A meeting of the two best sides in the world is a rare treat in these straitened times and should be enjoyed while it lastsThere has been a lot of talk about what to do about the inaugural World Test Championship, which was originally established as a way of attracting casual fans to the five-day game by repackaging it in a simple, easy-to-follow format. So, let’s see how that’s going.As a result of the pandemic, standings are now being calculated on points percentage rather than points total. Australia top the table on 82.2%. New Zealand are on 62.5%, but will hit 70% if they beat Pakistan 2-0 in the series that starts on 26 December. Which means that in order...
The Yorkshireman’s relentless ODI form saw him compile a 10th century in the format in which he is one of England’s finestThe England men’s last match of the summer started with a slash, a catch, a cuss and a quick apology. Jason Roy threw his bat at Mitchell Starc’s opening ball and sliced a drive straight to backward point. In the silence of the empty ground, the curse he shouted out as he stomped into the dressing room came through loud and clear on the effects microphone. “Sorry for the choice language,” added Mike Atherton. It got worse. Joe Root was lbw to the very next delivery, so England were nought for two. Eoin Morgan was in now, while Jonny...
Life in a biosecure bubble brings the challenge of finding motivation in empty grounds for introverts and extroverts alike The doom-mongers said this summer could be the end of cricket as we knew it. They were talking about The Hundred, obviously, not a pandemic, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Rather than Welsh Fire and Manchester Originals, we got biosecure bubbles and umpires with wet wipes. Instead of inuring ourselves to five-ball overs or becoming instant experts in the strategic use of the timeout, we have been given a host of other unexpected details to obsess over.Who knew, for instance, the player with the sweatiest back would suddenly have such a vital role in the team?...
If a player contracts coronavirus he could be isolated and substituted as an extension of the concussion regulationsEngland’s Test series against West Indies and Pakistan look ever more likely to happen, albeit behind closed doors. We await confirmation from the government that this will be permitted even though it may be that the resumption of international cricket has not been at the top of their list of priorities of late.Meanwhile in the offices of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council the details of the necessary protocols for playing a Test in such extraordinary times are being finalised. They must try to anticipate every eventuality although the guidelines may not include mandatory 60-mile journeys as an...
Everyone remembers the cricket but few recall the day John Walker took to the track in MelbourneIt started with a tweet. On 4 March 2018, reacting to the news that barrier-busting miler Roger Bannister had died, Mike Selvey – the long-term lord of this manor – posted the following: “The great John Walker ran a sub-four-minute mile on a track laid out on the outfield of the MCG during the Centenary Test in March 1977.”Hold up. He did what? During the most fondly recalled Test ever staged at the G? Continue reading...