Thread: Billy Bowden's Bombastic Boundaries Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
So, here's a new cricket thread for the new year. Enjoy!

[ 13. February 2013, 04:28: Message buggered about with by: Ariston ]
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Top marks for the title! It won't be long now before indoor nets start, I can dig out the jockstrap (for the uninitiated, it's a lure for Scotsmen) and get my spinning fingers round my googlies again!

AG
(cricket tragic/tragically bad cricketer)
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I find a wristy action much more pleasing when it comes to googlies, personally. YMMV, of course.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Ah, but it's all in the grip - no use giving it the wrist if you haven't a firm grip!
(would this be a bad moment to own up to being able to go either way?)

AG

[ 01. January 2012, 22:20: Message edited by: Sandemaniac ]
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
You are right of course! I defer to your superior knowledge and obvious experience.

But back on the subject...
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Meanwhile, back at the SCG ...
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
Meanwhile, back at the SCG ...

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Nuthin's happening. For some reason it seems the test isn't starting til tomorrow

 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
So I've discovered.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Same line up I hear.

Should be a great game. No doubt India will be roaring for a win.

[ 02. January 2012, 03:05: Message edited by: Evensong ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
It always used to be January 2, but now the ICC mandates a minimum gap of three days between Tests. It's a pity, because the two day gap between Melbourne and Sydney was always a good challenge that would show up teams with fitness issues. And everybody else in Australia can work five days a week with two days of rest, why not the cricketers who are all on a minimum of $160,000 a years?
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
India batting.

6 for 135 after lunch on day one.

Pattinson on fire.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Australia are 3/51 in reply to India AO for 191. Will it all be over in 2 days?
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Tickets to the fourth day would be only marginally more valuable than Greek government bonds right now.

India's fielding is looking reasonably good at the moment, for an area of the game which has let them down so many times before.

Is it just me or does Ishant Sharma remind people a lot of Jason Gillespie in many ways? The messy hair, the unpredictable sometimes-excellent batting, the bowling style, the fact he's a great bowler but never quite #1 in the team if everyone else is fit.

[ 03. January 2012, 05:19: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
A truly great achievement tonight - Kane Richardson bowled a wicket maiden for the Adelaide Strikers in a T20 game!
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Evangeline:
Australia are 3/51 in reply to India AO for 191. Will it all be over in 2 days?

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Late on day three, I reckon. The Indian captaincy has been an utter ... no pressure on Ponting and Clarke at the end of the day when there was some chance they would have concentraion issues. They may as well give them their 150s now - and a 100 to Hussey.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
David Shepherd must haveturned in his grave... South Africa just reached 333/3!

Kallis 155no in his 150th test - not bad for a man who made a pair in his 149th.

AG
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Ponting got his hundred! Woot! (just....! - almost ran himself out)
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...Is it just me or does Ishant Sharma remind people a lot of Jason Gillespie in many ways? The messy hair, the unpredictable sometimes-excellent batting, the bowling style, the fact he's a great bowler but never quite #1 in the team if everyone else is fit.

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Yes, indeed he does.

Well deserved hundreds to Ponting and Clarke after an abysmal performance by India yesterday - and some good bowling by Australia.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Make it a double for Clarke now, and at this time a lead of 16 runs over India even before you add everybody else's scores.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Oz are scoring runs for fun and India don't look much better than they did in England, though they are a bit fitter this time around.

Meanwhile in Cape Town South Africa have declared at 580/4. I reckon they should have put 600 on the board, for effect if nothing else and I wonder if it is the biggest score having been put in to bat?
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
A quick check of first innings totals by teams losing the toss shows that South Africa ranks only 18th on that list, 155 runs behind the record. They would be 14th on the list if you don't count matches against Zimbabwe or Bangladesh.

It seems that unlike the last Sydney Test between Australia and India, it's the crowd vs the players which is where the agro is coming from. The Swami Army was targeting Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle yesterday, and today Virat Kohli was photographed giving the finger to a section of the crowd.

[ 04. January 2012, 12:26: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Herrick (# 15226) on :
 
My son took me to the first two days of the sydney test as a christmas present! How wonderful they were. First day 13 wickets and it looked like Australia would collapse too. Yesterday was a day that we will both remember for the rest of our lives. Just fucking awesome. Ponting, Clarke and Hussey were (at times) imperious. India seemed incredulous and incompetent.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Cool Herrick.

Clarke made 329 and declared. Highest test score at the SCG by far!!
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Of course, thinking back to last year's thread, it's devalued by being against a team that the worst team in the world thumped 4-0.

AG
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
India indeed seemed clueless and will need to go some to force a draw - I've not got my hopes up.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka look to be in a pretty dire situation in cape Town and will almost certainly have to follow on.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
India indeed seemed clueless and will need to go some to force a draw - I've not got my hopes up.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka look to be in a pretty dire situation in cape Town and will almost certainly have to follow on.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
So, that's why I don't understand it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Btw, it looks like Australia are acquiring a bit of ruthlessness. Is Pup a better captain than Punter?

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quote:

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Originally posted by AristonAstuanax:

quote:

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Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
So, that's why I don't understand it?

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I think you have to actually be from the Commonwealth to get it.

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quote:

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I've made my peace with the fact that, really, watching cricket is just an excuse to look classy while drinking mid-afternoon.

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quote:

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I'm also open to the possibility that, like golf, it's a lot more fun to play than actually watch.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
....
India are surely ten years ahead of their time: thirty-somethings playing like forty-somethings.

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Sad thing is nobody in India really cares, it seems, as long as they win the ODI's in India. Test doesn't seem to matter beyond what the batsmen individually score, and T20 is really just a warmup to the IPL. And there is always some excuse about the ODI's somewhere else.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Umesh Yadav deserved his five wickets, he well and truly showed up Zaheer and Ishant.

Good news for cricket in Australia is that the nation's top soccer cheerleader - SBS commentator Les Murray - is quite concerned that T20 will hit the A-League quite hard. When three Adelaide T20 home games get the attendance of about six or seven Adelaide United home games I think he's right to be concerned, the soccer bubble of the last few years has now burst.

Any thoughts from English shipmates on the latest match fixing conviction over there? This time it's English domestic cricket rather than a Test, with Mervyn Westfield pleading guilty over a deliberately crap over bowled back in 2009 likely to have him joining Butt, Asif and Ameer.

[ 14. January 2012, 06:40: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Bemusement at the piffling sum, mostly! £6,000? Flippin' heck, I wouldn't bowl badly for that little (mind you, I don't have the option...).
His stupidity in telling a team mate was pretty startling, too. Hurrah to TP for doing the right thing.

The big question is what else is lurking behind this. Is it an isolated incident, or are there others? Hopefully there has been a lot of quiet investigation behind the scenes whilst all this has been going on, and guilty parties will either be flushed out and publicly shafted or scared into cooperation.

AG
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
That begs the question - are English domestic players paid well or are the majority of them semi-professionals having to hold down a part-time job?

Last season*, a state-contracted player on the base rate here in Australia would have a minimum retainer of about $60,000 (about £39,000). This is a decent - but not extravagant - living wage which corresponds to the expectation that it's a full time job, even before you consider prizemoney, IPL and other contracts, endorsements and so on. The bribe Westfield took (but failed to deliver the required 12 runs!) is about 1/7th of that retainer, so even in Australia that's no small amount.

In England, the talent pool is diluted across three times as many teams and the pool of major sponsors would be cut down by the EPL. I would expect domestic players in England to be taking home far less than domestic players here, just as it is with their centrally-contracted international players. So the bribe that would be 1/7th here could be far more significant there.

* It's more complicated now that contracts for the eight Twenty20 teams are separate from contracts for the six State teams playing First Class and List A games.
 

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Posted by Yam-uk (# 12791) on :
 
According to a quick search on google, the average wage is around £30,000-£40,000 p/a for a solid county pro to about £100,000 for an overseas player.
 

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Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Are we getting back to the days when Australia won most of their tests by the end of Day 3?

In Perth, with India still trailing by 40-odd, with only 4 wickets in hand, it may even be all over by lunch on Day 3.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I hope so Tukai

Comprehensive win for the Ozzies in 2 and a half days, mind you I think India are incapable of playing tests as they're all into 20/20, plus of course Australian conditions are completely different from Indian ones, we struggle over there and vice versa
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Yeah, but even England were winning Tests against India on day 3 this summer, so it doesn't count for much.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Fourth over after lunch, thanks to the last four wickets falling in seven balls.

While it's good to get one of the most important trophies back, the 3-0 score in the series does hide that not all is well on the batting side of things for Australia. The last two matches have been won on the back of one batsman's special performance rather than consistent scoring across the board.

How India responds to this will be the interesting bit. For the Adelaide Test it would be good if they moved a little away from focusing on star players and onto getting a good team together. It would be fantastic to see Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Dhoni and Zaheer dropped in favour of giving some younger players the chance to show they deserve to play Test cricket. It might make it easier for Australia to make 3-0 into a 4-0 whitewash, but it would also make it more likely to be an Indian win because you could expect some pretty special performances from younger players looking to grab that chance with both hands.

quote:

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Originally posted by Evangeline:
I hope so Tukai

Comprehensive win for the Ozzies in 2 and a half days, mind you I think India are incapable of playing tests as they're all into 20/20, plus of course Australian conditions are completely different from Indian ones, we struggle over there and vice versa

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tukai:
Are we getting back to the days when Australia won most of their tests by the end of Day 3?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Yam-uk:
According to a quick search on google, the average wage is around £30,000-£40,000 p/a for a solid county pro to about £100,000 for an overseas player.

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quote:

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Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger: Hmm. Doesn't sound encouraging for those who are not at the top of the pile, leaves it very open to corruption.

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quote:

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Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Don't be so quick to slam India for being "all into" T20 - the players who are getting it right for Australia at the moment have all come through from T20. Warner, Starc, Harris, Watson (when not injured), Marsh, Pattinson, Cummins and Lyon would make an awesome T20 team.
...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
If Tendulkar gets a century in the last test, the rest of the series results will mean squat there.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Yam-uk:
Human nature being what it is, I'm sure you could quite easily double the wages in the county game and there would still be temptations to take illegal money. After all, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh accepted payments for weather and pitch information, and they were presumably on Australian central contracts at the time.

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quote:

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Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Interesting move by the Punjab Cricket Association.

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Unless other associations follow suit I expect many ambitious young Punjabi cricketers to move. The administrators are kidding themselves if they think a unilateral decision will help anyone.

In other news England have put on nearly a hundred for the last three wickets, which is pretty good. Well done Matt Prior. Shame they couldn't manage a hundred for the top seven. Ballroom dancing lessons all round - what was good for Hutton and The Don can't be a bad idea.
 

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Posted by Yam-uk (# 12791) on :
 
I wasn't aware of this but Jonathan Trott has a reasonably useful bowling figures in 1st class cricket.

57 Wickets, Best Bowling: 7/39, Average: 45.50

Nice little string to have to England's bow
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Yam-uk:
I wasn't aware of this but Jonathan Trott has a reasonably useful bowling figures in 1st class cricket.

57 Wickets, Best Bowling: 7/39, Average: 45.50

Nice little string to have to England's bow

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It sounds like his bowling is used by England in the same way that Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke bowl so successfully for Australia - to get rid of a set batsman who has avoided getting out to all the specialist bowlers.

Australia has a potentially difficult issue on the injury front coming up. Somebody has noticed that Patrick Cummins, James Pattinson and Josh Hazlewood (one of the next group of fast bowlers for future national representation) were all wearing the same type of boots when they sustained foot injuries. The problem there is that fast bowlers mostly wear Asics, who have just replaced Adidas as Cricket Australia's equipment and merchandise provider. That's not fantastic timing!
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Looks like Chris Tremlett has bowled himself into the position of waiter for the next Test. I hope the PTB select Monty, as Finn is too much like Tremlett and Monty can bowl longer spells.

tgc, agree with you about Trott's role as a bowler: a bit like Basil d'Oliviera all those years ago. Surely you can't call bowler's footwear 'boots' these days though?

[ 19. January 2012, 07:28: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
We definitely still call them boots, just as we do for football, rugby and soccer players. The main difference is that they are designed to give a large amount of support, which running shoes do not. I think it's also a cultural thing, that field sports are played in boots regardless of what they look like!

It seems to have been an average day for DRS in Dubai, with one inconclusive decision and one possibly wrong one. The only good thing is that one has gone the way of each side.

I think that picking Panesar would be a mistake, Adil Rashid should be flown in to make his Test debut. Not only can he turn the ball, but he's an ace fielder and England desperately need some lower-order hitting power like Australia have.

[ 19. January 2012, 08:10: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
87 strikes again, but not for Australia this time!
 

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Posted by Yam-uk (# 12791) on :
 

 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Dropping Pietersen sounds like a plan.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Dropping Pietersen sounds like a plan.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Dropping Pietersen sounds like a plan.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tom Day:

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Dropping Pietersen sounds like a plan.

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For once I'd probaby agree. I think that KP needs a big kick up the backside. To get caught out on the boundry hooking when you have not scored and when the situation requires a long stay at the crease is criminal. I can kind of understand being caught behind, or lbw defending (still bad technique) but not hooking in that situation.

I'd drop KP for another batsman, and then also drop Morgan for Panesar. I think we were wrong to go in with ony 4 bowlers in the 1st test, and although the batsmen failed, not the bowlers, I still think the benefits of Monty are more than a 6th batsmen.

Tom

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The only other batsman we have is Ravi Bopara and while he has many virtues (like: he can bowl) reliabilty ain't one of them. I'd bring in Monty for Tremlett, who did nothing with bat or ball (and dropped a catch).
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
You'd bring in Monty (partly) because Tremlett's fielding wasn't up to par? Right.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Dropping Pietersen sounds like a plan.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
You'd bring in Monty (partly) because Tremlett's fielding wasn't up to par? Right.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
According to cricinfo, there's turn with the new ball. I confidently predict that England will be all out for under a hundred.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
A traditional middle-order collapse, with three down for nine runs in ten overs.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Out of 6 sessions so far in Adelaide I reckon only one goes to India and the other 5 to Australia! Ponting seems to have answered his critics - including me!

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I must say that it was good to see Virat Kohli get the first century for India this series (the first while they were batting at least ) as he's been the only one looking like deserving to get one. So far you would have to say that him, Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are looking like the only ones who deserve to have their places in the side locked in for the future, perhaps Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as well for the near term if younger replacements aren't forthcoming.
 

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Posted by Tom Day (# 3630) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Marvin the Martian:

quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
A traditional middle-order collapse, with three down for nine runs in ten overs.

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Slightly harsh, I feel. That last hour was one of the best displays of attacking spin bowling I've ever had the privelige to watch. Even if it was the opposition doing it.

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It has left the match nicely in the balance. I am hoping for a lead of around 70-100. The one thing to note so far is that the decision making by the umpires has been good. Hardly any decisions have been over turned.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The Series and the Trophy go to Australia - deservedly so - they came to India and couldn't win a match, India have gone there and haven't won a match so far.

Roll on the Tri-Series.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Just dropping in to say I enjoyed a great 1.16 days of the Adelaide Test - yesterday and the 59 minutes it took to finish off the foregone conclusion this morning. It was especially good that the four specialist bowlers took one wicket each in the final period of play, a great tribute to the way they worked as a team to win the series, conquer the big three and deny Tendulkar that century.

I hope that the umpire Kumar Dharmasena is stood down from all international umpiring duties immediately. I can understand an umpire being unsure about one wicket ball in a match perhaps being a no ball, maybe even a couple. But to refer every wicket taken by an Australian pace bowler to the third umpire was pretty poor form for a supposedly elite umpire. After the third time it happened the match referee should have stepped in and replaced him with the fourth umpire. It's a shoddy way to treat the Australian bowlers, and if we're to be consistent a shoddy way to treat the Indian team who object to technology being used.

