I have always been an admirer of Alec Stewart. I never held it against him because he played for England, there was always something about him as a cricketer that caught my imagination. Was it his great work ethos, competitiveness or his cricketing ability? Whatever the answer, they are just some of his traits many people, myself included, admired about the Chelsea loving cricketer. Buy Now

Alec Stewart’s cricket companion is an interesting and eclectic look at cricket and sport in general. The book isn’t structured and Alec, in his introduction, makes no apology for this! The book isn’t an autobiography as such, it’s a chance for Alec to share his thoughts on what’s happening in the cricket world today including the way twenty/20 has captured the public’s imagination. It also includes numerous stats, trivia and a generous helping of history through the ages.

Statistics feature heavily throughout and include amongst other the World Cup, the Ashes, Twenty/20 and a ground by ground breakdown (England & Wales). We learn that Sheffield hosted a Test match at Brammall Lane in 1902. The ground’s only Test match ended in a 143 run victory for Australia) nothing new there then). It is better known today as home of Sheffield United FC.

For me, my greatest memory of Alec came during the 1993/4 season when England toured the Caribbean. Against all the odds he pummelled the West Indian bowling in Barbados and scored back to back centuries with a great deal of panache and determination.

Stewart’s Test debut was at Sabina Park, a game he remembers with pride after helping England (with 13 runs!) secure an unlikely victory. He was fortunate to be out in the middle when Wayne Larkins struck the winning runs; it allowed him to collect a stump as a treasured momento. Despite his two great centuries at Bridgetown a little shine was taken off the performance because the series was already lost. It may have for him but for thousands of admirers and growing fans watching, it was a remarkable feat.

Stewart recalls the battle between Atherton and Donald in 1998. Atherton gloved a delivery from Donald and when Atherton refused to walk, Donald increased his pace and stared at Atherton after every delivery. Atherton squared up to him and the competition accepted!

Whether a player should walk or not is open, and shall forever be, to debate. Many purists believe a batsman should walk and there are many who feel the opposite. It’s what makes the world go round! Stewart made the decision to stay put early in his career and has never looked back.

“Early in my career I made the decision not to walk. There is no rule that says you have to, so why do it when you are effectively surrendering your wicket? How many times does a wicket keeper catch the ball knowing that the batsman hasn’t hit it and yet he is still given out? Or more importantly, when it happens, how many times do you see a fielding side call a batsman back? The umpires are out there to make the decisions so leave it to them.”

On a related note, I remember Adam Gilchrist walking after being given not out against Sri Lanka in the semi final of the 2003 World Cup. His decision then was against the grain for the majority of players and placed Australia in a precarious position of 1/34 – this was the semi-final remember. It takes a huge man to walk in that situation. Australia went on to win the match and his actions won him a legion of fans for his actions.

I have always enjoyed reading a player’s accounts once he has hung up his boots. They rarely get the opportunity to express themselves during their playing career and it is, more often than not, interesting to learn what they really thought about opposing players, good or bad.

Like many, Stewart selects his first XI since retiring from the game, at least on paper! He only chose those players at the peak of their game (when he was playing) and for this reason he had to leave players such as Viv Richards. It’s an interesting XI and includes Lara, Warne and McGrath – my only criticism would be a more in-depth look and his reasons for selecting the XI (and 12^th man!).

So there you have it. Alec Stewart’s “my cricket companion” is published by Corinthian books and is available at all good book stores. The companion is a very enjoyable and easy read. Full of fascinating stats, history and trivia this is a recommended title and worth reading this summer. Buy Now

Strauss will be hoping for a series leveller in Trinidad

England take on the West Indies on Friday, the same day Australia hope to secure a series win against South Africa in Durban. It’s a win or lose situation for England and unless they set out to attack and take the game to the hosts the series will be a confidence sapping defeat.

Following the horrific scenes in Lahore all eyes will be on Strauss and his merry men as they attempt to salvage a series draw against a team that has produced some dazzling cricket with extraordinary results. With one Test remaining in the series West Indies hold a slender 1-0 lead. At best England can only hope for a series leveller but anything other than a win will hand the unlikely series win to the hosts.

Sky bet currently have the West Indies as favourites to win the final Test match at 11/4 or 3.75 with England drifting at 13/8 or 2.62.

England interim coach Andy Flower has been taking about Steve Harmison in the press leading up to the final Test in Trinidad and he didn’t pull any punches either, Harmison will not be left wondering what he has to do, that’s for sure!

According to Flower Harmison is simply not up to standard and has little chance of being recalled to the starting XI,

“At the moment he hasn’t, otherwise he would have done it,” Flower said. “But I don’t think by any means that Steve’s finished. He’s still got a hell of a lot to offer. Fast bowling is long, hard work and at the age of 30 it is only going to get harder work, so it is up to Steve really. He’s got to put in the performances which make the selectors pick him time and time again. I’ve only known Steve a little while and we are still getting to know each other better now.”

He went on to say “”If hard work is just a base that you start with, that’s what he’s doing at the moment, but for you to be a successful international cricketer you have to be very hungry,”

“Only he knows how hungry he is to carry on the hard yakka of a fast bowler’s life. I think he still wants to do it: he’s proud of his career and proud to play for England.”

With a number of England batsmen in fine form the Test promises to be an enthralling contest between bat and ball. The fourth Test turned out to be a boring run fest that offered little chance of a result after both sides had completed their completed their first innings. Betfair, who are offering a free £25 bet for new customers have the draw at 5/4 and England at 2/1 for the win.

Sarwan who fell just nine runs short of a magical triple century in Barbados will be keen to continue in the same vain and help secure a draw at least. Both sets of bowlers struggled on a placid pitch but it was Swann who impressed everyone with a hard fought 5 for 165 from 50 overs.

Whatever happens in Durban and Trinidad this Friday, the cricketing fraternity as one will be hoping that the events from Pakistan will not be repeated and that the game of cricket will once again be in the spotlight for all the right reasons.