The Full Toss Cricket Blog - English Cricket, No Spin

Australia’s Image Problem

In Ashes 2023, News, Talking Points

February 16, 2023

5 Min read

Rolling out of bed the other morning after a leisurely Saturday lie in, I turned on the TV expecting to see a good couple of hours of cricket. Instead, BT Sport was screening a documentary about Pele. Checking the internet to see what had happened, I was shocked to find Australia had already been bowled out for 91 to lose the first Test to India by an innings and then some. Leaving aside for a moment the arguments about doctored pitches and favourable home conditions, this is a shocking defeat...

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Ashes Indicators

By James Morgan

In Ashes 2023

February 13, 2023

6 Min read

20 comments

Go on. Admit it. You watched the first Test between India and Australia and couldn’t resist a smirk. Whereas England have gone from disarray to destructive under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, and actually managed to win in the subcontinent recently, the Aussies looked clueless in their opener against India. They knew what was coming but still couldn’t put up the slightest resistance – despite winning the toss and having the advantage of batting first. Strangely enough, however...

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David Warner – World Class Opener Or Fraud?

By Grant Scott

In Player Spotlight

February 10, 2023

4 Min read

13 comments

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...

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Why Australia Won’t End India’s Home Dominance

By Devon Nostrand

In Talking Points

February 8, 2023

6 Min read

14 comments

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...

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South Africa v England – 5 things we learned

By Peter Gilbert

In News

February 6, 2023

5 Min read

10 comments

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...

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Genuine Pace – England’s Modern Quicks Part 2

By James Walker

In Nostalgia

February 3, 2023

9 Min read

10 comments

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...