Cricket

In a day more memorable for the pink colours everywhere celebrating the Glenn McGrath cancer foundation, the Aussies built a formidable lead on a wicket baked by scorching sun. It’s been rifles v cannons with England chasing the games. “Magic Marsh partnership piles on more Pommy pain” [...]

In the morning the England tail wagged in a lively session but the next two, with the Australians batting, could be termed attritional (cricket-speak for boring). Australia do not want to lose this match but one has the impression that they are relaxed  if they do not win it either. I suspect they [...]

Again I will assume my reader knows the close of play score; has read of the final, final session that deprived England of pole position; the questionable decision not to use a night watchman; and the failure of James Vince and Mark Stoneman to make meaningful scores. I will now make my own [...]

There were 3 reasons why England failed to win this game: the unresponsive pitch, Steve Smith and the weather. My neighbour in the MCG announced himself with these words: “I expect a bloody boring day” And it was. The problem is that Australia, now that the WACA is gone, have only one pure [...]

Although we are nicely set up for an intriguing final day with any result possible I do criticise Joe Root and the backroom team for being inattentive to detail; he should have had at least 5 weather reports before him for Thursday, my two were showing rain. Armed with that knowledge he should have [...]

It’s getting better and better for England but we are entitled to ask why it took the 4th Test for Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook and Joe Root to rediscover their mojos. Maybe I am still curmudgeonly. I was delighted to be there at 4-46 when Cook made his double century. Again I will assume our [...]

This was a far better day for England and cricket as play ebbed to and fro, England in the ascendancy with Stuart Broad, Alistair Cook and Joe Root all reviving their reputations though of course it’s now meaningless. Again I will assume readers have read reports and followed the events [...]

I picked up a copy of the Australian at breakfast and read an excellent article by Gideon Haig on the 1977 centenary Test of the Ashes. The Aussies won that one though Derek Randall put up a decent fight with 174. He reprised the event well. At the celebration dinner were Don Bradman, Harold [...]

Our readers probably don’t want to hear this but it’s 25 degrees Centigrade here with not a cloud in the sky. The Xmas buffet was in the function room on the 8th floor and the first opportunity to meet the rest of the group. Over the next fortnight we will be going to the cricket, New [...]