I try to stonewall, bowl leg spin, field in close and sledge relentlessly, but in reality I'm usually out injured. Now retired and trying to coach. Just as rubbish with a pen as with a bat.
When Jimmy Neesham was named in the thirteen-man squad for the second Test against India, all the way back in February 2014, it was very much as a utility cricketer. It was his second Test-squad, having been brought in as cover for Corey Anderson in the lead up to the third Test against the West … More Jimmy Neesham, ‘not a cliché-maker’
“Ryan Harris has retired from all cricket effective immediately.” The post, sitting right at the top of my Facebook newsfeed, stung sharply. I jolted out of half-attentiveness. Cricket, at its root source, is entirely unfair, unjust, unkind.
Michael Clarke’s back issues forced him to put the more delicate art behind him. Andrew Symonds faded into obscurity after the Sydney Test. Stuart MacGill followed his lack of conventionalism by retiring mid-series in 2008. Brad Hogg played three Tests, averaging over 60 with the ball, which led him to a semi-surprising retirement. Simon Katich … More Jason Krejza; ‘I always meant to be an attacking bowler’
In a piece published overnight, Dan McGrath waxed lyrical on the potential of the Day/Night Test, to be played later this year, in both a commercial and cricketing context. “No matter what time of day, what colour of ball,” McGrath wrote, “the intensity of Test match cricket will shine through.” I take a very different … More A party? Pah.
Leg spin is the most difficult art to master. As a very rubbish leg-spinner myself, I understand that perfectly well. Women’s cricket is a perfect example of just how hard it is – aside from Dane van Niekerk leading the South African attack, and Amelia Kerr making waves as a 14 year old for Wellington, … More Six Ball Over: Kristen Beams
Paul Smith. It’s a name most have heard of, but generally only in the occasional ESPNCricinfo piece detailing cricketers banned for recreational drug use. The story is always the same, along the lines of: ‘Paul Smith was a Warwickshire fast-bowling all-rounder who never made full use of his talents. He played between 1982 and 1996, … More Paul Smith; ‘sport can change things for the better’
In the lead-up to the UAE’s first match of the current Intercontinental Cup cycle, I was fortunate enough to interview Khurram Khan, their premier batsman. For various reasons, the publication of that piece was delayed. I had it written, and intended for it to go up today. In the 12 hours since I wrote, however, … More Farewell, the Emirati giant
Big things were expected of Scotland coming into the 2015 Cricket World Cup. An exceptional build-up had seen them run a full-strength New Zealand side very close, beat Tasmania, and have a “very good” batting camp in Dubai. In the words of their assistant coach, Craig Wright, “I think we couldn’t complain at all about … More Craig Wright; Scotland’s future ‘exciting’
When George Dobell wrote his profile of Warwickshire’s Rikki Clarke for ESPNCricinfo, he probably felt quite justified in penning the line “Promoted too early and written off too soon”. On the surface it seems a fair assumption. Selected for England the year after his First Class debut, Clarke was then discarded after two Tests and … More Rikki Clarke: more than a journeyman
December the 19th, 2013. The West Indies are 78/3, with Southee having just snared Kirk Edwards caught-behind. With Marlon Samuels the not-out batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul strides to the wicket. The first ball from Southee is defended; immediately the cackling starts from the crowd. 50-something part-time ‘cricket fans’ start drunkenly howling derision. That’s not batsmanship! It … More Farewell, Shivnarine
Mind The Windows 