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.
That ECB Strategy Document Translated
It’s time to “come together” for the greater good. It’s time to rally behind a plan - the only plan on the table. Sounds like Theresa May’s Brexit pitch doesn’t it? But actually this was pretty much the message conveyed by the gruesome twosome, Tom Harrison and Colin Graves, as the ECB launched their strategy document for 2020 to 2024 [...]
Summat Special: Yorkshire Returning To York At Last
Today Marco talks about his Yorkshire roots and what the county’s return to York this summer means to him. It’s a touching tale about cricket, life, and above all, family. Yorkshire are playing Warwickshire in a County Championship game at York this season. There’s nothing unusual about that except that Yorkshire are playing Warwickshire in a County Championship game [...]
Australia Beaten. But Can They Beat England?
Happy new year everyone. Sorry about the delay between articles. I've just had my first extended break in nine years of editing (and co-editing) The Full Toss. Where have I been? Skiing in The Alps. Was it any good? No not really. I have all the balance of Channel 9's commentary team. Throw in the inherent anxiety of a diehard [...]
The Year That Was, And The Year(s) Ahead
Progress. I guess that's the word people will use to describe 2018. Our ODI team continues to blossom, and our test team has finally shown signs of life too. The year started badly with a 0-4 drubbing in Australia, and an unsatisfying 1-1 draw at home to Pakistan. However, things improved thereafter with an enthralling 4-1 win over India (although [...]
The Best & Worst Of 2018
Here's Alex with his best and worst moments of 2018. He was better qualified than me to write this piece as my answers invariably involve the words 'bah' and 'humbug'. Do you agree with his choices? MOMENT OF THE YEAR: Alastair Cook’s Last 100: This writer was at The Oval , joining tens of thousands on their feet, clapping and [...]
Why Alastair Cook Should NOT Be Knighted
What's the difference between being a cricket blogger and a member of the mainstream cricket media? I could mention the salary, and the long months spent away from home covering the team, but what really sets us apart is the ability to write from the heart. Bloggers can write polemics. Bloggers can simply write what they want without worrying about [...]
Giles Appointment Is ECB All Over
Ashley Giles won't be a bad Director of English Cricket. He's competent. He's a good bloke. He's a safe pair of hands. But I doubt he'll be an excellent appointment either. Words like 'competent' and 'safe' could easily be replaced by 'conservative' and 'unimaginative'. However, I'd like to chose a completely different word to describe Ashley Giles's appointment. And that [...]
England Unchanged, Australia Defeated, Umpires Snoozing
England named their test and ODI squads for the Caribbean yesterday. There were no real surprises. This means there's actually very little to debate. All we can do is nod in agreement (smug in the knowledge that the team have just triumphed 3-0 in Sri Lanka) and scratch around for stuff to talk about. Everyone expected Ben Foakes to make [...]
Can Hosts England Cope With The Inevitable World Cup Pressure?
English cricket is having somewhat of a renaissance at the moment, with a fresh looking side racking up some impressive wins of late and fans and media alike growing fond of the new-look team. Ahead of the Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July 2019, the English media and fans will [...]
It’s Time For India & Pakistan To Renew Their Test Rivalry
Rangers vs Celtic looks like walk in the park compared to these two. The strips are the same – one wears blue and one wears green, and blood, guts and years of hatred have spilled onto the shirts. It’s religion, it’s politics, and oh, it’s cricket, too. It’s India vs Pakistan. IT’S NOT JUST CRICKET….IT’S BIGGER THAN THAT If it [...]
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. [...]