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Alastair Cook’s autobiography offers little that’s new or interesting

Freddie Auld12-Oct-2008
It would be far too easy to compare Alastair Cook’s new autobiography with his batting: determined and dependable, with the odd thrill. But sadly, it isn’t even that. For determined, read drab; for dependable, “dreary”; and as for the odd thrill, er, Cook had a game of darts with Freddie and Harmy on the eve of his Test debut. And that’s about as good as it gets.Most Cooky fans, of whom I am one myself, will be disappointed with his first, shamefully premature effort. The blurb promises a “fascinating insight” into one of the most “exciting and brightest players to burst on to the cricketing scene in recent years”. So I was hoping for juicy anecdotes about the Essex dressing room, the latter years of Duncan Fletcher’s reign, the disastrous Ashes campaign, the jelly bean files, and Michael Vaughan’s retirement. But no.Once you get past Cook’s early years – where he attended St Paul’s Cathedral School as a promising chorister – the book is mostly a combination of condensed match reports of Tests and ODIs mixed with Cook’s run-of-the-mill views on walking, sledging, captaincy, and the advent of Twenty20.Cook points to the influence of Graham Gooch and Andy Flower in his early years at Essex, and how a season of club cricket in Perth helped him develop. After deciding not to go to university, against the advice of the Essex authorities, he looks back with pride on his 214 against the touring Australians at Chelmsford, which, as he says, “made my name”. Then comes his unexpected call up to the full squad in India from the A tour in the Caribbean, a journey he shared with Jimmy Anderson, who he is now best mates with. Before Cook knew it, he was walking out to open the batting in Nagpur, and in his own words, “Strauss said ‘good luck’ in his posh accent, and away we went.”His champagne moment, following his 60 in the first innings with a remarkable debut hundred, was an ecstasy he says he has not experienced before or since. When he was sweating on 99, Kevin Pietersen had a sweepstake on how many balls Cook would take the reach his landmark, but disappointingly Cook can’t remember how many it actually took, or who won the cash.In the endless match reports that follow, he speaks of his surprising friendship with the northerners in the England team: Anderson, Paul Collingwood and Steve Harmison. He also reveals his superstition about odd numbers: hence why he has an even number on his shirt, and why he only has the volume of his radio on 8 or 10. The chapter on the Ashes is disappointingly bland, with the usual stuff of how the Aussies rip you to bits on the pitch but are great value off it. And the jelly-bean mystery remains unresolved, as Cook strongly denies any part in the bizarre saga that left Zaheer Khan hot under the helmet.Cook does reveal that the ECB asked him to have a chinwag with Mike Brearley, which suggests that he may have inherited the FEC (future England captain) tag from Pietersen, but again he doesn’t elaborate on what was said. After Vaughan stood down, Cook admitted the England captaincy was too early for him. It is certainly too early to start writing books about yourself.Perhaps I expected too much, but there wasn’t much in this I didn’t already know, and what I did discover wasn’t particularly interesting. However, even though Cook’s isn’t exactly riveting, here’s hoping that Cook waits until his story is complete before his next effort.Starting Out: My Story So Far
by Alastair Cook
Hodder and Stoughton £19.99

The Cincinnati Reds missed the postseason in 2024 for the fourth consecutive season and the 10th time in the last 11 years. The team dismissed manager David Bell on Monday as it looks to turn the corner and get back into contention.

It's been a frustrating past decade for the Reds and their fan base, and perhaps no one knows that better than longtime second baseman Jonathan India.

India has been with the franchise since making his MLB debut in 2021, and the former Rookie of the Year winner voiced his exasperation with the lack of improvement the team has made during his tenure. He also expressed his desire for the team to make the necessary adjustments in order to bring postseason baseball back to Cincinnati.

"We're tired of losing,” India said, via . "It's the same thing every year here. We just float around .500 and try to make the push but we just don’t have enough. We need to make a move. I know what it is, but I just want to say it to the media."

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the Reds to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He's due to be a free agent in 2027, as '26 is his final year of arbitration. Of his future with the organization, he said this upcoming offseason was a critical one, as he's not sure where he'll be after the '25 season.

"It's got to be (a big offseason). Who knows if I'll be here next year. Who knows if [Tyler] Stephenson will be here. We're running out of time. We were the young core. Then, we added Elly [De La Cruz] and so many guys. They need to make moves. I want to win."

