England expects and the Women excel

Is 2015 the year when football and cricket see the women’s sport finally enjoying the long deserved break through?

But not so for the batsman – Richie Benaud

This must be considered as a piece of classic sports commentary.

It’s been absolutely marvellous for 42 years. Loved every moment of it. And, eh it’s been a privilege to go into every one’s living room throughout that time. What’s even better, it’s been a great deal of fun. But not so for the batsman.

The Need for Speed.

While I was reading Jonathan Wilson’s excellent book on the development of football tactics ‘Inverting the Pyramid’ i came across the notion of speed as being of one the key ingredients if not the main part of the English game. Players with technical abilities were and still are sneered at. Even after the 6-3 hammering against Hungary did England not alter their tactical set up to a great deal and still relied on speed and fast attacks as a way to unsettle opponents and to score. Didier Drogba of Chelsea once described the English style of play in three simple words: attack, attack, attack.