Cricket Thread

[Cripps_orig]

Same thing as last time i guess

Pulling pints

[McNamara That Ghost...]

At least Beefy won't be there, should make the workload easier.

[Ollie the Optimist]

england drawn with india and a qualifier in the next world 20/20. couldnt have asked for a better draw from an english point of view, we got two pub teams

[Cripps_orig]

Group A - England, India, Qualifier

Group B - Australia, West Indies, Qualifier

Group C - Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Group D - Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh


Current 50 over and 20 over world champs in the same group :popcorn:

Both should go through. Cant see any shocks in the other groups as well so all down to the next round.

Just hope its not as ridiculous as the last T20 where teams were put in a certain group regardless of where they finished in the first group stage

[McNamara That Ghost...]

West Indies batted first, they are 121-9 with eight deliveries to go.

Bopara took three wickets. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

West Indies all out for 125, Bopara with four-for. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kieswetter makes full use of the free hit, way up in to the air and over the rope. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England are 62-0 off 6.4 overs. :blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

118-0. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England win by ten wickets.

:bow:

[Ollie the Optimist]

england showing india how to play cricket


england :bow:

[Ollie the Optimist]

also ravi got best figures by an english bowler in 20/20


ravi haters :pal:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Second Twenty/20 on now. West Indies are batting first.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

18-1, Dernbach gets Smith for 11.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

24-2, Patel gets Bascombe.

England. :bow:

[Rors]

The fact there are going to be approximately eleven thousand Ashes tests over the next six years reminded me: whatever happened to the Test World Cup? Wasn't that supposed to kick off in 2013?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

42-3. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The fact there are going to be approximately eleven thousand Ashes tests over the next six years reminded me: whatever happened to the Test World Cup? Wasn't that supposed to kick off in 2013?

I think it was scheduled then but I guess there will probably be a review before then, where they all say, no.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

64-4, great catch from Hales.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

98-5, Borthwick with another good catch for England. Sammy hit that one hard.

Bopara with the wicket.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

West Indies make 113-5.

[Syn]

South Africa lose their first wicket for 12

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England are 52-5 at the moment. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

55-6. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

85-9. 29 off 24 needed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

West Indies win!

Series tied at 1-1.

[Cripps_orig]

KP back in the England ODI squad for the India series

Anderson dropped

[Syn]

Faced a few balls from an England U19 player...was going at 3/4s but I reckon it was touching 80mph. Quicker than Praveen Kumar anyway.

I was hopping around like an idiot. My reactions are not where they should be. 23 and in decline - I feel like Reyes after being Neville'd.

Syn :rose:

[Ollie the Optimist]

ICC decide that drs is not madatory but optional. 11 out of 12 agree to have it yet india dont but instead of forcing it through on the majority the ICC bow to the BCCI. fucking joke

[Cripps_orig]

India v England first ODI tomorrow

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India won the toss and chose to bat. India are 113-3 off 25 overs.

The pictures come from the host broadcasters which means Ravi Shastri. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

123-4, Kohli. :wave:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

195-5, Raina goes for 61.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Terrible wicketkeeping from Kieswetter.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Half century for Dhoni, fourth in a row.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

260-6, Jadeja goes. He had been smacking it about, again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

282-7. 11 balls remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India make 300-7 off their 50 overs. Dhoni with a brilliant 87.

[Cripps_orig]

Eng 122-4

Trott just went. Bowled by Jadeja

[Cripps_orig]

124-5

Bopara gone for 8.

Caught and bowled Ashwin.

England were 111-2 at one point

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Oh dear.

[Cripps_orig]

126-6

Bairstow gone

Who the hell is he? :unsure:

Is he English?

[Cripps_orig]

134-7

Bresnan stumped

Awful player.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Welcome back England.

[Cripps_orig]

148-8

Swann gone

[Cripps_orig]

Theres the 9th

[Syn]

A team doing well on home soil...shocker, that.

Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer Khan still 'injured'? Lazy fuckers.

[Cripps_orig]

Harbhajan was dropped.

Zaheer and Sehwag are injured

Legend doesnt need to lower himself to play against Pub teams

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India win by 127 runs.

[Cripps_orig]

India win by 127 runs

2nd biggest win ever v England

[Syn]

Harbhajan was dropped.

Zaheer and Sehwag are injured

Legend doesnt need to lower himself to play against Pub teams

I'm impressed with Harbhajan being dropped. He's an idiot and he's rubbish.

I think God's resting for the Aussie tour...a poor run there and surely that's the end of the road for Tendulkar. (Although he'll never be dropped - it'll be up to him when he leaves).

[Cripps_orig]

Aye pretty much.

Hope he gets that one century though to get that 100 hundreds and hope he doesnt do a Bradman and choke as he did when he could have got a average of 100 but got a duck in his final innings

[Cripps_orig]

Also Harbhajan was playing in the T20 CL and got 3 wickets in the final in a winning cause

Singh :bow:

[Syn]

Also Harbhajan was playing in the T20 CL and got 3 wickets in the final in a winning cause

Singh :bow:

A packed crowd in for that game in India. But the stadium was only half-filled for this.

Disgusting behaviour from a disgusting race.

[Cripps_orig]

Trotts batting style is being critisised and rightly so.

Cos of it, they had to change the batting order after Kieswetter got out as they didnt want Trott and Cook in the middle together, 2 shite ass batsmen who cant score quick runs to save their lives.

[Cripps_orig]

A packed crowd in for that game in India. But the stadium was only half-filled for this.

Disgusting behaviour from a disgusting race.

Think its fair to say T20 is no longer the future of cricket. Its the here and now.