India slashed .247/.353/.395 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2024, featuring in 146 games throughout the year.

South Africa greats hail triumph in Australia

Nagraj Gollapudi30-Dec-2008
Mike Procter (centre): “After the victory I told Graeme [Smith] ‘you must be very, very proud'” © PA Photos
Mike Procter, I might have been one of the only few to have witnessed both of South Africa’s series victories over Australia. This victory will rank as one of the greatest sporting moments in South African history. The two Test matches South Africa won have been incredible. It just showed the tremendous character of the team because in both the Tests there was no way they could win the game and they ended up winning both matches very comfortably.Chasing 414 [in Perth] was a monumental effort and winning by six wickets was incredible. And then when South Africa were seven down for 180-odd on the second day, there was only going be one result at the MCG. And the team changed that round and won by nine wickets. Absolutely incredible.I know this team will be measured against the 1970s’ side. Back then, we won every game pretty comfortably and there were no major problems. In these two Tests South Africa were almost staring at defeat on the second or third day and they turned that around and won convincingly. After the victory I told Graeme ‘you must be very, very proud’. He is a very tough guy, highly respected and the team would do anything for him. The way the bowlers handled the situation in the second innings in Perth and Melbourne was very special and very disciplined and the batters came to the fore, too. It was just amazing.Ali Bacher, The one moment I, and all South Africans, will always cherish is JP Duminy’s 160-odd. His second Test match, we are into our tail at 180 for 7, playing at the famous MCG in front of a huge crowd, huge pressure, and the youngster plays like he has been around for ten years. His inspirational performance in the midst of some very fine performances by our guys will be remembered for years to come.This is history in the making. How good is the South African team? Certainly after our return to international cricket, the two best teams we had in Test cricket was the one led by the late Hansie Cronje in the late 1990s and this current one. But the records will show this team is better. They started by beating Pakistan in Pakistan, beat England in England, drew with India in India and now Australia in Australia – there can be no question they are the No. 1 in world cricket today.Peter Pollock, When I was in Australia in September I told the media that for the first time after readmission a South African cricket team would arrive believing that they could beat the Aussies. Jacques Kallis said during the Perth Test when South Africa were not in a good position, that they could still win the Test. For a team to be a good cricket team, you need some players who are bit above the rest. We have certain cricketers who are really good cricketers.The potential of young guys like [Dale] Steyn, [AB] de Villiers, Duminy is really big and they are going to be more than just ordinary Test players. That is what makes the difference at the highest level – I am not talking about playing Test matches, I am talking about winning Test matches. We also have to acknowledge the Australian side was pretty poor and they have not done well of late. We have won the rugby World Cup twice and that was huge, but we are country that is going through transition so every time we do something good we really hang on to it. This series victory is one of the better moments of South African sport , no question about it.Barry Richards, Obviously I’m very proud of the victory. It is a great thing to do it in Australia. Our side was scheduled to tour Australia in 1971 and we would have defeated them easily but it is great that Graeme Smith has done it. He has shown a lot of maturity as a skipper and as a player he really has come to the fore. He has led by example and he has kept a cool head all the way through. I hope this victory now encourages a lot of people to take up the game in South Africa. Obviously with Duminy coming through it is a real plus for South Africa.Comparing the side I played and the present South African one is like comparing Ben Hogan to Tiger Woods. You just can’t do that. They are so far apart: the bats are different, the size of the fields were bigger in the old days and the wickets were little bit friendly towards the bowlers in the old days.

Increase in number of points for a draw following comments from Joe Root this month

