A gradual but inevitable descent into cricket-based loathing and bile.

Opinion Archive

Bopara Drinking at the Last Chance Saloon

Ravi Bopara returns to the England fold this week, but will he finally rise to the occasion and establish himself in the side?

2 Comments | August 9, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: , ,

A tale of two Wicket-keepers

The respective performances of Matt Prior and MS Dhoni so far in the series have mirrored those of their teams. Prior has exuded confidence and produced some swashbuckling displays, whereas his Indian counterpart has been error-ridden with the gloves and has looked all at sea out in the middle. Prior’s career has taken a remarkable […]

2 Comments | August 5, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: , ,

The Return of Zimbabwe

Whilst England and India battle (in the loosest definition of the word, thus far) to be the top ranked team in Test cricket, two sides long associated with the bottom of the rankings have just commenced a one-off Test match in Harare. This represents Bangladesh’s first Test match since their tour of England in 2010, […]

3 Comments | August 4, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: , , ,

The Changing of the Guard

By Anthony K Put away those Headingley ‘81 videos and forget any talk of the good old days. England have the best team they’ve put out for at least 40 years and probably since the mid 1950s. Yesterday’s annihilation of a storied Indian line-up was the confirmation that, unless South Africa produce something quite unexpected […]

No Comments | August 3, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: , ,

An Evening With Athers

By Anthony K Last Wednesday evening saw Mike Atherton at the LSE to promote the new compendium of his journalism, “Glorious Summers and Discontents.” He was introduced and interviewed by Professor Robert Baldwin of the LSE’s Law Faculty before the event was thrown open to questions from the floor. In a wide-ranging session, Atherton brought […]

No Comments | | | Opinion | Tags: ,

People’s Monday?

By Anthony K The English sporting establishment are a clever lot. They know just how much they have to offer the great unwashed to preserve the status quo. Rain at Wimbledon, requiring Sunday play, but no time to get the corporate fans mobilised? Throw it open to the public, make a few extra quid and […]

No Comments | July 29, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: ,

England vs. India: Our Predictions

After the weather-affected Sri Lanka series produced a rather limp start to the Test summer, there is a general expectation that the four matches against India could provide a stark contrast and go down as one of the great series. Even if doesn’t eventually rank alongside South Africa 2009/10 and the Ashes 2005 in recent […]

No Comments | July 20, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: , ,

Fire In Babylon Review

This week we watched Fire In Babylon, the story of the West Indies cricket team from the mid 70’s onwards. Here’s what we thought of it.

No Comments | July 17, 2011 | | Opinion | Tags: , , , ,

The Commentators: MP Vaughan

By Anthony K The great cricketer who fails as a captain (q.v.: Botham, I.T.) is a staple of sporting journalism and the usual conclusion is that they lack the insight required to understand and motivate players who don’t share their instinctive genius. Here at 51AllOut, we have little to add to this store of wisdom, […]

No Comments | July 14, 2011 | | Opinion | Tags: , ,

England Ladder: Test Matches

Fine seasons by several young players means the ladder now has an extra five rungs. 1. Alastair Cook (+2) The vice-captain is now a more definite pick than the captain. Cook’s form (see his 10-innings average  https://www.51allout.co.uk/2011-07-12-the-england-form-guide-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-the-numbers/) is so good that it’d be difficult to argue against him being in a World XI. His performances […]

No Comments | July 13, 2011 | | Opinion, Tests | Tags: