Being Outside Cricket
@outsidecricket.bsky.social
A few grumpy gits and their friends. Don't agree with each other, unlikely to agree with you.
With that short innings from captain Harry Brook, he probably has time for a quick pint before he has to face the media.
Not that he has a problem, obviously...
Not that he has a problem, obviously...
January 22, 2026 at 3:37 PM
With that short innings from captain Harry Brook, he probably has time for a quick pint before he has to face the media.
Not that he has a problem, obviously...
Not that he has a problem, obviously...
The thing to remember about the ECB putting Sussex into special measures due to its long term financial mismanagement is that the ECB hired the then-CEO of Sussex CCC as its Managing Director Of The Professional Game just two year ago.
You've got to laugh... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
You've got to laugh... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
Sussex CCC placed in special measures over alleged financial mismanagement
Sussex have been placed in special measures by the England and Wales Cricket Board due to alleged financial mismanagement
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:37 PM
The thing to remember about the ECB putting Sussex into special measures due to its long term financial mismanagement is that the ECB hired the then-CEO of Sussex CCC as its Managing Director Of The Professional Game just two year ago.
You've got to laugh... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
You've got to laugh... www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
Rob Key apparently gave Harry Brook a "final warning" three months ago regarding his drunken behaviour.
What followed showed Key's complete lack of authority or respect from the players. They clearly see him more as a golf partner than a boss. He has to go. www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2026...
What followed showed Key's complete lack of authority or respect from the players. They clearly see him more as a golf partner than a boss. He has to go. www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2026...
England’s booze-fuelled Ashes left Stokes and McCullum divided
Telegraph Sport details England’s wretched time Down Under that was marred by controversies off the pitch and woeful performances on it
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Rob Key apparently gave Harry Brook a "final warning" three months ago regarding his drunken behaviour.
What followed showed Key's complete lack of authority or respect from the players. They clearly see him more as a golf partner than a boss. He has to go. www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2026...
What followed showed Key's complete lack of authority or respect from the players. They clearly see him more as a golf partner than a boss. He has to go. www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2026...
We would like to apologise to the ECB, specifically Brendon McCullum and Rob Key.
We have long said that the ECB couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, but this team has demonstrated that they can organise one anywhere. This is progress. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
We have long said that the ECB couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, but this team has demonstrated that they can organise one anywhere. This is progress. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Ashes 2025-26: Harry Brook apologises after altercation in New Zealand nightclub
England's Harry Brook apologises after being involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer the night before an ODI on the tour of New Zealand that preceded the Ashes.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 9:05 AM
We would like to apologise to the ECB, specifically Brendon McCullum and Rob Key.
We have long said that the ECB couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, but this team has demonstrated that they can organise one anywhere. This is progress. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
We have long said that the ECB couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, but this team has demonstrated that they can organise one anywhere. This is progress. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
The tough pill for England and their fans to swallow is that this was a genuine opportunity to win an overseas Ashes.
Australia had a relatively weak batting lineup, and only one of their first choice bowlers through most of this series, but still dominated England.
Australia had a relatively weak batting lineup, and only one of their first choice bowlers through most of this series, but still dominated England.
January 8, 2026 at 3:46 AM
The tough pill for England and their fans to swallow is that this was a genuine opportunity to win an overseas Ashes.
Australia had a relatively weak batting lineup, and only one of their first choice bowlers through most of this series, but still dominated England.
Australia had a relatively weak batting lineup, and only one of their first choice bowlers through most of this series, but still dominated England.
McCullum and Stokes can think themselves lucky that they are not in football, because a performance like last night would be framed as them having "lost the dressing room" and they would be hounded until they were sacked.
January 6, 2026 at 12:15 PM
McCullum and Stokes can think themselves lucky that they are not in football, because a performance like last night would be framed as them having "lost the dressing room" and they would be hounded until they were sacked.
Under Brendon McCullum, England's Test team haven't won a series against India or Australia (in four attempts), and finished fifth out of nine teams in the 2023-25 World Test Championship.
