Sledging – Don’t single out cricket

Matt Watson reckons sledging is a fact of life, and we should suck it up. See if you agree with him, or if you reckon he’s just a …………………………..

Ashes Diary 2013-14, Entry no.1

Andrew Starkie offers a calm, sensible, thorough analysis of both teams in the first Ashes Test. Despite this we have decided to publish it.

First Test review: I looked out over the Gabba, and what did I see? (This is what you want, this is what you get)

Sean Curtain marks the card of the Australian team from the Gabba Test. 3 Distinctions; 3 Credits; 1 Pass (Sidds); 3 Must Try Harders; and 1 Dohhhhhh. Let us know if you agree with Sean’s assessment.

Gabba Test – Day 3: Bakelite Radio

Peter Baulderstone offers a magnum opus in praise of Test Cricket on the radio, Michael Clarke, gardening and the Avenging Eagle (though not necessarily in that order).

Memo: Ashes Day One Pessimism Alert

Smokie Dawson reviews the obituary notices from Day One at the Gabba Test. Ask not for whom the bell tolls……………..

Rod Marsh – traitor and treason

Matt Watson has pulled the knife out of the back of the staggering Saints, wiped the blade, and plunged it into the front of Australian cricket traitor Rod Marsh,

The Talk is almost over: Ashes preview, Shield wrap and have we treated our guests too well?

Sean Curtain shows why he’s over-qualified to be an Australian selector, with this common sense review of the Shield season to date, and the lead-up to the First Test starting the day after the Almanac Book Launch in Brisbane this Wednesday. Thanks to all at Cricket Australia for working around the Big Event with their 3 day slap and tickle.

Ashes Diary 2013, entry no.5

Australia has led on the first innings in three of the four Tests, yet trails 3-0. The beauty and bear of Test cricket is the five day bit. Australia need to last the journey.

The View from Shepparton: A dearth of cricket talent

England, smash us in the cricket, we can cop that, but please don’t patronise us. That really hurts.

First Test – Day 2: Transcendence in Nottingham

Ben Santamaria will remember his day in Nottingham, as will every single person who was there; a day he saw the best of British, and the best of Australia.

First Test: As good as 2005?

Brendan McArdle reckons the way this series has started it could be up there with 2005.

First Test – Day 2: Agar the Awesome

The Ashes is so important to young Paddy Grindlay that he writes with the CAPS on. He just has one request for Ashton Agar – can you open the batting?

Crio’s Question: Favourite Ashes presenters

What are your favourite Ashes presenters, past and present? Dream Teams, if you must!

Middle Australia selects the Ashes Test Team

Can anyone come up with the likely team for the First test? Given that Watson and Rogers are likely to open, here is my prediction and perhaps why – The Editor.

Plenty to like about the Ashes squad

Previous Ashes squads have upset Luke Reynolds – the omissions of Mike Whitney and Dean Jones were shattering – but he says there is much to like about the 2013 squad.

Adelaide, its cricket ground, and The South Australian nation

Thursday morning, December 2010. I am at the table in my Melbourne terrace house, reading a very Melbourne newspaper, The Age. Despite the urbanity it assumes, the pages remain parochial in that black T-shirt, black polo-neck, macciato sort of way. Already there are football stories – in December. There are always football stories: trivial and [Read more]