Tag: cricket

When Flintoff was injured and was down to bowlers at the other end, I thought to myself “the script is set up perfectly for him to produce a matchwinning innings”. But I didn’t think it would actually happen.

After two days’ play, 740 runs have been scored and 21 wickets have fallen. What kind of cricket is this?

Got to be good news.

If someone told you they had scored 55 runs in an over at Lord’s, you’d think they were some kind of delusional fantasist (via Corridor of Uncertainty). I was grinning all morning at the fact that things like this can actually happen. A bit like a 15 year old being seven under par going into the final round of the (Women’s) Open.

England’s win/loss ratios for Test matches at different grounds in the past 30 years.

The stat is W/L ratio. You can get full details at cricinfo’s remarkable StatsGuru.

Edgbaston (all) – 1.57
Edgbaston (vs. Aus) – 1.00

Headingley (all) – 0.83
Headingley (Aus) – 1.33

Lord’s (all) – 1.07
Lord’s (Aus) – 0.00

Old Trafford (all) – 0.71
Old Trafford (Aus) – 0.67

The Oval (all) – 1.25
The Oval (Aus) – 3.00

Trent Bridge (all) – 1.00
Trent Bridge (Aus) – 0.25

Hmmm. Having come up with those stats, I don’t really know what to make of them.

England are a better side than we saw at Lord’s. On another day, the top order will bat better, Hoggard and Jones will be more consistent, and the fielders will hold some catches. Australia will not always be as good. Even by Glenn McGrath’s standards, that was an exceptional bowling performance. He can’t possibly bowl that well for the whole series, and if he does – he’ll win them the Ashes and they’ll deserve it. If the right combination of circumstances comes together (England playing better, Australia playing worse, and a bit of luck), England could still have a good win in the next Test. Then the whole psychological balance could change, and I think the teams will suddenly seem a lot more closely matched.