Tim Maynard
@timmaynard.bsky.social
Politics | cricket | rugby | European history, mostly
I’d be interested to know how the telegraph got the story at this stage. If it was leaked, it points to potential unrest behind the scenes. NZ tour a mess, trying to convey an ODI bilateral as meaningful ashes prep was deeply confused
January 8, 2026 at 9:36 AM
I’d be interested to know how the telegraph got the story at this stage. If it was leaked, it points to potential unrest behind the scenes. NZ tour a mess, trying to convey an ODI bilateral as meaningful ashes prep was deeply confused
When it works, it is clear, and they have had hugely positive impact on test cricket. But there has been confused decision making at costly points in matches, going back to 23 ashes. Agree stokes struggled here, but I hope he stays. Some key management issues elsewhere that need to be addressed
January 8, 2026 at 9:27 AM
When it works, it is clear, and they have had hugely positive impact on test cricket. But there has been confused decision making at costly points in matches, going back to 23 ashes. Agree stokes struggled here, but I hope he stays. Some key management issues elsewhere that need to be addressed
The bowling attack as a whole is also a significant management issue unfortunately
January 7, 2026 at 8:53 AM
The bowling attack as a whole is also a significant management issue unfortunately
I think bbc and sky pundits do recognise the positive impact they have had. Agnew can be a bit perma exasperated now, but they are commentating on what’s in front of them, and the same mistakes and mindset from the same players, going back to the last home ashes.
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 AM
I think bbc and sky pundits do recognise the positive impact they have had. Agnew can be a bit perma exasperated now, but they are commentating on what’s in front of them, and the same mistakes and mindset from the same players, going back to the last home ashes.
Interesting how Lehmann spoke with passion&detail about county game&say he’s never seen a selector. Yet we have Bethell having played zero cricket, Bashir no county,+ batsmen&bowlers undercooked/injured. Suggests poor player management,& better relationships with counties from Key would have helped
December 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Interesting how Lehmann spoke with passion&detail about county game&say he’s never seen a selector. Yet we have Bethell having played zero cricket, Bashir no county,+ batsmen&bowlers undercooked/injured. Suggests poor player management,& better relationships with counties from Key would have helped
One for Matthew Syed..
December 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
One for Matthew Syed..
In 2023 Kruger praised Sunak for being strong on sex ed in schools, and for his concern about the ‘culture his girls are growing up in. We’re not doing enough to deliver on that culturally conservative agenda’.
Now, self-described Scrutonian Kruger: ‘we’ll take votes from wherever we can get them’
Now, self-described Scrutonian Kruger: ‘we’ll take votes from wherever we can get them’
December 15, 2025 at 12:23 PM
In 2023 Kruger praised Sunak for being strong on sex ed in schools, and for his concern about the ‘culture his girls are growing up in. We’re not doing enough to deliver on that culturally conservative agenda’.
