A Happy Birthday in Barbados!

You might suggest that each and every day feels like a birthday in Barbados!

But if Celebrating Birthday’s is your thing you could certainly do much much worse than to enjoy it in Barbados! Just ask the three England Seniors who Celebrated their own Birthdays during the recent Carib Cup Tournament here! I am sure each one of them, be it Ed Gordon-Lennox, Jim Phillips or Neil Brathwaite will all have a Story to tell about how enjoyable their own Birthday was to be Celebrating in a hotter climate for one thing.Being on a Great cricket Tour and enjoying the company of mainly mates too! Jim and Jill even had an Anniversary to Celebrate here too.It was indeed a time of Birthday’s in our Squad and i think we all enjoyed the bonding, laughter and atmosphere around the Individual landmarks reached!We have got to the age now where we don’t even have the chance to disguise which birthday we are reaching.Since we all had to declare our Ages for the purpose of playing in The Big Man Carib Cup and being older than 60 was a bit of a giveaway!

So, coming to my own earth strong day, as it is often called in the Caribbean.I was certainly happy to be spending my day in a lovely warm country around great people and as it worked out, half of it was spent at another Cricket Game between a BNOC team and a visiting Touring team from Shropshire back home1

I took myself off to a far corner to get a bit of perspective on proceedings and actually found a device for drawing my eye across the field and connecting up a Image which i could paint.Mt Birthday Painting(another thing!)

As it is I have Included the Birthday painting as it is reflective of enjoying Watching others playing Cricket.And setting about engaging with the Game through my art.As has been observed i have included characters in the painting who may or may/not have been out their! As there are also only four figures on the field and two are umpires questions maybe asked of my integrity when it comes to he Rules of Cricket!

Fair question but also it hasn’t bothered too many folks,I hope I have created enough intrigue so that we can keep the allowance going on.

Just to reiterate that I had a lovely Birthday and would recommend a Caribbean Birthday to anybody any day of the week.

Here are the b/day Cards hand made for the Tourist by JB and Jill Phillips.A rare talent that we didn’t know about!

Cheers JB115

A Week of Reflection.Big Man Carib Cup Win

They Say a Week is a Long time in Politics..Well if there is an opposite to that Statement it maybe coined as..’I don’t want this to end’!

Surely the joy of actually pulling on the three Lions of England and playing against those in Green&Gold and indeed a ‘baggy green’ to boot, is indeed a pinnacle of any English Cricketers dream.In other words, playing a game of cricket against Australia (regardless of ages) is both a motivator and a test of our metal! Just coming up against the Gold and Green has deep psychological and historic connections.I haven’t really spoken with the other players about this but i feel sure that seeing the Aussie Colours will have added and extra layer of motivation and even a slight nervousness to the occasions that we played them.

And of course our first encounter did result in a narrow defeat.I think though that the rearguard batting of Brathers and Deaks actually brought us all into the ‘reality of the competition’.We had after all had very little time to acclimatise (one practise session)before we played our first game.Knowing the Aussies had come directly from their domestic season back home I think showed particularly during their fielding performance.As a team you can tell from the body language when a team is ‘on it’.

In fact we were also on it for the majority of our fielding and bowling performance.Maybe just a bit rusty up top and that was understandable if not desirable.A sharp learning curve for our bowlers in fact.The outfields and runs ups were hard and the slope up and down to the popping crease more exaggerated.I’m sure the faster bowlers would take a bit longer to adjust to these conditions than the slower.We have less distance to run and relay more on work on the ball and less the physicality of bowling.

All in all the defeat made us all realise that we are going to need to Win our remaining Games most likely in order to reach the Final.There was of course the added incentive of potentially playing at The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.One of the Iconic International Test Grounds with it’s associated History of the great West Indies players.

I have slightly deviated from my Intention of reflecting on the Carib Cup Victory and spoken more of the process of arriving at the Final.it feels prudent to take this Story incrementally though as each stage of the process was as important as the next.First off we needed to get into Winning ways and this would be challenged in our Second Game V’s the USA at the Wanderer’s (see previous Blog’Coming Back Strong V’s USA’ for details).

I’ll leave the Reflections there for now as my host has called me for Breakfast!

Hope you’re enjoying the Blogging Journey with me!

More soon…Match Day and ‘A day at the races’!

Go well JB115

The Maltese Falcon and Other Tour Stories!

