With the three match series tied at 1-1, after each side had demonstrated batting failure and bowling strength, this final Test of the summer held intriguing possibilities and was eagerly awaited. I was part of the expectant crowd at the Oval, and it was disappointing – after a long summer with all too little rain – to arrive in sunshine on day one only to find that overnight showers had delayed the start till eleven thirty. It was even more galling at eleven twenty eight for the rain...
It only seems to be a couple of months since I suggested on this website that the answer to England’s captaincy problems might be Sam Billings; and that Ben Stokes couldn’t be expected to take it on after his recent mental health problems, and the risk of undermining his own game. We have just watched a team – fundamentally the same timid outfit that was trounced in Australia and West Indies – take Test champions New Zealand to the cleaners in three matches. Each of the games...
Think those mollycoddled professionals have it tough? Think again. Today John Bartholomew reveals that life as an amateur club skipper is infinitely more challenging… This is not another rant about the shortcomings of Joe Root and most of his predecessors. It is an in-depth (well just over 1,000 words to be precise) study of the management, selection and tactical dilemmas and solutions faced by real cricket captains – in this case the captain of the Sunday 2nd XI, which was the peak of...
Today John Bartholomew returns with a couple of ideas that might breathe new life into the County Championship… Most often my cricket watching is at the Oval. There is no finer time to be there than at a test match against India, with the regular test match full house enhanced by a huge body of partisan Indian supporters creating a great atmosphere. I am quite happy to admit that I also greatly enjoy the similar ambience at Friday night T20 games when the ground is full and the cricket is...
Today guest writer John Bartholomew argues that it’s time to move on from Joe Root. But where can England find a replacement with alternatives thin on the ground? John has a left field suggestion… Everyone can see that the captain makes a difference – we need look no further than Eoin Morgan to show us what incisive and purposeful leadership can do. At test level, Brendon McCullum comes to mind. England’s last two Test captains have been too cautious: We do not want a captain...
