"Leave That Cricket Be, Alan Lee"

Product Information

Roy, barrel-chested and strutting, took on a part of every England fan in repaying Smith for all that Ashes pain.

In this era of short-form dominance, or “hit and giggle” as Gower calls it, it feels like the leave could become a lesser spotted sight throughout the game. Batters often slide headfirst with their bat outstretched to make their ground. Being able to run faster to score more runs, as well as improve endurance so as to not be fatigued by running a lot throughout a long innings (which could disrupt the concentration or strength needed for batting), is part of the athletic training for batters.The last week has been a sad and slow stay of execution, even with victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday. That day a group of fresh-faced 20-somethings had little idea what was coming down the road they were setting out on. During England's golden run they hit three record ODI totals - twice on riotous days at Trent Bridge where Pakistan then Australia were put to the sword, before they went on a European roadshow to smash 498-4 in the Netherlands. Sport". The Telegraph. 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. [ dead link]

But if this is the end of an era, and England's own vice-captain has said it should be, then let's take a moment to appreciate the ride.The first time I was called a certain four-letter expletive I was at the crease. It was preceded by the word “jammy” but I didn’t see it that way at all. Gower agrees. “When you are in command then you enjoy the ones that are close, you might get an ‘ooo-arr’ from the other end but you just look at the bowler and smile and let him worry about that. That in a way is all part of the fun.” Their title defence has been shambolic but there will always be that day at Lord's - tears on the field, in the stands and among the sternest of pundits and journalists in the media centre as England beat New Zealand to win the 50-over World Cup for the first time. There is also a T20 World Cup in June next year, at which England should select their strongest team for another title defence rather than treat it as a way of looking to the future. Although the textbook, side-on stance is the most common, a few international players, such as Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve Smith, use an "open" or "square on" stance.