From a Jamaican debut to an empty Lord’s in 2020 the job has changed so much but I always did struggle for an introJust one more intro, that’s all that’s needed … “It was 31 years ago that I joined the Observer …” No, no, that’s not so snappy; it’s ancient history and on a par with one I sent off early in my time as its cricket correspondent which began with two riveting words: “Last Wednesday” (thankfully there was an intervention by the desk).How about: “It’s hard to write with tears in your eyes”? Just a couple of drawbacks here. It’s a tad over the top – this is for sport for heaven’s sake, not the review section –...
It is bizarre for the ICC chairman to say cricket needs to go back to the drawing board before the first final has been playedAmong all the many obstacles to this job in the past few months, the hardest has been that I’ve had to share our one TV screen with my kids. I know, I know, and yes, it would be a lovely gesture if you wanted to go out on your doorstep and clap for the poor sportswriters this Saturday morning. The weeks when there wasn’t any live sport to write about were tough; the weeks when there was but we weren’t allowed in to watch it were tougher. England’s Test series against Pakistan and West Indies had...
The captain is adored by all but he will not be in charge forever and a succession plan will need to be in place in good timeA quick quiz question: without looking it up, what do you remember about Eoin Morgan’s contribution to the 2019 World Cup final? The more retentive of you will recall his scratchy innings of nine from 22 balls. Perhaps you remember his quirky dismissal, caught brilliantly at deep point to leave England 86 for four. For a good many of you, I’ll wager, the answer is almost nothing at all.In fact, Morgan’s role in that final was one pieced together largely in retrospect. The soft-focus images of Morgan holding the trophy aloft against a backdrop...
The unspoken, unexamined decision of the Indian Premier League to ignore one country has turned the dressing room into a proxy battlefield, the auction into a theatre of warLast week, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced it is in the process of organising the first official England tour of Pakistan in 15 years. This is, self‑evidently, the right thing to do. Since England’s last visit in 2005-06, Pakistan have toured this country eight times for various tournaments and series. From the ECB’s perspective, their decision to brave the pandemic and send a team this summer may well have proven the difference between financial ruin and mere recession.And so naturally the decision to consider the possibility of maybe, potentially, exploring...
The best male players’ earning power has exploded in recent years; it’s those on fringes that must worry most about Covid-19The gravy train has slipped into reverse for the first time in 20 years. Old cricketers are often asked when has been the best time to play the game. The stock answer is: “I’m glad I played in my era,” and the explanation generally includes: “More characters, more camaraderie, more beer, more fun … no bleep tests, no all-seeing mobile phones, no social media … and admittedly not much money.” My response, however, has generally been that this is the best time to be a professional cricketer – at least until 2019.This cannot entirely be put down to my being...