Marcus Trescothick has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The Somerset batsman, 32, suffers from a stress-related illness which makes travelling abroad difficult.

The former England opener, averaged 43.79 and played in 76 Tests and 123 one-day games, said he was retiring so England could plan their future.

He said: “It is in the best interests of all concerned that the issue is put to rest so the England team can concentrate on moving forward.”

Trescothick we salute you!. This news hasn’t come as a surprise to anyone who follows the game especially following his return home just days before the first Test in Brisbane of the 2006/7 Ashes series. He will be missed, certainly by England fans, the guy has done a lot for England and international cricket and it is such a shame that he has called a halt to his Test career prematurely.

Arguably the best thing to happen to formula one in the last few seasons occurred yesterday when Bernie Ecclestone announced that ITV were effectively sacked and would no longer running UK coverage !!!

It has been a long time coming with so many fans up in arms with the coverage, the commentators (name James “I am the smugmeister” Allen and the continual commercial breaks. I can understand the need for a commercial company to take revenue breaks during an event – it happens. The nature of formula one or any live event also leads to the unpredictability curse and you can always guarantee that they will take a break when something important happens. This has riled fans and comes as no shock that ITV now claim they were ready to give in the contract just as the great “British” hope of Hamilton has arrived.

ITV have courted the youngster as if he was the second coming (no offence) and it has, certainly for me, a chore to watch them talk about Hamilton , Hamilton and let’s guess Hamilton. Something similar happened when Button was going for Gold and if you aren’t a massive fan of that driver it certainly can grate on you!

Easily the worst thing to happen to F1 has been the introduction of James Allen, (Online Petition to get rid of him here !!!) the guy has no charisma, he doesn’t appear to know what’s happening half the time and by the time the final race hits our screens I sincerely hope it hasn’t coincided with the news that Allen has joined the BBC as its main commentator !

The BBC have a video of Bernie explaining his situation and that they (F1) had decided to end the 5 year contract early before contacting the BBC.

The five-year deal for an undisclosed fee marks F1’s return to BBC screens 12 years after it switched to ITV.
The contract covers all platforms and will see F1 broadcast on the BBC Sport website, as well as on TV and radio.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was “delighted”, adding: “The BBC has some innovative ideas to consolidate and expand our UK fan base.”
Dominic Coles, BBC Sport director of sport rights, said: “The biggest motorsporting event in the world is returning home after 12 years.
“We were delighted when Bernie Ecclestone approached us about the return of F1 to the BBC.

Only time will tell if the BBC will improve on the coverage. F1 fans around the world hope for two things – no more programme starts five minutes before the race begins and the most important thing – no more James Allen. Final words can go to Ross Brawn who slates the ITV coverage.

Setanta Sports have secured the rights to show the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition in the UK.

 The competition starts on April 18th, we can only hope Setanta will get Thalia Zucchi to do an advert for it.

Signup today to catch all of the action.

England have retained the ashes!

A headline the mens cricket team can only dream of but the womens cricket team have acheived that very thing with a convinicing victory today 6 wickets at Bowral (scorecard)

Australia started the fourth and final day on 195-4, a lead of 105, but Isa Guha took 4-60 and the hosts declared on 231-9 to set England 142 to win.

England reached their target for the loss of four wickets, with Claire Taylor 64 not out and captain Charlotte Edwards hitting the winning runs.

Our resident aussie Warnie has been quiet for a few weeks but is sure to be along soon to pass on his congratulations to the superior cricketing nation.

Read the full story of England’s impressive victory here

From the Pavilion kicked off for its second season today with a Twenty20 senior league match, it was a welcome return to one of the fastest growing online sport games in the cricketing world. The game has grown up a lot since its inception with changes introduced during the regular first season and off season break helping a great deal. The changes have been welcomed and beneficial to the game, enhancing the manager’s game.

As with battrick, if you want to be successful in From The Pavilion you are expected to put in a lot of time working out your orders. That said, the team at PAV appear to have struck a good balance allowing a new manager to come in and select a team and play a game - whether they will win is another matter!!. Selecting your side is made as easy as possible with a good selection process - one tip I would recommend is to open another window and have one showing the selection screen and the other your squad of players. This way you can search around without having to save your orders every couple of minutes!

PAV have included three formats from the get go and these include the standard senior 50 over game, a senior Twenty20 and a Youth 40 over match available. A nice addition is the ability to play friendly matches in whatever format you desire!

As with battrick the game is free to use but you do have the option to buy enhanced features with a three month package or a 12 month package. If you opt for the annual package you effectively gain three months free. You don’t need to spend money to enjoy this game but the list of enhanced options does make it hard to resist! I myself, in my second season and only now determined to give the game the time it deserves, am on the borderline of should I invest or should I wait! The rule of thumb should be “do you enjoy playing the game” and “do you find yourself spending more time online” ? if the answer is yes, why not try the membership out for 3 months. Oh I forgot to add, you do get the full features for your first month anyway as a new manager.

The game is a statto’s dream with a plethora of stats available both for the non and paying pavilion member. More statistics will be on offer as the game develops I’m sure but given that most people who like cricket love stats, this can’t be a bad thing - the more stats the better as far as I am concerned!

I’d like to see an international competition of sorts and I would also like to know how good my players are compared to other squads in the game. I don’t think PAV offers this at the moment; unless I haven’t found it yet !!! I’m sure the developers of the game are looking towards the international scene, it’s part of the game most managers would expect although I’m certain a stable match engine and game are more of a priority at this early stage.

