Cricket: More Than a Game

That, Bruce, is the $64 million question.

It was 434 we chased down scoring 438/9. Those are very special numbers for an SA cricket fan.

Funny story, a customer of mine was at the game. After the Aussie innings, and the beginning of ours which got off to a bad start, he left. Only to get home, turn on the TV and see that it looked like we were going to get it.

I was watching something else on TV and wasn't following the game because it looked like we were toast. I saw the Aussie total and the beginning of our innings, then turned over to see the last 5 overs. Couldn't believe my eyes, even my non-cricket watching family was transfixed.

Chasing down a world record score is not something that happens often.

Oh, and it's another superb innings from the Great I Am.

Who scores 1.

Against Bangladesh.

I think I'd fancy myself to manage that mighty score.

(starts slow, sarcastic handclap)

And just when you thought the W Indies had hit rock bottow...it's T20 time !

They're at home. To Zimbabwe. Who are 0-3 after 3 overs, and only end up getting 105 off their 20.

W Indies score - 79-7 after 20.

Not a lot of happy faces as the camera panned round the crowd. Commentators seemed to be blaming the domestic cricket structure there. although I couldn't quite follow the logic. The argument went along the lines of the fact that every year, spinners dominate the wicket tables because players aren't taught how to play spin, and 18 of Zim's 20 overs were spin. Not sure how that would prevent the clubs teaching players how to play spin, or am I missing a subtle point ?

Yeah, that's sobering for the Windies.

I do know though that Zimbabwe, despite being written off did go to the West Indies with the full intent to cause some upsets. Sounds like they were successful.

Happily we comprehensively out-played India in our last tour game, I wonder at the extremes of the South African performances though. We are either awesome or horrible, never ok.

Oh hey, New Zealand managed to chase down 275 runs against Australia. Maybe all the games against soft opponents have done some harm. Although it's too soon to tell for sure.

So, the World Twenty20 starts tomorrow. Anyone else planning to watch?

No, because it's 20-20 and therefore crap, but I'm off work so I shall have a wander down to Old Trafford to watch Lancashire beat Kent on Day 4.

Weather permitting of course...this is Manchester we are talking about. It's often suggested that the reason Lancs haven't won the title for so long is that the usual wet weather at OT, particularly early in the season, means there are a lot of draws and no-results which come back to haunt them. Let's see how it goes tomorrow.

davet010 wrote:

No, because it's 20-20 and therefore crap, but I'm off work so I shall have a wander down to Old Trafford to watch Lancashire beat Kent on Day 4.

Snob. :p

I would watch if I have a TV, 20-20 is shallow but fun.

I'm looking forward to this evening. I think its just that proper cricket is back on telly, so that makes me excited. The IPL just didn't count. I watched at least one match and did not care.

Got tickets sorted for at least two days in June - Surrey v Gloucester, Twenty20, at the Oval and Australia v England at the Rose Bowl. Really looking forward to those.

I'm also hip-deep in the cricket season. This captaincy malarky is for suckers, since I have spent this morning trying to sort out my side for tomorrow, and have received no financial compensation for it.

Haakon7 wrote:

I'm looking forward to this evening. I think its just that proper cricket is back on telly, so that makes me excited. The IPL just didn't count. I watched at least one match and did not care.

When the IPL was here I still couldn't find it in me to be interested, it may as well be the Bangladeshi Club champs for all I care. And I tried.

Haakon7 wrote:

I'm also hip-deep in the cricket season. This captaincy malarky is for suckers, since I have spent this morning trying to sort out my side for tomorrow, and have received no financial compensation for it.

It's all about the honour of serving, or something. :p

MrDeVil909 wrote:
Haakon7 wrote:

I'm also hip-deep in the cricket season. This captaincy malarky is for suckers, since I have spent this morning trying to sort out my side for tomorrow, and have received no financial compensation for it.

It's all about the honour of serving, or something. :p

Rubbish. Its about only one person doing the admin while the other 10 are only required to play cricket.

Cracker of a game between the Kiwi's and the Sri Lankans. Fantastic finish to the first game, and now the Irish are surprising the Windies with a bit more game than they can handle! Could be another interesting one.

Bah!

Well played Pakistan, but that sucks. For our bowlers to come to the party for a change then the batsmen to fall over. I say it again, Bah!

Was quite a big discussion on Sky's coverage as to whether SA's time is beginning to run out. Many of the well-known players (Kallis, Boucher etc) are reaching the end of their careers and there is no silverware to show for it, at least in the one-day game.

Smith looked very out of sorts. Don't think his IPL stint did him any good, but then maybe he shouldn't have played in that corrupt farrago in the first place.

It is a shame, because you played some really tight games in there. You fielded well (for the most part) and looked like you were one gear away from being dominant, but Pakistan definitely hit their straps in the right game.

Disappointing for the Kiwi's as well. I thought they played well for most of the tournament, but just weren't able to pull it off.

davet010 wrote:

Was quite a big discussion on Sky's coverage as to whether SA's time is beginning to run out. Many of the well-known players (Kallis, Boucher etc) are reaching the end of their careers and there is no silverware to show for it, at least in the one-day game.

