Cricket Banter

Tendulkar out for 74 caught by Sammy off the bowling of Deonarine.It was his 68th half century.

This match featured one of the most shocking umpiring decisions I've ever seen. Pujara was very obviously caught at short leg but 3 umpires between them couldn't manage to give it out. The third umpire in particular just can't have very good eyesight. It allowed Pujura to score another 37 runs and that won't affect the outcome of this match at all, but it was a truly pathetic piece of umpiring.

I would say that the standard of International umpiring is at an all-time low.I see that Billy Bowden is back in favour only because others have fallen short of the required levels.Rather than an Elite panel all we have is the second best as they have been trying to cover Tests with 12 umpires & the very best which in the main are English,have been reluctant to commit to 12 months of travelling.The DRS has caused a decline in standards.

Bowden is only back for the forthcoming series. The elite panel now has 8 umpires who are English or Australian, leaving only 4 who could umpire the Ashes series, and the ICC wanted to use 5 umpires this time around to give them a few more options. It's allowed them to put 1 umpire, Tony Hill, on TV duty only - I wonder if this is going to become a trend?

Surprising that Australia are allowing Siddle to play a full season for Notts next year.

After a dispute between the host tv broadcaster & the company that make the equipment used in the DRS has now been resolved & a real-time Snickometer & Hotspot will used in the Ashes series.

Close match today between South Africa and Pakistan.

SA just needed 10 off 11 balls before two great overs from Ajmal & Junaid Khan.

With Pakistan winning by one run

Cook & Anderson are among the 6 players shortlisted for the ICC Cricketer of the Year.Anderson has been nominated for the Test Cricketer of the Year.Root is in the running for the Emerging Cricketer of the Year.

Edwards & Shrubsole are up for the Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year & Sarah Taylor the T20 Cricketer of the Year.

Winners in all categories will be announced on December 14.

ICC Test Team of the Year : Cook (ENG,c) Pujara (Ind) Amla (SA) Clarke (Aus) Hussey (Aus) DeVilliers (SA) Dhoni (W, Ind) Swann (Eng) Steyn (SA) Anderson (Eng) Philander (SA) 12th Man Ashwin (Ind)

ICC ODI Team of the Year : Dilshan (SL) Dhawan (Ind) Amla (SA) Sangakarra (SL) De Villiers (SA) Dhoni (capt. wicketkeeper Ind) Jadeja (Ind) Ajmal (Pak) Steryn (SA) Anderson (Eng) Malinga (SL) 12th Man McClenegan (NZ)

Interesting that Michael Hussey has been named in the Test Team as he retired in early January.The rules tend to throw up these anomalies with who is eligible or not as our own babe awards has shown.

New Zealand score 609-9 dec after being put in by West Indies in the Dunedin Test Match.Taylor finished on 217 not out & put on 195 with McCullum who made 113.West Indies finished day 2 on 67-2.Darren Bravo was 37 not out.