Anyone for cricket?

[Whispering_Jack 28,024]

How do we get that Chanderpaul out?

[45HG 1,539]

Rule change, make him stand in the traditional pose?

[Rogue 585]

LBW by Clark, apparently.

Geez, Chanderpaul has had a great series.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

LBW by Clark, apparently.

Geez, Chanderpaul has had a great series.

Great story about him. Whe he was a kid he used to wrap tennis balls in tin paper, stand in the Caribbean shallows and practice by playing shots to skimmers thrown at him by the Guyana locals.

[45HG 1,539]

Fascinating to watch Australian cricket now, I'm very excited for the coming Summer. We should bring back our mid-90's uniform and play cricket like it used to be played

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I think world cricket will be interesting.

I have been waiting for some years for indian cricket with its huge resources population wise and financial to really challenge Australia. The time is coming.

BTW, what was going through Paul Collingwood's mind not to recall the NZ batsman clearly obstructed. Its far worse than anything the Australians have done and it was appalling sportmanship. Thank God they suspended him for slow over rates.

[45HG 1,539]

Was brilliant Karma that England lost on the last ball through a fielding error.

That really as an odd decision by the English Captain. Especially i felt in his body language. When the umpire asked him, it really seemed as if he was looking at him in a "what are you talking about? as if i would even think that" kind of manner.

Strange

RR what's your view on the Duckworth-Lewis system? I know how it works, but find it odd the the Windies went from having to chase 214 at 4.28, to chasing 204 in 41 overs at 5 an over.

[Jarka 767]

I think world cricket will be interesting.

I have been waiting for some years for indian cricket with its huge resources population wise and financial to really challenge Australia. The time is coming.

BTW, what was going through Paul Collingwood's mind not to recall the NZ batsman clearly obstructed. Its far worse than anything the Australians have done and it was appalling sportmanship. Thank God they suspended him for slow over rates.

Heard Gilchrist discuss this topic on the sports show on Sunday morning.

He mentioned that Steve Waugh was presented with almost exactly the same circumstances and appealed, apparently something then happened which delayed play for about half an hour, Waugh had a chance to reconsider his decision and then changed hi smind and called for the batter to return. Apparently said batsman went on to win the game for them.

Gilchrist said that he spoke with Collingwood since the game and he regretted his decision, he wished that he had half an hour to cool his emotions and think rationally about the incident. Gilchrist went on to say that some of his more experienced team mates should shoulder the responsibility because they were egging him on, they should have counselled him better.

[Rogue 585]

RR what's your view on the Duckworth-Lewis system? I know how it works, but find it odd the the Windies went from having to chase 214 at 4.28, to chasing 204 in 41 overs at 5 an over.

What do you find odd?

Given the number of wickets Aus had remaining, if Aus had known it was a 40-over game they could have played more aggressively, thus making a bigger score than 175 (41 overs at 4.28).

D/L is generally okay, although the lower the overs get, the more oddities it can throw up.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Rogue sums it pretty well. I dont mind the DL system.

Also Paul Collingwood should have been given better counsel from experienced players on the ground. There is no way that a batsman who has been knocked ovver by an inadvertent mid pitch collision with a bowler could ever fairly be given run out. In my book its regrettable but a howler.

Imagine if Ponting had done this last summer to the Indians? I thought it worse than any incident last summer.

This spring's tour of India will be tough..very tough indeed. I suspect a number of test careers will be made or lost on the sub continent.

[45HG 1,539]

I wouldn't put it past this Australian team to do something like that.

Yeah, but isn't it if, for instance, Australia lost 2 wickets off the last two balls, the D-L method would give the chase depending on those wickets lost, even if one was off the last ball and could only effect up to 6 runs.

Generally i'm fine with it, but given it all becomes a game of ifs and buts, i'd prefer to see the game paused and completed the day after. Especially in this series as there is always a rest day after (i'm pretty sure) and the crowds are small anyway.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I wouldn't put it past this Australian team to do something like that.

For all the flack its forgotten that the Australians on two occasions (Ponting one of them that a seemingly clear catch was not). I hav yet to see such actions by other nations.

The Australians copped an unbelievable hard stick from the media here and in India while the Indian rajs were at their unsporting best seeking to undermine and overthrow the ICC's powers of reviews.

The media onslaught against the Australians for the misconduct charge on Harbijan Singh blew up against the Indians big time in IPL. Singh is an habitual and appalling poor sportsman who should have been collared well before he was in the IPL. India was made to look stupid for threatening a tour for someone who is a rancid cancer in the sport.

[Rogue 585]

Generally i'm fine with it, but given it all becomes a game of ifs and buts, i'd prefer to see the game paused and completed the day after. Especially in this series as there is always a rest day after (i'm pretty sure) and the crowds are small anyway.

In some respects I agree with you, but on balance, I don't think postponing matches is a better option that using D/L.

As a contest, it's less than ideal to postpone - for one, the conditions can change markedly from day to day, and they have such a big impact (ie. bowling on an overcast day with soggy outfield, and then batting on a sunny day with quick outfield). I also think it'd be unsatisfying for fans, who are keen to see a result.

