2 minute readThat’s Joe Root’s work above. It’s one of a number of portraits produced by players and commentators which are being auctioned off to raise awareness of Cricket United Day. Cricket United Day is on Saturday and will see funds raised for a handful of cricket-themed charities. You can donate here.
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Mop-up of the day – chucking in the towel
2 minute readThere’s quite a bit of Test cricket going on at the minute. Savour it, because it’s not long before we make a sharp turn and embark on the long, straight approach to the 50-over World Cup. After this week’s final Test, England don’t play the longest format again until the
Continue readingMop-up of the morning – encouraging a state of Grace
< 1 minute readA quick bit of housekeeping before Test time. “Do not go into the field with a cigarette or pipe in your mouth” That was one of WG Grace’s maxims for fielding. We’ve learned more from him than that and have outlined some important points over at Cricinfo. Another old cricketer
Continue readingMop-up of the day – BCC-whhhhyyyyyyy?
< 1 minute readWe’ve put the bad news first in the forlorn hope that you might at least finish reading today’s piece with your spirits on an upward trajectory. The BCCI are asking the ICC to appeal the Jimmy Anderson decision No, seriously. They are. Does no-one in the BCCI ever feel embarrassed
Continue readingMop-up of the day – leading, forgiving and send-offs
< 1 minute readJames Anderson has his hearing about maybe having pushed someone today. There’s much talk about how he’s been singled out as result of being a persistent sledger, but his rage isn’t a patch on that of the retiring (from cricket) Steve Kirby, who was one of the subjects of last
Continue readingMop-up of the day – two very different retirements
< 1 minute readThe first is the unflappable maestro, Mahela Jayawardene, who is giving up the five-day game. Fun fact, stats nerds: his first innings hundred in the ongoing Test against South Africa has tipped his average over 50. He’s actually got another series after this one yet though, so don’t get too
Continue readingMop-up of the day – an overreaction checklist
< 1 minute readWe’ve produced a valuable guide just in case any England fans aren’t overreacting sufficiently. It can be found over at Cricinfo. Tick all the boxes and you too can call yourself a true England supporter. Andy Caddick’s ears Sam was greatly disappointed that they didn’t get a mention in another
Continue readingMop-up of the day – a rush and a push and the land is ours
2 minute readMop-up of the day was something that happened at our last office job. It involved new starters finishing each day in their first week talking with the girls in HR. The company didn’t tend to hang onto staff for more than a week or two, so mop-up of the day
Continue readingGreat insight about Ishant Sharma gleaned from having spent a day watching him bowl
< 1 minute readWe were at the Test yesterday. It was… steady. Or at least it was until Stuart Broad came in. The main thing we gleaned from our side-on vantage point is that Ishant Sharma has two different running styles during his approach to the crease. First, he jogs normally. Then, halfway
Continue readingAll Out Cricket fantasy game for England v India series
< 1 minute readIf you don’t already know, All Out Cricket magazine do a fantasy league thing. We’ve entered and set up a mini league. If you want to join and compete against us, it’s called The Kingdom and the not-so-secret key to gain access is ‘Rob Key’. Our team’s called The Courtiers.
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