There was a total attendance of 103,500 over the match, including 9,900 on the abbreviated last day which was free entry. That's a very healthy attendance by any standard, and a good sign that the prophets of doom are wrong about Test cricket being dead, at least in Australia.
 

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Posted by Barnabas62 (# 9110) on :
 
Ouch! Groan ....
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Turned on the cricket this morn when I woke up (admittedly it was midday) and it was gorn

Feeling disappointed in this series with India.

Wasn't really much of a contest. Wasn't much fun to watch
 

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Posted by Trisagion (# 5235) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Evensong:
Turned on the cricket this morn when I woke up (admittedly it was midday) and it was gorn

Feeling disappointed in this series with India.

Wasn't really much of a contest. Wasn't much fun to watch

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quote:

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Originally posted by Evensong:
Feeling disappointed in this series with India.

Wasn't really much of a contest. Wasn't much fun to watch

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Yeah, I had the same feeling after the series this summer against England. It's kinda nice to win, but I always feel it's better to win a tight contest than to dominate.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I've seen England teams struggle, but on Saturday they couldn't even do that.

Happily the umpires did well, especially Mr Oxenford, who is another good'un from Australia.
 

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Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
At least it makes discussion of team selection interesting. A place for Ravi?

Pieterson out!

Can Morgan play test cricket? He might be able to play for Ireland in a few years!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I see the Kiwi women's team beat the Aussies by a fair margin.

I hope the Indian men follow that trend later today but...
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Happily the umpires did well, especially Mr Oxenford, who is another good'un from Australia.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Well, that was sweet - at least India won a match, which is more than the Aussies did when they came over here last year!

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???

The last India vs Australia limited overs series in India was won by Australia 4-2.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


Hey ho - the trouble with being old is that time sort of telescopes - I meant 2010 when Australia lost 2 tests and lost the LOI series 1-0.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Cricinfo.com don't seem to list a series since 2010 of Australia in India - just for clarification could you give me the dates?

Thanks.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
My bad, I didn't know that there was an ODI in 2010, it wasn't listed with the two Tests. The last full limited overs series completed was in 2009.

I hold a tiny bit of hope for the Indian team's sake that those in the BCCI hierarchy will be a little less enthusiastic than you at claiming the tour has been a success just because of a 50% win rate in the short T20 part of the tour. They might get a clue that something's not right at some point, but it's more likely to come from losing their two biggest sponsors in less than six months (with one who made their reasons humiliatingly public) than being whitewashed in a full-length Test Series (not just two matches) even though they had two First Class tour matches against a side featuring numerous players who then featured in the Tests!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
So let's just clarify things a bit.

1. You agree that Australia came to India in 2010 and left not having won a match - not even a warm up; and

2. that India are in Australia now and have not done very well at all BUT they have won a match already with the Tri-Series still to go.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Didn't Australia also lose to Bangladesh in 2010?
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
And where is the Urn, currently?
 

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Posted by Johnny S (# 12581) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
And where is the Urn, currently?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Johnny S:

quote:

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Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
And where is the Urn, currently?

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A bad time to bring that up.

As England has just set another new record (allowing Pakistan be the first team to win a test after getting less than a 100 in their first innings for about a gazillion years) I feel as if I've just woken up from a wonderful dream.

Please tell me that I didn't imagine the last Ashes!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Tom Day:
Anyway - bring on the ODI's

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quote:

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Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...My ears took a hammering though, I would love to go to a match in India and carry on like the Indian fans did on our turf tonight!
...

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quote:

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Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
... we used to live virtually next door to the stadium in Kochi...

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• A panda.
• A lego man.
• Scooby Doo.
• 12 Wonder Women sitting in the same row, a rather popular group amongst the male sector of the crowd!
• A group of Batmen who were far less popular.
• At least one Where's Wally character who was found by the cameras amongst the crowd!
• A man in a white wedding dress, probably on a buck's party weekend.
• A couple of pirates.
• The usual watermelon helmets.
• Guys in full-body morph suits.
• Bananas in Pyjamas.
• A number of Richie Benauds.

I almost felt boring just wearing team kit!

It's for this reason, and the fact that we got a lot closer to full capacity than the MCG did last week, that the expanded >50,000 capacity Adelaide Oval is being seriously considered as a possible venue for the World Cup Final next time around. Adelaide is great at turning out for the big events and the Final deserves to be contested on the best playing surface in the world. It would also not be worth playing it in Melbourne or Sydney where there would be the risk of not selling all tickets and not being able to broadcast live against the gate into the big TV money markets of those areas.

[ 12. February 2012, 12:20: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
"It's for this reason" - I mean to say the Final should be played somewhere with a fun atmosphere, which you don't get at all-seated stadiums like the MCG. Every great match needs a panda and some superheroes!
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Just in, it seems that while there may be no I in team, there is in Gambhir.

What a twat, the comment at the bottom about players who divided teams is so appropriate.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Now we have the final of the Indian Celebrity Cricket League - so far it looks as if Chennai will retain their title. There has been some dreadful fielding!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A good win by England last night in Abu Dhabi - let's see if they can keep it going.

Yesterday we were also watching, on another of the many cricket channels here, two games of the Bangladesh Premier League with lots of big names, some ageing a bit, from around the world. It was nice to see Sanath Jayasuriya still taking wickets! It is easy to forget that he was first brought into the SL team, all those years ago, as a bowler.

If that was an adult bat that Kieron Pollard uses, and I assume it is, then he is one BIG bloke! He can hit the ball a heck of a long way.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I can assure you that Kieron Pollard is a big, powerful man, having looked up at him while sitting in the third row behind the fence at Adelaide Oval! He's bloody fast in the field as well as a powerful hitter.

India seem to be planning for their run chase tonight to work the same risky way as Sunday's late charge home. It worked for them then, but it doesn't strike me as a great strategy to try on a regular basis. In Sunday's game, all it needed to make that fail was for Australia's fielding to be up to normal standards or a couple of lucky moments to go the other way.

Tonight's game in Adelaide is the second ODI for one of our local umpires, Simon Fry, who is probably one of the best Australian umpires yet to get regular games overseas. I wonder if he's had the courage to warn Dhoni for delaying the game with his breaks at the end of each over? I nearly missed the train home the other night thanks to that tactic!

[ 14. February 2012, 09:58: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
It's a tie! Dhoni gets only three runs (third umpire checked to see if they ran short at each turn) on the last ball and falls one run short of emulating Michael Bevan's legendary last-ball win over the West Indies at the SCG.

They had free entry from 6:30pm tonight, I should have headed down there!

[ 14. February 2012, 10:23: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sri Lanka beat an Australian team that looked very out of sorts at the SCG - apparently the first time SL have won there batting second AND they got a bonus point! Were it not for David Hussey Australia would be even less happy! A loss by 8 wickets with 101 balls to spare is quite painful to any team.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
At Sidney today:

Sri Lanka:
The other team:
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Indeed - I don't think anyone could quibble about Vera Duckworth Lewis's involvement in this one (slightly odd though it looked) - that was an arse-kicking by any standards. Apparently there were two drops in the Australian innings - so it could have been a whole load worse. Blimey!

Meanwhile, Essex seem to showing the rest of the England squad how it's done. Perhaps we should ship the rest of the lads out to the Middle East to fill the order (though Alvero Petersen might be problematic - false 'tache?)?

AG
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
MS Dhoni might be facing double trouble after today's ODI - India's time ran out with five overs still to go, and he got into an ugly argument with the umpires after the Out graphic was erroneously shown on the video screen when Michael Hussey was correctly ruled Not Out by the third umpire. With there being no chance of a clean record letting him off, these charges will probably mean the end of the tour for him.

His keeping was remarkably worse than even his normal standards after his tiff with the umpires, and Kohli also looked distracted with some obscene gesticulation towards the crowd (again).

Check out this video from a Tuesday evening T20 match in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Note that the umpires do eventually give the batsman out roughly 45 seconds into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCO3ik4Px2Q

[ 19. February 2012, 06:27: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
And it ends up being a bonus point win for Australia. By my calculations that locks Australia in as one of the teams to contest the finals series and makes Tuesday's India-SL match a virtual knockout semi-final.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
If Sharma hadn't moved across as he did on the 2nd ball of the match... Tendulkar doesn't drop sitters like that.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
That would have succeeded merely in bringing Hussey and Christian in earlier and pushing Australia to a 320+ total.

Who will fill in for the sin-binned Dhoni tomorrow? It was Wriddihman Saha for the Test when he was banned, but I think he left the tour as soon as that Test was over.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sehwag fails AGAIN!! Should he go the way of Punter and give up ODIs?

Ah well, it's only a game.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
This tri-series has gone on a couple of matches too long! I was looking at tonight's result thinking "good, the finals are locked in and India sent packing with Sachin's elusive century still haunting them" and then I saw there was a whole extra round of matches to go, and the fight to avoid the early trip home (or to spend a week playing Sheffield Shield matches for the Aussies) is still on.

Ponting's retirement from ODI cricket could hardly come at a worse time, he's now been selected to play for Tasmania in the One Day Cup final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. I was kind of hoping that he would be retained for Friday's ODI match along with Hilfenhaus and Doherty, with George Bailey and Ed Cowan added to the squad!

It does have me wandering, do superstars on that level in India like Tendulkar or Sehwag drop down to play domestic matches (other than the IPL) when they are not selected for India?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...It does have me wandering, do superstars on that level in India like Tendulkar or Sehwag drop down to play domestic matches (other than the IPL) when they are not selected for India?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Just for the record I'm disappointed that Ricky Ponting has retired from ODI's on being dropped. OK, he's going through a bad trot but all players do that, even great ones.

I'm sure Australia could use him at some stage in the near future and while Punter too must be disappointed, he could have kept quiet for a few weeks instead of drawing attention to himself. He isn't the first player to do this but, as before, it always looks like sour grapes to me.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
England's ODI performance? I thought it was customary to allow the opposition a few easy wins

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Yes, as I recall, we did just that at the beginning of 2011
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Australia scored well today to make 280 on not the easiest of pitches and Sri Lanka then managed to beat them with a few balls to spare. It is sad for Forrest that his maiden ODI century didn't result in victory but Mahela Jayawardene was in imperious form - and Chandimal wasn't far behind..
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
All you Punter haters would be well and truly welcome in Adelaide today with the Redbacks taking on Tasmania in the final of the best one day competition below full-member international level. We last won the one day title in 1987, with the competition having five name changes since then!

The SACA has taken the bold step of announcing free entry to try and get a big crowd, which is something that English counties should be looking at. Being a 39 degree day won't help, but I expect they will do a good trade in cold drinks especially when more people arrive in the evening.

[ 25. February 2012, 01:09: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Well we won the cup, but we tied the match and took the cup based on the higher standing in the league stage. George Bailey and Ricky Ponting almost managed to get Tasmania home, but Gary Putland's ice-cool last over saved the day. Earlier in the day the match was marred by Ed Cowan pulling a swift one on the umpires by claiming a dropped catch, so it was fitting that the tied match earned us the cup rather than Tasmania.

Despite the heat, over 10,000 fans turned out so the free entry deal seems to have worked.

With two ties and another game won with two balls to spare in the last two weeks, it seems that Adelaide Oval is the best venue in the world for nailbiting 50 over cricket right now!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...With two ties and another game won with two balls to spare in the last two weeks, it seems that Adelaide Oval is the best venue in the world for nailbiting 50 over cricket right now!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
[QB that scumbag Jardine [/QB]

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quote:

---

Australia will need to find yet another acting captain!

---

Surely Geoffrey Rush is too old for a call-up
 

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Posted by Yam-uk (# 12791) on :
 
Test match between NZ and SA drawn - does that mean we'll actually still be number 1 after April

[ 11. March 2012, 17:51: Message edited by: Yam-uk ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
And the familiar trend of Australia beating India carries on, this time on Indian turf.

At least the Indian women actually put up a fight worthy of a top-flight international cricket team, perhaps some of them should take up coaching positions with the men's team.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
And a billion and a half people think "Thank fuck for that!".

Well done, Sachin!

AG
 

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Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
And a billion and a half people think "Thank fuck for that!".

Well done, Sachin!

AG

---

Amen. Polite standing ovation.

[ 16. March 2012, 11:35: Message edited by: Mr Clingford ]
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I am proud to say that "I wuz there!" at least by the medium of television, and I delayed my walk to see the end of it!

100 centuries

Speaking of great traditions, I note that Australia was out of the running for the Cricket World Cup last year.

Or did that not count since it was not held in Adelaide? Or Australia?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It was greeted with enthusiastic applause and some relief here - a neighbour boy I met a few minutes ago is now hoping for #101 and 50th ODI century on Sunday against Pakistan - I'm not holding my breath on that one!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Pakistan won the Asia Cup but Bangladesh got SO close!!

And West Indies take a lead in the series against Australia.

Although Aussie fans might see this slightly differently surely these two things can only be good for world cricket.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
And West Indies take a lead in the series against Australia.

Although Aussie fans might see this slightly differently surely these two things can only be good for world cricket.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Good performance by Sri Lanka - and Herath in particular with 12 wickets - to propel South Africa closer towards the top ranking. England now need a win in the second match to stay just 0.5 points ahead. I wonder whether Herath's success means Sri Lanka have finally found a bowler worthy to be called Murali's successor?

On paper it looked like a good one for the umpires as well with just two quite close decisions overturned, out of twelve decisions referred by the two teams. Asad Rauf and Rod Tucker were both quite experienced first class players before becoming umpires which is usually quite a good thing.

---

Yes, congratulations to Sri Lanka. Mahela Jayawardene didn't look inspired as a captain but they had runs in the bank which won it for them. As usual, a first innings lead decided it, and that was caused by dropped catches as much as bad batting!

Herath isn't in Murali's class, but he's as good as Swann at his best, and Swanny hasn't been there for at least 18 months.

Well done the umpires too: we forget they are out there six hours plus every day. In Sri Lanka that puts them in the 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' league!
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I agree about Herath - he's not in Murali's class on his off days (Murali could still clean up a Bangladeshi lower order on his off days) but he does have what it takes to dig deep and produce a match-winning performance on his good days just like Murali could. And his action won't need any rules to be changed so it's legal either.


If it were not footy season instead, the big news here in Adelaide would be that we have a new captain coming from across the sea - Johan Botha! It's a bit rough for Michael Klinger to get demoted only a month after his ice-cool captaincy got SA their second domestic title in 2 years after a wait of 15 years before that, but three consecutive seasons at the bottom of the Sheffield Shield couldn't be ignored forever. I wonder Botha plans to stick around for a while and then play for Australia late in his career like Brad Hogg?

[ 31. March 2012, 03:37: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Katy Perry knows nothing much about cricket!

Fancy asking a fast bowler like as Doug Bollinger to show her how to hold a bat, I've never seen him do anything useful with one!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
First match of this year's IPL last night and Chennai Super Kings, my No 1 team were embarrassingly abysmal! What a mess they made of it and were deservedly beaten by 8 wickets with 19 balls to spare - this is not the way to win the title for the third successive time! Mumbai Indians, by contrast, were both disciplined and focused plus they have probably the best bowling attack of any team taking part, including Malinga, Ojha and Pollard.
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
England have got a bit of a game on here!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yuvraj Singh came home to India today!

In other news the IPL is being fun so far and Chennai managed to win their second game, which cheered me up a bit.

Shiv Chanderpaul's ton has helped West Indies a bit, but was it enough?


eta: the worst thing about the IPL coverage here is the channel showing has Navjot Singh Siddhu as one of it's studio pundits - that man is so unbearable! I think I'd prefer Grieg or Boycott, and that is saying something.

[ 09. April 2012, 06:45: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Australia have not yet, but look as if they will, avoid the follow on - but I think it looks like a draw already.

I went to bed early last night and missed what is reportedly the most exciting match so far in this year's IPL - oh well, these things happen. Two matches today so chances to cheer for both Royal Challengers Bangalore [against Kolkata KR] and Chennai Super Kings [against Delhi D].

