T20 International – Australia v England: Another ‘Big Ship’

Smokie Dawson went to the T20 at the MCG on Sunday with a very well-named mate. [from the MCC’s Balcony Banter]

Australia v England – T20: Hobart’s barmy army hails Glenn Maxwell at Blundstone Arena

It was a perfect summer’s night in Hobart and Glenn Maxwell put on a show for all those who turned up at the beautiful Blundstone Arena at Bellerive

Almanac Sport: The 2017 Kids’ Party Cup

Earl waxes lyrical about the delights of summer weekends; everything from backyard fun, cricket on the radio, Primal Scream, the coming footy season, and even Germaine Greer.

Almanac Cricket: Ashes 2017/18 – A Holiday Cricket Report by Hugo Birrell

Hugo Birrell has compiled a comprehensive review of each triumphant Ashes test this summer.

Australia v England – 2nd ODI: Selection Spin

Luke Reynolds reports on another ordinary performance from the Australians, but a rock-solid performance from the visiting Englishmen.

Almanac Books: A Clear Blue Sky by Jonny Bairstow & Duncan Hamilton – Book Review 1 of 52

Jack Banister has kicked off his ambitious 2018 goal of reading a book a week with a thoughtful review of Jonny Bairstow & Duncan Hamilton’s ‘A Clear Blue Sky’. One down, Fifty-one to go Jack!

A sporting history of gastro

Matt Zurbo sympathises with Joe Root’s unfortunate ailment during the Sydney Test. Here’s why!

Australia v England ODIs – MCG: In the Shadow of the BBL

Jack Banister ponders the future of ODIs against our love of epic tests and the shiny new toy that is BBL.

Almanac Cricket: A whiff of bedlam – Ashes’ Smoke to Fire of the Proteas

Dan Tooms advises (some) caution in assessing the Australian performance across the Ashes series – especially after watching the First Test from South Africa. [Note: links are working now – Ed]

The Ashes presentation ceremony – Respect

David Wilson’s pen and ink sketch of the Ashes presentation ceremony…

The Ashes: Citrus Bob Sums Up The Ashes

After bringing us the action all summer, Citrus Bob wraps up The Ashes of 2017/18. With player rankings and a look towards South Africa tour. [Thank you Citrus Bob for your tremendous Test cricket coverage – Ed].

The Ashes – 5th Test: Aussies Dominate and Destroy England

Malcolm Ashwood reviews the 5th Test and the series, plus asks who do you have in your squad for the Test series in South Africa?

The false hope of King Arthur, the Border wars and the collapse of the Lehmann Brothers – a plea against insider training

Crankypete looks at cricket history. And at today.

He concludes: “So either these guys in Australian cricket are duds at hist0ry. Or have just found a convenient way of getting their mates into a team, against a hapless opponent.”

Discuss.

The Ashes – Fifth Test, Day 3: The Brothers Marsh

It was hot in Melbourne yesterday – perfect for taking it easy in front of the TV, which is what Jack Banister did while sipping cool drinks and reading Gideon Haigh’s The Cricket War. It was a lot tougher for the English bowlers as the runs flowed for the Australian batsmen, some of whom were intent on booking their passage to South Africa.

The Ashes – Fifth Test: Call For Writers 

This is an invitation for writers of Test cricket; all styles, all ages; to submit their observations and thoughts on the fifth Ashes Test from the SCG.

The Ashes – Fifth Test, Day 1: From The ABC and Others

Citrus Bob Utber, unusually for him, is watching the Fifth Test from home. This hasn’t affected his reportage however; like the ABC, he’s way ahead of the rest of us.

Almanac Cricket: Peace and war; a selection minefield – 1979-80 revisited.

Peter Warrington looks at what transpired in and around the 1979-80 Test series (England and West Indies toured that summer), the first series after the WSC split. Great memories. Intriguing analysis.

The Ashes – Fourth Test: Have a go you Mugs!

Malby Dangles remembers a slow day at the MCG Test in 1990-91 and considers the place of overly circumspect batting in this MCG Test just finished.

The Ashes – Fourth Test: Featherbed

Rulebook Ashwood sums up the Test Match at the MCG and doesn’t have a lot of nice things to say about the curator.

Opinion as fact: The dire future of information (Case studies: Climate change and the MCG pitch)

David Wilson sees social media, groupthink and the rapid reporting of opinions as leading us away from Enlightenment. Is climate change happening? Was that Melbourne Test pitch really so bad? Orwellian intrigue.