Cricket conversations
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/UUZ3R3TQ6KHUKBZVJ3MC76UE2U.jpg "What we talk about when we talk about selection")
The crew chats about the idea of selecting a cricket team, and debates how one can have a meaningful conversation about an inherently unfair process. Should selectors be more transparent about the reasoning behind their choices? Is there a process by which we can judge a good selection? And how
 "Australia resist England bowling, Bazball: Ashes 2023 review")
We review the recently concluded five-Test series between England and Australia that ended 2-2 – with Australia retaining the Ashes. It was a series defined by England’s ‘Bazball’ approach to batting – though that undersells how well Australia’s batters resisted English bowling and how well Australia bowled in largely batting-friendly
In the latest episode we talk to historian and author Duncan Stone about his recent book ‘Different Class: The Untold Story of English Cricket’. The conversation delves into the nebulous ‘Spirit of the Game’ and how it is emblematic of the fetishization of English cricket – which has turned a
We review the England-India Test at Edgbaston, which see-sawed till day four – before England defied the odds. Note: Readers in India can now buy Mike Marqusee’s classic cricket book War Minus The Shooting on Flipkart and Amazon. Readers outside India, can buy the book on Amazon. Talking Points: A
We preview the upcoming England v India Test series – that has had one of the most lukewarm build-ups in a time of Covid, The Olympics, and The Hundred. It’s a time of bio-bubbles, quarantines, injuries, mental health and player rotation. And hopefully some memorable cricket too. Talking Points The
By Siddhartha Vaidyanathan Late in January, Australia lost a Test in Brisbane. The three words ‘Australia’, ‘lost’ and ‘Brisbane’ had last been uttered in combination in 1988. Of the 31 subsequent Tests at the venue, 24 had ended in Australia wins, the other seven in draws. Then along came a
In the latest edition of the 81allout podcast we discuss the application of Law 19.8 at the World Cup final at Lord’s. We go on to debate the distinction between cricket laws and societal laws; the idea of “spirit of cricket” and its relationship to the laws of the game; and the authority
We review the opening match of the World Cup between England and South Africa at The Oval. Talking points: England’s scary batting depth, South Africa’s tame run-chase, and the value that Joffra Archer brings to a bowling attack. How does any team beat this England side? Can South Africa bounce
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