Choices

 From opening batsman to Estate Agent Auction Assistant

Nottingham Post: In his new role he will compile catalogues, liaise with property owners and help out at auctions.

He said: "I retired from first-class cricket last summer and had a few interests, especially in property.

"I was invited to go and have a look around Savills to see how it all worked and really enjoyed it.

"I'm looking forward to a really successful time here."

Tuesday

With the third test this week, England have some decisions to make.



Steve Finn or out of form Stuart Broad; Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott or Joe Root - the two former have shown no form what so ever whereas the latter has scored well with the performance squad.

My money is on sticking with a winning eleven even though it was just 4 participants that "done the business".

Monday

Ponting leaves the arena

On day 4 of the mammoth challenge facing Australia, with a target of 632 they stood 150/4 in the second of the day's sessions. Ricky Ponting out for just 8 for the last time, having had a guard of honour on his arrival today from the Proteas.  http://cricketa.us/QAOWqz #goodbyericky


Australia were ultimately to fall 310 runs short of the their target, Mitchell Starc top scoring with some tail end slogging, 68 not out.

Sunday

Day 3 in the Test No 1 ranking decider ended with Australia with an Ayers Rock to climb, on 40/0 needing another 592 runs for victory. The Proteas' second innings saw 196 for Hashim Amla and 169 for AB de Villiers.

Saturday

Faf and bother-on for Australia

Former Mansfield Hosiery Mills' Faf du Plessis continued to flower for the Proteas, adding to his Test debut 78 and 110* he salvaged the tourists again in Perth with a first innings 78* after which Dale Steyn 4/40 saw that 225 was plenty enough for a first inning lead as the host were all out 163. At the close of day 2 Hashim Amla stands 99* with the South Africans 230/2 in the second innings, a lead of 292 in a rapidly moving test match.

Friday

I hope that the new statue of Basil D'Oliveira, at New Road, is a figure wearing a pair of wellies!

"Jeetan Patel is likely to return to Edgbaston next season."

Sad News

Thursday

Not the retirement of Ricky Ponting from Test Cricket at No.2 in the all time list but the news of the sad death of Leeds, Bradford MCCU's captain, Tom Hardman, just at the start of his career.

Wednesday

King of Spin spreads his domain

England have appointed Ashley Giles England One day coach with Andy Flower addressing a home/work balance by remaining just in charge of the Test squad. What have the Bears won in the one day formats recently?

Joe Root excelled for the England PP squad against a DY Patil Academy XI in Mumbai with 166, James Taylor scored 72.

When the England one day squad were announced there were few surprises apart from Graeme Swann's enforced rest from both squads; Stuart Broad shares the ODI load with Jimmy Anderson, both getting a bit of a break. Alex Hales and Michael Lumb join Samit in the T20 squad under the leadership of Broad. Samit Patel is the only Notts player in the squad for all 3 formats in India.

Happy Birthday to Notts County FC, 150 years old today!

Birks's the Best!

Steve Birks has been voted the best groundsman of the year for 4 day matches. The decision is based on points awarded by the umpires officiating at games.

All seems to have been forgotten about the fiasco of leaking covers and damp patches against Surrey holding-up play whilst cricket was being played only yards away at Lady Bay. Luckily it's the umpires that divvy the points out and not the paying public.