25 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

@Macca and @Lexinator 

check this out…

Obstructing the field

Only the second batsman in Test Match history to be dismissed in this way.

What was he thinking?!?!

Graham Gooch did it when it was called handled the ball (prior to 2017) when they intergrated that type of decision into obstructing the field ... it's on youtube with Big Merv bowling if anyone here wants to see the vision

Speaking of Gooch, when Terry Alderman kept getting him out in '89 Graham changed his answering machine message on his home line to ...

"I'm out, LBW bowled Alderman"

True story

Prime Minister's II vs Pakistan Day 1 (4 day match)

Not all that familiar with a number of the Pakistan players but most of the batsmen have healthy batting averages and their fast bowling could surprise a few

A slow wicket in Canberra apparently which contrasts greatly to the Perth wicket for the 1st Test starting next week (Thursday 14th)

Edited December 6, 20231 yr by Macca

On 07/12/2023 at 00:23, Macca said:

Prime Minister's II vs Pakistan Day 1 (4 day match)

Not all that familiar with a number of the Pakistan players but most of the batsmen have healthy batting averages and their fast bowling could surprise a few

A slow wicket in Canberra apparently which contrasts greatly to the Perth wicket for the 1st Test starting next week (Thursday 14th)

Hard to get interested in PMs match but looking forward to the first test. Panikstan have always beeen a mystery test side but they do have a couple of good players. Will be interestd to watch Afridi and if can get the ball placed correctly in Perth.

37 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Hard to get interested in PMs match but looking forward to the first test. Panikstan have always beeen a mystery test side but they do have a couple of good players. Will be interestd to watch Afridi and if can get the ball placed correctly in Perth.

Speaking of Afridi - not Shaheen, but Shahid - some of the funniest crowd signs I’ve ever seen were in regards to him. My faves were “Be Afridi, be very Afridi” and “Thank God it’s Afridi” 😂

4 hours ago, dl4e said:

Hard to get interested in PMs match 

Well I'm not watching the match as it's not watchable to me

But the match is important much like Carlton vs Brisbane in the AFL (Mens) ... not inclined to watch that either 

A bit like Casey Games

But live vision is available on the CA app

Edited December 8, 20231 yr by Macca

I don't reckon I'm on my own in saying that I'm learning a lot about Pakistan through this practice game against the Prime Ministers Ii

Most are seemingly largely unknown even to test cricket fans!

Edited December 8, 20231 yr by Macca

5 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Speaking of Afridi - not Shaheen, but Shahid - some of the funniest crowd signs I’ve ever seen were in regards to him. My faves were “Be Afridi, be very Afridi” and “Thank God it’s Afridi” 😂

When India were touring Australia in the early 90s, I remember one (daubed on Mum's best bedsheet, of course!) that paid tribute to Navjot Sidhu.

"Knock knock"

"Who's there?"  

"Sid"

"Sidhu?"

43 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

When India were touring Australia in the early 90s, I remember one (daubed on Mum's best bedsheet, of course!) that paid tribute to Navjot Sidhu.

"Knock knock"

"Who's there?"  

"Sid"

"Sidhu?"

How about in the early 90s when Australia was cleaning up anyone and everyone in their path and regularly wrapping up Tests with a win on Day 3 or 4. Someone had a sign saying, “BRING BACK THE 5-DAY TEST MATCH!”

But my all-time favourite sign was when The Little Master was ruling the world and some fans in the crowd had a huge sign that simply said, “SACHIN TENDULKAR” except the “TEN” part of his name was in figures (10) and was removable so when he was on 20, 30, 40 runs etc. they’d swap out the numbers. So clever. Iirc, he got out when he was SACHIN 65DULKAR 

These 2 test series are becoming quite prevalent which is a concern

Cummins & Smith had a bit to say about it earlier this week

And apparently South Africa are sending their B team for the upcoming 2 test series against New Zealand (their better players are required for their domestic t20 comp

2 minutes ago, Macca said:

These 2 test series are becoming quite prevalent which is a concern

Cummins & Smith had a bit to say about it earlier this week

And apparently South Africa are sending their B team for the upcoming 2 test series against New Zealand (their better players are required for their domestic t20 comp

I heard about this. It sounds like it’s their C-grade team from what I was reading. The lure of the $$$ to be made in T20 is so strong. 

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I heard about this. It sounds like it’s their C-grade team from what I was reading. The lure of the $$$ to be made in T20 is so strong. 

To me it's incumbent on the 3 big Test nations to keep Test cricket at the forefront ... I'd also have the 3 big nations (Aust, Eng & India) playing each other (home & away) over a 3 year span instead of 4 years

2 and a half years between Ashes series is too long in the current environment and the India/Australia test series are huge attractions these days, same for England/India*

Inbetween all that, the 3 big test nations need to tour all the other nations as much as possible (3 test series too) 

All 3 are big drawcards so the locals will attend you'd imagine

Test cricket at least needs a shake-up and a bit of a do-over

 

*England play 5 Tests against India in India from Jan 25th through to March 11th in the new year ... Bazball on spinning decks?  

Edited December 8, 20231 yr by Macca

1 hour ago, Macca said:

*England play 5 Tests against India in India from Jan 25th through to March 11th in the new year ... Bazball on spinning decks?  

Should be interesting 🫣

18 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Should be interesting 🫣

It's a must watch for test cricket fanatics these days (England/India) ... I'll be tuning in 

Such a shame that the Windies have fallen away so much at test level and South Africa and the audience over there much prefer white ball cricket these days

Traditionally both test teams used to be so strong with stars everywhere but alas no more, certainly not in the near future anyway

 

3 minutes ago, Macca said:

It's a must watch for test cricket fanatics these days (England/India) ... I'll be tuning in 

Such a shame that the Windies have fallen away so much at test level and South Africa and the audience over there much prefer white ball cricket these days

Traditionally both test teams used to be so strong with stars everywhere but alas no more, certainly not in the near future anyway

 

Yep, they were an absolute joy to watch. You just knew you were witnessing something special. Commanded so much respect and were feared by the others. I don’t think either of them could ever reach those lofty heights again. Not anytime soon. 

This kid might one day be a household name…

Warner’s Replacement?

Gee, who would have thought that Skull would nominate a New South Welshman.  

I'm still hopeful that Will Pucovski will come good and nail one of the opening spots.

What's the deal playing the West Indies twice this summer and calling it a test series?

 

Australian cricket pitches 🥱. 

Interesting morning session on day 3 of test vs pakis. We need a few wickets otherwise they will just dig in and I believe play for a draw.

Pakistan batting totally collapsed. 

Not sure we'll be going into a 5th day 

The track has a lot of variable bounce and our quicks (and Lyon) will be in their element

The day can be extended by 30 minutes which would give the Aussies until 9.20pm tonight AEDT (if needed)

I'd like to see Pakistan dig in but they are 3/19 already

Cricketer of the year?

 

Call me the Christmas grinch, but am I the only one already looking forward to the Boxing day test? 😅😆

On 25/12/2023 at 10:13, Lexinator said:

Call me the Christmas grinch, but am I the only one already looking forward to the Boxing day test? 😅😆

Well that makes two of us Christmas grinches. 😂

No surprise about yesterday’s rain interruptions, but we’re back on track now. Mitch Marsh’s two consecutive balls, given on both, DRS for both, decision reversed on both. Phew 😅 

Any idea what the full sleeve bandages that players from both teams are wearing are all about?