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.
What The Hell Was That?
Thanks a bunch England. I was going to take a breather from TFT this week as I've belatedly moved into a new house. I've been up to my eyeballs in boxes (that's boxes of the cardboard variety not men's abdominal guards), and I was planning to simply write a summary at the end of the test rather than compose daily [...]
Slaughter At Lord’s
Are India really the No.1 ranked team in the world? You could have fooled me. They were completely inept in this match: no backbone, no skill, and no clue. They looked like Sri Lanka back in the 1980s or perhaps even Bangladesh on their inaugural tour of England. That might sound harsh but put it this way: England's victory at [...]
Day 3 at Lord’s: The Royal Woakes
Here's a question for you. Which recently selected England batsman has looked the best in terms of technique and temperament: Gary Ballance, James Vince, Tom Westley, Dawid Malan, Keaton Jennings, Mark Stoneman, Ben Duckett, Nick Compton, Adam Lyth, or ... Chris Woakes? I know which guy has impressed me most. And he comes with the added benefit of being an [...]
Tipping Point? Day 2 at Lord’s
It tipped down at Lord's on Thursday. And it tipped down at Lord's for most of Friday too. But during the brief intervals when the players actually made it onto the field, the wickets rained down in torrents too. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday was the tipping point of the whole series. With the weather set fair [...]
Out Of Order
It’s second test time. That means another five days (or perhaps just three) of my wife moaning at me for watching TV all day with my mobile phone in hand. Oh the joys of marital ‘bliss’. Fortunately Edgbaston was worth the earache, and this Lord’s could be a beauty too. After all, two flawed sides is often a recipe for [...]
Ollie Pope: New Hope Or Just Another Dope?
So England have made two changes for the second test. I think there’s a case for both of them. In fact, the second one (Woakes for Stokes) most certainly involves a case … and even a resulting trial. I’ll get my coat. I really must stop making terrible contrived gags. Before I address my somewhat provocative headline (!) I’ll quickly [...]
England Survive E.Kohli Scare
I didn't get enough likes when I tweeted the above 'joke' yesterday so I thought I'd try again. How was it for you? I'll get me coat. As you can tell from my bad jokes, I'm in a rather good mood today. It's because England have just won the first test against India. And England wins against decent opposition are [...]
Lucky Man – Day 2 at Edgbaston
"I'm a lucky man. With fire in my hands. I know just who I am". It's probably a bit too early to be quoting Richard Ashcroft, but I couldn't get The Verve out of my head after watching highlights of day 2. Virat Kohli most certainly has fire in his hands. And judging by that strut he definitely knows he's [...]
Birmingham
Ah Birmingham. An English cricketing fortress and cultural powerhouse. Home to world’s most beautifully named football club, the UK’s spiciest balti, and a musician named Astro. It’s also the place where Richie Benaud uttered arguably the two most revered words in the sporting lexicon: “Jones! Bowden!” I’m afraid I wasn’t able to watch yesterday’s play live because I’m dealing with [...]
India 1990
As we've already previewed the upcoming 2018 series, and done the Adil Rashid thing to death, I thought we'd warm up for the test match with a trip down memory lane. Here's friend of the site Haroon Khalid with his memories of the famous 1990 summer. Does the number 333 ring any bells? The summer of 1990 was in some [...]
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. [...]