General cricket thread
Discussion
ManFromDelmonte said:
You could say that. I went to the Oval a couple of Fridays ago and I had a great time with mates and a load of pints but the cricket just isn't for me. If it gets kids playing then that has to be a good thing, I just hate the apparent obsession with the world to concentrate all promotion and funding on the shortest and least cricket-like form of the game. I don't want it to disappear, I just want it to know it's place in the hierarchy (at the bottom).
I do appreciate I am not a typical cricket fan though. I played a good standard of cricket for 20 odd years as a fast bowler and watching a format so in favour of the batsman has all the appeal of a s
t sandwich. I would take an over of dot ball and play and miss away swingers followed up by the inswinger smashing into off stump over watching Chris Gayle hitting all 6 balls out of the stadium on his way to a 30 ball century any day.
I think T20 would be massively improved by use of a ball that actually swings. I find coloured kit fairly offensive too.
That's fair enough , part of the idea is to get the causal fan interested in the game. I enjoy all forms of the game , and I would appreciate those dots balls as long as it isn't in a 20\20 game. Many of the test playing nations struggle to put bums on seats for the test matches , alot need 20\20 to pay the bills. I do appreciate I am not a typical cricket fan though. I played a good standard of cricket for 20 odd years as a fast bowler and watching a format so in favour of the batsman has all the appeal of a s
t sandwich. I would take an over of dot ball and play and miss away swingers followed up by the inswinger smashing into off stump over watching Chris Gayle hitting all 6 balls out of the stadium on his way to a 30 ball century any day.I think T20 would be massively improved by use of a ball that actually swings. I find coloured kit fairly offensive too.
I've only been watching the game about 20 years so Ive been of the era of coloured clothes. Can't say I mind it much.
Edited by dav123a on Monday 27th July 21:49
Leithen said:
So how about this? Given that there has been big development of the bat over the last 30 years, how about doing the same with the ball? At the moment there's no incentive whatsoever for the ball manufacturers. But what if each bowler was allowed to choose their own ball? The Umpires would have to carry three/four each (I'm sure someone could come up with a clever carrier), the balls would still have to meet regs, but given some experimentation with seam and leather, different and greater variation of flight, bounce and spin ought to be possible. A bowler would not be able to change their ball during a T20 match and could only switch to the same make and model if damage allowed.
If ball manufacturers were given incentive to compete within the sport, everyone gains - except of course the batsmen, but they've been doing fine for the last few years and could do with being pegged back a bit.
I do quite like this in theory but there would have to be a large amount of restriction on the ball so they don't make one that is simply unplayable.If ball manufacturers were given incentive to compete within the sport, everyone gains - except of course the batsmen, but they've been doing fine for the last few years and could do with being pegged back a bit.
The Duke ball that is used in UK test matches would be fine (I know they did have problems with the white version in '99, but this could presumably be sorted), I believe the white ball used at the moment is a Kookaburra and that doesn't swing very much (or for very long) whether it is white or red.
Either way, I feel the bowlers need a bit of help to get back on level terms with the batters.
Just saw on the BBC that Clive Rice has died. He was only 66. He was one tough cricketer for South Africa and for Notts. A shame that his international career was ruined by apartheid. A captain who led by example and one of the great all rounders in an era of them. Tragic that he should die so young. RIP Clive.
ManFromDelmonte said:
You could say that. I went to the Oval a couple of Fridays ago and I had a great time with mates and a load of pints but the cricket just isn't for me. If it gets kids playing then that has to be a good thing, I just hate the apparent obsession with the world to concentrate all promotion and funding on the shortest and least cricket-like form of the game. I don't want it to disappear, I just want it to know it's place in the hierarchy (at the bottom).
I do appreciate I am not a typical cricket fan though. I played a good standard of cricket for 20 odd years as a fast bowler and watching a format so in favour of the batsman has all the appeal of a st sandwich. I would take an over of dot ball and play and miss away swingers followed up by the inswinger smashing into off stump over watching Chris Gayle hitting all 6 balls out of the stadium on his way to a 30 ball century any day.
I think T20 would be massively improved by use of a ball that actually swings. I find coloured kit fairly offensive too.
