The Surfer
Martyn tempts fate, partner trusts his luck
Phil Jaques is a fine batsman and much more can be expected from him
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Phil Jaques is a fine batsman and much more can be expected from him. Like Hussey, he is no flash in the pan but a proven stayer whose time has come, writes Peter Roebuck in The Sydney Morning Herald.
As Phil Jaques and Damien Martyn walked to the crease under the closed roof at Telstra Dome, they could hardly have anticipated the different fates that awaited them. Martyn, the seasoned campaigner, must have been hoping for a repetition of the panache produced in the comedy cricket match played in Brisbane. Jaques, the newcomer, must have been hoping for a convincing start to his 50-over career.
The ignoble game
It's not just the cricket press ..
Martin Williamson
25-Feb-2013
It's not just the cricket press ... the lead editorial in the Daily Telegraph in London also takes a shot at the ICC.
The ICC must intervene, but not just to ensure players are paid. It should tell Zimbabwe's tyrant that until he stops abusing human rights and democracy, his country will be barred from all international cricket. Like the United Nations, the ICC is dominated by Third World countries. These have been reluctant to take a stand against a regime that is by any objective standards as brutal as South Africa's was during its ostracism under apartheid. The ICC seems unable to see how its craven and amoral behaviour is staining cricket's name. It should grow that spine without further delay.
Jagger boxes clever for cricket
Ah, rock stars, they can be a demanding lot
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Ah, rock stars, they can be a demanding lot. Specific colours of Smarties; special mineral water; white leather furnishings et cetera et cetera. But at least someone's got his priorities right, as Hello! magazine reveals. Top of Mick Jagger's list for the Rolling Stones' latest tour - and just think of all the things he could demand - is a TV for watching cricket. Good old boy.
Full postReally feeling the benefit
Veteran warhorse Andrew Flintoff, 27, has been awarded a benefit this year, news which can't have come as much of a shock to the limelight-bathed allrounder, or indeed his adoring nation.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Veteran warhorse Andrew Flintoff, 27, has been awarded a benefit this year, news which can't have come as much of a shock to the limelight-bathed allrounder, or indeed his adoring nation.
But one man wasn't expecting a similar announcement, having retired from county cricket a full ten years ago. Yet step forward 41-year-old Tony Middleton of Hampshire: the former opening batsman turned Academy Director has finally been rewarded by his county a decade after the original promise.
"I thought they'd forgotten," he said, "but it's a nice surprise." Bless him.
Full postMr Cricket was almost Mr Squash
Michael Hussey could have been lost to squash as a junior
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Michael Hussey could have been lost to squash as a junior. Fortunately, as Andrew Ramsey reports in The Australian, he stayed with cricket.
Squash was my big game, I played a lot of squash as a kid … I played at state junior level but I made a decision between cricket and squash when I was about 15 or 16 as to which one I wanted to follow. I loved both the sports, but it was the team element of cricket that appealed to me. The whole notion of winning together, losing together, celebrating together, commiserating together.
Cooley carries his expertise to Oz
The turncoat turns for home
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
The turncoat turns for home. Troy Cooley, whose porn-star name belies his schoolmasterly appearance, talks to Brian Viner about his decision to part company with the England squad, and head back Down Under to help Australia prepare for the 2006-07 Ashes.
Full post'I was surprised Dravid opened'
VB Chandrasekar, national selector who is on his way to Pakistan to join the Indian team-management, said that he was surprised to see Rahul Dravid open the batting in the first Test
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
VB Chandrasekar, national selector who is on his way to Pakistan to join the Indian team-management, said that he was surprised to see Rahul Dravid open the batting in the first Test. In an interview with the newschannel CNN-IBN he also talked about his role as a selector in the touring party.
Full postLittle surprised, yes. But from the outcome of what happened from the 410-run partnership, I think probably it was right and if India had batted first, I think the depth in the middle-order would have been so deep.
Shaun Noodle
He didn't have a terrific tour of Pakistan, and by all accounts his new nickname - Shaun Noodle (geddit?) - won't be leaving him any time soon :
Will
25-Feb-2013
He didn't have a terrific tour of Pakistan, and by all accounts his new nickname - Shaun Noodle (geddit?) - won't be leaving him any time soon:
SHAUN UDAL was cruelly labelled "Shaun Noodle" in some quarters following his painful Pakistan pre- Christmas experience. But the veteran Hampshire spinner, 36, reckons the vote of confidence from the England selectors can help him prove he really is hot stuff.
Return to source
England's women international, Isa Guha, recently returned to her roots on the tour of India and Sri Lanka, and tells the Ealing Times about a hot, noisy, daunting but exhilarating experience.
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
England's women international, Isa Guha, recently returned to her roots on the tour of India and Sri Lanka, and tells the Ealing Times about a hot, noisy, daunting but exhilarating experience.
Full postPakistan cricketers put game before marriage
Salman Butt, the opener, and Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper, who got engaged recently have said the ‘nikah’ or formal marriage will have to wait until after the 45-day cricket series concludes on february 19
The Surfer
25-Feb-2013
Salman Butt, the opener, and Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper, who got engaged recently have said the ‘nikah’ or formal marriage will have to wait until after the 45-day cricket series concludes on february 19
Full postMost Read
Writers