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 […]

Famous Test Matches – England v Australia, The Oval, 1997

In this post, we go back to the sixth and final Test of the 1997 Ashes series. Despite England showing early promise with a resounding win in the opening Test at Edgbaston, Australia came back in familiar fashion to win three of the next four Tests to retain the urn and win their fifth […]

Famous Test Matches – England v Australia, The Oval, 1953

With the Ashes around the corner, let us go down the years to 1953, the year of probably England’s most significant Ashes victory. England were going through an Ashes drought of nearly 20 years, having last won the urn in the Bodyline series of 1932-33. Moreover, in the three post-war Ashes series of […]

VIEWPOINT – Australia cannot be underestimated in the Ashes

It is a bit surprising to me that many soothsayers are predicting a handsome series win for hosts England in the upcoming Ashes, some even going to the extent of a prospective whitewash. While it is good to be optimistic, one cannot help but think that the touring Australians will at some point show […]

VIEWPOINT – Why the World Test Championship is a phony idea

Let us face it, for all the hoopla created by the ICC bigwigs surrounding the proposed inaugural World Test Championship, it is nothing but a dampener. The format of this competition, slated to be held in England in 2017, is as farcical as any ICC decision of recent times, so there should be no […]

VIEWPOINT – The lip service continues

Last month, the ICC’s Cricket Committee (yes, that of Sivaramakrishnan fame) yet again pretended to make an effort to preserve Test cricket’s ”primacy’, this time by stating that full members will be required to play a minimum number of Test matches every year. I felt optimistic when I came across the concerned article, […]

IN FOCUS – New Zealand in England Test series 2013 : Preview

Less than two months after England escaped with a 0-0 result on their three-Test tour of New Zealand, the two teams will face off again, this time in a two-Test series in England. This will be New Zealand’s 16th visit to England (they have won two series, in 1986 and 1999), and their first […]