Meanwhile Namibia aren't doing so well in their 50 over match against Canada...
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
It should be a terrific fifth day at Bridgetown; West Indies are 114 ahead with 5 wickets in hand: if they can double the score, Australia will be under pressure, but I back Australia, a little reluctantly because I want to see an upbeat Windies side in England - it's not fair condemning them to play in wet and wintry conditions (at least they don't have to play at Chester-le-Street and Headingley, which can be Godforsaken places, akin to railway stations with no buffet).
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, quite a turnaround in Bridgetown - it will be interesting to see how it develops.

Both south Indian teams lost yesterday in the IPL so no joy there but Canada must be happy with their win over Namibia.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
That would have been a fantastic fifth day to attend, much better than the whole 59 minutes of the fifth day against India I went to in Adelaide a few months ago. Thank goodness the umpires didn't get in the way of the match when the light was looking marginal.


Did anybody see the Harbhajan-Munaf incident in last night's IPL game? No TV coverage in Australia, so all I've got to go on is reports on the internet which suggest that a marginal call went the wrong way but that the Mumbai players went down the ugly route very quickly and Harbhajan's true colours came to the surface once again.

In soccer, the actions described would have earned both players a red card - that's an immediate send-off without appeal, an automatic one game suspension and the team to play on without the ejected player/s. Continuing to argue the point and bully the officials like they did would have added an extra red card to make it two games sitting in the stands for the player/s involved. Perhaps a course that T20 leagues could consider for the future?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
IPL does have a fair play award system and I imagine a few points may have been deducted last night.

Quite a fightback by Australia so all kudos to them.
 

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Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
Blimey, what a game. Somehow CSK won.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yes, well 45 runs in 2 overs can do that to a game!

WOW!!
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Just stumbled across an internet TV feed of tonight's Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab match while trying to find a feed for the Test later tonight after the F1 replay. It's kind of equivalent to stopping at a McD's drive while on the way to a fifteen course banquet I guess!

Kolkata's home ground announcer just scored an own goal. Having lost a wicket he announces "ladies and gentlemen prepare for the fireworks to begin, Yusuf Pathan is the new batsman!" It had the opposite effect, he tried a stupid paddle shot on the second ball and was bowled without scoring.

The same announcer just made a complete meal of Ryan ten Doeschate's name after another wicket, surely getting your own team's players right would be a priority for that kind of job!
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Yusuf Pathan's shot was truly awful! As the commentator said a power hitter in a tough situation should NOT try a finesse shot!
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Great finish to that game, some great captaincy from Gilly and great execution by the bowlers to deny the home team and the home crowd!

Good to see a bowler from the losing team awarded MotM even in the cheap and nasty batting orgy of the IPL, Sunil Narine bowled very well. When they count four wicket hauls as the main milestone achievement for bowlers in T20 games, to get the traditional five wickets would have to be just that little bit more special.

I am confused by the substitution of "thirties" for IPL on-screen batting stats. You would think that when the grounds are so small that batsmen only need to chip over the infield to get six runs, fifties should be even easier and they should stay as the standard milestone. If you have the difficulty level set to "IPL" (I gather it's a setting somewhere below "easy" but still harder than "USA") then a "thirty" could be scored in one over!

Two spinners picked by Australia for the Second Test, which is a marker of how times have changed since I got up early in the morning to watch Australia's historic win in the West Indies back in 1995. Our two spinners have a very special connection between their names, anybody have an idea what it is?

[ 15. April 2012, 15:20: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Just out of curiosity, can anyone actually see what the changing logo top left of the screen in the IPL coverage is? I'm assuming it's something that ITV4 don't want to show (or aren't wanted to show), but it's nearly as annoying as the adverts and the commentators!

It's not all bad, mind. I'd love a pair of KKR's gold pads. They'd make the perfect booby prize at the end of season dinner!

AG
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I don't think we get that logo on the coverage over here, so sorry I can't help.

I wonder what Deccan Chargers have to do to win a match - even when they have performed really well [not that often] they have been up against a side that does even better.

CSK meanwhile look as if they may scrape into the top 4 but it is early days yet - a third title still looks pretty remote but a nice dream.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The Curse of the Nelson!

Peterson out with the score 111/1 in 11.1 - now 111/2.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Well if the selectors have any sense that performance by Matthew Wade should be the end of Brad Haddin's career as the first pick keeper. The only thing standing in the way now would have to be the chance of Michael Clarke advocating for his NSW mates.

Slow clap for Darren Bravo - it's one thing for a batsman to be surprised by a part-timer when they are well into an innings, but another thing completely to get out to David Warner on only 10 runs.

The question for day three of this Test is of which Australian player/s will bring out an ANZAC Day special? I'm guessing it will be one of the senior players - Watson, Ponting, Clarke or Hussey.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Deccan Chargers got their first point of this year's IPL last night - their match in Kolkata was rained off so they and KKR split the points.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Test cricket is back in England, West Indies are clearly up for it (they got a lot of team spirit and self-belief back against Australia) and we have a proper Day 5 to look forward to!
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Six wickets down, 134 still to get. This is going to be awful.

(And, as a footnote, KP does it again. Wild slash outside off stump gets the edge. Why does he do it?!)
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Six wickets down, 134 still to get. This is going to be awful.

(And, as a footnote, KP does it again. Wild slash outside off stump gets the edge. Why does he do it?!)

---

Six wickets remaining, IF (at 70/4 in 17 overs). Then again, G Boycott reckons you should always add two to the wickets column before working out your chances, so I reckon the Windies are in the box seat.
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Oops.

It's now 114/4 and the ball seems to be doing less. Tense.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
131-4 at lunch... what will be in the sandwiches, I wonder?

AG

(7-1-28-2 at the weekend. Second ever maiden, longest ever spell - which gives you an idea of my talent level!)
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Phew! Great work from Cook and Bell. Shame Ali got out at the last but that was a really professional performance from them both.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Game over, England win by five wickets. As usual a wicket fell just before the line was crossed but Bell and Cook put on 132, showing that it's partnerships, not innings, that count.

Quite why Edwards or Gabriel didn't bowl more I don't know. Englnd reached 105/4 and neither bowled again. I bet Cook and Bell were relieved.
 

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Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
A good game in the end, and closer than it seemed likely after the each side's first innings.

Gabriel was off the field with an injury, and I think Edwards also had a niggle. Nevertheless, Samuels did look rather unlikely to win the match, especially when he came on after lunch.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Thanks for that info JonahMan. Understandable not to bowl, and potentially break, your bowlers in the first test.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Indeed - see Zaheer Khan, last summer...

At nets last Friday we had the memorable moment of a team mate telling us that he'd managed to get his Urdu and his Hindi muddled, and had manged to refer to that well-known IPL team the Poon Warriors! I know you see thm out round here on a Friday night, but I didn't realise they'd made it into the IPL!

AG
 

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Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
According to Cricinfo, Sammy was also worried about the over rate, and didn't want to get fined, hence the slow bowler. Worried about the over rate when there's a test match to be won!? Ironically, he was fined anyway.

Seems a skewed sense of priorities though. And perhaps skewed rules to the game? Though, apart from in-game penalties (runs for slow over rates), it's difficult to see what else they can do to ensure the game proceeds reasonably quickly.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Meanwhile in the IPL my favourite team, Chennai Super Kings, have made it to the play-offs on their better run-rate. The play-offs start today but I am not convinced Chennai have the power to win the title for the third successive year.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by JonahMan:
According to Cricinfo, Sammy was also worried about the over rate, and didn't want to get fined, hence the slow bowler. Worried about the over rate when there's a test match to be won!? Ironically, he was fined anyway.

Seems a skewed sense of priorities though. And perhaps skewed rules to the game? Though, apart from in-game penalties (runs for slow over rates), it's difficult to see what else they can do to ensure the game proceeds reasonably quickly.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Meanwhile in the IPL my favourite team, Chennai Super Kings, have made it to the play-offs on their better run-rate. The play-offs start today but I am not convinced Chennai have the power to win the title for the third successive year.

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quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
...Are KKR fans given priority access to a decent proportion of the publicly available tickets for the grand final in Chennai to ensure their team has a neutral crowd at worst?

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I very much doubt it - like most professional cricket these days the IPL is about generating income! Also it is a heck of a long way from Kolkata to Chennai - well over 24 hours by train or a heck of a lot of money by air.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I did look up a map to see where the respective cities are located before posting that. I'm not saying that they would actually manage to sell most of the tickets to Kolkata fans, but instead of selling out the final well before the competing teams were known there should have been two good-sized allocations reserved for members of the teams. If those allocations were not fully sold to the members then they could be released to the general public and still end up with a virtually guaranteed full house.

Surely a stadium with large sections of the crowd at each end in their team colours cheering on their team would look better on TV, which is of course where the money comes from.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Oh dear, more fixing investigations. That it involves Pakistan only as the opposition side which won the match - and probably would have anyway - is a breath of fresh air at least.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Yay! The Shiv goes on review, lbw to Swann! Classic offspinner's lbw against a left-hander caught him sufficiently in front and he didn't get an edge.

That's two reviews upheld against Asad Rauf, which must be a record for one of the top umpires.
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
It doesn't really give me any joy to see the Windies rolling over like this - it's kinda sad to see a team with such rich history being reduced to dependence on a single batsman.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
I probably shouldn't have been amused to see Chanderpaul described by Cricinfo at lunch time as "the little bar... nacle"... but I was.

AG
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
It doesn't really give me any joy to see the Windies rolling over like this - it's kinda sad to see a team with such rich history being reduced to dependence on a single batsman.

---

They aren't being 'rolled over' at the moment, Samuels is doing a great job and Sammy is riding his luck but a #8 is entitled to that and his method is to give it the long handle, so why not? For the most part they have been held in check by very good, persistent bowling on a batsmen's wicket in great batting conditions, and a good side would be at no worse than 270-3.

The Windies have declined, thanks to administrative incompetence (and Allen Sandford too, I think) but as an illustration of how things change, just look athe England performance in the last decade against that in the previous ten. If you consider test matches won/ test matches lost England have been second in the over the last ten years while they were seventh between 1992 and 2001!
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I was just coming here to confess that Samuels was proving me wrong, but you got there first! Fair cop.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
We're in the FINAL!!

A great innings by chennai last night after they were put into bat and then the nighest score in this year's IPL - Murali Vijay played a blinder of a century. Delhi were left chasing 223 and just couldn't handle the pressure.

Tomorrow will be Chennai's fourth final in 5 editions of IPL - it would be so good [for me] if they could win their third in a row!
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Meanwhile, back at the Test, there's a proper game on. The West Indies were all out for 370, and England went into lunch at 8-0 having had Cook caught behind off a no ball. Nailbiting afternoon session to come...
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
At 340-6 West Indies appeared to be on top but England got back into the game. Jimmy picked up one of the more unusual five-fors in Test cricket. How many runs is his fielding, compared to that of others, worth?
 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Excellent scheduling by England.

The South Africans are coming.

So arrange 3 games against a touring primary school team to get the lads into practice.

Its working out nicely. 200 odd for 2. If they dont get 750 for 4 there is something wrong.

[ 26. May 2012, 16:52: Message edited by: shamwari ]
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I dunno. A couple of quick wickets tomorrow morning and a good spell with the new ball could put this match right back in the balance. If England have to chase any kind of score on the last day, I reckon their lanky spinner could cause us some problems.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
...And then the West Indies forgot how to bat.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
It's going to take something incredible simply to make England's chase challenging from there. And after Sammy and Samuels fought back so hard in the first innings...

In other news, my startling run of form with the ball continues. Last week, I bowled my first seven overs spell, with only my second ever maiden in it (this gives you an idea of the sort of quality of my bowling in the past!). In the week I had four catches dropped off me (Karma for the two I dropped last Sunday, I reckon) and this arvo I bowled eight overs on the trot (bowled myself out in a 40 over game) and took three for thirty two with a wicket maiden in there!

I was particularly chuffed to get the Saturday team's captain out for a duck with something akin to Spedegue's Dropper which he took a huge heave at, missed utterly, and was bowled middle stump having been yorked between his legs by a straight ball. It's a mildly surreal experience bowling leg spin, as you often get a wicket because the batsman's eyes light up when they see the bad ball coming.

Eight wickets (in eight days!) so far this season, compared to six in the whole of 2011. Long may it keep going - I've hardly got a bat, but bowling like this, and fielding well enough to be having fun doing it, who cares?

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Ah, the joy of bowling out of the back of the hand. I have to describe it as such as leg or wrist spin both imply that the ball turns off the straight, predictable path. Nope, the only thing I could ever vary was pace, and by altering my arm angle I could affect the amount of bounce, so a filthy roundarm delivery (cf Lasith Malinga) would scrub through, bouncing twice if not thrice, while a classic, slow, high-arm delivery would stay right in the batsman's eye-line before dropping like a stone (per Spedegue) and all but stop dead. Now, have you ever seen a batsman try to hit a stationery ball? For a start many aren't even sure they can (is it dead? is there a Law against it?) and on anything other than a rock-hard track they can't hit it very far unless they scoop it into the air. If they do that then they are stuffed, as they can't hit it very far, so competent fielders about 30 yards out are your friend. Btw, if they do scoop the ball, appeal for 'Hit the ball twice' too. This won't be credited to you, but I know, even now, how many run outs were made while I was bowling. After all, it was my long hops that got them to run, so I should get as much credit for that as I do for one hit down straight to deep mid-wicket.

[ 27. May 2012, 21:27: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I used to bowl off breaks with a nice bit of air on a good day and two men at cow corner on a bad one.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
For T20 last night's was a pretty darned good match with KKR coming out as IPL Champions - mildly disappointing to me but great for the game.

T20 isn't REAL cricket but it is good entertainment on nights like that. The icing on the cake was an interview during the match with the lovely Ferouk Engineer - still a lovely man though ageing a bit now.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Now, have you ever seen a batsman try to hit a stationery ball? For a start many aren't even sure they can (is it dead? is there a Law against it?) and on anything other than a rock-hard track they can't hit it very far unless they scoop it into the air. If they do that then they are stuffed, as they can't hit it very far, so competent fielders about 30 yards out are your friend. Btw, if they do scoop the ball, appeal for 'Hit the ball twice' too. This won't be credited to you, but I know, even now, how many run outs were made while I was bowling. After all, it was my long hops that got them to run, so I should get as much credit for that as I do for one hit down straight to deep mid-wicket.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
West Indies are now 102/6. Looks like England have got down to the batsmen.

---

It worked! Brezza gets his fourth lbw of the innings, his eighth wicket of the match. WI appear as clueless against him as England looked against Pakistan's spinners in UAE.

I've just realised that Tim Bresnan reminds me of John Snow. A bit taller, more solidly built (and he pays attention when he's not bowling) but just as able to move it around and discourage front-foot play through a nasty, unpredictable, bouncer.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Seven consecutive home series wins. That's why we're number 1!
 

---

Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
Ultimately a comfortable win, though not without alarms along the way which at least made it interesting.

The Windies remind me of England 10 or 15 years ago - some good players, capable of good sessions, but somehow not able to keep it up for 5 days.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
The West Indies remind me of England teams of almost any past era. They have problems picking their best players, although for slightly different reasons. I can remember a time when Geoff Boycott was dropped for scoring too slowly (246 out of 550, an almost Alastair Cook like proportion) and John Snow for bowling aggressively at a senior batsmen in the nets. WTF are opening batsmen and quick bowlers supposed to do?

Out in India there are half-a-dozen West Indians who ought to be in the Test side, and others besides. With Gayle, Sarwan, Pollard, Jerome Taylor, Narine and Andre Russell they could give England, or anyone else, a run for their money , or their lives for that matter. Just keep Sammy as captin and please find a decent 'keeper; where have they gone?
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
I used to bowl off breaks with a nice bit of air on a good day and two men at cow corner on a bad one.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
...and please find a decent 'keeper; where have they gone?

