Steve James
@sjamesjourno.bsky.social
Father of Bethan and Rhys. Husband to Jane. Cricket and rugby writer @timessport.bsky.social. Cricket coach.
The paywall is down this weekend so here's something I wrote earlier this week www.thetimes.com/article/512b...
Why can’t England and Wales produce their own Ma’a Nonu at inside centre?
Southern hemisphere-raised Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu are streets ahead of other No12 candidates for this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour — so where are home nations stars?
www.thetimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The paywall is down this weekend so here's something I wrote earlier this week www.thetimes.com/article/512b...
Wales Scotland preview www.thetimes.com/article/bb75...
Overpraised in defeat? Wales must prove performance was not a one-off
Performance against Ireland was uplifting for fans that have become accustomed to failure, but Wales did not even manage a losing bonus point
www.thetimes.com
March 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Wales Scotland preview www.thetimes.com/article/bb75...
Something on Ellis Mee www.thetimes.com/article/e357...
Ellis Mee: Welsh rugby’s big new hope with an Aussie leap
The 6ft 4in, 21-year-old Scarlets player and Nottingham student with a Welsh mum and Australian upbringing made the best debut by a Wales wing since George North in 2010
www.thetimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Something on Ellis Mee www.thetimes.com/article/e357...
On Sam Konstas and intimidation www.thetimes.com/article/b4aa...
Sam Konstas takes risks out of desperation. He’s a limited batsman
Showman or showboat? The 19-year-old treads a fine line between confidence and arrogance but technical weaknesses mean his batting is more precarious than Bazball
www.thetimes.com
January 8, 2025 at 1:10 PM
On Sam Konstas and intimidation www.thetimes.com/article/b4aa...
Had a chat with Jamie Smith about his extraordinary year www.thetimes.com/article/a0fb...
Year that Jamie Smith showed he can be England’s finest wicketkeeper
In the latest interview with a sports star who defined 2024, the 24-year-old talks about missing New Zealand tour, advice from Foakes, and hitting the ball out of Lord’s
www.thetimes.com
December 27, 2024 at 2:32 PM
Had a chat with Jamie Smith about his extraordinary year www.thetimes.com/article/a0fb...
Something on the task facing Warren Gatland now www.thetimes.com/article/82e3...
Restore Faletau and keep Anscombe – how Warren Gatland can save his job
Warren Gatland will lead Wales in Six Nations despite 12 straight defeats – but he must restore the old guard and keep his squad fit if he is to stop the rot
www.thetimes.com
December 23, 2024 at 8:01 AM
Something on the task facing Warren Gatland now www.thetimes.com/article/82e3...
Something on Ben Stokes
www.thetimes.com/article/d9bf...
www.thetimes.com/article/d9bf...
Ben Stokes should forget heroic bowling spells and fix batting woes
Test captain’s form as a batsman has suffered as he stretches his body’s limits and takes up an ill-advised position at No7 – clarity is needed going into summer
www.thetimes.com
December 19, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Something on Ben Stokes
www.thetimes.com/article/d9bf...
www.thetimes.com/article/d9bf...
Something on Zak Crawley www.thetimes.com/article/954b...
Zak Crawley is England’s only weak link – should Jacob Bethell open?
Jacob Bethell’s impressive start to Test cricket means Zak Crawley must now justify the faith of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes at the top of England’s order
www.thetimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Something on Zak Crawley www.thetimes.com/article/954b...
Something on batting at home and abroad www.thetimes.com/article/d344...
Why some Test batsmen thrive abroad – and others prefer home comforts
Harry Brook is among those making light of the cliché that cricketers are a product of their environment by scoring more runs on tour than in England
www.thetimes.com
December 2, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Something on batting at home and abroad www.thetimes.com/article/d344...
Something on Australia www.thetimes.com/article/4015...
Scrambled minds, team divide and fading stars: are Australia cracking up?
The Ashes may be a year away but the indications from their thumping in the first Test against India are that an ageing Australia team have mounting problems, especially among the batsmen
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Something on Australia www.thetimes.com/article/4015...
Something on Wales
www.thetimes.com/article/f522...
www.thetimes.com/article/f522...
Sacking Warren Gatland will not solve the crisis in Welsh rugby
Responsibility for Wales’s winless year cannot fall solely on the coach when Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions have let supply of quality players slide
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Something on Wales
www.thetimes.com/article/f522...
www.thetimes.com/article/f522...
25 years since the Silver Fox transformed English cricket www.thetimes.com/article/5198...
How Duncan Fletcher revolutionised English cricket
Twenty five years on from his first Test in charge, Steve James looks at the ways in which former England head coach transformed the national side through central contracts and other innovations
www.thetimes.com
November 22, 2024 at 9:42 PM
25 years since the Silver Fox transformed English cricket www.thetimes.com/article/5198...
Something on the death of the draw www.thetimes.com/article/b333...
Why 2024 is year Test draw died (and it’s not just Bazball that killed it)
Very few will advocate return to boring play but with only one draw in 40 Tests this year, five-day game is missing compelling drama of finishes like those that lit up Ashes series in 2005 and 2009
www.thetimes.com
November 22, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Something on the death of the draw www.thetimes.com/article/b333...