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Cricket

Nick Compton 166 Century

Nick Compton’s 166 for Somerset v Durham at Taunton on Thursday 6th/Friday 7th June, is possibly the most important century of his career. Last Autumn, I facilitated conversations which Nick participated in, at two London County Captains Day, along with leading International sportspeople, some of whom had excelled in previous World Cup events. The theme […]

A Quick 166

Schoolboy Will Jacks hit 166 off only 68 balls for St George’s Weybridge under 14′s versus RGS Guildford to follow his unbeaten 221 versus Kingston Grammar recently. The Daily Telegraph reports that Jacks’ 166 was his third century in four innings, and has given him an aggregate of 614 runs from seven innings. Cricket history […]

Golden Arm

The term ‘Golden Arm’ in Cricket is used to highlight the capability of a bowler to join the attack and have an immediate impact on proceedings. The ultimate ‘Golden Arm’ story came to my attention yesterday, when I read about 8 year-old schoolboy Oliver Payter, who took a hat-trick with his first three balls of […]

Broad Smiles at Lord’s

What A Difference A Day Makes….. Stuart Broad walked into Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday morning with a mission at the forefront of his mind: win the match. Despite his prospects seeming remote, the reality of his actual performance was remarkable. His professional cricketing excellence enabled an England victory, and has significantly shaped the 2-Match Test […]

Cricket’s Loss Felt at Lord’s

Death is one of life’s few certainties. However, when a person is called to ‘The Great Pavilion in the Sky’ whilst still in full flow, and with plenty of strokes still to play, the loss is felt more deeply. Since the turn of the Year, and as the new season began, some key players had […]

A Good Time To Go

Leaving as a Champion Choosing the precise moment to exit the stage is every performer’s  dilemma. The old saying : “leave ‘em wanting more” offers, arguably, the most sage advice.  Today, Sir Alex Ferguson took  charge of his 1,500th match as a Football Manager, and retired at the top.  By retiring now, he leaves behind […]

Grace’s 100 Centuries

Today commemorates the day in 1895 when WG Grace scored his 100th first-class century. It was made at Bristol for Gloucestershire versus Somerset. Ironically, Somerset was also the opponent when Sir Jack Hobbs became the next person to achieve the same remarkable feat many years later.

Come on Aussie, Come on

‘The Baggy Green’ Cricket Cap was usurped on Sunday evening by ‘The Green Jacket’ as a symbol of Aussie sporting pride. When Australia’s Adam Scott ‘drained’ his putt for birdie at the second play-off hole to win The 2013 US Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, he cemented his place, in the pantheon of Australian […]

Wisden Honours Compton, Kallis & Co

In 2012, Nick Compton made a name for himself. With remarkably consistent and high-level performances, Nick’s bat did a lot of talking for him. So much so, that it began to shout loudly. After many years known as a highly-promising young cricketer, and having his name suffixed by ‘grandson of the late, great Denis Compton’, […]

Children as Adults

As I watched the magic unfold at Augusta National Golf Course yesterday, I marvelled at the performance of 14 year-old Chinese golfer Tianlang Guan. To be participating in the event at such a tender age is remarkable enough in itself but to post a first round 73 and be one over par is an incredible […]