DJ Happy

I only ask because I never see any threads discussing it, despite the fact that it is the greatest sport ever invented. Basketball (I am a big fan), baseball, football, all great sports, but let's face it - they're just not in the same league as cricket, now are they? Cricket is the Supreme Being of sporting contests, make no mistake.

So is there anyone else out there who is a fellow disciple of The Great Game? If I started a thread discussing some of the finer details of the game (like the current ICC Champion's Trophy - by the way, the US has a team taking part in it), would anyone reply?

Are there any cricket fans out there?

bundy

even though this is the SPORTS forum, you're more likely to strike up a decent cricket conversation in the Australian regional forum.
lots of cricket-mad Aussies and Kiwis in there.

of course, there may be a few cricket mad poms floating around, but really, what do the poms know about cricket... haha, just kidding...

i was really impressed to see an American team playing in the ICC Champions Trophy. not much of a threat as yet, but like US rugby, give them twenty years and they'll be a great team.

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MikeyChalupa

During a port visit to Bahrain a few years ago, I was at a pub where they were showing a cricket match between India and someone else, I forget who. It was an African nation, I think. I was trying to follow the game, I really was, but it was just so damn weird. But then again I was trying to use baseball as a frame of reference and the games are just too different.

-Mikey

CMC3

Its been a busy summer of cricket in England where we managed to win all 7 tests and re-emerged as a force in world cricket. Best bowler in the world in Harmison, best all rounder in Andy Flintoff you could say bring on the aussies but that would be tempting the sporting gods too much. But its been great to watch.

A final thought. Which bright spark decided to play a world cricket tournement in England in September? If its not raining, its freezing and dark at 7pm.

Spartak

Doh

NZ got schooled last night.

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DJ Happy

My thoughts exactly. Even if rain doesn't ruin the match, the toss will. Bat first and you're going to have to play out of your skin to even make the game competitive. Ridiculous.

England 79/3 after 21 overs against Sri Lanka right now. Batting first and struggling. What a surprise. Amazingly though, Marcus "Feet in Concrete" Trescothick is still in.

Strange Famous

I dont like cricket... I love it

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DJ Happy

South Africa vs the West Indies now underway. Windies win the toss and elect to field. South Africa are doomed.

I hate the timing of this tournament.

joedog5in1

Hey, don't underestimate South Africa. Although we lost about 10 matches in a row, we at least won Bangladesh! Ha - Take that!
Luckily the WI match rained out, saved us from another humiliation.

DJ Happy

I meant we were doomed because we had to bat first. But as the weather gods decree, now the Windies have to bat in the morning as well.

CMC3

They came through thanks to Flintoff again, 103 and a great knock which added 100 for the last 10 overs, superb. The Sri Lankans had no answer. They were saved a massive humiliation when the rains came as their batting was flapping like a loose sail at 80 odd for 5, way behind the necessary rate.

joedog5in1

Luckily we only lost by five wickets against the WI. It could have been another humiliating defeat.

By not playing in the semi's, we can at least start preparing for the next masacre, sorry I meant series.

At least we won the Tri-Nations!

DJ Happy

And for once I can't blame Lance Klusener's bowling. So I'll just have to blame his batting instead.

Very disappointing loss. At times it looked as though we were playing for respectability rather than to win.

CMC3

Whats the thoughts on the upcoming South Africa v England series DJ/Joedog? Should the England fans be expecting more of the same, are SA in transition or should we beware?

spindles

If by no answer you mean because they dropped the chances when he was on 1 and 24...

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almostaugust

Yeah, im a fan. I grew up playing it a whole lot. Trying out for the school cricket team in year 8 i hit a 4 of the fast bowling of none other than Nathan Bracken (Australian Fast Bowler). I became alright mates with him too, he played goal keeper in my soccer team too, and was really good at it.

DJ Happy

Hard to say. After one disappointing series loss in Sri Lanka is difficult to say if it was a blip or a trend. We're a very different proposition at home anyway. Traditionally we are very difficult to beat in SA and England have always struggled when touring SA (since readmission anyway).

Only Australia have beaten us at home in the last 40 or so years. Since readmission, the only Test England have won in SA was the infamous "Hansie and the leather jacket" Test at Centurion. I'd still back SA to win, but it may be closer than expected.

CMC3

Cheers, interesting thoughts.

Back to business, who'd have bet on an England v W. Indies final on saturday?

Spindles, fair comment but you have to take those chances to win the game, just like yesterday! The W. Indies did terrible things to Pakistan today taking the last 7 wkts for not many and coasting home despite Lara having to retire hurt after ducking into an Ahktar bouncer and getting it on the unprotected part of his neck. Ouch!

joedog5in1

The way Lara dropped I didn't think he was going to get up at all. Any lesser man would have been killed. I heard the commentator say he was lucky he didn't take it on the jaw. Would have shattered it. True, but a ball at that speed could cause damage no matter where it hit you. I'm just happy it wasn't me standing there facing Ahktar.

As you probably noticed I'm not very positive of SA Cricket at this stage. England's going to destroy us. The SA team is so demoralised by now, that they will have to replace everybody to get rid of the negative energy. Mind you, the way they are playing now, maybe that isn't such a bad idea.

Other interesting local news is that Gibbs is not going to join the tour to India. Apparently the Indian Police still want to have a chat with him concerning the Hansie Cronje debacle. The Cricket Officials are scared that he can be arrested.

CMC3

I can see how that might further damage morale!!!!

CMC3

What a great game today, despite the result. At 147-8 I thought the trophy was coming our way but those 2 west Indian guys put up a superb knock and deservedly steered them to victory with a 70+ stand.

