Blogging about cricket is more difficult than you might think. We’ve got to differentiate ourselves from the mainstream journos. One way to do that is to write purely from the heart. Let all those familiar emotions – the hopes, fears, blind optimism and excessive pessimism – run rampant. Nobody comes to sports blogs to read comparatively bland copy that strives for professional objectivity. It’s the visceral nature of blogs, with their strong opinions and heart-on-their-sleeve...
The Beard to be Revered – Day 5 at the Ageas
Bloody fantastic! It feels great to write about something positive for a change. The team has been heavily criticised over the last few months, and rightly so, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the performance at the Ageas Bowl. It was the perfect team effort. Congratulations all round. It’s important not to go over the top – we all know this side is capable of mindless cricket as well as the inspired variety – but let’s just enjoy this victory without worrying too much about the...
With Us, the Force Is – Day Three at the Ageas Bowl
Whisper it quietly, but we might actually win this test match. Now there’s something we haven’t said for a long time. About eleven months in fact. The force is definitely with our team for a change. Since November last year, the Sith have been winning the battle: how else can you explain the success of guys like David Warner? There was something very dark at work. Now all of a sudden, Yoda’s boys are back in business. Our batsmen’s wickets seem to be protected by an invisible force-field –...
Thanks Very Much, Mr Jadeja – Day One at the Ageas Bowl
Eng 247-2 stumps After being a right royal pain in the bum at Lord’s, Ravi Jadeja finally gave England something to smile about today. He shelled a straightforward chance at slip, gave our beleaguered skipper a second life, and potentially breathed new life into an England team that barely has a pulse these days. The relief around the Ageas Bowl was palpable. Maybe Cook’s luck was finally turning? He could have been out to the very first ball of the match: he felt for the ball outside off...
The Long Road Ahead
Usually I can’t wait to update this blog. But this time its different. I can barely summon the energy. The England cricket team has reached it’s nadir: being whitewashed in the Ashes, losing the early summer series to Sri Lanka, and now thrashed at home by an Indian team that hadn’t won away from home for three years. Imagine how ugly it would have been if we’d lost the toss. It’s time to face facts folks … We have a toothless bowling attack. We have a brittle batting line-up without a single...
The End is Nigh. Or is it? Day four at Lord’s
Lots of people are making all sorts of assumptions about this test. First of all, they’re certain England will lose – and if England lose, the story goes, Alastair Cook will lose his job. The pundits also seem sure that if he’s relieved of the captaincy, good old Alastair will suddenly recapture his best batting form – he is, after all, an ‘all time great’. The first of these assumptions is probably right. Although there’s still a glimmer of hope, as Root and Moeen have proved their...