---

There was some really shoddy glovework today. That edge that went between keeper and first slip should have been taken, for sure.

[Code fix. iF]

[ 29. May 2012, 10:31: Message edited by: Imaginary Friend ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
...Wodders, I presume that you know the great Farokh Engineer story...?

AG...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
I dont understand whats with the WI. Seems like the IPL players dont buy into the new team ethos. But those in the new team are not up to the job. The top 4 have amassed 250 odd runs in four innings between them.

They could give England a game with Gayle, Bravo, Narine etc.

Without them they just give England practice.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
I dont understand whats with the WI. Seems like the IPL players dont buy into the new team ethos. But those in the new team are not up to the job. The top 4 have amassed 250 odd runs in four innings between them.

They could give England a game with Gayle, Bravo, Narine etc.

Without them they just give England practice.

---

The West Indians that have played in the IPL don't buy the idea of playing for peanuts. The money on offer by the WICB is derisory.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
The South Africans are coming.

---

Our imported South Africans are better than Their imported South Africans!

And not just in those minor matches on the TV, either. Anyone who read last week's Church Times will have seen the article about the first games of this year's Church Times Diocesan Cricket, in which Southwark thrashed Snorbens due largely to a new curate whose origins lie somewhere very far south of the Thames scoring 141 runs.

The parish is proud.

Where is the smug smiley?

Oh, here:
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I now have this bizarre scenario going on in my head where Bishops are queueing up to ordain KP!!
 

---

Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
KP's only playing test matches (and the occasional IPL game for pocket money), having retired from ODIs. So the Bishops may be out of luck.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by JonahMan:
KP's only playing test matches (and the occasional IPL game for pocket money), having retired from ODIs. So the Bishops may be out of luck.

---

Is that a retirement from ODI cricket in normal terms, or a retirement* in Shahid Afridi terms?


* all retirements subject to comebacks, purchases of Shahid Afridi Retirement limited edition merchandise not refundable.
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
Latest update from the curate is that the Diocese of London fell before the Mighty Southwark Machine as well :-)

Apparently English pitches are green and soft and slow. South Africans are used to fast pitches. So if you were brought up playing cricket in South Africa you can beat almost any English bowler all over the field as long as you are willing to wait for the ball to get to you.

Or so I am perhaps not that reliably informed...
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Looks like Billy Doctrove has taken the hint and decided to retire. He hasn't been the worst umpire but he's never been in the top half of the elite panel. Credit to him for not being a show-off.

Jimmy Anderson may be peeved at being rested for this match but he needn't fear anyone usurping his place. Saturday's weather forecast is fine but it's rain today, tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.

Oh, and Lancashire have won a couple of matches!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sri Lanka won the toss and put themselves into bat and have just made 280/4 against Pakistan - Tillakaratne Dilshan carried his bat for 119. As nobody has ever chased more than 240 to beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and as Pakistan are not that strong in batting it's going to take a mammoth effort on their part to win this one.

Meanwhile in Day 3 in Birmingham there has actually been some cricket! West Indies were put in to bat and were 85/1 at lunch.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Bell has now dropped two catches, both pretty routine at Test level. Why is he fielding in an unaccustomed position? Bresnan is a reasonable slip and Bairstow is a 'keeper. Wake up Strauss, make a decision today!

Michael Vaughan, on TMS, acknowledges he wasn't a great catcher but reckons he would have taken one of them. TBH a good school slip fielder would have done that.

[ 09. June 2012, 12:53: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Yeah, I'd've fancied my chances at the second one: Thick edge so it wasn't going too fast, nice height.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I remember, years ago, people here deriding Collingwood and then he was appointed captain - any bets on Bell ending up as captain?

[WW lights blue touch paper and retires hastily! ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sorry for DP.

Sri Lanka, bowling, started off with two maidens!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I remember, years ago, people here deriding Collingwood and then he was appointed captain - any bets on Bell ending up as captain?

[WW lights blue touch paper and retires hastily! ]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Michael Vaughan, on TMS, acknowledges he wasn't a great catcher but reckons he would have taken one of them. TBH a good school slip fielder would have done that.

---

Reminds me of an important traditional backyard cricket rule - the auto wicket keeper. If you're playing in a space with a fence or wall directly behind the wicket, any edge behind is automatically considered a catch. An important part of this rule is the understanding that the auto wicket keeper is Superman, also known as Adam Gilchrist. A batsman disputing an auto keeper catch is then told "Gilly would have caught that" to which there is no reply and the batsman is out, quick rotation being more important than good decisions in backyard cricket.

The funny thing is that a bunch of kids from church earlier this year were trying to convince me that the way you call it an easy catch these days is to say "Haddin would have dropped that."

[ 09. June 2012, 14:41: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Back in the Mother Country it's not the done thing to laugh at your own jokes but that's a good one. Haddin's not alone at the moment though, as there are, as Australians put it, some pretty ordinary Test 'keepers around. They make Matt Prior look classy.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
It wasn't my joke as I wouldn't be that mean about Brad Haddin myself. I did see an ODI between Australia and Pakistan a couple of years ago where he was by far the best keeper on the day. He's not the worst in international cricket, and would easily be on par with some of the batsmen-keepers England has tried out over the last few years, for example Tim Ambrose (rejected by the NSW U-19 side).

Having a go at Brad Hodge when he's fielding on the boundary is a completely different manner. His problem is not so much technique, but rather that too much energy goes into talking back to the spectators.

However, from your post it is good to hear that even those from the land renowned as the world's leading manufacturer and exporter of criminals have the good sense not to laugh at their own jokes.

[ 09. June 2012, 17:15: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Talking of jokes England are currently 52/3 against the Windies.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
... which is 43 less than Tino Best's score, the highest ever for a number 11 in a Test. Well done to him, he can claim to be the Best no 11 now.

Well done to Michael Hussey for getting his priorities right. As a player renowned for his high commitment to Australian cricket, this is a very encouraging thing for him to be doing as an example to younger players.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
WTF is going on at Edgbaston? They are off for 'bad light' which according to the regulations means that conditions are dangerous. How can conditions be more dangerous with natural light + artificial light than with artificial light lone? Bell and KP are whacking it around - maybe the umpires feel endangered.


btw: Michael Hussey does it right off the field, just as he does on the field. Top guy.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
In the time I was composing that they started again!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Prayers ascending for the young Hussey, and for his(?) folks too. Anyone who moans at Dad for doing that needs a smack.

We have a player who scares me umpiring when he's batting. He hits very hard and very straight, and more than once I've had a very close call. Today I was even closer! We were chasing at about nine an over, going well, and I was backing up well down the pitch when he lathered one - and I simply backed up into it ! I have no recollection of seeing it, but I palmed it away from my face (it hit my hand bloody hard!), lost balance and went down like a sack of spuds, flat on my back and the back of my head, jarring myself quite badly. As you can probably imagine, everyone thought I'd got it in the mush and rushed over - lots of attention, "How many fingers?", etc... and all the while I was thinking "Bugger! That'll have been a dot ball instead of four!"

Anyway, once I'd picked myself up and inspected my trousers for damage, we completed a stand of 73 for the wicket, he went for 112, and three balls later I straight-drove a four to win the game - first decent knock of the year, 22no.

So, apart from nearly being killed, it was quite a good arvo.

AG

[ 10. June 2012, 20:45: Message edited by: Sandemaniac ]
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
From the Guardian's over-by-over:

quote:

---

Mind the record books, Tino

---

Classic!

(For reference.)
 

---

Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
Bet Jimmy Anderson is having a good chuckle. Don't suppose he'll be rested again in a hurry!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
It's a while since England have had to resort to the weather to help them save a game. with 5 down, 56 runs needed to avoid the follow on, at the start of play Windies had an outside chance. I think it's gone now unless Strauss makes (or accepts) the strangest offer since Hansie Cronje to Nasser Hussain in 1999-2000.

Ramdin looked a bit of a berk, taking on Sir Viv. The great man dismissed it like he was brushing a fly off his jacket.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I don't get this (and it was confusing me yesterday too.) I thought the follow-on was enforceable if a team was 200 or more behind, yet Sioni Sais and media I saw yesterday are talking about 276 (i.e. only 150 behind) as the target. Is this because of the shortened match, or have I missed a change to the rules?
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
I don't get this (and it was confusing me yesterday too.) I thought the follow-on was enforceable if a team was 200 or more behind, yet Sioni Sais and media I saw yesterday are talking about 276 (i.e. only 150 behind) as the target. Is this because of the shortened match, or have I missed a change to the rules?

---

Yes, it's because it's no longer a 5-day match. If the first day is lost in a 5-day match it is treated as a 4-day match so the follow-on target is 150 runs, as it is for 3-day matches.

AFAIK the follow-on target isn't adjusted if there is any play at all on day 1.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Thanks. I guess the weather is going to make it a moot point anyway. :phew:
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Prayers ascending for the young Hussey, and for his(?) folks too. Anyone who moans at Dad for doing that needs a smack.

We have a player who scares me umpiring when he's batting. He hits very hard and very straight, and more than once I've had a very close call. Today I was even closer! We were chasing at about nine an over, going well, and I was backing up well down the pitch when he lathered one - and I simply backed up into it ! I have no recollection of seeing it, but I palmed it away from my face (it hit my hand bloody hard!), lost balance and went down like a sack of spuds, flat on my back and the back of my head, jarring myself quite badly. As you can probably imagine, everyone thought I'd got it in the mush and rushed over - lots of attention, "How many fingers?", etc... and all the while I was thinking "Bugger! That'll have been a dot ball instead of four!"

Anyway, once I'd picked myself up and inspected my trousers for damage, we completed a stand of 73 for the wicket, he went for 112, and three balls later I straight-drove a four to win the game - first decent knock of the year, 22no.

So, apart from nearly being killed, it was quite a good arvo.

AG

---

There was an incident a little like what yours sounds like in a local T20 game earlier this year, but with the ball hitting the bowler's head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5pjkIUQbo4

He was okay, and took at least one more wicket after that one if I remember correctly.


I also remember that an umpire had a wristwatch destroyed by one of Matthew Hayden's vicious straight drives in an ODI a few years ago.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
A few yards to the other side, and you've about got it. Love the keeper completely ignoring his team mate's collapse, and watching the ball into the gloves.

As the umpire said to me. "Good job you don't do any really dangerous sports, isn't it?".

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
At Southampton Bell is back for England but Chris Gayle is still out, with an injury this time. Even without him, the West Indies have a better looking side though there are still weaknesses (like no scary quick bowler).

There has just been a drinks break. I hope hot chocolate and Bovril were available, it's that sort of day.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
At the Oval for the second ODI, starting sombrely in a minutes silence for Tom Maynard who died yesterday, hit by a train in South London.

Chris Gayle was back for an innings straight out of the IPL including 5 sixes in 11 balls at one point, bfore he was, AFAICT, unluckily given lbw.

It's gone England's way since, Cook making a hundred but why are the freaking lights on?!? It's the finest day of the year, the batsmen are seeing it like a football and the Windies have all but given up.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
It's Christmas in July!!

The England vs Aus ODI's are being aired on normal telly. Wooooot!
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
This Eng / Aus series is a farce.

Both teams are treating it as practice.

England practising for the SA series coming up

Australia using it as a means of sorting a team in transition.

The only people to benefit are the cricket hierarchy; it is a means of money grabbing.

So I have given up watching.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
This Eng / Aus series is a farce.

Both teams are treating it as practice.

England practising for the SA series coming up

Australia using it as a means of sorting a team in transition.

The only people to benefit are the cricket hierarchy; it is a means of money grabbing.

So I have given up watching.

---

The bouncer that Pat Cummins bowled at Ravi Bopara didn't look like two sides 'practicing'! It's always real between England and Australia.

I too would rather that the time was used for two more tests against South Africa and I agree that Australia are short of batsmen (and fit bowlers) but there's no point whinging. ODIs and T20s do get money in, but that doesn't benefit the ICC heirarchy: it funds a lot of international cricket development, the kind that gives sides like Ireland, the Netherlands, Kenya and Afghanistan a chance of appearing in World Cup.

[ 01. July 2012, 19:29: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Cummins was merely practicing his bouncer.

And, anyway, he is out of the series now with an injury.

The Aussie captain admitted in interview that they are trying out various batting / bowling combinations. In that context winning or competing with a really competitive edge is secondary.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
It does, however, present an amusing opportunity to barrack Mitchell Johnson. Again.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
It does, however, present an amusing opportunity to barrack Mitchell Johnson. Again.

---

His 'action' wasn't quite as ugly as it was last year but I'm afraid we'll only get this one opportunity. Pattinson or Hilfenhaus will probably step up although the weather's so bad there might not be much play.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I know it's a big favour to ask of our opponents, but if this series is all about 'practice,' can some English bowler please do Australia a favour and 'practice' giving Steve Smith a career-ending injury of some kind?

I'm worried that once everybody wakes up to the fact he's of little use to the national team he will get recruited by South Australia like they did last week with Phil Hughes.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
A propos of nothing very much, June 24th would have been Johnners' century.

Had I known, I'd have had a piece of cake.

AG
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
He is still much missed - him and John Arlott. They were both in the same class, to me, as Dan Mascall and Henry Longhurst and the guy whose name I can't remember who did the snooker commentary.

What sort of cake would you have chosen to honour the occasion?
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Hmm. I think it would have been a toss up between the Knotweed's death by chocolate cake, or the one I have a photo of somewhere that shows CMJ trying to ignore two pink, fulsome mounds...

AG
 

---

Posted by JonahMan (# 12126) on :
 
Another ODI, another routine English victory against Australia................it seems a very short time ago that I couldn't imagine ever saying anything of this sort!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Agreed - nine straight wins, hard to believe after the B team were sent to India last year.

I guess given the ghastly excuse we've got for a summer darn sarf we should be thankful for Chester-le-Street, and just perhaps maybe that the ECB weren't trying to fit the first test against South Africa in instead of the ODIs... Never thought I'd hear myself say that!

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Australia have been very unlucky with injuries, Mike Hussey's unavailability and also that unless it's a full-length tour July is a rare cricket holiday for Aussies. England on the other hand ought to have had Australia all out for about 130, but for missing a few catches and some pretty moderate umpiring. The electronic aids are one thing but shouldn't the replay official be allowed to intervene actively (eg, hold on Nigel, while I check that edge/leg-before?)

As for selection I'd pick Finn ahead of Broad right now. Bresnan has a great attitude* and gives the bowling variety, Broad's batting is no great shakes at the moment and Finn is the quickest we have at the moment.

*A lot like Freddie without the ego. As a Lanky lad that hurts but it's close enough.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Agreed - I think any team would struggle with two bowlers pulling up, whatever total they were defending, and to a certain extent it is an Australia A team.

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Here's hoping and praying that Mark Boucher's eye operation goes well.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Lacerated eyeball? That made me wince just to think about it.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Really feeling for Mark Boucher, what a horrible thing to happen. That it looks worse than it is and a good surgeon can repair his eye.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Judging by what I'm reading on twitter this morning, it seems he will have to retire from cricket. Sad loss.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Dreadful news.



- - - -

My paper carried a story this morning that KP may return to one day cricket - I think he wants special considerations from the ECB first

I won't comment further as this isn't an appropriate place for the use of expletives!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
It just seems to get worse for Mark Boucher.

What a horrible way to have to go. I remember it happening to Paul Downton as well - in fact, I think it was a delivery from a spinner as well.

I don't care if you're on the opposition, I really hope that they can get it back to full function, and you can enjoy your retirement without worrying about your sight.

He's been a great cricketer, fate should have had better for him.
AG
 

---

Posted by TurquoiseTastic (# 8978) on :
 
Very sad indeed - what a fantastic wicketkeeper batsman he's been. Though sometimes SA had such strength in depth that Boucher would go in at no. 9!

