Sport
Cricket is more than a game
Does this advert ring a bell? It showed a handsome young man hitting a cricket ball far into the distance. It appeared on the Tube last spring. The tagline read:… Continue reading
3 Comments
Mike Denness and an All-Time Scottish Cricket XI
Mike Denness, who died yesterday, could credibly claim to be the finest Scots-reared cricketer of the past 50 years. That is not, at least not quite, as small a claim… Continue reading
18 Comments
Wisden finally merits the epithet ‘Cricket Bible’
The man who christened Wisden ‘The Cricket Bible’ had little religion. Wisden is an unprepossessing sight: a 1,500 page tome surrounded by a flame-yellow dust jacket covered in mud brown… Continue reading
0 Comments
80 years ago, Bodyline ended and English cricket enjoyed a triumph
Today, February 28th 2013, is the 80th anniversary of the conclusion to one of the finest – and certainly the most controversial – test series ever played. Eighty years ago… Continue reading
18 Comments
Cricket’s the loser
Cricket glorifies some cheats. W.G. Grace often batted on after being clean bowled; such was the public demand to watch him. Douglas Jardine’s bodyline tactics revolutionised fast bowling: eventually making… Continue reading
4 CommentsFrank Keating, 1937-2013 - Spectator Blogs
A while back a friend remarked that a piece I’d written – on cricket probably though, perhaps, darts – was “worthy of Frank Keating”. I can’t say if the compliment… Continue reading
2 Comments
The BBC: ‘It’s professional to cheat’
In this morning’s Observer I write about the collapse of the old notions of honour and fair play in sport, banking, politics, journalism, the law and much else. As I… Continue reading
8 Comments
Lance Armstrong, the Greatest Cheat in the History of Sport, Prepares to Admit His Sins - Spectator Blogs
The news, reported by the New York Times, that Lance Armstrong is preparing to confess his sins reminds me of this passage from the Book of Daniel: Thou, O king,… Continue reading
22 Comments
Thank you, Christopher Martin-Jenkins
The children who grew up when Christopher Martin-Jenkins began to commentate on cricket (both in print and on the air) have got old. CMJ’s 40-odd year career has been brought… Continue reading
1 Comment
Ricky Ponting's Recessional - Spectator Blogs
With the Don at three and Keith Miller inked for the all-rounder’s role at six there are only two open spots in Australia’s all-time middle order. It is a measure… Continue reading
5 Comments
First XI of the Fallen
Who was the greatest sporting star who fought in the first world war? It is a difficult argument to settle at a century’s distance, with nobody still alive who saw… Continue reading
43 Comments
Shelf Life: Anton du Beke
Stalwart of Strictly, winner of Rear of the Year 2011 and author of B is for Ballroom: Be Your Own Armchair Dancefloor Expert, dancer Anton du Beke is on this… Continue reading
0 Comments
The more Shane Warne practiced, the more magical he got
It was a placid start. A tubby kid with peroxide blond hair approached the crease in 6 easy steps. He skipped into the air and pulled his arms backwards to… Continue reading
2 Comments
The Lad Done Well: Andy Murray Comes of Age - Spectator Blogs
And then there were four. If Andy Murray’s accomplishments still make him the least of the great quartet ruling tennis in this golden age that’s about as useful a comment… Continue reading
10 Comments
Lance Armstrong: It Wasn't Just About the Bike - Spectator Blogs
In one sense, I have some sympathy for Lance Armstrong. He has been hounded by the American anti-doping agency USADA who, like other federal agencies, are remorseless foes. Once they… Continue reading
8 Comments
You can’t judge a school by its sports fields
There’s a glass case in the hall of Number 10 at the moment which contains a large sports bag with two shiny Olympic medals poking out. This wasn’t left behind… Continue reading
19 Comments
The View from 22 – international justice, school sports and unfair GCSE results
Is there a downside to our glowing era of ‘international justice’? In this week’s cover feature, Douglas Murray writes that our carefully designed system can trap criminals, giving them no… Continue reading
6 Comments
Very, Very Special: An Appreciation of VVS Laxman - Spectator Blogs
And then there was one. Of the four princes who made India the world’s best side to watch in the first decade of the 21st century, only Sachin Tendulkar –… Continue reading
12 Comments
Ministers fail to sell themselves on playing field sell-offs
If you’re a minister, or even the Prime Minister, and you take to the airwaves holding a page of figures aloft, it’s always a good idea to make sure the… Continue reading
25 Comments
Sid Waddell, 1941-2012 - Spectator Blogs
Reader TT asks a good question: given your (self-appointed) role as the Spectator’s unofficial darts correspondent, why haven’t you written anything on the death of Sid Waddell? What can I… Continue reading
5 Comments