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.
TFT Exclusive: Leaked ECB Multimedia Strategy Document
Thanks to Colin Graves at the ECB strategically leaking it good journalism, I recently found a document outlining some covert ECB strategies to make the sure-fire success that is The Hundred™ even more of a sure-fire success. It was a groundbreaking plan to attract crowds of people with no interest in cricket to come and watch cricket whilst driving away [...]
Farbrace Off, Conspiracy Theories Circulate
Everybody panic! Paul Farbrace, the coach who was so integral in national triumphs such as the 2015 World Cup and the 2016/17 Ashes, has decided to leave England and join Warwickshire ahead of the seminal / life defining white ball tournament being held in England this summer. How will we cope?! Apparently Eoin Morgan fainted when he heard the news, [...]
Cheer Up Misery Guts
Some might call TFT and its readers pessimists. And to be fair they're probably right. There's been a lot to grumble about in recent years, from the ECB's marginalisation of the championship to their irritating and elitist tendency to hire yes men or men cut from a certain kind of cloth (you know what I mean) to top off-field jobs. [...]
Root Ignores Own Advice, Scores Ton
Yesterday England's batsmen had their best opportunity all series to score some runs. The pitch wasn't easy but the Windies attack was seriously depleted. Their captain, Jason Holder, was sitting in the stands. And his replacement Keemo Paul was carted off the field with a nasty looking injury. Suddenly the remaining Windies quicks had a lot more work to do, [...]
Wood’s Rapid Returns
What a day in St Lucia. England are on top, the Windies frailties (which were there all along) are finally being exposed, and only a minor miracle can prevent us from claiming a much needed consolation victory. You didn't really think we'd lose 0-3 did you? England's strong position is mainly down to four men: Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, [...]
3rd Test Preview
And so to St Lucia – the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. As Blighty freezes in artic temperatures, St Lucians will be perambulating across pure shores with only the sound of gentle breezes rustling through native palms to distract them. Envious? You bet. And to make matters worse the locals can bask in the glory of a series win [...]
Selection Matters
Today we have a guest post from Gareth Fitzgerald. You won't be surprised to learn that I'm quite sympathetic to his views. It's a relief to know that I'm not howling into the wind alone ... Last November Rob Smyth from the Guardian wrote a piece lauding the selection merits of Ed Smith. Paul Newman, the Daily Mail’s cricket writer [...]
What did they think was going to happen?
When the ECB decided to diminish the county championship by moving most games to April, May, and September, what did they think was going to happen? When the ECB appointed Ed Smith, a man whose philosophy is to pack the side with all-rounders and pluck players from white ball cricket (because apparently scoring runs in front of IPL and Big [...]
Danger? What Danger?
Sadly I feel this test match is ebbing away. So it's time for a hackneyed boxing analogy. England are on the ropes primarily because we've got a glass jaw. The Windies, on the other hand, have taken the punches and kept advancing forwards. The home team has shown more courage and discipline, they've clearly got a better defence, and they've [...]
“Rouge Pitch” or Rogue Batting?
I'm feeling a bit rough today so I'll keep this short - a bit like England's innings. I tuned into Sky's The Debate last night expecting Grumpy Bob and Co to lambast what I thought was another really poor batting display from our ragtag batting line-up. But instead of being critical they basically blamed the pitch. Hmmmm. Yes the pitch [...]
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. [...]