Matt Roller21-Mar-2021The number of points on offer for a draw in the County Championship has been increased from five to eight, after England’s Test captain Joe Root called for changes in the competition’s regulations to incentivise teams to make games last longer.In the 2019 edition of the County Championship, teams were awarded 16 points for a win, five points for a draw, and up to eight bonus points for runs scored and wickets taken in the first 110 overs of their first innings.In last summer’s Bob Willis Trophy, the number of points for a draw was increased to eight “to help mitigate against the impact of weather in a shortened competition”, according to the ECB, and that change has been extended into the 2021 season, with the Championship due to be played in a revamped conference-style system.Following England’s 3-1 series defeat in India, Root had called for draws to be made “more appealing” in order to help batsmen and bowlers develop the skills required in Test cricket.”They need to find ways of making games last four days, giving spinners the opportunity to bowl and learning to bowl at different stages of the game,” Root said. “They need to learn to hold the game in the first innings if it’s not spinning and things are not in your favour so they can give the seamers some respite. Then they need to be able to attack and to really deal with that pressure of trying to bowl a side out.”It’s not just spin, it’s seam as well, and the batting group. For example, you want guys to come into this environment of Test cricket and have that knowledge of what it’s like to go out in the second innings and know the opposition have 450 on the board. They need to be able to ignore that scoreboard pressure, put it to the back of their mind and get a score, and go beyond another team’s score to make sure you’re massively in the game when it comes to the second innings.”It’s the same with the seamers: you want them to have a range of skills that can exploit flat wickets. Can they change their angles round? Can they go up and down the gears in terms of pace? Have they got a five-over spell in terms of short-pitched bowling? They’re all the things that will improve the game and Test cricket for England in the long run if the games go longer.”The playing conditions for the 2021 Championship were published by the ECB this week. The second new ball will be taken after 80 overs, having been pushed back to 90 in last season’s Bob Willis Trophy, while the ban on saliva being used on the ball and the introduction of Covid-19 replacements have both been retained.The specifics of the divisional structure have also been confirmed. Each team will play the five teams in their group home and away in the group stage, with the top two in each group qualifying for the top division in the second phase, the third and fourth-placed teams qualifying for the second division, and the fifth and sixth-placed sides going into the bottom division.Teams will carry the points accrued against the other team that qualifies from their initial group forward into the divisional stage, rather than playing them for a third time in the season, and will play four matches each in the divisional stage. The winner of the top division will be awarded the County Championship, while the top two teams in the top division will qualify for the Bob Willis Trophy final.The final will be staged over five days at Lord’s from September 27. In the event of a drawn final, the side with a first-innings lead will be awarded the Bob Willis Trophy.

Nottingham Forest have now reportedly joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign an in-form Serie A striker in the January transfer window.

Dyche "disappointed" by VAR call

On a night that saw Nottingham Forest edge past Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers courtesy of Jesus’ second-half effort, it was VAR that stole the biggest headlines. Once again, the technology was at the centre of the controversy after Dan Ndoye was adjudged to have been interfering with play in an offside position for what many believed to be Jesus’ initial opener.

It’s the type of call which has split opinions in recent weeks and the type that Sean Dyche didn’t understand – telling reporters at full-time: “Well, I’m the only manager who ever mentions why they (referees) go over to the screen. It’s funny how it goes against us, that was interesting.

“Managers in the old days could lose a job on a bad decision. At least now it gives you a better chance of everyone, in theory, having similar decisions. There’s always going to be tough decisions, even with VAR.

“Tonight I’m bound to say he (Dan Ndoye) doesn’t impede anyone. He doesn’t. He just stands still. He’s not trying to deflect it in or anything like that.

“I’m bound to say I’m disappointed in it. I don’t think the keeper would have saved it. But you never know, these keepers are so agile. He’s a good keeper as well, so he might have. But I’m bound to say that I’m aggrieved.”

Nottingham Forest now keen on £117k-a-week UCL defender who may replace Murillo

The Tricky Trees are looking at signing a new centre-back in the January transfer window, amid doubts over Murillo’s future.

ByDominic Lund Dec 2, 2025

Eventually, the decision did not prove costly as Forest picked up three points for the fourth time in their last five games in all competitions – highlighting Dyche’s impact.

Evangelos Marinakis will be most relieved that his managerial call is finally working out after already sacking Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier this season. The Greek owner, with relegation fears eased, now has the chance to strengthen Dyche’s side in January.

Nottingham Forest racing to sign Pellegrino

As reported by Calcio Mercato and relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are now battling to sign Mateo Pellegrino from Serie A side Parma in 2026. The Tricky Trees are joined by Tottenham and West Ham United in the race, but could yet get one over on the two London clubs.

With Jesus still finding consistency and Chris Wood yet to match last season’s outstanding form, Dyche could certainly do with a player of Pellegrino’s talent.

The Parma striker has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far and is reportedly unlikely to come cheap if Forest want to make their move in the January transfer window.