This sort of injury is unfortunately not unknown. I remember something similar happening to a friend in an Under 14 school match years ago - even though he was wearing a helmet, the bail was still able to get into his eye. Fortunately it didn't do as much damage as Boucher's and he recovered in a day or so. Do modern wk helmets have some sort of eye guard?
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by TurquoiseTastic:
Very sad indeed - what a fantastic wicketkeeper batsman he's been. Though sometimes SA had such strength in depth that Boucher would go in at no. 9!

This sort of injury is unfortunately not unknown. I remember something similar happening to a friend in an Under 14 school match years ago - even though he was wearing a helmet, the bail was still able to get into his eye. Fortunately it didn't do as much damage as Boucher's and he recovered in a day or so. Do modern wk helmets have some sort of eye guard?

---

Helmets have a grill which is designed to keep the ball out (sometimes it fails to do that), but many wicketkeepers are reluctant to do anything that could interfere with their view of the ball* - it's the way wicketkeepers are, like their equivalents in soccer, hockey (field and ice) and lacrosse. I don't know of any face protectors that could stop a bail from getting between the upper bar of the grill and the helmet, as seems to have happened to Mark Boucher.

*Some batsmen were like that: Sir Viv would hook from in front of his face, but I don't recall him wearing a helmet.
 

---

Posted by TurquoiseTastic (# 8978) on :
 
What about some transparent goggles though? Would that help?
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I've seen many top-level players wearing cycling glasses underneath their helmet/hat when keeping or batting, including using the clear lens while playing under lights. They won't stop something getting between the grill and the helmet, but they will protect the eyes.

Good cycling glasses (plastic actually) are a huge advantage because they fit nice and close to keep the frame out of the way and they come with a few different sets of interchangeable lenses which snap in/out for use in different lighting conditions. There are protect me well from little stones being flicked up when I'm on the bike, so they would have no trouble protecting the eyes from a bail by transferring the impact energy to the frame around the outside.

I use these for cycling and other outdoor activities, among other people they are endorsed by Brian Lara.

Here in Oz where the sun shines even in the middle of winter, that kind of thing is actively recommended for junior cricketers as part of the awareness of skin cancer and eye damage. The shift to using high-tech lightweight synthetic fabrics in even school-level uniforms is also part of that strategy, a good lightweight long sleeved shirt allows players to stay cool while also keeping their arms from getting burnt.

[ 13. July 2012, 00:47: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
TGC, good to know there's something out there that can do a good job. It might explain why Graeme Swann always wears sunglasses. In any event, someone's sure to come up with some new kit that will prevent this kind of injury in future.

I've just seen that Brett Lee's retired from international cricket. How he kept going through so many injuries and performed so well is a tribute to a genuine sportsman. I hope he milks the IPL for every rupee going to fund a long and comfortable retirement.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
This is downright daft. 40 sixes and 32 fours contributing to an aggregate of 490! In a T20 I ask you.

I reckon the Bangladesh Cricket Association fancied a crack at the T20 record score and set this up with a batsman-friendly wicket and boundaries that wouldn't challenge in an U-13's match.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Several things to reply to in a row...

From the picture on Cricinfo, Boucher was standing up to the wicket in a cap, so no grille to protect him. I guess the Swannie shades would have probably been just what he needed...

Lee has been a great cricketer, and gets my best wishes for his retirement. Someone who'd fight all the way.

As for that match... well, the mind boggles. I can't help feeling that whoever set it up will be looking nervously over their shoulder anytime a bowler comes near.

AG
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
This is downright daft. 40 sixes and 32 fours contributing to an aggregate of 490! In a T20 I ask you.

I reckon the Bangladesh Cricket Association fancied a crack at the T20 record score and set this up with a batsman-friendly wicket and boundaries that wouldn't challenge in an U-13's match.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
This is downright daft. 40 sixes and 32 fours contributing to an aggregate of 490! In a T20 I ask you.

I reckon the Bangladesh Cricket Association fancied a crack at the T20 record score and set this up with a batsman-friendly wicket and boundaries that wouldn't challenge in an U-13's match.

---

If that was a crack at a record, hopefully nobody will take any notice. Bangladesh vs Bangladesh A is not a proper match, it's an internal trial.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I think I'd rather face God bowling than face Wes Hall at his zenith!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I think I'd rather face God bowling than face Wes Hall at his zenith!

---

Given you're in India, I take it that means Sachin? I agree, his part-time bowling might be a bit easier to handle than Wes Hall...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Well, that was a bit of a surprise. I've been expecting a wicketfest, and instead we get the Alistair Cook Domination Demonstration - again. No complaints, but a bit of a surprise. I guess they've prepared a shirtfront, and hoped England would bat.

Cricinfo's graph of where Philander was pitching it in his first spell was a treat to see - every ball in a line down just outside off, nothing to the left, nothing to the right - great control of line.

AG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
I've been following Chelsea around America for the last week, so I missed the entirety of the game. I'm pretty thankful now!

---

This girl Chelsea must be pretty nice for you to miss the cricket and follow her around America

At least one of India's players was obviously watching Amla's fine performance and taking notes with the intent to apply them in the ODI the next day - Gambhir got nearly half of his team's total and was there right until the innings ended.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
7* and 3-0-16-4

Maybe not pulling up any trees, but still my first ever 4-wicket haul. Finally twigged why my length had been creeping pie-wards again, and reaped the rewards.

We had two batsmen score fast, aggressive 50s (though not at Styris speed!) then retire because they were fasting for Ramadan. Given how much water I shifted yesterday, I'm absolutely gobsmacked as to how they can do that - they were reckoning it's about 18-19 hours between eating at the mo - and as for how anyone does it anywhere that's really hot...

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
7* and 3-0-16-4

Maybe not pulling up any trees, but still my first ever 4-wicket haul. Finally twigged why my length had been creeping pie-wards again, and reaped the rewards.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Hmm...

One bowled - didn't pick the off break (I bung in those as well as googlies, just to add to the fun)

One caught at (fairly short) mid on - popular this year, at least my third there.

One caught at mid off, about halfway back.

Blowed if I can remember the fourth (so I've probably blanked it out as a cow corner classic). I do recall that I did myself out of a Five-for by running out the last man, though. Ooops!

It's always more satisfying to hit the stumps, but they're all good in the end.

AG

---

Congratulations. Let me see:
i) When club cricketers see a leggie bowl anything that isn't out of the back of the hand they reckon it will do nothing. Serves 'em right.

ii) Probably caused by a mow across the line, against the spin on a slow pitch. Ball doesn't come on, top edge, easy peasy.

iii) Trying to hit a bit squarer. Hitting the ball too hard?

iv) ?

v) Shame that, but what people do to avoid buying a jug!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Masterful analysis from Simon Hughes in the cupboard under the stairs!

Bloody good job no-one thought about jug avoidance on the night...

AG
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Wodders, I believe that you are a fan of Farokh Engineer - there's a brief interview with him on Cricinfo at the mo.

AG
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Jug avoidance?!?! What club do you play for? I'm going to report you right this second!
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Here's hoping that James Taylor has a happy debut, but noting that batting against South Africa at Headingley is a tall order (for a short guy). Unlike some of our new generation he can dig in and a fifty in four hours would be fine by me.
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Hurray. An alternative to wall to wall Olympics.

Lets hope for 5 days of good weather and a great match
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
Hurray. An alternative to wall to wall Olympics.

Lets hope for 5 days of good weather and a great match

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
At least they've brought Finn back, but for the wrong bowler. I'd have dropped Broad.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
At least they've brought Finn back, but for the wrong bowler. I'd have dropped Broad.

---

Still glad about that? His habit of trampling all over the stumps has cost England a wicket.

Looks like Steve Davis is on the ball, about time somebody did something about it.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
At least they've brought Finn back, but for the wrong bowler. I'd have dropped Broad.

---

Still glad about that? His habit of trampling all over the stumps has cost England a wicket.

Looks like Steve Davis is on the ball, about time somebody did something about it.

---

Not ecstatic, but then Broad's good for no-balls at crucial moments.

---

Of course, Broad's father was well known for hitting the stumps in a manner other than intended, kind of like Finn.

Great look for a guy who is now an ICC match referee!
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Bresnan gets the first wicket, he is now England's leading wicket taker for the series with two so far.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
So, how about KP today?
 

---

Posted by Carex (# 9643) on :
 
How many South Africans does that make with centuries in this series?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In the end India clinched the series in Sri Lanka by 4 games to 1 - they are now equal on points but below Australia in the One Day Rankings with South Africa and England a scant point behind.

Lanka seem a tired side and need a break, I think, plus they have been beset by injuries.

But then again they responded well enough in the second game when India were all out for 138 - they won by 9 wickets with over 30 overs to go!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
A galling evening. I remembered where the tarpaulins were, which saved our match from not one but two near-biblical downpours (there was even a frog on one tarp - ok, one frog a plague does not make, but...), but we just didn't quite have enough runs on the board and lost by two wickets with three balls remaining. I think the state of the outfield had a lot to do (ie it was a bad toss to win!), as the ball had turned a lot at first on a nasty pitch, but by the time we had a go it was like soap, and a pig to grip - very hard to turn it. But that's excuses.

First four-for for that club (7.3-0-27-4), first club I've ever taken more than ten wickets for in a season (up to 12 - only three behind the leading bowler), and have taken twenty all told which is definitely a personal record. However, the winning runs came off my bowling... Grr!

For the record:
1 - caught behind.
1 - bowled
1 - caught at short midwicket
1 - caught at point - so no cow shots in there.

Cricket - love it and hate it!

AG
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
It's squeaky bum time at Headingly. If you've a spare hour I recommend putting TMS on.
 

---

Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
Still playing!
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
What is it with KP?
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
What is it with KP?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
...and the ECB have been so cruel to him, poor lamb!

- - - -

---

If anyone thought the ECB were being 'cruel' to KP before, look what's happened now.

It's not as if the England dresing room lacks egos, Swann and Broad most obviously, but Trott and Prior aren't far behind. My guess is that KP reckons he should get special consideration from Andy Flower, as a fellow Southern African, but Flower's too tough to fall for any of that crap.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


Good for the ECB. Seriously I think he should be dropped for more than one match. Yes, on his day he is a good cricketer but...

[ 12. August 2012, 15:01: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I call bullshit on Dr Mohammad Moosajee, South Africa team cricket manager. He described derogatory text messages from KP as 'banter' but won't disclose the recipients or the contents.

Then again, maybe he's onto something. 'Banter' goes on within a group, and it could be that KP feels more at home in the SA dressing room than in the England one. It isn't even like he's the only Saffie in the England dressing room!
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Did anyone watch his YouTube interview? Self-serving in the extreme.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Did anyone watch his YouTube interview? Self-serving in the extreme.

---

Quite, what was it GBS said about sincerity?
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Not sure I know GBS stands for in this context.

Meanwhile, on the field, there's a finely balanced first day's play at Lords drawing to a close. England have just taken the new ball, which Jimmy used to snag Duminy in his first over. 235-7 just now.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Not sure I know GBS stands for in this context.

---

George Bernard Shaw. He wrote something like 'Once you can fake that, anyting is possible'.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
In the Under-19 World Cup Sri Lanka are the only one of the usual suspects to not make it to the play off stages - Bangladesh go through instead along with Australia, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies, India and South Africa.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
From 54-4 South Africa and England reach 309 and 315 respectively and there's exactly half the time left fo the remaining two innings! Steven Finn has passed his nightwatchman audition, and now it's England's turn to bowl at a frustrate batting side. Hope Jimmy's OK after that smack on the hand.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Cracking game this, isn't it!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Damn right - this is the wicket-heavy slug-fest I've been expecting all the way. Someone goofed at the Oval, because there's a 50% chance that the opposition will get to bat first on the shirt front, while the rain spoilt Headingley, but this is the real thing.

AG
(and isn't it much better than five pissy pyjama games against a substandard Aussie team?)

[ 18. August 2012, 19:41: Message edited by: Sandemaniac ]
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Tests are always better than pyjama matches.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I so agree with that comment!

- - - -

Talking of Tests, V V S Laxman has announced his retirement from all forms of international with immediate effect. I admire him for doing it that way rather than hanging on until he is no longer chosen - a batsman who always looked right at the crease; like Dravid does but different, if you see what I mean.

In other news I dreamt the other night about the current Test Match but with Ken Barrington opening for England. Very strange!
 

---

Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Yes, VVS Lakshman was a fine batter, nearly always worth watching, and a gentleman as well (say those who ought to know).

But he did the right thing to retire before he was dropped, as his form in his last 2 series did suggest that he was past his best by some way.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The South Africans may be inspired by their Under-19 team's complete drubbing of England in the U-19 World Cup match in Townsville. The England boys can fly home now.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The India U-19s made hard work of beating Pakistan but managed it in the end. They will next play New Zealand on Thursday who have just beaten West Indies in an equally tense match with a 4 off the last ball.

The first semi final is tomorrow and will be the hosts, Australia v. South Africa - that should be a cracker!
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 

 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Whoever wins is going to thoroughly deserve the victory!

I am half tempted to go to bed as I'm not sure my nerves can stand any more today! As someone famous whose name I have forgotten said Cricket is played not on the pitch but in the head had it exactly right.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
At least we're still ahead of the Aussies.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
What a pity it wasn't the best of 5.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Rogue:

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
What a pity it wasn't the best of 5.

---

There is this trend towards having more series and therefore fewer matches in each which is a shame. Is this happening because of the rankings which didn't used to officially exist?

Two reasonably even sides should have a long series to really decide who is the better at the time. If one match in a three match series is affected by weather and one affected by one team just having a shocker the series is not conclusive.

If this were to happen I have no idea what would happen to the rankings but as it is only a dream in my head, England would do rather well.

---

This series was a lot like that. England were very poor in the first test, didn't give themselves enough time in the second (and left Swann out), but made a respectable show in the third, in which a draw was scarely preferable to a loss.

This new medium-pacer, Stuart Broad, doesn't look up to much. Apart from a five-for at Headingley where all sorts of dibbly-dobblers have taken wickets he looks no more fearsome than Trott. What do others think?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Australia can smile that their under-19s are in the World Cup final, having beaten South Africa today. Tomorrow India and New Zealand play the other semi-final to find out who they will face.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Sorry, the 2nd semi-final is tomorrow, 23rd.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
That Fat Lady has sung for New Zealand under-19s so India will be in the final against Australia in the Under-19 World Cup.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Good to see that New Zealand may have somethng to look forward to in their u-19 cricketers. Money, as ever, is their problem. I wonder if the ICC could divert some TV revenue to enable test-playing nations to play test cricket. That would necessitate levelling the playing field so they would need some kind of central contracts as well as a guaranteed first-class structure.

Elsewhere, and I was thinking about this just yesterday, I found an article by Mark Nicholas on the side South Africa could have fielded in the 1970's.

I'd include change the side a little: Ken McEwan and Jimmy Cook played here and I don't think they were any worse than Graham Gooch ever became. Wessels had a very broad bat indeed! Of the batsmen Nicholas suggests I think Allan Lamb is in most danger of being displaced. It's close between McEwan and Kirsten, because I've seen both and while McEwan was better to watch, Kirsten played the Jonathan Trott role splendidly.

I'd also put Cook with Richards to open which would lose Barlow's medium pace bowling and, more importantly, his inspirational captaincy (he led Derbyshire to success, for goodness sake!) but as with Ponting how good a captain do you need to be with players like that?

The bowling isn't quite as quick as the West Indies sides of the same era but it's as good, and would score runs more reliably (liike it would need to?).

Sioni's Saffie Selection to beat the world:

Richards
Cook
Kirsten
G Pollock
McEwan
Irvine
Proctor
Rice
Le Roux
Van der Bijl
Hobson

12th man: Omar Henry

 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
India get to 371/5 at lunch on the 2nd day against New Zealand with Dhoni on 61 and Pujara, who has been there a long time, on 151. A couple of missed chances for NZ this morning but India did fairly well. Definitely their session.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
India beat Australia to win the Under-19 World Cup - in Australia!

