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Alec Swann is a former Northants and Lancashire opener turned cricket writer. Newcastle United and golf generally occupy his other sporting interests but there's a bit of rugby league thrown in with the Warrington Wolves and a soft spot for the Newcastle Knights.
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If Glenn Maxwell was intent on making a point then his unbeaten century in Australia's five-wicket T20 defeat of England the other day probably…
A few years ago, a high-profile cricketer was approached by an Indian Premier League franchise who were enquiring as to his potential availability for…
While sat in a deserted office, the consequence of using all your holiday allocation before the Christmas period, and having an idle perusal of…
Reading some of the reaction to England's defeat in the Ashes, you could be forgiven for thinking they had committed a serious crime. As…
If you were given a choice in how, ideally, a series should progress it is fairly safe to say you would not choose the…
"I was a little bit nervous. On another day I might decide to go another way, but we've won the Test match, so it's…
I've only ever seen headbutt. The deliverer was a footballer, not having the best of days and deciding the bloke marking him had crossed…
When the likes of the usually reserved Nathan Lyon start to indiscriminately toss verbal grenades you know it's about time the action proper got…
Cricket selection is not a difficult business. You sit in a room, or maybe in front of a speaker for a conference call, and…
As far as phoney wars go, the pre-Ashes offerings have been fairly standard fare. There's been talk of opening up old scars, warnings being…
Picture the scene. After four days of cut and thrust in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, the outcome of the keenly-fought contest between WAPDA and Peshawar…
It can hardly be classed as the mother of all revelations to suggest England will be worse off without the presence of Ben Stokes.…
It was tempting to pen this column about the latest escapades of the extremely short fuse that has its human form in the shape…
Prior to the Ashes in 2010-11, an off-spinner was considered by many to be the trump card for one of the protagonists. In a…
In a couple of days' time one of the most lucrative - for those who like their sporting events to be defined by the…
It may not be the sun-drenched climes of Adelaide, Dubai or Brisbane but this week the infant that is day-night Test cricket arrives in…
Now that Cricket Australia and the ACA have seemingly kissed and made up, it looks as though the Ashes will take place as scheduled.…
Watching England's demise at Trent Bridge in the second Test against South Africa, it didn't require the predicting ability of Nostradamus to see what…
Contemplating what to pen a few thoughts on this week, a couple of ideas immediately sprung to mind. Number one, if every football report…
No sooner had the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy provided a fine denouement of the underdogs giving the overwhelming favourites a very bloody nose,…
badmanners,
I’m sure you did but I can’t vouch for the same given my nationality. It was like every series in the 90s all over again!
The Ashes balance has shifted as Lord's duel looms
I was covering Northants when he had a season over here and he was excellent. Ran in all day, bowling unchanged for full sessions on some occasions, didn’t give away a great deal and rarely had an off day. Pace is all well and good, and it certainly doesn’t so any harm to gave it, but it’s not the be all and end all.
Maybe not 'elite honesty', but a straightforward approach is the only way
Trent Copeland is a fine performer who would do a decent job anywhere and Australia could do a lot worse than bring him over here next year.
Maybe not 'elite honesty', but a straightforward approach is the only way
Paul
I think the older Marsh’s time has run its course but whether you’re a fan of Mitchell or not, someone likes him so he’s not going anywhere.
You’re spot on about the make up of the side. Too often the thinking is too clever for its own good and the result is muddled.
Maybe not 'elite honesty', but a straightforward approach is the only way
Bush
Can’t disagree with any of that but I reckon, barring injury, Marsh is a banker to start in the first Test. I’d even put a few quid on it if I could find an English bookie who would take the bet!
Maybe not 'elite honesty', but a straightforward approach is the only way
Matt
I enjoyed that, very good.
Sadly, you could change the names of the politicians to those of some of the half-wits in the political system over here and you’d still be on the money.
You can't ban Muslims - who would bat three?
Neil
It was either that or the Ben Stokes affair and my legal expertise is somewhat limited!
Anderson or McGrath? Who cares?
Diplomatt
I sometimes think the on-field antics get overplayed a bit – the sledging especially tends to get glorified – but there has been too much of it and this particular series looks to have been played in a fairly toxic atmosphere. People don’t want to see it and the sooner it’s sorted the better all round.
As for your lad, not many people want to mimic off spinners! Good that he didn’t try that dance though, it was terrible.