[Cripps_orig]

Dhoni was motm :bow:

No idea what award Jadeja got then. He won a motor bike

Indians :bow:

Give out bikes to random players.

English & SA :lol: Only give piss poor alcoholic piss to motms

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England win the toss and will bat first.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1, Cook goes. :doh:

Sky's commentary team are on for this one so no Shastri.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-2, Kieswetter goes now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England have runs on the board. :faint:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

114-3 at the moment, Trott went for 34 a while ago.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

121-4, Bopara goes.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

121-5, KP out. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

207-6, Patel goes for 42.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

211-7, Bairstow goes. All down to Bresnan and Swann now. :unsure:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

227-8, Swann goes.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

229-9, Bresnan goes.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chaotic running from England, 236 all out. England. :doh:

[Syn]

Run inflation is just one of the things killing cricket right now.

I remember the days when around 240 would've been a decent score. These days you seem to need 280+ to stand a chance.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India are 86-2 in response.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Century for Kohli. :bow:

[Syn]

Better than porn watching him when he's batting like this. An 89 ball century, 14 fours. Technically one of the best around and a complete shotmaker. Just needs to sort out his mentality when things aren't going right early on in the innings and he'll be some player.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India win by eight wickets. Bit of a hammering tbf.

[Syn]

India knock the runs off with 13.2 overs to spare and 8 wickets in hand.

That’s another mauling.

Premature ejaculating South-African supporting Englishmen in the media must learn to remember -

“At home, everyone is king” - Syn (17/10/2011)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

That just means they can write it off and continue ejaculating though.

[Cripps_orig]

India showing the world why they are their champions

Less said of England&SA the better

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bangladesh have bowled West Indies out for 61 in their ODI. :doh:

[Cripps_orig]

Banglas won by 8 wickets

In other news, SA beat Aussies in a T20 making a great comeback from 80 odd for 7 to reach Aussies target

Sri Lanka 197 all out in the first test v Pakistan. Jemima Khan got 5 wickets :unsure: Pakistan 27-0 at the close

NZ beat zimbabwe in a T20

Also Afridi is back for Pakistans ODI team after retiring earlier this year

[Cripps_orig]

3rd ODI tomorrow

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Travelling down to Plymouth, won't get to see it until about 3:50 and it'll probably be over by then anyway. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Day off tomorrow so it'll be on in the background whilst im doing stuff.

We'll probably lose though cos il be watching

[Cripps_orig]

Eng 111-2 off 20 oversCook went lbw P Kumar for 3. Kieswetter went bowled by Kohli for 362 South Africans in the middle atm. Both in the 30s

[Cripps_orig]

KP 50 off 48 balls

135-2 off 25 overs

[Cripps_orig]

154-3

KP gone for 64 to a left arm spinner

[Cripps_orig]

298-4 off 50 overs

Only a brilliant 70 from 40 odd balls from the Indian Patel got England up to that.

Trott was 98 not out but is being rightly critisised cos England at one point was set for a massive total but his slowness is killing the team.

Bopara was out for 24 bowled P Kumar

[Cripps_orig]

Pakistan 511-6 declared

Umar got a double century

SL 5-1

[Cripps_orig]

From I. Bell: "Selfish play there from Trott, looked more concerned with getting to a personal 100 rather than risk accelerating for the good of the team."

Bell :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

79-1

Patel gone lbw Bresnan

Looked to be pitching offline to me and a bit high

[Syn]

India 113-1 in reply to England's 298-4.
And the odds on ladbrokes for England to win are a crazy 2-1. Still a long way to go in this match - worth a tenner.
India require another 186 runs with 9 wickets and 28.1 overs remaining

[Cripps_orig]

190-2

Gambhir gone for 58

Brilliant catch from KP. Finn bowling

[Cripps_orig]

229-4

Rahane gone for 91

Raina for 0

[Cripps_orig]

235-5

Kohli gone for 35

LBW Swann

[Cripps_orig]

62 from 48 needed

[Cripps_orig]

36 needed off the last 4 overs

This Dernback Pub Teamer is a bit shit isnt he?

Dhoni and Jadeja in the middle. Dhoni looks quality

[Cripps_orig]

30 from last 3 overs

[Cripps_orig]

282-5

17 needed from 2 overs

Good over for India there

[Cripps_orig]

Kieswetter :haha:

Kicked the stumps before hitting the stumps for what would have been an obvious run out

[Cripps_orig]

Dernbach :haha:

A wide and now a no ball

Awful bowler

[Cripps_orig]

7 needed from the last over

Dhoni on strike

Bresnan to bowl the last over

[Cripps_orig]

Dernbach hauled off the field

Worst England player of all time? Quite possibly and thats saying something when they have had the likes of Andrew "Fat Fuck" Flintoff playing for them

[Cripps_orig]

Boundary off the first ball of the last over

3 from 5 needed

[McNamara That Ghost...]

India win. Cock.

[Cripps_orig]

Another boundary and India have done it

Dhoni :bow:

What a captain, what a player.

England&SA :haha:

3-0 to the champions, 3-0 to the champions

[Japan Shaking All Over]

shit.....

[Syn]

Dhoni's such a gangster. Thinks he's the fucking man.

Good game.

[Marc Overmars]

Watch the closing stages of this.

What a shocker England had. :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Seriously though, England need to do something about Trott. If not for him, England would have got well over 300. 320 was easily possible but Trott bats only for himself.

