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Ali Martin

@ali-martin.bsky.social
2.5K followers 94 following 37 posts

Cricket correspondent for the Guardian and Observer newspapers

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Reposted by Ali Martin
Guardian Sport @sport.theguardian.com · 25/09/2026
‘There was a lot of method in my madness when I played’: Kevin Pietersen 2.0 on how he can help England
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‘There was a lot of method in my madness when I played’: Kevin Pietersen 2.0 on how he can help England
The appointment of England white-ball teams’ specialist mentor has divided opinion but the man himself says he is loving being back in the dressing room Kevin Pietersen insisted he is a “completely different” person these days as he sat down at Headingley – the ground where he declared “it’s tough being me in this dressing room” 14 years earlier – and spoke at length about his role as the new “specialist mentor” to England’s white-ball teams. In the aftermath of a 16-run loss to Sri Lanka that sends this late summer one-day series into an Oval decider on Sunday, Pietersen also revealed that while not full-time – “I’ll be in and out” – his input may not be restricted to the challenge of winning the 50-over World Cup in South Africa next year. A home Ashes comes before that, the series that launched his career back in 2005, and discussions with Stephen Fleming, the incoming Test coach, and Joe Root have already taken place. Continue reading...
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Enjoyed chatting to Azhar Ali last week about the state of Pakistan’s cricket. He didn’t pull his punches www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Azhar Ali: ‘Pakistan cricket cannot change in the space of a year’
One of the stalwarts of the Pakistan team that reached Test No 1 a decade ago tells Ali Martin the current side’s woes go far deeper than this tour of England
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Virat Kohli is back for India next week. Might be the last chance to watch a modern great bat in England
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Has been a genuine career highlight to work on this with Chris Woakes - World Cup wins, Ashes battles, the greats he's played with and against, and plenty of behind-the-scenes material you won't get anywhere else. Out in October, pre-order below 👇 www.penguin.co.uk/books/485021...
The cover of The Wizard by Chris Woakes - released 22 October 2026
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must use own changing room during England T20 series for safeguarding reasons www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
theguardian.com
India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must use own changing room for England tour
India’s teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be required to use his own changing room for safeguarding reasons on his first international tour in England this summer.
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
ECB review Yorkshire’s £1.75m payment to CEO’s company over Hundred sale www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
theguardian.com
ECB review Yorkshire’s £1.75m payment to CEO’s company over Hundred sale
The England and Wales Cricket Board is planning to review a payment of £1.75m from Yorkshire to a company controlled by their chief executive, Sanjay Patel
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
In successive games Lancashire have essentially been told the player they left out of their XI is too good to replace the one who got the nod. One of a few flaws with inj replacements (which I personally hope don’t come to Test cricket) www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Trial or error? Lancashire bear brunt as county game adjusts to new substitute rules | Ali Martin
The sport should seriously be asking itself whether this should be replicated in Test cricket after some notable problems with the new regulations
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Interview: Enjoyed sitting down with serial Ashes winner Ian Bell last week to chat about the IPL, his new coaching role, England and playing for Knowle & Dorridge 4th XI www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/m...
theguardian.com
‘I wanted the rollercoaster of being emotionally invested’: Ian Bell on coaching, England and the 2005 Ashes WhatsApp
Five-times Ashes winner has since had a varied coaching career and believes the red ball is still fundamental to the modern player
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
England white-ball series in South Africa under threat due to T20 franchise cricket clash | England cricket team | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/f...
theguardian.com
England white-ball series in South Africa under threat due to T20 franchise cricket clash
England’s two white-ball series in South Africa next year are currently in doubt amid the latest scheduling clash that pits franchise cricket against the international game
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
theguardian.com
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
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Terrific Ashes diary from Charlie Reynolds www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...
theguardian.com
England’s Ashes has been a disaster but touring Australia with a disability has been ‘too easy’
Going to Australia as a freelance journalist with a form of muscular dystrophy was not without trepidation but an away Ashes was too good to pass up
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Max Rushden @maxrushden.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
WOAH ITS @GUARDIAN ASHES WEEKLY THE BIG PREVIEW WITH @geofflemon.bsky.social @ali-martin.bsky.social and Andy Bull open.spotify.com/episode/7zwG...
open.spotify.com
Will England capitalise against a weakened Australia? – Ashes Weekly podcast
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
"World Cup cricket has never been so easy." What a strange day. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/o...
theguardian.com
England off to Cricket World Cup flyer with 10-wicket demolition of South Africa
England romped home with a 10-wicket win in their World Cup opener on Friday, after bowling opponents South Africa out for 69
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Interview: James Vince chats about his record 11th Finals Day appearance with Hampshire, his new freelance life, England, Ashes, cracks and sandpaper www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...
theguardian.com
‘I had a lighthearted crack at Steve Smith’: James Vince on the Ashes, sandpaper and his T20 Blast record
As he bids for a fourth Finals Day title, Hampshire’s captain is enjoying a new life in Dubai as a T20 freelancer with few regrets over his England career
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Exclusive interview: Chris Woakes speaks publicly for the first time about the dramatic end to the Oval Test, walking out to face the music with a dislocated left shoulder. Warning, contains some eye-watering detail #ENGvIND www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
theguardian.com
England’s Chris Woakes: ‘It’s not the way you want to be front-page news’
The pace bowler tells Ali Martin of risking his career by going out to bat against India after dislocating his shoulder: ‘You just know you’re part of something bigger’
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Andrew Samson @awsstats.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
