Simon Wilde's Blog

Teen idol fires Somerset

A generation ago, it was possible for a young player of promise to steal a place on a winter tour with an eye-catching performance in a September cup final at Lord's.

Stubborn Pakistan show some fight to make England wait

Andrew Strauss's fear that complacency might be England's biggest enemy going into the second Test match sprang to life on the third day of the game as Pakistan fought like cornered tigers (to borrow a phrase of their greatest cricketer Imran Khan).

Pakistan drop to new low in fielding comedy

They say the hallmark of a top-class batsman is the ability to make "ugly runs", which means producing a decent score even when form has deserted him and the whole business of crease occupation is a torment.

Time for Anderson to shine on foreign fields

The more wickets James Anderson takes on home soil — he has 25 in 3½ Tests this summer and 129 in 31 Tests in England, placing him joint-10th on the all-time list — the louder become the questions on his form overseas.

England unravel Pakistan with a swing and seam masterclass

There was only ever going to be one outcome when the first Test resumed on Sunday - under more obligingly cloudy skies for the fast bowlers - but England did a lot more than just win the match.

England's Irish solution

Eoin Morgan's journey from a Dublin housing estate to the bright lights and big bucks of the England dressing room began on a playing field at Eton. Batting for Ireland's touring under-15s against a South of England youth team, he was being watched — unbeknown to him — by the Middlesex assistant coach, Jason Pooley.

Relieved England edge to brink of victory against Pakistan

Barring the unexpected, England should win the first Test match today and take a 1-0 lead in this npower series, but satisfaction will be tinged with relief and reality. For much of the game the contest has been even and had Pakistan taken their chances England's advantage would have been thin. Thank goodness for Kamran Akmal and his iron gloves.

Hampshire won't pick Pietersen

Hampshire have offered to lend Kevin Pietersen to another county or field him in a second XI game in an effort to help the England batsman rediscover his form.

Eoin Morgan is Ireland's solution to a very English problem

Eoin Morgan's journey from a Dublin housing estate to the bright lights and big bucks of the England dressing room began on a playing field at Eton.

Pakistan seal historic win against Australia

Anybody who thought the second MCC Spirit of Cricket Test match would move serenely to its conclusion at Headingley yesterday does not know their Australian cricketers, or their Pakistanis.