Official Cricket Thread

[Stick-Munch]

Michael Vaughan as Captain?

i reckon its time for a change. there is nothing wrong with his captaincy, but his bating average has plummeted since he was made skipper.
True, but there is no-one else, really

As for flintoff, i believe he is a test no 5 and a optional bowler.
NOT A NUMBER 5 AT ALL!

We have the fast bowling of harmison, Jones & hoggard among others, then collingwood, and giles and vaughan (?) with their spin. freddie sometimes bowls a pile of poo, other times he is brilliant.
We need a fast bowler to back up Harmy, and a decent spinner. Monthi Panesar is being mentioned

[starcrossed]

see where you say he isnt a number 5, he can both hit quick runs if needed, or play a controlled innings like his hundred a couple of weeks ago. that is what is required of a middle to top order batter. i should know, i bat there for my club.

how bout Trescothick as captain? his leadership in the Lord's test v the Kiwis was exceptional

[Stick-Munch]

see where you say he isnt a number 5, he can both hit quick runs if needed, or play a controlled innings like his hundred a couple of weeks ago. that is what is required of a middle to top order batter. i should
He is weaker against the new ball as he has little or no footwork most of the time. Going in at 5 means he'd be against the second new ball a lot more

how bout Trescothick as captain? his leadership in the Lord's test v the Kiwis was exceptional
Possibly, but he said he doesn't want it as he wants to concentrate on his batting. He, like Vaughan, would slump if he was burdened with captaincy. Come back, Nasser :upset:

He'd be good, but Vaughan is still getting results, and I reckon he's just in a slump. They happen to everyone. I think he'll come good again at some point in this series.
Agreed

[pusscat]

*sits in corner sobbing wondering why the west indies BOTHERED to show up at all today*
very very very :upset:

[pusscat]

*crys even louder*

[pusscat]

*snivel*

*starts again realising that Lara is a usless captin and an inconsitant batsman*

If they carry on the way they are the Windies will be forces to follow-on and will be bowled out real cheap like

*howl, howl*

[pusscat]

Glares back through blood shot eyes!

Sulks in corner muttering under her breath!

You never know they could pull something out of that hat *whilst shaking her fist*

[Drop The Baby]

Yes, Andy Strauss

[pusscat]

ha ha Trescothick!

[pusscat]

well that's all I have right now....so please don't take that from me

[Drop The Baby]

The WIndies missed their chances though, dropped Strauss

[pusscat]

thank god I'm not watching it then!

[pusscat]

bloody Lara!

[Drop The Baby]

that's what i'm worried about with Key. He's only giving chances when he flashes outside the off stump at balls he could leave alone, similar to what he did in australia when he saw off McGrath, Lee etc and the got out to Steve Waugh and Damian Martyn

[Drop The Baby]

Nice one rob Key. 101 not out :thumb:

[pusscat]

*sticks tounge out* not a happy bunny

[Drop The Baby]

Why do you like the Windies so much, Pusscat?

[pusscat]

that's where my dad's from!

[Drop The Baby]

Fair enough!

[The Jolly Pakistani]

hi everybody!

[Drop The Baby]

:wave:

Paksitan were thrashed yesterday weren't they :lol:

[The Jolly Pakistani]

:wave:

Paksitan were thrashed yesterday weren't they :lol:

handed us our *** with all the trimmings...

[Drop The Baby]

Yeah, that was quite embarassing from what I've heard. Hasn't Razzaq been charged because his bowling action may be illegal as well? That would be even worse for them.

I didn't hear that, but that would be sad

[The Jolly Pakistani]

Yeah, that was quite embarassing from what I've heard. Hasn't Razzaq been charged because his bowling action may be illegal as well? That would be even worse for them.

wow were charged with everything. waqar for ball tampering. shoaib and razzak for bowling action. saleem malik (even after he stopped playing) for match fixing.

wow...we have pretty dumb players then...

[Drop The Baby]

Andy Strauss is out for 134 i think. Batted very well :thumb:

[Drop The Baby]

He does, you can see he's been training hard but he needs to do it in the middle. Key needs to keep going now. Try and secure his place

[Drop The Baby]

Althought it's like 50 in the last 3 years. You've gopt to take everything into account like fielding and see how Key bats on in this innings and how he does in the second. His main problem is giving his wicket away

[Drop The Baby]

Key is going very well. Past 150:thumb:

[Stick-Munch]

A pretty good day for England... :thumb: :thumb:

[Drop The Baby]

Vaugnh's looking good as well now. Push on and get 550 and get Harmy on :thumb:

[Drop The Baby]

Apparently England were going to put the Windies in as well though. The bounce was looking pretty dodgy today so if we push on tomorrow in could very a relatively easy win :thumb:

[Stick-Munch]

We have to turn the screw. No use in sitting back on a good day's work and coasting. Punish them. Crush them, like Graeme Smith and South Africa did at Lord's last year

[Drop The Baby]

That's the way England have been playing recently. They seem to have learnt to keep up their intensity over the whole test match rather than just playing in patches

[Untitled]

As much as i love cricket, i dont know the players any more :upset:

so all i say is we totaly pwnd the west indies.

[Drop The Baby]

:lol: Patriotic ignorance :lol: :thumb:

[Stick-Munch]

That's the way England have been playing recently. They seem to have learnt to keep up their intensity over the whole test match rather than just playing in patches
Yeah, like Harmy vs. New Zealand; he just kept pegging them back with Freddie. Spell after spell kept them in check

[Drop The Baby]

Only trouble i could predict would be only having 3 seamers and Jones' match fitness is not fully proven. But Giles should be deployed in a much more attacking way as the wicket was turning and we should have runs in the bag

[Stick-Munch]

Only trouble i could predict would be only having 3 seamers and Jones' match fitness is not fully proven. But Giles should be deployed in a much more attacking way as the wicket was turning and we should have runs in the bag
Yeah, but it's Giles. If he gets hit at 4, 4.5, 5 an over, he'll go into his shell and lose confidence all over again. He's good, but he needs that extra confidence

[Drop The Baby]

Yeah three seamers because Flintoff can't bowl, or shouldn't be. No Butcher either so we could see Tresco turning his arm over

[Drop The Baby]

I'm not sure. There were concerns he would need surgery on his ankle and as usual no-one seems exactly sure what is going on

[Stick-Munch]

Freddie should not bowl, but that's not saying he will not
We need Hoggy and Jones on form like never before

[Drop The Baby]

According to Leon though Freddie can't bowl :p

He definately shouldn't bowl and is playing as a batsman

[Stick-Munch]

According to Leon though Freddie can't bowl :p
He definately shouldn't bowl and is playing as a batsman
He's a glorified pie-thrower. But if he's playing as a batsman, maybe he could play a proper innings

[Drop The Baby]

I think are bowlers are of a high enough quality to deal with it, maybe with a few overs from Vaughn and Tresco to reduce a bit of the workload.

flintoff chucks fast pies at 85-90mph

[art of losing]

thats what i call a fast pie.

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, agreed. He really shouldn't bowl, it's not worth the risk. I have confidence in Jones though, If he ever puts a run in the team together, I can see him emerging as absolutely top class.
He could be, but he's injury prone

I think are bowlers are of a high enough quality to deal with it, maybe with a few overs from Vaughn and Tresco to reduce a bit of the workload.
flintoff chucks fast pies at 85-90mphEdwards and Best throw pies at 90+mph :p

[Drop The Baby]

He keeps it tight and under control that's for sure. Very good one-day bowler especially

[art of losing]

you could beat that. 90+ with a pie.

