General cricket thread

[AndySA]

Fantastic week of ODI Cricket from South Africa, beating Australia 3 times in a week! Really is good to see the positive team culture that is developing again, and the way the new players are blending into the team is good proof of this.

[mazdajason]

Anyone ballot (and successful!) in the Champions Trophy games next year? Just had an email saying I didn't get any tickets! Balloted for 4 games and got nowt which is disappointing. Still confident of getting to a game or 2 after buying tickets through the authorized resale sites etc when they become available.

[Amirhussain]

New Zealand being taken to the cleaners by India.

[AndySA]

Great Test match on the go at the WACA!!! Oz totally ruled day one and then SA did the same on day 2. Steyn is out for the rest of the series but took Warners wicket just before breaking down.

[Leithen]

Australia doing a damn fine impression of the England team of the 1990's.

[AndySA]

Really is great to see the new names in the SA team really coming good this series. The likes of De Kock, Rabada, Bavuma & Abbot. Protea Fire at its best!

[Smollet]

Leithen said:

Australia doing a damn fine impression of the England team of the 1990's.

I am so proud of them. 5 test losses on the trot.

[AW111]

Did anyone else see Steve Smith's blinder of a catch in the Aus-NZ ODI yesterday?

I was watching the match live (on TV), and it was a total WTF moment - he took the ball one-handed in a full on sideways horizontal dive fielding in the infield.

Time from ball leaving the bat to hitting Smith's hand - 0.68 seconds!

[Amirhussain]

What a load of bks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/38234108

[captainzep]

According to the recent report from Portsmouth Uni which surveyed umpires in club cricket, 3% said they'd faced violence, 50% said they'd been verbally abused, 50% said abuse was increasing and 40% said they were thinking of stopping umpiring.

If they have no sanction, there's a risk of them drifting away from the role at the grassroots.

Fair enough I reckon.

As for bat size, I'm not so sure about that, it would be nice to see some science on this. (I was a batsman!)

[Amirhussain]

Anyone watching the Big Bash?

[skeggysteve]

Yes, it's very entertaining and excellent picture quality on channel 5HD.

[FourWheelDrift]

Cameras and microphones on players and umpires, the Australians always do it well. They were early adopters of rotating on board cameras and talking to drivers during motor races as well.

I'd like to see the same in tests.

[oxford drinker]

Amirhussain said:

Anyone watching the Big Bash?

Always love this with the Aussie commentators. Some big hitting this year from Chris Lynn and good to see the Brits doing well too.

My only gripe is that BT sport seem to have only 3 adverts (all for betting companies) which are repeated as nauseam at every break/over/wicket.

[dav123a]

Seems kolpak deals are back in fashion. 3 or 4 signed in the last week and more to follow. A shame really does nothing for the national team.

[Amirhussain]

dav123a said:

Seems kolpak deals are back in fashion. 3 or 4 signed in the last week and more to follow. A shame really does nothing for the national team.

Start of a big problem for CSA?

[dav123a]

Possibly cricinfo have an article on it and a list of other players who could go.

[Amirhussain]

Not surprised to see the quota system one of the reasons behind this whole kolpak thing.

David Wiese and David Miller two names that are favourites to possibly depart.

[dav123a]

Wiese confirmed as signed for Sussex.

[Amirhussain]

Another two players sign a kolpak deal, both Saffers. David Wiese for Sussex and Marchant De Lange possible for Glamorgan.