The Official Cricket Thread

[gdn]

Was it a tough chance?

[Tabata]

Was it a tough chance?

Not at all. But to be fair to Clarke, it was at 3rd slip where he never really fields at.

[gdn]

Not at all. But to be fair to Clarke, it was at 3rd slip where he never really fields at.

Well that really could have changed the complexion of the game.

[Nashwan]

Not at all. But to be fair to Clarke, it was at 3rd slip where he never really fields at.

The Aussies have been found wanting at certain times in this series by having to press great outfielders, e.g. Clarke and Symonds, into emergency service as close to the wicket catchers. If Clarke had hung on to that chance, which wasn't hugely difficult, it would have been 2/2 and game really on. Draw still looks favourite and an honourable series win for the Aussies.

I see that England have set off on their tour to New Zealand where they open up with two 20/20 games, followed by 5 ODI and three test matches. I might stay away from the tour until the meaningful stuff, e.g. the test series, gets under way.

[Tabata]

New Zealand Cricket has terminated Shane Bond's national contract because of his desire to play in the Indian Cricket League (ICL), but the board has not ruled out allowing the fast bowler to return in the future. Bond, who has been involved in lengthy discussions over the deal, is now free to appear in the lucrative but unofficial Twenty20 tournament in April.

Cricinfo

This is really, REALLY bad news for cricket.

[Tabata]

Trust India to ruin a 5th days play of a Test match. I only watched until the end of it to see Gilly walk off the ground.

My final thoughts on the series was that I was pretty disappointed with some of the players, but we won the series, so I guess that's all that counts.

[Nashwan]

Cricinfo

This is really, REALLY bad news for cricket.

Oh I don't know. I think Bond knew full well when he decided to join the Indian Cricket League that he was living on borrowed time with the New Zealand test team. If any England player did what Bond has done, I would expect him to get the bullet from the national team. Just my humble opinion.

[gdn]

This whole Harbhajan mess is so embarrassing. The Indian board acted like bullies and spoiled kids. A disgrace.

[Nashwan]

This whole Harbhajan mess is so embarrassing. The Indian board acted like bullies and spoiled kids. A disgrace.

Seems to be a sub-continent type of thing, gdn. The Pakistanis tried the same over the last ball-tampering episode in England and got their bluff called by Darrell Hair. I still think Hair did the right thing in making Pakistan forfeit the game because they were just messing everybody around. Sadly, Hair paid the ultimate price for his hard line stance and will never umpire at the highest level again. The Pakistanis are terrific cricketers but their, ahem, propensity to bend the rules has riled the life out of me for more years than I care to remember.

[gdn]

Seems to be a sub-continent type of thing, gdn. The Pakistanis tried the same over the last ball-tampering episode in England and got their bluff called by Darrell Hair. I still think Hair did the right thing in making Pakistan forfeit the game because they were just messing everybody around. Sadly, Hair paid the ultimate price for his hard line stance and will never umpire at the highest level again. The Pakistanis are terrific cricketers but their, ahem, propensity to bend the rules has riled the life out of me for more years than I care to remember.

It is and I'm embarrassed for my country. What a shameful display. This is nothing new, however. This sort of mentality pervades almost everything. Might over right.

[Tabata]

Oh I don't know. I think Bond knew full well when he decided to join the Indian Cricket League that he was living on borrowed time with the New Zealand test team. If any England player did what Bond has done, I would expect him to get the bullet from the national team. Just my humble opinion.

Oh I agree that it was the best move for Bonds, but it's very sad when one of the lesser teams in world Cricket just lost their only "world class" player. Even though he's hurt a lot.

By the way, Shaun Tait quite cricket indefinitely.

[Blokee]

Seems to be a sub-continent type of thing, gdn. The Pakistanis tried the same over the last ball-tampering episode in England and got their bluff called by Darrell Hair. I still think Hair did the right thing in making Pakistan forfeit the game because they were just messing everybody around. Sadly, Hair paid the ultimate price for his hard line stance and will never umpire at the highest level again. The Pakistanis are terrific cricketers but their, ahem, propensity to bend the rules has riled the life out of me for more years than I care to remember.