So this is Mr Paul Bradley(AKA The Maltese Falcon)Or so i was led to believe by one of our tour party. KG told me that Paul got his nickname during a cricket Tour, i’m not sure where but hasten to add that Paul does have fond connections with Malta. So i went along with the narrative that there is some truth in his association with all things Maltese.Including representing the National team at Cricket!

Paul’s personality in managing our Tour must have been tested fully.Given that our squad has such a diverse set of characters.Given that we were selected from County’s both North,South,West Country and Midlands.The cultures of England were all represented in our Tour Party. From selecting the Squad to managing our training camp at Loughborough and then onto the Tour itself.It would be churlish to imagine any of this would of been possible without Paul’s management and planning skills.

Along with Richard the Capt and ‘noddy’ the vice.It was a team effort to bring us all along with high expectations of feeling a genuine pride of playing for England and pulling on the Three Lions Shirts.The Kit Sponsored by Stonehill Sports.com was of high quality and made playing in the heat of Barbados much cooler than you might imagine.Professional standard clothing plus kit bags and ruck sacks were all part of making us feel like a real England Squad.Also staying at the same Hotel as recent England sides just made everything more real for us as well.Rooming with our Team mates was another aspect that brought us closer as individuals and team players.(although i can’s speak for my ‘Roomy’JP)He may of course beg to differ!(Ha)

So to summarise.It was down to Paul and Richard and galvanising the rest of us to buy into the project to make this England Squad into cup Winners.And buy into it we did.Everyone did their bit with the fundraising and sponsorship deal’s.Investing in our Tour brochure put together admirably by Kevin Grant( Essex seniors).We had a Tour Song Book organised by yours truly with some input on the selection of songs from the Two Kevin’s.Although neither cramped my choices, they certainly fed back what might or might not be enjoyed by the majority of Tourist’s.Including the Lady’s, wives and partners.

Publicity was another thing and it was arranged again by Paul and our original scorer (Keith)to facilitate two Media study Students from Gloucs University to handle the social media side of the operation.All professionally handled by Harrison and Oliver.Great work lads.You can see footage of our two day training camp at Loughborough elite training Centre filmed and Edited by H&O on you tube.

So, we were prepared mentally and to an extent physically with the support of physio Paolo at Loughborough and also Chanelle in Barbados.The whole operation had every detail covered and made us feel special!

Respect and good vibes emanated from the Loughborough get together and stood us in good stead for the Journey to come.From that moment on I personally felt my focus towards the tour escalate and the mental and physical preps started to ramp up.The psychology of sport is something of interest to me and this aspect of our training experience was also provided through the expert interactive management ofSquad member Ed Gordon Lennox.It was a little challenging for us’Grown up’s’ to challenge ourselves as part of this process.But ultimately significant i believe in us learning to trust each other and also to enjoy working together.

I’m rambling a little now but the essential point i wanted to make is that through paul Bradley and Richard Merriman(capt ) especially.We were well prepared and committed to a successful tour ahead.

With this in mind I was asked if i could paint a representation of Paul. To present to him as a gift and momento of our gratitude and thanks for all of his commitment and support during the tour.I hope Paul feels the love that everyone has for him preparing the tour so selflessly.Thanks Paul and Richard and all Tourists for creating such a memorable time in Barbados and for bringing us together to ultimately push through on the field to become triumphant. In Winning the Inaugural ‘Big Man’ Caribbean Cup for Over 60’s Seniors, was a Big Team effort alround.

With thanks to Dave our stand in Scorer,The umpires and other scores provided by the Organisers WI’s Masters Organisation.

Many more thanks beside.

There will no doubt be reflection on how things might work better next time and also player’s feedback will be considered i am sure.But also we are all ‘Big Men’ now and capable of resolving these issues and growing together.Reflection is good and maybe even more so after great Victory’s.There are always casualties as well as winners and those negatives are as valid as positives in improving the experience for all.This is the start of a bigger picture for England Seniors cricket and i hope that we are all capable of seeing the bigger picture as well as enjoying our part in the Success as it happens.

Just to reiterate how the passion, enthusiasm and skills of all involved has made this Carib Cup Tour as memorable as it has been,Culminating in The Final being played at The Kensington Oval,in Bridgetown.An iconic, historic venue for some of history’s best known Cricketers.And we can say we added our little bit to that history with pride and passion for the beloved game of Cricket.

