Are you ready for Port Elizabeth? Personally I’m raring to go. It’s been almost ten days since Newlands and I’m beginning to crave some of the good stuff. Let’s hope for another enthralling contest that convinces the authorities to ditch this 4-day Tests idea. Speaking of 4-day Tests, the MCC made a short but sweet statement rejecting the idea yesterday. This was a very positive development. The blunt nature of the statement – which was just 40 words –...
Test Cricket And The Power Of Time
Today we welcome new guest writer James Ogden to TFT. He argues that it’s vital to preserve 5-day Test cricket, and believes that the compelling game at Cape Town couldn’t have come at a better time. 2020 started with a whimper in the cricketing world. The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to water seeping through the covers. Australia completed a 3-0 rout of a disappointingly uncompetitive New Zealand, and England started the new...
England’s Win At Cape Town – Ride That Wave Of Optimism
England’s win at Cape Town was hugely satisfying. It was like finally kissing that girl at school you’d fantasised about for months. And if, like me, you never actually got to kiss that girl because you were far too shy (and not quite good looking enough) then fear not. Beating South Africa at their spiritual home feels better than a sloppy snog and a drunken fumble ever could. I finally got a girlfriend at university and found that young love was overrated anyway. And the girl...
Cape And Capability – England Win At Newlands
What a Test. A brilliant 5-day Test. And what a win. England haven’t won at Cape Town since Ethelred The Unready was sitting on the throne. But Joe Root’s heroes – the Cape Crusaders – have put a sword through this rather sorry record. After a disappointing day one the team played excellent cricket. I really can’t fault them. Every single individual played his part. Even Zak Crawley, who sadly didn’t make many runs, pulled off a couple of sensational catches...
Marching On – Day 3 at Cape Town
The Barmy Army were singing, Romesh & Rob were watching, and England’s batsmen were laughing. I thought our lead might be approaching 300 by the end of day three, but never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate the loss of just four wickets. Today went swimmingly, and South Africa look sunk. The only time the bowlers dominated on day 3 was when Jimmy Anderson cleaned up the Cricket Bok’s tail. He completed a well earned 5-40, which will improve his record in South Africa (a rare blemish on...
The Old And The New – Day 2 at Cape Town
We haven’t had many good days to celebrate in Test cricket recently so today’s definitely one to savour. In fact, I’ve just settled down at my keyboard with a nice glass of something fizzy. It’s not champagne – we haven’t won yet – but it will do nicely in the circumstances. England bowled beautifully today, and with the pitch looking increasingly dry and the odd delivery already breaking up the surface, we really should dominate the game from here...
