Coming from Behind

As one of those English eccentrics (are there any others?) who always follows the Indian domestic season closely, even when the 'England Lions' don't feature in it, I was pleased to see England's second string finish up with a win over Central Zone after coming from behind.

While many people's attentions will inevitably be focussed on Panesar and the side's baby (and most promising player) Adil Rashid, it was good to see the usually unsung Middlesex seamer Alan Richardson take a number of economical wickets. It's very hard to work out why he was selected, since, at 32, his chances of carving out a prolonged career in the England attack are barely better than mine (well, quite a lot better, actually), but he's been a very useful and typically English operator for many seasons, initially in his native midlands and more recently at Lord's.

And then there's Michael Carberry, on his third county at 27, but just starting to shape up as an opener, with his second innings ton the major contribution to the English victory.

While the one-day circus gets under way again for England in New Zealand there's a bit happening elsewhere; the players are even wearing white.