Test Match Special

It’s the big one, Ashes 2001 and the Aussies are relentless as they cut through county and international cricketers in this English summer. If this was late May after going one up against the Pakistanis after the mesmeric winter, I would be very high on at worst, England drawing the series. But critically England’s confidence has been bruised by yet another meaningless scheduled one day match fixing, beer drinking, crowd invading, triangular, money spinner. It seems cricket and Maclarin have embraced corporate hospitality as their target audience to increase revenues over rhythm for the Test team and cash strapped fans. I appreciate the draw and ...  Read the complete review

Why on earth is no one talking about this? Losing what remains of BBC Radio's cricket coverage would be like losing the gasometer from the Oval - or the boundary-fielding lime tree from Canterbury! OK, the overseas series have already been snaffled by Talk radio, but do we have to roll over and play dead while the market plays monopoly with what little remains of the basic public broadcasting coverage? Listening to the progress of the match whilst doing something else ( as opposed to being glued to a screen intent on selling you something) is still enjoyed by those with imagination, and by those with a disability. Who know only to well that having little or no ...  Read the complete review