Chapeaux to you everyone who contributed to this happening.

Cheers JB

The Manager and the Squad

Big man Carib Cup Final, Victory, Success!

Well we made it all the way to The big Man Cup Final at the Iconic and historic Kensington Oval Stadium in the heart of Bridgetown.A famous ground for generations of England and of course West Indian Cricket supporters and lovers of our great game.We have been fortunate enough over the past two weeks to have been in the presence of cricketing greatness on many occasions. Those Legends of the Game who have either graced our games or social events would feature in an historian of the games top[ players. The players have included Sir Wes Hall,Sir Charles Griffiths, sir Gordon Greenidge. Sir?Joel Garner,Roland Butcher(the first black England player)There were others too and I personally enjoyed speaking with ?Ronnie Eswick who also coached many International stars and also as bowling Coach for the National Team for 7 years.

When the formalities and National anthems were over, England who had won the toss and elected to bat, proceeded to put together what looked like a pretty imposing and certainly competitive total. Largely due to two significant score over 50.One by opener Kev Grant and a particularly impressive 70+ by Edward Gordon Lennox.His knock which feature six sixes and 4 fours appeared to slightly demoralise the Aussies towards the back end of their innings.It took a very fine catch in the deep to finally dismiss Ed and thereafter our total was more contained although from our perspective we felt our total would require some good batting to be overhauled.

After another good lunch between innings this time in the Three W’s Presidential sweet at the top of the main stand.We then prepared to bowl and field our way to victory.Our two opening bowlers,Staple and Caunt,both bowled accurately and did not allow Australia any immediate freedoms to score.With pressure on them from bowling dot balls the Aussies needed to take more risks in rotating the strike and get the scoreboard ticking.When Staple completed his economical opening spell he was replaced by Jim Phillips who turned the screw further and started to induce false shots which led to the fall of 3 quick wickets all to Jim.

‘Deaks’ or Phil Deakin kept it tight from the Malcolm Marshal End to heap more pressure on the Australian batters and making risky single and two’s even more perilous for them.When Jim finished his fine spell of 9 overs and taking 3-38 Australia were requiring in access of 6 runs and over for the last 16 overs.JP was replaced by JB(Butters)from the Joel Garner End and Butters was straight into action picking up the dangerous Opening bat with awilda caught and bowled and with it raising the temperature amongst the England supporters cheering England on from the Three W’s Stand.

Butters added another two quick wickets in his first 5 overs and as Deaks was replaced by Chris ‘Noddy’ Dearden at the Marshall End the screw turning was tightened further.

Noddy cleaned up the tai lenders with the last three batsmen falling in quick time and giving England Victory by the handsome margin of 70 runs.

The Job was complete and the England Squad triumphant.

Thanks to all for committing to this once in a lifetime journey to buy into playing Cricket for England as a Senior player.No small thing.The commitment and passion for playing being the main protagonists for the majority of us still dedicated enough to overcome all of the physical restrictions that might come with wearying limbs.The fact that we all put ourselves through what we do to play this beautiful game is testament to our continued love of the game and for playing the game well.I for one shall never forget the thrill and excitement of walking down the steps of the Sir Garfield sobers pavilion and onto the hallowed ground of The Kensington Oval both when batting and fielding and Bowling on the same wicket as many great cricketers of the present and past.

All for one and one for all, our Tour Moto which kept us going throughout and ultimately paid dividends.Let us build on our experiences hear and take the spirit and camaraderie forward into this summers Five Test Match Series against Australia in England.

Bravo and Chapeaux to all Involved in England Seniors Successful Tour and ultimate victory in The Big man Carib Cup 2023

Cheers for now, Butters or (JB115)

The Good,the bad and the Ugly!

So we made it ti the FINAL! This is a picture taken at The Kensington Oval, famous home of Babarbos International Cricket.We are truly blessed to be able to play as an England Team and Squad at this Iconic Cricket Stadium.So much history’s many greats of the game have blessed this ground with there cricketing prowess down the years and we are going to join them in our own small way.Every school boys dream would have been to walk out on one of the Iconic International Test Grounds to experience the wonderful facilities and atmospheres of one of these Iconic grounds.It’s dream time come true for our Squad of England players.Let’s hope it’ll be in a Winning encounter with another great Cricketing Nation.It doesn’t come much bigger than a Test between England and Australia and Never Mind the ages of those pulling on the Three Lions or putting on the Green baggy i’m sure.

