SPECIALS – Tribute to Rusi Surti

The gutsy all-rounder Rusi Surti (born May 25, 1936 in Surat) passed away on 13th January in Mumbai due to a heart attack, aged 76. He was a key member of the Indian Test side in the 60’s, and in spite of his versatile all-round abilities, ended up playing only 26 Tests. He was […]

Famous Test Matches – Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Peshawar, 1998-99

This match was momentous for resulting in Zimbabwe’s first overseas Test victory, which ultimately led to their first ever series win (though they had won the one-off home Test against India earlier in the season). Zimbabwe had their best years of Test cricket during this period and this match, played between November 27 and […]

IN FOCUS – New Zealand in South Africa Test series 2012-13 : Preview

The new calendar year starts off with a short two-Test series as world champions South Africa host a struggling New Zealand. This will be New Zealand’s seventh visit to South Africa, and the fifth since South Africa’s readmission. The Black Caps have never won a series against South Africa, home or away The Matches The Newlands […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Best matches of the year)

This is the fifth and final part of my Year-End Review of 2012, and here we look at the best international matches from across all formats that were played in the year. The short list includes two Tests, a One Day International, a Twenty20 international and a Women’s T20 International:- 1) Australia v South Africa 2nd Test, Adelaide […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Thanks for the memories)

2012 was the year of many retirements from Test cricket. As many as five illustrious cricketers called time on their Test careers, leaving millions of fans all over the world with fond memories of their many exploits at the highest level. Listed below are the five men who decided to quit the great game […]

REVIEW – 2012 year-end recap (Test cricket)

Test cricket continued to enthrall fans all over the cricket world in 2012, with a new champion emerging when South Africa toppled England off their perch. 42 Tests were contested in the year, with 31 ending in results and 10 in draws. Teams Overview South Africa were the only team to be undefeated […]

Specials – Best of Boxing Day Tests

Yet another Boxing Day is upon us, and yet another traditional Boxing Day Test match is underway at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. An MCG Test which included 26th December as one of the days was first played in the 1950-51 Ashes, but it was only in 1980 that it became an annual […]

VIEWPOINT – India needs format-based teams and split captaincy

The rigours of the modern game are well known – the advent and rise of Twenty20 over the last few years have led to an extremely packed calendar every year. Countless number of games are being played by certain teams across all formats – even though many of the limited overs matches contested have hardly any meaning or […]

REVIEW – England end their 28-year wait

England’s historic 2-1 victory in India will surely rank alongside their most memorable wins, including the epic 2005 Ashes victory. England ended a wait of 18 years by winning the Ashes in 2005, but in India they ended an even bigger drought – that of 28 years. The last time they won a series in India […]

Famous Test Matches – Australia v West Indies, Melbourne, 1951-52

Australia had a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series against the West Indies coming into this Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the fourth of the series. The hosts had taken the first two matches at Brisbane and Sydney before West Indies pulled one back in the third Test at Adelaide. The match began on New Year’s Eve, 1951. […]