The Full Toss
Welcome to TFT, one of the UK’s longest serving cricket blogs. We’ll be here throughout the year to debate, moan, and occasionally rejoice about the England cricket team. If something’s bothering you, whether it’s selection, governance, or the cost of a pint, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You don’t need to be a professional writer or copywriter, just a fan with something to say. Email james@thefulltoss.com for more info. Cheers.
Remember Duncan Fearnley Bats?
I've been too busy this week to think about the ODIs. Sorry. With all the rain around they sound like a damp squib anyway - although it was good to see the lads pick up a win in a T21 yesterday. In the meantime Alan Gibbs is back with an article about Duncan Fearnley. Remember their bats? What was your [...]
So What’s Going On?
Not a lot really. At least it doesn't seem like a lot. Cricket seems a bit irrelevant with all the political shenanigans going on. However, we do have a few things to talk about before the test matches in Sri Lanka begin - not least the ODIs and who might succeed Andrew Strauss as director of English cricket. Let's start [...]
Will Sri Lanka Be Pushovers?
I watched an interview with Kumar Sangakkara last week. He said that England were the best all-round test team in the world, and that we were favourites to beat Sri Lanka away from home. Hmmmm. I do love Sanga, and he normally talks a lot of sense, but this time my BS detector (which makes large raspberry sounds when its [...]
The 5 Types Of Cricket Supporter
As the domestic international season has finished, and promotion and relegation from the championship has been decided, I’ve been doing some thinking. What sort of cricket fan am I? Many years ago I loved sitting with the Barmy Army. I loved the songs, the beer, the “Ball and Chain” song, plus the general sense of camaraderie. And I loved wearing [...]
TalkSPORT’s Winter Tour Coverage – 5 Things We’ve Learned
Here's Adam Kiddie with his thoughts on TalkSPORTS' plans for the winter. Will it be "smashing baby" (as their host might say)? For the first time since 2005, England’s upcoming away tour will be broadcast on commercial radio, as Talksport takes the reins from the BBC’s Test Match Special. Following yesterday’s announcement of the team and setup, here are five [...]
Ian Bell: The Batsman With A Thousand Faces
Today we have another guest article, this time by Geoffrey Bunting. It discusses an old TFT favourite, Mr Ian Bell. I should point out it was written before Bell was overlooked for England's winter tours. Thanks for this Geoffrey. It's a thoughtful piece and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. I guess none of us ever [...]
The Verdict On Sky’s ‘The Debate’
I've received some great rants from guest writers in recent weeks and this one's a cracker. Gareth Fitzgerald, take a bow. What is there left to say about Sky Sports and their end-of-day discussion show? Anything remotely positive, the churlish might offer. As one who has steadfastly refused to suckle from Sky’s puffy teats for the duration of my adult [...]
The Case For Adil Rashid
Today we have a 'player spotlight' piece by guest writer Michael Hall. Below he defends a player that often splits opinion. Do you agree that Rashid can become an integral part of the England team in all formats? In my view Adil Rashid is a fine international cricketer and deserves to have a full central contract covering all forms of [...]
Top 10 Worst Cricket Commentators
Today we welcome new writer Alan Giggs. I imagine he feels a lot better after getting this off his chest ... Cricket has coursed through the veins of Alan Giggs (no relation) veins since the age of 8, when I started following the England team. Unfortunately, the first series I remember was the 1989 Ashes series against Australia. And it [...]
That Test Squad
So then. Let's sharpen those knives. It's what I'm hear for. And presumably it's what you're here for too. It's disembowel Ed Smith time again. Let's skewer those funky left-field selections, and dismantle the methodology behind them. But there's just one problem this time. As a longtime blogger I know what I hate, and I don't hate this test squad. [...]
The TFT Interviews
Talking Bats With Charlotte Surridge
I'm sure many readers will remember that well known cricketing brand called Stuart Surridge (SS). It was made famous by the likes of Graham Gooch and Sir Clive Rice back in the 80s. In fact, I bet a few of you owned an SS Jumbo or an SS Turbo back [...]
TFT Talks To Athers, Beefy, Nasser, and Bumble
I enjoy a good chinwag. I enjoy it even more when it's with four guys I idolised as a kid. It has always been an ambition of mine to chew the cricketing fat with Athers and Co - perhaps over a couple of beers in the pub - so when [...]
TFT Talks To Mark Butcher
Back in November 1998, a young Englishman fresh out of uni left these shores to travel around Australia. Obviously it was a complete coincidence that the Ashes was on. On the third day of the first test in Brisbane, he saw another young(ish) Englishman flay McGrath, Fleming, Kasprowicz and MacGill to all corners of the [...]
An Evening With Nasser Hussain
We arrived at the Grace Gate at Lord's. The ground was a hive of activity. Graham Gooch strolled by, shoulders rolling and head bowed in that familiar fashion, and then the penny dropped: it was corporate and media day ahead of the Royal London Cup final between Warwickshire and Surrey. [...]
The Full Toss Meets Devon Malcolm
At one point I didn’t think I’d live to tell this tale. The venue was the Lord’s Academy. The bowler was Devon 'you guys are history' Malcolm, and the batsman was, erm, little old me. And to think that I actually volunteered. The occasion was a promotional event for Play [...]
Ask Hoggy: 20 Questions With Matthew Hoggard
Last week I had the opportunity to ask the legendary Matthew Hoggard some questions. Some were serious and others were, well, not quite so serious. I think you'll enjoy his answers. Hoggy is currently plying his trade as an after dinner speaker. He's one of the leading cricket speakers on the circuit. I certainly beats running [...]
How To Save Cricket – Our Interview With Jarrod Kimber
You've seen him on Cricinfo's Polite Enquiries. You're about to see him in Death of a Gentleman. Now you can hear Jarrod Kimber's passionate and pertinent views on the future of cricket here on The Full Toss. The only drawback: you'll have to suffer my vapid tones at the same time. Sorry about that. [...]