Bob Piper has been a Labour Councillor for the Abbey
Ward in Sandwell, West Midlands, for 10 years. He is a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa Football Club and a follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The views expressed here are mine in a personal capacity, not those of the Labour Party, Sandwell MBC, Aston Villa or Yorkshire County Cricket Club. Get it! Mine... just mine!
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Promoted by Bob Piper of 115 Barclay Rd, B67 5JZ on behalf of the Labour Party, care of 39 Victoria Street London, SW1H 0HA . Hosted (printed) by Swaithe Internet Solutions who are not responsible for any of the contents of these posts.
Please note however, that The Labour Party is not responsible for the content of this website or individual posts as, unless specifically stated, I am writing solely in a personal and individual capacity.
Mark Ramprakash became only the 25th batsman to hit a 100 centuries in first class cricket. In order to score a hundred 100s you really need a long and consistent county career, and anyone that consistent is likely to be called up for the Test squads and awarded a central contract, so 'Ramps' may well be the last cricketer to achieve the feat.
Given the current obsession with 20-20 cricket and the near certainty that this form of the game will end up reducing the number of first-class games it will be difficult for batsmen in future to get the required number of innings. Only Graeme Hick, another top class player with a similar erratic test record (they made their test debuts in the same game) and long county career has achieved a hundred 100s in the last 15 years.
The only current batsman who appears to be in with a chance of achieving the feat is the Aussie and Somerset batsman Justin Langer.
Probably the only time in the history of the Universe that I will agree with you. Ramps deserves the accolades he will no doubt receive.
Bob Piper said:
August 2, 2008 6:04 PM | permalink
In that case Godzilla, I fear I must have called it wrong.
Paul Sandars said:
August 2, 2008 8:08 PM | permalink
You can't beat Graeme Hick- down to earth and ludicrously modest and shy...I've met him too!
I declare my interest as a Life Member of Worcestershire, Bob..home of David Leatherdale, Steve Rhodes, Gareth Batty and Imran Arif....did anyone say 'Bradford League'...what do you mean, The Ones That Got Away.....;))))?
Bob
Great minds (ho ho) think alike though my post on Ramps a day later than yours. Going to post on new skipper? Probably Strauss but he's a poor substitute for an excellent skipper who just can't score runs and has run out of self belief after the series loss.
Whilst Michael Vaughan's England team were trying to avoid a series defeat to South Africa,
August 2, 2008 5:56 PM | permalink
Probably the only time in the history of the Universe that I will agree with you. Ramps deserves the accolades he will no doubt receive.