Sure if you just look at his runs then hes an awesome player but you have to score quick and he cant do that

[Cripps_orig]

Dernbach to continue... Dhoni run out! NOOOO! Kieswetter has made a real dog's dinner of that, swivelling to whip the bails off only to kick down the stumps before he made contact with his gloves

:haha:

Although im pretty sure it was Jadeja and not Dhoni

[Cripps_orig]

Samit Patel wins the motor bike

[Cripps_orig]

Rahane motm

[Syn]

Deadrubber and not really watching but just thought it was quite funny that Sunny Gavaskar says:


BBC Test Match Special's Sunil Gavaskar
"England are just about opening up now. Both the batsmen were watchful early on, which was understandable, but now they've got a move on. India could be chasing leather for a while."

...2 balls later both batsmen are out. Gavaskar :haha:

And I get mentioned on TMS on BBC Sport:


From Ash in Cambridgeshire, TMS inbox: "Would Mr. Gavaskar like to predict the lotto numbers - just so I know what not to pick..."

Played to the crowd a bit there. :geek:

[Syn]

Also seems India are FINALLY playing Varun Aaron. Some kid who's already the fastest bowler in Indian history - consistently clocks 90mph+.

There's no substitute for proper pace.

[Syn]

India win by 6 wickets and with 9.5 overs to spare. The most stylish batsman in cricket top scored with 86*. Raina hit 80. And no-one else in the match got to 50 (though Bresnan got close).

Varun Aaron took 3-24...knocked the stumps off with all three. Full and straight.

[Cripps_orig]

Deadrubber and not really watching but just thought it was quite funny that Sunny Gavaskar says:



...2 balls later both batsmen are out. Gavaskar :haha:

And I get mentioned on TMS on BBC Sport:



Played to the crowd a bit there. :geek:

Lucky cunt. Didnt realise your surname was Gavaskar

[Olivier's xmas twist]

India Set England a 272 to win the game

England on 151 for 5

[Olivier's xmas twist]

India win by 95 Runs, England collapsed bad.

White washed too 5-0 in the series

[Syn]

World Champions India have completed a 5-0 brownwash of England&SA. After India Reserves had a disastrous tour to England, the English media were perhaps cocky to predict anything other than India bending the South Africans over and then fucking them with their tiny penises as sweet revenge. An young Indian side missing the greatest player in history, Sachin Tendulkar, along with star names such as Yuvraj Singh, Virender Shitwag and Zaheer Khan made light work of a frustrated England&SA side with 4 arse-rapings in the 5 match series, and one well-timed chase.

Led by Don Didier, many young players showed why this Indian team could remain champions for years to come. The Indian captain was not out in the entire series scoring 212 runs; including a brilliant 87* to win the only close encounter of the tour. 23 year old opener Rahane showed Shitwag fans would a technically sound opener looks like, recorded consistent scores. Raina was explosive and entertaining maintaining an average of 44. But young batsman stood out. Touted as the next Sachin Tendulkar, with flawless tekkers, an aggressive mentality and impeccable batting style, Virat Kohli was the only man in the series to hit a ton and consistently performed capping off an average of 90.

It’s hard to tell what the South African supporting Englishmen in the media will make of this. “We decided to turn up and battered their talentless arses. Ollie should be fucking embarrassed.”, said all-rounder Jadeja. England&SA have more reason to worry as perhaps some of their South African players may look to go back to playing for the country they are supposed to play for. “I thought I’d play for England because they were a team on the up. After getting humiliated like this, I’m not sure I want to be a part of the same team a fat fuck like Freddie Flintoff used to play for...do you know how strict the ICC are on allowing transfers from England to Bangladesh?”, said Jonathan Trott.

Next for the champions will be a boxing day test in Australia. All eyes yet again will be on God as the wait for his 100th international century continues.

Good article.

edit: Nice to see some of the English getting it.

BBC Sport, Ben Dirs:


"Not really sure what to say about that. One minute I was skipping through a metaphorical meadow on a sunny day, skimming the tops of the tall grass with my hands, the next I was being viciously attacked by a disgruntled farmer with a pitchfork. One thing's for certain - for all the hype, England ain't great yet. You can't use the excuse that we just don't fancy one-day cricket, for better or worse, it's kind of a key part of the sport."

[Marc Overmars]

I lol at the term 'England&SA'.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

England. :rose:

[Ollie the Optimist]

england were poor in this series, but not too downhearted by it. if india are using reserves were beaten excuse over summer we can use it now. missing broad, anderson as bowlers who had the indian batsman shitting themselves everytime they moved in the summer.

[IBK]

england were poor in this series, but not too downhearted by it. if india are using reserves were beaten excuse over summer we can use it now. missing broad, anderson as bowlers who had the indian batsman shitting themselves everytime they moved in the summer.

Just about.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Just about.

when you look at it, england has lost morgan as well who is a key ODI player for us. england beat india every game at home over the summer, india beat england every game at home. cant really call it tbf

[IBK]

when you look at it, england has lost morgan as well who is a key ODI player for us. england beat india every game at home over the summer, india beat england every game at home. cant really call it tbf

Besides, England are no great shakes in the one day game. I'm looking forward much more to the test series!

[Ollie the Optimist]

Besides, England are no great shakes in the one day game. I'm looking forward much more to the test series!

test cricket is where its at. i would rather win a test series then a odi series.

[IBK]

test cricket is where its at. i would rather win a test series then a odi series.

For us, the Aussies and the Saffers test is best. Unfortunately the rest of the cricketing world thinks otherwise...

