VIEWPOINT – Why the FTP is a big joke

‘The ICC Future Tours Programme aims to provide a structured programme of cricket for Full Member countries, with an objective of each team playing each other once at home and once away’ – this is what the official website of the International Cricket Council claims with regard to its Future Tours Programme (FTP). However […]

VIEWPOINT – A farce called the two-Test series

There are few things in the world which are more ridiculous than a Test series comprising of two matches. Come to think of it – just two matches to decide a series winner, and more often than not this farce is compounded by adding a totally meaningless 5-match or worse, 7-match one-day series. […]

VIEWPOINT – No reason for England to complain

The build up to the much awaited Test series between India and England has garnered further momentum, following an interesting decision by the new Indian selection committee, led by Sandeep Patil – that of not including even one specialist spinner in the India ‘A’ squad, which is scheduled to play Alastair Cook’s England team in […]

Famous Test Matches – England v India, The Oval, 1979

As far as drawn Test matches go, this final Test of the four-match series between England and India, played from August 30 to September 4, 1979, sits right up there in terms of excitement. England were leading 1-0 after three Tests thanks to a thumping innings win in the first Test. India, needing nothing […]

Famous Test Matches – West Indies v India, Bridgetown, 1996-97

This Test was the only one in the five-match series to end with a result. The West Indies had lost quite a bit of their aura of their golden period, but were nevertheless a strong force to reckon with, especially at home. India meanwhile were again looking to shed their ‘poor travellers’ tag, having […]

Famous Test Matches – South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

This New Year’s Test match, played from January 1 to January 4, 1923, was the second of the five-match series between hosts South Africa and England. South Africa were leading 1-0 after a 168-run win at Johannesburg. The home captain Herbie Taylor won the toss and decided to bat. But it soon turned […]

SPECIALS – Test records that might never be broken, Part 2

This is the second and final segment of my list of Test records which might be untouched forever (continued from Part 1 – https://thecricketcauldron.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/specials-test-records-that-might-never-be-broken-part-1/) 7) Best match bowling figures Jim Laker, the English off spinner, made the 1956 Old Trafford Test against Australia completely his own, as he finished with an eye-popping match […]

VIEWPOINT – Lessons to be learnt from Australia

A few days ago, Cricket Australia decided to call back the national team’s star all-rounder Shane Watson from the ongoing Champions League Twenty20 tournament, in order to ensure that he takes part in a few Sheffield Shield games to be ready for the crucial home Test series against South Africa. Cricket Australia must […]

SPECIALS – Test records that might never be broken, Part 1

In its glorious history, the wonderful game of Test cricket has produced many world-class players, and in the process, the records continue to tumble more often than not. But there are a few astonishing numbers that have stood the test of time, and in all probability, will forever stand unchallenged. The cliche says that ‘records […]

VIEWPOINT – Phenomenal Philander

Just less than a year ago, an unassuming right-arm fast medium bowler made his Test debut for South Africa – four years after debuting in both the limited-overs formats. Back in 2007, Vernon Philander was overlooked after a few appearances for the South African ODI and T20 teams, but something about his bowling suggested […]