How we got here was a challenge after narrowly losing to the Aussies in our first Match of the round robin event.Every game became a must win for us and that meant four straight Wins.Lets make it Five now and lift the Carib Cup Big Man Trophy.We had the pleasure of playing The West Indies Masters Team yesterday ( A first encounter in this 60+format).The inaugural 60+encounter with WI’s was a must Win eliminator to gain the right to play the Aussies again on Finals Day.And what an encounter it was.Put into bat on what looked like quite a juicy top after heavy overnight rain.The Openers had mixed fortunes against the moving ball with Martin receiving a particularly awkward delivery and falling early door caught at the wicket.

Neil and Capt Richard restored parity of an enduring 15 overs and after the first drinks break started to accelerate the scoring with deft strokes and quick singles.When Neil fell for 19 Monty then arrived with his Intent to take on the bowlers on the front foot.He lost Richard to an unfortunate LBW decision but the momentum suddenly shifted with the arrival of Ed GL to the crease.Ed and Monty started putting the tiring WI’s attack to the sword with great intent from both batsmen.The fours and sixes started to mount up and the last 15 overs pushed the score along at a healthy lick! Monty reached a terrific fifty and went onto maligning a fine 66 (clickety Click).Noddy then joined Ed at the Wicket and preceded to rotate the strike to allow Ed to complete another magnificent and well constructed 50 to add to his good scores on tour.

Our Total concluded at 199 which was revised to 198.

A competitive Total for sure.

After a short Lunch break we took to the field for the defining innings.To a man we were on our game and Rupert in particular made it a demanding time for their openers who looked to be striking the ball well when they connected.Rupert though had too much nouse for them and soon picked up both dangerous looking Openers and putting us in a positive frame of mind for the rest of the innings.Bats 3 and 4 also looked to strike a long ball and Bruce Smith in particular looked a dangerous batsman(father of West Indies legend Duane Smith).Duane was at the game egging on his old man!

Unfortunately for Bruce he pulled a hamstring whilst running a quick two runs and had to retire at least temporarily.However his replacement a left hander also looked to be a cultured bat so it took the nouse of Jim and Noddy to keep him relatively quite before Jim induced a front foot drive which yours truly(Butters)managed to scoop up low to the ground to take him out.Windies then 5 down had to rebuild which allowed us more control with the ball and our fielding back up admirably in the hot climate and spongy outfield. Jim took a second wicket of Bruce soon after he had returned to the wicket.Jim’s delivery catching Bruce on the crease for an obvious LBW decision.His next ball bowled no 8 batsman and so the Kent man was on an International hat-trick.The hat trick ball narrowly missed the off stump! Meantime JB 9Butters)had found his rhythm and the two Kent boys bowled well in tandem.jB induing a false shot by no 7 who was smartly Stumped by wicket keeper JG.JB then induced another false shot to back point and Rupert made it another all Kent wicket taking the catch.

The Indies last pair put on a few but the last wicket fell to an unusual dismisal when JG was obstructed by Tony the batsman when he tried to run him out.Tony inadvertently stuck his bat out in the line of the throw and the Umpires decided it was intentional Obstruction thus bringing the Innings to an unexpected conclusion leaving the England team with a comprehensive 65 run Victory.

I think it was an almost complete bowling and fielding performance for us.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly title of this post alludes to the comment by Kirlew Staples(AKA Rupert)who suggested the Kent three in the side fitted this heading.I’m still not sure in which Order he has in mind but i’m presuming to be The Good One!

Glad for us to have contributed 7 wickets and two catches to the Winning Cause.Ugly,bad or not!

A big mention should go out to our Squad members and supporters at this match too who were there avery step of the way to be supporting the team on the field.Cheers to TR,JC,KB and Kev Grant who apparently had some complimentary as well as controversial words for us on Commentary.

All in all a great team England performance.So The Big Man Finals tomorrow and lets hope my next Blog is Celebrating a Great victory…then it’ll be time to PARTY! Get ready were going to Rock Steady in Caribbean Style boys and Girls!

ONE bIG LOVE

Butters115

BIG MAN CARIB CUP reaches final Eliminator for place in Fridays Final at The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown

https://www.youtube.com/live/Jz0nUzWPAA4?feature=share

All to play for after Latest Victory for England Seniors

Victory versus Rest of the World brings England one step away from the Final

Having Comprehensively Won our latest League fixture against the ROW side We now have a simple equation to manage if we are to reach the Grand final Versus Australia on Friday.The Final will be played at The Bridgetown Oval.

