AuthorBrian Penn

In every sport, in every land across the globe, fans will reserve their most vicious bile for the officials. Those responsible for regulating play are the ultimate arbiters of the game. They are never loved, grudgingly respected and occasionally despised. However, cricket is different as umpires maintain an air of gentility and the concealed respect of players and fans. Back in the day, they always wore ties and a white overcoat. A white hat, black trousers and white shoes completed the outfit...

The fielder is cricket’s labourer; the unsung hero who toils to save runs for his team. There is rarely any glory in this functional but vital role; the plaudits are usually taken by the bowlers especially when a delivery sends the stumps flying in a frenzied visual delight. But periodically the fielder steps into light when he takes a catch or engineers a thrilling run out. Breathtaking running in the outfield or reflex actions at slip can turn a match. However, a dropped catch can be...

For a non-contact sport cricket does have a habit of generating a wide range of injuries both on and off the pitch. The game is an uneven mix of energy and inactivity where athletic prowess hasn’t always been a prerequisite. Like any sport played on grass, players regularly negotiate knee and ankle injuries; strains, pulls and split fingers are battle scars for any cricketer. But players have a curious tendency to collect unusual injuries that are typical of the game’s eccentricity. An...