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Tag Archives: The Ashes
Let’s Talk about Kevin
One of the many consequences of England’s collapse to the Australians this winter has been the enforced retirement for playing for England of Kevin Pietersen, one of the most successful England batsmen ever. He’s only 33, has three, perhaps four, … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England, IPL, One-Day Cricket, T20 Cricket, Test Cricket
Tagged Andrew Flintoff, Ian Botham, Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell Johnson, The Ashes
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Mitchell’s Big Mo
When Australia’s cricket team thrashed England’s 5–0 in the 2013–14 Ashes series in Australia, most commentators agreed that the essential difference between the teams was one person: Mitchell Johnson. As regular readers of this blog will know, Mitchell Johnson bowls … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England, South Africa, Test Cricket
Tagged Dennis Lillee, Michael Holding, Mitchell Johnson, The Ashes
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The Urn Returns Down Under
It was, perhaps, only a matter of time. In 2013, the England cricket team flattered to deceive: barely holding on to draw the series with New Zealand in New Zealand; beating the Kiwis soundly—but without much conviction—when they came to England; and then … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England
Tagged Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Mitchell Johnson, The Ashes
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Trott Walks
When the South African–born batsman Jonathan Trott joined the England cricket team in 2009, commentators noted how in taking his guard at the start of his inning Trott went through a routine of scratching at the pitch that could only … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England
Tagged Jonathan Trott, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Yardy, The Ashes
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Ashes Time Again
The Ashes is upon us again. “Wait,” we hear you cry. “Didn’t Australia and England just play a tournament this summer, and isn’t this contest meant to occur in the respective countries once every two years?” The answer is “yes” … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England
Tagged Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Broad, The Ashes
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England Win the Ashes!
England has beaten Australia at cricket! In recent years, this formulation—once so rare a sentence that it could be considered a typographical error—has become common, even a commonplace. Australia’s cricket team is simply not as good as England’s, even though … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England
Tagged Chris Rogers, David Warner, Ian Bell, Jimmy Anderson, Michael Clarke, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Stuart Broad, The Ashes
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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
Posted in Australia, Cricket, England
Tagged Franz Schubert, Jimmy Anderson, Michael Clarke, The Ashes
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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
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
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
Right Off the Bat 