Captains of The Ashes

June 19, 2023

Welcome to Twenty Two Yards, a weekly newsletter celebrating cricket's culture and characters.

In this issue:

  • Stokes v. Cummins + Ian Chappell wisdom

  • New Team India kits hit the Black Market

  • A critical moment of solidarity

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Captains of The Ashes

TwentyYards_Balance

Illustration: Sidney Secolo

The Ashes are underway, and Ben Stokes aims to carve his name deeper into cricket's tale, establishing himself alongside the finest of his era.

Meanwhile, the Aussies are fresh off trouncing India in WTC Final. Captain Pat Cummins held up the “Trophy Gada” like Arjan Singh Bhullar.

Comparing Stokes' and Cummins’ CV

Ben Stokes: The All-Round Dynamo
The charismatic English cricketer is an indispensable cog in England's cricket engine.

Stokes' mastery in batting shines brightest during the direst moments, rescuing England from the edge. His bowling adds an extra layer of depth as a genuine threat to claim wickets.

Stokes etched himself into eternity during England's historic 2019 Ashes win - producing one of the most memorable innings in cricket history.

Notable records:
Test - No. 1 Most runs (258) in an inning (by batting position)
Test - No. 1 Most sixes in a career (109)
Test - No. 1 Most catches in an inning (5)
Test - No. 1 Highest partnership for the sixth wicket (399)
Test - 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals
Test - 1000 runs and 100 wickets
Test - 1000 runs, 50 wickets and 50 catches
Test - Hundred and a ninety in a match
ODI - No. 14 Best figures in an inning when on the losing side (5)
T20I - No. 21 Most catches in an innings (3)

Getty Images: Ryan Pierse / Staff

Pat Cummins: The Spearhead of Australia's Pace Attack
The Aussie speed merchant is a living nightmare for batsmen. He leads Australia's fearsome pace with relentless aggression and precision.

Cummins' success is a testament to his resilience and perseverance, overcoming a series of career-threatening injuries to reclaim his spot at the top of international cricket. His consistent performances have earned him the mantle of Australia's captain, reflecting his leadership qualities and immense value to the team.

Notable records:
Test - No. 49 Most wickets in a calendar year (59)
Test - No. 35 Best figures in a match by a captain (8)
Test - No. 10 Fastest to 150 wickets (31)
ODI - No. 24 Fastest to 100 wickets (62)
T20I - No. 48 Most runs conceded in a career (1350)

Both Stokes and Cummins are reasonably showered in praise. For now, The Ashes becomes their battlefield.

TTY turned to former Aussie Captain/legend Ian Chappell:

“Somebody said good captaincy is like pornography. You don't know how to describe it, but you know it when you see it.”

Ian Chappell
$3Trillon

New Team India Kits Hit The Black Market

Illustration: Sidney Secolo

Fans donning their team's kit flooded the Oval at the WTC Final. Among the painted faces, tri-colour robes and team replicas were also replicas of replicas. You read that correctly.

Knockoffs knocking it out of the stadium
The excitement Indian fans felt about the Adidas takeover rumbled across the internet and wore off as soon as the kits were on sale. Fans were split on the design - but one thing seems unanimous: the pricing is outrageous.

Despite the backlash, Team India's Test jersey sold out in a day - with only limited sizes available for T20 and ODI versions. This news left fans meandering to the black market.

All it takes is a Google search
Try it yourself, but don't be surprised when most results link to counterfeit-branded apparel. A 2011 brand protection company MarkMonitor report found 1.2 million knockoffs were sold from 6,000 vendors, with "brandjacking" sites taking 28% of branded search terms.

You're a few clicks away from the global counterfeit industry, estimated to be worth over $3 trillion annually.

Or sew it seams…
It's not just Indian fans. In 2020, Ben Stokes took to Twitter to call out the legitimacy of a game-worn jersey with his autograph from the World Cup Final at Lord's - as well as the World Cup final medal - being sold on eBay.

"So I have just been made aware of this being sold on eBay. It is not my personal shirt, it is not the World Cup final medal, it is all replica, yes it's my signature, but it's not legitimate."

Ben Stokes

Abibas for the win?
In Sri Lanka, police raided factories turning out knockoff cricket gear, and more and more channels opened to distribute. Apparel brands are losing the war and still fighting the battles.

Fair to assume Adidas isn't thrilled about Abibas, but stopping the black market is a heavier lift than muting a Kanye monologue. As for fans, they'll go to any length to cop a Team India kit, no matter the market they find it in.

The Slip Corden

  • BCCI welcomes bids - implements a naughty list.
    India is taking bids for their master sponsorship. But it won't accept offers from "real money gaming platforms, betting companies (except fantasy sports gaming), alcohol and tobacco products, sportswear and athleisure manufacturers and those brands associated with offensive content such as pornography or public moral offence." So if you're a paramilitary gambling startup that rolls joints for customers in tracksuits - you're out of luck.

  • Black armbands
    The cricketing community came together in unity as the English and Australian sides donned black armbands to honour the victims of the devastating attacks in Nottingham. Among those affected were passionate cricketers and a much-loved school caretaker. The teams stood together to remember the lives lost, and we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the grieving families during this difficult time.

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