India won by 6 wickets with 14 balls to spare.

Both teams played well, an excellent final.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A very good day for India as their seniors have just beaten New Zealand by an innings and 115 runs.
 

---

Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
This tickled me: stunning new as Pietersen signs for Pakistan

http://www.espncricinfo.com/page2/content/story/578667.html
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's a lovely piece - I wonder if he has read it.


[I really must learn to spell 4 letter words!]

[ 28. August 2012, 04:12: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Gosh but Amla is good!

I'm not staying up for the end of the match but that was quite a knock.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Sounds like England were a complete shower today...
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Sounds like England were a complete shower today...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
So what is the fuss about Murali Karthik? It seems to me that if he has warned the guy at his end earlier in the over about being out of his crease then it is a no-brainer that is a fair dismissal to run him out, as per the Laws of the Game, when the guy does it again.

Why should that bring on bad feeling?

I saw one comment that said "It's not how we do things." That makes little or no sense to me.

---

Back in the Good Old Days bowlers knew their place. They were far more likely to be professionals than were the batsmen, who were more often amateurs and had attended public schools, and played the game for the love of it

By running out a batsman in this way the social order was overturned. When a foreigner, such as Mankad did it, it was utterly unspeakable! It was an affront to the colonial power (as had been). The episode with Murali is a rerun of this. It is no more unsporting than running a man out when the bowler just gets a touch to a ball driven hard back towards the wicket.

quote:

---

Per earlier comments, from the last few years, about 3 Test Series, what the hell is the logic behind a two test series?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Pardon the DP but over breakfast I was reading the sports page and what happened to Australia last night?!?!?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
I have no idea how he does it really but several times last night it was possible to see his grip that seemed to involve just fingertips and nothing more!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Yep, that's it. All the best spin bowlers have had strong fingers. Mendis probably doesn't rotate the ball very far round in his hand, but does so amazingly quickly.

---

That seems likely, it's very impressive however he does it - Paul Adams must feel sick every time he sees him bowl! Intriguing to see.

AG
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
R.I.P Zimbabwe.

Buried by 10 wickets.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
The BBC cover themselves in glory by giving coverage to first practice for the Singapore Grand Prix, while Brendan McCullum sets a new record for T20 internationals with 123 off 58 balls.

There's only really one word for that.

Carnage.

AG
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
The World 20/20 tournament kicks off tomorrow.

So why waste a week getting rid of the teams that haven't got a snowballs hope in a dust-storm?

Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangaledesh all thrashed.

True it gives the minnows 'experience'. But I wonder how being humiliated can ever constitute a positive experience. Demoralising is perhaps a better word.
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Yeah, but Sky will be paying the ICC a shed-load of money, so it's worth it.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and even poor cricket is better than most of the rubbish on the box!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Meanwhile, on the back page of the Cricket Paper, Kenya's former coach is bemoaning the fact that the ICC championships have become a closed shop. It seems that some of the associates actually want to play with the big boys to gain experience, to get exposure, and who knows maybe even to win matches - see England v The Netherlands a few years back.

Besides, surely a competition without any associate teams playing would be elitist, and we can't have that now, can we?

On a more local level it's the last game today - will have to bowl superbly get to twenty wickets, but would love to improve on the current sixteen. Still up for second in the season's bowling figures, but there's a pack behind me needing four to catch me, which is still possible. As finishing first - I'd need to do a Laker!

AG
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...or a Kumble!

Every good wish for that.

After a bunch of hardly scintillating matches the weekend promises a surfeit of goodies, if the various sides get their acts in order. I have great hopes for Windies v The Aussies this evening but this afternoon's Sri Lanka v South Africa has promise too.

HD Satellite is being fitted as I type this so we should have a great picture for it anyway.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
It seems to have been a soggy old day in Sri Lanka...

Meanwhile back in Blighty we made 171-7 off 40, and five maidens (including a wicket one) on the trot at the start of the reply set the opposition back and they never recovered. As one of the opening bowlers I was much chuffed - especially as I've never bowled two consecutive maidens. Finished with 8-2-26-3 so 19 for the team this season, and possibly another game next weekend if the weather is fit...

Having always been a total pie thrower, this season has been amazing with the ball, now I have to go away and make it even better in the winter - first priority after more consistency is probably a quicker flatter ball from a leggie action so I can whang it down if I get the charge from a batsman. We shall see...

AG
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Good figures for both the day and the season! All the best for the new delivery.

I've had several siesta free days recently so couldn't keep awake last night and went to bed when the rain started in Colombo. I enjoyed the Windies onslaught with the bat - there are some seriously big guys in that squad!

As an aside: although I have been known to use the odd expletive, he says euphemistically, I really think someone needs to shove a bar of soap in Shane Watson's mouth - his constant screaming of obscenity seems a trifle unnecessary. Being quite a fluent lipreader I am aware that he is not alone and that players from all nations do the same but with Watson is seems a matter of greater degree.

Ah well, perhaps I'm just an old fuddy-duddy...
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
So Wodders, how's India v England going to go down today?
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
With England at 60-8, I am feeling the lack of a certain grumpy ex-Middlesex and England pace bowler in the commentary box.

Who better than big Gus to pronounce that "We'rre doomed!"?

AG
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
England vying to0 emulate Zimbabwe?
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Now that we are down to 2 Groups it seems to me that they are hopelessly unbalanced.

The top performing teams are all in Group 2 and play each other.

Surely the Groups could have been allocated after the first round of matches.

And why O why have a tournament in a country where the monsoon season is known to be at hand?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It is well known here that generally I support India but I was embarrassed for England last night. The last pair made 1 run less than the biggest partnership of the innings!

If Harbhajan and Chawla were trying to prove a point I think it can be considered proven.

Following the old adage: If you can't think of anything nice to say, say nothing I think I'll leave it there.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
It is well known here that generally I support India but I was embarrassed for England last night. The last pair made 1 run less than the biggest partnership of the innings!

If Harbhajan and Chawla were trying to prove a point I think it can be considered proven.

Following the old adage: If you can't think of anything nice to say, say nothing I think I'll leave it there.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
So the WI are through on a superior run rate.

What an utter farce.

Fancy organising a "World" competition in the middle of the monsoon season. How many matches have been reduced to 6 or 10 over slogs?

Its not cricket. Its a parody. And its a cynical money-driven exercise.

Whoever wins this shambles of a competition can thank the Monsoon Gods (whoever they might be) for mercies which have nothing to do with cricket.

The World 20/20 crown is meaningless.

---

 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Can SS post anything other than an emoticon?

A comment on the situation in Sri Lanka would be more helpful
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
Can SS post anything other than an emoticon?

A comment on the situation in Sri Lanka would be more helpful

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
...But I prefer 50/50

And Test cricket even more.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:

But I prefer 50/50

And Test cricket even more.

---

I haven't agreed with you much lately, but that one gets a [massed tambourines and hands in the air] HALLELUJAH! [/massed tambourines and hands in the air] Incidentally Wodders, might your love of five-day feasts explain anything?

The Australian's last over was dire - I'd have been embarrassed to have bowled it. A real pie shop - not what you want to bowl to Gayle and Pollard in the best of circumstances.

Interestingly, I gather in the second women's semi that the ball played a much greater part than the bat - especially with one of the West Indians bowling with all the pace of a diseased sloth, forcing the batsmen (?) to try to hit hard to get it anywhere.

AG
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
...Incidentally Wodders, might your love of five-day feasts explain anything? ...

---

I refuse to answer on the grounds that anything I say may tend to incriminate me.


 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
I don't usually watch Twenty20 because I'm a snob and a purist and all this floodlights, dugouts, wicket music, pyjama-wearing nonsense isn't for me. But I did sit down for most of the England v India game the other week and was surprised at just how comprehensively my negative stereotypes of this format were reinforced.

The bowlers seem completely superfluous - might as well have a bowling machine lob up sitters for the batsmen to hit as hard as they can. Captaincy seemed to be reduced to trying to get the optimum spread of fielders around the boundary. But most of all, there was no tension between bat and ball - the balance of attack was always completely with the batting team and the fielders were absolutely on the defensive. That's not what makes cricket a great game.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
Can anyone explain why UK brooadcasters ignored / boycotted the Champions league T20

---

It was on ESPN. If I could have been bothered with The Pyjama Game, I could have watched it.
 

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Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I confess I was completely unaware of the existence of this tournament. I presume it was just another money-spinner for the ICC?
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Cricket on telly starts this Friday.

Aus vs South Africa.


 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
India v England is just getting underway, too - that means that the top 4 teams in the world will all be playing over the next few weeks - will any work at all get done?

- - - -

IF - you presume right, and coming so soon after the T20WC I don't think anyone, anywhere was remotely interested. I watched the scores on Cricinfo occasionally but couldn't be bothered to go downstairs and watch the play. I only watched a bit when I couldn't be bothered to get off my backside and come upstairs.


 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
India v England is just getting underway, too - that means that the top 4 teams in the world will all be playing over the next few weeks - will any work at all get done?

---

I have an exam on two thousand years of trinitarian history (systematic theology unit) on Monday and the first test of the summer started today. Not looking good for my study!!

South Africa 1/90 after 27 overs. Just stopped for lunch.

Smith out lbw early on by Pattinson. Bowden initially gave not out, Aussies challenged and it was given out.

It's great to see everyone again. Oz team looks pretty similar but for Haddin's absence. I feel like I'm catching up with old friends.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
How dare they set exams when a Test Match is on? Are the examiners Aussie? They surely should know better!

Have they no soul?
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 


Couldn't agree more.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's sad that Shane Watson isn't playing - I'm no fan of him in many ways but he is a fine cricketer, if a bit on the temperamental side.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Calf strain wot?

Hope he's right for the second test.

Looks like they may need help....RSA 2 for about 255 at stumps on day 1.
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Duminy is not only out for this Test but also for the series.

But hey. SA can thrash the Aussies with 10 men anyway. Well on the way at the moment.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Australia can't afford to make errors in the field the way they did today - but the South Africans don't mind.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
It's very sad about Duminy, a friend did the same a year or two ago and she was in a LOT of pain and it took her ages to get over it but at least, as a judge, her job is mainly sedentary - for a top sportsman it must be a terrible blow.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Not sure about this new spidercam......
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Wot a comeback for Australia! 37 runs ahead now. Last day tomorrow.

Clarke on around 210 not out!
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Oz to bat on and put something like 650 on the board, which will discourage South Africa and boost Australia. Who knows, South Africa could have a very awkward near two-sessions to bat and their feet must be sore by now.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
...and the rain has stopped in Hambantota so the match can continue.

And this post gets us off a quadruple nelson of replies so I can put my feet down on the floor!
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
[ ] We'rrrrre dooooomed![/ ]

AG

(I'd use [Fraser], but you might think I meant Big Gus)
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Dear ECB,

I am writing to offer my services for the remainder of the tour to India.

I bowl right arm leg spin with flight, drift and turn, and took 22 at an average of 18 last season. My wife is extremely unlikely to sprog down in mid-tour, I'm extremely fond of curry, and I could do with a few days away right now. Sure, I'm not always much of a bat, but judging by the last few days neither are most of the lot you have out there right now. Not being born in South Africa might be a problem, but I've a UK passport so I'm sure you can handle that.

Looking forward to seeing you at Lords for the blazer fitting.

Sandemaniac
 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
England need prayer. I have offered my services as a chaplain to Andy Flower.

After all I knew him as a member of my Youth Club many years ago.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 


Next test Aus V RSA on the 22nd. Hangin out!
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
You can make a case for England winning Day 4, but that was all.

Team changes: Bairstow for Bell and Panesar for Broad, who has show pony written all over him nowadays.
 

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Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Even if Australia are 3 for not much again on day 1, I'm inclined to agree with the selectors who left out Sean Watson. Anything less than fully fit, the danger of his breaking down would be too great, judging on his previous history of injury.
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
It's Shane Watson. And I've never been much of a fan.
Hoping Warner can stick around this time. Damn, Pup has been batting well, hasn't he? Hope he can hang around for awhile too.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
They did hang around, Hussey too while South Africa had a long hard day in the field, conceding more than five an over.

It isn't over though. South Africa could bowl Australia out for less than 600, spend two days plus making a huge score and still have a day to bowl Australia out.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:
Hoping Warner can stick around this time. Damn, Pup has been batting well, hasn't he? Hope he can hang around for awhile too.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:
Too much to do today. Didn't manage to watch much of the game. Coupla records broken I hear.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
This is probably the greenest wicket you'll ever see in Adelaide, not the flat deck you would assume based on the score.

---

Hmmm ... We'll see when things move West. If it's a regular WACA pitch, I doubt many double centuries will eventuate. Though without Kallis in the attack, you never know.
What a great day's batting for Oz! Like Evensong I was too busy to see most of it. Did you get down to the ground, tgc?
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Yes, I did get there which was why I was able to point out a few things that TV/radio/internet viewers might not have seen in my last couple of posts. Unfortunately I probably won't be back there until day five on Monday if it's still going - partly due to this late night of video editing (currently 3:03 and still at least 45min to go) caused by going to the first day instead! That's a little disappointing, I think there's a realistic chance of Brian Lara's record falling* to Michael Clarke (the batting's been fast enough so far that he can do it without compromising the match result) and I'd like to say I was there when that happened.

The forecast for the next few days is basically...
Friday: hot and sunny, 32 degrees
Saturday: bloody hot and sunny, 35 degrees
Sunday: bloody hot and cloudy, 35 degrees
Monday: warm and possible shower, 28 degrees

My forecast for the second day of play is that the Aussies' aim will be to simply pile on as many runs as they can while making the visitors run around in the heat for 3-4 hours before unleashing their quicks on a bunch of tired and sore batsmen.


* news editors would love it too, puns based on his previous girlfriend would be plentiful!
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Wickets looking pretty flat from here. Certainly batting like it is.
Despite some credible attempts by Wade to keep the Proteas in, Petersen and Amla have essentially got themselves out. And God bless 'em for it.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
If South Africa bat through tomorrow the sides will be about level, so it will become a two-day, one-innings match which either side could win.

Out in India, England started really well on a pitch that will help spinners a lot. Broad is just about playing to my expectation.

[ 23. November 2012, 12:21: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Dissent charge coming up for Smithy, swearing at the umpire is pretty ugly.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
England have had their best day in the sub-continent since Cook made his debut there in about 2004! Compton has the temperament for a Test opener and he looks like he could have the rest too and KP is playing with his "team" head on.

Props to Jacques Kallis for making 58 on one leg. Then again, what do you expect of the man?
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Props to Jacques Kallis for making 58 on one leg. Then again, what do you expect of the man?

---

Honestly? A double ton.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Props to Jacques Kallis for making 58 on one leg. Then again, what do you expect of the man?

---

He'd have scored a lot more if he'd used a bat instead of a leg...

AG
 

---

Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
And it's not like he uses his feet much anyway.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
The Proteas will need a miracle of biblical proportions to avoid losing the Adelaide test.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Worst bowling figures ever you've got to feel a smidgen of sympathy for the guy, but ghee you're glad he's not on your side.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
How does a spinner get a no ball? Beggars belief.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Why the heck would a captain not retire a spinner if they're obviously sucking so badly.......?

Something like 4/77 at stumps on day four.

Looking forward to tomorrow!
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Thoroughly surreal at the Wankhede* as well - only the run machine that is Cook and god or goat Pietersen really mastered the pitch and England lost their last four wickets for seven runs... but India are 88-5, leading by just two runs. Who's doing the damage? England's three-seamer attack they pick whatever the circumstance? No, it's the spinners - what a shock!

AG

*My favourite stadium name, even better than Gay Meadow

EDIT - Fuck me sideways, another wicket - effectively six down for six runs!

