Is pink the colour for Test cricket?

Traditionalists should look away now. The movements of the clocks and the spring into summer heralds the start of the English cricket season and the annual curtain raiser between the country champions and the MMC.

This clash conjures up images of players clad in white, the polite clapping of the sparse crowd, the sound of (red) leather on willow and the gloomy skies of early April looming over head. Durham, who the cricket betting makes favourites to clock up three Championships in a row, experienced these conditions last year.

But once more cricket's traditional image is being torn to shreds as the season opener is moved 3,000 miles away to Abu Dhabi. Instead of Lord's, it's the Sheikh Zayed Stadium where the game will be played and instead of red balls, there will be pink ones.

But far from this being a gimmick the trial of a pink ball in Abu Dhabi could have far reaching implications for the game.

It is hoped the pink ball will be easier to see under floodlights than the red ball and will not scuff as easily as the white version.

If the trial in Abu Dhabi works then the day night experiment could be extended to the Lord's test with Bangladesh in the summer.

The aim of this, of course, it to tempt people back to Test cricket by ensuring they are able to attend after work.

If the pink ball is introduced then the prospect of day-night matches would open up the door to Test cricket for new fans and tempt a few back to the game.

However, this experiment is not really being conducted with England in mind. Test cricket is still relatively well attended here, unlike the south Asian subcontinent and Australia where crowds are falling. Plus the English weather can be bad enough during the day let alone at night when it can get cold even in high summer. A day-night game would be more welcome in Australia for example, as it would offer welcome relief from the 40 degree heat during the day.

Either way it is good that the game's administrators are looking to innovate. One of the cricket's biggest weaknesses has been the failure to change with the times. I'm all for tradition, it is what gives the game colour and character, but we also have to think of the future.

If a pink ball and day-night test matches will keep the fans coming, and provide the same level of competition, then I'm all for it.

Meanwhile, in other sports news, England remain third favourites in the World Cup 2010 betting odds despite a recent spate of injuries.

Glamorgan Season Preview 2010

[b]2009 in a nutshell:[/b] <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Final placings:
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Championship Division Two â€" 5th;
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">FP Trophy â€" 4th Group D;
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Twenty20 Cup â€" 5th Midlands Wales West group
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Pro 40 Division Two â€" 6th
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Glamorgan ended the 2009 season still in contention for a Championship promotion with 2 days of the campaign left, but also as a team whose progress in 4 day cricket was somewhat offset by poor displays in limited overs cricket.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Off the field, last year will, of course, forever be synonymous in Glamorgan’s history with the very successful hosting of its first Test Match, the 1st Ashes Test, the final day of which set the tone for much of the excitement to follow in that series
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">[b]2010 prospects:[/b]

[b]Changes:[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Out go Alex Wharf (retired through injury) and the underperforming Ryan Watkins and Mike O’Shea. We also said goodbye to our dreadful Kolpak signing, ineffective paceman Garnet Kruger.[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]In come Shaun Tait (Australia) for Twenty 20, and bit ’n ’pieces all rounders Nick James (Warwickshire) and David Brown (Gloucestershire).[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">[b]Batting:[/b][b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Mark Cosgrove returns for a full season after an excellent 2009 in which he averaged 63 in Championship cricket. He may not be the sexiest overseas name on the circuit, and is certainly one of the less athletic looking, but the lad can really bat in all cricket.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">Elsewhere, opener Gareth Rees is good for the best part of 1,000 runs, and needs to cement a place in the limited overs side. Mike Powell is solid, but has an unclear future in the shorter game, whilst captain Jamie Dalrymple oozes class and leads by example. Will Bragg, Ben Wright and Tom Maynard need to do more.
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Bowling:[/b]
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Barring injury, it’s difficult to see the leading wicket taker being anyone other than a certain R.D.B. Croft. The veteran off spinner is as good as ever, and, together with beneficiary Dean Cosker, will get through plenty of overs, especially in the second half of the season.[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]In terms of seam, James Harris is the class act, and is on England’s radar. Adam Shantry will provide steady left arm support, whilst all rounder Jim Allenby, signed from Leicestershire, is a handy first change option. David Harrison needs a good season and the bustling Chris Ashling will provide back up along with Huw Waters.[/b][b][/b]

[b]Probable side:[/b][b]

