< 1 minute readAll Out Cricket’s Test series fantasy league is over. Our mini league, The Kingdom, was won by… er… did anyone actually check before they deleted the league? We’d guess it was either Balladeer’s Bhangra-Morris Fusion side or Patrick’s p = mv, both of which were almost certainly in the top
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Mop-up of the day – an unappealing slice of Beef
2 minute readIt seemed logical to assume that India’s batting at The Oval would be the most repulsive and upsetting thing any of us saw this week. Then Ian Botham put everything in perspective. Sir Beef has a history of advertising meat. This morning he appeared to be promoting pork sword via
Continue readingMop-up of the day – who cares wins
< 1 minute readOr, more accurately, in the eyes of many: who wins cares and who loses doesn’t. We touched on this a couple of days ago. India’s batting at Old Trafford warrants scrutiny, but we’re still wary of drawing conclusions about the players’ motives and feelings based on what happened. After all,
Continue readingMop-up of the day – the blurred art of cricket
2 minute readThat’s Joe Root’s work above. It’s one of a number of portraits produced by players and commentators which are being auctioned off to raise awareness of Cricket United Day. Cricket United Day is on Saturday and will see funds raised for a handful of cricket-themed charities. You can donate here.
Continue readingMop-up of the day – chucking in the towel
2 minute readThere’s quite a bit of Test cricket going on at the minute. Savour it, because it’s not long before we make a sharp turn and embark on the long, straight approach to the 50-over World Cup. After this week’s final Test, England don’t play the longest format again until the
Continue readingMop-up of the morning – encouraging a state of Grace
< 1 minute readA quick bit of housekeeping before Test time. “Do not go into the field with a cigarette or pipe in your mouth” That was one of WG Grace’s maxims for fielding. We’ve learned more from him than that and have outlined some important points over at Cricinfo. Another old cricketer
Continue readingMop-up of the day – BCC-whhhhyyyyyyy?
< 1 minute readWe’ve put the bad news first in the forlorn hope that you might at least finish reading today’s piece with your spirits on an upward trajectory. The BCCI are asking the ICC to appeal the Jimmy Anderson decision No, seriously. They are. Does no-one in the BCCI ever feel embarrassed
Continue readingMop-up of the day – leading, forgiving and send-offs
< 1 minute readJames Anderson has his hearing about maybe having pushed someone today. There’s much talk about how he’s been singled out as result of being a persistent sledger, but his rage isn’t a patch on that of the retiring (from cricket) Steve Kirby, who was one of the subjects of last
Continue readingMop-up of the day – two very different retirements
< 1 minute readThe first is the unflappable maestro, Mahela Jayawardene, who is giving up the five-day game. Fun fact, stats nerds: his first innings hundred in the ongoing Test against South Africa has tipped his average over 50. He’s actually got another series after this one yet though, so don’t get too
Continue readingMop-up of the day – an overreaction checklist
< 1 minute readWe’ve produced a valuable guide just in case any England fans aren’t overreacting sufficiently. It can be found over at Cricinfo. Tick all the boxes and you too can call yourself a true England supporter. Andy Caddick’s ears Sam was greatly disappointed that they didn’t get a mention in another
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