Welcome
As we hit the end of the series in India and go into a quiet period, let me remind you that this website is all about opinion. Matches and events, news and features merely serve as a vehicle for my forecasts, my view of life. So don't expect a balanced news format; as Shaw said one prejudice is worth 1000 good reasons. Witness my stuff in the Hindu and Sportstar, where I told Sachin Tendulkar how to structure his retirement. Several commentators have followed me. My ambition has always been to show the inner workings of the game. I hope I succeed. And I will restart this website when the New Zealand Tests begin. Sorry, but I have not been too well.
Rain drain
Posted at 09:13 on Friday 24th May 2013
England v New Zealand at Headingley Second Test first day Before a ball was bowled . . . New Zealand will field an all-pace attack, England wait to the last minute to de...
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Poster boy Root
Posted at 12:16 on Thursday 23rd May 2013
The second Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley will be fascinating for those of us brought up in Yorkshire and brain washed to believe that the only good England side contained ten - better still 11 - Yorkshiremen. ...
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Broad blast
Posted at 08:07 on Sunday 19th May 2013
England v New Zealand at Lord's First Test fourth day SUMMARY: I did tell everyone before this match that England had one sign of greatness. Whenever the game seemed to be drifting a...
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Fighting back
Posted at 11:43 on Friday 17th May 2013
England v New Zealand at Lord's First Test, second day SUMMARY: I like a man who gets angry as Taylor clearly was this afternoon, ready to batter England into submission and show his...
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Drawing lots
Posted at 10:10 on Thursday 16th May 2013
England v New Zealand at Lord's First day of first Test SUMMARY: Unhappy day for anyone English. Spectators were entitled to expect more, batsmen failed to make the runs needed...
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The fighters
Posted at 09:10 on Wednesday 15th May 2013
The 2013 message from - what is commonly known as - the England camp is that we should not write off our heroes at any stage even though I suspect that in the next few weeks we will be tempted to as the Kiwis prove themselves to be a toug...
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Priority Matt
Posted at 10:12 on Tuesday 14th May 2013
Matt Prior is the most valuable player of the England set-up it was announced last night at their annual get-together and quite right too. He has improved his wicket-keeping out of all recognition and his batting is robust and powerful ...
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The Cruel Game
Posted at 08:03 on Tuesday 14th May 2013
Twenty years ago if Roberto Mancini had won the Cup and the League in quick succession that would have been a guarantee that he would stay at his club as long as he liked; now second place in the Premier League and runners-up in the Cup g...
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Fergie the builder
Posted at 09:41 on Monday 13th May 2013
By the end of the ceremonial at Old Trafford yesterday afternoon I confess to feeling a little puzzled. Why had Sir Alex Ferguson written only two da...
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Better Bresnan
Posted at 10:12 on Saturday 11th May 2013
Life is not what is used to be, at least as far as the announcement of England teams is concerned. Once upon a time there was mystery, doubt even, until the declaration of the selectors' intentions became known around 9am - if you were ...