There's clearly room for improvement here.
There's clearly room for improvement here.
Ben Stokes says he "can't see" a future as England Test captain without Brendon McCullum at the helm 🗣️
![Look, I've thoroughly enjoyed the time that I've worked with Brendon. I can't see there being someone else who I could take this team [with], from where we are now, to even bigger heights](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ty3k2zrcrvhbkcy755dkt3tt/bafkreifuctuiesycmbk25yxqtkemh5ollqrx7lsnzgkaplpt2randfog7e@jpeg)
January 2, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Under Brendon McCullum, England's Test team haven't won a series against India or Australia (in four attempts), and finished fifth out of nine teams in the 2023-25 World Test Championship.
There's clearly room for improvement here.
There's clearly room for improvement here.
While Sir Andrew Strauss uses England's failures to tout his 2022 High Performance Review, he doesn't say that Rob Key was a co-author of that review.
Key has also implemented parts of that review, which we did a point-by-point critique of at the time: beingoutsidecricket.com/2022/11/02/t...
Key has also implemented parts of that review, which we did a point-by-point critique of at the time: beingoutsidecricket.com/2022/11/02/t...
December 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
While Sir Andrew Strauss uses England's failures to tout his 2022 High Performance Review, he doesn't say that Rob Key was a co-author of that review.
Key has also implemented parts of that review, which we did a point-by-point critique of at the time: beingoutsidecricket.com/2022/11/02/t...
Key has also implemented parts of that review, which we did a point-by-point critique of at the time: beingoutsidecricket.com/2022/11/02/t...
Famously, Olympic athletes prepare for the biggest sporting event of their lives by going on a week-long bender a few days beforehand.
It really puts them in the physical and mental state required to reach the very pinnacle of their abilities.
It really puts them in the physical and mental state required to reach the very pinnacle of their abilities.
December 21, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Famously, Olympic athletes prepare for the biggest sporting event of their lives by going on a week-long bender a few days beforehand.
It really puts them in the physical and mental state required to reach the very pinnacle of their abilities.
It really puts them in the physical and mental state required to reach the very pinnacle of their abilities.
McCullum was right. If anything, England overprepared for this series.
After all, they could have lost 3-0 without practicing at all...
After all, they could have lost 3-0 without practicing at all...
December 21, 2025 at 4:14 AM
McCullum was right. If anything, England overprepared for this series.
After all, they could have lost 3-0 without practicing at all...
After all, they could have lost 3-0 without practicing at all...
Balls taken to lose an Ashes series in Australia:
2010/11: 10,010*
2006/07: 7,022
2017/18: 6,623
2013/14: 6,443
2001/02: 5,380
2021/22: 5,115
This series is now at 4,480, which is 105.5 overs less. The only way this isn't the quickest loss this century is if England win or draw.
2010/11: 10,010*
2006/07: 7,022
2017/18: 6,623
2013/14: 6,443
2001/02: 5,380
2021/22: 5,115
This series is now at 4,480, which is 105.5 overs less. The only way this isn't the quickest loss this century is if England win or draw.
December 20, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Balls taken to lose an Ashes series in Australia:
2010/11: 10,010*
2006/07: 7,022
2017/18: 6,623
2013/14: 6,443
2001/02: 5,380
2021/22: 5,115
This series is now at 4,480, which is 105.5 overs less. The only way this isn't the quickest loss this century is if England win or draw.
2010/11: 10,010*
2006/07: 7,022
2017/18: 6,623
2013/14: 6,443
2001/02: 5,380
2021/22: 5,115
This series is now at 4,480, which is 105.5 overs less. The only way this isn't the quickest loss this century is if England win or draw.
Ben Stokes didn't bowl at all today, which is especially worrying considering that he has England's best bowling average in this series and the must-win nature of the match.
Whatever the issue, it must be serious.
Whatever the issue, it must be serious.
