Photo courtesy of Matthew Cleeve Twitter @matthewcleeve Yesterday England continued their disastrous form from the World Cup with a shambolic performance in the field in the opening game of their ODI series in the Caribbean. The failings on display were familiar to anyone who has been following the English white ball side of late. Captain[…]
Read MoreThe Bouncer’s World Cup awards
At the recent Cricket Writers Club lunch, TMS commentator Dan Norcross noted that the duration of the 2023 Cricket World Cup was the same length as the gestation period of the fox. To many of us watching, it felt more like the gestation of an elephant. Here at the Bouncer, we always look for the[…]
Read MoreThe joy of going Dutch
In 30 years of following sport, there are few things that have brought me as much joy as the current Netherlands cricket team. Scott Edwards and his men have exceeded the expectations of everyone but themselves in these last few weeks in India. When Edwards stated before the tournament that the Dutch aim was to[…]
Read MoreUnderlying problems run deep for beleaguered England
I began writing this article when England seemed on course to become the first team to beat India at this World Cup, proving conclusively that there was still life left in this once great side. However, we all know what happened next. The English ODI side still possesses some world class cricketers but there is[…]
Read MoreIn defence of the Cricket World Cup
I have been thoroughly enjoying the Cricket World Cup so far. From a cursory look at Twitter and the cricket media, however, I appear to be the only one. No one likes to talk their own sport down quite as much as cricket people. Many fans have been complaining about the format and comparing it[…]
Read MoreCareless England put to the sword by ruthless Black Caps in World Cup opener
England began their defence of the World Cup with a 9 wicket hammering at the hands of New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium today. Four years ago, Eoin Morgan’s men had defeated the Blackcaps by, in commentator Ian Smith’s words, “the barest of margins” at Lords to lift the trophy but, under the unforgiving[…]
Read MoreCricket’s greatest show takes centre stage
The greatest show in cricket is here, or at least we hope it is. 50 over cricket has become the unloved middle child of the global game. Lacking both the depth of the Test game and the instant gratification of T20, the ODI has been fighting for its’ survival for some time now. Only this[…]
Read MoreEngland’s World Cup memories
“By the barest of margins!” Ian Smith’s words have since passed into the folklore of English sport since they were first uttered as Jos Buttler swept away the stumps to seal England’s first World Cup win in 2019. However, since cricket launched its’ first global tournament in 1975, the nation that hosted the first three[…]
Read MoreFaded glories shine bright as Foxes triumph on Cup final day
They came in their hundreds on the trains from Leicester, singing songs and wearing their Foxes bucket hats. It has been 22 years since Leicestershire reached a one day final, and 38 years since they had won one, and these fans were determined to make the most of it. Those of us of a vintage[…]
Read MoreCricket, autism and me
I write this while having a bad autistic day. Sometimes on a bad day my body and mind feel so drained I am unable to do anything, even getting up off the sofa seems too difficult. I never know for certain when one of these days will come, although there are certain events that will[…]
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