The Cricket Thread

T20!! A total washout!! North to South, East to East. This will suit the team in the top 4.

 

I don't get the arguement that people with ticket will be annoyed. If you know 100% it is going to rain heavily (as we did yesterday) then starting an hour early won't make them miss any cricket. Rain will still stop play at the same time - you just get an extra hour.

I know for sure that if I had a ticket i would rather them start an hour early if it means actually getting a result from the test

 

Agree with this but might have been better to not have a home ashes series and world cup in the same summer as we just don't have enough decent weather!

 

There's also the wear and tear, physical and mental on the players of the increasingly congested schedule.

 

Just one of those things. The World Cup won't be back in England for a while so this problem won't crop up for a while.

 

I would say the schedule is appalling. In the height of summer, some counties played precious little cricket. Maybe as much as 10 days without bowling a ball or lifting a bat. With the approaching autumn, the congestion gets ridiculous. 4 sets of 4 day matches in late August to the fag end of September. Throw in the time needed for the T20 knockout and finals day.

 

I didn't mention spectator fatigue in my earlier post, also a factor.

 

I would argue that players played more cricket in the 70s and 80s tan they do now. Every team played each other at least once in the then one división County Championship, there was the B&H 55 over tournament, then the 60 over one plus the JP 40 over matches on a Sunday. And England´s test players at the time, returned to their counties and played.

What has increased is the ludicrous number of 1 day internationals against the normal two touring teams over a 5 match series in a normal summer and a short series of T20s against the same opponents.

 

Do you still think the Aussies are going to “feast” on Archer?

 

Can I refer you to my last comment about Archer, which was positive in an overall way rather than something I said about 10 days ago? It is on the last page, about 20 comments prior to this one?

 

So you’ve changed your mind then? You didn’t think they should pick him.

 

Based on his relative inexperience, rather than anything else. Anyone nothing wrong with listening to the views of others and observing, is there?

 

Absolutely not. I’m not having a go, was just pleased he’s given you cause to change opinion.

 

Thanks. Imagine if we lived in a world where one´s views were fixed!! Uh!!!! We tend to have our fixed preferences but they can be either intensified or modified, and at times altered. Perhaps some day, folk on here will look more kindly at two PL sides that are currently not top of the list of favourite other clubs.

One thing for sure is that this test match will be a massive learning curve for Archer. Is he bowling 90 mph most deliveries, or is he pacing himself around the mid 80s and then letting go a really fast one? I don´t pictures here or commentary so I am relying on YouTube, texts and comments from the likes of yourself. In another era, the late and great Malcolm Marshall was a master of this as he matured.

 

Mid to late 80s with the odd 94mph steamer

 

Well that’s one way to get rid of Smith

 

Can’t believe he survived the arm knock, let alone the one on the chin!

 

After the Philip Hughes thing they were right to take him off. Jofra on fire here.

 

And this on a pitch without too much pace. I wonder what speed he could manage on a pacy wicket such as the Wacca in Perth.

 

Smith back (and playing well) after an arm injury and a concussion test...can't question his team spirit.