[ 25. November 2012, 09:49: Message edited by: Sandemaniac ]
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Despite Monty's bowling I expect KP to get the Man of the Match award, unless India pull off what looks from here to be an unlikely victory.
 

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Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
KP's actual homeland could really use him at the moment.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Well, the miracle may happen. Aus have to bump Kallis or Du Plessis pretty soon I reckon. Well, of course both need to be knocked over, plus the tail.
 

---

Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Not a miracle but a draw which is pretty bitterly disappointing for Australia.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
The draw is the miracle. How they survived a whole day and a half ... well, kudos to 'em. Bloody gutsy effort, that.

 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
strewth


Might try get to the WACA.....
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Wonder how Malcolm Conn of the Telegraph (Oz version) feels?

"Australia on verge of Test summit, with victory all but certain in Adelaide" Ooops! What a finish, though - there must be some sore bums in Adelaide from all that edge-of-the-seat stuff!

Meanwhile, in India 11 wickets to the man they didn't pick for the first test. To misquote a song by a popular beat combo "Who's that coming over the wicket, is it the Montster?". Best performance by an England spinner in India since Hedley Verity in 1934, just to make his point.

Each time has now beaten the other by ten wickets - from domination to humiliation and vice versa in the space of a few days. I don't really understand how that happens, but it all adds to the fun!

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Despite Monty's bowling I expect KP to get the Man of the Match award, unless India pull off what looks from here to be an unlikely victory.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Wonder how Malcolm Conn of the Telegraph (Oz version) feels?

"Australia on verge of Test summit, with victory all but certain in Adelaide" Ooops! What a finish, though - there must be some sore bums in Adelaide from all that edge-of-the-seat stuff!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
WTF does a bowler have to do to get MotM?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
WTF does a bowler have to do to get MotM?

---

Yeah, but the TV ratings will get a bump if KP's back in form so TPTB have to give it to him.

---

The real powers that be would probably see more TV ratings gold in giving MotM to Tendulkar, regardless of his performance. Which is why MotM is decided by the local media and not by the ICC or their Indian puppeteers.

12 wickets was enough for our fast bowler Gary Putland to get MotM in the first class game that South Australia won at the MCG over the last few days. MotM is only a consolation prize there, the dominant bowling performance wasn't enough to get him a ticket to Perth for the next Test.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 
Perth to be Punter's swansong.

 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:
Perth to be Punter's swansong.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Some player, but I've always wondered how well he would have done had he played against Warne and McGrath!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Some player, but I've always wondered how well he would have done had he played against Warne and McGrath!

---

If you're patient enough to track down scorecards from twenty years of domestic cricket you might find a few matches, but not too many because Ponting, Warne and McGrath all performed so consistently for so long at international that they rarely played domestic first class cricket, and statistics would reduce the chance of them being drawn to play each other on those rare occasions even more.

But to say Ponting had it easy because he didn't have to face Warne and McGrath outside the nets is an insult to the other top bowlers of the last twenty years. Sure, nobody else recently has performed at that level so consistently but you can't deny that (to name two of my favourites) Shaun Pollock and Chaminda Vaas could perform just as well when they were at their peak.

I wonder which of the other two outstanding veterans of the game due for retirement soon will be next - Kallis or Tendulkar? My guess is Tendulkar, his form slump looks like it could well be as terminal as Ponting's but Kallis is still a solid contributor.

---

I don't for a moment seek to denigrate Punter - he's not far off the all-time Test XI - but he gave the bowler real hope early on, and Warne and McGrath would have seized on that.

It's always a good hypothetical question, like how well Richards, Greenidge, Haynes & co would have done against the great Windies quicks. When they were facing one or two of them, as in inter-island or county matches, they did OK, but had they ever had to face them mob-handed, they might have got runs, but they would have got them slowly. Viv might even have worn a lid!

On the Kallis/Tendulkar retirement question, I agree. Kallis showed last week that he's still an effective batsman even when virtually immobile.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Just dropped my son off at school, ( abuts the WACA ) and got excited about the long lines. Chucked on my Cricketlive scores app on the way home sitting in traffic. Says the match starts in a hour.

Get home to tune telly to get ready and then notice the match won't be shown till 4pm!

Completely forgot they don't live stream the local matches...... *sob*.

[ 29. November 2012, 23:59: Message edited by: Evensong ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:
Just dropped my son off at school, ( abuts the WACA ) and got excited about the long lines. Chucked on my Cricketlive scores app on the way home sitting in traffic. Says the match starts in a hour.

Get home to tune telly to get ready and then notice the match won't be shown till 4pm!

Completely forgot they don't live stream the local matches...... *sob*.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:


You should still be able to get ABC Grandstand, either on the AM, digital radio or a stream from the internet. Without the luxury of the viewers having pictures to look at, it demands a slightly better job of commentary.

---

When my boys were young, we had no TV. My eldest was an absolute fanatic (aged 8), so had a little handheld radio pasted to his ear (given to him by his grandfather) for hours on end when matches were on.

And we had to listen to 720 AM endlessly whenever we got into the car.

I did the same yesterday when driving my mother and niece around, but it didn't go well.

Got home to look up downloading that app that would let me watch live cricket on my phone. Asked me for $5. Impressive technology. And aren't the ads for it frickin awesome?

Didn't do it in the end cos channel 9 live streamed again this morning.


 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Can we take this latest kerfuffle in Kolkata as evidence that India cricket is rattled?

M S Dhoni has urged outright turning wickets to benefit India, but we saw the effect of that in Bombay where Panesar and Swann made merry. I thought everyone knew that England's difficulties were on low, slow wickets that give batsmen no pace to hit and our bowlers little assistance.

If the Kolkata wicket is anything other than an pudding, England has a good chance of winning another Test match.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Australia needs 632 and has two full days to get it.

No problem
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Well, they are more than 6.25% of the way there overnight and no wickets yet.
 

---

Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
I know; it's odd to think that there are still 2 whole days of play left in the match.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I doubt they'll need Day 5 - Lyon will have to bat like one as it ain't looking good for the Aussies.
 

---

Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
Well Australia did make 300, which would be a respectable score in many circumstances. But this time it meant they lost the match with a day to spare. They were tempermentally incapable of defending for days on end, as SA did in Adelaide.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I think the real problem that Australia had was that the bowlers let the visitors run up a score in the second innings.

The next problem for us is that our next opponents Sri Lanka have just had a 1-1 drawn series against New Zealand despite home ground advantage. That could work one of two ways, it could have been a good way to soften them up, or it could have been such a horrific reminder of how low they've gone which will galvanise them into a superhuman effort.

There is talk about Mahela Jayawardene popssibly retiring at the end of the series in Australia. While he's not on the level of the living legends Ponting, Kallis and Tendulkar, he's definitely one of the better players of the last 10 years who would have a strong chance of getting into most people's World XI squads for most years in that time.
 

---

Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
I hope Evensong didn't book for Day 5 at Perth.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tukai:
Well Australia did make 300, which would be a respectable score in many circumstances. But this time it meant they lost the match with a day to spare. They were tempermentally incapable of defending for days on end, as SA did in Adelaide.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
I hope Evensong didn't book for Day 5 at Perth.

---

No I didn't.

Have a sermon to write.

Looking forward to Sri Lanka arriving on the 14th!

[ 03. December 2012, 12:02: Message edited by: Evensong ]
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by shamwari:
I hope Evensong didn't book for Day 5 at Perth.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tukai:
Well Australia did make 300, which would be a respectable score in many circumstances. But this time it meant they lost the match with a day to spare. They were tempermentally incapable of defending for days on end, as SA did in Adelaide.

---

We lost to a better side, one that adjusted to the capricious WACA pitch better.
Plus, I agree with tgc. We should have bowled the Proteas out in the second innings without letting them run up such a massive score. But none of our batsmen rose to the occasion the way Amla, Smith and De Vil did. Including poor old Punter
End of an era. And no bang, but a whimper.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
It was a rather Bradman-like end to his career though, and full marks to the South Africans for giving him the honour he deserved as a player right at the top of the tree, easily equal with Lara and Tendulkar as the most outstanding batsmen of the last 20 years.

And it must be pointed out that hi did score more than South Africa's debut player Dean Elgar, who has more catches than runs to his name at this point in a Test career that could well end up even shorter than Rob Quiney's. What a wonderful game we have, a new nugget of statistical nonsense every time a match is played!

It's a week and a half until the first Test against Sri Lanka, and between now and then the focus is shifting to the first few games of the T20 Big Bash League. I'm looking forward to it, I have my Strike Force pack ready - a letter from Johan Botha, a keyring, a bumper sticker (need a car to put it on!), a lanyard and an entry card for all four home games - with only 3,500 public tickets available at Adelaide Oval currently that's the most important bit. Not bad value getting four games and priority access to any home finals for only a few dollars more than a couple of movie tickets!

The lack of passenger trains running out of Adelaide Station in January due to major infrastructure work will be a bit of a pain though. 40+ minutes on an overcrowded bus makes cycling look like the best transport option at this point.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
273-7 at close in Kolkata - will be very interesting to see what the final total is, and how England respond. What worried me is that Cook must fail sooner or later, and he and KP have been the main run scorers thus far...

AG
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I've been in and out much of the day so have missed what seems to have been, on balance, a sorry display by India. Sadly I think I might miss much of tomorrow's play as well.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
England managed to keep going in the third session, which may show that they are acclimatising at last. India batted like England so often do on the sub-continet: a couple of fifties, others making a start but (so far) no one has made a big innings. Monty seems to love the new ball!

I get where WW's coming from re Cook and KP, but Trott and Bell haven't made runs yet.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Monty seems to love the new ball!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Monty seems to love the new ball!

---

I suspect the reason may well be that the new ball has a hard seam which is easy to grip and, assuming that he gives it a lot of revs, the combination of shine and spin will make it dip/float. It might even swing for him, as hasn't he been bowling quite quickly lately?

Adrian

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
What worried me is that Cook must fail sooner or later,

---

He's obviously listening to me...

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
After England's best day in two years I'm trying to work out how good Alistair Cook actually is. My conclusion is that he's behind the best England have ever had who all finished with averages in the upper fifties. You have to go back over forty years to the most recent of them, Ken Barrington, who made 20 hundreds at nearly 59, and after that you have to go way back to names like Hutton, Hammond, Hobbs and Sutcliffe.

When it comes to playing for the team I think he scores over KP while G. Boycott must look at him and think "If only I had his looks ....".
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Hmmm, yes, England seem to have their grasp of the fine art of collapse!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


The missing word is "lost", of course.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:


The missing word is "lost", of course.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
What is really happening is that India are lulling England into a false sense of security...


...or something!

---

Has somebody told Dhoni that the sprint finish usually only works in ODI matches?
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 


My one consolation is that KP was out for a duck.

I wonder how secure Dhoni's captaincy is now? Mind you, I'm not sure who would replace him if he left.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
England's highest rated batsmen take a well-earned opportunity to fail as England ensure they won't lose the series.

I reckon Sachin will play in the next test: he held the first innings together but will Zaheer Khan play in Nagpur? Will he ever play for India again??

Does anyone else reckon Jimmmy Anderson's 6-127 had more to do with winning the game than Cook's 190? We might have lost without that knock, but our better bowlers won the game.

Monty took 11 at Mumbai and KP got the award, now Cookie gets it. What do bowlers have to do to get MotM awards? You can say that Jimmy and Monty needed help from their teammates but batsmen do too. Compton kept Cook company through the first half of his innings then Trott did the same through most of the rest.

[ 09. December 2012, 06:53: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I'm disappointed that the ABC is importing commentators from our future eastern islands rather than using home-grown talent. Danny Morrison is more concerned about the rap dancers not all being chicks in bikinis* than with the Brisbane-Hobrat match at the Gabba, the consolation at least being he won't be calling the Adelaide-Perth game starting in a few minutes.

The Brisbane Heat fans are down to the point of cheering dot balls, Hobart needs 21 off 17 balls with eight wickets in hand and (good news for English fans) Owais Shah is powering them home.


* Big Bash League cheerleaders are both guys and girls.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Oops, I forgot to post this link - see the special stumps in use for the BBL.

Very proud of the technological innovation coming out of South Australia, companies here were also responsible for the Sydney 2000 and London 2012 Olympic torches used in the torch relays.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Oops, I forgot to post this link - see the special stumps in use for the BBL.

Very proud of the technological innovation coming out of South Australia, companies here were also responsible for the Sydney 2000 and London 2012 Olympic torches used in the torch relays.

---

This was mentioned on the India v England radio commentary and, maybe surprisingly G Boycott was much in favour but very critical that all the innovation is in T20! Why he says don't we have day/night test matches using white balls? He's sure that it's a matter of political will and some ICC delegates not caring much about Test cricket.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
The majority of the broadcast technology innovation happening in Australia generally gets the best use in the Test series, with the Boxing Day Test usually being where channel nine's major new tech is shown off for the first time (and possibly the last time this season, they are at risk of losing the rights to the home international season). Domestic cricket here is shown by the pay TV network Fox Sports so it makes sense that they treat the T20 BBL as the peak of their season and time to pull out new tricks like helmet cameras*, but there's a strong chance that T20 will be lumped in with the international rights on free to air for the next deal.

I think that when day-night Tests finally happen they will be using a pink or even red ball depending on how some trials go and the quality of the lighting at the stadiums in question - pushing the finish time back by a couple of hours into twilight should be possible with the standard red ball. This could well happen as soon as the next Ashes series here, the motive there being that the stadiums in Australia have the highest-standard lighting and it would work well with the game running later into the morning for English fans watching on TV.

I can't see it happening for many Tests in England though, Tests there need to start earlier in the day rather than any later - both for TV broadcasting and to allow time to be recovered from the frequent weather disruption.


* this could easily work for all forms, but they should be worn only be umpires in Tests.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
We had what was probably one of the best T20 games ever in Adelaide tonight (so good the BBC decided to rebroadcast the radio commentary on delay!) but unfortunately for me the result going in favour of the Brisbane Heat with a four on the last ball. That four was an extremely close one awarded by the third umpire, and if it went in favour of the fielders it would have been a tie (from the three that the batsmen ran) and the super over would have had it getting close to eleven o'clock before finishing. It was Adelaide's game to lose though, they shouldn't have conceded so many sixes in the last three overs which Brisbane needed to get close to the target.

One particularly amusing incident tonight which won't make it to any media outlets is that while the attention of everyone was on a run out effected by Kane Richardson, a nude streaker entered the ground. He out-ran the security guards on the western side, ran past the Strikers team huddle in the centre, evaded the security guards coming from the north-eastern corner (who were too busy watching the well-behaved part of the crowd) and scaled the fence to disappear down into the eastern side construction site never to be seen again. The really amusing thing is that he came from out of the SACA members section, despite clearly not wearing a collar.

There were two truly outstanding catches taken by the Strikers tonight, one all about fancy footwork and the other a piece of aerial action that is easily a contender for greatest wicketkeeper catch of all time - watch here.

All up, it was a great evening that made a great case for cricket being a good sport to watch, and it was definitely a good recovery for the game after the D/L farce in Perth last night.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
My boys and their mates went to watch the big bash match last night at the WACA. Got washed out.

Sri Lanka vs Aus first test tomorrow.

I've realised Advent is really about the coming of Cricket.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:
My boys and their mates went to watch the big bash match last night at the WACA. Got washed out.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:
I'm confused. Isn't this thread about cricket? T20 is not cricket. More like - rebound baseball, or something similar.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:
I'm confused. Isn't this thread about cricket? T20 is not cricket. More like - rebound baseball, or something similar.

---

Indeed. Cricket has it's own parallels to love, sex and masturbation, and you certainly wouldn't want your Mum to catch you having a T20. It's fun, but you wouldn't the missus to know would you?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
Meanwhile, on the love side, a fascinating situation in Nagpur - plenty of squeaky bums, and I don't mean the curry. India 87-4 needing to make 330 to draw level, and only Kohli of the recognised batsmen left. India surely are screwed if these two don't get stuck in and keep their heads down - and, even then, if they get a lead, how long will they have to bowl England out a second time? This could be a gripper...

