The England Test summer turned out much better than anyone could have imagined and the ECB should be applauded. It’s been a mighty effort to pull together the bio-secure conditions under such a tight time frame in one of the worst-hit countries for the coronavirus.
The success of the bubble has provided a template for the sport to navigate through the global pandemic and the blueprint will be replicated in just about every major league and international series worldwide.
West Indies and Pakistan, too, deserve praise and there has been much appreciated for their efforts to persist through the logistical nightmare and mental fatigue of bubble cricket. Understandably, both teams fell away at the backend after such lengthy periods essentially confined to cricket grounds but the results were almost inconsequential.
It’s time for England to reciprocate the goodwill. “I think it would have been easy for us to say ‘no thanks’,” Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave told me. “We feel like we have a duty to the sport and an obligation for the World Test Championship.”
With so much financial uncertainty hovering over the game, there is fear from smaller cricket nations that the powerhouses of Australia, India, and England will be further incentivized to play each other even more.
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Denne historien er fra August 30, 2020-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
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Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.