Minutes

579

1,100

Goals

1

4

Assists

0

0

Expected Goals

2.3

1.9

It’s easy to see why Premier League sides are interested in Pellegrino. Compared to Jesus, the 6’3 forward has outperformed his expected goals by just over two and is on course for an impressive Serie A season.

Nottingham Forest now eyeing £15m Europa League midfielder after Anderson update

The Mumbai allrounder lifted his team from 47 for 7 and then took a wicket during an economical spell

S Sudarshanan23-Jan-2025They came to watch Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. They ended up cheering for Shardul Thakur.Around 200 spectators had gathered at the Sharad Pawar Academy in the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai, but only a little more than half had got in by the time Jaiswal and Rohit, who was playing his first Ranji Trophy game in nearly a decade, were dismissed early on Thursday morning. The home side needed at least one outright victory from their remaining two league games to qualify for the knockout round, but here they were tottering at 47 for 7 an hour and a half into the first morning against Jammu and Kashmir.It was time for Thakur’s first act: 51 off 57 balls at No. 8, and a partnership of 63 with Tanush Kotian for the ninth wicket, to drag Mumbai past 100 in tough conditions.The J&K quicks Umar Nazir Mir and Yudhvir Singh swung the ball viciously, hitting the right lines and lengths to challenge both edges of Thakur’s bat. He survived two lbw appeals in quick succession, but when a semblance of width was on offer, Thakur attacked. Thakur has fought these battles in more high-profile arenas; three of his four half-centuries in Test cricket came when India were in trouble. One of them was India’s second-fastest fifty at the time.Related

Another day, another audacious rescue act by Shardul Thakur

Rohit's Ranji return lasts 19 balls as he falls for 3 against J&K

Ranji round-up: Rohit, Gill and Pant miss out, Siddharth Desai misses perfect ten

Thakur pulled Yudhvir over midwicket to move to 49 before carving to deep point to complete a 51-ball fifty. The small crowd was delighted; several employees from nearby offices stood along the railings enjoying a lunch break well spent. Thakur finally holed out to long-on – Mumbai all out for 120 – and shook his head in disappointment all the way back to his team-mates.”I like batting in difficult situations,” Thakur said after stumps. “In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters. I see tough situations as a challenge and always think about how to overcome that challenge.”Thakur wasn’t done, though, and came out for a second act. He took the new ball and had a close appeal for lbw turned down against Shubham Khajuria in the opening over. In his second over, Thakur found Khajuria’s outside edge but Shreyas Iyer failed to hold the catch diving to his right at second slip. His only wicket – Abdul Samad caught behind – was an important one as it broke a 58-run stand for the third wicketThakur helped limit J&K’s lead to 54 runs with only three wickets in hand at the end of day one. He was Mumbai’s most economical bowler, conceding 29 in 13 overs, which was a big change from his recent performances in the two domestic white-ball tournaments.In the 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was Mumbai’s most expensive bowler (also their highest wicket-taker), and he went for more than six an over in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy. And before all that, Thakur had found no buyers at the IPL auction in November and will not be part of the 2025 season.”You have to forget whatever has happened in the past; it is not going to change,” he said of those events. “It is important to be in the present and think about what you can do in the near future.”If you see the domestic T20 or one-day tournaments, most teams winning the toss won the match. Games started at 9am, there was out-and-out help for fast bowlers for 20 overs. We lost the toss against two good teams [ Karnataka and Punjab] and the pitch becomes flat after lunch. They were tracks you can hit on from ball one.”In such cases, you can’t judge bowlers. On those surfaces any top bowler get hit; take any top bowler, he will get hit. The pitches were made such that 300-350 were easily being scored, bowlers were going at an economy of six to six-and-a-half runs per over. You do not need to take those performances to heart, I think. There are ups and downs in cricket and it is important to be in the present and think about how you can do better in the near future.”The near future, for Thakur and Mumbai, is to fight back in this crucial Ranji Trophy fixture against J&K. That they aren’t out of it already is down to Thakur, and not his more high-profile team-mates.

Ipswich Town have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season.

There was an expectation before a ball was kicked this year that Kieran McKenna’s side would struggle and that perhaps their rapid ascent up the English football pyramid would catch up with them.

However, we’re now 11 games into the campaign, and the Tractor Boys have picked up eight points courtesy of five hard-fought draws and an imposing win away to Tottenham Hotspur just before the international break.

One of the goalscorers that day was summer signing Liam Delap, who has been simply sensational for the club so far, and should the board want to get even more out of him, they should look to sign another up-and-coming talent they were linked to in the summer.

Delap's incredible form

Ipswich decided to splash around £20m on Delap back in July.

While fans were aware of his ability in the Championship thanks to his loan move to Hull City last season, signing him was risky as he’d had minimal experience of top-flight football at City.

Those concerns even remained a few games into the season for some, as the Winchester-born poacher had only scored one goal in his first five games for the club, but then, against Aston Villa in gameweek six, he announced himself.

In his 90 minutes of football that day, the 21-year-old phenom put the ball in the back of the net twice to earn his team an unlikely point, and since then, he’s scored another three goals and provided an assist for good measure.

That means the former City gem now has seven goal involvements in just 11 league appearances for the Tractor Boys this season, equating to a sensational average of one every 1.57 games.

It’s hard to overstate just how much of a success Delap has been at Portman Road this season, but the board could make him even better if they make an effort to sign another 21-year-old talent who’s been quite the creative spark in the Championship this year.

The Championship gem Ipswich should sign

So, the player in question is West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows.

Interestingly, there seems to be some confusion about whether Ipswich were interested in him over the summer, as Football Insider claimed that they began talks over a potential £11m move, while other reports claim that there was no interest at all.

Whatever the truth is, the Tractor Boys should be in for the talented 21-year-old regardless, as he was impressive last season and has looked even more so this season.

For example, in 38 appearances for the Baggies last year, the “explosive” wideman, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored five goals and provided four assists, equating to a goal involvement every 4.22 games.

However, this season has seen the Solihull-born gem become far more of a creator, and as things stand, he’s provided five assists in just 15 appearances, equating to one every three games.

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

38

15

Goals

5

0

Assists

4

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.23

0.33

It’s this ability to create chances from the right-hand side that would make him an ideal teammate for Delap, as so far, Leif Davies has the most assists in the Ipswich squad with just two to his name, while the most productive right-sided player is Omari Hutchinson with just one.

Ultimately, it might prove a challenging transfer to get over the line, but given his creativity talents and what that could mean for Delap, they should be doing all they can to bring Fellows to Portman Road in 2025.

Ipswich want to sign future "Premier League star" who's outscoring Delap

The sensational winger would make Ipswich much more dangerous.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 14, 2024

Chelsea could reportedly send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United in a stunning reversal of their loan deal by paying a "financial penalty".

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Chelsea have obligation to buy SanchoYet the Blues could bypass this clauseMan Utd return still possibleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sancho moved to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan following a breakdown in his relationship with former United boss Erik ten Hag last season. The agreement includes an obligation to buy if Chelsea finish 14th or higher in the Premier League, triggering a fee between £22-25 million depending on their final position. With Enzo Maresca's side currently sitting in fourth place, well clear of 14th-placed United ironically, the conditions for a permanent transfer appear likely to be met.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

According to thethere remains a possibility that Sancho could return to Old Trafford this summer if Chelsea decide to back away from the deal, though this would come at a 'significant financial cost' as per the terms agreed with United. The west Londoners are said to be scouting several wingers, with Real Betis talent Jesus Rodriguez emerging as a potential target for the summer transfer window.

Another factor complicating the situation is Sancho’s contract negotiations. Typically, when a player joins a club on loan with an obligation to buy, personal terms are agreed in advance to ensure a seamless transition. However, the report claims that the 24-year-old has not yet reached an agreement with Chelsea regarding long-term wages and other terms.

DID YOU KNOW?

United are still feeling the financial burden of Sancho’s £73m transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 with club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who name-checked the winger as one of several signings from the previous regime INEOS are having to put up with, confirming that another £17m of the transfer fee was due to be paid this season. Sancho, who has 16 months remaining on his lucrative five-year contract, earns a reported £250,000 per week, with United currently covering a portion of his wages while the Blues paying £100,000. If he were to return to Old Trafford, the club would once again be responsible for his full salary, creating further financial headaches for United’s new ownership group.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?

Sancho’s potential return would present a major challenge for INEOS, as the club would be forced to find a new buyer for yet another high-earning player who is no longer part of their plans. With the summer transfer window approaching, Chelsea must soon decide whether to keep Sancho or cut their losses, while United face the risk of being stuck with an expensive and unwanted asset.

