 24 in the chase, but it would end with youngster Aaron Mercer claiming his first of what would be many scalps.

The collapse of the middle order was amazing, where 7 wickets were claimed for only 13 runs. If it wasn't for Dolar Mahmud and Talha Jubair down the end of the order, a score of less than 50 was on the cards.

Kent's 22 year old Aaron Mercer was the hero. He took a gobsmacking 6-24 in his 4 overs, including a delivery that left captain Mushfiqur Rahim shaking his head (see below)

The win brings plenty of confidence to the English camp ahead of the 3-match ODI series.

ENGLAND 191 for 3 (20 overs)
C Weir 83* (54), K Pietersen 71 (47), A Cook 30 (17), Talha Jubair 2-31

BANGLADESH 77 all out (10.1 overs)
Talha Jubair 17* (9), A Mercer 6-24, S Broad 3-35

Mushfiqur Rahim is beaten by Aaron Mercer pace

 

[Aislabie]

Great story, the graphics must be taking you ages. However, are you sure that's Rahim, because he's right handed...

 

[Dipak]

I'd love to see guys like Trott in the side. A few young players like Topley, Ben Stokes, Alex Hales, James Vince all could be given a change especially Hales as they're young and they're promising players

 

[Gaurav_7]

However, are you sure that's Rahim, because he's right handed...

Maybe he tried to do a Warner?

 

[Twiggy_87]

England take one-day series in crushing style
29th May 2015, Bristol

England have stormed away with a complete clean sweep of Bangladesh, winning the third and final one-day international to make it a 100% win record to start the summer off.

It all started last week when a team effort constructed a 223 run win at Riverside. James Taylor had the sinking feeling of being stuck on 99 after the 50 overs were up, and was well supported by newly appointed one-day opener Charles Weir (84) and Eoin Morgan was unbeaten on 76.

Everyone performed to get a 1-0 start, with the bowling line-up taking less than 20 overs to bowl the 'Deshi's out. Williams was the pick, while Anthony Howarth finished them off.

The 2nd and 3rd ODI's were nothing short of brilliant either. Taylor, Weir and Morgan continued their form through the series, while the bowlers were remarkable against a less than satisfied Bangladesh.

Aaron Mercer, fresh from a heroic 6 wicket Twenty20 International haul took seven wickets in the series at an average of 11.14 while Anthony Howarth did very similar, taking 7 scalps at 11.43. The best however was Robbie Williams who claimed 9 wickets in the 3 games at an incredible 9.78 average.

Morgan was named man of the series, fighting his way to three half-centuries at an average of 111.00.
1st ODI at Chester-le-Street
ENGLAND 319 for 3 (50 overs)
J Taylor 99*, C Weir 84, E Morgan 76*, K Pietersen 34, Enamul Haque 2-53

BANGLADESH 96 all out (17.4 overs)
Mahmudullah 32, A Mercer 3-21, R Williams 3-21, A Howarth 2-20, S Broad 2-30

England won by 223 runs; Man of the Match: James Taylor (Eng)


2nd ODI at Southhampton
ENGLAND 300 for 9 (50 overs)
J Taylor 87, E Morgan 63, J Bairstow 40, S Broad 34*, Dolar Mahmud 3-77

BANGLADESH 195 all out (31.4 overs)
Tamim Iqbal 52, Nazimuddin 45, Dolar Mahmud 30, A Howarth 4-42, A Mercer 2-41, R Williams 2-44

England won by 105 runs; Man of the Match: Anthony Howarth (Eng)


3rd ODI at Bristol
ENGLAND 275 All Out (49.3 overs)
E Morgan 83, C Weir 52, I Steele 41, Dolar Mahmud 3-48, Mohammad Alam 2-52, Shakib Al Hasan 2-64

BANGLADESH 76 all out (17.4 overs)
Mahmudullah 27, R Williams 4-23, S Broad 3-19, A Mercer 2-16

England won by 199 runs; Man of the Match: Robbie Williams (Eng)

Man of the Series: Eoin Morgan (Eng)