I'd agree with that. I've been to the oval a couple of times recently, T20 v Kent and the London Cup yesterday vs Worcs. Largely a good atmosphere with plenty of beer but not cricket to keep you interested. Both games petered out early in the second innings when it became very obvious who was going to win, the required run rate by the team batting second was never going to be reached. The bowling simply looked inert and I don't remember anyone getting out yesterday via the ball hitting the stumps (I had taken a drink or two mind). Not keen on the pyjamas either, yesterday both teams wore almost identical kit and looked frankly silly. The Oval does some really good and really bad things all at the same time as well; inbetween the innings they let everyone on the pitch yesterday- kids loved it and took their bats and balls on and started playing which is great. The open seating plan was good but they didn't open any facilities in the OCS stand other than the corporate suites. People will migrate to either end of the wicket and to not cater for this was a ballache, the T20 was superb in this respect. I also find the website a bit peculiar but that might just be me.I do appreciate I am not a typical cricket fan though. I played a good standard of cricket for 20 odd years as a fast bowler and watching a format so in favour of the batsman has all the appeal of a s
t sandwich. I would take an over of dot ball and play and miss away swingers followed up by the inswinger smashing into off stump over watching Chris Gayle hitting all 6 balls out of the stadium on his way to a 30 ball century any day.I think T20 would be massively improved by use of a ball that actually swings. I find coloured kit fairly offensive too.
I'm not a T20 fan. It seems to cater for people looking for a social night out rather than watching the cricket. However it brings on massive revenue for clubs. A T20 ticket for Sussex is £25 and they, more often than not sell out, a 4 day game is £15 and, when I went earlier on the season, on a bank holiday Sunday with the incentive of a beer festival at the ground it was a quarter full.
dav123a said:
Pakistan score 382\3 to win v SL. Pretty good chase that not many teams have scored 350+ 4th innings
That was a good tour for Pakistan. The last T20 was a right thriller. After the bullst against Bangladesh, nice to have some positivity. Not going too get too carried away.England visiting UAE soon to play Pakistan. 3 tests, 4 ODI's and 3 T20's. Will be interesting to see how the English batsmen play Yasir Shah, who looks to take over from Saeed Ajmal as our top spinner.
I read on the ECB schedule that Pakistan may be touring England in 2016 (July-September - 4 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20).
Pakistan tour of England 2016 announced 
Sri Lanka will also be touring. Pakistan and Sri Lanka both playing ODIs against Ireland before Engand series.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/...
Sri Lanka will also be touring. Pakistan and Sri Lanka both playing ODIs against Ireland before Engand series.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/...
I thought this is a great touch, in memory of Philip Hughes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warw...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warw...
WACA Ground to be replaced with a new stadium for cricket matches against England, India and South Africa.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/stor...
Western Australia Cricket Association has decided to build a new stadium in Perth rather than upgrade the old ground. The old WACA Ground will be kept but downgraded to a "boutique" venue for games with smaller crowds (domestic games and tests/ODIs/T20s against countries other than England, India and South Africa).
The new ground will feature drop-in pitches which are already being developed to replicate the pace and bounce of the WACA.
The 2017-18 series will be the last Ashes test at the old ground. England probably won't miss it as their record is:
Played 13
Won 1 (1978-79 series when several Australian players defected to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket)
Drawn 3
Lost 10
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/stor...
Western Australia Cricket Association has decided to build a new stadium in Perth rather than upgrade the old ground. The old WACA Ground will be kept but downgraded to a "boutique" venue for games with smaller crowds (domestic games and tests/ODIs/T20s against countries other than England, India and South Africa).
The new ground will feature drop-in pitches which are already being developed to replicate the pace and bounce of the WACA.
The 2017-18 series will be the last Ashes test at the old ground. England probably won't miss it as their record is:
Played 13
Won 1 (1978-79 series when several Australian players defected to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket)
Drawn 3
Lost 10
Class knock.ralphrj said:
WACA Ground to be replaced with a new stadium for cricket matches against England, India and South Africa.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/stor...
Western Australia Cricket Association has decided to build a new stadium in Perth rather than upgrade the old ground. The old WACA Ground will be kept but downgraded to a "boutique" venue for games with smaller crowds (domestic games and tests/ODIs/T20s against countries other than England, India and South Africa).
The new ground will feature drop-in pitches which are already being developed to replicate the pace and bounce of the WACA.
The 2017-18 series will be the last Ashes test at the old ground. England probably won't miss it as their record is:
Played 13
Won 1 (1978-79 series when several Australian players defected to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket)
Drawn 3
Lost 10
Sad times. Grassy seating areas ftw.http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/stor...
Western Australia Cricket Association has decided to build a new stadium in Perth rather than upgrade the old ground. The old WACA Ground will be kept but downgraded to a "boutique" venue for games with smaller crowds (domestic games and tests/ODIs/T20s against countries other than England, India and South Africa).
The new ground will feature drop-in pitches which are already being developed to replicate the pace and bounce of the WACA.
The 2017-18 series will be the last Ashes test at the old ground. England probably won't miss it as their record is:
Played 13
Won 1 (1978-79 series when several Australian players defected to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket)
Drawn 3
Lost 10
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