I have to respectfully disagree with you my friend Re: Darrell Hair. He got what he deserved without a shadow of a doubt. There was no evidence that the Pakistanis had doctored the ball, Sky Sports had 33 cameras at the match and they didn't find a thing and yet Hair, who admitted not seeing anything with his own eyes, was confident enough of ruling the Pakistanis had cheated just because the ball looked a bit dodgy.

The incident happened IIRC around ten minutes after the previous FoW so the umps had seen and inspected the ball ten minutes before they ruled it had been doctored with, and thought it was fine. So it must've been doctored within those ten minutes and no-one found a shread of hard evidence against the Pakistanis, and with 33 TV cameras, of which at least one of them had the ball in shot at all times, seeing nothing wrong, it makes you think Darrell Hair was wreckless at best, a cheat at worse.

PS: Billy Doctrove got off far too lightly for letting Hair do what we did.

[Blokee]

Jesus! How many ex-Australian cricketers do you want on Channel 9? There's already Ian Healy, Mark Taylor, Michael Slater, Bill Lawry, Richie Benaud, Ian Chappell and probably 100 others whose names I've probably forgotten. Gilchrist's shoes, along with those of Shane Warne, are going to be mighty hard to fill and this could leave a nice hole in the Aussie line-up for teams to exploit.

I clearly want one more

Seriously Gilly was brilliant in that game - commentating live whilst playing with Symonds. The boys in the #9 studio just let them get on with it for overs at a time and they were terrific. Gilchrist has a strong personality and a quite brilliant cricket brain. I think he would be most engaging for the viewers.

[Nashwan]

I have to respectfully disagree with you my friend Re: Darrell Hair. He got what he deserved without a shadow of a doubt. There was no evidence that the Pakistanis had doctored the ball, Sky Sports had 33 cameras at the match and they didn't find a thing and yet Hair, who admitted not seeing anything with his own eyes, was confident enough of ruling the Pakistanis had cheated just because the ball looked a bit dodgy.

The incident happened IIRC around ten minutes after the previous FoW so the umps had seen and inspected the ball ten minutes before they ruled it had been doctored with, and thought it was fine. So it must've been doctored within those ten minutes and no-one found a shread of hard evidence against the Pakistanis, and with 33 TV cameras, of which at least one of them had the ball in shot at all times, seeing nothing wrong, it makes you think Darrell Hair was wreckless at best, a cheat at worse.

PS: Billy Doctrove got off far too lightly for letting Hair do what we did.

I don't disagree with your version of events, and hard evidence of ball-tampering was never found, but let's not forget that this is not the first time this has happened. I remember Allan Lamb being threatened with legal action all those years ago when the whole ball-tampering situation with the Pakistanis reared its ugly head for the first time. I would certainly agree that perhaps in the absence of hard evidence, Darrell hair might have acted hastily but there is no way the man is a cheat.

[Blokee]

I don't disagree with your version of events, and hard evidence of ball-tampering was never found, but let's not forget that this is not the first time this has happened. I remember Allan Lamb being threatened with legal action all those years ago when the whole ball-tampering situation with the Pakistanis reared its ugly head for the first time. I would certainly agree that perhaps in the absence of hard evidence, Darrell hair might have acted hastily but there is no way the man is a cheat.

A lot of those in the sub-continent would disagree and remember the ICC panel voted 7-3 (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) are those that you'd expect, but also the West Indies, Zimbabwe and South Africa also voted to kick him off the panel.

I have no doubt that the Pakistanis have cheated in the past, so have most nations, but I have the upmost time and respect for Inzamam ul-Haq and would be genuinely stunned if he would cheat.

Darrell Hair had more controversy in his career than Graham Poll - and that is saying something. Whether he is a cheat or not is not something we can conclude either way, but I know I am happy he's out of the game, certainly those including sub-continent teams, because he always seemed to find something to crow about when they were involved...

[Nashwan]

A lot of those in the sub-continent would disagree and remember the ICC panel voted 7-3 (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) are those that you'd expect, but also the West Indies, Zimbabwe and South Africa also voted to kick him off the panel.

