The Middle Stump meets Eggsy

John Rutledge aka Eggsy from the band Goldie Lookin Chain is a talented man. Not only a leading MC in the Newport based rap group, he writes comedy, works for MTV and likes his cricket. Having caused controversy a few years ago when GLC played before a Wales versus England football game and dedicating their hit, Your Missus is a Nutter to Victoria Beckham, the band have just finished a UK tour to celebrate their tenth year together as well as having a new album out called The Kings of Carleon. We caught up with Eggsy and discussed Monty Panesar's toilet habits, what doing the Gladstone Small means to all kids in South Wales, Viv Richards haemmorhoids and much more in this interview. Read on for some comedy gold...

Goldie Lookin Chain

The T20 long shots

T20 cricket has taken a back seat as attention has switched to losing the Ashes and an otherwise welcome diet of test cricket which will take us through the festive period. After that, it’s back to hit and giggle with a surfeit of the shortest form of the game, starting with the Australians who will be Big Bashing through January.

Chris Gayle...a star of T20

Rantview of the 3rd Ashes Test in Australia

We knew it was coming. For days the English jumbuck has been circled by a pack of success starved dingoes, and in the Perth heat they finally wilted as the Australians feasted on the spoils of the mother country carcass. Like a drawn out kill, we have known this was coming since the second day at Adelaide, and our senior players who have been the fulcrum of recent English success, have been thoroughly outplayed by their Antipodean counterparts. The Baggy Greens have pulled our pants down, had their fun and no Pom likes it. The Ashes are Aussie once more for the first time since 2009.

The WACA

Going Viral

Neil Watts is a gentleman who I have played cricket with since 1984. A decent club player at Southgate Adelaide Cricket Club, he still plays in our first team at the age of 47. I have played numerous games of cricket with him, and he would be described as being one of the senior statesmen within our cricketing mates. A conservative chap, he is the club treasurer and despite being fairly well known on the North London and Hertfordshire club circuit, Neil did something on Sunday morning which inadvertently took him all around the cricketing world. You probably didn't realise but if you are reading this, the chances are that Neil was on your phone, laptop or ipad yesterday. Here's what happened...

That tweet...with Neil's reflection!

The Advances in Cricket Coaching

Cricket is an ever changing game. With the updates in styles and techniques moving on from even ten or twenty years ago it is important that coaches and young players keep up to date with the advances in the game, both on and off the pitch. So when we heard about a brand new cricket app we were interested to see how things have moved on, and iCrick formed by Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale along with his team mate, the England all rounder Tim Bresnan, is most definitely the way forward.

Review of the 2nd Test in Australia

Waking up in December in Britain at 7.30am, when the light is still dark in the northern hemisphere, to discover England have been beaten by 218 runs in the second Test at Adelaide is a sombre experience. Morrissey is no doubt, in a better mood than you or I today and heaven knows all English cricket fans are miserable now. The match finished in a similar gloom to my current mood, although I think all of us knew what the funereal outcome would be after the first day. Having been spanked in Brisbane and in Adelaide, England need to have a serious look at themselves and much has been made of the old guard of this successful side nearing the autumn (or for some the winter) of their careers. We apologise for our downbeat mood as we dissect the second Test match.

Mitchell Johnson...7-40

Win a pair of Affinity Cricket Batting Gloves

Cricket has had a lot of dodgy press recently. Whether it is sledging in the Ashes, match fixing in New Zealand or the ire of the UK's journalists versus our national teams performance, it has had a bit of a kicking. So it is pleasing to hear of some great guys who are mates of ours on Twitter who have put something back into the game. Read on and discover how you could win a pair of Affinity Cricket gloves which are retailing at £70 at present.

Win a pair of these!

End of ECB Premier Leagues?

In a small county to the north of London, a breakaway from one of the ECB Premier Leagues has sent ripples not just through national club cricket, but actually within the county. The Middle Stump look at whether it is the start of a nationwide trend to include a better standard of player.

A regular Sunday morning scene for many a cricketer!

Look-a-likes

Here The Middle Stump look at those who may find an alternative career once their cricketing one is over. We look at a few that have made us chuckle in recent times, and don't forget to keep sending us yours on Twitter to @themiddlestump. Happy Doppleganging boys and girls... 

  

       Uncle Boof asks the Addams Family to abuse Stuart Broad.