The Surfer
Bombay and understrength English teams
John Woodcock in The Times compares the Mumbai Test with a similar Test at Brabourne in 1964 when a woefully understrength English side took on India
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
John Woodcock in The Times compares the Mumbai Test with a similar Test at Brabourne in 1964 when a woefully understrength English side took on India. Same city, different venue,but the result? Read on.
Full postCricket's least envied captain
The Zimbabwe Independent interviews Zimbabwe's young captain Terry Duffin, a man with cricket's least enviable job
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
The Zimbabwe Independent interviews Zimbabwe's young captain
Terry Duffin, a man with cricket's least enviable job. Duffin has inherited a side with no experience and limited talent ... and in a month's time they head to the Caribbean to face West Indies.
"I think the two games we won we got it right in all departments. The other two games we lost we got it all wrong. It is something that we have to work hard on."
A job clearly botched up
Frakn Tyson writes in The Sportstar that the Australian selectors were only paying lip-service to the issue of youthful promise in their deliberations.
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
Frakn Tyson writes in The Sportstar that the Australian selectors were only paying lip-service to the issue of youthful promise in their deliberations.
Bob Simpson, former Australian captain, is also not happy with the Australian squad and talks about the pitfalls of short tours.
Full postGrowing up with Shaun Udal
Clive Udal, cousin of Shaun, talks about Shaun's formative years in cricket, which began in a Hampshire village
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Clive Udal, cousin of Shaun, talks about Shaun's formative years in cricket, which began in a Hampshire village. Read the full piece here in The Times.
“I was getting stick at work from colleagues who were saying he was too old, and his children were stressed in their school playground, but we shall be having a big party when he arrives home. I am so proud of him”
Udal revealed how Andrew Flintoff has spent the last six months calling him a bald-headed old git.
Full postStage set for Durban dogfight
As Australia and South Africa kick off the second Test at Durban, the newspapers crackled with expectation:
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
As Australia and South Africa kick off the second Test at Durban, the newspapers crackled with expectation:
Alex Brown writes about how the Aussies got back their swagger.
Full postBruise-some threesome and other stories
West Indies are seeking redemption in the third and final Test against New Zealand while the hosts are looking to pull off a clean sweep in preparation for their expected tough tour of South Africa
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
West Indies are seeking redemption in the third and final Test against New Zealand while the hosts are looking to pull off a clean sweep in preparation for their expected tough tour of South Africa. But there are several tests within the Test.
Fazeer Mohammed says West Indies are once again at that familiar position in a series - nothing but pride to play for.
Hamish Marshall is under the cosh after struggling as an opener.
He finished last season averaging more than 45 in Tests, while his last six Test innings, four as opener, have produced an average of 11.83. And he sees the writing on the wall.
Full postWalk the walk with Phil Tufnell
Although not known for his athleticism or love of exercise during his playing days, Phil Tufnell is calling upon Ealing residents to join him on a sponsored walk along the Thames :
Will
25-Feb-2013
Although not known for his athleticism or love of exercise during his playing days, Phil Tufnell is calling upon Ealing residents to join him on a sponsored walk along the Thames:
People are being encouraged to sign up today for their Thames Pathway Walk on Sunday, May 21, and help people in the area affected by cancer.
Phil Tufnell said: "I think that Walk Wonders is a smashing idea and I will definitely be pulling my boots on to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief. You don't have to be mega fit why not get a gang together, go walking and enjoy the walk along the Thames?"
Full postWhat on earth was Mahendra Dhoni doing?
Matthew Hoggard, in his tour diary at The Times is confused and bemused about India's sudden collapse...and in particular, the outlandish dismissal of Mahendra Dhoni:
Will
25-Feb-2013
Matthew Hoggard, in his tour diary at The Times is confused and bemused about India's sudden collapse...and in particular, the outlandish dismissal of Mahendra Dhoni:
We are still a bit mystified by the speed of India’s spectacular collapse. They seemed intent on going down with all guns blazing. For example, what on earth was Mahendra Dhoni doing? Answers on a postcard, please, because we still haven’t figured it out.
Australia respect for England 'high as ever'
Will
25-Feb-2013
Justin Langer has extended his congratulations to England on beating India in the third Test to level the series, while adding that Australia's respect for England is as "high as ever". In his diary at the BBC, Langer said:
Talking of tough opposition, it would be remiss of me not to mention England's outstanding victory in Mumbai.
Surpassing the Ashes
Siddhartha Vaidyanathan
25-Feb-2013
Despite missing Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Simon Jones, Ashley Giles, and Steve Harmison – for the final Test – England rallied to a famous triumph at Mumbai, levelling the series against huge odds. The British press had a field day, savouring the win, and lapped up praise for Flintoff and his brave band of inexperienced cricketers.
Simon Barnes, in his column for The Times, went as far as to put this win as an achievement that surpassed the Ashes victory of last summer. “Inspirational Flintoff brings out the hero inside his men,” he gushed. “It has been a triumph of team solidarity in the face of unrelenting misfortune, but more than that it has been a personal triumph for the stand-in stand-in captain, Andrew Flintoff, who has developed and extended the team solidarity thing beyond all previous limits.”
Full post