[Boss]

England :haha: :haha: :haha:

[Ollie the Optimist]

For us, the Aussies and the Saffers test is best. Unfortunately the rest of the cricketing world thinks otherwise...

exactly its a joke. tests require more skill imo. you need more concentration etc. to get a 100 in test is better then an ODI as you really have to work hard for it (of course this depends on who you are playing, if its india then its not hard) more skills as a bowler and better fitness as you need to be able to play for 5 days.
some of the greatest cricket seen has come from tests, i refer to the 2005 ashes for this as that was simply sensational cricket from both sides

[Syn]

I prefer Tests too. But as Ben Dirs of the BBC said, you can't just bury your head in the sand and pretend that ODIs are meaningless. It is cricket and has been for a very long time now. Twenty20 is less like 'cricket' but the 50 over format

Uneducated children taken in by English media will not learn the lesson but anyone who knows anything about cricket recognises that where the cricket is played - be it Test or ODI - is absolutely crucial to the final result. You have long standing records of England never having won in India or India never having won in West Indies etc. that have gone on for years - not because certain teams are shit, but because with home advantage; being able to tailor pitches, being used to the climate... gives you a massive advantage. England floored India in England. India floored England in India (and undoubtedly would've done so in Tests too). The only impressive result in the last 12 months for England was the 3-1 win against the Aussies in Australia - because it's very hard to do that even if the Aussies have been in decline. A series of home wins have seen England hyped up to a pathetic level. There is very little between England, SA or India at the moment - and any rational, intelligent observer would find that quite an obvious statement.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I prefer Tests too. But as Ben Dirs of the BBC said, you can't just bury your head in the sand and pretend that ODIs are meaningless. It is cricket and has been for a very long time now. Twenty20 is less like 'cricket' but the 50 over format

Uneducated children taken in by English media will not learn the lesson but anyone who knows anything about cricket recognises that where the cricket is played - be it Test or ODI - is absolutely crucial to the final result. You have long standing records of England never having won in India or India never having won in West Indies etc. that have gone on for years - not because certain teams are shit, but because with home advantage; being able to tailor pitches, being used to the climate... gives you a massive advantage. England floored India in England. India floored England in India (and undoubtedly would've done so in Tests too). The only impressive result in the last 12 months for England was the 3-1 win against the Aussies in Australia - because it's very hard to do that even if the Aussies have been in decline. A series of home wins have seen England hyped up to a pathetic level. There is very little between England, SA or India at the moment - and any rational, intelligent observer would find that quite an obvious statement.

agree with taht to an extent but you cant just say england beat india because of home advantage. india were shocking, home pitches do not affect your fielding or nor do they stop bowlers bowling decent lengths etc

[Syn]

agree with taht to an extent but you cant just say england beat india because of home advantage. india were shocking, home pitches do not affect your fielding or nor do they stop bowlers bowling decent lengths etc

:doh:

Ollie, I'm not trying to be mean, but you seriously have no sense of logic. It's really frustrating.

Any defeat can be pinned down to individual mistakes. What about England's fielding in the last 5 games? Does the mere fact that they play in India or the fact that they're playing a limited overs game instead of a Test cause their catching/fielding ability to lessen? It's all a part of an overall effect. The energy in the field, the concentration, the mentality - those are all factors which affect fielding - and they are very different when you're playing away from home. Just a few months ago we saw India arguably put in the best fielding performances in history in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Things would definitely have been different if the Test series was played in India.

[Cripps_orig]

Besides, England are no great shakes in the one day game. I'm looking forward much more to the test series! May i ask why? Is it cos England are a bit shit at ODIs and pretty good in the Test format? Or do you find Tests more appealing than the limited over game? And if so why? Serious question here. What is so appealing about Tests? Regardless of what people may think, a lot more skill goes in to the limited over games than it does in Tests.

The bowling in Tests - Bowl wherever you want, offside or leg, its practically impossible to bowl a wide in Tests and you must be really shit to do so. A bowler can also have 10, 15 maybe 20 as many overs as they like to get their eye in.

Bowling in Limited over games - Have to be on the money from the first ball. Line has to be spot on or its a wide and a bowler doesnt have unlimited amount of overs to get their eye in. 2 maximum if that. They have to get it right straight away or their overs run out and they have gone for 6+ an over

Tell me which requires more skill. A bit of a recap

Tests - Bowl wherever you want, no pressure.

Limited overs - Line spot on. Pressure is immense to be accurate asap.

Thats the bowling. Lets have a look at the batting

Batting in Tests - Again like with bowling, you can face 100 balls to get set and get your eye in, You can leave or block as many as you want (more on this later when i get to the entertainment section of the post)One of the most embarrassing things in cricket is when a player is out playing a defensive shot. If youre going to get out, get out trying to score runs which is the whole point of the sport

Batting in Limited Overs - You have to score and you have to score quick. Look at Trott in this ODI series. I cant remember which match it was. It was either the 2nd or the 3rd where he scored 90 odd and England scored 298 i think, Looking at that on its own, that looks very good. Actually watch the match and his innings as i did and you'll see he cost England 20 possibly 30 runs and England should have had 320+ at least if not for Trott. Its not just me saying this. Pundits said the same during and after that ODI. He was critisised for it and rightly so. Now look at someone like Sehwag who comes out swinging and is regarded as awesome by every Indian fan out there. Whether he scores 20, 30 or 90, he gets India above the run rate and the rest finish it off as was the case during the World Cup. A proper team player who sacrifices his wicket for the good of the team.

A little recap

Batting in Tests - Block and leave as many as you want. No pressure to score runs as overs are unlimited

Batting in Limited overs - Score runs and quickly as overs go quickly.

So tell me which needs more skill?

As for fielding, in Tests there are no restrictions so the captain can put his fielders where ever he wants and no thought is needed. In limited over games, there are restrictions so a captain actually has to think where to put his fielders to take wickets, stop runs etc.

Now to the entertainment, can anyone seriously tell me Tests are more entertaining? For me, a cricket and a sports fan in general, i want to be entertained first and foremostly. Look at the crowds in Tests all over the world not just in England. Tests are not as popular as it once was. Ask a kid who doesnt know about Cricket and what he'd rather watch and it'd be limited over games all the time.