I have no doubt that the Pakistanis have cheated in the past, so have most nations, but I have the upmost time and respect for Inzamam ul-Haq and would be genuinely stunned if he would cheat.

Darrell Hair had more controversy in his career than Graham Poll - and that is saying something. Whether he is a cheat or not is not something we can conclude either way, but I know I am happy he's out of the game, certainly those including sub-continent teams, because he always seemed to find something to crow about when they were involved...

I think we shall have to agree to disagree when it comes to Darrell Hair!

[Blokee]

I think we shall have to agree to disagree when it comes to Darrell Hair!

Certainly looks that way...now about too many ex-Aussies in the #9 booth...

[gdn]

So I see the first NZ-Eng ODI has been completed.

[Tabata]

So I see the first NZ-Eng ODI has been completed.

Yeah and England got killed.

Anyways, I'm off to the cricket soon.

[gdn]

Yeah and England got killed.

Anyways, I'm off to the cricket soon.

I didn't want to say it outright...sorry Nash

[Nashwan]

I didn't want to say it outright...sorry Nash

No worries, gdn! As soon as I fell out of bed, turned on the television and saw the score, I thought: "Normality has been resumed." Just been watching the Australia/India second ODI and your mob are in with a real chance at 71/2, having sent the Australians packing for a score of 159.

[Nashwan]

It's got to be said (yet again) that the England ODI team is a disgrace. When I started watching this morning's game in New Zealand, we were 80-2 and going reasonably well. When I came back downstairs after the obligatory morning ablutions, we were 100-5 and it then descended into farce and England were all out for 158. To compound the felony, the England wicketkeeper then dropped McCullum off Jimmy Anderson in the second over and that really was that. New Zealand smashed the England attack around the park and won by 10 wickets. I despair!

[gdn]

I went to bed with England playing reasonably well. I saw the first two wickets fall, but they seemed to have it together. I was rather shocked when I woke up to BBC World News and saw the ticker at the bottom of the screen.

My Indians didn't fare much better either, Nash. Another D/L game and they were soundly trounced by Sri Lanka.

[Nashwan]

I went to bed with England playing reasonably well. I saw the first two wickets fall, but they seemed to have it together. I was rather shocked when I woke up to BBC World News and saw the ticker at the bottom of the screen.

My Indians didn't fare much better either, Nash. Another D/L game and they were soundly trounced by Sri Lanka.

Theoretically, I had the chance to watch either of the games, gdn, but due to my God-awful luck, my time watching the television happened to coincide with one of the long rain breaks in the India/Sri Lanka game. When I left the house for work, the anchor man in the studio was extremely dubious that the match would be completed Consequently, until I read your post, I wasn't aware that the Sri Lankans had won.

[Tabata]

Under-19 Cricket World Cup starts tomorrow, by the way.

[Tabata]

Gilly may have broken one of his fingers just then. This could be his last game for Australia!

[Tabata]

Looks like he will be fine after all. Wasn't as bad as first thought.

He also had a great game tonight. Very solid win to get the bonus point after defending only 200 odd. We've all but booked our place in the finals now. Just wait 'till we hit some real form with the bat and in the field. Johnson showed some more of his great potential and Hopes was on top form as well.

[gdn]

What a dismal performance by the Indians again. Embarrassing that they were unable to chase 200. Is it just me or has batting been very difficult in this series?

[Nashwan]

What a dismal performance by the Indians again. Embarrassing that they were unable to chase 200. Is it just me or has batting been very difficult in this series?

Interesting point. This was the first time in three games that even the Australians had batted for their full 50 overs. Batting has tended to be hard work and, allied to some crappy weather floating around, the bowlers have tended to get on top. Having said that, gdn, I thought India played one bowler too many today and as a result had a very long tail. Also, useful batsman that he is, why do you suppose the Indians keep Irfan Pathan yo-yoing up and down the order? I was staggered to see him stride to the crease at the fall of the first wicket because a Number 3 batsman he is definitely not!!

[gdn]

I can't agree more. It's stupid of them to persist with him at No. 3 for whatever reason. He's an useful No. 5, 6, 7...but no higher. They certainly could have done with one less bowler, perhaps Harbhajan, who really isn't contributing much to the team right now.

