Just looking to get some information on my work. If you have any favourite pieces I have written, especially older ones and those not on Cricinfo, it would be super helpful. But anything you like would be great. Cheers.
A bit late on this, but I'm a massive fan of your work. The Aubrey Faulkner piece has already been mentioned in the comments, but I would also like to add these articles:
My favourite bit about your writing is the fact that you do come across much more as a fan than a journalist, the 'fans with laptop' bit really does come through. You also do a very good job of humanizing the players in your articles.
Love all the work you do, though I like the one you did about your grandmother, or mother (sorry, I didn't remember immediately!) who inspired you to read. It was a while back on Medium.
The Aubrey Faulkner and Ugly Australians pieces stand out in my memory:
The former because he lived an interesting life, but also because those stories are often dry and historical and this piece brought him to life.
The latter because it brought the personal to bear on something very topical.
On a non-cricketing front, the Greg Norman piece.
Test Cricket: The Unauthorised Biography was a good read.
More recently I've enjoyed the substack pieces that combine data with conventional story-telling, like the all-rounders post, and John Reid - which gave me a good understanding of his impact.
Also, I just remembered your novella; "the lillee of camberwell" I think? Very touching and a great exploration of that father/son can-only-talk-sport-because-the-rest-is-scary dynamic. Also thought of it when you wrote that piece on the ugly side of Aus grade cricket
I wish I had time to read all your pieces as I've enjoyed all of them so far. My favourite was probably on Neil Wagner and his unlikely success in the game.
The piece on Fawad Alam stands out because in his 12 year career, it was the 1st time someone actually gave a semi-decent reason of why he hasn't been selected i.e. batting in the lower middle order.
The piece on Pankaj Singh (cricinfo) is one I find myself returning to fairly regularly. It summarised the human condition all too nicely. Loved the way you forensically went went through his history, loved the way you detail the trails and tribulations he faced that day but really loved the humanity of the piece. Don’t know why but I return to this piece rather too frequently.
Mate, I loved the piece/ match summary you had written on Mithali Raj when India lost to Eng in ODI WWC final, as well as match summary on Ind vs Pak match in Champions trophy round 1 . Like your witty style of writing and humor which is rare in sports journalism. Funny at the same time informative and intriguing.
So on number 2. I wrote it on a bit of a whim because I was stuck in a really boring hotel outside of town. But my favourite bit is that I got to name my librarian as the world record holder for the most runs off a single ball. He was so excited to be on cricinfo.
A bit late on this, but I'm a massive fan of your work. The Aubrey Faulkner piece has already been mentioned in the comments, but I would also like to add these articles:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21581424/jarrod-kimber-day-father-watched-garry-sobers-make-254-252-mcg
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22036649/growing-ricky-ponting
https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/920605/wild-thing
My favourite bit about your writing is the fact that you do come across much more as a fan than a journalist, the 'fans with laptop' bit really does come through. You also do a very good job of humanizing the players in your articles.
Hi Jarrod,
Love all the work you do, though I like the one you did about your grandmother, or mother (sorry, I didn't remember immediately!) who inspired you to read. It was a while back on Medium.
The other one I liked was this one - https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1118422/the-shahid-afridi-of-kansas
I really liked it!
Love the way you write and all the stuff you do!
The recent piece on Neil Wagner was fantastic, Jarrod!
Thanks
Some of the day by day cricket withballs episodes would be great to dredge up now and then
The Aubrey Faulkner and Ugly Australians pieces stand out in my memory:
The former because he lived an interesting life, but also because those stories are often dry and historical and this piece brought him to life.
The latter because it brought the personal to bear on something very topical.
On a non-cricketing front, the Greg Norman piece.
Test Cricket: The Unauthorised Biography was a good read.
More recently I've enjoyed the substack pieces that combine data with conventional story-telling, like the all-rounders post, and John Reid - which gave me a good understanding of his impact.
I'm sure there are others, but those stick out.
thanks, mate. You might like the latest Double Century episodes, they are a combo of data and storytelling.
They're on the to-do list.
My favorite piece of yours is ‘George Who?’ on George Bailey from back in 2014. The piece made my cry and have often gone back to it.
Ha, why did you like that one?
You are the best sports writer ever.
I used to read cricketwithballs.com all the time. Especially articles on Ashes 13 and 13-14 were just so good.
One of my favorite pieces from you was: "the beast from pretoria" over AB.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26151476/ab-de-villiers-beast-pretoria
Even if I'm not, I love reading that you think I am.
Anything you've written on Ryan Harris, and also the piece on Azhar Ali from August this year
A lifetime of bad knees helped me write on Harris.
Also, I just remembered your novella; "the lillee of camberwell" I think? Very touching and a great exploration of that father/son can-only-talk-sport-because-the-rest-is-scary dynamic. Also thought of it when you wrote that piece on the ugly side of Aus grade cricket
His bad knees gave my bad knees hope. That hope was misguided.
"Where did Harris find the swing and strength?" is one I still come back to time and again. "The Land of the Bat" is another that springs to mind.
Thr land of the bat, that’s my won on Sri Lankan football, right?
That's right
Hi,
I wish I had time to read all your pieces as I've enjoyed all of them so far. My favourite was probably on Neil Wagner and his unlikely success in the game.
Interesting, thanks
Hi,
The piece on Fawad Alam stands out because in his 12 year career, it was the 1st time someone actually gave a semi-decent reason of why he hasn't been selected i.e. batting in the lower middle order.
https://wickets.substack.com/p/fawad-alam-and-his-numbers
Thanks.
The piece on Pankaj Singh (cricinfo) is one I find myself returning to fairly regularly. It summarised the human condition all too nicely. Loved the way you forensically went went through his history, loved the way you detail the trails and tribulations he faced that day but really loved the humanity of the piece. Don’t know why but I return to this piece rather too frequently.
is that the first one where he took no wickets?
Yes, however hard he tried nothing worked. Always stuck with me for some reason.
The piece on reverse swing and 'Alex Carey finds a way' stick out to me
Interesting, thanks
Mate, I loved the piece/ match summary you had written on Mithali Raj when India lost to Eng in ODI WWC final, as well as match summary on Ind vs Pak match in Champions trophy round 1 . Like your witty style of writing and humor which is rare in sports journalism. Funny at the same time informative and intriguing.
Thanks, I'll go look up the Mithali one again.
Hi Jarrod, Love your writing and you're one of my favorite sports writers!
I know you said 'especially those not on Cricinfo', but I couldn't help myself. Here are two (of many, many more) that I love:
1. http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/941979.html
2. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27126281/you-try-never-pakistan-pakistan
So on number 2. I wrote it on a bit of a whim because I was stuck in a really boring hotel outside of town. But my favourite bit is that I got to name my librarian as the world record holder for the most runs off a single ball. He was so excited to be on cricinfo.
I would love to read a collection of meta-stories. Things that you didn't include in the article but found fascinating enough to document
I can barely remember the originals, might struggle with this.
I killed it
I have access to it