Catch Wins Match

‘IF England cricket is known for one thing it is not ‘brilliant catching’. But those are the words used by the Telegraph in connection with their win over South Africa.

An eyecatching display

The paper watches with what one imagines to be an expression of slack-jawed disbelief as Andy Flintoff pulls of an ‘exceptional catch’ to stop Jacques Kallis’ hopes of big innings.

The effect of sharp fielding and solid batting – with captain Michael Vaughan knocking up his highest one-day score for England at 83 runs – led England to victory after just 39 overs of their allotted 50.

Any more performances like this and English cricket could finally be the summer’s biggest sport. In the meantime we have to make do with the game of football transfer rumour speculation.

The Times gets the ball rolling – or not – by starting at the top.

News is that Sven Goran Eriksson, the England manager, has been meeting and talking with Chelsea’s new chairman Roman Abramovich.

The paper says that Sven is ’embarrassed’ at being spotted at the meeting, which included agent Pini Zahavi, and has issued a statement.

He says that he has known Zahavi for many years and Mr Abramovich for several months. He also says that he accepts that his meeting ‘may create unfortunate speculation’.

He then goes onto commit his future to the England cause, and tells the world how he is ‘thoroughly enjoying’ the European Championship qualifying campaign.

Other transfer speculation is found in the Guardian, where the papers say the balance of power has shifted away from ‘cash-strapped’ Arsenal towards Chelsea.

As yet, none of Arsenal’s stars have taken the Chelsea bait and signed on for the Blues, but the paper hints that moves for Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira might be in the offing.

But with so much in football being speculation and hype, it might be all a load of hogwash. It really is too hard to tell.

So let’s have some more cricket instead.

‘

Posted: 9th, July 2003 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink