Kent Cricketer Wayne Parnell - Ban On the Use of Wild Animals in Circuses campaign

New PETA Campaign Calls for Ban On the Use of Wild Animals in Circuses.

Cricketer Wayne Parnell has set his sights on a new opponent: circuses that force wild animals to perform unnatural and painful tricks. In a new anti-circus ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Wayne Parnell, who has played for Kent and currently plays for the Pune Warriors and the South Africa national team, appears shirtless and bound by chains next to the words, “Try to Relate to Their Fate. Say NO to Animal Circuses“. A low-res version of the ad is shown below, and a high-res copy is available upon request.

“I choose to participate in sport, but the animals used in circuses aren’t given any choice at all”, says Parnell. “Animals in circuses suffer a lifetime of abuse – all for a few cheap tricks.”

The ad follows a debate in the Commons last month during which MPs demanded that the government put a permanent end to the use of wild animals in circuses. The government has run out of reasons not to implement the ban, which every animal welfare group in this country and the vast majority of the British public demand.

Tigers and other wild animals used in circuses spend most of their time confined to cages or cramped trailers. As countless undercover investigations have documented, animals are routinely mistreated behind the scenes. Circus workers keep the animals in cages or pens, deprive them of everything that is natural and important to them and break their spirits through repetitive disciplinary measures.

The animals are shackled and isolated and experience terrible boredom when they are not being made to perform degrading and confusing stunts. Pacing, bar-biting, circling and self-mutilation are common among performing animals; these types of neurotic behaviour are widely recognised as the results of captivity and an unnatural lifestyle.

The ad was shot in India by photographer Himanshu Seth during the recent Indian Premier League season. Ayesha Wadiwala was the make-up artist.

For more information please visit PETA.org.uk.

2011 Cricket World Cup

Sadly I missed the live coverage of the dream tie between India and Australia, but managed to catch most of the highlights on TV.

The Australian’s looked to be in decent enough form throughout the majority of the game, but India always looked to be in control of the match, barring a few slapstick moments with the bat when two or three of them seemed intent on getting run out.

India’s win put an end to Australia’s incredible run in the World Cup competition which they have won on the last three occasions, they were also beaten finalists previous to that in 1996.

India now face one of  the nations who were originally going co-host the Cricket World Cup, Pakistan in what promises to be another thrilling game of one day cricket.

In today’s third quarter final tie South Africa collapsed dramatically from a comfortable 108 for 2 off 24 overs, to 172 all out.

Some inspired bowling from New Zealand oversaw the collapse with McCullum 24 for 3 and Oram 39 for 4, skittling the South African batsmen who could manage to add 64 runs between them during the final 20 overs.

New Zealand are the dark horses for me, they may not have the same ability in all levels as the remaining teams in the World Cup, but they have so far done everything they have set out to do in a business like manner.

They will now face the winners of the last quarter final to be played on Saturday between Sri Lanka and England.

2011 Cricket World Cup

In terms of sheer excitement the 2011 Cricket World Cup in South Asia has delivered by the bucket load over the last couple of weeks of group stage matches, some of the most recent highlights being another heroic comeback from England against the West Indies, when their backs were firmly up against the wall and facing elimination from the group.

Following that breathtaking match, Pakistan defied all odds and ended Australia’s World Cup dominance with a stunning victory by 4 wickets to upset the holders and on Sunday India crushed the West Indies spirits with a fantastic 80 run win.

There will be more thrills and spills to come during the knock out stages of the tournament over the next fortnight as the best eight teams in the world do battle for the ultimate One Day International prize, with India and Australia providing the battle of the giants on Thursday March 24th from Ahmedabad, the winners of this match will certainly be the favourites to win the 2011 World Cup.

England will face a tough test in their quarter final clash against 1996 champions Sri Lanka who were runners up in Group A, with the chance of a semi final encounter with the winners from New Zealand v South Africa at stake.

The full 2011 World Cup Quarter Final fixtures:

Wednesday March 23rd – Pakistan v West Indies, Mirpur, 08:30

Thursday March 24th – Australia v India, Ahmedabad, 09:00

Friday March 25th - New Zealand v South Africa, Mirpur, 08:30

Saturday March 26th – Sri Lanka v England, Colombo RPS, 09:00

The semi final games are scheduled for Tuesday March 29th and Wednesday March 30th, with the final to take place in Mumbai on Saturday April 2nd.

2011 Cricket World Cup

There is never a dull moment for England fans following their team in the 2011 Cricket World Cup in South Asia, in their group matches so far they have beaten the Netherlands in a last minute nail biting display, been involved in the match of the series so far with their draw with co-hosts India and crumbled to an Ireland side that they should have beaten easily.

So, in the fourth Group B match against a South African team who are growing in stature as the competition progresses, what could be expected from the England team?

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first England immediately looked uncomfortable against the spin bowling of Peterson and promptly lost Strauss for nought followed by Pietersen for 2.

Trott steadied the ship for England but Bell was dispatched to the pavilion before he could get going, scoring five runs before falling to a catch from Tahir.

England appeared to be in serious danger of throwing the innings away at 15 for 3 and despite some decent hitting from Trott (52) and Bopara (60) the South African attack will have felt satisfied after a good days work in the field limiting England to a seemingly paltry 171 all out from 45.4 overs.

If England fans were frustrated at their teams efforts with the bat, the torture simply grew worse for the bowlers who were unable to control the free scoring of Smith and Amla as they piled on the runs for South Africa, without so much as a sniff of a wicket.

The omens did not look good but England stuck to the task and were rewarded when Smith was caught by Prior off Swann at 63 for 1.

Broad then bowled Amla and had Kallis caught by Prior in a good spell for England that left South Africa on 82 for 3.

A few overs on and against the odds the game suddenly came back to England, just as de Villiers appeared to be settling at the crease with 25 runs already to his name, Anderson struck and bowled the in form batsman and the innings started to collapse around the ears of the South African team.

In a crazy passage of play, South Africa would lose du Plessis (run out by Bell) and Duminy without adding to their score, followed quickly by the wicket of Peterson with the score at 127 for 7.

England were back in the hunt and could now smell the blood of their prey, Steyn managed to add 20 runs and van Wyk 13, before the final wicket of Morkel fell at 165 all out, off 47.4 overs.

Another edge of the seat thriller involving the England team, and a match brilliantly won by them in the end as they just edged the South Africans over the day.

Andrew Strauss said after the game;

“There are plenty of things we didn’t do well in this game but we got away with a win, sometimes a win is all you need to really kick-start things. We thought the wicket was going to deteriorate but we should have got 230. We’re delighted to win and we move on with high hopes of achieving things.

“We’re definitely doing our bit to advertise the 50-over format but we’d like games to be a little bit less close than they are. We had to respond well after the defeat to Ireland. I thought the guys in the field were outstanding and it puts us back on track in this World Cup and it couldn’t come a day too soon.”

England 171 (45.4 overs) bt South Africa 165 (47.4 overs) by six runs

Cricket World Cup 2011 – Group B – Chennai

2011 Cricket World Cup

South Africa sprang a surprise on the West Indies after inviting them to bat first in this intriguing encounter, opening the bowling with spinner Johan Botha to counter the big hitting of Chris Gayle. It proved to be an inspired decision when Gayle was caught off only the third ball of the match.

The Bravo half brothers showed plenty of promise with the bat for the West Indies, particularly the 22 year old Darren who hit a stunning 73, not quite matched by Dwayne who was run out for 40.

The South Africans looked solid in the field and with the ball and when Steyn cleared off the tail enders with a total of 222 on the scoreboard and 47.3 overs completed you had the feeling that they could already smell victory.

But it was no breeze for the South African openers and Amla was superbly caught behind by Thomas for just 14 and his replacement at the crease, Kallis fell almost immediately having scored only four runs and leaving the South Africans looking uneasy at 20 for 2.

And then up stepped the man of the match AB de Villiers with an inspired innings, picking out the gaps in the lack lustre West Indies field with apparent ease in a partnership with captain Smith that would not only steady the ship, but also announced the South African’s intent on going all the way in this competition.

De Villiers smashed his first fifty runs of just 54 balls and the century partnership arrived after 118 balls as South Africa looked dominant and the Windies showed signs of resignation.

South Africa’s fastest World Cup century was achieved by de Villiers in only 97 balls, and despite losing strike partner Smith at 139 for 3, de Villiers and his final partner Duminy remained at the crease to guide South Africa to a well earned victory.

South Africa 223-3 (42.5 overs) bt West Indies 222 (47.3 overs) by seven wickets

World Cup – Group B -  New Delhi

Graeme Swann

England bowled South Africa out for 418 on the second day of the first Test match at Centurion, following a long day in which South Africa built patiently on their overnight score of 262 for 4, making things extremely difficult for the English bowlers.

Graeme Swann scored the third five wicket haul of his short Test career, at a cost of 110 runs, while Graham Onions took 3 for 86, with Paul Collingwood collecting four catches for England, but missing out on a record five in one innings when he dropped Harris on 24.

A tired looking England had to wait until after tea to finish South African off  before setting about the task of run making.

The South African bowlers Ntini, playing his 100th Test, and De Wet put England under pressure from the start and Cook was first to go for 14 runs, caught Boucher, bowled De Wet.

Jonathan Trott at number three survived a strong lbw appeal that had to be reviewed by the TV umpire before settling in alongside Strauss and building a quick 50 partnership.

