Warne, a fading star?

There have been rumours all this season about Warne's performances for Hampshire. Tales of tail enders feasting on Warne coupled with his domination by Ed Joyce has got the broadsheets chattering. The bowling arm is reported to be coming over lower and the flipper is less in evidence these days thanks to the old shoulder injury.

So just how good is Warnie now?

Can he shrug off his much publicised off the field problems and again haunt England this summer?


The latest high profile ex-cricketer to come out and voice an opinion is our ex-skipper Nasser Hussain.

Hussain told Wisden:

'I reckon Warne was at his best about ten years ago. Now his bowling doesn't have the same fizz, and he hasn't got the flipper after his shoulder operations.'





Pieterson replaces Thorpe for England

England today announced their team to face Australia a week today and the big surprise was the omission of Graham Thorpe. In his place comes to Kevin Pieterson the brash 'South African' who has excelled in the one day arena.



No doubt, the English media will be getting the knives out regarding his perceived weakness outside of off stump, but he has talent. He has a healthy first class average and was mentored by Clive Rice, a man who suffers no fools.

Its a bold decision by the Selectors and one that should make the Australians sit up a bit. In the past it was a banker that England would have picked Thorpe. The Mr Reliable of the middle order who since his return to test cricket averages over fifty.

Against Thorpe were concerns about his creaking back and his ability to see out a five day match. Personally I think Pieterson has shaded it on the attitude he will bring to the England dressing room. He's in your face, arrogant and is not afraid of the Aussies.

The battled scarred veterans like Butcher and Thorpe always seemed easier fodder for the Aussies, not so Pieterson. Its this attitude the Selectors are hoping will rub off on his team mates.