3 minute read How long does it normally take James Anderson to make 28 runs? The answer is four years. Don’t scrutinise that. Today, Jimmy made 28 off 19 balls. If you didn’t see the match, that should tell you something. Run scoring was not difficult. We’d go so far as to say
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England v New Zealand 2013 Test awards
2 minute read Probably should have exercised a little editorial restraint with that last post and gone straight to this one instead. Then again, what’s the internet for if not for failing to exercise editorial restraint? Here are some awards. Ploddiest bastard The ploddiest bastard award recognises the batsman who played the most
Continue readingHigh expectations and low scores
< 1 minute read We’re not honestly sure how much we’ve learnt during these two Tests that we didn’t already know. This appears to be reflected in the fact that people are still talking about the lack of follow-on and the late declaration. The topic appears to be filling something of a void. You
Continue readingEngland’s priorities and Parkinson’s law
< 1 minute read Work expands to fill the time allotted. We remember one particularly undemanding week where we made a plan to buy a toothbrush on one day and toothpaste the following day. Good times. Credit to England’s bowlers then for not performing as if they’ve got 468 runs to play with. These
Continue readingFootmarks for the spinner
2 minute read It’s a strange and wonderful sport where two members of the opposition who aren’t even on the pitch can aid your cause, but Graeme Swann can thank Trent Boult and Neil Wagner for three of his four wickets. The two left-armers created some beautifully scruffy turf for him to aim
Continue readingJoe Root and canned excitement
< 1 minute read There’s no excitement quite so depressing as mandatory excitement. Compare and contrast the following. Joe Root strides to the crease and a large crowd rumbles with enthusiasm A batsman strides to the crease and Somebody Told Me by The Killers plays Joe Root takes a quick single and a large,
Continue readingToken second Test preview
< 1 minute read Tomorrow England meet New Zealand in the second Test at Headingley. The home team will be looking to take a 2-0 series win, while the tourists will be looking to tie the series 1-1. England will settle for a draw and a 1-0 series result, but would prefer to win.
Continue readingThe number six doorway
2 minute read Enough of the eye-catching swing bowling. What is this website for if not for accentuating the negative? Let’s focus on England’s batting. We still haven’t really settled on a firm opinion regarding England’s approach in the first Test. We’d probably grade it ‘acquiescent’. We don’t think it was as bad
Continue readingWhen New Zealand were floored at Lord’s
< 1 minute read In post match analysis, many people have been saying that they thought Graeme Swann was going to be key and marvelling that he didn’t get a bowl. Yes, that’s true, but let’s put this in perspective: Steven Finn didn’t get a bowl either. James Anderson took 2-23 and Stuart Broad
Continue readingStuart Broad ruins our afternoon
< 1 minute read We had it all planned out. We were going to cycle up Mow Cop and then, when we got home, we’d ‘refuel’ with our feet up while watching what promised to be the business end of the New Zealand innings. We’d be exhausted and would therefore be able to sit
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