The Surfer
It is the time of year when people start to reflect on the last 12 months, and what a time it has been for England
If I could have one Christmas present, it would be a magic, match-winning spinner for England. But my New Year's wish is to see the same batting order producing better batting in 2006.
Mike Coward writes on a changing trend in the selection of the Australian side:
While Trevor Hohns and his colleagues will always be grateful for a player of Michael Clarke's age to emerge from the ruck, it is more likely that future Australian players will make their debuts in their late 20s or into their 30s as have Brad Hodge and Michael Hussey in recent weeks.
As Brad Hodge became the first Victorian batsman after Dean Jones to post a Test double-hundred, his proud parents watched him bathe in the glory .
Glenn McGrath talks about the time when he was rudely awakened to the brave new world of Australian cricket and how he longed for his friend and former team-mate, Jason Gillespie.
Shane Warne, who has retired from the one-day game, always leaves a hint of suspicion when talking about the 2007 World Cup
Peter Roebuck on Ricky Ponting's good fortune on the third day at Perth, and how such moments can turn out to be defining in the context of the Test.
Darren Gough has clearly not given up hope of an England recall
Gough's stock appears to have risen, which is proof that you are perceived to be a far better player when you are not in the side than when you are in it. Gough could possibly play in the 2007 World Cup, but he is not the force he was. One only has to look at last summer's figures against Australia.
Sachin Tendulkar in an intimate conversation with Pradeep Magazine talks about the intense pressure he was undergoing prior to hitting the world-record 35th Test century.
More evidence that Andrew Flintoff can seemingly do no wrong
And the surprise call from the 28-year-old England all-rounder put a smile back on her face.
