Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Birmingham City – Manchester United: United’s Game Review

    That Birmingham City got away with a 1-1 draw is perhaps as much a reflection of the spirit Alex McLeish has instilled in his side, as it is of the quality the FA possesses in terms of referees. Indeed, it is not often in the Premier League that one gets to see a game that is not marred by some sort of refereeing controversy. While refereeing blunders are not uncommon in football the world over, the Premier League somewhat specializes in refs who claim all the back page headlines more often than not.

Against the Best: Statistical Analysis of the Best Batsmen against the Best Bowlers of the Tendulkar Era

    With the recent batting success of Jacques Kallis there have been many cries to elevate Kallis to the post of the vice-'best-modern-day-batsman', ahead of India's Sachin Tendulkar, and just behind West Indian legend, Brian Lara.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

To 4-3-3 or Not to 4-3-3? That is the Question…

    … To rephrase the great Will Shakespeare. It's a question that another great Brit is probably grappling with.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

2010 World Test XI

(All stats provided are against the top 8 ranked sides of the world.)

    With the last two Tests of the year taking place simultaneously in the southern hemisphere, one would suppose we have enough information with us about who the best batsmen, bowlers and wicket keepers are for the bygone year. So without further ado, let's dive into it.

Year End Review: India

    It would be naïve to suggest that the Indian cricket team's strangle hold of the top spot in Test cricket is absolute. In fact as South Africa are demonstrating at the moment, this Indian team is anything but an heir to the crown of world champions. It's a crown worn by stunning sides. From Bradman's Invincibles, one of the earliest outright dominant Test sides, to the West Indies teams of the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Australia have well and truly come to their end as the most dominating side of our times.

Manchester United: Year End Review for 2010

Is Manchester United the best team in the Barclays Premier League at the moment? Going into the New Year, the answer could be argued either way. On one hand they sit pretty on top of the table, with a game in hand to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, and two to Manchester City.
On the other hand, the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal must be wondering how this team have managed to sit on top so comfortably by December after the ridiculous start they had.