In The Wind in the Willows, Rat tells Mole, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” As something of an anchor in open water, boats aren’t a favourite. But it’s a phrase that can be translated into a wide array of contexts, and in cricketing terms I would say there’s little better than seeing a truly gifted wicket-keeper at work. Coming up in Norfolk club cricket, you seldom saw them. Finding good keeping...
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, Steven Mullaney, robs him with an overnight declaration. At the time, it’s a wise call, giving the team as much time as possible to bowl an ailing Yorkshire out on...
Ben Stokes And Protecting Violence
The batsman drops the ball onto the leg side and Ben Stokes runs after it. As he catches up with it he hurls the ball into the ground with a cry of disgust. His face is the same vivid red as his shirt. It caps an over spent screaming at his fielders, berating them as he beats his hands and curses in frustration. England’s fielding has been average. But watching Ben Stokes’ reaction to it is like watching a pipe burst the day after you’ve had it fixed. The commentators praise his passion; they...
Ian Bell: The Batsman With A Thousand Faces
Today we have another guest article, this time by Geoffrey Bunting. It discusses an old TFT favourite, Mr Ian Bell. I should point out it was written before Bell was overlooked for England’s winter tours. Thanks for this Geoffrey. It’s a thoughtful piece and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. I guess none of us ever fully figured out Ian Bell. I certainly didn’t, much as I loved watching him play. Bristol, 2007: Ian Bell sets up. His bat is against his shoulder as he...
