Grand Final – West Coast v Hawthorn: Paranoid android

Sometimes appreciation comes creeping. Sometimes a doubt always remains. E.regnans on Hawthorn; game plan, recent history, the 2015 Grand Final, and the idea of appreciation.

ICC World Cup Final: Part 1 – the pay TV fiasco

Matt Watson is in chilly Melbourne for the World Cup Final. Here he considers the tournaments impact in Australia, meets Warnie, and considers his relationship with some of the teams – especially New Zealand.

Cricket. Radio.

Cricket, emotion and rain in the darkest hours. And some thoughts on the nature of cricket commentary.

Afghanistan: making us think about cricket

Max Wiggins (aged 15) tells the story of Afghanistan’s first victory in the ICC World Cup, placing the moment in its broader historical and social context. [Max has researched and written this story while on work experience at Almanac headquarters. His second piece will be published on Friday – JTH]

Lou: Under-prepared Australians?

Lou has been stirred into action by the Australians’ performance at Eden Park.

ICC World Cup 2015 – New Zealand v England: Who is Partying after the Match?

For all of the words you’ll read about England’s humiliating defeat at the hands of the New Zealand Black Caps in their World Cup match in Wellington yesterday, none will highlight their capitulation as starkly as this rookie cricket fan’s view of the match. “From the mouth of [cricketing] babes…”

Almanac Weekend Reading : February 20-22

Another weekend, and another series of readings for your consideration from The Footy Almanac.

2015 ICC World Cup: Ireland v West Indies – Nelson (Haaa Haaa!)

The worst-case scenario for West Indian cricket became a reality earlier today when they were defeated by Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand. Having being bitten by the Test cricket bug, Yoshi delves into the limited overs form of the game. Bemusement abounds for someone from a baseball background.

Bricks in the Back

Hands up who hasn’t felt the debilitating effects of a serious back injury? Matt Watson argues why Michael Clarke should do the right thing by his long-term health and Australia’s World Cup squad and rule himself out of the up-coming ICC World Cup.