[Nashwan]

Being the moschist that I am, I suppose I will tune in tomorrow to see which England team turns up for the fourth ODI against the Kiwis. I think the New Zealanders deliberately threw the third game to prolong interest in the series so am not expecting much from England!

[gdn]

Oh Nash, always the optimist.

Btw, I meant to ask you. What do you Brits think of the knighting of Richard Branson. I was watching BBC News earlier and they referred to him as "Sir Richard Branson" and I thought it a bit odd. I don't know what the general sentiment about him is, so I figured I'd ask.

[Blokee]

Oh Nash, always the optimist.

Btw, I meant to ask you. What do you Brits think of the knighting of Richard Branson. I was watching BBC News earlier and they referred to him as "Sir Richard Branson" and I thought it a bit odd. I don't know what the general sentiment about him is, so I figured I'd ask.

I'll jump in as I love Sir Richard and he is without a shadow of a doubt worthy of a knighthood.

[Nashwan]

Oh Nash, always the optimist.

And there was me thinking I was starting to mellow in my old age! Too many years of watching England's cricket struggles can be injurious to your health, gdn!!

Btw, I meant to ask you. What do you Brits think of the knighting of Richard Branson. I was watching BBC News earlier and they referred to him as "Sir Richard Branson" and I thought it a bit odd. I don't know what the general sentiment about him is, so I figured I'd ask.

I agree wholeheartedly with Blokee. Branson, who is best known for his "Virgin" empire, fully deserved the knighthood, as he has been one of Britain's leading entrepreneurs for over 30 years. I also like the guy enormously because he has never been afraid of hard of hard work or taking chances with trying new business ventures.

[gdn]

Thanks fellas

[Tabata]

The Australian cricket team got ROBBED last night at the Laureus World Sports Awards. How the hell did the South African rugby team win the "Team of the Year" award over us?

Our World Cup win was our third-straight (record) and we dominated every game we played. South Africa's win was their first in 12 years and they beat their teams by putting them to sleep.

I know it's only the Laureus World Sports Awards, but I don't like being ignored.

By the way guys, what are your thoughts on the up coming IPL?

[Nashwan]

By the way guys, what are your thoughts on the up coming IPL?

Don't have any! Being a something of a purist/traditionalist when it comes to cricket, 20/20 cricket has zero attraction for me.

[Nashwan]

Terrific fourth ODI in New Zealand earlier today when England and New Zealand actually tied the game, both teams scoring 340! New Zealand only required a handful off the last over and then two runs off the last two balls. Vettori tried a suicide single on the penultimate ball and was run out and the Kiwis scraped a single off the final ball to force the tie. It has to be said that there was some very moderate bowling from both sides on what was, to be fair, a feather bed of a pitch. Oh well, I suppose it keeps interest alive for the final game at the weekend!

[Tabata]

Don't have any! Being a something of a purist/traditionalist when it comes to cricket, 20/20 cricket has zero attraction for me.

I wouldn't be shocked if in 5 years or so, I've lost all interest in Cricket, if it keeps going the way it is. And this is coming from someone who's been playing and following the sport for 10 years.

[Nashwan]

I wouldn't be shocked if in 5 years or so, I've lost all interest in Cricket, if it keeps going the way it is. And this is coming from someone who's been playing and following the sport for 10 years.

Is this because of Australia's dominance of the game? Serious question because I dare say you can get fed up of winning most of the time and seeing the opposition showing no sign of improvment. I've been watching cricket for over 45 years now and will never lose my enthusiasm for the five day game, win lose or draw. I can tolerate the odd ODI, but the 20/20 game, which is what today's viewers seem to want to watch, leaves me cold.

[Blokee]

I am a 20/20 fan but I also love and respect the longer form of the game. The main reason I love 20/20 is that I can come home from work and watch a whole match in an evening. When I was a youngster/student I could dedicate far more time to watching the longer form of the game, but now three hours an evening helps me get my cricket fix.

[Nashwan]

I could dedicate far more time to watching the longer form of the game, but now three hours an evening helps me get my cricket fix.

