Cricket Banter

(05-06-2023 16:26 )hornball Wrote:  

(04-06-2023 17:41 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^
The cupboard is pretty bare in the spin department

Maybe at the moment in the spin resources, but these things are cyclical aren't they booms??

I can recall - and it was just a few short years ago when apparently England's cupboard was bare in just about every respect, and it was all the Counties fault (overseas kolpak etc) Suddenly (or not so??) - the same team/squad was/is awash with options! How did that happen?? England management?? no, actually the same counties and their coaching/management depts. The players were always there, so maybe they just needed time to come through (naturally/properly)?? the club system?? Maybe overseas names and faces have reduced in number a little, but not by that much overall I don't think? and still Kolpak etc being signed on!

Although it doesn't mean there isn't any talent, Leach was the top spinner with 11, but you would expect poor numbers in Apri/May. A young/inexperienced spinner would be a gamble as in takes years to learn the craft, unless you're Shane Warne.
Stats aren't everything, Tongue has also taken 11, but has gone for runs. He was picked on the back of an impressive Lions Tour, with wickets on a flat deck in Sri Lanka.

(05-06-2023 16:14 )hornball Wrote:  

(04-06-2023 17:41 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ That would explain the time he spent off the field yesterday & the overs bowled by Root.
The cupboard is pretty bare in the spin department, this is a problem, I have no idea who is our number 2 spinner, Leach is approaching 40 caps, whoever it is they will lack experience. Bit odd he's got such an injury, usually it is associated with fast bowlers. Even with Leach fit the Aussies will attack spin, with England down to a 3-man pace attack, Stokes will only bowl as a last resort. One option would be to replace Leach with another pace bowler & use Root, who will bowl anyway with a number of left-hand batsmen in their ranks. Jacks did a tidy job in Pakistan, but is he any better than Root, playing young Ahmed would be a big risk in such an important series. Moeen has retired from Test Match cricket, but maybe a comeback.

With respect, why more than any other?? This is one thing - as a cricket lover and Ashes watcher since the late 70s - I can never get my head around! In particular after that abomination of '05. The growth in the media and their propensity for hype, hysteria, hyperbole and worst of all, a one time only interest in the greatest ball sport on earth! I understand that many had their first introduction to cricket in '05 and the drama that unfolded - they get a free pass, but the rest who trot out this 'important' tag to one series only, not so much!

With respect, there's no getting away from the fact that some series carry more weight. The Ashes, & England in particular are almost single-handedly keeping Test Match cricket alive. We fill our grounds & have the best travelling support in any Sport.
If you listen to Baz he wants to entertain, he understands that Test Match cricket is competing with the shorter formats & other Sports & Entertainment.

Yes, we get media overkill, but that is across the board, eg Harry, Scofield etc. Better to have media interest than to be ignored.

Equally I want the game to grow, Ireland are punching above their weight, I'm not sure where it sits, but it is way down the pecking-order in the countries Sports, despite a small loyal fanbase. Given time, who's to say that they can't do a New Zealand, who took 20 years before a Test win, but eventually climbed to the very top WTC. Money, & more importantly schedule will be the stumbling point. I would like to see a minimum of 6 - 8 Tests a year, mainly against the lower ranking sides, without that I see no point in having Test status at all. The pandemic played its part, but 4 years between Tests is a joke.

WTC Aus v IND The Oval Day 1 Close
Toss India
AUS 327-3 (85 overs) Head 146 no Smith 95 no Warner 43 Labuschagne 26 no

Best moment of the day was The Universe Boss in the ground having a snooze while Steve Smith was batting.

(07-06-2023 09:32 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(05-06-2023 16:14 )hornball Wrote:  

(04-06-2023 17:41 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ That would explain the time he spent off the field yesterday & the overs bowled by Root.
The cupboard is pretty bare in the spin department, this is a problem, I have no idea who is our number 2 spinner, Leach is approaching 40 caps, whoever it is they will lack experience. Bit odd he's got such an injury, usually it is associated with fast bowlers. Even with Leach fit the Aussies will attack spin, with England down to a 3-man pace attack, Stokes will only bowl as a last resort. One option would be to replace Leach with another pace bowler & use Root, who will bowl anyway with a number of left-hand batsmen in their ranks. Jacks did a tidy job in Pakistan, but is he any better than Root, playing young Ahmed would be a big risk in such an important series. Moeen has retired from Test Match cricket, but maybe a comeback.

With respect, why more than any other?? This is one thing - as a cricket lover and Ashes watcher since the late 70s - I can never get my head around! In particular after that abomination of '05. The growth in the media and their propensity for hype, hysteria, hyperbole and worst of all, a one time only interest in the greatest ball sport on earth! I understand that many had their first introduction to cricket in '05 and the drama that unfolded - they get a free pass, but the rest who trot out this 'important' tag to one series only, not so much!

With respect, there's no getting away from the fact that some series carry more weight. The Ashes, & England in particular are almost single-handedly keeping Test Match cricket alive. We fill our grounds & have the best travelling support in any Sport.
If you listen to Baz he wants to entertain, he understands that Test Match cricket is competing with the shorter formats & other Sports & Entertainment.

