Blog: long reads on cricket

A friendly guide to your first Test: the rhythm of five days, how to follow the action, what the sessions mean and why patience is rewarded.

Teams, tables, net run rate, playoffs and overseas stars explained, plus simple habits that help you keep up with a long franchise season.

Sun cream, layers, cushions, radio and more: a practical checklist for a comfortable day at the cricket, from arrival to the final over.

Decode ball-by-ball text with this guide to abbreviations, scoring symbols, common terms and the subtle details that reveal how a game is going.

How fans plan viewing, use highlights, sleep smartly and stay in the loop when matches start in the middle of the night or the working day.

Confused by tours, bilateral series, ICC events and franchise leagues? Here is a clear guide to how each format of competition works and why it matters.

Slow session? Look closer. Here are the quiet battles, tactical chess moves and small details that make Test cricket's quiet hours gripping.

From Lord's to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Eden Gardens to Newlands, a tour of grounds that make watching cricket an experience worth travelling for.

It is never too late to pick up a bat. A practical guide to joining a club, buying sensible kit and improving your game as an…

A practical guide to introducing children to cricket: games first, small-sided rules, safe equipment and a coaching style that keeps them coming back.