Beaten, Bruised and Brutalised
Crickets are a drug - a bad drug. After two years of crap, Cardiff was the high point we sorely needed. I snorted. But God sent me back to Earth.…
Day Four at Lord’s
Men against boys. The day showcased the real dynamic between the two parties. Cardiff banknotes were exposed to ultraviolet light and found to be counterfeit three game links. Remarkably, Australia…
Day Three at Lord’s
As you might expect, I have absolutely no desire to write today's report. But since Maxie is still on paternity leave, someone has to take care of her. You just…
Raking over the coals
We now know England's reaction to the St John's Wood massacre. Ian Bell advanced three, Joe Root four and Jonny Bairstow was called aside - at the expense of Gary…
Top Order Out of Order
It's not rocket science, is it? England are losing friendlies because our top order is as fragile as a toddler's temper. You can't win friendlies if you're 40-3 all the…
Ashes diary: wig-gate
Every villain eventually returns to the scene of the crime. As far as cricket arches go, that's it. David Warner - although only briefly at the crease - performed again…
Picking through the bones
This series continues to challenge analysis. A back-and-forth narrative of swinging fortunes is one thing, but the magnitude of the triumph is hard to gauge. You'd imagine a 2-1 result,…
Comments thread: day one at Trent Bridge
here we go. A room full of eyes. England won the draw, allowing Australia to bat. Mark Wood will share the new ball with Stuart Broad. They were otherwise unchanged…
The Day We Won the Ashes
Sod it. I count my chickens. England have just had their best Test day in cricket in living memory. In 2010, our sheer dominance even eclipsed Melbourne. Of course we…
Comments thread: day two at Trent Bridge
So here we go again. are you nervous Of course we can't screw it up. Can we? That was the subject of commentary for the second day in Nottingham. Will…