"Trescothick's Wish to Play Again"

Who knows I'm at the peak of my career right now,” says Marcus Trescothick. Still affable. Still hesitant.

He's 34. About to become the captain of the only club team he has represented. He has played for England in 76 Tests, scoring 5825 runs at an average of 43.79, and 123 ODI’s, scoring 4335 runs at 37.37. He topped the county charts last season with 1817 runs, at an average of 75.50. He's also the opener, solid and stylish, England could do with.

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick says his side still has work to do, despite their comfortable five-wicket T20 win against Middle-sex on Wednesday.

"We have a few things to work on. We need to make sure our top order keeps firing," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

Somerset's top four limped to a paltry 28 at Lord's, before new boy Kieron Pollard hit a superb 89 from 45 balls.

Pollard was a joy to watch, Trescothick said, but players need to work hard in Friday's game against Hampshire.

"If we do, it will be great viewing for the first six overs. Then you have people like Kieron coming in playing great cameos - we could get 350 at Taunton, he's going to hit it miles ."

Trinidadian star Pollard's debut included an impressive seven fours and seven sixes - one hit clean over Lord's' pavilion.

Trescothick added: "It was enormous hitting. He was very clever in his placing and it was a joy to watch."

''JABULANI'' the ball

The developer of the Adidas 'Jabulani' World Cup ball Dr Andy Harland has launched a staunch defence of his design after it was blasted by international footballers.




England goalkeeper David James has described the ball as 'dreadful' and 'horrible', while Spain shot stopper Iker Casillas has compared it to a 'beach ball'. Others say it 'weird' and even 'jinxed'.

"Jabulani', billed as the roundest football ever made, was launched in December and will be used in every match in South Africa. It has been made with a series of grooves on the outside meant to increase the aerodynamic balance.

Harland - who developed the ball at Loughborough University – tells Sky Sports that the criticism comes from the players unfamiliarity and none have contacted him.

"I've seen nothing that's concerned me," Harland says.

"This ball has been around since December and been used since then around the world with very few comments.

"Teams have gone to altitude and you've seen comments come out in those circumstances. We've said all along it would affect the ball, but it should be said whichever ball you play with at altitude is going to be affected.

"It's not entirely unexpected. Before every tournament players come out and voice their opinions. There are no secrets about this ball. The ball is designed to allow the very best players in the world to exhibit their skills."

Adidas have also released an official statement to refute the claims made in recent weeks.

It said: "Adidas is the world's leading match ball producer and its experience and track record of introducing match ball innovations is unparalleled.

"The Adidas Jabulani meets or exceeds all Fifa Approved Standards, and tests from the University of Loughborough scientifically prove its unprecedented stable flight and laser like precision.

'Gray Nicolls' the best Willow

Gray-Nicolls use only the best English willow for the production of their cricket bats. Salix Caerulea or Alba Var varieties are grown and harvested by the Company in a willow replenishment programme pioneered over 50 years ago. This policy is not only ecologically sound, but is unique within the industry. The fact that Gray-Nicolls grow 90% of the willow they use ensures the highest quality control standards. Just one of the factors which make Gray-Nicolls cricket bats the envy of the cricketing world.Once the willow has been harvested and brought back to the factory at Robertsbridge in East Sussex it is cut into roundels and then separated into splits (each of which will form a single cricket bat). The bark is then removed.The wood is then machined into a cleft (as illustrated). At this stage the operator decides which area of the cleft will become the face of the bat. It is obviously vital that the face should be free from blemishes and knots as these may impair performance.Willow is a soft fibrous reed which in its natural state is very moist. In order to produce a bat of good performance and weight it is necessary to dry the clefts. To do this they are placed in a custom built kiln in which the temperature is monitored and maintained at approximately room temperature. The willow remains within the kiln for approximately six weeks. Once the cleft has been dried, it is pressed at approximately 2000lbs per square inch. This produces the drive and durability that is essential for good performance.The handle is now fitted into the blade. Every handle is carefully dry fitted before the glue is applied to ensure a perfect fit and the unique Gray-Nicolls characteristic of a slightly forward positioning of the handle. This enhances performance and accentuates the bow in the bat.At this stage the bat now comes under the expert eye of master bat maker John Gasson and his team of craftsmen.


John first came to work for Gray-Nicolls at the age of 16 and has developed over the years into an expert in all fields of cricket bat manufacture. He and the rest of his team will use traditional tools such as the draw-knife (illustrated) to balance and shape the bats to perfection.Once the bat maker has finished his tasks, the bat will be sanded and then passed on. The handle will be bound and the grip applied. All bats are then given a final quality control inspection. Performance is tested using a Lignum Vitae hammer. It is in this way that the World-renowned quality and performance of Gray-Nicolls bats is ensured.

Pringles Real Potato Crisps

CINCINNATI, March 9 (UPI) -- The Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati says it is recalling two varieties of Pringles potato crisps because of possible bacterial contamination.

P&G officials said they took the action under a recommendation from the Food & Drug Administration that manufacturers recall products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein made by Basic Food Flavors Inc. of Las Vegas because the ingredient might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria

The Cincinnati company said it is recalling two flavors of Pringles -- "Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburgers" and "Family Faves Taco Night" -- with specific "best by" dates. The dates for the Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger product are "02/2011" and "04/2011." The Family Faves Taco Night recalled canisters have "best by" dates of "03/2011," "04/2011" and "05/2011." The dates are located on the bottom of the canister.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them and call P&G at 877-876-7881 for a replacement coupon or refund.

It's time for oily potato chips to give up their space on your picnic table. If you're looking for a replacement side dish with a satisfying crunch — along with a guilt-free munch — you might want to grab yourself a handful of one of these crisps instead.

» Pringles Multigrain:
Available in original, ranch and cheddar, these snack cylinders ($1.49) look familiar. But instead of mere potato, the ingredient list also includes wheat and rice, which makes for a product that resembles tortilla chips yet still tastes potato-y. Just don't eat too many: They're only a tad less caloric and fatty than the regular spuds version.

» Potato Flyers:

The folks behind Pirate's Booty have taken on taters, and the results are baked discs of deliciousness ($1.99), available in original; sour cream and onion; sea salt and vinegar; and barbecue. A serving low in calories (120) and fat (no saturated fat at all!), and, weirdly, it's also a good source of vitamin C (15 percent of your recommended daily intake).

The 'Golden Boy' of ENGLAND

England's star turn, Rooney is viewed as one of the best players in the world. The Manchester United striker has been firmly in the spotlight since breaking into the England side aged 17 and has the potential to stay at the top of the game for years to come.

Having worked his way through the Everton academy, a 16-year-old Rooney shot to the world's attention with a stunning goal against Arsenal in 2002 and showed skill beyond his years before Manchester United signed him for around £30 million after the 2004 European Championships - in which he had played a starring role.

The powerful striker made an immediate impact with a hat-trick on his debut and went on to help United to three straight Premier League titles between 2006-2009, while also collecting numerous personal awards. In September 2008, Rooney became the youngest player in league history to make 200 appearances and, while he has been accused of failing to control his temper, remains one of the most important players in the side for club and country.

Wayne Rooney: If England are going to win the World Cup then Rooney has to recapture his best goalscoring form before his late season injuries. If Rooney gets it right, England will get it right. Emile Heskey's selection was a reward for past deeds, rather than recent form, as Aston Villa fans can testify. If Heskey can reprise his partnership with Rooney from the qualifying campaign, it will be justified. The danger is that England have been burdened with a forward who does not score and who thus puts more pressure on team-mates to come up with the goals.