I think it's possible. There's some young blood with potential, but we seem to have a lack of reliable game winners. The current warhorses are probably going to be around until the next World Cup, but I don't know if that's any help.

davet010 wrote:

Smith looked very out of sorts. Don't think his IPL stint did him any good, but then maybe he shouldn't have played in that corrupt farrago in the first place.

Smith wasn't in the IPL, he was home with a broken finger, again. He's definitely rusty.

I think we would have done better if Smith had been a bit more game fit, especially in the last game.

I though the Aussies would be no chance in the T20. Especially with a passenger in the batting lineup with Clarke as the captain.
His decision not to bat vs India was quite telling I thought. T20 is not for nurdling at a run a ball.

But some pace and bounce in the pitches has played into our hands although I worry about the semi final being played on the slowest and lowest of the grounds.

I did love Jadaja's 6 off the last ball to kill off India.

How did Pakistan make the Semis with 2 wins?

Australia v England is my tip for the final.

Bruce wrote:

Australia v England is my tip for the final.

That would be a helluva game, but we've got to beat the Sri Lankans first. They're going to be tougher than the Saffers or Pakistan. Looking forward to that this afternoon.

Haakon7 wrote:
Bruce wrote:

Australia v England is my tip for the final.

That would be a helluva game, but we've got to beat the Sri Lankans first. They're going to be tougher than the Saffers or Pakistan. Looking forward to that this afternoon.

Not much tougher, by the looks of the highlights on Sky Sports News.

davet010 wrote:

Not much tougher, by the looks of the highlights on Sky Sports News.

Nope. They rolled over. One or two fielding errors got into their head and really hurt their chances. Amazing how much of a role nerves play in a game like that.

On TMS before the match, someone - I don't recall who - was commenting on the bowlers' gesturing and 'encouragement' to their team members who happened to mistime dives and allow fours. This commentator singled out Sidebottom and Broad as particularly guilty, and watching the game with that in mind made me notice just how often they dug into their own teammates for failing to prevent a boundary.
I'm all for hauling up those who don't pull their weight, but standing on the crease and shouting at someone who has just gone sliding across the ground to try and provide a boundary is going too far. Colly should be stamping down on this sort of behavior. That might be acceptable in a Sunday league with tongue in cheek, but not an international cricket pitch.

Shameless Hussey you bloody LEGEND!

Setting the alarm for early tomorrow.

Bruce wrote:

Shameless Hussey you bloody LEGEND!

Setting the alarm for early tomorrow.

I know it's only Slogball, but.....

IMAGE(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47859000/jpg/_47859980_trophy466getty.jpg)

I wouldn't care if it was tiddleywinks against 'Mr Cricket' and his chums

Great win.

Aside from a streaky game against Ireland, we always looked the best side in the tournament, so good on Andy Flower for the change in mind set and performance.

That was a helluva leave from Kieswetter in this game. What was he doing?

Haakon7 wrote:

That was a helluva leave from Kieswetter in this game. What was he doing?

He probably realised he was playing for England in a limited overs final, so it was time for the traditional screw-up.

davet010 wrote:
Bruce wrote:

Shameless Hussey you bloody LEGEND!

Setting the alarm for early tomorrow.

I know it's only Slogball, but.....

IMAGE(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47859000/jpg/_47859980_trophy466getty.jpg)

I wouldn't care if it was tiddleywinks against 'Mr Cricket' and his chums ;)

No, you're not allowed to be excited.

Well played to England. I can't quite believe that this is the same England team that's been the world's whipping boys for years.

Fun and games in the ICC.

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have blocked John Howard as ICC vice president and president.

Th fuss is that Australia and New Zealand get to make the nomination, but they have pushed aside Sir John Anderson to replace him with a very divisive, right wing, former politician.

The only real surprise is that New Zealand backed him at all. Why would anyone want possibly the world's worst diplomat in charge of cricket?

Heaven forbid that someone should call Mugabe out for what he is.

BCCI have to object as payback for the kleptocrat's vote over the last decade.

Why would SA object?

Couple of reasons. One being to hold ranks with Zimbabwe, although Howard's comments about Mugabe are perfectly accurate, but another I would think is that he's just not suitable. Add a nominally left wing government, and Howard's history with immigration, and you have plenty of reasons.

Surely Australia and New Zealand could come up with a better candidate? Maybe someone with experience in sports administration and without a tendency to step on toes. The story is the Aussies basically forced New Zealand to go along with the nomination.

What the ICC really need to find is someone to take a much tougher line with the transgressors. Cricket in India (in particular) is crooked beyond belief, the IPL needs to be properly managed or completely sanctioned, and Zimbabwe should be suspended altogether. The annual calendar also needs redoing, otherwise players are basically on a 12-month cycle.

Take that, Bangladesh.

Also:
My figures Saturday: 1.2 overs-0 maidens-13 runs-0 wickets.
My figures Sunday: 4.0 overs-1 maiden-7 runs-5 wickets. (That five-fer doesn't really represent the hattrick, either!)

Best spell I've bowled and probably ever will.

Hat trick! Nice work.