Blood and Thunder awaits in Twenty20 showdown

It has been years in waiting but tonight England, under the stewardship of coach Andy Flower and captain Paul Collingwood could win their first ever ICC event.

A win in Sundays ICC World Twenty20 final against great rivals Australia at the Kensington Oval would deliver England’s first trophy in limited over competitions since it was bought into the cricketing calendar over 35 years ago.

Explosive, consistent and in-form are superlatives that can be used to scatter over the team sheets of both sides ahead of this evening’s titanic tussle. The fluidity and sheer power of Kevin Pietersen with the bat has disregarded opposition proficiently, whilst the baggy greens ‘Mr Cricket’, Michael Hussey, is the main reason why Michael Clarkes outfit have a quick fire chance for Ashes revenge as he hit a stunning knock in the semi-final against Pakistan to overhaul the Aussies from the jaws of defeat to booking a place in the Twenty20 finale in the West Indies.


England and Australia Captains, Collingwood and Clarke, respectively, will go head to head this evening for one of crickets biggest prizes.

In 2004, England were sent packing by the West Indies in the One-Day World Cup Final, but skipper Collingwood who was on the receiving end that day will be determined to inscribe his team’s name in the history books this time round.

The stage is set, the coldrum is burning, and now it is just up to two of crickets most fearsome rivals to battle it out with blood and thunder to lift aloft the prestigious Twenty20 Trophy.

Match Report to follow after the game.

Rivalry set to be relived, as the games great duo prolong tennis eulogy

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will today meet eye to eye in the Madrid Masters final, with it being the first time since last year’s final that these two fearsome competitors have had the chance to renew their rivalry.

A year is a long time in sport, and especially in tennis. You only need to offer a sincere throwback to this time twelve months ago and a thwarted, tired, strained and outwitted Federer seemed lost in transition as his great Spanish adversary Rafael Nadal had battered the Swiss at Roland Garros, forced him to relinquish his treasured SW19 title and reduce the now sixteen time Grand Slam champion to tears in the 2009 Australian Open Final.

But this bumper mayday period for Nadal in 2009 was short lived. A barrage of troublesome knee problems and fitness quandaries gave a confident stricken Federer a glimpse at the keys coated in success, once again. Hard thought and ‘ego’ boosting, Federer took apart Nadal in the 2009 Madrid Masters Final proving his doubters wrong that he could beat the improbable Spaniard on his beloved clay surface. The Swiss superstar exploited, conjectured and wore down Majorcan Nadal as his knee issues seemed to seize up, whilst the ever-green Federer took him to the sword.

A win in the Spanish capital, was then followed by a near remarkable French Open. Frontrunner Rafael Nadal appeared ill at ease with himself as he could only see his unrelenting clay court record and his first ever Roland Garros defeat flash right before his eyes as Swede Robin Soderling’s clinical match play in the fourth round defeated the Spaniard, opening the door to Federer to finally win his first French Open title, completing his set of major wins. And the Swiss did not disappoint as he careered through to the final, beating Soderling, before collapsing to his knees in jubilation after securing his impossible dream.

Rafael Nadal, subsequently missed Wimbledon through injury, meaning he was not able to defend his crown as Federer swept in to claim his sixth London grass court title, surpassing in his wake the watching Pete Sampras as he moved onto fifthteen Grand Slam titles, one more then the great American.

Since then, Federer has with ease grasped a domineering grip on the mens game, whilst Nadal is only now returning to his best. The bustling Spaniard is only one Masters Title away from securing a record haul and in recent weeks he seems to have a re-installed belief and confidence as he knows how crucial the next few months are to proving the doubters wrong and establishing himself as the best on the world stage again.

Today’s final for Federer, serves as the perfect preparation for his Roland Garros defence in the coming weeks and the now father of two, gives the impression he is more than ready to relive his duel with Nadal again, as the Swiss player has a point to prove with many saying Nadal’s absence last year handed Federer two Grand Slam titles on a plate.


Two great foes are ready to lock horns once again.

Harsh criticism, but we will see who can get the upper hand in the Spanish capital this afternoon, which surely is the perfect platform and form remedy for the duo ahead of a critical summer.

