Worst Performance in History?

Misbah-Ul-Haq hitting a six in his score of 84.

As England crash to an embarrassing defeat in the second test of their three match tour against Pakistan, questions about England's title as world number one are on everyone's lips. How can the world's number one team lose so comprehensively against what on the face of it is a pretty ordinary team? Not only did they lose the game, and in doing so lose the series, they lost it in dramatic fashion. After three days of enticing cricket, day four was always going to be crucial in the outcome of this game.

On day one, Pakistan had one the toss and decided to bat. Pakistan made a solid start to their innings right up until Graeme Swann simply bowled Taufeeq Umar for 16. From then on England were in the ascendency as Broad took a couple of wickets early after the lunch interval to leave Pakistan 103/4. And even though Jimmy Anderson dropped a catch just before the tea interval, England were still on top. The dropped catch proved crucial however as Misbah-Ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq but on a partnership of over 100. Swann eventually got the break through as he trapped Shafiq lbw in front of off stump, not before England had dropped another catch. After yet another dropped catch, Broad had Akmal dismissed leg before for just 9. Misbah passed 50, but England had the last laughed as the magnificent Swann bowled the helpless Abdur Rehman for 0. So at the close of play, England had the upper hand with Pakistan 256/7.

Stuart Broad got the crucial wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq.

Day two started fantastically for England as Broad got rid of the dangerous Misbah and Jimmy Anderson took the remaining two Pakistan wickets leaving Pakistan to go from 256/7 over night, to 257 all out. England had been sloppy in the field with their dropped catches but Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann bowled superbly to give England a fighting chance. Now it was down to the batsman's turn. England's innings started slowly as captain Strauss departed early after nicking an inside edge to short leg. But Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott put England in command after their stand of 139. Trott was eventually undone by the spin of Abdul Rehmann. Still, at 166/2 England were in the perfect position. Cue the traditional England middle order batting collapse. After Cook was dismissed 94, Pietersen became the fourth victim of the innings after what can only be described as a poor shot. And with seemingly the day over with England in a handy position, Eoin Morgan fell with the final delivery of the day leaving England 207/5.

With England sitting in a half decent position on 207/5 at the start of day three, it was imperative that England got off to a good start. A good start was not what England got. After two dropped catches very early on in the day, Matt Prior was out after some great spin bowling by Saeed Ajmal. With England still 30 runs behind Pakistan's total, it was down to Bell and Broad to help get England into a healthy position. With England twelve ahead of Pakistan's total, Bell was trapped lbw by Umar Gul leaving England's long tail exposed. However Stuart Broad defied the Pakistan bowlers before the rest of the tail gave way. Eventually England were all out for 327, Broad finishing on 58 not out.

With Pakistan trailing by 70 at the start of their second innings, England needed a few early wickets. Three wickets went down before tea as Pakistan fell to 54/3, still trailing England by 16 runs. The final session on day three seemed to hold the key to the rest of the match, and so it proved. England started the session well dismissing Misbah for 12 as Pakistan were still scoreless after the interval. But then Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq took the game away from England. The pair frustrated the England attack as they put on a partnership of 70 to leave Pakistan 55 runs ahead at the end of day three.

Rehman celebrates taking another English wicket.

Pakistan needed runs, England needed wickets day four was set nicely. England got the better start as they got the first wicket of the day. However Pakistan kept chipping away and even though all the England bowlers contributed to the dismissing of Pakistan, Pakistan had accrued 214 runs to leave England chasing 145. Panesar the star of the bowling attack as he finished with figures of 6/62. A small target for England to chase, but on an ever turning pitch, 145 was always going to be a challenging total to reach. And so it proved as Cook, Bell, Pietersen and Morgan all disappeared back into the dressing room with England on 37/4. After this early flurry of wickets, England seemed to have a partnership going in Strauss and Prior. However, the England captain was then trapped at the back on his stumps leaving a sick Jonathan Trott to take up the mantle. Trott lasted all of eleven balls before he took the lonely walk back. With England 68/7, it was always going to be a tough ask. But England managed just four, yes four, more runs before Pakistan wrapped up victory. England woeful, Pakistan impressive, and Abdul Rehman magnificent as he took seven of England's second innings wickets.

Panesar takes his first of his seven wickets in the second test.

