It is a very busy time in the international world of cricket.  Pakistan have just levelled their One Day Series in India with a nail biting win yesterday in Mohali.  While they chased down 321 and won with a ball to spare in an incredible finish, Shahid Afridi hit 29 off 14 balls to get the visitors home.  We are clearly a long way away from that action but you could almost feel the atmosphere coming out of the television, it must have been incredible to be actually at these games.  I remember going to the World Cup quarter final in 1999 at Old Trafford when these two teams played against each other and the atmosphere and noise that day was something to behold.

Over in Johannesburg in South Africa on a very sprightly wicket at The Wanderers, South Africa mustered 226 in their first innings on a wicket with seam and predacious bounce.  New Zealand in reply stumbled to 84 for 5 with the South African fast bowlers appearing to use the conditions very well, amazing how 220 can sometimes be a good score. 

Down in Brisbane, Australia, Muttiah Muralitharan continues his quest to become the leading all time wicket taker in Test cricket.  However he will have to wait a little longer, as he only took two wickets in Australia’s mammoth 550 for 4 declared.  This brings back memories of the first two days of the first Test match in the Ashes at Brisbane last year, let’s hope Sri Lanka do not subside like we did.  The next Test match is in Melbourne, wouldn’t Muralitharan just love to break Shane Warne’s record on the master leg spinners home pitch, if that happens I wonder how generous the applause will be??

On our shores, England’s Test squad have been preparing diligently for their Test match series in Sri Lanka next month.  The squad have been working very hard with both fitness and playing technique at Loughborough University where Merlin, the magical bowling machine is being worked very hard, I wonder who they are trying to combat??  Sri Lanka at home with a fit Muralitharan is an incredibly hard prospect but I am sure if our lot can play to the best of their abilities we will give as good as we get.  Fingers crossed.