England have displayed fortitude, pride, skill and unity, but they need to confront some hard truths still

England's totemic allrounder has been more about competence, stout-hearted service and some irresistible performances, rather than out-and-out greatness

Often the game becomes a curse, as two Australians struggling in the Ashes can testify

HQ still has an atmosphere no cricket ground can equal. The idea of it may irritate, but the actuality placates and uplifts, never disappoints

The characters may lack in stature as compared to some of their predecessors, but the script promises to be tight

The purists may sneer at it, but Twenty20's most vital role will be in making cricket popular in places where it isn't

The 20-over version has caught the popular imagination, and the quality of the game hasn't been bad either. It reminds us that cricket is meant to be fun - and that that is an important quality for a sport

Symonds' omission apart, the selectors have merely named their best players and left the rest to be sorted out on tour

The difference Warne and Dhoni have made to their sides proves that captains are paramount, even in the shortest format

The difference Warne and Dhoni have made to their sides proves that captains are paramount, even in the shortest format

Men written off, men supposedly past their primes, have proved that the IPL, and the world, belong not to youth or any other category

The offer to host the IPL is an impressive statement of confidence by a nation prepared to accept challenges

Mitchell Johnson has moved from newbie to pace-bowling spearhead cum hard-hitting No. 8 double quick, and the best part is, he's not nearly done developing yet

Cricket has been more vulnerable to discord and conflict than many sports, and the latest crisis may be the most serious yet

The win in Australia was an expression of hope; the potential needs to be taken to the next level now

The signs are that Australia may have put the worst behind them

Humble, resilient, modest and unflappable, Hashim Amla has overcome plenty and emerged the better for it

Hayden was typecast as a batting bully, but he was subtler than that, and the same divergence showed in his character as well

West Indies may have lost the series, but they won the hearts of all Australia

Every now and then a Test match comes along that transcends the moment and lifts the spirit. Chennai was one such