The lowest total in the first innings of the match in this weekend's round of County Championship matches was 367. The previous highest 'lowest total of the round' of County matches (where 9 matches started on the same day) was 244 on 23 June 2024.
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Sanjay Govil, the incoming co-owner of Welsh Fire, has become the first Hundred investor to state a preference for the tournament to become a T20. Interview here: www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/j...
theguardian.com
‘It would be better as a T20’: Welsh Fire’s Sanjay Govil questions Hundred format
The Welsh Fire investor says a potential format change ‘is something for the future’, while he also wants the Hundred’s TV rights to be sold separately
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Reposted by Ali Martin
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 17/05/2025
Middlesex confirm interest in ‘iconic player of his generation’ Virat Kohli
theguardian.com
Middlesex confirm interest in ‘iconic player of his generation’ Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli could yet be seen batting in England once more after Middlesex confirmed they are keen to lure India’s recently retired galáctico to Lord’s
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Decision time for England www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
theguardian.com
Stick or twist? England’s selectors weigh up options for Zimbabwe Test
If Zak Crawley’s form is a worry the middle-order is not, but Ben Stokes’s ability to function as an all-rounder remains unknown
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Enjoyed a chat with Somerset's Tom Banton earlier ... his record-breaking 371, ditching the side-arm in the nets, and being on the cusp of England once more www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
theguardian.com
‘Something clicked’ – Somerset’s Tom Banton on the secret behind his record 371
The 26-year-old tells Ali Martin about his epic triple century and the ‘wow’ moment of making Somerset history last weekend
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Enjoyed a chat with Somerset's Tom Banton earlier ... his record-breaking 371, ditching the side-arm in the nets, and being on the cusp of England once more www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
theguardian.com
‘Something clicked’ – Somerset’s Tom Banton on the secret behind his record 371
The 26-year-old tells Ali Martin about his epic triple century and the ‘wow’ moment of making Somerset history last weekend
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, gearing up for England v Australia this Saturday
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, gearing up for England v Australia this Saturday
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Highlights of West Indies winning in Pakistan here #Rally www.youtube.com/live/NF2VW6p...
youtube.com
Full Highlights | Pakistan vs West Indies | 2nd Test Day 3 | PCB | M2I1A
YouTube video by Sports Central
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Reposted by Ali Martin
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 16/01/2025
Australia v England: third Women’s Ashes one-day cricket international – live
theguardian.com
Australia v England: third Women’s Ashes one-day cricket international – live
* Updates from Hobart; start 11.05pm GMT/10.05am AET * Australia win second ODI | Sign up for The Spin It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way As expected, the legspinner Georgia Wareham replaces Darcie Brown in the…
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
⚽️ Enjoyed going off piste while covering England in NZ to find out more about Chris Wood’s formative years … one for ⁦‪@NFFC‬⁩ fans #nffc ‘Born to score’: Chris Wood’s journey from Hamilton to Premier League star | Nottingham Forest | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/football/202...
theguardian.com
‘Born to score’: Chris Wood’s journey from Hamilton to Premier League ace
Ex-All Whites international Mike Groom recalls striker who stunned him with ‘audacity, self-belief, awareness and skill’
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Tim Southee’s NZ farewell has become a slightly awkward affair … won’t affect his standing … but shows England did right by Jimmy Anderson www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/d...
theguardian.com
Tim Southee’s awkward final chapter comes full circle with England Test
The New Zealand bowler says goodbye to Test cricket with a long list of accolades but there are doubt about his starting place on his home patch in Hamilton
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
The field for Gus Atkinson’s hat-trick ball in Wellington; all pointing to the short ball … full and straight does the trick
The field for Gus Atkinson’s hat-trick ball in Wellington; all pointing to the short ball, full and straight does the trick
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Breaking news in Christchurch: Jacob Bethell will make his England Test debut this week - and will bat at No3 (!). Ollie Pope keeping wicket and slides down to No6. Their boldest selection call yet, you’d wager…
England (confirmed): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell (Debut), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Bit of breakfast radio chat open.spotify.com/episode/6qoi...
open.spotify.com
ALI MARTIN | UK cricket writer previews the Test series between England & New Zealand
Scotty & Izzy · Episode
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Jimmy Anderson is back in England whites - hand injury to Jordan Cox sees Ollie Pope keeping, Ben Stokes now playing and the 🐐needed as a sub fielder
Jimmy Anderson back fielding for England in Queenstown
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
It was all about the overheads in Queenstown today
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Ali Martin @ali-martin.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
England v the Prime Minister’s XI underway in stunning Queenstown. The hosts are 84 for six, with two wickets apiece for Woakes, Atkinson and Carse
England v NZ Prime Minister’s XI at Queenstown
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Taha Hashim @tahahashim.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Hampshire's ground, the Utilita Bowl, aspires to be the "greenest" stadium in cricket. The county side are also about to play in the Global Super League, sponsored by oil giant ExxonMobil www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
theguardian.com
Hampshire censured over ‘sportswashing’ T20 event despite green claims
Hampshire have been accused of taking part in a ‘sportswashing vehicle’ before their participation in this month’s Global Super League in Guyana
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Reposted by Ali Martin
James Dart @jamesdart.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Here's a starter pack of Guardian sport writers, contributors and staff if you want to follow them. It'll update as more join 👇
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Reposted by Ali Martin
Taha Hashim @tahahashim.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Have spent the last week reading about Phillip Hughes and watching back old clips. He was special www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/n...
theguardian.com
The Spin | A decade after Phillip Hughes’ tragic death: how much has cricket changed?
Safety in the game has evolved but the cricketing prodigy comes to mind whenever someone’s helmet takes a blow
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