Sponsored by
Panesar backed to recover strongly
Cricket extra
England have omitted Northamptonshire spinner Monty Panesar from their squad for their winter tour of South Africa.
The Luton left-arm spinner has been left out alongside fast bowler Steve Harmison and batsman Ravi Bopara. Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid, meanwhile, was one of three uncapped players to be selected.
Former England spinner John Emburey has backed Panesar to bounce back, though, despite taking just six wickets during four Test matches for England this summer and struggling at county level.
Emburey said: "He is still a good bowler, he will come back, he will play a lot more Test cricket.
"Perhaps he needs to get away from the scene a bit. That might do him good."
Panesar, who has been overlooked for a central England contract, will be in South Africa at the same time playing for Highveld Lions in a bid to regain his form.
Emburey continued: "It's interesting that he's going to be in South Africa playing domestic cricket at the same time that England are touring. That will be good for him.
"That means he will be getting some bowling and if he performs well and an opportunity arises, then England may pick him and it may be an opportunity for him."
Ex-England batsman Mark Ramprakash, meanwhile, has hit out at the selectors' treatment of him. He said: "Monty has six five-wicket hauls in Test cricket and he's won Test matches for England yet all I seem to hear is what Monty can't do. I don't believe other players get treated that way.
"There are other players who can have lengthy poor patches but somehow they seem to be in 'The In Club' in the England set up and continually get to play."
Bridgland collects cup for Offley and Stopsley
Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash was the guest of honour at the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League presentation dinner on Friday.
Offley and Stopsley captain, David Bridgland, was present on the night to receive the Division Nine champions trophy and a cheque for 200.
The event was hosted by former England and Bath Rugby Union player David Tricks while comedian Ian Irving was also in attendance.
All the winners and runners-up of the league's 14 divisions were honoured and it was the second time that Bridgland has been presented with the cup, having first collected it at Saracens' game against Northampton at Wembley in September.
Want to score?
The Bedfordshire Association of Cricket Officials is running a taster course for any potential scorers.
The course, which is suitable for beginners, takes place at Flitwick CC on Monday, November 16, and gets under way at 7.30pm.
A full course that will lead to a qualification is planned for early next year. For more information, please contact Paul Barnes on 01234 344150 or email him at paul.barnes780@ntlworld.com.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Luton
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