Tests have a place in Cricket but it comes in 3rd behind the other 2 and rightly so. When world class players such as Malinga at the age of 27 i think retires from Tests to play ODis and T20, well its a damning indictment

[Syn]

Don’t know how many times we need to go through this but actually I don’t think this point has been mentioned. Many people think that all that separates Tests from ODIs is the length of the game (and pitch wear). The major issue is actually the red ball. It swings and moves off the seam a lot more than the white ball. It makes batting more difficult - and especially tricky on the morning of the first day. Then as the pitch wears, there is more unpredictable movement with spin. Those with good defence, technique and concentration can survive at the crease for large spells so it’s a better test of batting technique. I’ve always been a big fan of great tekkers - even in football. It's why some might prefer Bergkamp to Henry - style vs. productivity. It’s a matter of preference.

[Cripps_orig]

If we're comparing it to football, its more like Tests = Stoke and Limited over games = Invincibles surely?

[Ollie the Optimist]

May i ask why? Is it cos England are a bit shit at ODIs and pretty good in the Test format? Or do you find Tests more appealing than the limited over game? And if so why? Serious question here. What is so appealing about Tests? Regardless of what people may think, a lot more skill goes in to the limited over games than it does in Tests.

The bowling in Tests - Bowl wherever you want, offside or leg, its practically impossible to bowl a wide in Tests and you must be really shit to do so. A bowler can also have 10, 15 maybe 20 as many overs as they like to get their eye in.

Bowling in Limited over games - Have to be on the money from the first ball. Line has to be spot on or its a wide and a bowler doesnt have unlimited amount of overs to get their eye in. 2 maximum if that. They have to get it right straight away or their overs run out and they have gone for 6+ an over

Tell me which requires more skill. A bit of a recap

Tests - Bowl wherever you want, no pressure.

Limited overs - Line spot on. Pressure is immense to be accurate asap.

Thats the bowling. Lets have a look at the batting

Batting in Tests - Again like with bowling, you can face 100 balls to get set and get your eye in, You can leave or block as many as you want (more on this later when i get to the entertainment section of the post)One of the most embarrassing things in cricket is when a player is out playing a defensive shot. If youre going to get out, get out trying to score runs which is the whole point of the sport

Batting in Limited Overs - You have to score and you have to score quick. Look at Trott in this ODI series. I cant remember which match it was. It was either the 2nd or the 3rd where he scored 90 odd and England scored 298 i think, Looking at that on its own, that looks very good. Actually watch the match and his innings as i did and you'll see he cost England 20 possibly 30 runs and England should have had 320+ at least if not for Trott. Its not just me saying this. Pundits said the same during and after that ODI. He was critisised for it and rightly so. Now look at someone like Sehwag who comes out swinging and is regarded as awesome by every Indian fan out there. Whether he scores 20, 30 or 90, he gets India above the run rate and the rest finish it off as was the case during the World Cup. A proper team player who sacrifices his wicket for the good of the team.

A little recap

Batting in Tests - Block and leave as many as you want. No pressure to score runs as overs are unlimited

Batting in Limited overs - Score runs and quickly as overs go quickly.

So tell me which needs more skill?

As for fielding, in Tests there are no restrictions so the captain can put his fielders where ever he wants and no thought is needed. In limited over games, there are restrictions so a captain actually has to think where to put his fielders to take wickets, stop runs etc.

Now to the entertainment, can anyone seriously tell me Tests are more entertaining? For me, a cricket and a sports fan in general, i want to be entertained first and foremostly. Look at the crowds in Tests all over the world not just in England. Tests are not as popular as it once was. Ask a kid who doesnt know about Cricket and what he'd rather watch and it'd be limited over games all the time.

Tests have a place in Cricket but it comes in 3rd behind the other 2 and rightly so. When world class players such as Malinga at the age of 27 i think retires from Tests to play ODis and T20, well its a damning indictment

test i enjoy much more because its over 5 days. using the 2005 ashes as an example, i cant think of a single day where it was plain sailing. england would be winning then the aussies then england again. it was fast furious and the best cricket ever played. the last day of the third test match was amazing. ten wickets to get for england, an unlikey amount of runs for the aaussies (think it was 400 odd) it was a draw but it went right down to the last ball where england just needed one more wicket. that was cricket at its best because it was over 5 days, every player gave their all yet neither won.

your point about limited overs being more testing as a bowler is valid because of lack of time but then again its not as well. bowling down the legside shouldnt be a problem because its easy to bowl on the off if its your natrual pattern, ie right hand bowler to rhb is easy to keep it offside. in ODI's they bowl for 4 overs at a time most of the time so its easy to be fast and furious because its not a long spell. tests is different because you can be required to bowl 30, 40 sometimes more overs in one innings. using praveen kumar as an example, he was indias best bowler this summer and though he still went for a lot of runs, compared to other bowlers he didnt. he was always bowling the same line etc keeping it testing for the batsman. to do this for 4 overs is fine, to do this when bowling 40 overs is incredibale. both for fitness and consistency. james anderson bowled to hussey in the ashes this year for about 10 overs where hussey just couldnt play him. he said it was the best spell of bowling he had ever faced. this was when he was on over 100. pretty set for a batsman yet couldnt play someone.
going back to my legside offside point, in odi you cant bowl at leg stump because if you get it wrong, its a wide. this therefore neglects some batsman weakness. KP for one, who always drifts accross as if you get it wrong you go for a wide at best. in tests you can really focus on a batsmen weakness because of the width you have to bowl at him.