Match Report: El Clasico: Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona

Outclassed, overwhelmed and conquered, Real Madrid were left squalling in a silent Santiago Bernabeu pit as Pep Guardiola’s brilliant Barcelona side conjured up a deadly knockout blow on Saturday night ending Madrid’s title credentials, their 100% home record this season and Los Blancos’s assault to stop a Catalan steam train which is making its own history extending L’equip blaugrana’s recent dominance over their great rivals.

The 208th meeting between these two fearsome competitors was billed as the title decider. Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Madrid knew that only a win would suffice. Already on borrowed time, as a result of Madrid’s European heartbreak, it would be an understatement to say this game defined his Los Blancos tenure and the direction of the La Liga crown.

Domestic, European, individual and worldwide success has cut this current Barcelona crop as the game’s greatest team. With superlatives on short supply, a cultured, professional and clinical performance for the Catalan’s placed one of Carlos Puyol’s hands, clenched firmly, on this year’s La Liga with Madrid now needing a seamless miracle to claw back a three point deficit with Spain’s head to head ruling seeing Barcelona, twice, coming out on top in this seasons meetings between the sides.


Two different fortunes for a Catalan hero and a Madrid hero, respectively.

It was who else then Argentinean wizard Lionel Messi, of course whom jinked and weaved expertly in the Real Madrid box to clip the ball home past Iker Casillas midway through the first period following an undefendable pass by Xavi Hernandez, the supremely gifted Spaniard orchestrating and providing a vivid heartbeat to this mesmeric Catalan team.

Chances were far a regularity, from both sides, but Barcelona’s fatal killer instinct in front of goal proved decisive as Real Madrid’s attempt to stop their great rivals success laden march into the new decade took a devastating knock as Xavi, once again, played a pin-point through ball behind the Los Blancos backline where the scampering Pedro beat the trailing Alvaro Arbeloa with ease to then curl the ball past Casillas from the edge of the area, cutting a prosperous eerie feeling ringing around the Bernabeu.

With the cynics out ready to question Manuel Pellegrini, the Chilean boss through everything forward in a largely uneventful Clasico where the ability to finish was key.

He’s many people’s choice for Spanish number one, and Victor Valdes, of whom was tested, was never going to be beaten by a barrage of hopeful Real Madrid attempts. Ailing shots by Ronaldo, not for a want of trying, Higuain, Gago and Van der Vaart who woefully hit the ball straight at Valdes when clean through in the second period, were all Los Blancos could muster as the damage had already been done.

Lionel Messi could and probably should of had the last laugh with a fifth hat-trick of the season. Twice he scuttled effortlessly into the Madrid penalty area only for Casillas to be on hand to divert two efforts, on both occasions around the post.

Insult to injury would have been a Barcelona third though. Madrid, battered, bruised and dejected cannot deny the brazen class difference between an established line-up and a growing Florentino Perez dream. The flow of history now seems to be heading Barcelona’s way in a season where there just seems to be no let-up under the hard task master, that is Pep Guardiola.

Let’s not forget though, the headlines and accolades may all be falling the way of the little master Messi, but it is Xavi Hernandez whom is the platform for Catalan success.

Real Madrid:

Casillas 7: A bit static on both goals but made two superb saves from Messi. Outdone by Valdes.

Arbeloa 6: He always put in a good shift, but was undone by the pace of Pedro.

Sergio Ramos 6: Rash in the tackle but didn’t give up the ghost.

Abiol 6: Turned by Messi for the opening goal, but no one can seem to stop the little magician at the moment.

Garay 6: Steady game, with a red hot plate in front of him to deal with.

Gago 6: Got about the pitch well, but added little, should have been replaced by Lass in the second half.

Alonso 6: Tried to pull the strings but was outclassed by his Spanish compatriot Xavi.

Van der Vaart 6: His glorious opportunity went a begging, that goal could of gave Madrid a one way ticket back into the match.

Marcelo 6: Average from the Brazilian, looked out of his depth in midfield.

Ronaldo 7: Never stopped trying and looked the most likely for Madrid even if he had to go on his own. He needs to learn how to interact with the team more.