Yes, we get media overkill, but that is across the board, eg Harry, Scofield etc. Better to have media interest than to be ignored.

Equally I want the game to grow, Ireland are punching above their weight, I'm not sure where it sits, but it is way down the pecking-order in the countries Sports, despite a small loyal fanbase. Given time, who's to say that they can't do a New Zealand, who took 20 years before a Test win, but eventually climbed to the very top WTC. Money, & more importantly schedule will be the stumbling point. I would like to see a minimum of 6 - 8 Tests a year, mainly against the lower ranking sides, without that I see no point in having Test status at all. The pandemic played its part, but 4 years between Tests is a joke.

Do they really?? in objective terms?? or just to those that certain series matters too most??They shouldn't though Booms!! All series should be equal, with the WTC at the head of the queue! Look at todays first day of the WTC Final - full on, with some of the best test play in a very long time - particularly before lunch. Both sides trading 'heavy punches', with neither one willing to 'blink' first! It truly was riveting to watch. In addition (and this stood out in many ways) Australia sent out - I would imagine - the same full strength team that will start the Ashes, a clear statement of what weight this match carries! India too, but I don't know if they have any series following on at the conclusion of the game, unlike the Aussies with the series against England a matter of days away should the final run its full length! Obviously the players run the risk of injury and missing out on the 'battle for the urn' but that hasn't influenced team selection (aside from Starc)......respect!!

I genuinely make this point! England make the final in the same circumstances.........same strength of team that would compete for the Ashes themselves?? Maybe with Stokes and Brendan in charge more likely, but guaranteed?? I can imagine what some within the fanbase, and more particularly - the media - would say about that!

Kudos to the ground staff! Fabulous pitch!!

(07-06-2023 12:05 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  WTC Aus v IND The Oval Day 2 Close
Toss India
AUS 469 (121.3 overs) Head 163 Smith 121 Carey 48 Warner 43 Siraj 4-108 Thakur 2-83 Shami 2-122
IND 151-5 (38 overs) Jadeja 48 Rahane 29 no

(08-06-2023 13:59 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(07-06-2023 12:05 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  WTC Aus v IND The Oval Day 2 Close
Toss India
AUS 469 (121.3 overs) Head 163 Smith 121 Carey 48 Warner 43 Siraj 4-108 Thakur 2-83 Shami 2-122
IND 151-5 (38 overs) Jadeja 48 Rahane 29 no

Australia totally dominant at the close of day two Booms. A long way back for India now! One thing that came out of todays play though, (apart from finding Starc was playing after all - thought he wasn't - even more respect for the Aussies) - although from watching him perform down under we really already knew - was the bowling performance of Scott Boland! Given his skills, and metronomic bowling action and accuracy, it is a shame that he has come to cricket so relatively late in his career - he is quality to watch! I have to think that he will give England serious problems in the Ashes! Yes they will try to not let him settle, but he is - for me - the nearest thing Australia has had to Glen McGrath, and he may just not be the run leaker that some would think. True, McGrath didn't bowl at an England with a 'Bazball' mentality, so was able to operate at his own rhythm, but I honestly believe that - faced with the current England M.O - he would still have caused as many issues, and I believe Boland can too! Will the flat pitches (shame) negate his skills though??

Boland, is a direct replacement for Hazlewood, who is injured, but maybe the Aussies would've risked him if this had been the 1st Ashes Test. A good balanced attack, height, pace & left-arm variety. Lyon should come into the game in the 4th innings. A good day 3 morning session from India, but they will need to reduce the deficit below 100 at least to stand a chance. A good cricket wicket & I wouldn't call it flat, even on day 1, India bowled the wrong lengths, just enough happening to keep everyone in the game.

First things first! Can those that prepared the pitch (under the control of the ICC I believe - a lesson there) for this match, please stand for the applause due. The perfect Test match cricket pitch!

Day three continues to enthrall, with India making a bit of a comeback, much more discipline and control - overall batting with intelligence and intent!, but still facing a large deficit. In the bowling stakes too, a world away from their first innings showing, accuracy and threat in equal measure. Currently, Australia lead by 200 plus with two down - still comfortable, but if India can prize apart Smith/Labuschagne - looking like a tall order right now to be fair - we may have a closer finish than appears likely! Everything still in the Aussies favour however!

(08-06-2023 13:59 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(07-06-2023 12:05 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  WTC Aus v IND The Oval Day 3 Close
Toss India
AUS 469 (121.3 overs) Head 163 Smith 121 Carey 48 Warner 43 Siraj 4-108 Thakur 2-83 Shami 2-122
IND 298 (69.4 overs) Rahane 89 Thakur 51 Jadeja 48 Cummins 3-83 Green 2-44 Boland 2-59 Starc 2-71
AUS 123-4 (44 overs) Labuschagne 41 no Smith 34 Jadeja 2-25
Australia lead by 296 runs