Score at the end of Day Two, First Innings:

South Africa : 418 all out    England : 88 for 1

andrew strauss

Both England captain Andrew Strauss and South African captain Graeme Smith feel that their respective teams are capable of better performances than they have so far achieved in the five game ODI series and both will be hoping for a dominant performance in the final game tomorrow.

England, perhaps surprisingly, have the edge over South Africa in this competition so far, leading 2-1 with one to go following the first match wash out, they are in a position where they cannot lose the series and a far cry from the dreadful ODI series against Australia earlier this year.

Smith meanwhile will be spitting feathers whenever he reads the scoreline, he said ahead of the final game;

“If we had played to our potential England would have had to take a few more risks up front while they were batting instead of us allowing them to play a certain way. We haven’t pushed them to perform under pressure and that is disappointing.”

Strauss acknowledged that England had put South Africa under pressure in the series, and says that the team have progressed quite a long way but adds that England are far from the finished article and still have a long way to go.

The England captain said; “We have to play well tomorrow and have to expect another South African backlash.”

england cap record holder

Paul Collingwood was instrumental in England’s win over South Africa on Sunday in the second of five One Day Internationals. Leading with the bat to earn an unbeaten 105, taking a superb catch off AB de Villiers and taking two wickets for 24 of six overs.

A superb all round performance from Collingwood on his record beating 171st England appearance in which he scored his fifth ODI century and helping England to a 1-0 advantage in the series following the the first game wash out.

Having eclipsed the record of 170 England appearances held by Alec Stewart, 33 year old Collingwood has emerged as the country’s most potent threat in one day cricket, even though his form at Test level remains indifferent.

Collingwood has undoubtedly worked hard on his game since making his first international appearance in 2001, not gifted with the natural ability of the likes of crowd pleasers Andrew Flintoff or Ian Botham, he has worked on his weaknesses throughout the years and developed his one day game not just with the bat but as a genuine all rounder.

His bowling has improved beyond compare, starting as a medium pace bowler, Collingwood has mastered variations in his bowling style and is able to mix it with some of the best, while his fielding as an England player is second to none.

Collingwood said that he was proud to have broken the record of England caps and added, ” To go out there and put a performance in like that, it makes it a very special day.”

In typical fashion Collingwood chose to deflect the spotlight from his own achievments and pointed to England opener Jonathan Trott’s 87 runs, saying;

“He played a lovely anchor role and put us into a really strong position. When someone comes into international cricket, it’s easy to tell them to keep doing what they do in county cricket, be he’s just focussed on what he does well for Warwickshire. Today was a prime example of that.”

Meanwhile with over 4,000 runs, 99 wickets and 98 catches in his England career, Collingwood is on the threshold of  becoming the first Englishman, and only the ninth overall, to reach the unique ‘treble’ of 1,ooo runs, 100 wickets and 100 catches.

KP back after injury

Kevin Pietersen joined up with the England squad in South Africa this week as planned and says he is mentally and physically refreshed and raring to go, following his enforced three month lay off.

On Wednesday Pietersen faced net bowlers as well as spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed and came out unscathed, he also managed to run between the wickets, but was realistic enough to say that he would not be rushing things, “I tried that a while back and got an infection in the wound” he said.

Pietersen has arrived in South Africa in good shape generally although the flight was a problem for his Achilles, but a good night’s sleep appears to have helped as he said on Wednesday “I’ve woken up feeling really good. I enjoyed the break to refresh my batteries, to get myself right and ready to know that I can compete again and want to compete again.”

Pietersen has endured a difficult year, starting out as England captain, a very public row with Peter Moores that saw KP relinquish the captaincy and then the Achilles injury forcing him to miss the last three Ashes Tests. An infection of the wound caused more complications forcing him out of the Champions Trophy tournament.

Regardless of what has happened in the past Pietersen is back in an England track suit and ready to leap into action, given the opportunity. Ironically his absence this Summer means that he is no longer an automatic choice for the selectors and he accepts that he must fight for a place alongside rising stars Joe Denly, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan who have all made a contribution during the last couple of months.

England play South Africa on Friday night (November 13th) in the first of two Twenty20 internationals, before a five-match one-day series is followed by four Tests.

Liam Plunkett, Harmison’s team mate at County Cricket level with Durham was included in the squad along with Steve Davies, Adil Rashid, and Luke Wright. But there was no place for either Ravi Bopara, who has been in unimpressive form for England throughout the Ashes and ODIs, or Owais Shah which surprises me a little.

Kevin Pietersen is making good progress and will join the squad following the two Twenty20 internationals when his fitness will be assessed ahead of the one day series.

The Full Test and One day squads are:

Test squad:Andrew Strauss (Middlesex – captain), Alastair Cook (Essex – vice captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Steven Davies (Surrey), Graham Onions (Durham), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Liam Plunkett (Durham), Matt Prior (Sussex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).

One-day squad: Andrew Strauss (Middlesex – captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Joe Denly (Kent), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).