Now, self-described Scrutonian Kruger: ‘we’ll take votes from wherever we can get them’
Now, self-described Scrutonian Kruger: ‘we’ll take votes from wherever we can get them’
On the basis of McIlroy’s inclusion, you could argue Root should be in there, overtaking Ponting, and now ton in Oz
December 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
On the basis of McIlroy’s inclusion, you could argue Root should be in there, overtaking Ponting, and now ton in Oz
Think they’d have gone for Baker if fit. A blow for the squad with Wood, let alone their attack
December 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Think they’d have gone for Baker if fit. A blow for the squad with Wood, let alone their attack
It’s going to be like watching the backyard cricket lads isn’t it
December 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
It’s going to be like watching the backyard cricket lads isn’t it
He is incredible, with some mind-blowing centuries. I think frustration can be how high he could go without the creative ways of getting out, but also it can happen at key moments in a game that genuinely cost the team, eg against Ind in the summer or last UK Ashes at lords. But he will be a great
December 4, 2025 at 7:57 AM
He is incredible, with some mind-blowing centuries. I think frustration can be how high he could go without the creative ways of getting out, but also it can happen at key moments in a game that genuinely cost the team, eg against Ind in the summer or last UK Ashes at lords. But he will be a great
It was a fascinating interview. It was respectful throughout, but Stewart and Campbell were pinpoint
December 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
It was a fascinating interview. It was respectful throughout, but Stewart and Campbell were pinpoint
I’m not sure, if you look at someone like Danny Kruger, that there’s much distinction between the 2 groups. Just two sides of the same opportunistic coin. I think what it highlights more clearly is that Farage and Johnson could comfortably sit in the same team
December 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I’m not sure, if you look at someone like Danny Kruger, that there’s much distinction between the 2 groups. Just two sides of the same opportunistic coin. I think what it highlights more clearly is that Farage and Johnson could comfortably sit in the same team
My frustration w/Labour is they had space for deeper thinking in opposition. They knew election would be late, &could have used that time while Tories disintegrated to go beyond missions to proposition rooted in compelling policy. Instead they obsessed over preserving the lead,&we feel that cost now
November 28, 2025 at 3:29 PM
My frustration w/Labour is they had space for deeper thinking in opposition. They knew election would be late, &could have used that time while Tories disintegrated to go beyond missions to proposition rooted in compelling policy. Instead they obsessed over preserving the lead,&we feel that cost now
There’s so much sense in that..
November 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
There’s so much sense in that..
This is the best explanation I’ve seen for why Sam Coates excitedly ran an MRP poll in September, 4 years out from an election
November 23, 2025 at 9:45 PM
This is the best explanation I’ve seen for why Sam Coates excitedly ran an MRP poll in September, 4 years out from an election
They seem to rely on him to produce one special knock a series, which wins a match, and put up with the other low scores. But bowlers do get in his head, as in NZ last winter and could happen with Starc here, and creates further pressure on the middle order
November 22, 2025 at 10:28 AM
They seem to rely on him to produce one special knock a series, which wins a match, and put up with the other low scores. But bowlers do get in his head, as in NZ last winter and could happen with Starc here, and creates further pressure on the middle order
‘Self soothe’ is a great way of putting it! Do you think labour ‘it is structural’ is comparable to Tory ‘it’s because of the blob’, or would that oversimplify?
November 14, 2025 at 1:42 PM
‘Self soothe’ is a great way of putting it! Do you think labour ‘it is structural’ is comparable to Tory ‘it’s because of the blob’, or would that oversimplify?
I’ve read it a couple of times and must say I remain confused on definition and the article’s purpose; though all the examples he cites as being woke right are more easily defined as abhorrent racism.
November 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I’ve read it a couple of times and must say I remain confused on definition and the article’s purpose; though all the examples he cites as being woke right are more easily defined as abhorrent racism.
Would be disastrous for the BBC, but if it meant Times readers never had to read one of his clumsy articles again then every cloud…
November 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Would be disastrous for the BBC, but if it meant Times readers never had to read one of his clumsy articles again then every cloud…
But overall I do agree. Even if you look at the calibre of interviewers from recent years, Maitlis, Husain and Derbyshire, all either departed or talents sadly misused, the line up is obvious weaker, doubtless due to seeking a more palatable platform for the right wing
November 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
But overall I do agree. Even if you look at the calibre of interviewers from recent years, Maitlis, Husain and Derbyshire, all either departed or talents sadly misused, the line up is obvious weaker, doubtless due to seeking a more palatable platform for the right wing
There are clearly better candidates as his output regularly confirms. But his training is solid, and I don’t think the hospital radio jibe is valid. I’m not sure the bbc knew where to turn when he was appointed, likely due to the forces you mention. Jon sopel was rumoured in the running
November 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
There are clearly better candidates as his output regularly confirms. But his training is solid, and I don’t think the hospital radio jibe is valid. I’m not sure the bbc knew where to turn when he was appointed, likely due to the forces you mention. Jon sopel was rumoured in the running