Off Topic Cricket Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
England 466-2 on the first day of the test against Zimbabwe. And it’s not stumps yet. Target has to be the 506 they got on day one of that test in Pakistan.

They don't seem to be aware that this milestone is within reach.

It's going to be close, though - 492 on the board with three overs left.
 
Zimbabwe following on, all over tomorrow. This fiasco is down to the ECB selling TV rights for six tests, lining up 5 against India (which should be fun) and then finding a patsy willing to make up the numbers. They have paid Zimbabwe £150k to avoid having to go there to play the return fixture.

Still, it means that Crawley will be picked to face the Indians. Great.
 
You know I'm only teasing you pal ! Lillee and Thomson were 2 of the greatest and scariest bowlers of any era. The 5 or 6 West Indian pace bowlers of the latter 70's and 80's were just downright sick and almost unplayable.

All good, mate ............. l enjoy the friendly banter. As you say, Roberts & Garner, to name a few. Garner had so much height, he could really make that ball rise.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trammers
All good, mate ............. l enjoy the friendly banter. As you say, Roberts & Garner, to name a few. Garner had so much height, he could really make that ball rise.

Don't forget Michael Holding aka Whispering Death if I remember correctly.... his run up was like he was gliding it was a beautiful watch unless you were the batsman.... that over to Brian Close is probably the scariest thing on a cricket pitch and Close had no padding or helmet to protect him....
 
Don't forget Michael Holding aka Whispering Death if I remember correctly.... his run up was like he was gliding it was a beautiful watch unless you were the batsman.... that over to Brian Close is probably the scariest thing on a cricket pitch and Close had no padding or helmet to protect him....
Close was also about 94 years old. In the great words of Freddie Truman…. “Summer is with us once again and with it the sound of leather hitting Brian Close”
 
Last edited:
Don't forget Michael Holding aka Whispering Death if I remember correctly.... his run up was like he was gliding it was a beautiful watch unless you were the batsman.... that over to Brian Close is probably the scariest thing on a cricket pitch and Close had no padding or helmet to protect him....

You must log in or register to see media
 
This article attributes the quote to Eric Morecambe, which seems a bit unlikely.

Some amusing anecdotes, though.

The sound of leather on Brian Close - by Jon Hotten

No - Eric Morecambe definitely said it. When I read sb’s comment above I immediately thought of Eric Morecambe and I distinctly remember seeing him say it on tv.

He was a great sports lover - if you accept supporting Luton is a love of sport <whistle>
 
No - Eric Morecambe definitely said it. When I read sb’s comment above I immediately thought of Eric Morecambe and I distinctly remember seeing him say it on tv.

He was a great sports lover - if you accept supporting Luton is a love of sport <whistle>
Would have been better from Freddie though.

Bit irritated that I missed a trick, should have gone to Edgbaston today. Looks like there are seats available too.
 
Last edited:
Not far off. Close opened with John Edrich in that 1976 Old Trafford Test.Their combined age was 84!

Wow, that’s certainly an age for a pair of book-ends.
I remember Colin Cowdrey being sent out here during a test series to sure up an under firing batting brigade. It was an admiral performance by him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Taffvalerowdy