A general cricket thread.
Discussion
DJRC said:
I think he is good, however...
I guess we shall see how good he is when he faces Strauss, Cook, Trott, KP and Bell in the next year...summer series isnt it? It should be a good contest.
Yes, should be a cracker of a series but as always those who make the decisions have made an arse of organising the schedule. I guess we shall see how good he is when he faces Strauss, Cook, Trott, KP and Bell in the next year...summer series isnt it? It should be a good contest.
Only 3 tests yet they've got time for 5 odis and 3 T20s. Eng-SA should always be 4 or 5 tests imo.
Victor McDade said:
Yes, should be a cracker of a series but as always those who make the decisions have made an arse of organising the schedule.
Only 3 tests yet they've got time for 5 odis and 3 T20s. Eng-SA should always be 4 or 5 tests imo.
Absolutely. I am getting fed up with this. Test cricket should not take second place to one day or 20*20. End of. Only 3 tests yet they've got time for 5 odis and 3 T20s. Eng-SA should always be 4 or 5 tests imo.
chimster said:
Absolutely. I am getting fed up with this. Test cricket should not take second place to one day or 20*20. End of.
It's a pity that that is what fills the stadia though. I agree, if the associations weren't hell-bent on making money, we'd have a 5 test, 3 ODI, 1 T20 series, every time.Edited to add that I wouldn't mind seeing T20 played at IPL level only, and not internationally.
All test series for ECB priority 1 contests should be 5 Tests.
Aus, Bok, India ... as a starting point for what the ECB mandates as top priority contests for English cricket.
The Aussies and Boks wouldnt object to that, though the Indians might as they seem not to give a crap. Well, Ill rephrase, the modern Indian cricketers seem not to, the legends of yore rightfully bemoan the current Indian attitude to Test cricket.
Give me 40 overs of Bishan Bedi teasing, toying and engaging in contests with batsmen over several hours, than 5 overs of mid on slogging. The fabulous nature of Test cricket means that you can suddenly get the ODI bashing in the middle of a longer narrative. Viv, Beefy or KP counter attacking and going after the spinner. Taking him on in a contest to pit wits and skills against each other on merit to build a proper score, not just hoping to get a quick 30 or 40.
Aus, Bok, India ... as a starting point for what the ECB mandates as top priority contests for English cricket.
The Aussies and Boks wouldnt object to that, though the Indians might as they seem not to give a crap. Well, Ill rephrase, the modern Indian cricketers seem not to, the legends of yore rightfully bemoan the current Indian attitude to Test cricket.
Give me 40 overs of Bishan Bedi teasing, toying and engaging in contests with batsmen over several hours, than 5 overs of mid on slogging. The fabulous nature of Test cricket means that you can suddenly get the ODI bashing in the middle of a longer narrative. Viv, Beefy or KP counter attacking and going after the spinner. Taking him on in a contest to pit wits and skills against each other on merit to build a proper score, not just hoping to get a quick 30 or 40.
+4
As with all sporting fixture related issues - it's all about the money and bugger all to do with the sport.
The last Ashes one day follow on series was the height of madness. On one hand everyone is complaining about lack of space in the international calendar, on the other the most ridiculous 50 over and T20 series are crammed around and sometimes interspersed with Tests.
As mentioned above, India is a big problem here - they control the purse strings these days, and this is what they want.
All sports are suffering this fixture diarrhoea - Football, F1, Cricket etc. Less is more, unless you stand to make billions from it.
I'd go with 5 test series for the top guys, three for the rest. Maximum combined number of total 50 over or T20 matches no more than the number of Tests on that tour. The 50 over and T20 world cups come round often enough (although I'd love to see them culled too).
As with all sporting fixture related issues - it's all about the money and bugger all to do with the sport.
The last Ashes one day follow on series was the height of madness. On one hand everyone is complaining about lack of space in the international calendar, on the other the most ridiculous 50 over and T20 series are crammed around and sometimes interspersed with Tests.
As mentioned above, India is a big problem here - they control the purse strings these days, and this is what they want.
All sports are suffering this fixture diarrhoea - Football, F1, Cricket etc. Less is more, unless you stand to make billions from it.
I'd go with 5 test series for the top guys, three for the rest. Maximum combined number of total 50 over or T20 matches no more than the number of Tests on that tour. The 50 over and T20 world cups come round often enough (although I'd love to see them culled too).
The Australia-India test series kicks off on Boxing day. Both sides are in decline but it still should be a competitive contest. Most probably the last time the likes of Sachin, Dravid, Laxman and maybe even Ponting and Hussey play in a Aus-Ind test series.
Edited by Victor McDade on Wednesday 21st December 14:29
hornetrider said:
He's just an utter legend. How lucky are we to have lived to witness such skill?On the subject of Steyn and Philander, there is certainly a lot of potential there. They've both got good baselines in as much as they bowl their deliveries very close to the stumps. This is good as it was one of the strengths of Glenn McGrath - not the fastest bowler in the world, but startlingly effective.
But, at the moment from what I've seen, although they're accurate there isn't a lot of variation. I haven't seen much in the way of fast swing a la Waquar / ankle breaking yorkers a la Gough / or a slow ball that can totally confuse the batsman a la Walsh.
Still, as I said, plenty of scope there (especially Steyn IMO).
Victor McDade said:
The Australia-India test series kicks off on Boxing day. Both sides are in decline but it still should be a competitive contest. Most probably the last time the likes of Sachin, Dravid, Laxman and maybe even Ponting and Hussey play in a Aus-Ind test series.
From what I've seen so far, morning session was quite even but post lunch, the Indians seem to be slowly slipping back into away form.Edited by Victor McDade on Wednesday 21st December 14:29
A shaky looking Punter just hit 50 but should have been under a fair bit more pressure to get there.
Victor McDade said:
Lankans bowl the Saffers out for 168 to take an innings lead of 170. Did not see that coming. South Africa threw away a one nil lead in the test series against India earlier this year, and then against Australia last month. Looks like they could do it again against SL.
We're f
king good value for our chokers tag, that much I can tell you. A harder mental edge is required, and Gary Kirsten is not the one for it. Bring back Jennings, get rid of Prince, Boucher and that fking Rudolph misery. End of rant.Victor McDade said:
Out of nowhere the Indian pace attack look a unit which can match most other test sides. Will be interesting to see if they can stay fit throughout the tour though. I'd back the Indians to chase anything up to 260 down, the pitch doesn't seem all that bad.
292 to win with plenty of time, should be an interesting finish.Interesting note on Cricinfo that in the last 49 years at the MCG no team has successfully chased more than 200 to win a test.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff