Daniel Norcross

Meanwhile, one of the truly great pleasures of being home at last is to watch Bunting’s walk on live, on my sofa. With wine. And a fag. Pure joy. #titanium

Not quite. His ODI hundred was in September. But within six months. He still doesn’t have a non-international hundred. Surely a first.

Hot on the heels of Harry Brook, from nowhere, Bethell becomes just the fourth English man to score international hundreds in all three formats. And at 22 by far the youngest.

We’re way past D-Day, baby. We’re approaching the end of October 1944.

It certainly isn’t unlikely, as long as the people bowling spin are good enough to take wickets.

Can’t say I blame him. They were defending 70 something in 40 overs on what looks like a cold, drafty day.

He’s at slip. Constantly.

Marvellous stuff, that. It might have been Trevor Jesty, judging by the floppy blond locks.

You can entirely see why in that short film. Technique is atrocious.

Thanks Richard. During this Winter War, I have mostly been a conscientious objector, but I will be around for September 1944-August 1945, so a bit of battling still to be done. (Needed Pakistan to go through. Then I could have avoided the last four months of ‘44.)

This is gorgeous. From the manky pads, to the old school running between the wickets, the voiceover, the classically 70s documentary music, slo-mo, close ups of faces; the lot. Thanks, Causters.

Thanks Andrew. Quite the game.

3rd February 1944. The Americans are securing the Marshall Islands. The Nazis have had a bit of a boost at Anzio, but D-day (in our timeline) is only about nine days away. Hang on in there, team.

‘Girt by sea’ is a phrase so silly that it invalidates any musical or lyrical merit elsewhere in the anthem

So, Simon Mann is calling the remarkable SA v Afghanistan match. He will hand over to us when it’s over. Here’s an exchange we had an hour and a half ago.

I hear you loud and clear, Jane. I’ve got one stinker (Australia) and one stonker (Ireland) coming up in an hour and a half.

I think they left. Maybe they came here. I’ll explore.

What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Back tomorrow, and most days in February. It’s a crazy but fun schedule.

Calling The Shots, Director's Cut: How It All Began Episode 1 - How it all Began: In March 2020, the world stopped as human tragedy unfolded. To that backdrop, a lockdown project started small and got way out of hand, as Adam Collins…

For more about Tommy Woodrooffe's career @norcrosscricket.bsky.social and @collinsadam.bsky.social worked on a history of cricket broadcasting during the pandemic of 2020 pca.st/episode/3e17...

Book review: The 50 Most Ridiculous Ashes Moments by Dan Liebke and Alex Bowden, foreword by Pat Cummins

Great book, apparently

www.kingcricket.co.uk/book-review-...

I think the shadow umpire who shadowed having to overturn his original shadow decision probably took the biscuit for me. Apex shadowing.

This is the last episode of our run. Threads are tied together.

Here's a puzzle for late-night test match listeners.

Who's missing from this group of not-so-merry men?

🏏🦆😀

@georgedobell.bsky.social
@norcrosscricket.bsky.social
@wisdencricket.bsky.social
@acscricket.bsky.social
@zaltzcricket.bsky.social

The greatest innings ever played in a boxing day test match at the MCG was Alan Mullally's 16 in 1998.

Discuss.

A puzzle below to consider whilst you draft your discussion papers.

Festive cheers to one and all!

😎🦆🏏🎅

@georgedobell.bsky.social
@norcrosscricket.bsky.social

Not quite. Needed to be 50 ahead with a session to go.

Six wickets in one day fall to legside catches at Adelaide!

I can't help but to recall a horrible pre-lunch moment in 1991 and the silliness which preceded it.

Here's to a good day's night.

🏏😁

@georgedobell.bsky.social
@norcrosscricket.bsky.social
@melindafarrell.bsky.social

I yearn for the days when English medium pacers were outgunned by fiery Australian quicks.

Vice versa is much more depressing.

A puzzle below in homage to some hapless dibbly-dobblies of yesteryear.

Enjoy the game, if you dare!

🏏

@georgedobell.bsky.social
@norcrosscricket.bsky.social

This week in "The off-season as WW2 timeline is Pearl Harbour."

www.kiaoval.com/nightwatchma... per @norcrosscricket.bsky.social

The Gabba 1998: I couldn't get a ticket for the first day and spent it in a nearby bar drinking beer with Syd Lawrence. Great fun!

I hope everyone who's there 27 years later is having as good a time.

A puzzle below for the night owls.

😎🏏

@georgedobell.bsky.social
@norcrosscricket.bsky.social

I know there's a test match about to get underway in Brisbane.

And it's crucial and all that.

But I can't help thinking about a man with a firecracker square cut and a wonderful moment I was lucky to witness 34 years ago.

Enjoy the game!

@norcrosscricket.bsky.social
@georgedobell.bsky.social