At least we beat the Aussies, roll on the winter tours.

joedog5in1

They really played well but England didn't do so bad either. Wasn't a walk in the park to reach the finals, no matter where you come from. 2 top teams doing the game justice. Well Done.

I haven't really heard anything from "Down Under"? Would be interesting to hear your comments.

bundy

well, heres my comment.
sadly. none of this tournament was broadcast down under (on free to air tv anyway). so no one i know really go into it. added to that we've been in the business end of our two major footy codes' seasons... so there isn
t much interest in cricket at this time of year. we've been shown highlights in the news, but even then its only of Australia's games.

but, losing to England in the 2nd most important 1-Day cricket tournament is pretty unforgivable. i mean, we haven't lost to them in this format for 5 years. so well done England, they must have played well.

there has been a bit of hype surrounding the upcoming Test series between Australia and India (in India), which is the only place where Australia has never dominated... the general hype is that this is the last frontier for the test squad. lets just hope the players who play in both the one-day and the test squads find some better form before they hit the sub continent... they'll need it against Tendulkar and co.

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spindles

There has been a lot of discussion about playing day cricket in England at this time of year. I would be interested in an English viewpoint. Is it that much worse having to bat first?

During the Australian summer, a lot of games are playing as day night, and it is generally agreed that batting FIRST is a benefit - less swing, ball stays harder (because of the night dew).

While it is nice to be at the top of the cricket tree, it is fantastic for the game for teams to beat (or compete well with) the top team. There will be nothing better than a close ashes (as long as the Aussies still win )

Credit goes to England and WI for making the final. Bad luck the poms fell at the last hurdle. We wouldn't want you guys to have too much silverware

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DJ Happy

What a superb final! I left the house when the Windies lost Chanderpaul at 147/8 thinking that they had no chance. What a fool I was.

The record of teams winning when batting second in this tournament has been phenomenal. I can't actually remember any team (in a serious game, not against the US or Bangladesh) winning when batting first.

Doos

The English are going to belt us (SA) when they get here. We are in total disarray.

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joedog5in1

At last some good news for SA. SA (A) won a 3 match series against NZ (A). A real nail biting finish. SA 296/6 in 50 overs, NZ was 272/4 after 47 overs but were bowled out for 292 with 5 balls remaining. A interesting fact is that everybody has been asking why some of these guys didn't play for the national squad, but it seems like the selectors are stuck in the same rut. Hopefully they will awake before the England series.

Sad news is that the Wanderers Clubhouse burned down. Almost a 100 years of history up in smoke.

O Ja. Hello Doos ;-)

DJ Happy

As long as Justin Kemp isn't chosen to fill the all-rounder's spot. His bowling will be taken apart by Test batsmen.

Albie Morkel looks exciting and Garnett Kruger has improved a lot. And while Boeta Dippenaar looks like a lady-boy and should never be allowed near the Test team again, he should be a fixture in the one-day team.

CMC3

Thats terrible. Places like that are irreplacable.

Bongomanrae

Hey another big cricket fan here. Is anyone one watching the Aus-India series atm?

As I post this it's the night before the last day of the 2nd test and Australia have fought their way back really well after their 1st innings collapse.

They set India 229 (0-19 at stumps) to win and appartently no-one has ever scored more than 155 in the 4th innings on the pitch that they're playing on. Hope Warney gets a five-for and wins us the match.

spindles

Drooling while waiting for play to get underway. www.cricinfo.com is your friend when you are working

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DJ Happy

Match rained out! What a disappointment! And WP have started their SuperSport campaign by being comfortably beaten twice.

Arse.

Doos

No, the Arse are still unbeaten. I hope Ray Jenning has a way to sort out our national team. He wants Cullinan back... we're screwed!

Tsolekile should be the keeper for SA, I am sick of our fixtion for allrounders, having to bat till 10 and we're still hopeless.

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Tralls

How has Pakistan's team been lately?

DJ Happy

Ray Jennings wants to treat the team like a bunch of truant schoolchildren. I have no idea how that is going to work.

Recalling Cullinan is a bad idea and is hardly the way forward.

And despite your opinion about our fixation with semi-all-rounders, you can guarantee that Jennings will be lobbying for the recall of Andrew Hall.

Despite the hiring of Bob Woolmer as coach, Pakistan are still Pakistan - brilliant one day, hopeless the next.

stardome

I can see why Yanks don't get cricket - its a strnage game even for those of us that were brought up with it. But you get some games when its like chess - and i don't watch that - but i can see why people may do. Its just so damn interesting when sometimes its like every ball can decide the outcome of a match - and that's whne a game can go on for five days or more!

spock

Hey you guys, I'm a proudly Saffrican cricket/rugby supporter.
I dont mind what ray jennings does as long as we start winning games again,even if it means bringing back cullinan. If we want to be successful, we have to see what the top teams are doing and try to emulate them. Only then can we start to be successful.
Look at the Aussies.They have specialist bowlers&batsmen : what do we have? A team full of all rounders.
Fair enough,our players are good,if you go by rankings,but can they tear the opposition apart like McGrath,Lee,Tendulkar,Vaas,Muralitharan,Akhtar? Our guys are good on their day but they also need to play as a team.When one bowler is having a bad day,the others should be able to cover up. not part time bowlers taking over. India does this with Ganguly/Dravid.
What you guys think?

deekaybee

Most teams in the world can bat fairly well. I think it's the bowlers that separate the good and average teams. Hence I think you need specialist bowlers, which then leads to having specialist bastmen aswell. An all rounder may useful if they can fill the niche bowling departments (eg left arm orthodox, leg spinners etc). However an all rounder must be able to hold their spot in their 'prefered' discipline.

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spindles

This is from cricinfo's commentary. Ah, most things in the sporting world are good today

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