So was this defeat the worst performance in England's history? In many ways yes, but in reality, no. England's batting in the second innings was atrocious and not the way the best team in the world should be performing. It was an embarrassing batting display that left many questions about England's ability to bat in the subcontinent. Despite the clear horror show that was England's second innings, there were plenty of positives to take from this performance. In both innings, England bowled well. Swann, Broad and Panesar particularly stood as England limited Pakistan to under 300 in both innings. On top of that, England's first innings score was at least half challenging. Cook and Broad scored most of the runs, but the middle order collapse in both innings will give coach Andy Flower a headache ahead of the third and final test. But what England will take heart from is that they put themselves in a position to win. After a 10 wicket defeat in the first test, this game showed a significant improvement by England. Yes they didn't make the most of their winning opportunity, but England will have to take the positives from this game if they want a chance of winning the third test. But take nothing away from Pakistan who played extremely professionally, and were thoroughly deserving of their victory. Misbah played the perfect captains role in the field and with the bat. Ajmal and Rehman were also mightily impressive with the ball. If Pakistan play like this in the next test, a whitewash seems likely.

History in the Making?

Suarez and Evra exchange words

As Man Utd and Liverpool face off once again for a place in the FA Cup 5th round, there is more at stake than usual. There has always been a fierce rivalry between the two giants of English football and this game should be no exception. Both teams would be going full guns regardless of any recent history. But that's where this one provides an extra edge. After the game between the two teams on October 15th 2011 there was a lot of bad blood between the two teams. Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of racist abuse which sparked off a huge debate among everyone involved in football. Were these accusations true, and if so what would be the repercussions of the decision? As we know Suarez was found guilty and was given an eight match ban, which means he will miss tomorrows game against Utd.

Liverpool players wearing t-shirts
supporting Luis Suarez

The story doesn't end there. Liverpool FC decided that they were going to stand by their man through it all. Very noble on the outset and a confidence booster for the player who had clearly made a big mistake. However, it was the way Liverpool FC went about supporting their player that caused much grievance among many people in football. Liverpool FC decided they would support Suarez by wearing t-shirts which had the player on the front and his name and number on the back. Many saw this as a PR stunt gone wrong and many condemned Liverpool FC for their behaviour towards this sensitive situation. In hindsight, Liverpool FC should not have so publicly supported their player when he knew he was in the wrong. Yes the ban handed down to him was harsh, but if the FA is serious about clamping out racism, then this is a good indicator of just how serious these incidents will be taken. Liverpool have consequently missed Suarez since he has been out. Their lack of finishing in the league has led to far too many draws at home. The lack of a clinical finisher in the Liverpool team may prove to be one of the decisive factors in the game tomorrow. Despite Suarez's ban however, Liverpool have made it through to the Carling Cup Final. The final will be Liverpool's first trip to the new Wembley and they will start as firm favourites against Championship side Cardiff City. That is all to come at the end of February, but back to the end of January. Tomorrow's game now has the added dimension of how the two teams will react to each other since this now famous incident that took place back in October.

Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.

This game is now more than just an FA Cup tie, and with all eyes on Anfield, both teams behaviour and conduct will be heavily scrutinised. Patrice Evra is likely to play and the reception he receives will speak volumes of how far football has come in the last twenty years. Liverpool fans must be the example to the rest of the footballing community through their response to the two sets of players. Yes there is rivalry between the two teams, and yes things may get heated, but we never want a repeat of the scenes from last October. The result of course will be massive to both teams, and both teams will give their all, but at the end of the day the result will not be the important outcome. Football needs its respect regained. Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have both called for calm and respect during the game, and hopefully their plea will be heard come Saturday lunchtime.

Welbeck scores a late winner at
Arsenal last weekend.

As for the game itself, well Liverpool come into the game on the back of their semi-final defeat of Man City and so will be high on confidence. Their league performances have been inconsistent at best this season, but Liverpool have shone in the cup competitions. Liverpool are also undefeated at home so far this season and so will put up a stern test for Sir Alex Ferguson's team. Utd on the other hand come into the game on the back of a great result at the Emirates last Sunday. Utd didn't play with the same style that saw them obliterate Arsenal at the start of the season, but Arsenal are not the same team as back then. In fact they have been one of the form teams in the league, and so to pick up three points away from home was a huge result for Utd. Of course Utd's main aim this season is to dismantle local neighbours Man City from the top of the league. But with no European distractions for the rest of this season, Utd will see the FA Cup as a prize worth pursuing. And with a game against their biggest rivals, this has the makings of a classic.

Dirk Kuyt scored at hat-trick in the
league game at Anfield last season.

It is just over a year since Utd defeated Liverpool in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford. This was the first game under Kenny Dalglish's second stint as manager of Liverpool. The game was a tight affair and was settled by a Ryan Giggs second minute penalty. Liverpool played most of the game with ten men after Steven Gerrard had been sent off  in the first half, but Utd were too strong and ran out comfortable winners. Since then, Liverpool have beaten and drawn with Utd at Anfield, so tomorrows game should be a close one.

I think on such an occasion and with so much at stake, not just the result, the most likely outcome will be a draw. Both teams are capable of scoring so I think it will end 1-1. If Liverpool are to win then they will need to take their chances, otherwise it could be a one sided game. Saying that, it should be an entertaining affair and anything can happen in cup football.

