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CRICKET ROADSHOWS

Week 8 Preview - 29 Jun, Lord's Up for the cup?

This week's Cricket Roadshow has a distinct one-day flavour as England, Sri Lanka and India do battle in the early stages of our now annual tri-nations NatWest Series.

With the Sri Lankan Test series now safely tucked away – with the satisfying 2-0 scoreline – one-day cricket takes centre stage for the next three weeks as the competing teams continue their build up to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Last year England were a mess but the intervening 12 months have seen a radical overhaul of personnel and tactics with players such as Alex Tudor, Matthew Hoggard, Jeremy Snape and James Kirtley emerging to challenge the more established stars.

The enforced absence of Andrew Caddick and Darren Gough has paved the way for both Tudor and Kirtley to stake their claims, with the latter explaining to the Roadshow how he has dealt with the emotional roller coaster that has been his past year.

The Sussex pace bowler impressed all with his attitude and performances after being called up for England's one-day series in Zimbabwe, but his joy was short-lived after he was reported by the umpires for having a suspect action.

Some might have buckled under such strain but Kirtley is nothing if not resilient and he returned to Sussex to iron out perceived problems with his action before once more restating his England claims with a series of impressive performances.

Now he is back on the international stage and he tells the Roadshow what was the true driving force behind his desire to prove the doubters wrong.

Elsewhere on the programme we look at what England need to do if they are to become serious World Cup challengers, we investigate the need and merits fo expanding the central contracts to include specialist one-day players and we ask if playing zillions of ODIs has actually helped the likes of India and Pakistan.

This week's talking point on our regular County round-up section is the new fangled series of 20 over matches, so derided by some but welcomed by others. Will it benefit the players? Will it pull in the younger crowds so eagerly sought? Or is it just pandering to the marketing men?

Have your say by emailing the roadshow team at roadshow@cricket4.com

Mail the Cricket Show team at cricketshow@cricket4.com

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