The incentive is plane and clear and the equation now simple.We must now beat West Indies on weds to qualify.It is basically the semi final as both sides have lost narrowly in our game’s against the Aussie’s.West Indies ran them close yesterday and look favourites throughout a fluctuating game but Aussie’s ran out winners ultimately by 3 wickets.

We Won our Game by 8 wkts with both Skipper Merriman and fellow opener ‘Granty’ scoring relatively freely in reaching their 50’s.Although there is still dispute as to wether KG’s 50 was or should have been 49no?This promises to be debate on Laws of the game and spirit of the game ground’s for day’s to come! the Umpire after the game informed us that Kev’s 50 was not a fifty because as he needed 2 to reach the mark and he had already run a single to finish the game when one of the ROW fielders allowed the ball to reach the boundary thereafter.More in the Spirit of the game rather than a technical ruling.It would appear though that Kev’s round of beers to Celebrate his fifty may just have been an act of selfless generosity rather than a celebration of his own achievement.If you get my drift.You can see what a complicated issue that this controversy might engender in a cricket debating sense!

Anyway moving on a mention has to go to M.O.M Phil Deakin(Deaks) for his miserly bowling return of 9-2-11-2.

The bowler’s generally bowled well

A Day at The Races (you lose some you lose some!)

Well after a successful Game three versus The Invitational XI on Friday we were afforded a bit of down time at The Savannah Racecourse on Saturday Afternoon.And what a treat that was.Organise by Paul to gain us entry to the ‘Posh Seats'(undercover) we had an exceptional view over the course and the Finishing Line.

I have to admit my own knowledge and understanding of Racing and ‘The Form’ are interests i have addressed much time too.It was however Impressive to realise just how many of our Squad members present did know more than a passing interest in these aspects of Racing.I had explained what to look for in the horses recent results, form and forecasts from the bookies.It all pretty much seems to go by the by for me though as i still ended up taking a fancy on a colour or a jockeys name to place my expertise on. Hasten to add my hunches paid not one dividend in 4 races! Mr Trotman in particular let me down in race three.Here he is pictured on a beautiful stallion with fetching colours nonetheless he did not bring his ‘A’ to the race easily kept down to 4th or was it 5th place.

Some of the more ‘dedicated’Fanciers did somewhat better but as yet have not owned up to how many Thousands they were ahead by the time we left the Garrison at 4.30 pm

Next up was the Tape Ball experience which was another Great cultural event Organised Brilliantly by Sharon who exudes Celebrity Status in her Social role.Paul The Manager was also colluding closely to ensure we were all given the Status of Celebrity Guests for the Night in again by Local Business hosts and cricketers from JP Williamas.A Big Player in areas of Commerce and Industry in Barbados.This event was a fundraiser too for Many charities and we had a lot of Interviews and appreciations to enjoy throughout the evening.

The evening started off with a brilliant warm up managed by a dancing group of beautiful Bajan Ladies who put as to shame with there energy and flexing! I cant say that i understand Twerking Fully but these Girls certainly do and it just inspires my ageing hips to keep it up man!

There really is so much to report on from this Wonderful Evening and I know i haven’t mentioned the Cricket as yet but first up we had a new captain appointed by the name of Tony rhodes and a mention to him for his dedicated management of the Team on and off the field.We were joined on the field by three or four west Indian players from our Big man Competition and they showed us the way with the ball before One of our own J Pierre rocked up with some unplayable deliveries 9well apparently)I could really see what he was upto from my position at deep extra cover.More that the Floodlights were in my eyes than anything but i sadly let him down (again apparently)when i didn’t pick up a regulation(usually)catch in my position.Issue being I just didn’t see it coming boss!

All in all we bowled pretty tidily and restricted the Opposition to 144 in their 20 Overs.

There came the difference between the two sides when their Opening Bowlers seem to be bowling at least a Yard quicker than any of us.Not so surprising when we calculated their average age as at least 20 yrs younger than ours.Our batters adapted pretty well and we were going along well with Neil’Nelly’B and Montie D putting bat to ball.Martin and Ed continued to play shots even though some were air shots at least they had the right idea!