Strikes have lost pace bowler Sarah Coyte who has joined Melbourne Renegades

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Aug-2022Former West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who recently announced her surprise retirement from international cricket, has signed with Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL while South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt will return for a third season.Last week Dottin ended her West Indies career citing issues around the team culture and environment but added she would continue to play in various T20 leagues.Dottin has previously played for Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat, making 424 runs in 29 matches with a top score of 60 not out alongside taking 17 wickets.Related

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“Deandra is a match-winner who will bring big game experience and elite performance to Adelaide this summer,” Strikers heads coach Luke Williams said.”With more than 250 international appearances across T20 and ODI cricket, including multiple World Cups, as well as caps in the Hundred and WBBL, Deandra will be a fantastic addition to our squad.”Dottin said: “I am so excited to get to Adelaide and play in the WBBL again. The Strikers are a brilliant team and I hope I can help them take that extra step and bring home the title. I can’t wait to meet all the fans and put on a show for everyone with my new teammates.”Meanwhile, Strikers will also be able to call on the top-order class Wolvaardt who continues her association with the team. Last season she scored 381 runs at 29.30 and a strike-rate of 121.33However, Strikers have lost the services of pace bowler Sarah Coyte who has signed a two-year deal with Melbourne Renegades.Coyte, who was capped 81 times across all formats by Australia, has taken 93 wickets in the WBBL from 91 matches and is renowned as one of the best death bowlers in the game.”I’m looking forward to a new challenge,” she said. “I think this Renegades group is an exciting one to be part of and when the opportunity presented to come across, I jumped at it. Hopefully I can continue my form in the Big Bash from the last couple of seasons.””I like to keep things very simple. Hopefully I can add a bit of experience to the group with my bowling and through the lower order and also help some of the younger players to trust their skills out in the middle.”Meanwhile, Brisbane Heat are close to completing their WBBL squad after re-signed pace bowler Zoe Cooke and handing 18-year-old legspinner Grace Parsons her first contract.

We dug through the archives to put together a collection of some of our best features on the Sri Lankan maestro

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2015The individualist (December 2004)
Charlie Austin: A tough-talking, sharp-thinking, ball-bashing man with a planUnrewarded brilliance (November 2007)
Peter English: Whenever Sri Lankans look back to 2007 they will always wonder what would have happened if Kumar Sangakkara did not tear his hamstring in the tour game in AdelaideWhen Sanga took on Australia (December 2012)
In an interview with Andrew Fidel Fernando, Sangakkara looks back on his epic 192 in HobartPractice makes perfect (December 2007)
The secret of a purple patch: practice, and keeping things simpleSangakkara’s sensational 2007 (December 2007)
S Rajesh: A statistical look at one of Sangakkara’s most prolific years’I felt a bullet fizz past my ear’ (March 2009)
A day after the Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan team, Sangakkara talks about the harrowing incident’I want to score 30 Test hundreds’ (March 2010)
Sangakkara talks to Harsha Bhogle about his ambitions, captaincy, the roles he juggles in the team, the future of Test cricket, and what he plans to do after retirementSangakkara’s challenge to cricket (July 2011)
Peter Roebuck: His speech at Lord’s should serve as a wake-up call to administrators to use the game to serve people, and not for selfish gains’There’s nothing that comes close to Test cricket’ (September 2011)
On the eve of his 100th Test, Sangakkara looks back on 11 years in international cricket in an interview with Dan Brettig’Mental strength is about not being afraid to make mistakes’ (February 2013)
A year before Sri Lanka won the World Twenty20, Sangakkara talks about the side’s problems performing in finals of big tournamentsMy father, my critic (December 2013)
Andrew Fidel Fernando meets the Sangakkara family, including Kumar’s father, who wants him to strive for a standard of consistency only matched by Don BradmanThe case for Sangakkara’s all-time greatness (February 2014)
Andrew Fidel Fernando: Sangakkara does not usually feature in discussions of modern batting greats. His numbers demand for that to change’A lot has gone out of the game with two new balls’ (March 2015)
After topping the run-charts in the 2015 World Cup, Sangakkara talks about one-day batting: technique, mindset, risk calculation, touch v power, and innovationThe cult of Sanga (August 2015)
Andrew Fidel Fernando: Few Sri Lankans have been as widely adored. None has so painstakingly chiselled his way to greatness