Idle cricket musing

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

From today's Telegraph re Oval ODI:

The International Cricket Council has been handed evidence which suggests that bookmakers were given detailed information on how sections of the Pakistan innings might proceed, with two particular overs coming under suspicion.

Cricket chiefs allegedly watched aghast as the targeted overs unfolded as predicted, although it is not thought the eventual result was rigged.

It is also alleged that a figure within the team camp made sure the bookmakers? instructions were carried out.

I do hope this is not true - surely they wouldn't be that stupid under such intense scrutiny? I was rather glad they had won, they need a little boost at the mo.

AOB: if I was Freddie Flintoff, I'd be feeling slightly uncomfortable at the mo - it's been like reading his obituary the last couple of days!

[kpc]

Freddie will be missed from the game, as much for his attitude towards the game as his achievements in the game.

And good to see Ian Bell in form since returning from injury - two fifties and two hundreds in his lst four innings. He will be a key player this winter.

[Atticus]

He was a great character but not one of the game's greats, his stats back this point up. He started believing he was bigger than the team towards the end. England have moved on without him.

[Mick Mac]

So - is he dead? or what has happened?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Yeah, he's dead. RIP.

Expect to see him resurrected on Celebrity Squares.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Australian Come Dancing season begins.

Monty does Flamenco

[????]

England looking very good at the moment Cook at last gets some runs (a ton!) not long now....

[????]

so excited that i'm not punctuating

[Marmora Man]

Did anyone hear the radio 4 news item about China putting forward a 20 / 20 team for the Asian Games?

Just think what sort of opposition China could be in 20 years time if 1.2bn start to support, play and follow the game

[david_carnell]

That's a big "if" MM. They follow and play football far more fanatically and in far greater numbers yet the Chinese national team is still tosh.

Watch for the Chinese targeting the less established sports (volleyball, archery etc) at the 2012 Olympics and cleaning up though.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Can't help thinking David Shepherd must be hopping in Heaven:

333

[Brendan]

Not bad for a guy who doesn't like playing test matches.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Just a wee bit excited. This is one of those times that I hope my variable insomnia doesn't let me down.

[Mick Mac]

Are you from Lisburn .....

I might watch a bit tonight - when is the first ball? (excluding wides... ;-) )

[Mick Mac]

Im ready. Just me, david gower and 'nice one shane'.

[Marmora Man]

About to switch it on - first over then bed, if I'm strong enough

[Mick Mac]

The Gabba. Its been a long time. I feel england expects

Only 4 winning ashes captains since the war....:(

[Mick Mac]

A captains innings.

[ruffers]

Not quite what I hoped for when I stayed up, all a bit shaky.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Hm - well that hope was misplaced. I shall speed read the Guardian OBO and see how badly we've done.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm so glad I didn't stay up - Strauss out third ball would have made me extremely grumpy. Let's hope that's not some awful omen.

And Cook's just gone. 197 - 5 is pretty pants. I should have stayed in bed.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oh bugger. Not only has Prior just gone for 0, Boycott's popped up on TMS to compound the misery.

Siddle on for a hat trick...

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Siddle: 12 3 33 5 2.75

It grieves me to say it, but those figures are bloody brilliant.

[Marmora Man]

And they've just got better! I should have stayed in bed and not switched on the radio.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.