Good God, man! Three hours is enough for you?! I see more than that before I leave for work in the morning. I don't know, the kids of today!!

[Blokee]

Good God, man! Three hours is enough for you?! I see more than that before I leave for work in the morning. I don't know, the kids of today!!

Three hours is better than no hours!

[Nashwan]

Three hours is better than no hours!

Very true. Attention span of a gnat, per chance?!!

[Blokee]

Very true. Attention span of a gnat, per chance?!!

No - just between work & sleep there isn't time to watch whole days play anymore. I was on holiday in December and managed to watch most of the Sri Lanka series - which wasn't pretty...

[Nashwan]

No - just between work & sleep there isn't time to watch whole days play anymore. I was on holiday in December and managed to watch most of the Sri Lanka series - which wasn't pretty...

I must admit that when retirement beckons, I would particularly like to go to two grounds in the world: Galle, Sri Lanka, and Cape Town, SA. Cape Town appeals particularly because of the sight of Table Mountain, together with the "Castle" Brewery, which stands at the foot of the mountain!!

[gdn]

Nash, you have taken the words out of my mouth. That certainly is one of my dreams - to tour the world watching cricket matches in different countries.

Ah

As to 20/20, you know where I stand. I can tolerate it, only because it is more cricket, but I don't like it that much.

[Tabata]

Is this because of Australia's dominance of the game? Serious question because I dare say you can get fed up of winning most of the time and seeing the opposition showing no sign of improvment.

No, not at all. If anyone says that than they're wankers and will probably be the first ones to have a bitch when the team stops dominating.

And Australia's dominance and hold on the rest of world cricket is coming to an end soon anyway. So hopefully everyone will STFU about it.

I've been watching cricket for over 45 years now and will never lose my enthusiasm for the five day game, win lose or draw. I can tolerate the odd ODI, but the 20/20 game, which is what today's viewers seem to want to watch, leaves me cold.

Things that are putting me off the game right now...

- 20/20 cricket
- The IPL
- The non stop f***ing complaining about the umpires, by the fans and press.
- This whole summer down here has pissed me right off.
- India's hold on the ICC right now (saying they'd call off the tour at one point, getting Bucknor kicked out, trying to get sledging banned now etc...)
- The fact that if anything like this happens again, they'll just do the same thing again, because you know why? They now see it works, so why stop?
- The fact that players are now quitting international cricket to make big bucks in the IPL.
- Things like England trying to steal Chris Jordan from the West Indies, also leaves me cold.

I've got enough memories from the game, I don't really need this.

[Nashwan]

No, not at all. If anyone says that than they're wankers and will probably be the first ones to have a bitch when the team stops dominating.

And Australia's dominance and hold on the rest of world cricket is coming to an end soon anyway. So hopefully everyone will STFU about it.



Things that are putting me off the game right now...

- 20/20 cricket
- The IPL
- The non stop f***ing complaining about the umpires, by the fans and press.
- This whole summer down here has pissed me right off.
- India's hold on the ICC right now (saying they'd call off the tour at one point, getting Bucknor kicked out, trying to get sledging banned now http://images.redcafe.net/images/smilies/houllier.gif etc...)
- The fact that if anything like this happens again, they'll just do the same thing again, because you know why? They now see it works, so why stop?
- The fact that players are now quitting international cricket to make big bucks in the IPL.
- Things like England trying to steal Chris Jordan from the West Indies, also leaves me cold.

I've got enough memories from the game, I don't really need this.

Interesting. It's a good job we are all different because personally speaking I would view the above as minor irritations that initially might get under my skin but won't linger. You learn very quickly that, as with everything in this life, if there isn't one distraction currently on the go, you can be sure that something will rear its ugly head pretty soon, to upset the status quo.

[Tabata]

Interesting. It's a good job we are all different because personally speaking I would view the above as minor irritations that initially might get under my skin but won't linger. You learn very quickly that, as with everything in this life, if there isn't one distraction currently on the go, you can be sure that something will rear its ugly head pretty soon, to upset the status quo.

I mostly agree, and I don't usually let little things get under my skin. But 20/20 Cricket and the IPL are more than just minor irritations to real Cricket fans.