If the ongoing Test series between Australia and New Zealand has taught us one thing, it’s this: Australian pitches are currently flatter than at any other point in living memory. But this is not another think-piece decrying the loss of sporting wickets. It is not written to empathise with the plight of the fast bowler, … More Off Spin in Australia: A Thankless Task
After the announcement of Australia’s home squad for the first two out of three tests against New Zealand, there were plenty of names discussed as unfortunate or unlucky to miss out. Many expected Cameron Bancroft to be named, whilst Michael Klinger’s recent double century certainly put him in the mix. As a result of the … More The Second XI
England embark on a three Test series against Pakistan starting Tuesday. The odds are very much stacked against England and it will take something special; a collective team performance if England are to be victorious. England warmed up for this series with two, two-day warm-up games against Pakistan A, who fielded a decent side. The … More Pakistan vs England Test series: A preview from an English perspective
It’s spring in Australia. The AFL and NRL Grand Finals have passed, Bathurst is coming up. The men in their baggy greens are on a low-key overseas tour (or perhaps one that is cancelled). But around Sydney, a new sporting competition is starting up. There’s no glitz and glamour as the best domestic cricketers from … More Understanding the Matador
Eric Heiden, in the shadow of the USA’s boycott of the Moscow Olympics in 1980, was quoted as saying, “sports and politics don’t mix.” It’s a truism that was used long before Heiden, and has been deployed infinite times since, and is one that – undoubtedly – will last long beyond the lifetime of anyone … More Sure as the dust that floats high in June
Australia haven’t tasted Ashes success in England since 2001, a series remembered for Steve Waugh’s century on one leg, Adam Gilchrist’s terrifying hitting, Mark Butcher’s 173* to win the unwinnable for England, and the forging of the Hayden-Langer opening partnership that would dominate Test cricket for the next 5 years. Throw in some bizarre English … More From ‘women’s cricket’ to ‘cricket’
Just under three weeks after the one-day series against Australia finishes, England will arrive in the UAE ahead of a three Test match series against Pakistan, followed by four ODIs and three T20s. England were whitewashed 3-0 in 2012 on the last tour of the UAE, even with a settled Test side with an established … More Who’s the third Pommy spinner?
3-2 sounds unconvincing; but the scoreline deceives. Apart from the day one at Lord’s, England have been at worst solid, and at their peak brilliant. A 405 run defeat was, incongruously, but a blip on the radar: they out-gutsed the Aussies at Cardiff, and then watched self-capitulations at both Edgbaston and Trent Bridge. At the … More Let’s Talk About Adam
November 16, 2012 Nick Compton sits in the English dressing room, deep in the bowels of Sardar Patel Stadium. Strapping on his pads, preparing his gloves. He is about to realise his dream, though undoubtedly it does not quite match up with the way he envisioned it as a child. With Alastair Cook by his … More The Rise and Fall of Nick Compton: Becoming an Underdog (Part 1)
Originally published on theroar.com.au The Ashes has been a disaster for Australia. England are our ultimate rivals and to be skittled for 60 is nothing short of embarrassing. However the time to dwell is passing and it’s onwards and upwards for a team about to experience “change not seen since the South African rebel tour”, … More Australia’s ‘out of the Ashes’ squad
Mind The Windows 