Mercurial country Pakistan. Despite the exile from playing tests on their own soil, the match-fixing scandals, the constant upheaval, they keep unearthing match winning bowlers. The latest are Wahab Riaz, whose blistering spell on...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
It is easy to develop misconceptions about Ibiza. Dubbed the undisputed party capital of the world, the island is often used as a byword for excess. The television documentary Ibiza Uncovered – featuring a...
Barbados was once famous for the three “W”s: Frank Worrell, Everton Weekes and Clyde Walcott, the fabulous 1950s cricketers. More recently, the three “R”s have taken over: relaxation, rum and rib ticklers. It is...
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...
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...
