2 minute readThere seems to have been a good deal of criticism of England, considering how well they’re doing. We’re not joining in. While Alastair Cook could have accelerated later on, there was also something to be said for the sheer demoralising effect of batting on and on and on. If it
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Alastair Cook unfazed by Indian tactics
< 1 minute readTeams have used any number of different approaches when trying to get Alastair Cook out in the last year. Pretty much all of them have failed. Of the 2,855 deliveries he’s faced in Test cricket since this time last year, 17 of them have got him out. Today, India tried
Continue readingIndia’s stellar batting line-up
2 minute readSo far, it’s been looking a bit Stella – stronger than most, but you’d really rather have something else if at all possible. That said, context is everything in cricket and batting hasn’t been all that easy this summer. England’s bowling has generally been very good, but there have been
Continue readingDo Indian cricketers care about Test cricket and will England win?
2 minute readDespite occasional accusations of journalism, we do not consider ourself part of the British press. We’d like to take this opportunity to distance ourself from two specific themes that are currently appearing in the cricket pages. Indian players don’t care about Test cricket This is a fairly regular subtext to
Continue readingFaith, facts and failure in Test cricket
< 1 minute readFaith is what you need when you don’t have facts. More accurately, faith is what you resort to when you don’t have facts – ‘need’ isn’t the right word. Faith is a way of sticking your head in the sand and even when you’re looking for something at the beach,
Continue readingIndia look to 2007 when planning their future
< 1 minute readThe summer of 2007. A young Kanye West was riding high in the charts and foot and mouth was sweeping the nation. In cricket, an India team featuring Rahul Dravid and RP Singh was touring England and enjoying a certain amount of success. Harking back to those halcyon days, India’s
Continue readingRavi Bopara’s back
< 1 minute readAs in ‘returned’. He hasn’t got anklosing spondylitis or anything. “He’s late to meetings, or he wears the wrong clothing to a function, or forgets his passport.” – Essex coach, Paul Grayson. Ravi Bopara – a man with qualities we can all get behind.
Continue readingBowling fitness for a modern Test series
2 minute readBeing stupidly fit is one of the greatest attributes a fast bowler can have. Accuracy and the ability to seam or swing the ball are entry requirements. Beyond that, you elevate yourself above your rivals by making the most of those strengths for longer. So many backs Fitness is even
Continue readingSuresh Raina and the short ball
< 1 minute readDear Short Ball, I would be most grateful if you would come round later on. I will pull out all the stops for you. You can sit in my armchair. I will bring you drinks. I even have some of your favourite cake. Don’t worry about replying. All of this
Continue readingThe Test rankings are pretty accurate, but…
2 minute readA lot of people quibble with the ICC’s Test rankings, but we think they’re pretty good. The rankings are more weighty than simply saying which is the best team at any given moment. They reward sustained excellence. You can say that they should recognise which is the best team right
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