Hope or Hopeless?

Murray defeated Nadal in the
2010 Australian Open

As Andy Murray falls to yet another defeat by one of the big three, questions will undoubtedly fly around the media concerning whether Murray will ever become a grand slam champion. The last time Murray defeated one of the top three at a grand slam was in 2010 at the Australian Open quarter-finals where Murray defeated Nadal. Yes Nadal may have retired hurt from that game, and in fact came into the game with injury concerns, however Murray was the dominant player, and thoroughly deserved his victory. Since then, Murray has suffered 4 semi-final defeats at the hands of Nadal, and 2 defeats to Novak Djokovic. His record before that 2010 encounter with Nadal showed another 2 defeats at the hands of Nadal and a loss against the great Roger Federer. The one glimmer of hope for Murray in fact came against Nadal in 2008. In an epic encounter Murray played the game of his life in beating Nadal 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. Murray was magnificent and gave every British fan the hope that we may finally have another grand slam winner. Not to be however, as Federer made Murray look the child in a brutal demolition of the young Scot. The Swiss master taking full advantage of Murray's lack of grand slam final experience.

Murray's grand slam record
already surpasses Tim
Henman's achievements.

With all that said however, Murray has reached 3 grand slam finals and 6 grand slam semi-finals. Tim Henman only ever made 6 semi-finals in his whole career, and Murray at the age of 24 has already surpassed that achievement. Surely if tennis wasn't so blessed with 3 greats all at one time, Murray would have at least a couple of grand slams to his name. But as with every generation of players there is always someone who dominates grand slams, Murray seems to be unfortunate that he has three at once.

Murray holding the Rogers Cup
after defeating Federer in Toronto.

Murray does not have a problem beating the top three (Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer) in finals. In Murray's short career, he has won 22 out of the 31 finals he has been in. Murray knows how to win. In August 2008, Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets to win the Cincinnati Masters. In February 2009 at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam Murray beat Nadal in three sets, defeating Nadal 6-0 in the final set. The list goes on, Murray beat Djokovic in 2009 at another Masters event in Miami. Then in 2010 Murray beat Federer in consecutive finals in Toronto and Shanghai. Even in 2011, the year of Novak Djokovic, Murray beat the Serb in Cincinnati for his second title in Ohio. Two months later Murray defeated Nadal in Tokyo, again winning the deciding set by handing Nadal a bagel. Apart from the victory over Nadal in Rotterdam and Tokyo, all the other victories came in ATP World Tour Masters events, which are only second in importance to grand slams in the tennis world.

Murray has a winning record
against the great Federer.

On the other side of the coin, Murray has lost 9 finals. 3 of them were in majors (to Federer twice and once to Djokovic), but in the other 6 he has only lost twice to the big three. In Thailand 2005 when Murray was but a rookie, Federer defeated the young Scot. The only other occasion was March 2009 when Nadal hammered him 6-1, 6-2 at the Indian Wells Masters event. In the 15 finals in which Murray has faced the big three, he has a 7-8 record. Unfortunately 3 of those 8 came in grand slam finals. Yet when you look at Murray's overall head-to-head record with the big three, you can see that Murray can compete with them. Murray has a winning record against Federer (8-6), which is where the good news ends. Djokovic has the upper hand in their head-to-head by 7-4, and Nadal holds a 13-5 advantage over Murray. So in his career Murray has beaten the big three 17 times in 43 meetings. Murray's record against everyone else though is impressive. His career record stands at 333-108 which equates to a 75% success rate.

Murray and Djokovic embrace after
Murray falls to another GS defeat.

The issue for Murray though despite all these stats is that his defeats have come on the big stage. Grand slams are what a player is remembered for, and at the moment Murray has none to his name. In the grand slam spotlight Murray hasn't lived up to his promise. Yes there are glimpses and sometimes long periods of pure class, but the rest of the time is the real worry. When Murray is on top of his game, he can outplay the best, but Murray has never been able to sustain it for a long enough period. Today, at 2 sets to 1 up Murray seemed to have finally broken his hoodoo at grand slams, but a lack of concentration and an inability to keep up his intensity led to Djokovic being let back into the game. Now usually critics would say that Murray has given up, choked, bottled it, or whatever they say. This however was different. At 5-2 down in the fifth, the game looked over. Murray's serve had been inconsistent all day and serving at 2-5 down Murray had to hold. He did and so forced Djokovic to serve for the match. Djokovic wilted and after another good Murray service game, the Scot was level in the final set. In the 11th game of the set Murray had a couple of break points but was unable to take advantage. Djokovic held and then broke Murray to win the match.

