The general mood of the hardcore on the tour groups around the baggage carousel oscillated between trepidation and pessimism.
Debating the Test XI is an Aussie obsession… and it fuels this never-ending myth — Whateley
The general mood of the hardcore on the tour groups around the baggage carousel oscillated between trepidation and pessimism.
Debating the Test XI is an Aussie obsession… and it fuels this never-ending myth — Whateley
The general mood of the hardcore on the tour groups around the baggage carousel oscillated between trepidation and pessimism.
Debating the Test XI is an Aussie obsession… and it fuels this never-ending myth — Whateley
The general mood of the hardcore on the tour groups around the baggage carousel oscillated between trepidation and pessimism.
Some said Aussie cricket’s most dreaded moment was finally here. Then came a vicious reminder
Nathan Lyon wants to play forever, or at least drain as much juice from the lemon as he possibly can, and has his sizzle back.
Boland stakes claim, Green timeline firms as Proteas prepare to unleash ‘Rolls Royce’ in 2nd Test
Cameron Green has returned to the nets in Gqeberha, while Scott Boland gave Josh Inglis a searching session as Australia prepares for the second Test against South Africa beginning on Sunday.
Chris Woakes: ‘It’s unacceptable seeing the way some England players have acted’
The Test stalwart on his surreal last stand at the Oval, his ‘shabby’ treatment by Rob Key and the vexed problem of cricket’s drinking culture
On a rainy October afternoon, after his 20th season as a professional cricketer, Chris Woakes sits down at Edgbaston’s indoor nets and thinks of the advice that helped him when he was 17 and about to start a career in this consuming sport. “The words came from my parents, particularly my dad, and it was to always be myself,” he says in his thoughtful way.
Woakes has just won his third County Championship with Warwickshire and he played 62 Tests for England, taking 192 wickets and scoring 2,034 runs. He also won two World Cups and experienced a range of England coaches, from Andy Flower to Brendon McCullum, and played for captains as different as Sir Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
Continue reading...Aussies’ first Test thumping sees South Africa swing axe with triple change on the cards
South African head coach Shukri Conrad axed batsman Tristan Stubbs and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne on Thursday when he announced his squad for the second Test against Australia starting Sunday.
Ollie Davies’ historic Shield revival after ‘depressing’ axing… and bittersweet twist in brother’s debut
Not so long ago, Ollie Davies was back playing grade cricket for Manly, wondering whether a change of scenery might be the answer to his cricketing woes.
Aussie mystery grows after Green update as coach responds to big Renshaw question
Cameron Green has taken a step forward in his recovery but the Western Australian remains in significant doubt to feature in the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha beginning on Sunday.
The Spin | The sleepy English hotel where Bradman and Australia left cricket memories galore
Tucked away on a Peak District hillside is an inn bursting with memorabilia and stories left by touring teams
As the modern cricketer hops from Crowne Plaza to Holiday Inn, well rewarded and with plenty of time for golf, he or she might feel perfectly content. But life has not always been a merry-go-round of air-con and airports.
Hop off the train at Grindleford, where homemade bunting loops along the platform fence, highlighting books about trains in this national year of reading, and you’re in the Peak District. There’s been early morning rain and the trees, damply beautiful, are on the turn. Golden beech, rusty horse chestnut, hues of greens and yellows, disappear up the slopes of Padley Gorge and into the valleys.
Continue reading...Truth about the end of an Aussie golden gen… and masterpiece that flipped ugly Test script
For the better part of three years, Australian cricket has appeared headed for a cliff.
‘Not again!’ Stunning repeat of controversial act burns Aussie conquerors in wild Test finish
Sediqullah Atal’s marathon century and some inspired lower-order resistance – as well as a familiar controversy – inspired Afghanistan to a dramatic draw in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
‘Great way to kick off’; Aussies celebrate a masterpiece in Durban as Cummins backs in selectors gamble
Australia will continue to adjust its batting order where it deems fit after recording a resounding 214-run triumph over the Proteas in the opening Test of the highly anticipated Test series in South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood reminds Australia of his worth with 6-49 to see off South Africa
After every stunning Scott Boland performance of recent years, many of them in place of an injured Josh Hazlewood, a reasonable question does the rounds: why isn’t Boland the automatic pick in the Test side, and why does Hazlewood take precedence when fit? In truth, Hazlewood has given a dozen years of answers, but the fifth day of the Durban Test allowed him to provide one more reminder with a career-best 6 for 49, overcoming South African resistance to bowl them out for 206, and seal an Australian win by 214 runs.
Boland is good enough for a full-time spot, and may have been influential if picked. But in the side selected, Hazlewood was essential as South Africa blunted his colleagues. In a noticeable dip given his brilliant last few seasons, Mitchell Starc had radar issues: better around the wicket, though without the swerving reverse swing from his last visit to the ground, but over the wicket he often went too steeply across the right-handers, or down the leg side.
Continue reading...