However, the major issue is logistical - travel itineraries, broadcasting, ground hire, staffing, etc.

I suspect a number of test careers will be made or lost on the sub continent.

A bit vague comment. Care to share?

I hope Katich gets a run in the Test matches. If he does, he'll need to capitalise. Likewise, Hodge who I think will be finished at that level unless he performs extraordinarily well (in which case he may forestall the end).

The bowling will be the more interesting - and potentially painful - aspect, though. I think it'll be a good test for Mitchell Johnson, in particular (ignoring the spinner, likely to be Cullen).

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

A bit vague comment. Care to share?

IMO, the following players could either make their futures or finish them after India.

Batting (based on my belief that they need to goo series to establish themselves)

Jacques, Hodge, Katich, Haddin (keeping as well, I think Ronchi is talent). IMO Ponting, Clarke, Hussey and Hayden are sub continent experienced established players. Hayden is on his final overseas tour so he wants to make it a good one.

Bowling (Same criteria as batting)

Aside from Lee and Clark. Johnson and Casson will have a baptism of fire over there.

Possible chance for an all rounder Watson to make a play.

[45HG 1,539]

Johnson would really want to turn around what happened in the Caribbean series, especially from what i saw from him, if he wants to keep his spot for the Summer.

The batting is interesting. I've never rated the middle order as being overly consistent, in that we could often lose a few wickets in a row, but there was always at least one player who would stake his claim on the innings.

I think without the arrogance of the naturally winning culture, and without the confidence from having Gilchrist at 7 with Mcgrath and Warne to back up a score, we don't seem to be able to build the totals as powerfully as in the past.

I personally can't see Hodge fixing this problem. Jacques i think still has time.

Will watch Casson with interest

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The fragility of the middle order and the question about our abilty to take 20 wickets (particularly 10 on the last day) remain challenges.

I wonder if the crowd will greet Andrew Symonds nicely onto the ground.

[45HG 1,539]

While we're on cricket;

Ireland 112 defeated by New Zealand 2/402

[Whispering_Jack 28,024]

Good to see the Poms losing to SA despite the great innings of Mr. Collingwood. He and Mick Malthouse have a lot in common.

[H_T 2,941]

Good to see the Poms losing to SA despite the great innings of Mr. Collingwood. He and Mick Malthouse have a lot in common.

Great to see. Our Ashes are there for the taking next year.

[45HG 1,539]

I hate Australian commentators.

We're currently 3-92 after 28.1 overs, and they talk of Bangladesh being "pleased" with a "better performance." They just give teams no credit.

When we were about 1-71 after 20 overs, probably one of our lowest totals at 1 out at that point for a long point, they just kept whinging that Clarke and Watson were out of form and working out of it. If it was another team they would rave about the bowling.

I know they're trying to appeal to the average Aussie, but surely they need a bit of equality

[H_T 2,941]

Unfortunately they have to talk about something. They were probably referring to the struggling Aussie batsman in comparison to the recent high standards our Aussie batsmen have been setting. It's out of season for them anyway.

Watching cricket this time of the year whilst Footy Finals are on is like watching paint dry.

PS. 45, what happened to your Demon logo? I miss it...

[45HG 1,539]

Chopper came on and wanted to use it, i thought it was fair enough if he got to use it, but now i can't get my new AVATOIR(!!!!!) to work. Keep meaning to message a mod.

Yeah i see what you mean HT, but i just can't deal with them. Healy especially, just so biased. It's the only thing i don't like about the coverage, which even with it is easily the best in the world

[H_T 2,941]

Chopper came on and wanted to use it, i thought it was fair enough if he got to use it, but now i can't get my new AVATOIR(!!!!!) to work. Keep meaning to message a mod.

Yeah i see what you mean HT, but i just can't deal with them. Healy especially, just so biased. It's the only thing i don't like about the coverage, which even with it is easily the best in the world

Will SYmonds play this summer for AUstralia? <_<

[45HG 1,539]

Tough one.

He was screwed over i felt by CA last Summer, but he also bullshited his way out of the Pakistan tour "travel fears" rah rah but was happy as Larry to go to India.

I feel he'll do what's best for Andrew Symonds. If he can find another niche I don't think we'll see him in the Baggy Green again. But i don't think he'll get there yet, and I think he'll ease his way back in, maybe after the Indian tour.

[titan_uranus 22,658]

Tough one.

He was screwed over i felt by CA last Summer, but he also bullshited his way out of the Pakistan tour "travel fears" rah rah but was happy as Larry to go to India.

I feel he'll do what's best for Andrew Symonds. If he can find another niche I don't think we'll see him in the Baggy Green again. But i don't think he'll get there yet, and I think he'll ease his way back in, maybe after the Indian tour.

I think there are serious 'travel fears' associated with Pakistan that do not exist in India at all. The situations in those 2 countries are vastly different, so I take Symonds' side on that one. As for whether he'll play again, that's up to him I guess. I reckon he will, because if he doesn't, he'll lose out on all the sponsorship deals he would otherwise get.