Roar Guru
Joined March 2016
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Sports Fanatic. Sports Writer. Author of 6 books. Wizards - Cricket Book the Year. New book Advantage India - Story of Indian Tennis - just released. I can be contacted on anindya@thecricketwriter.com Twitter and Instagram @cric_writer. Do visit my website www.cricketwriter.com
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Love makes us blind. That, perhaps, is the best explanation for how we as a cricket loving fraternity reacted to the remarkable happenings at…
There is definitely something in the air this year, and it’s not just the virus. And somehow, the two bugs appear to have conspired…
Its 3am on a Monday morning, only a couple of hours to go before the inevitable alarm rings, signalling the start of a work…
As Ashleigh Barty held up the French Open Trophy last weekend, the happiness on her face competed largely unsuccessfully with the look of utter…
When Rafael Nadal steps on to the red clay to try and claim his 12th French Open title next week, it will be a…
There is a romance, a pleasurable anticipation, a certain hopeless inevitability, in supporting a team that never wins. The sweet anguish of unfulfilled longing…
In February 1925, one of the greatest leg spin bowlers in the history of the sport made his debut for his adopted country Australia…
For several years cricket teams have been criticised for being good only good at home and for being incapable of mastering foreign conditions. Every…
Over the past few months, the closer we have got to the much anticipated Australia-India Test series, more often have the names of Steve…
Get ready Australia for a summer the likes of which you haven’t experienced in years. When was the last time you were up 3-0…
183 days, 1000 runs, two centuries, average 55.55. Aiden Markram's first day in Test cricket started just as it does for any debutant on…
Born in Panama of a mother from Jamaica and a father from Barbados who was involved in the building of the Panama Canal, and…
At Melbourne Park last week Charles Dickens found himself back in vogue as media and fans alike tried to figure out which of the…
“Eventually our relationships with athletes over time are not only to do with winning but also how they win, the way they move on…
While Steve Smith has continued his march towards Bradmanesque greatness at the WACA, quietly, unobtrusively, an experiment was playing out in the midst of…
While there has been a focus on the delay in promoting Ireland to elite Test status, less has been written and discussed on Afghanistan.…
Our Nick has done it again. Two weeks ago I was well on the way to leaving behind all my reservations and once again…
Imagine this. It is the second of December, 2017. You walk in to bat at the Adelaide Oval with your team score at 0…
What is clear from cricket conversations on various forums, including this one, is that the Aussie public is largely indifferent to the ODI series…
The year was 1973. With Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, who had together dominated tennis for almost a decade and a half, nearing the…
Thanks Shobhit. It’s not only the money but also putting a sustainable system in place which breeds success. Success is then self fulfilling. But all this takes years to
Play out.
R.I.P. American tennis
Love the handle! McEnroe would love it!
Ok – to your question: This article is about men’s tennis and the title should probably have clarified that. It’s interesting you ask about the women. I believe that the success that the Williams sisters had, and indeed their skin colour to a degree, has saved the women’s game. They have been the heroes youngsters have been able to look up to and emulate, something the men’s game has missed. More African American women have seen how the sport can change lives from the experience of the Williams and been inspired to take up the game. Also, interestingly, the NCAA is still producing good players, except that in the case of men it’s the foreign students. Kevin Anderson of South Africa is a case in point.
R.I.P. American tennis
Excellent piece Avatar. A very exciting French Open coming up after what’s been an entertaining clay court season. After many years the men’s Big 3 are all in the fray with Thiem, Tsitsipas, Fognini, Del Porto all in good form. It should be better than this year’s AO as far as the men’s event is concerned. The women’s part leaves me cold. Just completely disappointed with this group of players. Halep is completely incapable of taking control even when there is little credible opposition. Osaka’s form seems to have dropped through the floor. Pliskova or Kvitova May Just spring a surprise here if they play well.
2019 French Open: Mega-preview
While I had less disagreements on the other side, this one I do have some differences of opinion with.
First, the opening pair. I don’t believe Chris Gayle deserves a place. The pair up there for me without a doubt need to be Tendulkar and Ganguly. Ganguly averaged almost 20 runs more than Gayle. By sheer numbers they are the greatest ODI opening pair in history.
Consider this:
1) Over 11 years, they scored 6609 runs in 136 innings.
2) They put on 23 half-century partnerships and 21-century partnerships, the highest by a fair distance, the next best being 16.
3) They also hold the record for most opening partnership runs in victories, 65 out of 136, averaging 67.95 exceeding even Haynes and Grrenidge.
I am a bit lost as to why Miandad is in the team. I cannot see how he can have any claim to a slot givennhis recird. Surely Dilshan or Saeed Anwar deserves it more by sheer numbers?
Once you make a couple of changes, I think you will have an awesome team to challenge the South!
