This is a video I made as part of a practice exercise for my JN2053 module work. We had to collect images from www.flickr.com to illustrate an imaginary walk through preston from Avenham Park to the Foster Building.

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This is a practice exercise as part of the work I am doing for my JN2053 module. We had to create a map using Google maps. My map shows the Foster Building, part of the University, as well as West View Leisure Centre, with a link to a story about it.

England's bowling woes.

So what to make of England's one day series with New Zealand? Mike Atherton writing for the Telegraph online summed up The Three Lions performance well, "horrible in Wellington and Hamilton, mighty good in Auckland and mighty inconsistent elsewhere."

The farcical end to the final match overshadowed a New Zealand side who undoubtedly deserved their series crown. The game finished with the players in the dressing room amid confusion brought about by the notorious Duckworth-Lewis method. BBC radio 5 lives Jonathan Agnew blamed England's lack of a spin bowler for the defeat. "New Zealand, who read the conditions correctly, opted to play two spinners. England chose none and, unwisely, continued their policy of choosing just three front-line bowlers."

The problems in the bowling attack look set to worsen with the news that Ryan Sidebottom may miss the opening test which begins on the 4th March. The news from the England Cricket Board is that he "injured his right hamstring during the final one-day international in Christchurch on Saturday." and "will face intensive treatment to try to ensure he is fit and ready to take the new ball for the first Test. "

The view from inside the England camp is a little more optimistic however, writing for BBC sport, Graeme Swann had this to say of England's attack. "We have some brilliant guys coming in like Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison. That's in addition to James Anderson and Stuart Broad - it's an awesome line up."

England unquestionably have a point to prove, and will hopefully put in a strong performance in the first test.

Links:
Jonathan Agnew - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2008/02/england_pay_for_batting_uncert.shtml
Graeme Swann - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2008/02/england_continue_learning_curv.shtml
Mike Atherton -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2008/02/24/scaths124.xml
England Cricket Board -
http://www.ecb.co.uk/england/fitness-worries-for-england,16466,EN.html

Sorry England slump to humiliating defeat

So much for an improved performance, England posted an even worse display than in the first match! Alastair Cook was the only player to come out with any credit in another dismal batting performance. Without his 53, England would barely even have posted 100, eventually stuttering to a total of 158. To say Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell had disappointing days at the office is a gross understatement after both gave up their wicket having faced only 1 ball a piece.

New Zealand's target was adjusted to 165 using the Duckworth-Lewis method after a 2 1/2 hour rain delay midway through the England innings meant the match was reduced to a 36 over affair. The opening pair for the Kiwis made light work of the England bowling and reached the target without the loss of a wicket after just 18.1 overs. Jesse Ryder finished at 79 not out and Brendon McCullum ended on 80.

England have 3 more matches in the one day series, travelling to Auckland next for the game this Friday. It is hard to imagine England sinking any lower than this latest result, and the more optimistic English fans will point out that with a victory in all 3 games England can still win the series. This seems a long shot however and the more immediate goal is merely to salvage some pride.

Links:
BBC match report - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7237278.stm

England in New Zealand

England will be facing New Zealand in the second of the one day series in a few hours. Following victories in the first four matches of the tour, two against Canterbury, and two 2020 wins against New Zealand the result of the first one day game on saturday was a huge disappointment for the English. Mustering merely a paltry 130 runs, the Kiwis easily reached the target after just 30 overs and with the loss of only 4 wickets.

Coach Peter Moores will most likely make changes to the team and Dimitri Mascarenhas may be recalled to the side for the game, after being dropped for the first match. Ravi Bopara would be the one to make way having only scored 3 runs in the opening game. Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen and captain Paul Collingwood will have to step up, scoring only 23 runs between them on saturday.

Elsewhere the England womens team were forced to settle for a draw in their one day series with Australia after the hosts won the fifth match in Sydney to tie the series at 2-2. The English were set a target of 211 and finished someway short, despite strong contributions from captain Charlotte Edwards and Lydia Greenway, the team were bowled out for 170 after 46.3 overs. They will remain down under for a solitary test match this weekend in Bowral.

Links:
BBC match report - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7234974.stm
BBC women's match report - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/womens_cricket/7238441.stm

Intro

I'm Tim from Kent in South East England. On this blog I will be attempting to write about what is going on in the world of cricket. Please take a look at the blogs of the others in my group using the links on the right. Paul is looking at rugby, and Andrew at tennis.