December 19, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Ben Stokes didn't bowl at all today, which is especially worrying considering that he has England's best bowling average in this series and the must-win nature of the match.
Whatever the issue, it must be serious.
Whatever the issue, it must be serious.
As it stands overnight, while he is not out, Jofra Archer has the second-highest batting average for England in this Ashes.
Even if he was dismissed without scoring another run, he would still be ahead of Crawley, Jacks, Pope, Duckett and Smith, halfway through the series.
Even if he was dismissed without scoring another run, he would still be ahead of Crawley, Jacks, Pope, Duckett and Smith, halfway through the series.
Jofra Archer:
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
As it stands overnight, while he is not out, Jofra Archer has the second-highest batting average for England in this Ashes.
Even if he was dismissed without scoring another run, he would still be ahead of Crawley, Jacks, Pope, Duckett and Smith, halfway through the series.
Even if he was dismissed without scoring another run, he would still be ahead of Crawley, Jacks, Pope, Duckett and Smith, halfway through the series.
Matthew Fisher has taken two wickets for 259 runs in four innings during the Lions tour of Australia, which is an average of 129.50.
By comparison, Nathan Gilchrist has taken nine wickets at an average of 32.56 for the Lions.
By comparison, Nathan Gilchrist has taken nine wickets at an average of 32.56 for the Lions.
December 9, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Matthew Fisher has taken two wickets for 259 runs in four innings during the Lions tour of Australia, which is an average of 129.50.
By comparison, Nathan Gilchrist has taken nine wickets at an average of 32.56 for the Lions.
By comparison, Nathan Gilchrist has taken nine wickets at an average of 32.56 for the Lions.
Jofra Archer:
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
December 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Jofra Archer:
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
Has a higher batting average than Stokes, Duckett and Smith so far in this series.
Would have a much better bowling average if England could catch.
Has bowled more overs for England in this series than everyone bar Atkinson.
Gets clicks when he's in the headline.
The men's England cricket team is good at winning some things. They have won the toss in their last seven Tests.
In those matches, their record is won 2, lost 4, drew 1.
In those matches, their record is won 2, lost 4, drew 1.
December 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The men's England cricket team is good at winning some things. They have won the toss in their last seven Tests.
In those matches, their record is won 2, lost 4, drew 1.
In those matches, their record is won 2, lost 4, drew 1.
England survive a whole session without losing a wicket, but because they only scored at 2.46 runs per over it doesn't count and is in fact a moral victory for Australia.
December 7, 2025 at 6:05 AM
England survive a whole session without losing a wicket, but because they only scored at 2.46 runs per over it doesn't count and is in fact a moral victory for Australia.
Everything for England to play for tomorrow.
Will they lose by an innings, or lose by a mere ten wickets? Wake up at 4am to find out!
Will they lose by an innings, or lose by a mere ten wickets? Wake up at 4am to find out!
December 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Everything for England to play for tomorrow.
Will they lose by an innings, or lose by a mere ten wickets? Wake up at 4am to find out!
Will they lose by an innings, or lose by a mere ten wickets? Wake up at 4am to find out!
Australia are into the tail now...
December 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Australia are into the tail now...
'Only' 12 overs short today, a huge improvement on the 16 lost yesterday.
England will probably get hit with a points penalty in the World Test Championship though because, unlike Australia, they didn't take their chances in the field.
England will probably get hit with a points penalty in the World Test Championship though because, unlike Australia, they didn't take their chances in the field.
December 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
'Only' 12 overs short today, a huge improvement on the 16 lost yesterday.
England will probably get hit with a points penalty in the World Test Championship though because, unlike Australia, they didn't take their chances in the field.
England will probably get hit with a points penalty in the World Test Championship though because, unlike Australia, they didn't take their chances in the field.
England have skipped directly to Step 4 in the cycle, renewing the contracts of everyone bar Kate Cross from the squad who lost the Ashes 16-0 and then limped out of the following ODI World Cup.
It doesn't look like anyone new will be in the T20 World Cup team next year.
