The question I ask is not how to save 50-over cricket, but why? Bigger crowds at a domestic T20 than an ODI at the MCG, the people have spoken. The shorter form of the game should be about excitement, so I ask what's exciting about overs 10-40 during a 50-over innings? What's exciting about a game that drags on for ...

THE full-bearded Harry Boyle (1847- 1907) played 12 Tests for Australia In the 19th century as a fast-medium bowler. He once captured seven wickets off nine balls for Australians against 18 of England at Leeds, England in 1878. "If three wickets from successive deliveries is worth a hat, then Boyle's display deserves a full suit of clothes," wisecracked teammate Francis ...

You smashed England in the one-dayers there last year - can we expect the same again? If so, does that mean you'll win the Ashes, too?Jake Friend, Port Pirie SAThe 6-1 win in England after the Ashes was a great result for us. We certainly played some excellent one-day cricket and can take some confidence into the series from that, ...

IN THIS last decade, Pakistan has had four different board administrations. Eight different men have captained the Test side and the one Ricky Ponting steps out with for the toss at Lord's will likely be the ninth different face. Seven different men have coached Pakistan since 2000, three more than once.Seven different chief selectors have selected (a few more than ...

CRICKET followers the world over find it hard to believe it is 50 years since the game of cricket changed so dramatically because of the Tied Test match played between Australia and West Indies at the Gabba ground in Brisbane.On the ground on the final enthralling day, there were only 4,160 spectators present; around Australia scores of thousands listened on ...

THERE are only three things wrong with England, they can't bat, they can't bowl and they can't field," declared the English writer Martin Johnson in The Independent on the eve of the 1986-87 Ashes series.Since arriving in Australia, the English touring party had appeared to be in disarray, struggling for both runs and wickets, and spilling catches as they lost ...

Inside Cricket: Last season you were second on the first-class averages for South Australia. This year, axed. What's the story?Mark Cosgrove: I'm not 100 per cent sure what's happening down at the SACAs (South Australian Cricket Association). I only got the phone call when I was on holiday and it was a really quick one basically saying I didn't have ...

Sidelined since last October with a knee injury, Callum Ferguson is desperate to get back among the action. He talks Adam Burnett through the recovery process, and his plans for next summerALLUM Ferguson's first stint in international cricket was like the fireworks that illuminate many of today's Twenty20 contests. First came the excitement and anticipation. Then followed a brilliant, shimmering ...

Western Australia secured a major coup in signing former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur to take the reins for three years. The up-front mentor talks with Adam Burnett about highs and lows with the Proteas, plotting against Australia, and his plans to rejuvenate the WarriorsInside Cricket: How are you enjoying life in Perth?Mickey Arthur: I'm really enjoying it here, it's ...

01. Australia captain Ricky Porting commented in one of his annual Captain's Diaries that Gilchrist had a penchant for reading Karl Marx while on tour.02 He was approached in early 2005 by the US baseball franchise, the Boston Red Sox, with a view to him playing for them when his cricket career ended.03 He is the youngest of four, with ...

Ricky Pointing's 2010 book describes the Australian cricket team's journey from the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September 2009 through to Tests against Pakistan in England in July 2010. In this time, the Australian team have been on a staggering run of success: seven wins and a draw in eight Tests and 20 wins in 24 completed ODIs. As ...

Inside Cricket: Can you talk us through a typical week in the recovery process? Callum Ferguson: At the moment we've got three weights sessions a week, which is tied in with three running sessions. So I'll run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and then back that up straight away with a leg weights session. On the in-between days it's upper-body ...

Cameron Boyce is a 20-year-old leg-spinner who took six secondinnings wickets against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield final. Who was your favourite player growing up, and why?Obviously Warnie. Actually i was Steve Waugh as well, i used to watch him a lot because I'm a twin (brother, Chris), so me and my brotehr used to watch Steve and Mark.So what's ...

"It was a hostile environment when I walked out to bat. Andrew McDonald had gotten out controversially earlier and he politely told me I wouldn't be getting one in my own half (of the pitch) and, I tell you what, he was true to his word. I'd never call him a liar! 10 points for honesty... I like that."Queensland fast ...

A two-month tour of England serves as this year's curtain-raiser to the main event WELCOME to this winter edition of Inside Cricket. As we southern hemisphere types reach for the warm clothing, and football of various codes dominates the sporting news, our cricketers depart for England where, strangely enough, they will be greeted by warmer weather and sunny skies. Well ...

In your Feb/Mar addition of Inside Cricket you feature an article listing the top 20 achievements of the decade. How could you possibly ignore what is almost universally recognised as the greatest one-day match ever? The 5th 0DI: South Africa v Australia at Johannesburg - Mar 12, 2006 when the world record for highest team score was broken twice in ...

Gone are the days of the Waugh, Lillee and Warne, but do they still have it? How good would it be to see the old school legends take on the current Australian team. How exciting it would be to see Mitchell Johnson take on Allan Border, who would win the battle? This match could close the Australian summer and a ...

I can't say I'm too happy with this year's contract list from Cricket Australia. Especially the dropping of David Hussey - what's this about? He smashes them in the Twenty20s, has played some great innings in the50-over game as well, and must be our next most experienced middle-order batsman outside the current Test team? To me it makes no sense ...

I might not win everybody over on this argument but I, for one, can understand South Australia's decision to dump Mark Cosgrove. I'm not sure if the reason they gave was specifically related to his weight, but if it was, then fair enough. How can a professional athlete expect to retain his contract if he's not even in shape like ...

I really think it's high time that Cricket Australia look at bringing an Ashes Test match to Bellerive Oval. For any Australian - not just those on the mainland - Australia v England represents the pinnacle of the game. It's what we Aussies want to see! Can there not be some sort of rotational policy put in place? Tasmania is ...

All this talk about Marcus North and whether or not he's good enough to be in the Test team should not be happening! Why not put one of our young guns, like Phillip Hughes, at No.6 and go from there? That's where so many of our great batsmen have started their careers over the last 20 years and it seems ...

Inside Cricket /Triforce Competition TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY1. Information on how to enter forms part of these conditions of entry. Entry to this promotion is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Entry Is open to residents of Australia only. Employees of the Promoter and their Immediate families and agencies associated with this promotion are Ineligible to enter.2. ...

Kersi Meher-Homji uncovers cricket's quirkiest trivia Three bowlers have taken 1-0 (one wicket, no runs) in their entire Test career: Albert Hornby (right, England), Wilfred Barber (England) and Bruce Murray (New Zealand) But what about figures of 0-0-0 0? In 1973-74, IH McClenaghan bowled one ball, a sundry, which cost his side, Border, the game against Orange Free State!

CHIRAYU Amin, the interim IPL chairman, declared on April 28:"The show will go on. IPL 4 would be on schedule and it would be bigger and better. The cleaning up is already happening. My job is to run IPL in the most transparent manner."The auction is set for September, and franchises will bid a total of US$210 million on players ...

HE LIST of contracted Australian players may not contain the high-profile stars of previous years but there is depth in the squad. That's an important asset when three forms of the game ensure a hectic schedule is now a way of life for international cricketers. The depth even applies to captains. Australia is indeed fortunate to have a leader of ...