batting in tests is harder too, longer concentration, more probing lines from bowlers imo as they have longer to settle and less restrictions on length so they can really keep it in one area. in ODI you can swing and hit it, as you say sehwag does. some days this comes off and you get a 100 but more often then not it doesnt. in tests as you can put fielders back, it doesnt pay off because you are likely to be caught. in ODIs esp in powerplays you are more likely to hit it over fielders.
going back to fast and furious point, in ODIs you can hit it hard and quickly but you are batting in a short time so its easier as in tests you are batting for days esp in the case of Ali cook when he hit his 294. the fitness and concentration required for that is unreal much harder then batting in ODIs.

fielding in ODIs is harder because of balls being sprayed everywhere but again a captain does have his decisons made for him, esp in powerplays. he can only put them in circle so it makes it easier for him to place. in tests they can go anywhere, so do you attack or defend to contain the score. again odis are quick so concentration not needed as much. in tests chances can be few and far between so you have to be switched on the whole time.

that is why i love tests, more skill, much harder to play and much more exciting imo. odis are bish bash wallop and can be fun to watch but tests are more of a challenge and the excitment goes on for longer.

on a side point, trott scoring 90 odd when he could have scored more imo is stupid. you always need a guy to bat and score runs while staying in. what good is it having two new batsman towards then end when you can have one in who has scored runs. trott is not htere to slog but to anchor. thats why england have kp, bell etc

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Asif and Butt have been found guilty, Butt found guilty on the more severe charge along with the same charge Asif has received.

[Rors]

New planets will be born and die quicker than it will take for this place to finally put the ODI/tests debate to bed. Different host, same danger :lol:

Tests by the way.

[Cripps_orig]

SL scored about 250 odd in 110 overs in a recent test v Pakistan

Tests :rose:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

SL scored about 250 odd in 110 overs in a recent test v Pakistan

Tests :rose:

Only decent test is the Ashes tbh, Not really fussed about anything else.

[Cripps_orig]

Last couple of Ashes were awful. 2005 was pretty good.

The 20 years before that were too one sided to be called good.

India v Pakistan and India v Aussies piss on the Ashes

[Syn]

The pakistani players got jailed.

lol.

For a sizeable period as well.

Almost as big as their arseholes will be when they leave.

[Cripps_orig]

A jail sentence is a bit much isnt it?

Sure ban them from cricket for however long but its hardly an offense to be jailed for

[Olivier's xmas twist]

A jail sentence is a bit much isnt it?

Sure ban them from cricket for however long but its hardly an offense to be jailed for

They got more time in jail then rapists do wtf.

[Ollie the Optimist]

A jail sentence is a bit much isnt it?

Sure ban them from cricket for however long but its hardly an offense to be jailed for

they broke the law, the law says if you break it you go to prison. justice = done

[Cripps_orig]

Can you really tell me by playing a couple of no balls is a jail worthy time offense?

England and Aussie players would have got a slap on the wrist had it been them.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It brings in to question the validity of those match results though. Bowling no-balls on purpose could be stopping a wicket taking delivery from being bowled. Plus, it's corruption. So bollocks to them really.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

they broke the law, the law says if you break it you go to prison. justice = done

Tell that to all the Killers and Rapist's who get far less jail time then these lads got. Tell it to scum like foxy knoxy who got away with murder.

The law's a joke

[Ollie the Optimist]

Tell that to all the Killers and Rapist's who get far less jail time then these lads got. Tell it to scum like foxy knoxy who got away with murder.

The law's a joke

really dont think knox got away with murder, there was fuck all evidence to support the claim she did

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tell that to all the Killers and Rapist's who get far less jail time then these lads got. Tell it to scum like foxy knoxy who got away with murder.

The law's a joke

Huh? The three of them have been given six months, a year and two years and eight months respectively.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Huh? The three of them have been six months, a year and two years and eight months respectively.

well some rapists get less tbf. end of the day they did wrong fine but surley 2 years is long for what the did

[Olivier's xmas twist]

really dont think knox got away with murder, there was fuck all evidence to support the claim she did

does not mean she never done it. Being found not guilty and being innocent are 2 diffrent things

[Cripps_orig]

Is this corruption as bad as Cronjes 10 or so years ago?

He got a life ban from cricket but didnt have to go to jail.

Just read up on it and Cronjes was much worse. Double standards

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Different countries and different laws. You'd need to find a similar example in this country for a comparison to be valid and that goes for the Knox reference, too. Cronje was banned at a tribunal in South Africa wasn't he?

Charlie, any examples (about 'rapists' getting less than two years and eight months)?

[Cripps_orig]

Fair enough

Still dont understand why the law has to get involved in to a sporting issue

[IBK]

does not mean she never done it. Being found not guilty and being innocent are 2 diffrent things

Best anyone can do on the Knox case is be neutral. Nothing to base a not innocent conclusion on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's corruption, that's why.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Different countries and different laws. You'd need to find a similar example in this country for a comparison to be valid and that goes for the Knox reference, too. Cronje was banned at a tribunal in South Africa wasn't he?

Charlie, any examples (about 'rapists' getting less than two years and eight months) ?

Not off the top of my head but i know is happend before.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I see.

