Is the Bell finally tolling for England’s no3?
What to do about Ian Bell? After his duck in the final innings of the Pakistan series his career test average (42.7) is the lowest it’s been since March 2010. In 13 tests in...
Category: Featured
Wasim Akram: the fastest bowler I never saw.
If you want an example of how not to prepare to face a seriously brilliant Pakistani fast bowler, read this account of Middlesex v Pakistan at Lord’s two decades ago… (extracted from Who Wants...
Is this Pakistan series worth it? Well kind of….
Tours of ‘Pakistan’ are not what they used to be. Stories abound from previous decades of difficult road journeys in dodgy coaches – including, terrifyingly, the time the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked...
Cook’s three crucial ingredients: fitness, focus and finding the dimmer switch
The edifice painstakingly constructed by Alastair Cook in Abu Dhabi deserved better than to be consigned to white elephant status by the absurdness of test cricket’s playing conditions. How do you explain to a...
How ever you calibrate it, Bradman is still the best (but Boycs ain’t bad!)
Comparing test batsmen from different eras was always a mugs game. Style of play, playing conditions, bowling attacks have varied so hugely it is almost impossible to make a balanced judgement. But what you...
It’s a batter’s game (book extract)
Fast bowlers put six times their body weight through their knee and ankle every time they deliver the ball. It’s a shocking fact. In my case, that was a force of almost 500kg per...
Ashes afterthoughts: Moeen could get Lyth’s opening berth in the UAE
Adam Lyth would have had mixed feelings during yesterday’s celebrations. He could never have dreamt, three months ago playing for Yorkshire that on August 23rd he would be doing a lap of honour around...
Jayawardene will develop England’s batting artistry
England have appointed Mahela Jayawardene as their one day batting coach. This does not mean Mark Ramprakash is out of a job. He will be regarded, in future, as the Test match specialist. This...
Broad is the dish of the day
It’s been some year for Stuart Broad. Not content with knocking Australia over in an hour and a half at Trent Bridge to secure the Ashes (having been initially reluctant to bowl first),...
Root nurtured England’s rejuvenation
England were not at the races at Old Trafford today. Their batting was undone by the very thing that undermined Australia through the summer – seam and swing. But today’s anti climax should not...
