The great Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir died last week. This article about him first appeared in my book, The Pakistani Masters. “Mummy, I want to … Read More
The Apotheosis of Steven Smith
Whatever happens in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston – England are slightly ahead on points, as it were, as I write this before the … Read More
Having Lunch With Don Bradman
There are many worse places than Singapore to be a cricket person. You can play; there are some local leagues. You can hobnob with a … Read More
Tom Graveney – Style and Substance
“Tom Graveney was the James Vince of his day.” Discuss. Ridiculous, I hear you cry. Graveney was a master batsman, one of only 25 to … Read More
Graham McKenzie: The Overworked Thoroughbred
The list of Australia’s top ten Test wicket-takers reads like a concave of the game’s immortals. There are four members of the side that many … Read More
Mike Brearley – A Degree In People
How important is captaincy in cricket? is there room in an international eleven for a player who is in the team solely because he is … Read More
Cook Calls Last Orders on Distinguished Career
Alastair Cook’s imminent retirement from Test cricket – at the end of England’s home series against India, and this is being written just before the … Read More
Ajit Wadekar (1941-2018)
Ajit Wadekar, who has died at the age of 77, was a pugnacious left-handed batsman and fine close fielder, especially in the slips. Tall – … Read More
First Among Equals – Part 1
This article first appeared in my book, The Pakistani Masters. It has been updated following Imran’s success in the general election in July 2018, which … Read More
First Among Equals – Part 2
This article first appeared in my book, The Pakistani Masters. It has been updated following Imran’s success in the general election in July 2018, which … Read More
First Among Equals – Part 3
This is the third and final part of an article that first appeared in my book, The Pakistani Masters. It has been updated following Imran’s success … Read More
The Mark of Greatness
Before the English summer of 1968 the cricket authorities relaxed the applicable rules so that each county could hire an overseas player without having to … Read More