The Full Toss
Welcome to TFT, one of the UK’s longest serving cricket blogs. We’ll be here throughout the year to debate, moan, and occasionally rejoice about the England cricket team. If something’s bothering you, whether it’s selection, governance, or the cost of a pint, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You don’t need to be a professional writer or copywriter, just a fan with something to say. Email james@thefulltoss.com for more info. Cheers.
Wobble Wobble: County Cricket’s Greatest Trundlers XI
It is with great regret I conclude that the British public have lost our minds. We’ve spent the summer basking in a heatwave: sun-worshipping and blaspheming. These rising temperatures are no cause for celebration. For as the summers get hotter and hotter, our cricket pitches get drier and drier. And with such changes come consequences. I am talking, of course, [...]
Vince Back. And Smith’s Got Cook’s Back
It's official. Ed Smith is trolling us. Not only has he kept faith with Keaton Jennings and Alastair Cook, possibly England's least convincing opening partnership since Tim Curtis and Martyn Moxon strode out at Trent Bridge on 12th August 1989 (and made a combined total of two runs), but he's also recalled everyone's favourite punchbag: a certain James Michael Vince. [...]
Taking The Positive (Singular)
England have been thoroughly outplayed at Nottingham in every department: batting, bowling, and fielding. If there was a food or lingerie department at Trent Bridge, we'd probably have been outplayed in that too. India have improved immeasurably in this game whereas England have gone backwards. Actually, scrap that, our batting hasn't gone backwards because it was already at the bottom [...]
What The Hell Was That?
Thanks a bunch England. I was going to take a breather from TFT this week as I've belatedly moved into a new house. I've been up to my eyeballs in boxes (that's boxes of the cardboard variety not men's abdominal guards), and I was planning to simply write a summary at the end of the test rather than compose daily [...]
Slaughter At Lord’s
Are India really the No.1 ranked team in the world? You could have fooled me. They were completely inept in this match: no backbone, no skill, and no clue. They looked like Sri Lanka back in the 1980s or perhaps even Bangladesh on their inaugural tour of England. That might sound harsh but put it this way: England's victory at [...]
Day 3 at Lord’s: The Royal Woakes
Here's a question for you. Which recently selected England batsman has looked the best in terms of technique and temperament: Gary Ballance, James Vince, Tom Westley, Dawid Malan, Keaton Jennings, Mark Stoneman, Ben Duckett, Nick Compton, Adam Lyth, or ... Chris Woakes? I know which guy has impressed me most. And he comes with the added benefit of being an [...]
Tipping Point? Day 2 at Lord’s
It tipped down at Lord's on Thursday. And it tipped down at Lord's for most of Friday too. But during the brief intervals when the players actually made it onto the field, the wickets rained down in torrents too. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if yesterday was the tipping point of the whole series. With the weather set fair [...]
Out Of Order
It’s second test time. That means another five days (or perhaps just three) of my wife moaning at me for watching TV all day with my mobile phone in hand. Oh the joys of marital ‘bliss’. Fortunately Edgbaston was worth the earache, and this Lord’s could be a beauty too. After all, two flawed sides is often a recipe for [...]
Ollie Pope: New Hope Or Just Another Dope?
So England have made two changes for the second test. I think there’s a case for both of them. In fact, the second one (Woakes for Stokes) most certainly involves a case … and even a resulting trial. I’ll get my coat. I really must stop making terrible contrived gags. Before I address my somewhat provocative headline (!) I’ll quickly [...]
England Survive E.Kohli Scare
I didn't get enough likes when I tweeted the above 'joke' yesterday so I thought I'd try again. How was it for you? I'll get me coat. As you can tell from my bad jokes, I'm in a rather good mood today. It's because England have just won the first test against India. And England wins against decent opposition are [...]