IN FOCUS – Cricket Australia’s misplaced priorities

The Australian public was still stomaching the country’s sixth consecutive Test defeat – possibly its worst of the lot – when Cricket Australia decided to make things even more indigestible. It gleefully released the schedule of this summer’s Twenty20 Big Bash League, backed up by in-your-face statistics proclaiming its ‘success’. Not a big […]

Specials – Indian princes and Ashes hundreds

In what is one of the many interesting coincidences in the history of Test cricket, there have been three Indian princes who had the distinction of representing England in Test matches against Australia, and each of them scored a century on their Ashes debut. Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji of Kathiawar, Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji of […]

IN FOCUS – The DRS dilemma

There was as much controversy regarding umpiring decisions in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge as there was the excitement of the cricket itself. It is easy to say that since both the teams found crucial decisions going against them, things might have evened out and it is part and parcel of the […]

IN FOCUS – Johnston, a giant of Irish cricket

The inevitable has happened. Ireland’s tireless senior statesman Trent Johnston has announced that he will be retiring from the international scene in December, disappointing all those who were hoping for him to play in the 2015 World Cup. Even though Johnston will not play his third World Cup in a row, his announcement is […]

IN FOCUS – The Ashes (Australia In England) 2013 : Preview

International cricket’s oldest rivalry is all set to resume tomorrow with the first leg of back-to-back Ashes series commencing at Trent Bridge. A well-oiled English unit will take on an Australian team which is, for a change, widely regarded as the out-and-out underdog this summer. But as Ashes series over the years have shown, […]

Specials – The Greatest Ashes Tests, Part 3

In this third and concluding part, we look back at three modern-day cliffhangers that further enhanced the Anglo-Australian rivalry: 4th Test, Melbourne, 1982-83 Following the disappointment of 1981, Australia made amends the next time by winning the 1982-83 home series 2-1. However, it could well have been 3-0 had England not won a […]

Specials – The Greatest Ashes Tests, Part 2

Continuing from Part 1, we move on to the twentieth century and look back at three more Ashes thrillers that arrested the attention of cricket lovers: 4th Test, Old Trafford 1902 Holders Australia retained the Ashes with a thrilling victory at Old Trafford. Victor Trumper carved a brilliant hundred before lunch on the […]

Specials – The Greatest Ashes Tests, Part 1

It is next to impossible to whittle down a rich abundance of great Ashes Test matches to a few number. But after a bit of deliberation and taking into account the closeness of and the context surrounding a contest, eight matches were finalised. In this first of a three-part series featuring some of […]

Specials – Unsung Ashes heroes, Part 2

Continuing from Part 1, we look at four more memorable Ashes performances from unsung cricketers in this second and concluding post:- Albert Trott All-rounder Trott was one of the rare few to have played for both Australia and England. His entire Test career consisted of five Tests – three for Australia in the […]

Specials – Unsung Ashes heroes, Part 1

Over the years, the Ashes battles have introduced to us men who were destined to make a great impact on the game. From Frederick Spofforth to Glenn McGrath, legions of legends have displayed their artistry on the canvas that is an Ashes series. There can hardly be a bigger occasion for either an […]