West Indies’ struggles show the problem with the big three’s grab for resources, while teams generally struggle to battle back in matches these days. Joe Root will be happy, thoughFor anyone who lived through the period of domination by West Indies, which lasted about 15 years from 1976, a certain amount of self-pinching has to be done on the eve of a Test match. Yes, we do really yearn for West Indies somehow to find the resolve, the skill and the luck to ensure a good contest at Leeds.Shrewd Yorkshire folk have already come to their conclusion. The ticket sales for the first three days of the Headingley Test are healthy enough. Beyond that no one is prepared to commit...
The England bowler was refused permission to play for Nottinghamshire this week but with fast bowlers caution is understandableThe 21st-century revival of England’s Test team has much to do with the advent of central contracts. They were introduced in 2000 to the universal relief of the England players and their coaches; there was some grumpiness around the counties but at least they were spared some significant wages. As has been clear this April, the counties have never been averse to what is effectively a handout.But there are occasions when the central contract system is a source of exasperation. And this is one of them. Stuart Broad was very keen to play against Durham on Friday; his county, Nottinghamshire, now a...
The willowy paceman will succeed on England’s tour to India simply because the big moments just happen to a man who has never enjoyed the same adulation as Jimmy AndersonFrom a purely fun point of view it has always seemed a bit of a shame Stuart Broad didn’t end up making it as a top-order batsman, which was the plan coming through the age groups, right up until the moment he started eating ravenously and grew almost a foot in his eighteenth year. Related: Stuart Broad says England’s Test series in India will be toughest of his career Related: England’s Stuart Broad hails Bangladesh Test as one of the very best Continue reading...