Idle cricket musing

[maxxi]

Doubt it the way the WI cricket authorities go about things - more likely this was a hugely successful audition for the IPL.

[Loz]

Agreed, the WICB is holding the Windies back, but I live in hope.

[malumbu]

22 years ago I was at the Oval when over 700 runs were scored in the Natwest Semi Final

Surrey required 20 off the last four balls.

Watch what happened from 12 mins 30 seconds onwards.

[www.youtube.com]

[Loz]

Terrible news today that James Taylor has been forced to retire with a heart condition. Currently, he's probably England's most technically gifted batsman. Very sad.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Just announced on TMS that James Taylor is commentating on 20:20 match this evening. Such a lovely, positive chap - quite humbling. Carpe Diem!

[Emski]

They interviewed him at tea on TMS. He was indeed lovely. And claimed to be stronger per lb than any other sportsman except perhaps Floyd Mayweather!

[Alan Medic]

Bit of a contrived ending to the county championship. Just not cricket, is it?

[rendelharris]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> Bit of a contrived ending to the county

> championship. Just not cricket, is it?

Somerset fan Alan? It was a bit of a fit up but that's been going on for as long as I've been watching (since about the time W.G. was in his pomp). For a neutral it was a very good watch, just regret I didn't follow my instinct and nip up to Lord's for ?5!

[Alan Medic]

Nah. Not even a cricket fan especially though most sports grab my attention sometimes. I just wonder why it's accepted and not considered bad sportsmanship. I'd also like to know how they agreed on the maths.

[rendelharris]

It's more considered good sportsmanship, to give the fans something to watch and take a chance on winning rather than the safe option (though in this case playing out the draw wasn't an option for either side). The targets are a matter of negotiation between the captains - having been in on some of those conferences at a far lower (Surrey league) level, I can tell you the convolutions of them would make Machiavelli nod in approval!

[Alan Medic]

This doesn't happen at test match level does it? I understood if you wanted to be in with a chance of winning a game you declared when you considered you possibly had enough runs on the board and you gave yourself a chance of bowling out the opposition in the time left. Should it not have been up to the team batting first yesterday to decide that?

[rendelharris]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> This doesn't happen at test match level does it? I

> understood if you wanted to be in with a chance of

> winning a game you declared when you considered

> you possibly had enough runs on the board and you

> gave yourself a chance of bowling out the

> opposition in the time left. Should it not have

> been up to the team batting first yesterday to

> decide that?

Yes, but it was an unusual position yesterday where both sides absolutely had to win - for Middlesex to gain the sort of lead they got against Yorkshire's best bowling they would have had to take too many risks, so...it doesn't happen at test match level as they have five days in which to get a result and also they're not playing for points. I know it seems a bit contrived but it was a choice between that and a boring draw - it is an accepted part of the game, even Somerset aren't complaining! I'm trying to think of an analogy - I suppose it's a bit like an extended version of a penalty shootout!

[Loz]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> This doesn't happen at test match level does it?

Well, it did once... and I think we all remember the (later discovered) motives and repercussions.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Brendan must be having a merry breakfast this morning. (Aus bowled out for 85)

[ladida]

Nice to see this chap Mills get a T20 wicket against India. Bowling at 93mph, its a shame he's got a dodgy back and can't last a 1 dayer let alone a test. Hope he doesn't do any serious injury in the future, don't want him to befall the same woes as the great Simon Jones.

[maxxi]

Had the luxury of being able to listen to whole game today on TMS - India seemingly setting the kind of target Sri Lanka couldn't hope to get near - but they've just smashed it with some great batting, winning by 7 wickets with 9 balls in hand - after Pakistan's fine win yesterday this is turning into a very open championship.

Shame the tv highlights are so poorly done - never thought I'd wish Ch5 were covering the cricket instead of the BBC.

[????]

1890

[maxxi]

???? Wrote:

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> 1890

A 1900 by the Duckworth/Lewis I presume?

[????]

long day - exitpollitus

[????]

Don't tell Medic

[maxxi]

Another great game in the white ball championship. First Pakistan then Sri Lanka now Bangladesh putting a record stand of 224 together (after being 12 for 3!) to beat the Kiwis - and they'll qualify for the semis if England beat Australia - which will mean NZ & Aussie going home!

Perfect antidote to too much election special.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm changing my nationality. I think green and white would suit my complexion, Pakistan here I come.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Anyone else having terrible sleeping patterns at the moment?

[Dog duck]

Yup not out

[TheCat]

I woke up early yesterday to watch the second session..only to realise it's not on sky sports anymore....