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.
The Gray Nicolls Wonder XI
The Powerspots….The Scoops…..the Dynadrives…The Elites…..Gray-Nicolls bats made everyone at schools across the country drool. They still came from the same willow as their rivals, but they looked a whole lot better. Anyway, so I, Alex Ferguson – who had his best-ever season slogging a GN Elite before it was broken by a schoolmate who nicked it for a match - [...]
Why Jofra Archer WILL Play In The World Cup
Kick the can down the road. That's the theme of the year. And now it looks like everyone's least favourite philosophy has infiltrated Ed Smith towers too. The omission of Jofra Archer from England's preliminary World Cup squad of 15, alongside his inclusion in the larger 17 man squad to take on Pakistan, merely delays the decision as to whether [...]
Yes, Joe – But Can We Talk About Sam, Yet?
Geoffrey Bunting is back with a lovely piece that makes the case for Sam Northeast. Is there room in England's test team for a more experienced player who has done the hard yards on the county circuit? Joe Clarke is poised on ninety-seven – on the verge of twin hundreds in his first game for Nottinghamshire – when his captain, [...]
County Preview: Essex
Here's new writer Tasneem-Summer Khan (who some of you might know from Guerilla Cricket) with her preview of Essex's season. Can the 2017 Champions reclaim their title? Good to have you onboard, Tasneem. Promoted into Division 1 in 2017, going on to win the title in their first year, Essex were the only thorn in Surrey’s side in the 2018 [...]
County Preview: Worcestershire
I had very mixed emotions at the end of the 2018 season. Winning the T20 Blast for the very first time was absolutely superb. It brought back memories of our glory days in the 1980s when trophies flowed like wine at a wedding. But our subsequent relegation to division two, and Joe Clarke’s decision to jump ship at the first [...]
Seven Young Batsmen Who Will Definitely Save English Cricket
You know it. I know it. I’m still not sure if they know it, but England just aren’t very good at batting. We’ve picked based on form, picked based on averages, but none of the established county players who have been called up to England have really cut the mustard. Most of us can agree on what the perfect first-class [...]
County Preview: Kent
Today Marco previews Kent's season. Can they avoid relegation whilst making the same excellent progress in white ball competitions? If you'd like to write something about the county you support - either a preview or just an update as the season progresses - please feel free to email james@thefulltoss.com. I'd love to do more of this kind of thing. “There [...]
Championship Roundup – Joe Clarke shines, Ryan ten Doeschate Does A Nasser
Championship cricket in April usually means one thing: ball dominates bat. The fielding captain tosses the ball to Darren Stevens (or a Darren Stevens clone) and the pitch does the rest. "Use the facilities" is the cry behind the wicket as the prototypical English seamer ambles to the crease with seven slips and two gullies in position. But it was [...]
ICC World Cup Predictions: Are India The Team To Beat England?
The 2019 ICC World Cup is going to be entirely different from the 2015 event. Unlike 2015, the 2019 Cricket World Cup shall witness only 10 teams competing against each other to win the biggest prize in international cricket. The tournament will return to its roots this year – with England co-hosting the tournament alongside Wales. Held every four years, [...]
Pakistan Bring their Brand of ‘Unpredictability’ To The 2019 World Cup
Pakistan has always been one of the most talented and unpredictable teams for cricket betting enthusiasts. They will bring their flagship brand of ‘unpredictability’ to the 2019 ICC World Cup as they can show up and play brilliant cricket or come in cold and get blown away very soon. Sportsbook Odds What we are going to get at the 2019 [...]
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. [...]