We sort ran out of steam a bit later on when a couple of the lads were unlucky enough to lose there wickets without really knowing much about it!

The game petered out somewhat but we did rise up to a 100 in reply which was double the score our Local Distractors had predicted.The presentations followed with prizes Galore.Our own JP walking off with best Bowler and captain Tony walking off with a litre of Plantation Rum(have you put that away Tony)The Raffel prizes were next and there was also a presentation of Adult Cricket Gear we had brought from England to support the Local cricketers.

A great conclusion to the Event that Sharon had so Wonderfully Organised along with all the other ‘Stars of the night’

Coming back Strong V’s USA

Coming back Strong V’s USA

So we arrived at The Wanderers Cricket Ground on Weds morning fully expectant that we would hit our straps as a side today.Having had a day of reflection yesterday and licked our wounds. We were collectively ready for the transition.Clearly the whole squad was disappointed by mondays result against Australia.But we are all Big Men and realised quickly that one loss doesn’t lose us the Tournament.

If anything it had galvanised the players and management and i know from being with the guys for a few days now that Winning is in their DNA.All we needed from today was the opportunity to play and remember what we came here fro do.Win the Carib Cup.

I think that we proved ourselves again against the USA.We might have expected to win this game but given the opportunity to improve our performance level, came at the right time.The management again made a few changes for the Match up given 4 of the squad their first run out’s in a match situation.

The Wanderers Ground was lovely.The Old pavilion with it two floors and slatted floors a real throwback to the 19th Century and the rise of the West Indies passion for the Game.It was a real joy to arrive and be greeted so warmly by the organisers.Roland Butcher was on commentary as well which is a real treat as he was an England Cricketer from out age group.He gets what it is like for us all to be pulling on an International shirt.There is much respect for him and all the older Bajan cricketers and lovers of the game.It is a real cultural epitaph to the game of cricket. Which reminds us just how much the game has brought people together.

It also offers up the opportunity to play our best cricket against the players of other Countries who have a similar passion.And of course we all want to Win but we also still respect the opposition and their own competitive pride, in representing their own countries and cultures.

This is why it is such a privilege to be amongst so many gifted,talented and committed Cricketers on the Tour and in this competition.We can all respect each others commitment to winning and doing well whilst playing to Win our matches.

So, moving on to the game our Captain Richard Won the Toss this time and elected to bat first.I think a smart move in the circumstances. We all really needed to get a feel of the ball on bat and adapt to the conditions.As it turned Out the Wicket, prepared so expertly by Ricky the groundsman played more true that our previous game at Pickwick.The ground was hot when we arrived so most of the early moisture from overnight rain had evaporated.

The two openers looked solid until Richard was unfortunately given out LBW. It is hard to assess the local bounce immediately but it seemed to carry through quite high from the USA spinners.Extracting bounce from a pretty hard wicket.

It was good to see the batsmen taking control of the conditions and batting fluently.None more so than Martin, who had opened the batting opened with Richard.He ended up making a pretty fluent 70 and set us up for a Good total. Everyone else had chipped in.The final total reaching 238 for 8 wks down. All our batsmen at least got a start and hit some shots to encourage the self belief that comes with time at the wicket.

In their reply the USA openers looked positive but the opener spooned a catch to mid wicket from a fall toss giving us an Ideal start.This must of settled J Pierre down who proceeded to look sharp on this wicket which offered some carry through to wicket keeper Kevin Who was playing his first game as well.

Hitting the gloves hard at out level is quite a big deal considering the age and the work these bowlers have put in through the years.The quicker bowlers showed us the way and Jason was particularly accurate bowling his 9 overs for 20 runs and putting the USA behind the eight ball.Next up the spin of Phil who has a great rhythm going and pace on the ball can deceive the batsmen.

So in summary.We had a pretty good day at the Wanderers and some good work to build on, another match in our legs.I don’t know about the other players but we have had to re-acclimatise to playing in alien conditions and understandably this takes a little time.Hopefully all of this is building to more complete performances in the remaining games.

It’s a real joy to be playing cricket with these old pros of the game.And it’ll be a great experience to go through the tournament with no further defeats.Every game toughens the resolve and form to reach the Final.

All for one and one for all in the inimitable words of D’artagnan!

Come on England. Next up World Invitational IX tomorrow Friday 3rd Feb 9.30am local time (live youtube links to follow)

JB115