Goodbye Europe! Goodbye Kolpaks!
July 2, 2016
It’s been a big week in politics. But what does this mean for cricket? Vale, Kolpak!
Tag: Cricket
Connecting the Dots: South Africa’s ODI Balance Issues
February 14, 2016
I contemplated writing this article when Jacques Kallis retired. I contemplated writing it again before the 2015 World Cup, and I contemplated writing it after South Africa were knocked out of the tournament by the heroic, leather-faced piece of luggage that is Grant Elliott. Now, in the midst of a meaningless ODI series against England … More Connecting the Dots: South Africa’s ODI Balance Issues
Off Spin in Australia: A Thankless Task
November 19, 2015
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
20 Questions: Cameron Borgas
November 13, 2015
1: You came into the South Australian side in the 2000-01 summer, aged just 17, having come through all the age-group levels. Coming through all those development sides, how had they prepared you for the step up to professional cricket, and what was the junior infrastructure like in South Australia at the time? Cameron Borgas: … More 20 Questions: Cameron Borgas
Pakistan vs England Test series: A preview from an English perspective
October 13, 2015
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
Understanding the Matador
October 10, 2015
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
The Rise and Fall of Nick Compton: The England Years (Part 2)
September 2, 2015
August 29, 2012 Andrew Strauss sits at home. England have just lost to South Africa, 2-0. Hashim Amla made 311 at The Oval. Kevin Pietersen’s text messages stole all the headlines. And for Strauss, bat in hand, the runs have dried up. 100 Tests, 50 as England captain. 15 years a professional. Over 7000 Test … More The Rise and Fall of Nick Compton: The England Years (Part 2)
From ‘women’s cricket’ to ‘cricket’
September 1, 2015
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’
Let’s Talk About Adam
August 27, 2015
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
The Boldest of the Bold – 2015 Ashes Predictions
July 8, 2015
THE ASHES ARE BACK! Australia go into this series overwhelming favourites after winning the last series convincingly by a 5-0 margin. However the English are demonstrating significant signs of improvement after a 1-1 test series and 3-2 ODI series against New Zealand. Mix in the home ground advantage of the English against the confidence and form of … More The Boldest of the Bold – 2015 Ashes Predictions
Mind The Windows 