It only points to one conclusion
jamesswm
Yes it does carry that acronym. That was the whole point really and it fitted in with the length of article I wanted to write.
And I don’t think there’s any other way to describe what went on. Each to their own and all that.
It only points to one conclusion
Larry1950
I’m with you on Warner and it looks like he’s going to get plenty of the blame.
You’ve lost me with the Bodyline comparison. As you go on to mention, it was within the laws at the time so perfectly legitimate. Not really a comparison at all.
And I’m well aware of what goes on on a cricket field re the sweets etc. Get caught, accept that you’ve got it coming is the gist of it.
It only points to one conclusion
bazza200
That’s a new one I haven’t heard before. You’ll have to enlighten me on the 2005 cheating.
It only points to one conclusion
Jameswm
I’m sure there are plenty of my fellow countrymen gloating over this sorry affair. I’m not writing for the collective though which should be fairly apparent.
It only points to one conclusion
Liam
I’d rather the sport I enjoy wasn’t dragged through the gutter. Not sure what there is to be gleeful about, even as an outsider.
It only points to one conclusion
Diplomatt
Did Graeme ever have a word on the field? Yes he did, just like the vast majority do.
However, there’s a difference, rather blatant, between that and acting like an imbecile and if wanting to see players acting like adults makes this a sooky article then so be it.
And as for the release of the footage, it was no different to any host country.
Grow up everybody, you all look ridiculous
Before any comments are made about my dodgy addition, the first few lines should read like this:
The avalanche of statistics that no doubt poured forth during Australia’s rather comfortable (!) overhauling of New Zealand’s massive score at Eden Park in the T20 tri-series included one to please brand managers the world over.
Ultimately, it’s fairly irrelevant, as are most of the numbers which are given more importance than they really merit, but a glance up and down the various columns on the scorecard revealed that a record-equalling number of sixes were hit in the 38 and a bit overs.
The Kiwis cleared the ropes – or should it be touchline on a rugby pitch? – 18 times and the Aussies 14 to equal the 32 struck when India faced West Indies in Lauderhill 18 months ago.
Now, the latest instance was on an Eden Park field on par size-wise with where under-11 cricket is played and it barely takes a flick of the wrists to send the ball high into the stands, but nevertheless, what took place in Auckland was a glimpse into what’s to come if current trends continue.
Eden Park run-fest did cricket no favours
Paul
I didn’t write the headline!
The intention was not to compare T20s with ODIs but with the way 50-over cricket is going, the kind of T20 batting shown by Maxwell (similar to Jos Buttler) definitely has its place.
And you’re on the money regarding the aggression minus the foolish shots.
Maxwell is Australia's one-day man. Someone tell Steve Smith
Ouch
Both Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad have picked a poor time to be completely out of form but it’s tricky to say it’s the end. Cook’s come back from a rut before but I’d worry more for Broad who looks down on pace and his returns have been on a downward trend for a couple of years.
As for Jimmy Anderson – and I can’t fathom the bashing he gets from some on here – I don’t think he’ll be there in 2019 although he doesn’t look quite ready to call it a day.
No excuses here, Australia have been too good
Dan
Depends on whether it’s going to swing!
No excuses here, Australia have been too good
Worlds Biggest
As requested, here’s the reasoning behind my prediction (which was actually for 2-2 and not 3-2 but your point still stands). Call it misguided optimism!
No excuses here, Australia have been too good
Brett
When I wake up halfway through day one I fully expect England to be 150-0. Unless, of course, they put the Aussies in again. Here’s hoping anyway!
You've got some runs in you England, haven't you?
Lancey
1) They could play Ben Foakes and Bairstow as a batter but that’s about it. Gary Ballance? I don’t think so.
2) I’m still to work out where the Vince selection came from. He can play but has never hinted at any kind of permenance. Root to three might be an idea.
3) Broad doesn’t look quite the force of old but I’d still pick him. I like Mark Wood but that would be a real gamble.
You've got some runs in you England, haven't you?
Jeansyjive, regarding Jack Leach, I’ve seen a bit of him and he’s a solid enough performer. He’s done well in the handful of Tests he’s played and is probably England’s best bet in the spin department although I can’t see spin having too much influence at Lord’s.
The Australians have got Moeen Ali’s number so a change was always on the cards.
The Ashes balance has shifted as Lord's duel looms