Offbeat

Good Old Trafford

Feb 25, 2013: Even the most one-eyed Lancastrian cannot claim that Old Trafford, the ground immortalised by the prose of Neville Cardus and the deeds of Cyril Washbrook, Brian Statham and Jim Laker, is the most picturesque of grounds, writes Michael Atherton

English cricket

Six ways to make work for idle hands

Feb 25, 2013: "For the first time since Sydney, nearly four years ago, England are coping well in a Test match without Andrew Flintoff

English cricket

Cook the rough diamond

Feb 25, 2013:

Sussex

Prior injury for Sussex

Feb 25, 2013: Sussex were forced to call up their replacement keeper, Andrew Hodd, when Matt Prior pulled a hamstring during their Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston

Nottinghamshire

Darren Bicknell calls time

Feb 25, 2013: Darren Bicknell has announced that he will end his 20-year career at the end of the season

Pakistan in England

Harmison pitches in

Feb 25, 2013: It was 50 years ago yesterday that a Test match started at Old Trafford that went down in history for the exploits of Jim Laker

Offbeat

'I love maiden overs'

Feb 25, 2013: "I love maiden overs in the same way that civil servants do forms or VAT inspectors a pile of receipts," says Mike Selvey

Pakistan in England

Mahmood's success leaves old allegiances as history

Feb 25, 2013: Once upon a time, Shahid Mahmood might have cursed a scoreboard that showed Pakistan all out for 119, writes Richard Hobson in The Times

English cricket

Cricket should have balls ... but a smile would be nice

Feb 25, 2013: In The Guardian , David Hopps bemoans the loss of a more sporting approach to the game ..

English cricket

Brummie boys face the music against Shoaib

Feb 25, 2013: Imagine the scene

Argentina

Argentina benefit from MCC donation

Feb 25, 2013: MCC and the ICC have each donated $2500 to Argentinia Cricket who will use the proceeds to develop a turf pitch at St George's College

Offbeat

A smile would be nice too

Feb 25, 2013: Camaraderie between opposite teams is dying out.The sight of Andrew Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at the end of the Edgbaston thriller last year was a rarity,a reflection of the good old days, feels David Foot in The Guardian

Offbeat

Don't ask how I got here

Feb 25, 2013: Talk about permutations and combinations and if Thandi Tshabalala happens to be around, chances are he would pounce at the opportunity to narrate his real-life tale

Ashes

Australian clubs want Flintoff

Feb 25, 2013: “Get Freddie,” writes Mark Fuller in The Age .

Yorkshire

Hallmark leaves Bradford club in the lurch

Feb 25, 2013: A historic cricket club which provides access to the sport for deprived youngsters claims it has been left £6,000 out of pocket after one of Bradford's biggest firms pulled out of a deal over a new ground.

Scotland

Scottish umpires angry after assault let-off

Feb 25, 2013: Scottish umpires were reportedly disgusted after Saleem Sajjadm, who admitted verbally and physically attacking umpire Vic Hadcroft in a league match, escaped with a ban until the end of the season

English cricket

Flintoff the latest in the long line of foot faults

Feb 25, 2013: Derek Pringle explores the history of customized boots for fast bowlers as Andrew Flintoff heads to Germany where Adidas are fashioning a protective boot for him.

Ashes

Benaud on England's Ashes hopes

Feb 25, 2013: Frist, the good news

Lancashire

Loye to have scan

Feb 25, 2013: Mal Loye is to undergo a scan to determine the seriousness of his recent back problems

English cricket

Laker simply did not 'do' emotion

Feb 25, 2013: "The most remarkable bowling feat in the history of Test cricket, Jim Laker’s 19 for 90 against the might of Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, could have happened 100 years ago, not 50, for all the available pictorial evidence there is of it,"