[Cripps_orig]

India having a bit of a shocker v WI in the first Test

WI got 304 in the first innings. Chanderpaul with a century

India got 206 after being 113-2. More importantly, Sehwag got 55 off 46 balls :bow: Dravid also got 50+

WI 21-2 in 2nd innings

WI opener out for 2 in 40 odd balls

Tests :lol:

[Syn]

There's a Test going on in Dehli - a much improved Windies taking on India. Indian selectors have got the team selection all wrong. Varun Aaron left out despite impressing in the ODIs, Yuvraj picked ahead of Kohli for some stupid reason and Rahane - who has been impressive for a while - left out for an under-performing Gambhir. Windies won the toss, batted, and ended up with a first innings lead of nearly 100 which, on this pitch, looked a very strong position. R Ashwin took 6 wickets in the second innings and India are set 276 to win; which would be India's 3rd highest successful run chase. Shitwag did well to fluke a couple of half-centuries in the Test but typically failed to capitalise when set. Dravid and Tendulkar have steadied India to 152-2; needing another 124 runs to win. West Indies at 8/1 at Ladbrokes which is a pretty good bet considering India don't have anyone after Laxman (next wicket) gets out. Yuvraj is a pub-team slogger and Dhoni is a gangster, not a cricketer.

Match still in the balance IMO.

[Syn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/15638424.stm

Greatest sportsman in history.

:bow:

[Syn]

The drop
Three years ago, it was Virender Sehwag's 68-ball 83 that made a 387-run mountain look like a hillock in Chennai. With 276 needed here, Ravi Rampaul had the perfect opportunity to deflate the Indian balloon early. Statuesque footwork and a diffident stroke saw the ball come back at him, but though he got a hand to it, he couldn't hold on. Sehwag went on to add 43 more and by the time he left, another platform had been established for those who followed.

Knew he wouldn't have scored those runs without being dropped. :lol:

What a fucking moron. When will he grow up and learn? He's blessed with one of the best eyes in the game - he has this ability to see each ball as a beachball; if he just stopped being a fat, lazy prick and worked on develop some technique, he'd be unstoppable.

[Cripps_orig]

Sehwag scored another 50 :bow:

Syn :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tendulkar doesn't get his 100th 100.

Fuck.

Also, 1st test between South Africa and Australia has been delayed due to rain.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa have won the toss and will bowl.

[Syn]

2nd innings specialist Laxman :bow:

Hope Tendulkar flops for a couple of Tests and gets his 100th in Perth. Would be very fitting.

But he'll probably be a dick and get it in Mumbai.

SA vs. Aussies should be a fantastic series. Australia 39-2 at lunch. Shaun Marsh picked in the Test team :unsure: currently 17* with Ponting 8*. Almost looks like a Twenty20 side from Australia.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

41-3 now. :lol:

Ponting. :wave:

[IBK]

41-3 now. :lol:

Ponting. :wave:

:lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Aussies all out for 284. :d

Clarke did get a century though (151), which shows how poorly the rest of them did.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa were bowled out for 96.

:haha:

Aussies are 7-1 in their second innings.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

12-2, Ponting out for a duck. :haha:

He's not happy as it went to the Umpire's Call on review. :wave:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

13-3. :wacko:. A stupid amount of wickets have fallen today.

Tea. Twelve wickets fell in the afternoon session. :haha:

[Syn]

South African pitches :haha:

Cracks, grass, dust, holes

No wonder they all start playing for England.

Aussies game with a 200 lead.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah runs on the board is vitally important here, I'm not sure how much more the Aussies will be putting on but they probably have more than enough already.

[Syn]

First ball after tea - Another one!

13-4, Mr. Cric gone.

[Syn]

15-5!

Clarke lbw.

[Syn]

18-6, Haddin out.

Fucking hell.

[Syn]

21-7, Harris gone. ...I've never seen anything like this.

26 is the lowest score in history. 36 is the lowest score by Australia.

[Syn]

21-8, Johnson gone.

[Syn]

Review for Marsh (who has only come out now because he has had a back problem) - lbw given!

21-9!

[Syn]

Philander has 5 wickets for 9 runs.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Unbelievable.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

21 wickets for 188 runs today. :faint:

[Syn]

Unbelievable.

I really hope the Aussies don't get more than 3 runs now...then it'll be the lowest score in test history!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tailenders will just have a swing at it, so a boundary will probably be near. Or a stumping.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

24-9. One needed to avoid the outright record. :lol:

[Syn]

Fuck, siddle's fluked a couple.

[Syn]

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

Fuck.

Oh well... Australia :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And a boundary now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

This will probably be over in the morning session of day three. :lol:

[Syn]

Would've been quite weird to see Australia get the lowest score in history but win the match.

36 is their lowest score - they'd do well to reach that.

[Syn]

The ultimate WUM would've been declaring on 21-9...

That's what I would've done if I was Clarke.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tailenders smashing it anywhere. :bow:

[Syn]

10th wicket partnership has pretty much doubled the innings total. I bet that's never happened before.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't think you can give that out. Morkel. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Aussies 47 all out.

:haha:

[Syn]

That last wicket partnership really pissed on my bonfire. Or SA's bonfire. That I was enjoying.

All 4 innings of the Test will have been played today.

I really hope SA can make a chase of it, but I'd still like Australia to win the series so... :shrug:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Surely a two day test match isn't possible? Although with an hour left, I suppose it probably is.

[Syn]

I don't know about that but the odds of most wickets falling in a day (current record 27, they're on 22 for today) could still be on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

27-1. :lol:

[Syn]

SA 48/1 off 9.4 overs.

[Cripps_orig]

Is it the worst pitch of all time?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not if the beach at Stamford Bridge still existed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 111-1 at the moment.

[Syn]

South Africa are 111-1 at the moment.

:lol:

On today of all days...I wonder if the umpire did something other than the customary hop.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Did it in silence I suspect.

Also, South Africa won by eight wickets.

Aussies. :haha:

[Cripps_orig]

Amla :bow:

[Syn]

India 334-3 in the second test. Dravid 116* not out, laxman 64*. Looking good for a big total.

