You’re still baffled, right? I have not been able to fathom all the lunacy that happened in that last hour or so in Headingley even after watching those insane highlights on a loop ever since.
How did Stokes toy with Australia’s blue chip bowling attack – rated their best since the McGrath/Warne years – like he was in video game mode?
How did England’s last-wicket partnership score more than the entirety of the team’s first innings? How did Nathan Lyon not gather the ball in a relatively easy run out opportunity? How does Tim Paine keep wasting Australia’s precious reviews? How does Joel Wilson keep making howlers? How does cricket keep giving back to us spoilt fans in this summer for the ages?
Put simply, this is cricket’s golden age. It’s never been better. Although you probably won’t really feel this if you’re on Twitter and stuck in that depressing echo chamber. Even in the aftermath of the Headlingley Miracle 2.0, too many miserable people couldn’t help themselves and tried to spoil the party by focusing on contentious moments. It’s true that cricket can be an easy punching bag with its arcane rules – does anyone really trust the DRS?
But when you’ve just witnessed arguably the greatest Test match and maybe the best Test knock ever, why sulk? I’m Australian but, honestly, seeing Test cricket at its absolute gut-churning overrides eye-rolling jingoism.
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 01, 2019-utgaven av The Cricket Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