Higuain 6: Grilled in the Madrid press, but he only had one half chance in a quiet game. The Argentine can feel unlucky that people are questioning him particularly after the season he has had.

Substitutes: Guti 7: Always had the creative spark, and may have made a difference if he was in from the start. Raul 6: Unlucky with disallowed goal because of Benzema hand-ball, maybe his last Clasico? Benzema 5: Looks dis-interested at the moment, for a player worth 30 million pounds it appears unclear where his next goal will come from.

Barcelona: Valdes 7: Puyol 7: Pique 6: Milito 6: Maxwell 7: Busquets 6: Xavi 9: Keita 7: Alves 5: Messi 8: Pedro 8: Substitutes: Iniesta 5: Marquez 6:

Old-stagers Let Golf Do The Talking On Day One

Golf can now get back on course. Months of lies, admittance, tabloid trauma, player scrutiny and allegations can now be put into the bunker for the time being at least, as golfing infancy in the form of Augusta has turned everybody’s heads yet again.

Tiger Woods, the man caught up in a vociferous media hunt tearing apart an individual previously who had kept such a clean cut exterior, only for the real truth concerning his extravagant other life to be told to the world fuelling speculation if the ‘great’ American would ever come back to golf again. Questions aplenty have doubted Wood’s real characteristics as a person but he is now back in the limelight being checked and examined every step of the way.

Press conferences aside, and Woods whom can count himself extremely fortunate to have held onto his membership at the Masters now has to let his game do the talking, and talking it did with a four under round of 68 in the opening days play.

The Tiger may have not looked rusty, but he was outfoxed on day one by some of the game’s old guard. 1992 champion Fred Couples produced a sterling round of 66 in a six under par showing rolling back the years with 60 year old fellow American Tom Watson showing that last year’s Open run was no drop in the ocean as he hit a industrious 67 in his search for a third Masters Green Jacket.


Fred Couples (Above) rolled back the years on the first days play.

Woods, the world number one golfer has admitted he has never been more nervous when facing crowds and playing a golf tournament in recent years, nonetheless he showed off glimpses of talent which are sure to carry him deep into the tournament. Friend of the shunned American, Englishman Lee Westwood, has yet to win a major but following a positive start yesterday perhaps he has now consumed in all of Augusta and can now fully focus on some confident golf in the coming days.

The world’s most prestigious golf tournament can now relax and let its aura do the talking with the sport in question being the only talked about clubhouse topic, for now for now at least.

County Championship Division 1 Preview

Well it’s early April and the sun is shining, but there’s something in the offing which usually acts as a signal of bad weather to come: the beginning of the cricket season in the form of the County Championship.

County cricket finds itself in the midst of a wash-up of change. Gone are the days of the traditional 50 over one day competition as a new 21 side, three league format has been introduced this time around. And of course, Twenty20 is sure to dominate the headlines once again as many counties see it as a golden opportunity, not just for personal success but for the greater financial rewards it brings.

Tomorrow though sees 18 teams bowl off their seasons in Divisions one and two. Durham, the team to beat in the last two years go into this summer on the back of an unbeaten championship campaign last time out. Ever willing and reliable batting class in the shape of Michael Di Venuto at the top of the order give the north east side a firm footing to start, and let’s not forget an international class bowling unit with Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions, supplying pace, consistency and heart along with former England marksmen Steven Harmison and Ian Blackwell who appear to be enjoying their time in the sun with it looking unlikely neither of them will earn a England recall. Is a third consecutive title success in the offing? On the squad alone (which could be affected by players on England duty) you would say yes, but I’ve got the feeling they might have a difficult time in claiming three championship triumphs in a row as a squad with no fresh faces have to pick up some bad form at some point and I cannot foresee a as consistent Durham in 2010. Their challenge is to prove me wrong.


The ever-green Michael Di Venuto (above) adds a touch of class to a strong Durham batting line-up.

A whole host of contenders will be jostling refutably in an attempt to embed themselves amongst the title hopefuls. Somerset, now under the leadership of ex-England opener Marcus Trescothick will look to continue their enviable record at Taunton, a place blitzed in runs and batting opportunities. Batting should not prove a problem, even with the loss of former captain Justin Langer. The other string to their bow comes in the form of the south west outfits bowling make-up.

