The sporting round-up for the weekend; starting with the Cricket. England lost the 5th one day international at Headingley in a rain interupted game. The English bowlers had no answers to India’s hit and see style of play with hero of the 4th ODI Stuart Broad being hit for 84 in his 10 over spell with the ball for the fall of one wicket. James Anderson didn’t do much better being clobbered for 60 in his 10 overs claiming only the wicket of Dhoni. India eventually finished their 50 overs with 324 runs on the board for the fall of 6 wickets. England’s backs were against the wall from the outset when Alistair Cook was caught by Dhoni with only 7 runs registered. Matt Prior and Ian Bell steadied the ship for a while adding 90 runs to the total before Prior was stumped. It was Pietersen up next and frankly he might as well have just stayed in the pavilion only facing three deliveries before falling victim to another Dhoni catch for a duck. Next up was Mr. Dependable Paul Collingwood who batted out the overs top scoring with 91 off 71 deliveries. But unfortunately for England the next four batsmen, Shah, Bopara, Broad and Lewis would only manage 45 runs between them. England fell 38 runs short of the Duckworth Lewis adjusted total because of the rain interruptions. So India pull one back in the series, England still have the advantage with a 3 – 2 lead, but if India win the next game, it’s all to play for in the 7th game. India played some great cricket today and thoroughly deserve the win, let’s hope that the next game will be more of a bowlers wicket as the Headingley wicket was definitely a batters wicket today. I’m actually quite enjoying this series, it’s a hotly contested series, although I obviously want England to take the series, it’s nice to see both teams so passionate about the game and representing their respective countries, the series could still go either way!
Plymouth Argyle could only manage a disappointing scoreless draw with Leicester City at Home Park on Saturday afternoon. Ian Holloway will be very disappointed with one point from the fixture given Leicester’s difficulties at the moment, but all credit to the The Foxes and specifically keeper Marton Fulop denying Argyle time and time again. It could have easily been 5 – 0 if it wasn’t for the Leicester keeper. Peter Halmosi, David Norris, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Paul Connolly and Lilian Nalis all had goalbound shots blocked by the acrobatic Fulop. Leicester never looked like they could win the game and will count themselves lucky to come away from Home Park with a point. Plymouth have slumped to 15th in the league after four games, claiming only five out an available twelve points and haven’t won at home yet in the league. I pretty much think that Argyle can write off any aspirations of claiming a play-off spot this season. It seems to me right now that Argyle are too good for League One but not good enough for the Premiership. Ian Holloway is a great manager, but he must be scratching his head wondering why he can’t convert all the potential that Argyle have into points especially in the league. With a bit of luck we can get our home campaign started properly with a win over Cardiff City in two weeks time, then three days after that Argyle travel to Loftus Road to face newly bought QPR. And judging by who has bought them, F1’s Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone; lots of money will be poured into that team, let’s hope it doesn’t happen before the 18th September. Oh and Argyle have drawn a premiership side in the third roud of the Carling Cup, shame that it’s any away tie at the Boleyn Ground against West Ham United, so cup run over then!!!
Liverpool thumped Derby County for six Saturday afternoon at Anfield. Derby were given a rude awakening and sharp reminder of how tough the Premiership can be by the Reds who look sharper than ever before under Rafa Benitez. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a superb free kick from 45 yards out and missed everyone in the box and sailed straight into the back of the net in the 27th minute. Ryan Babel turn and shoot effort doubled the home side’s lead just before half time. Fernando Torres made it three 10 minutes after half time, then Xabi Alonso made it four with another power drive from 18 yards out. Andrei Voronin was alert and tapped in the simplest of chances to make it five. Fernando Torres completed the rout capitalising on defensive mistake by Andy Todd to make it 6 – 0 and it could have been 8 – 0 if it wasn’t for the alertness of the Derby keeper. Derby were decidedly second rate compared to the rampant reds and will want to put this one behind them as quickly as possible. Derby are stone bottom of the league while Liverpool are top of the pile. Chelsea could have went top today, but were beaten 2 – 0 by Aston Villa so remain on 10 points and Liverpool have a game in hand and a healthy 8 goal difference over Chelsea. Could this finally be Liverpool’s year to win the Premiership? I’ll have my fingers crossed it is!