Category Archives: Cricket

International cricket is divided into three forms of the game, which are becoming more distinct with each passing year. The shortest, and newest form, is Twenty-20 (or T20), which is less than a decade old, lasts about three hours, and consists of 120 balls for each team. The next form is One-Day cricket, which has been in existence for nearly forty years and lasts about eight hours, consists of 300 balls for each team. The third, and oldest form of the game, is First-Class or (when played between nations) Test cricket, and can last up to five days. This site divides its blogs into these three categories, and then sub-divides the categories between the rules of each form of the game and news and thoughts about each form.

Oh, Jimmy, Jimmy! Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy Anderson

True, it’s not a Schubert Lied, but the above song, which resounds around Test cricket grounds wherever England play these days, contains (almost) as much feeling and conjures up as strong a sensation of wonder and mastery of composition as … Continue reading

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Ian Bell: Ring-a-Ding-Ding at Last

Everybody knows that England’s Ian Bell has the kind of talent and ability that should propel him to greatness. He can play every kind of shot and has excellent and enduring technique. However, some have felt that he gets himself … Continue reading

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Ashton Triumphant

Consider this: it’s September and you’re 19 years old and getting some experience under your belt playing in the Double A leagues. Then you get a call from the Yankees that you’re needed for the pennant battle against the Boston … Continue reading

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Oldtimers’ Day 2013

Following the whole media-and-financial brouhaha between Brian Cashman and Alex Rodriguez, it has taken me (Evander) a few extra days to digest all the doings of the New York Yankees sixty-seventh Oldtimers’ Day. Unofficially, this treasured event has its origins … Continue reading

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Australia’s Ashes Preparation: Fired up, or Just Fired?

Every two years since 1882 (excepting world wars, international crises, and, um, this year), England have taken on Australia in a competition known as “The Ashes.” Australia have beaten England 123 times; England, Australia 100 times; and the rest of … Continue reading

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Jonathan Trott

OK, cricket fans: We need to talk again about Jonathan Trott—and perhaps you baseball fans will have an equivalent player you can talk about who raises the same issues. Jonathan Trott plays cricket for England—both the longest form of the game … Continue reading

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The Champions League: Damp Squib and Indian Triumph

It’s been a few weeks of silence from the cricket half of this blog as I (Martin) assume American citizenship and put my house in order. Nonetheless, cricket has continued, and thus needs to be reported on. The 2013 Indian … Continue reading

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Baseballs for the Longest Day

I (Evander) was treated to a good chunk of the fifth-longest game ever played by the New York Mets. It ran twenty innings as the Miami Marlins scratched out a 2-1 win. The contest lasted almost six-and-a-half hours. Altogether, something … Continue reading

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Patel and Singh, and Pray for Rain

Among old-time Braves fans, the saying ran “Spahn and Sain, and pray for rain,” or its variant: “Spahn and Sain, and two days of rain.” The reference is to Warren Spahn—Battle of the Bulge fighting-man, perhaps the most overlooked super … Continue reading

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Sinko day mayo 1956

I (Evander) have waxed perhaps not-so-poetic(ly) on May 22 as the upcoming jubilee of the home run Mickey Mantle nearly launched out of old Yankee Stadium. Some estimates have the ball traveling something like 730 feet. More realistically its distance, … Continue reading

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