Sorry for the Delay

I have delayed writing this weeks blog until all the major sport I follow had played out, just to ensure that I would have ample material to rant about.  Oh I did I hit pay dirt.

ENGLAND


England succumbed to only their 5th Test defeat since January 2009 this past week, losing inside three days to a rejuvenated Pakistan side.  Since England wiped the floor with...pause to spit out the name...Salman Butts side in 2010, Pakistan have enjoyed a period of stability unlike any I have witnessed in my time watching Test cricket.  Under the steady hand of Misbah-Ul-Haq (possessor of one of the finest forward defensives in the world), they have shown a ruthless consistency in all forms of cricket.  They are a very good side.  England did not lose to the 2010 side, so the term "humiliating" defeat should only be used in the manner of the defeat, not in terms of who beat us.

It was...very disappointing to see the way a top order that had made hey against Australia and India surrendered so meekly to the "spin" of Saeed Ajaml.  It was so tentative, it was shocking.  Only Matty Prior (1st innings) and Swann (both) showed the necessary approach to quality spin.  Go after it.  To use popular Maghull CC jargon, "Get it Biffed".  However this approach doesn't work when a) you are on 0, and b) you get a shoulder high bouncer.  To see Pietersen two innings, days after his "I never make runs in tour matches" outburst, was to see someone who maybe just isn't worth the "On his Day" tag anymore.  I don't know, I'm not an International Test captain.  But all I will say is, when I am captain, ANYONE who practises as shoddingly as Pietersen would not be considered to get to the big games to try to see if it was "his day".

NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES


Can you kick straight from 20 yards through a large pair of posts? Can you catch a ball and run without letting it get through your fingers? Call the Harbaugh family home, ask to speak to either John or Jim, they have a job for you.

It was quite a shame to see two teams miss out on Superbowl berths due to boneheaded plays.  I'm sure anyone of us would rather lose to a moment of genius rather than forever be muttering under our breaths dark threats regarding people and their families (seriously though, death threats on Twitter to Kyle Williams? He dropped a football you dumb sons of bitches.  Get a life.)

So we see a repeat of one of the greatest Superbowl upsets of all time, Superbowl XLII between the Patriots and New York Giants.  In Indianapolis.  The House that Peyton Manning Built hosts a shoot out between his greatest rival (three time Superbowl champion Tom Brady) and his younger brother (one time winner Eli).  Maybe it was indeed Peytons destiny to bring balance to the Force, not through his own work, but from the one in his family that came after him.  Though that would make Lucas Oil Stadium the Death Star Mk II, and I'm not sure that comparison will make many people visit Indiana any time soon.

TIME FOR A CHANGE


As I wrote this, I read that Tilakartne Dilshan has stood down as captain of Sri Lanka across all three formats.  This is not at all surprising.  He has had a bad run of results in all formats, not helped by the complete retirement of Murali and the Test standing down of Lasith Malinga.  But most noticeably has been the impact of captaincy on his own batting.  Aside from a magnificent counter attack at Lords last summer, he has just not produced anything to suggest that his added responsibility was a lifelong dream.

It seems apparent that Angelo Matthews will step up to replace him.  He's probably the best next in line, but that doesn't make him the best.  Sri Lanka host England after we deal with Pakistan.  On their own turf they have been a tough nut for anyone to crack, but that was with Murali.  Their struggles look set to continue.