Different Strokes

In my last post , I touched briefly on the traditional Australian way of selecting captains

O'captain my captain

The limp subsidence to defeat after lunch was a depressing anti-climax after what had been a fascinating and highly enjoyable Test

It's back to the drawing board for Pakistan

I have already pleaded guilty to holding Shahid Afridi in high esteem – I am, if you like, a Boom Boom Boy biased towards seeing his actions in the best light – but I thought his innings an entirely rational choice in the circumstances obtaining at

The case for Shahid Afridi's assault

If he can discipline himself to be a Test player, Afridi has the talent for eventual greatness

Improving players

Whichever way you look at it, Michael Clarke's reign as captain of Australia's T20 outfit must be under serious consideration

Clarke's T20 captaincy hangs in the balance

The moaners who insist on disputing the Tigers' credentials will no doubt suggest that one couldn't expect anything better, but I doubt that it has anything to do with Ashraful being Bangladeshi and everything to do with him being a cricketer

Bangladesh win shows how far they still have to go

It is quite conceivable that the England XI which just played could turn out in the World Cup final, and it is entirely possible that their opponents would not be Australia.

The joke's no more on England

Certainly, it seems true enough that there's a good deal of irony in the world ..

The irony of Howard's nomination

Anyone brave enough to make any predictions

Excited about the World Cup - the cricket one

Why is this five-match series being played at all

What is the point?

With the likes of Chris Gayle and Virender Sehwag as well as Tamim on the circuit, it behoves captains, coaches and think tanks to devote some serious attention to finding a method to contain these explosions.

Bangladesh prove to be worthy of Test cricket

The headlines said that Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad are being “rested” from England's first Test against Bangladesh later this week

Bevan or Vaughan

If the rules had allowed it, I would not have given KP the award

The quiet satisfaction in England's win

I just think it's a refreshing change to see a captain (or any player for that matter) adopting such a frank attitude to their own form

Putting team ahead of self

Pakistani teams are known to squander head starts, fritter away advantages, and give up easily

Defeated but not disgraced

Australia's delusional self-belief

Whatever happens in today's semi-final against the Lankans, England can go home feeling they've earned some respect and done themselves somewhere near justice.

Good luck England

The good news for Pakistan is that when Umar and Razzaq click, it creates a winning impact

Umar and Razzaq hold the key

Unsuspecting Pakistan fans are still thinking that all these tricks are part of some Grand Plan

No 'Grand Plan' for Pakistan