[Stick-Munch]

He keeps it tight and under control that's for sure. Very good one-day bowler especially
Freddie? He's only a One-Day player, though. He doesn't have the genuine fitness, concentration, or desire to bat 6+ hours or more and be patient to score

[Stick-Munch]

Why bother batting for 6 hours when you can just score 100 in 3 hours.
That defeats the point of Test Cricket. If England continue this attit00d of quick scoring for the whole Summer, I shall be disappointed

And he has improved beyond all belief with defence, concentration and fitness.
He couldn't have beeen worse though, could he? He either slogged or slogged, concentrated or wafted, and was out of breath running to the bar at stumps

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, he couldn't really have been much worse, but he has been bringing up his average with the bat, and down with the ball for a while now
About time he did, too

Were it not for his truly appalling start in his Test career, he would have some very impressive figures now. As it is, they're not terrible any more.
They're OK, but they don't rival the great all-rounders' figures; Pollock, Kallis, Abdul Razzaq, Cairns, etc

[Stick-Munch]

They're pretty close to Razzaq's, but in time I think he will have a batting average of around 40 I think, and a bowling one of about 35.
Considering that Razzaq plays mostly on unhelpful pitches, he is a great bowler and an adaptable batter. I'll go 35 batting and 42 bowling

The best thing about his bowling is his ability to hold up an end, while the other is attacked, and he's also a very good slip fielder. But yes, Kallis and Pollock are definitely ahead of him and probably always will be. I can see him being thought of as better than Cairns though.
He has no cutting edge in his bowling though; like Cairns' changes in pace with the quicker ball, Pollock's sharp off cutter, and Kallis' slow in-swinger

[Stick-Munch]

Fair point. He does lack the variety, and will always a "batting all-rounder" I guess. But I still think that he would merit a place as a specialist batsman, as in his last 15 tests, he averages 45 with the bat, and 35 with the ball.
He needs to maintain that record AT LEAST.

I'm going to bed, see you guys

Predictions for Test Match??

England win by 6 wickets

[Untitled]

I predeict all the players will have a good time.

Seriously england to win, i wish i new more bout cricket, this is a good way to get my p/c up.

Ah well. night leon :wave:

[pusscat]

I wonder how much it would cost to hire a hit man and have Lara taken out of the game, and life for good?!

[Stick-Munch]

I wonder how much it would cost to hire a hit man and have Lara taken out of the game, and life for good?!
A lot
He isn't an excellent captain by any means, but no-one has that leadership quality, that spark, in the Windies team. They were out-played by the better team. It would have taken Graeme Smith to get them going after their bowling performance

[pusscat]

*sigh*

[Drop The Baby]

England did a very good job, despite fading away to the end.

I can't believe Flintoff is going to bowl though, it's such a risk.

Did anyone see the stuuf on murali they showed in the lunch break?

[pusscat]

so what's going on. I'm not following it today. To upseting

[Untitled]

Did anyone see the stuuf on murali they showed in the lunch break?

Yea i seen it, but it looks illegal that boal to me. 15degrees arm bending :rolleyes:

West indies are bating, its about 90 for none, im not sure. :thumb:

[pusscat]

well that's not too bad then I guess!

[art of losing]

this doesnt have anything to do with a cricket.

[Untitled]

What has nothing to do with cricket?

[art of losing]

this last page.

[Untitled]

Erm yes it does.

[art of losing]

this page will. anyone here like crickets?

[Drop The Baby]

this doesnt have anything to do with a cricket.

Exactly. So crickets make irritating noises don't they :angry:


I think he throws as well. He can still spin it with that thing on his arm but his accuracy was no where near as good and throwing it gives him more accuracy and spin

[Untitled]

Crickets, this is about the sport cricket numbnuts :rolleyes:

Yea there trying to stop him using that teqniqe though, hes shoulder and wrist are like rubber thoughm its scary. :amaze:

[art of losing]

hahaha, im just going to leave now.

[Untitled]

^^You do that.

[Drop The Baby]

He looked odd when he was trying to straighten his arms next to Mark Nicholas and couldn't. his arms, shoulder, wrist and big eyes make him look like one dodgy character

[Untitled]

Yea, as i said, he scares me, that tecniqe is wierd.

Do you think he should be allowed to use it. Yes or No? Text channel 4. (sorry)

[Drop The Baby]

I think his angle is illegal, and not just when he bowls the doosra. But the auhtorities have made such a mess of this and can't now stop the leading test wicket taker from bowling so they'll just have to put up with it

[Untitled]

Yea, is that why somebody said he should be leading whicket taker a while back?