[Syn]

345-5

Me :lol:

[Cripps_orig]

346-5 at the close

[Syn]

India 613-6 at tea. Don's on 138*, laxmans on 168*.

[Cripps_orig]

631-7 declared

Dhoni out on 144. Laxman stuck on 170 odd

WI 34-2 at the close

Yadav and Ashwin with the wickets

[Cripps_orig]

ENGLAND will not host the Test Championship in 2013, the ICC has confirmed.

The newly-establish tournament, between the top-four ranked Test teams, had been pencilled into a packed international calendar.

But ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has revealed it has been delayed until 2017 at the earliest.

Lorgat said: "I am afraid that [the Test championship] is no longer going to happen in 2013.

"At the last board meeting we decided the first opportunity to play the Test championship is 2017.

"I am disappointed it is not going to take place sooner but it is a reality of the commitments we have already got through to 2015."

Lorgat has been fully behind the introduction of a Test Championship and major venues in England were primed to host the semi-finals.

The intention then was to stage a final at Lord's, the home of cricket.

The ICC admitted last month the tournament was on shaky ground due to the apparent reluctance of broadcasters to embrace the idea.

The Championship was set to replace the Champions Trophy, but the commercial appeal of the 50-over game is set to win out.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/3935019/Cricket-news-Test-Championship-pushed-back.html

Tests :rose:

[Cripps_orig]

WI 153 all out

195-3 following on

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 183-4 at the moment in the second test.

[Cripps_orig]

India won by an innings

Real team performance

[Syn]

India won by an innings (and a day and half) against WI even though WI scored 463 following on.

Good news: Dravid, Laxman finding form ahead of the series against Australia. Spinners Ashwin and Ojha impressive. Yuvraj flops and must surely be dropped for Kohli now.

Bad news: Yadav impresses and so will be picked ahead of Aaron again.

A team comfortably wins a series at home? OMFG BEST TEAM EVER!1!

[Cripps_orig]

OMFG BEST TEAM EVER!1!

Ollie? :unsure:

[Cripps_orig]

The sight screen delayed played in the SA v Aussies game :doh:

[Cripps_orig]

SA have collapsed from 241-4 to 245-8

Looks like they have some English in their team as well

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa bowled out for 266, Aussies are 83-0 in reply.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

152-0 now. :blink:

Watson on 65, Hughes on 79.

[IBK]

152-0 now. :blink:

Watson on 65, Hughes on 79.

Cock! I want Australia to fucking lose and lose well!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Watson is out for 88. 192-2, great catch from Tahir.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

193-3, Ponting out for 0 again.

:haha:

[Syn]

Dave @ cricinfo: "Ponting's last 13 scores are 0, 9, 12, 1, 10, 20, 44, 4, 48, 28, 8, 0, 0. Can anyone survive that ? On current form, he's a weak link!"

Tendulkar has been playing, by his own unparalleled standards, awful. His last 13 scores are: 38, 7, 76, 23, 91, 40, 16, 56, 34, 12, 14*, 146, 13...an average of 47.1

[Syn]

Michael Clarke gone. 211/4

Would anyone bet against Australia being bowled out under SA's 266? 174-0 FFS.

This series has been awesome.

[IBK]

Aussies :pal:

(C'mon Saffers - just 2 to go cheaply and Australia have thrown away their advantage!)

[Syn]

Aussies bowled out for 296.

So they lead by 30.

Anybody's game from here. The small first innings lead is probably wiped out by the fact that batting in the 4th innings is a disadvantage.

These next 20 or so overs left today are absolutely crucial.

[Syn]

Play stopped for bad light after 4 balls of the SA innings.

Well judged, umpires. :lol:

Apparently there's a storm heading tonight but they're optimistic it'll be fine for play in the morning.

Would be a big shame if rain prevented a result.

[Cripps_orig]

Why not turn floodlights on?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 40-1, Rudolph goes for 24.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

94-3 at lunch.

[Cripps_orig]

Pakistan beat SL in an ODI

[Cripps_orig]

Some English/South African cricketer who played 40 Tests for England back in the 60s has died.

I see the England&SA isnt a recent thing then

Also rip

[Cripps_orig]

SA 191-3 at Tea

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa are 266-7, Amla got a century. They lead by 236 currently.

[Rors]

Developing into a cracker this one. SA lead of 264 with three wickets remaining, and it's turning all over the place.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Immediately after the lunchbreak a wicket goes. South Africa are 314-8.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

314-9, Cummins gets another one! He's on a hat-trick.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tahir somehow fends it off. :lol: Cummins has five-for anyway.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Steyn is cutting loose.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

As is Tahir. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

South Africa all out for 339. Cummnins gets six-for. Australia need 310 to win.

[Syn]

64-2 in reply. Openers gone. Ponting 23* and Khawaja 26* have settled well.

246 more needed. You'd have to say SA are still favourites but one big partnership is all it takes. Have to say Ponting doesn't look off-form today against some very tough bowling. The ball is zipping about all over the place.

Come on the Aussies. :sick:

[Syn]

Australia were cruising at 142-2 but they've just lost Khawaja for a solid 60 odd. Brilliant delivery that did it - Imran Tahir googly. Ponting still there on 50+*

And now they're called off for bad light. Should be it for the end of the day.

So Australia need another 168 with 7 wickets in hand. Very much in the balance.

What a fantastic series this has been. Absolutely ridiculous that it's only a 2 match Test Series. All top four ranked countries (atm Australia, England, SA and India) should play at least 4 match test series against eachother.

[IBK]

Clarke gone! :lol: :clap:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

195-5 at the moment, 115 more needed.

[Syn]

You'd be a brave man to call a winner from here...SA. Definitely SA.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

215-6, Mr. Cricket goes. :lol: