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 Greatest Game – But Not The Greatest Rules
James Wilson, New Zealand supporter and author of Court and Bowled: Tales of Cricket and the Law, is back. Here's his take on that controversial final. Twenty years ago, Australia and South Africa played what was then widely acclaimed as the greatest one day international of all time, when they tied in the semi-final of the 1999 World Cup. There [...]
The Greatest Game. And A Great Achievement.
Immediately before yesterday’s final, Channel 4 showed highlights of the 2005 Ashes – a tussle frequently dubbed as The Greatest Series. Afterwards they went on to broadcast probably the greatest white ball game of all time. The 2019 World Cup final will live long in the memory as the game that finished in a tie twice: the main 50 overs [...]
World Cup Final Here We Come
I won’t ask you to boot up your phone and laptop cameras, but I wish you could see the beaming smile etched across my face. There’s nothing better than destroying / obliterating / absolutely tanking the Aussies, and to do it in a World Cup semi final is all the sweeter. England were brilliant today and Australia were woeful. It [...]
Newsround
It's the quiet before the storm. The World Cup semi finalists are known, the recent round of Championship matches has finished, and there isn't a controversy in sight. Somebody smoke some drugs or look out a window quick! We've got precious little to talk about. There was one morsel of news that caught my eye today though. Sky have announced [...]
Semi Finals Here We Come
You can relax now. At least for a few days. England are through to the semis after a comfortable win against a sloppy New Zealand team that never really showed up. We batted really well at the outset (when the pitch was at its best) and then bowled really well to seal the win. Thank **** for that! Today was [...]
Still Alive
What a weekend of cricket. I'll start by quickly mentioning the Pakistan and Afghanistan contest, which was one of the best ODIs I've seen in ages. Although I feel desperately sad for Afghanistan, who really should have won, I tip my hat to Pakistan's middle and late-order. It was some comeback. The game was so intriguing because in a low [...]
Just As Things Couldn’t Get Any Worse … Here’s Jonny
You've read the comments. Now vent your spleen. I'm sad to report that Jonny Barstow seems to have lost the plot. He thinks people want England to fail just to they can stick the knife in. And now he's started a row with Michael Vaughan. This really isn't a good look. And it's a distraction that England really don't need. [...]
One-Trick Ponies Looking Like Donkeys
If the World Cup was a bilateral series - the criterium by which we reached the top of the world rankings - we'd currently be celebrating a 4-3 series win. Everyone would be extolling the vim and virtuosity of our victorious squad, and the management would be basking in the glory of yet another triumph. But this isn't a bilateral [...]
Time To Walk The Walk
So this is it. Squeaky bum time. Tuesday sees England's most import ODI for years. It might even be our most important ODI since the 1992 World Cup final. Lose tomorrow and we'll be facing humiliation all over again - the humiliation of being tournament favourites, playing at home, and not even making it to the semi finals. So much has [...]
Mathews Sticks It To Us
We should have known better. I should have known better. When Sri Lanka were meandering along at 4 runs per over in the 40th over of their innings, puzzled looks were exchanged, and predictable jokes were made. Nick Hoult of the Telegraph thanked Angelo Mathews for showing him what an ODI in the 1970s would've looked like. And yours truly [...]
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 [...]
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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. [...]
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 [...]