A steady winter recruitment of signings such as Australian Cameron White for the Twenty20’s gives Somerset some clout in the shorter form of the game, but they are missing a cutting edge in attack and they may well find themselves in treacherous waters trying to bowl sides out especially on a flat Taunton wicket. The addition of Indian spinner Murali Kartik is potentially a trump card for Trescothick to play to counter this though especially as the player has a point to prove after being dispelled from the Indian team of late. Last but not least, Craig Kieswetter. The explosive wicket-keeper batsman, of South African descent started his international career with aplomb this winter, sparking a claim for a regular one day and Twenty20 international spot and from the evidence witnessed against Bangladesh, Somerset may not be seeing as much as they like from the young prodigy this summer. Having never before won county cricket’s most traditional prize, I think Somerset if they hit the right straps can give Durham more than an extra run or two in the coming months as I make them favourites.

Also in the mix is Giles White’s Hampshire. The Rose Bowl club have strengthened considerably over the winter break bringing in solid South African opening batsman Neil McKenzie, all-rounder Kabir Ali, the near fit-again Simon Jones and Sri Lankan spin sensation Ajantha Mendis who will be joining the squad in June. These overseas additions already add to what is a strong squad, blending a mix of experience and youth with the likes of Dimitri Mascarenhas, Nic Pothas, Michael Lumb and new England test opener Michael Carberry joined by young all-rounder Liam Dawson and pace bowler David Griffiths. The outgoings of Chris Tremlett and Imran Tahir whom have provided Hampshire with a steady flow of wickets in the past couple of seasons, but in Kabir Ali, they have a man that if he can return to the form earlier in his career he could become the best strike bowler in the county championship. White believes his side can challenge on all four fronts this term, and with Twenty20 finals day being held at the Rose Bowl, the club will have even extra motivation to get through to finals day. Overall, a strong and talented squad will see Hampshire have a good season, pushing for the title, but I still think they have a bit more work to do in the games longer format but they are the team to beat in one-day cricket.


Kabir Ali (right) could be seeing a few more familiar sights like this in the county championship if he can become one of the country’s leading strike bowlers again at new club Hampshire.

Lancashire, another side searching for their first county championship win in well over half a century will be looking to hit the ground running from the offing. Coach Peter Moore’s has a point to prove after a not so successful spell in charge of England, whilst new overseas star Ashwell Prince will be determined to prove that he has got more tucked away in his locker then what he showed against England last winter. Under the captaincy of Glen Chapple, the Old Trafford outfit are sure to be competitive, but they look as though they are missing that special spark which other sides around them have. Maybe, just maybe, forgotten man Andrew Flintoff might work himself back into the picture, and like he says if he is free to play four-day cricket, there are few better bowling all rounders. A mid-table championship finish and a spirited run in the Twenty20 will be Lancashire’s 2010.

Former England wicket-keeper Chris Read leads Nottinghamshire into the new season looking strong and calculated. The cool purchase of South African batsman Hashim Amla should act as a spur for the side to attain some early season hundreds and fit-again spinner Samit Patel has more than a point to prove after being dropped from the England side because of issues over his weight. Nott’s, runners up to Durham in each of the last two campaigns are as consistent as you get in county cricket and with a mix of strong unity and youth in the side I expect them to mount another solid title charge.

Newcomers Essex welcome themselves into domestic crickets top tier, but a off-season littered with recent financial difficulties and questions marks over the redevelopment of Chelmsford, could see this have an adverse affect on their performance meaning they will find it tough to beat the drop. A heavily relied on bowling unit, could see them struggle to bowl sides out on a variety of wickets and Essex are relying heavily on Ravi Bopara coming good again at the top of the order. They need big runs from him. He has a massive point to prove. So why not? They are better equipped in the shorter form of the game, with explosive hitters like Graham Napier key if they are going to make it through to Twenty20 finals day again.


Ravi Bopara (above) will be hoping to re-capture the form he showed when he first burst into the England side for Division 1 newboys Essex.