Many of us could have left feeling disappointed and upset that yet another grand slam campaign had ended fruitlessly. The reality was much different. Murray can leave holding his head up high after taking the undisputed world number 1 all the way. Murray could quite easily have one this game, but it wasn't to be. Murray must now feel though that he can compete with the best at Grand Slam's as long as he can control his mental fragilities. Today was a marked improvement, and hopefully with the help of Ivan Lendl, Murray can look forward to the rest of 2012 with hope and excitement.

NFL 2011/12 Season Review Part 1 - The Off-Season

So as the NFL season draws to a close, it's time to reflect on a season that almost wasn't. It appeared to be a genuine concern that the 2011/12 season would be lost, but thankfully for all NFL fans, negotiations were finally concluded so no games were lost. 

Nnamdi Asomugha playing for the Raiders

This great season all started with what proved to be an entertaining off-season. Could there be one signing that could outdo all the rest? If so, surely the Eagles signing of Nnamdi Asomugha on a 5 year, $60 million contract would be it. But then again the Jets had their own star signing in Plaxico Burress. Yes he may have spent the previous 22 months in prison, and at 34 he may be past his best, but a former superbowl winner with 55 touchdowns and almost 8,000 yards can never be over looked and so the case proved to be for the Jets. Only time would tell whether that gamble would pay off. 


The Patriots also boasted an impressive off-season acquisition in 2 time pro bowler Albert Haynesworth. Yes Haynesworth was a complete pain in the backside for the Redskins, leaving him no future at the franchise, but the 6 ft 6 defensive tackle hardly cost the Pats a penny. A 2013 fifth-round draft pick was the cost to the Patriots. What could go wrong?


Reggie Bush was traded to the Dolphins after the Saints drafted Mark Ingram, which effectively pushed Bush out the door. The Saints may have got safety Jonathon Amaya and an undisclosed draft pick out of the deal, but Bush was given the chance of a new lease of live in Miami. The Dolphins could have found the deal of the year if they could get Bush to play.

Sidney Rice catching a touchdown
pass against the Eagles 

Sidney Rice agreed a 5 year $41 million deal with the Seahawks to improve their wide receiver line up. Donovan McNabb was freed from his Washington nightmare, Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Tennessee Titan, Roy Williams went to Chicago, and Steve Breaston signed with the Kansas City Chiefs to relieve the pressure on running back Jamaal Charles. 


But there were still a few more big acquisitions that caught the eye. In fact it was one of the more underrated signings that had the potential to be one of the best. Vontae Leach signed for the Ravens from the Chargers on an three year contract worth $11 million. The former Texans fullback was one of the reasons behind Arian Foster's great 2010/11 campaign and now he had the chance to do the same for an equally talented running back in Ray Rice. His bulldozer like approach would surely add a new dimension to the Ravens running game.

Rodgers-Cromartie intercepting
 a pass vs  Falcons

But enough is enough. Surely there was only one team who ruled the off-season, surely the Eagles had been the most active and yet the most shrewd at the same time. As mentioned earlier, the Philadelphia franchise had secured the signing of Nnamdi Asomugha but more was to come. Kevin Kolb may have found a new home in Arizona, which was a blow to the Eagles as he was undoubtedly the best back up quarter back in the league. Michael Vick's resurgent 2010/11 season had left Kolb no option but to find a new home. So there was little surprise when Kolb was traded. However it wasn't all bad news for the Philly team. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie arrived on a two year contract. The 25 year old Floridian corner back had proved a hit in Arizona, securing 13 interceptions in 3 years and taking 4 of them to the house. A much needed boost to an ordinary secondary. 


But through this deal a new issue had arisen with Kolb's departure and Rodgers-Cromarties arrival. Who would play as back up to Michael Vick. The answer, Vince Young. As it seems with a lot of the big off-season signings, Young is another who fell out with his former employees. After years of a love and hate relationship, the Tennessee Titans finally got rid of Young. There is no doubting that Vince Young is a talented quarterback, the question has been whether he has the metal capacity to hack it at the top level. Maybe with the pressure off as a back up quarterback, Young may have found a role suited to him.


To round off the big signings for the off-season the Eagles also managed to recruit Jason Babin, a former Eagles player, to a 5 year $28 million contract. Babin may have only left the Eagles for one season, but his performances for the Titans made the Eagles sit up and notice what they had let go. With the Eagles needing to improve their pass rush defence, Babin seemed to fit the bill. He was by no means a poor player before he left Philadelphia, but with 12.5 sacks in his season at the Titans the Eagles were convinced to snap him up. 


So who was the best signing, and which team benefited most from the off-season acquisitions? Well according to Vince Young, it was the Eagles as he publicly declared that they were now the 'dream team'. And yes I think that the Eagles had the best off-season and I would say that Nnamdi Asomugha was the coup of the signings, but all would be revealed as the season unfolded. One thing was for sure, this of-season added an extra intrigue to the new season.