Firstly dear reader an apology for our lack of recent communication – we both appreciate it that people take the time to pour through our musings and hope you continue to do so.
Now down to business.
Back in August last year England did the unthinkable and broke the record for the highest ever one day international score, posting 444–3 – a run higher than the previous total that had stood for a little over a decade.
It was a massive score – one that would have been seen as simply unachievable in years gone by. But the game, like England’s batting order, has come on in spades in recent times with T20 cricket laying much of the foundation for a new style of play.… Read Full Article
Posts By: Matthew Woodward
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Ruthless India Despatch Visitors
There was a point in the fourth test between India and England when the hosts were 30-odd runs behind their opponents with only three wickets remaining.
It was a false dawn though and the masterful Kohli and magnificent Jayant Yadav (in only his third test) combined to take the match and with it any hopes of a series draw beyond the grasp of the visitors.
It served to underline the gulf in experience of conditions on the sub-continent. India rammed home their greater knowledge and understanding of how to play in such an arena. Through most of this series they have been the far better of the sides and a win was inevitable once a lead of 200 was surrendered. … Read Full Article
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Australia’s Golden Era Hurts the Current Cricketers
Australia – what the heck! They’ve just lost the series against South Africa following some battling collapses worthy of England at their very best (or worst!)
It’s incredible to see what has happened to the side when they are compared to the team of recent past. There’s a big wad of rubbish in the current line up – I can’t think of anyone who would make the England side who played in the last test against South Africa. OK they have a few injuries, especially in the bowling department, but things will have to change.… Read Full Article
0Political Machinations Start Series With a Bang
During a week in which the world saw a new President elected Commander-in-Chief in America and British Prime Minster Theresa May visited India, it is perhaps apt the first test is compared to global political machinations.
The saying goes that a week is a long time in politics – and the saying would appear apt in cricket too.
Only a few days ago many naysayers (myself included) were fearing the hosts could inflict a series whitewash on the visitors — especially if the top order in particular didn’t apply themselves better.… Read Full Article
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Congratulations to Bangladesh as England Spin to Defeat
Well done Bangladesh on a first test win over England. The victory was thoroughly deserved and the series could have so easily finished 2–0 to the hosts rather than the 1–1 draw.
Both matches were excellent adverts for test cricket in that they were testing for both teams with the Tigers in my mind claiming a points victory over the two games. In Mehedi Hasan they have clearly unearthed a young diamond who may yet help to propel his team to more victories against the top teams.… Read Full Article
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Professional England See Off Tigerish Bangladesh
Well done England on a professional ODI series victory against Bangladesh. The Tigers might not be viewed by all as the toughest opponents and the visitors will certainly face sterner tests – but any Asian opposition on home soil is anything but a pushover.… Read Full Article
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Ring of Steel Brings Tear to the Eye
It was, in many ways, reassuring to see the military might of Bangladesh and the show of force they put on ahead of the start of the ODI series starting tomorrow (Friday).
Pictures and video clips certainly show they mean business. I heard one radio commentator liken the security to that you would see for a trip by Barack Obama.… Read Full Article
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Points to Ponder After Opening Loss
One test in, England are one-nil down. Well done Pakistan
Having brushed Sri Lanka aside England are in the midst of a much sterner test against an in-form Pakistan. And the visitors succeeded where many others have failed of late, i.e. to expose England’s weaknesses.
Perhaps England’s main weakness is a lack of top quality spinner. Moeen Ali is useful for a good few overs and tends to surprise many batsmen and trick them into a false sense of security. He is, however, a second spinner. If he couldn’t bat would he be in the side? Very unlikely. He’s a backup option, not lead the attack material. How and why England have chosen to ignore Adil Rashid amazes me. Over the decades English selectors have shown a reluctance to pig leg-spinners and Rashid is seen as susceptible of leaking a few runs – but he has proven in ODIs and T20s that he is able to keep it tight. Thankfully they have at least indicated they are willing to put this right by naming him in the 13 man squad for the second test. They must pick him – especially as Old Trafford tends to offer encouragement to the twirlers. England have a bit of a selection dilemma on their hands – I suspect Ben Stokes and Moeen are fighting it out for one place.
… Read Full Article
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TMS — A Reassuring Presence in Brexiting Times
On Thursday 23 June Britain voted to leave the European Union.
… Read Full Article
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Super England Claim Super Series
With just one match left in this new “super series” format between England and Sri Lanka the home nation have proven themselves completely dominant
Winning the test series comes as no surprise – the visitors were never going to be able to cope with Anderson and Broad in home conditions – but I expected a sterner test in the 50-over format.… Read Full Article
“The pink ball appears grey/blue in red/green deficient vision, depending on its severity. I did a simulation with colour blindness…”