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.
Why It’s Still Ok To Boo Steve Smith
It's time for a marmite post. You'll either love this or hate it. Here's Adam Kiddle on why it's still ok to boo Steve Smith. Although I personally think the booing has got a tad tedious now, Adam makes some really good points ... Firstly, let me set my stall out here. I wouldn’t boo Steve Smith. In fact, I [...]
Aussies On The Run
Another bore draw eh. I can see why this test cricket lark is dying. Ahem. The Lord's test might have started as a damp squib, with five sessions and an hour ruined by the weather, but it turned out to be an absolute classic. Both sides had a legitimate chance to win the game heading into the final day, and [...]
Where We Go At The DRS Crossroads
With the rain spoiling days 1 and 3 at Lord's, and a draw looking increasingly likely, now seems like an opportune moment to reignite the DRS debate. Here's new guest writer Ed Clark with his take on the terrible umpiring at Edgbaston and the future of technology in cricket. I'm a bit tied up this week so apologies for the [...]
Can Three Players Change Everything?
Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, and Jack Leach. These are the three cricketers we're pinning our hopes on at Lord's. They'll have to shake up the team, raise morale, and give Australia's batting (otherwise known as Steve Smith) something new to think about. Confident? I wish I was. Personally I'm not even 100% convinced that the first of the three will [...]
Futile Suggestions
After Ollie Stone was ruled out of the second Ashes test yesterday, I Tweeted out my preferred side for Lord's. It went as follows: Burns, Roy, Stokes, Root, Buttler, Bairstow, Woakes, Curran, Archer, Leach, Broad. I was immediately given a tongue lashing (I'm going to copyright this expression when Josh Tongue plays for England) by several people who hated this [...]
Pathetic. But We Can (And Must) Do Better Next Time.
When the end comes, it usually comes quickly with this England team. For all our hype and bravado we're actually softer than a poodle's undercarriage. It took Australia just 45 overs to take all ten of our second innings wickets today. And eight of those wickets came in the last 23. It was a gutless performance that lacked any form [...]
Shattered – Day 4 at Edgbaston
The last time I checked in (on Friday evening) England were in a great position - just a few runs behind Australia's first innings score and with plenty of wickets in hand. And then it all went pear shaped thanks to a mini collapse on Saturday morning and another Steve Smith hundred. Is there any more frustrating sight in world [...]
Proper Cricket – Day 2 From Brum
I don't think I've ever felt so nervous waiting for a batsman to reach three figures. I didn't even particularly care about the wickets falling at the other end for a period. It was all about Rory Burns. Could he reach those three magical figures? When the moment finally arrived I was chuffed to bits for the bloke. He waited [...]
The Rodent Returns – Day 1 at Edgbaston
Today’s play was painful. We had our collective boot on Australia’s metaphorical throat but the opportunity slipped away. And it’s all because of Steve Smith. Yes him. The ginger rodent. The bane of our existence. I wish I could say Smith was lucky. I wish I could say that he cheated. But he wasn’t and he didn’t. He was absolutely [...]
1981 Revisited
Today we welcome back Haroon Khalid to TFT. Take a trip down memory lane as the first test at Edgbaston gets underway ... The 2005 Ashes series is often spoken of as the greatest Ashes series of all time and with much justification. 1-0 down after the first test, England came back with a nerve jangling 2 run win at [...]
The TFT Interviews
Cider Saturday: Annie Talks RLODC Final With Tom Abell and Andy Hurry
Today we're delighted to welcome Guerilla Cricket 'waffler' Annie Chave to TFT. She caught up with Somerset Director Of Cricket Andy Hurry and skipper Tom Abell at Taunton last week. There was only one thing on their collective minds: Saturday's big Lord's final against Hampshire. On Saturday 25 May, Somerset [...]
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 [...]
From Our Partners
The Lowdown On The Ashes
The sad truth about the world today is that everyone will continue to milk the same cow till a new one comes into the picture. We are of course talking about England’s controversial, not exactly but many would have you believe that, win in the World Cup. It’s quite surprising [...]
Never Get Clean Bowled With SmartBuyGlasses
Keep Hitting Sixers with SmartBuyGlasses! Cricket is not just a sport, for some people, it is more like a religion. It is a sport that not only unites countries but also people. Finally, it is that time of the year when people from 10 different countries come together and cheer [...]
Can Bangladesh Make It To The 2019 Cricket World Cup Semi-Finals?
Bangladesh has shown the cricket betting public it can now successfully challenge the best teams in the world. The Tigers have finally shed their tag of being a cricketing minnow as they have some formidable players in their squad these days. The best cricket betting sites don’t give Bangladesh much [...]
Will Sri Lanka Find Their Mojo At 2019 Cricket World Cup?
Sri Lanka's performances during the last 12 to 18 months have gone from bad to worse. If you take away the West Indies, no other major side has lost more money for cricket betting fans. They enter the 2019 World Cup with very low expectations even from even their die-hard [...]
Do New Zealand Have The Hunger To Win Their First ICC World Cup?
New Zealand has had a fantastic ODI team for well over a decade. The Kiwis made it to the 2015 ICC World Cup final but their cricket team came up short after they were outplayed by arch-rivals Australia. They go into the 2019 ICC World Cup as strong contenders and [...]
Can A Wounded South Africa Win The 2019 World Cup?
South Africa have been one of the best ODI sides in the world for the last two decades but they have always choked at the Cricket World Cup. In fact, South Africa has never won an ICC World Cup despite having some of the most talented players. Their current squad [...]
How To Get More Out Of Watching The Game
There is nothing quite like watching a live sports match, especially if it is your favourite team playing. Whether you are watching at home by yourself, at a bar with a few friends or even at the game, it is sure to be full of excitement and an enjoyable experience. [...]