Will the game succeed ? If you had asked me this question Mid way through its inaugural season I would have been uncertain, offering a 40 - 60 % chance of surviving, I simply lost interest in the game. That said I think the guys have turned the game on its head in the off season and have introduced a number of key improvements. These include a much better commentary print out, run outs are attributed to the players involved, good fielding or dropped catches are also highlighted. Little things like this go a long way and if there was any way these statistics could be used utilised then that would be another tick in the plus column.

So Warnie, will the game survive now ? I have no doubt that given the marked improvement from last season this game deserves to succeed. I would now like to change my odds and offer a 70 - 30 % in favour of PAV winning out. Keep the members happy (non and paying members) and you are half way there. My experiences are positive, the guys are always quick to reply and help out where they can. Give it a go and I’m sure you’ll be hooked!

World record breaking wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist today announced his retirement from Test Match cricket with effect from the end of the current fourth 3 mobile Test match against India at the Adelaide Oval. Gilchrist will also retire from one-day international cricket at the conclusion of the upcoming Commonwealth Bank series. Today’s announcement will also see an end to his career with Western Australia and Perth Cricket Club.

Adam Gilchrist said: “It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and One-day cricket. I’ve come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me. My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling.

“I am now ready and excited to move into the next phase of my life which will, of paramount importance include much more time with Mel, Harrison, Annie and Archie.

“Thank you to Cricket Australia, the Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket NSW for providing me the opportunity to play First-Class cricket and for the support over the many years.

Gillie we salute you, you have been a legend for Australian cricket - enjoy retirement

Adam Gilchrist, arguably the greatest ever wicket-keeper has finally surpassed Mark Boucher in Test match dismissals to claim the world record of 414.

The total, one more than Boucher includes 377 catches and 37 stumpings. In contrast Boucher has taken more catches (394) but far fewer stumpings (19).

For me, along with Shane Warne, Gillie has changed the face of international cricket. His cavalier, maverick approach to the game has served him well, the move from New South Wales to Western Australia proving his best decision.

He has scored 17 centuries and 26 fifties at an average of 47 and although not as consistent with the bat as he was a few years ago, he is still a major threat to any bowling attack.

Also known as a walker, he is a rare breed in international cricket these days. I remember sitting gobsmacked when he walked in the semi final against Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth. I don’t think anyone else in his position would have walked and to me showed what he was and is made of – a true diamond. For the record Australia went on to win that match and the world title! Karma baby, karma !

Youtube video of Gilchrist smashing his way to a 57 ball century against England in the Ashes

When he does eventually retire a giant of the game will be lost but certainly not forgotten. He, like Shane Warne is to me irreplaceable and although a good substitute, Haddin is no Gilchrist.

Onya Gillie

334notout.com blog favourite Thaila Zucchi has got a slot on sky one tv show Brainiac she has one simple question to ask the men of our fine nation “How hard is your thing?”

 You can view a clip from the show by following this link

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75 years ago the most controversial Test series of them all took place when Douglas Jardine’s MCC side toured Australia with the infamous fast leg theory plan in mind. The aim was to thwart Don Bradman and reduce his effectiveness. Despite averaging over 56 in the series the plan worked and England won the series 4 - 1.  However the tour nearly ended prematurely when Australia, or rather the Australian Board of Control accused the MCC of unsportsmanlike behaviour after injuries sustained to Bill Woodfull and keeper Bert Oldfield in Adelaide.

Today we are faced with another threat of a tour prematurely being called off due to allegations of racism and sledging, poor umpiring and a general nasty taste in the mouth following the second Test at the SCG against India.

Harbhajan Singh was yesterday found guilty of calling Andrew Symonds a monkey and was banned for three Test matches. The cricketing world is divided and today’s papers make very interesting reading.

The Herald Sun carries a couple of stories namely “India Suspends tour pending Harbhajan appeal“  and Ricky Ponting’s interview on last night’s “A current affair” is also covered.

Gideon Haigh writes “Yet somehow the match’s only beneficiaries have been India’s effigy suppliers, whose stocks of white-coated figures are going up in flames all over the subcontinent - and mainly because one cricketer allegedly called another a “monkey”. 

It seems like everyone is jumping on the Singh bandwagon yet no one knows where the train is going ! Talking of travel, well sort of ! India were due to travel to Canberra for the tour match on Thursday but as some of the players got on board the team coach it was decided to put a halt to proceedings. GS Vivek writes for the Indian Express. 

ABC Online in Australia reports that India have issued the ICC an ultimatum, giving them 24 hours to deal with the growing international incident in Australia. The Hindustan Times has a very interesting timeline to the furore and is well worth a read.

I’ll add more news items as the day progresses and more articles become available.

After Australia’s thrilling win in the closing stages of the 2nd test and the subsequent banning of Harbhajan Singh for alleged racist comments on day 3.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told its players to stay in Sydney rather than travel to Canberra for a tour match on Thursday.

 The BCCI’s statement said: “The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian.

“To vindicate its position, the board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player.”

And BCCI spokesman Ratnakar Shetty added “Harbhajan says he did not say what has been alleged.

“The match referee has made his case based on hearsay. I don’t understand how he arrived at his conclusion.

“Sachin Tendulkar also refused to accept that [Harbhajan] said that word.”

Read more on “Tour at risk after Harbhajan ban” at the bbc