Kent under the guidance of Rob Key, have not strengthened considerably over the winter months but they have a nucleus to a side there that is familiar with each other and their qualities. A proven batting line-up, with in addition quick strike bowlers like Amjad Khan and Robbie Joseph gives them a dependable first XI, but you don’t feel the strength and depth is there for them to carry themselves through and make a substantial title push. For me, their best hope of success comes in the form of the Twenty20 where Key’s instalment of team character and charisma has helped them beat sides through the pure will to win.

Yorkshire come into the season with a decent group of young players, but it will be the leadership of Captain Andrew Gale that will be key if they are going to secure a mid-table championship position instead of lurking dangerously close to the relegation places. The Headingley club's perennial struggle in recent years makes the club desperate for some kind of silverware. Twenty20 could be their ticket to success if they can strike a winning combination. The overseas purchase of Herschelle Gibbs should not go unnoticed, because in the South African they have a match winner and one of the games most feared batsman.


The newly appointed Andrew Gale (above) as captain will lead Yorkshire this term.

Finally Warwickshire and Ashley Gile’s reformed side. Traditionally a more astute one day outfit, the Bear’s will be looking to reclaim last season’s 40-over success and in spinner Imran Tahir they have a genuine talent that if he is in good form can cause anyone problems. A key player though could be young Irishman Boyd Rankin. The paceman is starting to come into his own in an attack which needs a leader and if he performs well he could be the lynchpin of Warwickshire success this term, expect a fourth or fifth championship finish.

Predicted Final Standings:

1) Somerset
2) Durham
3) Nottinghamshire
4) Hampshire
5) Warwickshire
6) Lancashire
7) Kent
8) Yorkshire
9) Essex

The Stage Is Set, The Time Is Now For Robben

Bayern Munich’s Dutch winger Arjen Robben’s explosive volleyed winner last night at Old Trafford sent last year’s finalists Manchester United packing, whilst giving us a timely reminder of his talents.

Injury ravaged, inconsistent, a prima-donna attitude and an inability to truly settle at a club have plagued the former PSV, Chelsea, Real Madrid and now Munich man in recent times. But, the wide-man, now 26, glistened under the Manchester spotlight in yesterday’s second leg, where he along with his Bayern team mates did not give up the ghost in clawing back a three goal deficit to grab two fatal European away goals seeing the Bundesliga side move into the semi-finals.

On 74 minutes, Robben found acres of space unmarked on the edge of the Manchester United area (whom by this stage were down to 10-men following full back Rafael’s earlier red card) where a drilled corner picked him out expertly, allowing Bayern’s number 10 to adjust his body stance and technical position as he met the ball perfectly firing a low left footed volley into the corner of fellow Dutchman Edwin van der Sar’s net.


Robben (above) wheels away in celebration following his late winner, but is this finally the Dutchman's time to shine?

The goal, must have relinquished a cluster of emotions for Robben, who despite his obvious talent and ability has never quite harnessed his potential to the full fore. Last night’s performance, offered the doubters though a selection of trade mark masquerading runs, explosive cameos of pace and a new found work rate in Robben with the way he interacted with and helped his team mates.

After witnessing the unblemished and mesmerising display produced by Lionel Messi on Tuesday night against Arsenal, in comparison to Robben, they are similar players in terms of their prevalent attributes being to run with the ball at pace and take on opponents, but Messi, widely considered the world’s best player has taken his game to new heights, whilst the Dutch attacker should take note of the whole circus revolving around Messi.

Barcelona’s star man has learnt to deal with the unfair treatment he receives off opposition defenders, maintaining a level headed and calm persona giving him the freedom and confidence to make the most of his ability in the final third. In comparison, Robben still needs to dig deep and find that inner-belief that is in him somewhere that he is good enough to be one of the world’s best. Certainly, on his day, many of a defender would pass up the opportunity to have the fleet of foot Dutchman charge towards them, but what Robben needs to grab a hold of is the importance of consistency, a solid mental strength, plus a repetitious end product, all of which are in his disfigured locker room somewhere.

