When the late great John Motson finally hung up the vocal cords at the BBC in 2018, his decision was driven by sharp antennae for what might have become a slow and steady decline in quality output. “I wanted to go out while I was still commentating as well – or as badly – as …
Martin Tyler Calls Time on Sky As Peter Drury Steps Up Read More »
Having delivered the World Test Championship before the storms arrived in South London, Australia are fully engaged with removing the only rain blot on their UK copybook in recent history. They haven’t won an Ashes series outright in England for 22 years. Australia’s Test travels to the mother country in the 21st century have not …
Australia in Pole Position to Poke England’s Ashes Bear Read More »
Forget that eternal Ashes trailer for a while. How about watching the second episode of cricket’s long-form World Cup final? Five-day rules, ok? India and Australia are going to the Oval for the World Test Championship and it’s going to be a hell of a fight. Don’t worry about how we got here. Enjoy the …
World Test Championship: India and Australia Fight for the Mace in the Pack Read More »
The first day of an English Test summer is always a reason to be cheerful. Given this is an Ashes year, it doesn’t matter that the opponents are ‘only’ Ireland. The Green and Whites should have conjured a victory in 2019 when they dismissed Joe Root’s side for 85 on the opening morning. Well, that …
The Ashes are coming into view and the phoney war has begun from just under 5,000 miles away. Steve Smith isn’t usually taxed by the thought of playing England. It’s crease occupation that he looks forward to against Broad, Anderson and company. Australia Crash and Burn in India Australia’s vice-captain wanted Ben Stokes/the cricketing world …
The Jofra Archer comeback was about as flat as the Bloemfontein pitch. During the build-up to the first ODI against South Africa, the Sussex paceman said his body was only 80 per cent ready for the return. Fair enough. He subsequently leaked 80 runs in his allocation of ten overs, including a 20 off one …
Netflix’s Break Point is the entry point for the new wave of tennis fans as the seniors stagger out of town. Anyone who has watched the first bunch of episodes will know the effect on its subjects in Melbourne has been like the curse of Strictly Come Dancing on relationships. All the guys and gals …
The last time Novak Djokovic cried in public he enjoyed the love even in defeat. It was gushing at Flushing (Meadows) when Daniil Medvedev won in three sets at the US Open final in September 2021. However, the loss was a morality gain because Djokovic left New York with a breakthrough of greater personal magnitude. …
Djokovic Strives to Keep Eyes on Melbourne Prize Read More »
In the immediate aftermath of England’s series victory over Pakistan at Multan, Ben Stokes took a path less well travelled. The reaction spoke more of an overall satisfaction that transcended the win: “This game comes with enough pressure. A lot of people would love to be part of this dressing room. It is great when …
Rawalpindi is done and dusted, a magnificent motivational memento for futuristic, forward-thinking England when the going gets tough on the next featherbed. The follow-up might be tricky if minds are as foggy as Multan in the morning. The football World Cup is on but the cricket filler in the morning is a brilliant aperitif. A …