Championship[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Rees
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Cosgrove
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Bragg
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Powell
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Dalrymple*
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Allenby
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Mark Wallace+
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Croft
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Harris
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Shantry
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Cosker (Harrison if only one spinner)
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Pressing for places:
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Maynard and Wright (batting)
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Ashling (bowling)
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Squad members:
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">James, Brown, Waters
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">[b]One day and Twenty20 [/b]
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Cosgrove
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Dalrymple*
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Rees
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Maynard
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Wright
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Allenby
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Wallace+
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Croft
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Harris
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Cosker
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Tait (in T20)
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Key Man â€" James Harris[/b]
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Glamorgan’s seam attack looks thin enough as it is, but should injury befall our super young seamer, then Glamorgan can expect some long days in the field.[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]With Steven Finn (Middlesex) having broken through to the England set-up in Bangladesh then surely the next ‘cabs off the rank’ of young England pacemen are Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) and our own Harris. Along with Stuart Broad, they could form England’s Ashes attack in 2013.[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b][/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b].[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]A fit and firing Harris is needed is Glamorgan are to challenge seriously.[/b]<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break">
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
[b]Rising Star â€" Tom Maynard[/b]<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">At 21 years of age, the time is coming for Maynard the 2nd to deliver. There really is no doubting the guy’s ability to play the shots, it’s selecting them that seems to be a touch more difficult.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">In a cricketing world offering huge riches to batsman who can hit a long ball with superfast bat speed, it really is time for Matthew’s son Tom to become his own man.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">A brilliant 57 ball century in the 40 over league at Colwyn Bay last August versus Northants guarantees his place in the white ball side, but he really needs to nail a spot in the longer game as well.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break">
[b][/b]<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">[b]Captain and Coach[/b]<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Matthew Maynard came in with a three year plan in 2008; now the third year is upon us. He has rid the squad of much deadwood, David Hemp, Richard Grant, Ryan Watkins, to name a few. The side is far more competitive in 4 day cricket, but progress in one-day cricket needs to be more tangible (as Chairman Paul Russell made brutally clear at the end of last season). Glamorgan’s long suffering faithful are overdue a big day out.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">
Prediction and aspiration[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">[/b]
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Championship â€" I’d love to see us squeeze into the 2nd promotion spot, but we just seem to lack the firepower to take 20 wickets with any regularity. I’m afraid it’s another year of mid table water treading.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">Twenty 20 â€" This is the one we’ll target in a big way, but so will all of the other counties. We’ll compete, but the batting is too short on big guns to seriously challenge in the tough South pool against the likes of Hampshire and Kent. Shaun Tait had a great winter in Australia and will take wickets, but watch out for his ‘5 wides’ down the leg side!
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">.
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal">40 over league â€" Possibly Glamorgan’s best chance of a challenge. Somerset, Surrey, Sussex and Lancashire are touch pool opponents, so home and away wins versus Worcestershire and the Unicorns Recreational Xi. Let’s remain optimistic for a semi-final play off place!

Welcome back KP

It was a series deemed not important enough for the captain to be present, but if England's two test matches with Bangladesh help Kevin Pietersen return to form they could prove to be vital.

As ever, much of the pre-match discussion was about KP. England's most aggressive and arguably most talented batsmen has endured a horrendous year with injury and a dramatic loss of form leading to some critics questioning his place in the side. The pressure was certainly on.

The statistics tell the story. His last four scores in the Tests in South Africa were 0, 6, 7 and 12. After five centuries in 2008 KP has managed just one since - though he could point to an injury plagued Ashes summer last year as a factor- and managed an ODI highest score of just 48 in the same period.

Like any batsmen who is out of form the little things began to affect him. In this case it was an apparent inability to play left-arm spin. Cricket is a battle fought as much in the head as with the body and when a player has doubts about their ability, this will prey on their mind and become a self-fulfilling prophecy. For Pietersen this culminated in a rather embarrassing dismissal by part-time left-arm bowler Mohammed Ashraful in a warm-up game.

But the cricketing fortunes can swing from one way to the other in an instant. With the return Ashes series just eight months away a quick phone call to IPL team-mate Rahul Dravid for advice and plenty of sweat and guts seems to have done the trick.

Pietersen played an almost faultless innings in the opening test match, with his trademark aggressive strokes wrenching the game from away the embattled hosts - England are now 33/1 on to win the Test in the cricket betting. Alastair Cook may have grabbed the headlines with an excellent century but KP's return to form will be welcomed by everyone in the England camp.

Although they will not say it openly, the tour down under at the end of the year is what everyone is working towards and this visit to Bangladesh is part of the preparation.

Make no mistake if England are to retain the urn in Australia they will need a fully fit and firing Kevin Pietersen. The online betting shows just what a tough task the tour will be. If he does play a significant role in the Ashes then that day in Chittagong could be seen as one of the crucial turning points in his, and England's, fortunes.