[Drop The Baby]

I don't know what you're saying :confused:

[Untitled]

Somebody, in here, said a while back he shouldnt be the leading test match wictet, as its an illigel boal.

I think somebody said it anyway.

[Drop The Baby]

Oh that was probably Yatty. I agree on that as well, he's getting away with murder

[Untitled]

Yea he is, its good tecniqe though.

[Drop The Baby]

:lol:

[Drop The Baby]

Devon Smith just played on to Ashley giles for 45 so i'm gonna watch it again

[Untitled]

Id watch it but Kids TV has come on, ill watch the highlights show later, if theres one on.

[Yatty]

The only reason why murali gets wickets is becuase his eyes/action frighten batsmen and then they can't concentrate properly because of he's eyes and action

[The Jolly Pakistani]

his eyes go really big, his arm moves like its been broken at the elbow. That must be freaky to look at... :p

[Drop The Baby]

According to him he doesn't move his arm at all when he bowls, he just moves his shoulder. I think for me it just confirmed that even if he can bowl withput straightening his arm, he does throw it in matches which gives hi, more spin and accuracy

[Untitled]

He scares me, hed scare me if i was at the crease like yatty said, id see his eyes and run.

[Drop The Baby]

Yatty would try and counter the eyes by waving his massive 'fro at him :p

[Untitled]

Lol, but thats yatty, i have no defences, apart from running away like a girl.

I have such an erge to play cricket, ive not played in so long.

I was messing about with a tennis ball and my boal is no good any more. :upset:

[Drop The Baby]

It's harder to bowl with a tennis ball than a cricket ball. I think so anyway, it's just too light.

[Untitled]

Yea, when i used to play quick cricket at school id do a full toss thing, people called it the butler bomb because it bounced just before the wickets.

That may of been the shorter pitch as well as light ball though.

[Drop The Baby]

:lol: The "Butler Bomb". I like that :p

[Untitled]

Lol, they used to exajerate it though saying i nearly have there heads off :upset:

[Drop The Baby]

:lol:that sounds deadly :cool: :lol:

[Untitled]

It proberly was lol, but i was never at the reciving end of it so i wouldnt know :lol:

[pusscat]

hurrumph!

[Stick-Munch]

Congratulations to England; victory by 210 runs. Special mentions to Michael Vaughan and Ashley Giles; outstanding performances!

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, it was great to see Vaughan back on song, and also to see Giles really coming good as well. On the other hand though, does anyone know if Simon Jones/Flintoff will be available for the next test. I know that Butcher is out, which makes the selector's job easier I guess!!
Flintoff should be OK, hopefully Anderson will be picked ahead of Jones. The Welsh paceman was unfit and off form throughout the whole match, wasn't he?

[Stick-Munch]

Guess so. Replace Freddie with Collingwood, Clarke, or McGrath? Or someone else or not at all?

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, I'd like to see Bell given a go. He can't do as poorly as McGrath did against South Africa last year. Although the West Indies' bowling attack isn't as good as the South African one

[Stick-Munch]

Exactly. But it shows the poor quality of the replacement players we have at the moment. Graham Napier has been mentioned, but he's a bowling all-rounder. Glenn Chapple is too old and lacks batting prowess, but is continually mentioned

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well this thread would probably be with me, stick-munch (who changed his avatar :angry: ) and jlightyearm only posting in it, but it's all good :thumb:

Anyways, anything to do with cricket goes in here :D

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2004/JUL/016472_AUSSL2004_13JUL2004.html

I would like to say congrats to Shane Warne, he deserves it :thumb:

Warney, I reckon is a way better bowler than murali, so it was shown in the Sri Lankan tour this year. Even though murali took alot of wickets, he mainly took the lower end batsmen, and bowled alot more overs than warney. Warney on the other hand, has more of a variety with his bowling. Not to mention on the tour he got more of the better batters.

What do you guys think about Warney vs. Murali?

And, when will the downfall of Australia's dominance in cricket come around? My guess will be in 2 years time, not before that. Who knows? We'll still produce world class players, and be a competetive side no matter what.

:DWell about bloody time we got some cricket on here!

