Almanac Cricket: Fifty-five days to be King – the BBL 11 Grand Final in technicolor (by John Gordon)

It takes a lot of skill for a writer to make T20 BBL cricket interesting and entertaining, and meaningful. But John Gordon has done it. Read his overview of BBL11 and the Scorchers win in the Grand Final. [Wasn’t expecting references to the Boxer Rebellion and David Niven in the opening paragraph – JTH]

Almanac Cricket – It ain’t easy being Green: A BBL Finals preview by a Melbourne Stars fan

The BBL Finals are looming. Fans of the Melbourne Stars, like Joseph Ryan, have some painful memories to overcome but will still be there, hoping to hold the trophy aloft next Saturday.

The ‘Mankad’: conduct unbecoming?

What a lousy way to be dismissed! Ravi Ashwin “Mankads” Jos Buttler in IPL overshadowing Steve Smith’s return to international cricket. What do you think of Ashwin’s actions? [This new discussion is followed by Dave Brown’s piece on the issue from 2016 – Ed)

Cricket Australia Shame

Citrus Bob Utber is fuming. For a few reasons. But especially because of the way the women’s BBL final was conducted.

Almanac Weekend Wrap

Keep up to date with this weekend’s Alamanc Sporting Weekend Wrap

NYE in Adelaide Oval’s Bay 127

Mickey Randall and family are back in Adelaide this New Year’s Eve; home of the curiously named Adelaide Strikers. [Rich harvest of observations and memories – Ed].