It was a memorable week for English cricket

TALKING SPORTS

A remarkable series winning hat-trick by talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and the inclusion of a woman in Wisden's top five cricketers of the year, no doubt gave England, the country which gave the sport to the world, much to talk about.

Little had been heard of Super Fred on this tour of the West Indies. His batting hadn't helped England much and his bowling did not produce the needed scalps to win matches. But Flintoff unfolded a brilliant performance to carve a niche in the one-day series against the West Indians.

Flintoff helped England win the one-day series by 26 runs in the deciding match. What a heroic performance it was. It was a memorable way to end England's tour of the West Indies and leave for home happily, especially after all the heartburn they had to endure on the Caribbean tour.

Flintoff finished with five for 19, his best ODI figures.

I am sure the victory must have brought smiles to the faces of many English players and their supporters and given them a new lease of life to take on the Australians with zest and inspiration in the summer.

Wisden must be praised for its historic inclusion of a woman, Claire Taylor, as one of its one of its five cricketers of the year.

That's the best inspiration which could be given to women's cricket in the world. Taylor is a maths graduate from Oxford University and a management consultant for Slums Consulting which operates within the Higher Education sector. She grew up in girl's schools where cricket has been a legitimate sport.

She is the first woman to be included in Wisden.

Taylor deserves the accolade for the wonderful contributions she has made to cricket. When she is not playing she spends an average of two hours a day in Guildford with England women's coach Mark Lane.

Guardian columnist David Hopps praised Wisden for their remarkable gesture and the honour they had bestowed on Taylor, and also complimented the England and Wales Cricket Board's Chance to Shine programme and which has helped re-establish cricket in state schools.

Chance to Shine also provides employment to 10 of England's leading women cricketers to pursue their chosen sporting career. They earn 12,000 - 15,000 for 25 hours a week, eight months a year. That is a commitment which deserves respect.

Recently England's women cricketers won the World Cup in New Zealand, but unfortunately there was no open top bus parade, nor Downing Street reception. It was only a modest welcome-home celebration for their outstanding victory. They paraded the World Cup at Lord's last Tuesday.

Former Sports Minister Robert Caborn MP has pointed out that the victorious cricketers must be given greater recognition and efforts are being made to recognise their victory.

Talking of cricket, England's batting star Kevin Pietersen does not seem to be in a good frame of mind these days. He has been complaining about many things including missing his wife on the long tour of the West Indies.

It is sad that a fine cricketer like him, who should be getting ready for the Ashes series, is in such a grumpy frame of mind. No sportsman, however talented he is, can play at his best if he is unhappy and worried. In a recent interview he has even criticised skipper Andrew Strauss, claiming that the he had made two late declarations in Tests against the West Indies.

It is best that someone must talk to KP and make him focus attention on the upcoming Ashes series.

The best man would be Andy Flower, who is almost certain to manage England.

The summer Ashes series is much bigger than personal misunderstandings and unpleasantness.