AG

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
This is one of those odd games in which the side that most needs to win might be best served by being behind on first innings.

---

If that's the case, then Cook has no-one better placed to advise him than Graham Gooch, IIRC Gooch was very fond of declaring behind and letting the opposition set him a target. Her certainly used to do it for Essex!

AG
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Two days to go and still 30+ behind so you might get what you wish for there.

I wonder what the odds are on a draw.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Looks that way, doesn't it, Wodders? After his last prediction I can't help wondering whether Sioni Sais knows any dodgy bookmakers!

A draw? Hmm, if it is reckon it'll be a close one - England just hanging on by a couple of wickets. With Dhoni and Kohli stepping up to the plate, and Cook the most consistent English batsman, I favour a bum-nipper.

AG
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
For the record I don't know any bookies, Indian or otherwise!

If it goes to pattern, based on England having a "resolute" top three, they should be c 200 ahead by close of play tomorrow but I reckon that India will have a chance! Cook won't want to give them a look in, so they will probably need about 300 from some time after lunch. That would be a very gettable score based on ODI scores but the rules for ODIs are so biased towards batsman nowadays (fielding restrictions, leg-side wides and limits on bowlers overs) and as a old git I can remember 300 in 60 being a really good score so anything over 240 in 60, on the Nagpur pudding, will be demanding - unless Sehwag comes off!
 

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Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
It's a shame, in a way, that England only need a draw for the series. It's been a fantastic game so far but with two days to go we are more likely to play for that than a win which could stifle it. However, as this cricket we are talking about, anything can still happen.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
This is one of those odd games in which the side that most needs to win might be best served by being behind on first innings.

---

If you don't know any bookies, it looks as though Dhoni is a lurker here unless.... Wodders, have you been telling us porkies all along? Do you lead a double life as India's captain?

I think a draw is likeliest now, but some quick wickets tomorrow and it could be one hell of a finish.

AG
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Wodders for captain? well, England have had Indian-born captains. Douglas Jardine, Colin Cowdrey and Nasser Hussein come to mind; why not vice-versa?

It's been another attritional day and a match in which Alistair Cook has had no luck at all with his decisions. Not as contentious as Tim Robinson in 1984/85 (on his debut) when he was given lbw to one he edged and caught at short leg off the pad alone! Still, no DRS then, no DRS now.

Day 5 is made for Trott to drop anchor and Bell to get his feet moving again. Root will probably get to bat again but I hope we don't have to rely on him.
 

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Posted by shamwari (# 15556) on :
 
Seems to me that, in this series, India have shot themselves in the foot more than once.

No DRS. Dicey wicket preparation. Poor selection.

Just about every mistake in the book.
 

---

Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Day 5 is made for Trott to drop anchor and Bell to get his feet moving again. Root will probably get to bat again but I hope we don't have to rely on him.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
That should be the end of Dhoni's captaincy - in India somebody has to take the heat for a home defeat, and the spectacular failure of the pitch doctoring as a tactic.

---

quote:

---

I disagree with the selection of MotM - no bowler should be getting it in a match which dragged out to a draw with both sides failing to take anywhere near twenty wickets despite having five full days of play not interrupted by rain.

Trott would have been a better choice, for his 9.5 hours of soporific crease occupation which was clearly the defining influence on the course of the match.

---

quote:

---

Interesting situation in the Hobart match - the Sri Lankan team management have apparently raised a concern about Peter Siddle possibly being seen on TV raising a seam, but they've gone for the passive-aggressive approach of trial by media rather than making an official complaint to the match referee. Come on guys, are you up for an accusation or a fishing trip?

---

I knew they weren't the force they were but that's pathetic. The playground chant "Just because you're losing" comes to mind. To consider an "informal approach" to the referee puts it entirely in his hands shows they have misunderstood the role of the referee (at best) and know sweet FA about Chris Broad, who doesn't take pissing about.

Oh, and Siddle's a good guy. If he was a South African, he'd be in the England team.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
You don't get awards for moving the ball, in theory you get awards for moving the match which is something Jimmy didn't really do. Nobody did it really,

Australia is in another familiar position (see first and second Tests against South Africa which we should have won) of having dominated the match but being unable to finish it off thanks to a short-handed bowling department (Hilf not in the haus, and Clarke also injured. With one over left before the tea break they even gave the keeper an over out of desperation, something that you think would be a good tactic for England with Flower's history as a bowler. 14 overs and two tail-end wickets to go, it could still be either a draw or a win - but unfortunately I need to head out now so I can't watch the end!
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Good News tgc! Australia rolled them over. With a first-line bowler out and 100+ overs to bowl, that's good work, especially by Siddle. I noticed that four of his wickets were referred, one way or another, so he makes the batsmen play which is never a bad idea.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Hmm, a very deserving MotM for Siddle - and cleared of the non-charge of ball tampering so there's no slap from the match referee's wet fish to go with it.

The question of who'll replace Hilfy is an easy one (they have the pace bowlers on a rack like a drink vending machine, Jackson Bird is next in line) but the more difficult selection question for Australia is a replacement for Michael Clarke if he's not fit for The Boxing Day Test. Usman Khawaja has been added to the squad, but I would be backing Clarke to come good with over a week's break. I hope he does, he's only two big scores (or one triple century) away from having the highest-scoring year in the history of Test cricket despite only having 10 matches so far.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
At last India win something, even if it was only a T20, so pretend cricket rather than the real thing.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
It's disappointing that Shaun Tait's body can't handle as much action as it used to, because he's still a phenomenally skillful bowler. He got two wickets in Adelaide's big win over the Sydney Sixers tonight, one hooping yorker coming from way outside leg to a left hander to smash the stumps at 150 km/h, the other swinging the opposite way to straighten up for a plumb lbw.

We had an interesting player making his T20 debut for Adelaide tonight. Brad Young played ODI cricket for Australia back in the late 90's, then had his knee (and career) smashed with a horrific collision into a boundary fence (which was important in pushing the shift to all-rope boundaries). Ten years after his last domestic match for South Australia, Darren Berry's spies noticed him doing some great stuff in the second-tier local comp and picked him up as a backup spinner for John Holland (injury) and Nathan Lyon (national team). He came on during the powerplay, took a wicket and finished with a very tight-fisted 1/11 off 3 overs - pretty good for a 39 year old with a metal knee.


Something unique to T20 which you don't get with longer forms of cricket is the double-header at the same ground. Today the fans had the option to see a women's match between NSW and SA (or not, it was over 40 degrees!) in the afternoon before the main fixture in the evening. It also allowed the visiting teams to skimp on the number of support staff they brought over - they had the NSW wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy doing a great job of running the drinks to the fielders on the far side of the ground and looking ridiculously hot while doing so. Pity she's taken by a guy who can bowl nasty sandshoe crushers at well over 140 km/h - Mitchell Starc!


I noticed today that Tendulkar has finally started what will be a long, drawn out journey to a peaceful retirement (or becoming a full-time T20 mercenary) by announcing his retirement from India's ODI team. I wonder whether the next Test series against Australia (in India) will be his farewell tour from Test cricket?
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Real shame about Shaun Tait. There are precious few (like: any?) genuinely quick bowlers around and an awful lot of batsmen have boosted their averages on good batting wickets with little fear. Glad he can still do a job, which will help him no end.

I like the story about Brad Young. Very encouraging for anyone who gets a horrible injury.

Meanwhile, a last-gasp win for England in the second T20. Our thanks go to Ireland this time. A few places have been settled and some careers stalled.
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
Looking forward to the second reason for the season.



Shaun Tait is a truly scary looking bugger wot?

[ 25. December 2012, 15:05: Message edited by: Evensong ]
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
Tait has nothing on this guy.

(Years ago walked between him and the guy who used to bowl at the other end with him, and felt very, very small: I'm 6'3").
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
In the (currently closed) Adelaide Oval museum, one of Joel Garner's shirts from his time playing for South Australia was hanging up, it looked like you could fit three normal people in! He's currently the team manager for the Windies and it was great to see him spending a large amount of time at the match moving around the boundary to chat with fans and pose for photos at the Adelaide Test a couple of seasons ago, his time here must have been a good one that gave him a genuine love for the people in our city.

It also paid off with good consequences over 25 years later - it was Garner who recommended to Kieron Pollard that he pick SA/Adelaide out of the many Australian teams competing for his T20 services. Pollard is an impressive player in his feats in the game (one of the best big men I've ever seen when it comes to fielding) but it's also great that he takes time to do a whole bunch of junior clinics for kids on non-game days during his time here.


Our home match against the Melbourne Stars tomorrow night has taken a bit of a hit with Shane Warne being withdrawn from the side. It's a good tactical move, since his figures were probably going to head into video game territory against our very spin-aware batsmen. It does suck for the people who bought tickets for that game based on being able to see Warnie again.

In the first innings at The Boxing Day Test the SL keeper Prasanna Jayawardene sustained a hand injury so he won't be able to keep wicket now Australia have started their response. Not a bad thing to have a world-class keeper like Kumar Sangakkara in the side as a specialist batsman and ready to perform that duty as the second choice!
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
Tait has nothing on this guy.

(Years ago walked between him and the guy who used to bowl at the other end with him, and felt very, very small: I'm 6'3").

---

Crickey. Makes the stumps look like toys.

Stumps on Day 1 at the MCG.

Sri Lanka 10/156 off 43

Australia 3/150 off 39

My 17 year old got on a plane last night and arrived early morning in Melbourne. Got to the match safely. What a great day to be there! I'm quite green with envy.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Woohoo! Members' section guest pass for tomorrow night at Adelaide Oval!

Time to make sure I'm not unacceptable.
 

---

Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
I'm sure you'll scratch up
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I think I'll go for the Adelaide Strikers replica match shirt - official replica shirts of competing teams are the only exception for men to the must-have-a-collar rule.

Sexism reigns at the SACA, if I was a lady I would not need a collar or even sleeves. They do have at least some standards though, an official a few years ago rejected Lara Bingle!
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
I'm feeling mightily ripped off. Only two and half days of Boxing day test match at the MCG.

Mitchell Johnson Man of the match on 92 n.o. and took six wickets.

Love seeing a bowler bat well. Tho he's supposed to be something of an all rounder he doesn't usually do that great with the bat.

I'll be in Queensland on holiday with no TV for the next match! *sigh*
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evensong:
Mitchell Johnson Man of the match on 92 n.o. and took six wickets.

Love seeing a bowler bat well. Tho he's supposed to be something of an all rounder he doesn't usually do that great with the bat.

---

I don't think I've ever heard of Johnson being taken seriously as an all-rounder. Just about all bowlers these days can swing the bat around a bit, if you watch an Australia training session in the nets you'll see them all putting in some serious batting practice because they all know that scoring a few (or at least not throwing away their wickets so somebody in at the other end like Mike Hussey is not running out of partners) makes their job with the ball that much easier. Let's be serious though, scoring 92no against that popgun attack won't exactly be a highlight that Mitch will look back on with too much fondness, the bowling in WACA local cricket A grade would be a tougher test.

He still would have been a worthy recipient of the MotM award even without the runs, because it was his bowling that had the biggest effect on the course of the match. It's also one where the recorded stats don't tell anywhere near the full story, the assassinations of Jayawardene and Sangakkara could well have been even more important for turning the match, as well as having an unknown impact on the Sydney match.

It will be interesting to see what selection decisions Sri Lanka make ahead of the Sydney match. I suspect that the number of forced changes due to injury will restrict things so they probably won't have any room to use the dead rubber to blood a couple of young future players, and Chandimal is the only player under 25 they brought on tour anyway. They do at least have the option of calling in Thisara Perera from the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Tony Greig has died in Sydney this afternoon.

Whether you loved his style or hated it (he usually preferred it if there was plenty of the latter), he's definitely been one of the most significant figures in the world of cricket over the last 40 years.

It's a pity that the English establishment never got around to fully forgiving him for his involvement in WSC before he died. Cricket in England would not be where it is today if he hadn't been the first English captain to be defined purely by being fiercely competitive.

[ 29. December 2012, 06:25: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
I've always thought Greig, rather than D'Oliviera, blazed the trail for Saffies playing for England, and for that alone we've a lot to thank him for. Quite a guy, never trusted by the establishment, but then in his era I think you could field a good England XI of players who weren't "sound".

RIP Tony Grieg, and thanks for the encouragement one afternoon at Bournemouth.
 

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Posted by Mr Clingford (# 7961) on :
 
NOt only that, but Mike Hussey to retire at the end of OZ summer, says Cricinfo.
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
That would make for even more pressure on Tendulkar to do the right thing by the team and retire, his playing on is looking more and more like a selfish pursuit of statistics.


Hussey was incredibly unlucky to get his start in the national side so late (held up by Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn playing on too long), his career should have been 3-4 years longer at the start. He's to be applauded for going out as a champion, but damn it's going to make the ten Tests against England that bit harder if Mitch Johnson can't take out a few of the opposition to even things up early in the series.

[ 29. December 2012, 07:20: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Greig was a fine cricketer but I must confess some relief that he will no longer be commentating - what a bore he was!
 

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Posted by Evensong (# 14696) on :
 
RIP Greig
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
I never thought he was the greatest commentator (for me that's a tie between Jim Maxwell, Harsha Bhogle and Adam Gilchrist) but he's always been one of three voices which have defined summer in Australia - alongside Richie Benaud and Bill Lawry who we're also hearing a lot less from these days.

Kerry Packer built an institution of the Australian summer, but this year it seems the only familiar part of that which is left is that I still press the 9 button on the remote control. I would not be at all surprised if even that changed between the end of this summer and the start of the next, the TV rights are up for grabs at the moment and the other two big networks may well want it so much they'll even consider ganging up and dividing the spoils.
 

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Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
Uncertain as to whether this thread will be replaced for 2013, but sadly the year starts with the death of Christopher Martin Jenkins.

RIP, CMJ.

AG
 

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Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 
Even if there is to be a new thread, that post kind of fits with the last few posts of the current thread.


As does this one on the topic of great retirements... it's just been announced that the third 2012/13 ICC Hall of Fame inductee is Glenn McGrath and that he will be inducted during the lunch break at the SCG on Friday. Well done to him for earning the massive honour of being voted in the first time he was eligible. The fourth and final 2012/2013 induction will take place in July, which points towards it being an English player or a player from either England or Australia who is particularly famous for their exploits in The Ashes - any guesses as to who it might be?
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I'm sad about CMJ, I thought he was a good guy who knew the game inside out.
 

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Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
On the basis that Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting haven't retired yet (they would be shoo-ins) I can think of a few Australians who stand ahead of any recent England players, namely Brett Lee, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

I'd choose Gilly, but I suppose Andrew Flintoff will be inducted, despite what is actually a poorer record, on paper, than Tony Greig. But cricket isn't played on paper.


RIP CMJ, now at peace.
 

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Posted by Chapelhead (# 21) on :
 
I don't think this has been posted before.

The rules of cricket to Anglican chant.

Curious.
 

---

Posted by the giant cheeseburger (# 10942) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
On the basis that Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting haven't retired yet (they would be shoo-ins) I can think of a few Australians who stand ahead of any recent England players, namely Brett Lee, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

I'd choose Gilly, but I suppose Andrew Flintoff will be inducted, despite what is actually a poorer record, on paper, than Tony Greig. But cricket isn't played on paper.


RIP CMJ, now at peace.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chapelhead:
I don't think this has been posted before.

The rules of cricket to Anglican chant.

Curious.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Oh dear. A two-tier solution for Test cricket is a terrible idea, but hard to argue against when teams like New Zealand are so crap on such a consistent basis.

In a just world the match and series would be abandoned at this point, the play that has happened so far downgraded to a miscellaneous first class match abandoned without a result to prevent any record books being tainted, and the NZ captain charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

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