In some ways the most surprising thing about the first day of the first Test between Sri Lanka and England at Galle was that there … Read More
Opportunity Knocks in a Series Where Little is Certain
There is a fascinating series in prospect between Sri Lanka and England, which starts in Galle on Tuesday. Both sides are in a state of … Read More
Cricket in the Eighties
Remember the 1980s? Reagan, Thatcher and Gorbachev, the Berlin Wall, the Falklands, the Pope and his Popemobile, the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and John Lennon, … 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
The Rain it Raineth Every Day
The weather is peculiarly important in cricket. Of course, it can be critical to any sort of activity that is taking place outdoors. “If wet, … Read More
Kohli’s One Man Show Can’t Prevent England Win
Of course the problem is that Test cricket is so boring. It is seriously doubtful that even the head of marketing at the England and … 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
Home and Away
The first Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa at the Galle International Stadium was an interesting but ultimately disappointing affair. All over by tea … 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