Talking about Rob Key and his contention for a spot in the England line-up, Chris Adams on Sky Sports, suggested that Rob Key would need to prove to new coach Peter Moores that he wants to improve his game:
“Whether it be, perhaps, in his fielding, or in the, er, the structure of his body”
On its own, not a damning statement, but it did have the benefit of a hand gesture, which was moreorless “he’s a tubby a bastard”.

I had the opportunity to flex my cricketing know-how by appearing on the excellent “My Cricket World Cup” programme on BBC World. Now, it’s safe to say that whenever you hear a recorded version of yourself, you think you sound like a wally, but it’s true, in this case. I’m sure I’m not that posh.
I was put on the spot with each of the questions, so I don’t even entirely agree with my answers. (Especially as I sit here watching South Africa embarass England.)
But nevertheless, an opportunity for you to see your favourite cricket blogger in action. Hah. Or …read more

Despite the horrible cloud that will permanently overshadow this World Cup, there exist other question marks over the success of the tournament and the efficacy of the management committee, specifically calling in to question the pricing of the event and the thus far empty stadiums. Well CaribbeanCricket.com writer Michelle McDonald put the man behind the World Cup, Stephen Price, through his paces in a very thorough and revealing interview.
Check it.
Top work Michelle.

Just a quick note to say that SixandOut is one year old today. I’m not going to blabber on and say how I’d like to thank my parents and my goldfish and the guy who cuts my grass (because I don’t have such a guy) because frankly there’s plenty of other stuff going on at the moment. But nevertheless, I’m quite surprised it’s been a whole year and I am grateful to all you peeps who actually seem to care what I think about cricket.
I would offer to buy everyone a drink, but that might be a little controversial right …read more

… but they’ve already broken the trophy. Good work chaps. I’m intrigued that an $80k trophy can have parts “come unstuck” – sounds like real quality stuff.

England managed to end the Ashes tour on a high by somehow winning the Commonwealth Bank Trophy series. After a staggering 8 “group” matches, Australia entered the finals with 31 points having lost only one game, and England entered on a lowly 13 points having lost 5 games, just one better than New Zealand. The fact that one game basically decided the members of the final is to me laughable. Nevertheless, the Australians would still have targeted a win and their abject performances in the finals were quite mystifying. There’s no doubt that England improved their game substantially in the …read more

In a shocking stop-the-press development, Michael Vaughan is still injured. I mean injured again. I mean still injured again. Again, he’s still injured. After being out for over a year with a knee injury, Vaughan managed one game in charge (and marshalled England’s first and only win of the tour) before injuring himself with a torn hamstring. He then missed two more games (where England got royally stuffed) and looks set to miss England’s next encounter with New Zealand after niggling it in the nets.
Is Michael Vaughan really that good a captain? England have failed to win any games in …read more

If, like me, you’re an England fan, who will always be an England fan, who, despite the malaise and farce that surrounds this Ashes tour, still manages to maintain some respect and faith in our boys, certain that despite their thorough whooping, they still tried their hardest, did their best and gave it everything, then I implore you, for all that is good and pure on this earth, do not read this.
Words actually fail me.

What was I saying about this team being in reverse? No sooner was Michael Vaughan back in the team after being out through injury, he is again back out of the team through injury – apparently he’s torn his hamstring. Now, I know that “tearing a hamstring” tends to sound considerably worse than it really is and nowadays modern physiotherapy practices can have him up and dancing in no time at all, but in this instance he won’t be fit for this Friday’s match against Australia and England have renamed Andrew Flintoff as captain. Once again I’m struggling to comprehend …read more

The ECB have named Ken Schofield as lead prosecutor investigator in the witch-hunt investigation to determine exactly what happened in the Ashes. Ken Schofield is actually a golf man, having spent a few years as director of the European tour.
Also appointed are Nasser Hussein, Michael Atherton and Angus Fraser, with two, as yet, unfilled spots remaining. My guesses are on Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles.