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0 One-nil to the Aussies — game on

Posted 28^th November 2017 by Jon Scaife & filed under Australia, England, The Ashes.

So the first test is over, and Australia maintained their long record of success at the Gabba to no great surprise here. So, what positives can we take from it?
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0 Ruthless India Despatch Visitors

Published 12^th December 2016 by Matthew Woodward & filed under England, India, Test Cricket. Last updated 14 November, 2017.

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

0 Congratulations to Bangladesh as England Spin to Defeat

Published 30^th October 2016 by Matthew Woodward & filed under Bangladesh, England, Test Cricket. Last updated 14 November, 2017.

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

0 Points to Ponder After Opening Loss

Published 18^th July 2016 by Matthew Woodward & filed under England, Pakistan, Test Cricket. Last updated 3 October, 2016.

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.
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2 No Star Shines Bright for Either Side

Published 25^th August 2015 by Matthew Woodward & filed under Australia, England, Test Cricket, The Ashes. Last updated 3 October, 2016.

So the Ashes are now at end with England the victors and Australia put back in their place. A 3–2 scoreline flatters the green baggied ones a little but in truth the last test was a dead rubber for England. They were never going to play to the same level on intensity as when they were trying to claim the little urn back from our Antipodean cousins.
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0 India take the initiative into the third test

Published 21^st July 2014 by Matthew Woodward & filed under England, India, Test Cricket. Last updated 3 October, 2016.

Two tests in, 1–0 to India. England’s poor summer continued apace today with a shocking (sorry, appalling) collapse after lunch today to hand the visitors the initiative going forward into the rest of the series. On current evidence it would be hard to see past India winning the series.
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0 How to manage a problem like England

Published 24^th June 2014 by Matthew Woodward & filed under Test Cricket. Last updated 3 October, 2016.

In a way I am almost glad England failed to grind out a draw against Sri Lanka. Had they done so it would have been seen by many as some sort of miraculous escape. Backs to the wall, stoic defence when the chips were down. It must not, however, detract from a dire performance. For the umpteenth time the batsmen have let us down. The last Ashes on English soil were won despite, not because of our batsmen and the overall picture hasn’t improved since then.… Read Full Article