It’s Thursday lunchtime in Warsaw, and I’m standing in a field outside the city, in the rain. I’m trying, and failing, to hit a Polish off-spinner. Chasing 206, we’re 23-4. I’ve never been so happy on a cricket pitch. For this story to make sense, I need to mention that last year I released a … More 20 All Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team’s Euro Cup Adventure
In 2017 I booked a trip to Almaty, a lively city tucked against Kazakhstan’s Tien Shan mountains, and the dream finally came true. Only there was a twist: this was a business trip, for my new job in the wine & spirits industry. The people I would be speaking with were managers at alcohol companies; the markets I was there to learn about were business markets. … More A meeting with Kazakhstan
Some of my photographs from Central Asia can be purchased through my store on Picfair. The collection is called Life in Central Asia.
The 25 scenes – from cities and rural locations in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan – are available both as high-quality art prints, and as digital downloads for websites and businesses. … More Life in Central Asia: Photographs from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
The game that transpired was against the mid-table Kyrgyzaltyn — a team that’s part of Kyrgyzstan’s national gold mining company — from the town of Kara-Balta, about 100km west of Bishkek.
Both sides missed a couple of chances in an even first half. Dordoi dominated the whole of the second, but Kyrgyzaltyn looked like hanging on for a point, until they conceded a late penalty. The spot kick was put home by Dordoi’s international midfielder Murolimzhon Akhmedov — once of Bangladesh Police FC — as the home team took a 1-0 win. … More Football in Kyrgyzstan: Dordoi Bishkek vs. Kyrgyzaltyn
From a workshop in Ammanford, South Wales, Bear Bats is what founder Richard Gullam calls “a hobby that’s gone wrong”. From repairing other companies’ bats, Richard and his co-owner Hedd-Wyn Jones now make their own – including for the Glamorgan player Ben Morris, and dozens of serious club cricketers.
My bat – a 2lb10oz ‘Hunter’ – is a beautiful piece of willow, with a really fast ping to it. My budget was enough for a grade 2 blade, when the big brands only sell patchy grade 3 at that price, even on discount. … More Bear Bats: The players who swear by the bear for their cricket kit
The centre of Osh is the mesh of quiet streets between the central bazaar – just up from Alisher Navoi Park, full of children’s rides – and the imposing statue of Lenin, opposite the mayor’s building. … More Finding your bearings in Osh, Kyrgyzstan
LIFE IN CENTRAL ASIA 