Didn't read any other posts, so forgive me if this comes in at a random point in the thread if it has gone off-topic.

CRICKET. Where to start? Well, it is right up there with the best of sports for one reason if no other - you can maintain a weight of 100+kgs and still play. Even professionally!!! Examples - Mervyn Hughes, David Boon!, Warnie at his prime was 90+!, and what other game can you drink beer during the course of the game!!???!!!!

Greatest of all time:

Allan Border - 11.174 test runs, ave. 50.56. Best - 205*. (I think this is correct)
Steven "Tugga" Waugh - 10,000 + test runs, ave 50+, a true blue bloody tops Aussie.
Tim May - 25 Tests, 74 wickets, best - 5/9. SA's greatest offie in the last 2 decades.
Matty Hayden - re-writing the history books.

Craig McDermott - 291 wickets, legend.
Mike Whitney - Who Dares Wins!!!
Bruce Reid - broken in half

Max (Mike) Walker, Richie, Bill + Tony, Ian 'F*ck It' Chappell, Heals, Tubby. The list goes on. Cricket, you gotta love it!



And a special mention to Billy Birmingham (The 12th Man). Hours upon hours of entertainment from this genius!!!

[Stick-Munch]

First thing: Welcome to the Thread, RandyfromPennywise!
Second thing: Smith > Hayden
Third thing: Come on, England!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh you bloody Poms, seriously, just go and play football, because if you get all 60 million of you playing, then maybe you can find some other players to play with Lampard and Terry and actually win something, because cricket is a lost cause!





Ok, maybe a bit harsh :)

[SubsonicWax]

How about the quiddich thread?

[Stick-Munch]

Oh you bloody Poms, seriously, just go and play football, because if you get all 60 million of you playing, then maybe you can find some other players to play with Lampard and Terry and actually win something, because cricket is a lost cause!
Ok, maybe a bit harsh :)
A bit?!
But now we have Giles in form! Ditto Tres, Virge, Keysey, Butch, Hoggy, and Harmy

[RandyfromPennywise]

The Ashes?? Are you kidding me??? HAHA you Poms... First it was Euro, then it was Timmy at Wimbledon, and now the Ashes... Don't you realise you've had your one moment in the sun (RWC) for the next 40 years? Surely you realised that when you came over here and our Wallabies smashed Woodward's Wanks all the way back to Heathrow!!???!!!! Henmann will never win wimbledon and I can't see England winning a major soccer tournament for 10, 20, 30? years... So that leaves the Ashes... Well, that'll be more like 40, 50, 60 years??? Maybe more!!!!

Bring back Botham and Gower, Gatting, Gooch, Devon Malcom, DeFraitas, Fraser, R.Smith, Atherton, and of course the one and only Philly Tufnel, and maybe you'll have a shot!!!

(Of course I mean if you add them on to the 11 you already have)

[Stick-Munch]

Bring back Botham and Gower, Gatting, Gooch, Devon Malcom, DeFraitas, Fraser, R.Smith, Atherton, and of course the one and only Philly Tufnel, and maybe you'll have a shot!!!

(Of course I mean if you add them on to the 11 you already have)
I think you'll find we're in with a real chance in the next two Ashes series

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well, we will see.

Note: Warne, McGrath, Gillespie. (Plus one other.) Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist.

Harmison, Vaughn, mmmm... where's the rest?

And by the way, the WIndies are not a valid measuring stick... :)

[Stick-Munch]

Well, we will see.

Note: Warne, McGrath, Gillespie. (Plus one other.) Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist.

Harmison, Vaughn, mmmm... where's the rest?

And by the way, the WIndies are not a valid measuring stick... :)
Ha! McGrath.... As good as he is, he has no potency.
Gillespie underperforms in England
Hayden is a flat-track brute and nothing more
Langer isn't as good as Slats

[Stick-Munch]

RandyFromPennywise: I see you left out Lee and Bichel! How very wise of you

[Stick-Munch]

They don't even make the team anymore!! Everyone finally realised that Lee is one of the most overrated players in history.How true. He sucks.
Lee- Will it be a bouncer? Or will it be a bouncer?

