Good week for...

South Africa
The old adage goes that it's bowlers who make the international difference, although that was debatable the last time the Proteas met England. In 2008 Dale Steyn and co prevailed in the Test series but only under covering fire from a top six vastly superior to the hosts'.

Allan Donald fancies that England's bowlers have the edge over their South African counterparts again.

But that was thrown into serious doubt by Sunday's massacre at Centurion where England's bowlers failed to do the most basic things well. Moreover the batting disparity is marked. The tourists have only two top-order batsmen in their squad and only three batsmen who merit serious confidence.

South Africa's batting is if anything stronger than last year - literally. Both Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis turned up in England looking like the kind of portly chaps that no Sunday league side should be without: first part of the afternoon blindly swinging the bat, then three hours scratching the arse at first slip and finally seven hours main-lining Watney's Red Barrel.

Their appearance on Sunday, even before Smith started hitting out, reinforces the view of two line-ups from different weight divisions.

Tony Greig and the ICL
Tony and his multi-coloured league have served legal notice on the ECB, BCCI and ICC for illegal restraint of trade in punishments handed out to ICL players.

Quite right too - the establishment's shameful behaviour deserves greater punishment than it will receive.

That said, can Subhash Chandra be serious when he says the series will continue? Take the money and run, lads.

County Cricket Credibility
Adam Gilchrist and Sachin Tendulkar to Middlesex; Shane Warne back to Hampshire. It seems the golden age of the overseas county player is back. For three weeks next June.

While the superstars hopefully bring the punters in, a more serious test awaits the domestic game in England: what can it do for Monty Panesar?

Hopes for the left-armer should still be high - 120 wickets in 30-odd Tests is a decent start to a career by anyone's reckoning. Meanwhile it is increasingly obvious that two spinners are now a minimum requirement for limited overs stuff on most surfaces. With the World Cup on the subcontinent Panesar should clearly be in consideration.

Yes, Monty was jettisoned from the ODI side because of legitimate concerns over his batting and fielding. But Alastair Cook's fielding or Saj Mahmood's batting are hardly much better and HRH Ashley Giles was first choice ODI spinner for five years on the back of a consistent defensive line that delivered 10 overs, 1/39 each game.

It is up to the man himself of course and no-one would benefit more from a winter being snarled at by nasty southern hemisphere types. But the systemic shortcomings in bringing on young spin bowlers must be overcome to keep a genuine talent in the international shake-up.

Bad week for...

Reasoned Debate
One of the greatest non-stories of this or any other week came from Lord's. The Times revealed exclusively that 'Marylebone Cricket Club will consider selling the naming rights to Lord's, the sport's most famous ground, as part of a £400 million redevelopment.'

MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw responded with a non-exclusive clarification: 'There is no way we would rename Lord's. It's the home of cricket, hallowed turf. It's not an option at all. It's not something we would even consider. It's not on the agenda, it's not on the cards and there is no way we'll be going down that path.'

How strange what we choose to prioritise. It is acceptable to take Test cricket out of Old Trafford because tradition doesn't pay the bills. And only government busy-bodies would take the Ashes off Sky so any poor idiot can watch them. But re-name a ground? Truly, that would be the ultimate sign of madness.

Amidst all of the £400million brouhaha, too little has been said about the capacity - which will still stand below 40,000. At a time when perhaps the most exclusive aspect of watching cricket is the exorbitant ticket price and at a venue renowned for its snobbery and elitism, this is not enough to make Lord's the home of cricket for the next century too.

Alastair Cook
How good a one-day batsman is the England captain elect?

'Not sure,' says Andy Flower.

What exactly is the evidence still outstanding? The biggest mystery is Cook's kind treatment next to Ian Bell, who must be furious given his superior fielding and ability to bat anywhere in the top six.

True he is under-powered for the game unless surrounded by big-hitters but that is hardly a defence Cook can offer.

Long Memories
Kevin Pietersen: "Jacques Kallis is the greatest cricketer ever."

Kumar Sangakkara: "Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest ever."

It will be someone else next week.

Peter May