Paul Edwards catches up with Alec Stewart and discusses the World Cup, the Ashes and Surrey’s defence of the County Championship
The great marquee was up on the Kia Oval’soutfield this week-although the weather hardly justified giving such protection to Surrey’s players as they netted. Then again, maybe the trappings of festival cricket were fitting barely a month before the start of a season which will see a celebration of cricket almost without parallel.
For the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1975, the game’s greatest international one-day tournament will be held in England during an Ashes summer.
Opportunities to publicise the game could hardly come any bigger and the sense of occasion is not lost on Alec Stewart, one of the most patriotic fellows ever to sport the crown and lions.
“It’s so important England do well,” said Surrey’s director of cricket. “If we win the World Cup for the first time and do so on home soil, it will have a huge influence on the game. And whatever standard England or Australia reach, this is still the Ashes. It will be a tough summer, but potentially it could be the best ever in the history of English cricket.”
No pressure, then, some people might note wryly, but Stewart knows as well as anyone what seasons like this can be like. He was the captain in 1999 when England made an early exit from the last World Cup held here and 33 of his 133 Tests were played against Australia, when that country boasted one of the best international teams in the history of the game.
Bu hikaye The Cricket Paper dergisinin March 01,2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Cricket Paper dergisinin March 01,2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
