As Clivejw commented on our last post, “isn’t it great to have some test cricket again today?” Australia are in Dubai for a two-test series against Pakistan, after which they head home for a summer itinerary which offers scant comfort to those who fear for test cricket’s future. The Baggy Greens host South Africa for five ODIs and three T20s, but play only four home tests in their entire 2014/15 season, all against India. Meanwhile, next spring England have a truncated tour of...
Newsflash: cricketer sought to earn money
When it comes to ex-pros in the press box, three is the magic number. The Guardian’s Mike Selvey won three England caps. So did Jonathan Agnew, Ed Smith and Dermot Reeve. Vic Marks has the bragging rights, as the proud owner of six test caps, while Simon Hughes and Mark Nicholas never troubled the TCCB milliners. Sitting just outside the main pack is Steve James, now of the Telegraph, but formerly of Glamorgan, who opened the batting for England in two tests. James is notable for...
An open letter to Waitrose
Mark Price Managing Director Waitrose Limited Doncastle Road Bracknell Berkshire Dear Mr Price, I write on behalf of The Full Toss, a blog for followers of English cricket and supporters of the England national sides (of whom your brand is official sponsor). We would like to draw your attention to the parlous state of relations between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the English cricketing public. Among supporters, there is a widespread feeling of disillusionment, disenfranchisement...
Kevin Pietersen: The Sinner and the Sinned Against
Many people are still apoplectic about the Kevin Pietersen sacking. “He was a scapegoat” they cry “he was our best batsman and the faceless suits murdered him”. Similar things were said about Jim Morrison when he was arrested in Miami for exposing himself on stage. “The establishment don’t like what he represents man” fans of The Doors said. “It’s a CIA conspiracy against individualism baby”. What they forget, of course, is that simulating fellatio in front of thousands of people is against the...
Never apologise, never explain
A week ago today, I began a post by saying: Ten days have now passed since the confidentiality agreement expired and still the ECB haven’t told us why they sacked Kevin Pietersen. What are they waiting for? Make that seventeen days. More than a fortnight has elapsed – and nearly twelve days since the book – and not a single word from Lord’s. John Etheridge, cricket correspondent of The Sun, had this to say on Dmitri Old’s blog this morning (where you can also read a...
Anderson on Pietersen
Here’s James Anderson, reacting to the Pietersen book on Clare Balding’s BT Sport show.
The same themes keep recurring in all these interviews: a shame, sad, overshadows.
With the greatest respect to Anderson himself, are they are all reading from an ECB script?
You can see the full interview on BT Sport 1 at 10.15pm tonight.
