England V South Africa 2nd test

After the drawn first test, the inevitable post Flintoff questions have surfaced regarding the balance of the side. Does Bell keep his place? Do we bring in Luke Wright? Do we go with Sidebottom in a 5 man attack?.

All indications from the dressing room seems to point to it being the same again, which probably remains the best option. Bell, for his failings in the last match, did make a vital, yet quickly forgotten, 1st innings 72 against the Aussies in the final Ashes test. Prior has batted well over the past 12 months, but it not quite ready to become a regular test match number 6, as happened at Headingley in the summer - and we all know what happened in that match!! Broad and Swann remain very handy test number 8 and 9's, both playing with flair and aggression, but asking them to potentially build innings from 7 is asking for to much. Not that Broad hasn't got the potential - and Prior the same - in the future to step up one place in the order. All considered, to keep Wright and Sidebottom waiting appears the best, and safest option!!

The South Africans only change appears to be impressive debutant Friedel De Wet for Dale Steyn in a like for like swap, allowing the below par Makhaya Ntini to win cap 101.

Whatever the team line-ups expect another fiercely contested match, with many an ebb and flow.

The dream begins

Welcome to the new blog belonging to Whittington Cricket Club, based in Staffordshire.

We are delighted to announce that after a long and sometimes painful wait funding has now been secured for the development of the pitch and outfield on our land on Vicarage Lane. The land was purchased some 5 years ago, and is situated opposite our current home of Bit End Field. The works are currently scheduled to be carried out in the first quarter of 2010, and with that being the case we anticipate that the pitch will be fit for use for the whole of the 2011 season!!

We now just have the small matter of a pavilion to sort out - hopefully for the start of 2011! A work in progress ....... but expect positive news on this front soon aswell....... hopefully!

Big thanks to Rich Abell who has put in many hours on this project over the years to allow us to realise the dream of our own ground.

Please follow this blog as we show the development (via pictures and updates!!) of our currently bumpy and bland field to the magnificent facility we have in mind. It will be worth the wait.