It’s been a rough few weeks. First we had our noses put out of joint; then we had them rubbed in the dirt by our understandably elated antipodean cousins. However, if the bookies are to be believed, we should get our revenge in 2015: they make England slight favourites at odds of 6/5. Basically, the bookies have looked at the real stars of this winter’s Ashes – Rogers, Harris, Haddin and Johnson – and concluded that Australia’s difference makers will be different themselves in two years time...
On the eve of destruction
We love a bit of melodrama here at TFT. It’s why I couldn’t resist this headline. Deliberately blowing things out of proportion – as if cricket is the only thing that matters – reminds us that it is, after all, only a game. The emotions we’ve felt over the last few weeks – despair, frustration, anger amongst them – are all understandable, but a little silly. Cricket is our hobby; it’s for fun. Our careers and livelihoods aren’t on the line. Nor will anybody die if / when England lose the Ashes...
Graeme Swann and some Christmas ‘facts’
We’ve had a bit of a traumatic time here at TFT during the last few weeks. We’ve had a bit of fun too – Maxie’s article responding to abusive Aussie fans was particularly amusing (even if some seemed to take it too seriously) – but overall, the misery of the Ashes has somewhat overshadowed the festive build-up. Therefore, it’s time to forget our woes and get into the spirit of things. As it’s Christmas – the season of giving – we thought we’d give you a few ‘facts’ to lighten up your day. And...
Is being over the hill about age or miles on the clock?
Ian Thorburn, a first time poster on TFT, sent us this interesting piece on England’s Ashes debacle earlier in the week. As you’ll see, he raises some important issues. Is success cyclical? Has this particular England team reached its shelf-life? I have to say, my first instinct was to disagree. The average age of England’s team at Perth was 29. Australia’s was 31. Yet the older team won. But is it that simple? As Ian points out, England’s players might be younger...
The inevitable delayed – day four from Perth
Australia 385 & 369-6 dec. England 250 & 251-5 stumps. As England fans we can’t win when we’re in the doldrums. Had we been bundled out for 47, like this Australian team in the recent past, we would’ve bemoaned our lack of fight and guts. Now that Bell and Stokes have shown a bit of resistance, we’re going to agonise over what could have been. For the first time, England’s middle-order showed that this Australian attack might be a very good one, but it’s essentially the same attack that...
TFT Ashes player ratings
Now the dust has settled, and Darren Lehmann has gone home crying, it’s time to reflect on our players’ performance during the Ashes. Who triumphed in the crucial moments, and which players were largely passengers on the good ship HMS 3-0. We’ll try to be as fair as possible here – utilising statistics when necessary, but also looking behind the statistics too. Let us know if you agree or disagree. All Ashes player ratings are scores out of 10. Alastair Cook 4 – It’s almost blasphemous to...