My World Cup XIs with a difference – Part 2
Excellent selections Kersi! I actually wouldn’t change anyone in this team. I guess people are missing the point that this team is not necessarily meant to be playing in WC 2019. It’s just the best XI statistically speaking from performance in the past WCs. McGrath and Donald opening the attack, relentless in their accuracy and movement with speed, would tie up most top orders. Warne and Vettori to beguile them with spin. Kallol to frustrate them in the middle overs. Then you have Haydos and Gilchrist to destroy the opposition at the top followed by some truly awesome batsmen. I can’t wait for the opposition to arrive tomorrow! I do get the feeling however that once they see the opposition, the Souther Hemisphere supporters will be a little
Less cocky !
My World Cup XIs with a difference – Part 1
I think the Patriots of 12-years ago was a different outfit mentally. I doubt they would do a Randy Moss now. Much more likely to pick cheaper players and use them in innovative ways.
Touching down the New England Patriots way
The Patriots have two picks in the second round and three in the third.
Touching down the New England Patriots way
Yes I wasn’t aware of the price tag either. I am sure it’s a good move and well planned.
Touching down the New England Patriots way
Hahahaha I can’t believe I wrote Cavs ???? Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. I have to admit it’s a bit bizarre about Brown. They must have a backup plan I guess, perhaps Wynn.
Touching down the New England Patriots way
Excellent team Kersi. Don’t have a grouse with any of your picks. What a team this would be!
Australia's all-time World Cup XI
An excellent observation Kersi. As usual, the quirky doesn’t escape your sharp eyes! In these last 3 series, this certainly holds true. Is there a real correlation, I am not sure. But in the SA-SL series, the batting overall other than From Kusal, left much to be desired, particularly from SA. SL to be honest, other than the grit they showed to win the first Test didn’t bat sensationally. SA was just rubbish. In that context the century certainly made a difference.
When centuries won Test series
Great read Chris! As a Bengali from Kolkata who has lived abroad for years I find it claustrophobic and exhilarating at the same time every time I go back to watch a match in an Indian stadium. I grew up watching all my cricket at the Eden Gardens, so can relate to your experiences. Glad it all went well
With Rakhi despite the needling of the Bengali gentleman ???? Well done! Enjoy the matches this time, but maybe like @Geoff suggests for the Raiders, Finch wouldn’t want you at the Aussie matches in India either ????
How I learned to love watching Australia lose in India
“Australia have no Pujara. Australia have no momentum. Australia have no hope.”
Superb piece Ronan. He has been fantastic. Hazlewood after the game yesterday said : “To dismiss Pujara we need to be more patient than him. We haven’t succeeded in that.” I am just so happy for Test cricket when I see him bat. It defines what you can and should do when you have the time to grind the opposition down. Bradman may not have approved of his strike rate, but there is no more effective Test player today than Pujara if you leave out Kohli and Williamson (and Smith for now).
Pujara bats Australia out of fourth Test
Without getting into the best debate which we can leave until he retires you genuinely need to personally dislike Kohli and be blind to his cricket to label him overrated as a batsman.
The best Test XI of 2018
Good team Scott but based on 2018 there is no way Jimmy Anderson makes the team ahead of Jasprit Bumrah. The figures and the performance don’t suggest it.
The best Test XI of 2018
It’s one of my favourite Aus-Ind Test matches. Very well described of course.
Actually there were three injured bowlers. Shivlal Yadav, whose left toe was broken but Pascoe in the first innings while batting, Kapil and Doshi. Thanks for reviving the memories Kersi.
The MCG thriller of 1981
Sorry to hear that Peter. They would have had lovely stories to tell I am sure. You inherited the cricket genes? Is your last name Handscomb by any chance? ????
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
Thank you so much Chris. I for one have no problem endorsing your last point. Bishan Bedi goes a bit further and calls him a javelin thrower but then Bishan has never been once to mince his words !
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
Haha Chris. Sadly, that was the reality of the time. Home umpires were largely biased, Pakistan and New Zealand were particularly bad. I didn’t invent this, if you read cricket history it’s not a point there is too much dispute on between players across nations, not just from the sub continent.
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
It’s interesting what you say about your pitches. Some of the Indian spinners have magnificent figures there particularly Prasanna in 1967-68 but I guess that might also have to do with the less than stellar quality of batsmen at the time. But what made it tough for foreign spinners for decades was of course the wonderful home umpires! There is the story about BS Chandrasekhar appealing after bowling a Kiwi batsman out. On the puzzled umpire asking him what he was appealing for since the batsman was bowled, Chandra had one of the all time classic quips: “Yes I know he is bowled, but is he out?” ????
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
Thanks so much Elvis for pointing out that typo. Will Ask the editors to correct that. And thanks also for the bit about Grummett. Yes That’s precisely why Tiger O’Reilly refers to him as Grum in his obit.
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
That is so cool. Do feel free to send across some family stories on Clarrie. I can be reached at thecricketwriter@gmail.com
200 not out: The story of Clarrie Grimmett and Yasir Shah
Very true Deucer. It’s an interesting question whether the TV rights will fall off after the Big 3 retire and hence cause a financial meltdown of tennis. It’s worth looking at and hopefully the ATP is doing that.
R.I.P. American tennis