Today new writer Grant Scott articulates something that a lot of England supporters think but rarely say. You tell ’em, Grant… As he unleashed his trademark leap into the air before injuring himself and having to retire hurt (he’d come back out the next day), David Warner looked a jubilant but relieved man. He had every right to be too, he had just reached a double hundred in what was his first Test century in nearly three years. Over the course of those three, long, lean years...
Australian cricket is in the midst of one of its greatest ever peaks. With a team that includes their greatest ever since the Don, a record-breaking bowling attack and a host of world-class supporting acts, they seem as well set as any to compete in India. So will this series be a classic that goes down to the wire? I make the case that Australian cricket should prepare for their sternest challenge yet. India is without question the hardest place to win Test matches in the world. The home sides...
Today new writer Peter Gilbert looks at England’s recent ODI series defeat to the Proteas… As the sun sets on the men’s ODI series between South Africa and England, the England players depart for their various franchises and the Test team. Before the Bangladesh series in March, and with the World Cup in India drawing ever closer, England will now be piecing together what they have learned from this 2-1 series defeat. 1: England’s middle order looks short of a batter Despite two...
Last month, Rob Stephenson wrote this interesting article on modern England seam bowlers blessed with genuine pace. It was a subject that resonated with several readers including James Walker, who sent in the following response that complements Rob’s piece by going back a little further in time. It also explores some of reasons why we’ve produced so few quick bowlers with longevity. Enjoy. Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies of post-war English cricket is that John Snow and Bob...
Today we welcome new writer Sulaiman Karodia to TFT. It’s safe to say that the performances of a certain South African Kiwi have caught his eye... To be or not to be! This is what was going through the mind of Devon Conway on that faithful day in 2017 when he decided to move to pastures anew to resurrect his somewhat stagnant cricketing career. A late bloomer, Conway struggled to establish himself in South Africa before making a move that few would be brave enough to make. Selling his...
Shortly after the new year, Wisden released their rankings for top five Test innings of 2022. There were five spots but only three names – perhaps a surprise, unless you’d witnessed Jonny Bairstow’s extraordinary summer firsthand. Risabh Pant and Abdullah Shafique were the others to join the Yorkshireman in what I reckon was a pretty just adjudication. There are, of course, players who might feel somewhat aggrieved at being ignored (Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Babar Azam...
