Englands increasingly proficient one-day side might well offer a beacon of hope for those looking for a distraction this week. England cricket fans knew the meaning of omnishambles long before it was added to the dictionary and might regard it as something of a perversity that, after the countrys footballers were put on ice by the smallest nation at Euro 2016 and as politicians continue exploring the realms beyond satire, it is their sport that provides a fleeting opportunity for optimism.It is not so long ago that Englands ODI players were sent packing from a major tournament to the accompaniment of boos and hisses, of course. Eoin Morgan is periodically asked to reflect on how far England have come since the 2015 World Cup and his responses to how the culture of the limited-overs teams has been changed, and where they can continue to improve, are typically well-rehearsed and emotion-free. Is it a stretch to suggest his cool captaincy and emphasis on collective enjoyment feels ever-so-slightly Icelandic?Morgan is no football fan, however, and England are one of the most well-resourced teams in cricket, so it is hard to make theirs an underdog story - no matter how mangy their one-day performances have been over the last couple of decades. Englands captain, who perhaps took slightly more of an interest during Irelands Euro 2016 defeat on Sunday, did concede that emotions are probably running high with everybody around the country at the moment but stopped short of endorsing the appointment of an Australian as Roy Hodgsons successor.Coincidentally, Hodgson watched Englands cricketers train the last time they prepared for a match at The Oval (one they lost by an innings to Australia) but he has now joined Peter Moores and Stuart Lancaster in the most recent ranks of English coaching disaster. Morgan was more interested in Eddie Jones success in turning around the rugby team - its been phenomenal to watch a whitewash against Australia on home soil - but eventually talk turned to his ongoing project alongside Trevor Bayliss in improving Englands ODI stocks.A tie at Trent Bridge, where Liam Plunketts last-ball six salvaged a game that appeared lost, was followed by more consummate displays in both disciplines at Edgbaston and another solid bowling performance, before the rain arrived to wipe out any chance of a result at Bristol. That means England still need to win one of the final two matches to secure the series - and they may come up against the weather again at The Oval, with a poor forecast for the afternoon.Its very important we work hard, they are a strong side, we dont take them for granted, Morgan said. The series still stands at 1-0, given weve played some really good cricket and not been able to capitalise because of the weather. Tomorrow again it is going to be tough to get it to that point but its important to emphasise the hard work that needs to be put in.As England have broken records with regularity over the last 12 months, it has been the batsmen that have taken the plaudits - most recently with Alex Hales and Jason Roy knocking off the highest successful chase for a team winning by ten wickets.However, the bowling has stood out so far in this series, with Sri Lanka limited to totals of 286 for 9, 254 for 7 and 248 for 9. England have got by on five specialist bowlers in each match, with Joe Root contributing three overs of back-up spin, and while Morgan said he would prefer to have more options - such as when Ben Stokes has been fit to play as an allrounder in the top six - results had been encouraging.At the moment it has worked, ideally we would have more but our strength has been our batting and to stick with that sends quite a lot of confidence through the changing room, Morgan said of the teams balance.It throws it over to the bowlers, more responsibility on them and they have done pretty well with it. Sometimes if you go in with six out-and-out bowlers it can be off the pace a little bit, when you pack your team with batters and if they play poorly you wonder if they rely too much on other people. Its a balance you just have to stay with what you feel is right for the team.England have become more accustomed to viewing the limited-overs formats as a squad game and Morgan said there were still plenty of options to consider ahead of next years Champions Trophy. Steven Finn has yet to play a game in the series - in part thanks to Liam Plunketts strong form - and Stuart Broads name continues to linger at edge of selectoral discussions.Meanwhile, a combination of poor batting, good batting (from Hales and Roy) and poor weather, means that Morgan, Root and Jonny Bairstow have had little opportunity for time in the middle. For that reason, as well as the desire to avoid going to Cardiff still only 1-0 up, England will hope the rain stays away over south London on Wednesday. As Hodgson, who led his team through a perfect qualifying campaign for Euro 2016, would attest, you can never be too well prepared for the challenges ahead.There is a lot of talk going into tournaments about knowing your best 11 but its more than that. A guy goes down in the first game, must-win, its more than having 11 - its how big your squad is. When you turn to guys at certain stages of a tournament you have got to be able to trust them, its not just your best team, but best squad. Trevor Bauer Jersey . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Yan Gomes Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. http://www.baseballindiansprostore.com/indians-cody-allen-jersey/ . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Edwin Encarnacion Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Roberto Perez Jersey . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. In November 1962 one of crickets lingering anachronisms was finally abolished when the distinction between amateurs and professionals was officially scrapped. While of significance until World War Two - until the growth of Test cricket, outside an Ashes summer the highlight were the Gentlemen v Players matches - it all but fell apart in the social upheaval that followed.The splitting of players into two distinct groups was a fundamental part of the game. In its simplest form, professionals were paid, amateurs (widely known as gentlemen) were not. Within that the British class system was prevalent. Almost all amateurs were public school or at least middle-class; the professionals were generally working-class. Even then there were professionals who made a living from the game and those who were professional because they could not afford to me amateurs.Professionals were often treated much as servants would be and were expected to be as deferential to amateurs and committeemen as a butler would be to the master of the house. They had separate hotels when they travelled, separate changing rooms and food at the grounds, referred to by their surnames only, and at most counties could never aspire to captaincy. Even scorecards made a small but marked distinction - amateurs were given full initials, professionals surname only.Perhaps the way captaincy was handled was the most ridiculous aspect of it all. Professionals were deemed unable to take on such a role and so often found themselves playing under amateur captains who were barely of club standard. Counties often scratched round to find someone - anyone - willing to take charge. Some were so poor that they did little more than stand on the field while the senior professionals ran the show.The lines between the two were always murky - WG Grace, technically an amateur, earned more from the game than even the top professionals - and caused deep resentment. After World War One fewer people had the time or money to play for the fun of it and so the lines became ever more blurred. Some were often found work by counties and given under-the-counter payments to allow them to remain amateur - or shamateurs as they were widely known - making the distinction even more meaningless.In 1938 Wally Hammond had to switch from being a professional to a gentleman to allow him to become England captain. He was the same man, the same cricketer, but overnight he became acceptable in the eyes of the establishment. Even when Len Hutton became Englands first professional captain in 1952 it was only after he refused to go down the same route as Hammond. The mood of the country after World War Two was one of change and in 1946 Glamorgan proposed the abolition of the amateur but they found little support.By the late 1950s the distinction had long lost any credibility and amateurs were all but extinct. One by one the distinctions - dressing rooms, initials on scorecards, accommodation - were chipped away but the old guard refused to go down without a fight. Several committees reported it was time to treat everyone as simply cricketers but it was not until May 1962 the Advisory County Committee put forward a proposal to scrap amateur status.To distinguish between them is often humbug, reported the Times. That did not stop the same newspaper still refusing to print initials for anyone other than the so-called amateurs in the first matches on the 1962-63 MCC tour of Australia. At the start of the MCC tour of Australia the ccaptain, Ted Dexter, nominally still an amateur, admitted he earned considerably more from cricket than his various business ventures.ddddddddddddThe debate rumbled on all summer but even those who fought the change seemed to realise they were railing against the dying of the light. The curtain came down at Scarborough when fittingly the Players beat the Gentlemen in the final match of the summer. It was the 274th meeting of the teams in a contest dating back to 1806.On November 26 the 17 first-class counties met at Lords and after a six-hour meeting voted - although not unanimously - to end the distinction. The formal and official scrapping of amateur status came on January 31, 1963 when the MCC confirmed without dissent the earlier decision.Its a sad day and signals the end of an era, said Sir Jack Hobbs, the first professional to be knighted for services to the game. They were a great asset because they could freely whereas many professionals felt they couldnt take chances.In the Daily Telegraph EW Swanton lamented the change and questioned the moral authority of those making the decision.Those views were in a minority. in the same paper Michael Melford countered all that had been abolished was a form of legalised deceit. And Herbert Sutcliffe, who as a professional had turned down an at-the-time remarkable approach to captain the ultra-conservative Yorkshire in 1927, said he was in full agreement. Stuart Surridge, who as an amateur had led Surrey to seven successive Championships in the 1950s, said its a good thing … we are all cricketers at heart.Vic Wilson, who led Yorkshire to the Championship in 1962, said: A team is one body of men … it is commonsense to out all players on one footing.In a lead editorial the Daily Mirror congratulated the lawmakers … this silly social distinction needed hitting for six and could not resist a swipe at the Times into the bargain. Perhaps now this olde-world journal will print the initials of all MCC players … or is that expecting too much? As with many such long-debated changes there was actually little fallout. The Gentlemen v Players game disappeared off the fixture list but was largely unmourned. Several counties who had steadfastly refused to pick a professional captain were freed to choose the best man with a clear conscience.On February 14 Surrey picked their first non-amateur captain in Micky Stewart, ten years at the club but until then ineligible for the role. He said: It was a farce that an amateur could receive money for putting his name to sports equipment and writing articles without it affecting his status.Ken Grieves, who took charge at Lancashire that same summer, was even blunter. This cuts out the snobbery, he said. In the past a lot of things have been pushed aside for the old school tie.What happened next?Former England spinner Phil Edmonds asked to play as an amateur in 1988 as his business ventures meant he couldnt afford the time to commit to full-time cricket. You decide which games you want me to play, and Ill play, for nothing, he said according to the Daily Telegraph and he even began signing autographs Mr P H Edmonds. His offer was refused by the committee and he retiredIn 2010 a match between Gentlemen and Players was staged at Wormsley, with the Gentlemen recording their first win since 1953. As a sign of the time, it was a Twenty20 match Cheap Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap Jerseys ' ' '