There are a few signs that he is now coming into the peak of his powers though. A typical young hotshot at PSV buoyed his reputation as one of the games rising stars flanking wholesale attention from Manchester United, before Chelsea finally won over his signature. A few eventful, but successful years at Stamford Bridge filled with reoccurring injury problems prompted a move to Spain, when Real Madrid came calling.


Real Madrid ousted the winger after their 'Galactico' reprieve, but Robben showed signs towards the end of his Bernabeu career that he was playing himself into form.

A sluggish and difficult start acquainted Robben, but towards the end of last season he started to come into his own housing a degree of self-assurance and goal scoring credentials which we had not seen from him before. But then, with the arrival of a new glut of 'Galacticos' the Dutchman was unfairly thrown onto the Bernabeu scrapheap despite his pleas to stay. German giants Bayern stepped in and now Robben seems to have that new lease of life, that he is the star man, in a team he feels at home playing in. Two crucial Champions League goals thus far, against Fiorentina and Manchester United, both away from home, have underlined how he is finding the form to produce in big games.

This could be a defining season for Robben if he can continue to spearhead Bayern’s European run after years in the wilderness and there are clear signals the wing wizard is finally fulfilling much of the hype heralded above his head.

If and when he is on form, few are better, but it is a case of connecting all the facets to Robben’s armoury together, in harmony and if he can conquer his mental attribution, the talent is at his disposal to be truly unleashed. A hectic few months ahead, with the World Cup in South Africa in the horizon gives Robben a chance to be placed amongst the game’s elite. An opportunity like this one should not pass him by.

Everton searching for late rally with finishing line ever closer

An indifferent but eventful 2009/2010 campaign for David Moyes and his Everton team is nearing its climax, with the Toffees having just five games left to salvage any European ambitions they are clinging onto.

Sunday’s disjointed performance at home to relegation strugglers West Ham, and the Goodison Park outfits inability to hold onto a lead, as they were twice pegged back by the Londoners in the 2-2 draw now puts extra onus and pressure on the blues to reap benefitting dividends from their final five games.

A season, engrossed in drama, fantastic victories against the majority of the ‘big five’, a glut of injury setbacks, two dismal cup exits and the LA wizard which reinvigorated the team certainly means this campaign will not be consigned to the history books too quickly.

Aston Villa, Blackburn and Stoke represent the away day challenges left to the blues to saunter, whilst Fulham and a last game of the season test awaits against relegation certainties Portsmouth. Perhaps, there are some winnable encounters in the list, but Everton have it all to do if they are going to overhaul Aston Villa, currently placed one place above the blues in 7th place with a four point gap separating them.

Everton skipper Phil Neville remains confident about the ability of his side: “The reality is we can beat any team in this league with this set of players”. A set of players which has not been a complete pack of cards for Moyes in a long while. Whilst key men in Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta have both battled back from serious knee injuries this term, it has only appeared to be brief rest bite for the Toffees boss with the in-form Marouane Fellaini and now Dan Gosling out injured for the foreseeable future. The injury table cannot shed all of the blame though for a season, which started poorly, but has been rekindled well by the Goodison outfit.


Mikel Arteta (above) will need to be fit and ready for the toffees run-in if they are to challenge for a Europa League berth.

Last season’s fifth place finish and Everton’s appearance in the FA Cup Final was a remarkable achievement, but a summer devoid of any transfer activity, until the very last minute, just moments before the ‘Transfer Deadline’ and a poor start in the league meant the chances of repeating the preceding seasons effort are a long gone distant memory. Despite, two dreadful exits from the FA Cup and Europa League, a resurgent Everton have found their feet at Goodison again and in 2010 they remain one of the premier leagues form sides. But do they have enough left to sneak into the Europa League slots once again this time out?

A gut feeling, probably echoed by David Moyes is that they have ridden the storm too late, though if they can make use of the ‘easier’ fixtures they have in the run-in then who knows. The return, again, of Mikel Arteta is integral for Everton as he is one of the only prevalent figures who has the ability to conjure up something out of nothing. Arteta’s fitness will be tried and tested valiantly over the next week or so before Everton’s trip to Villa Park, and it might just be the key to whether a rainbow or clouded sky is pictured in the Toffees horizon come what May.