It doesn't look like anyone new will be in the T20 World Cup team next year.
Just kidding. Almost nothing will change.
We've currently just completed step 1 of the 4 step cycle.
We've currently just completed step 1 of the 4 step cycle.
December 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
England have skipped directly to Step 4 in the cycle, renewing the contracts of everyone bar Kate Cross from the squad who lost the Ashes 16-0 and then limped out of the following ODI World Cup.
It doesn't look like anyone new will be in the T20 World Cup team next year.
It doesn't look like anyone new will be in the T20 World Cup team next year.
More trouble at Middlesex.
Some questions members might want to ask at Tuesday's public meeting:
1) How much has Middlesex spent on legal fees and crisis management consultants during Cornish's tenure so far?
2) Will the club be funding Cornish's legal defense?
Some questions members might want to ask at Tuesday's public meeting:
1) How much has Middlesex spent on legal fees and crisis management consultants during Cornish's tenure so far?
2) Will the club be funding Cornish's legal defense?
Middlesex CCC chief executive investigated after complaint by staff member
Middlesex CCC chief executive investigated after complaint by staff member
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Cricket Regulator launches investigation into claims
*
Andrew Cornish understood to deny misconduct
The Middlesex County Cricket Club chief executive, Andrew Cornish, has taken leave of absence from the club following an allegation of misconduct made by another member of staff.
The Guardian has learned that Middlesex have handed the complaint over to the Cricket Regulator, which has launched an investigation into the matter. Continue reading...
dlvr.it
December 1, 2025 at 7:35 AM
More trouble at Middlesex.
Some questions members might want to ask at Tuesday's public meeting:
1) How much has Middlesex spent on legal fees and crisis management consultants during Cornish's tenure so far?
2) Will the club be funding Cornish's legal defense?
Some questions members might want to ask at Tuesday's public meeting:
1) How much has Middlesex spent on legal fees and crisis management consultants during Cornish's tenure so far?
2) Will the club be funding Cornish's legal defense?
England have announced that they will be sending just three players from the senior squad to the pink ball warmup game this week: Bethell, Potts and Tongue.
The reaction if they lose the next Test could get extremely ugly.
www.ecb.co.uk/news/4408007
The reaction if they lose the next Test could get extremely ugly.
www.ecb.co.uk/news/4408007
Three Ashes squad players to join Lions for Prime Minister’s XI fixture
The day/night match will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
www.ecb.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:34 AM
England have announced that they will be sending just three players from the senior squad to the pink ball warmup game this week: Bethell, Potts and Tongue.
The reaction if they lose the next Test could get extremely ugly.
www.ecb.co.uk/news/4408007
The reaction if they lose the next Test could get extremely ugly.
www.ecb.co.uk/news/4408007
Positives for England to take out of this Test:
The bowlers won't be tired.
Every time they get dismissed playing an attacking shot in this series they can say they were trying to emulate Travis Head.
The Lake Karrinyup golf course is open on Sundays.
The bowlers won't be tired.
Every time they get dismissed playing an attacking shot in this series they can say they were trying to emulate Travis Head.
The Lake Karrinyup golf course is open on Sundays.
November 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Positives for England to take out of this Test:
The bowlers won't be tired.
Every time they get dismissed playing an attacking shot in this series they can say they were trying to emulate Travis Head.
The Lake Karrinyup golf course is open on Sundays.
The bowlers won't be tired.
Every time they get dismissed playing an attacking shot in this series they can say they were trying to emulate Travis Head.
The Lake Karrinyup golf course is open on Sundays.
Obviously it's not going to be a major topic of conversation, but the two teams were 16 overs short of the allotted overs today.
That's the equivalent of more than a full hours' play.
That's the equivalent of more than a full hours' play.
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Obviously it's not going to be a major topic of conversation, but the two teams were 16 overs short of the allotted overs today.
That's the equivalent of more than a full hours' play.
That's the equivalent of more than a full hours' play.