[Stick-Munch]

Don't be stupid. It'll be the 97mph no-ball of course. *Shakes head in disbelief*
Followed by... the 97mph no-ball

[RandyfromPennywise]

Hayden - nothing more than a flat-deck brute???

That, I'm afraid, is one of the most naive things I've heard on these boards, and that includes Blink 182 newbies. He has scored some of the best hundreds, in India, Sri Lanka, Windies, Australia, New Zealand, and even your great land. He is the best batsman in the world at the moment, only just ahead of our captain.


Thorpe, Flintoff, Strauss, both Jones's and whoever else is playing. And Hoggard, Giles, Key and co. <<<--------- ....are not class. Giles v Hayden, can't wait.

But seriously, yes, you do have to win sometime. My beloved Chelsea experienced the great end of this phenomenon in April this year, when, after 18 games lost in a row to Arse-n-all, we beat them in the biggest game we ever played them in. So yes, it will happen some time. But that time won't be soon.

Perhaps the 2054/55 summer down under??

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yes, Lee has been very disappointing since his first international season. His average in his first season was low 20s... 2000 i think it was... since then he has been over 30 for the past 3 seasons...

Bichel is an absolute work-horse, and I admire the fact that he made a full comeback to international level at 33. He did take 7/15 in the world cup, and has been very respectable. Kasprowicz has been our #4 of late and too a 7 for against Sri Lanka 2 weeks ago...

With England and Australia, both are the same, we only really remember the other side's performances against each other. That is probably why I still reckon you guys are bollocks, when you are actually bollock +3.

[RandyfromPennywise]

that should say Kaspa TOOK a 7 for...

[Stick-Munch]

Hayden - nothing more than a flat-deck brute???

That, I'm afraid, is one of the most naive things I've heard on these boards, and that includes Blink 182 newbies. He has scored some of the best hundreds, in India, Sri Lanka, Windies, Australia, New Zealand, and even your great land.
So has Graeme Smith, and he has the burden of captaincy as well.

He is the best batsman in the world at the moment, only just ahead of our captain.
Ah..... not Dravid, then? Averaging 90+ since the India tour of England in 2002.

Thorpe, Flintoff, Strauss, both Jones's and whoever else is playing. And Hoggard, Giles, Key and co. <<<--------- ....are not class. Giles v Hayden, can't wait.
It's obvious Hayden will blast Giles easily. He only plays two shots against spin; the slog-sweep, or the slog-sweep.

[RandyfromPennywise]

We'd take Harmison as back-up/4th bowler, and Vaughn in at #5/6 perhaps. Can't see much else considering the top 4 all have 100s recently and McGrath took 10 in the 2nd test v Sri Lanka...

[RandyfromPennywise]

No, not Dravid. Hayden has the highest average in world cricket. Considering his first 20 test he averaged 30, not a bad effort. Graeame Smith is fantastic.

To say that Hayden is one-dimensional is close-minded in my opinion. He is so strong through the off-side and down the ground, the slog-sweep and sweep are the most effective shots against bowlers who bowl consistently in the region to play those shots.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well I'd put Vaughn in ahead of Lehmann personally, and considering Martyn has made 2 hundreds in last 3 tests, I'd keep him in. Katich is very good. He needs to stay in the side and have a proper run to mature. It is really a problem when only your top 3 regularly get 2 innings per test. Langer has consistenly scored hundreds, in fact, just that other week, and has been in great form ever since the last test of the 2001 series. Harmison would come in behind McGrath and Gillespie. No way he's ahead either of those. McGrath takes 10 for in 2nd test back; wait till he's back to his best... 8 for v England anyone?

[Stick-Munch]

How about Vaughan for Martyn, Flintoff for Katich, Harmison for one of your quicks (take the choice), and in all seriousness, Strauss for Langer. And Jones and Hoggard aren't so far behind the rest of your pace attack.
Strauss batted with Langer for a few months at Middlesex, so they are probably even; albeit for Langer's experience. But Jones and Hoggard are weaker than Gillespie/Kasprowicz

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well since we have lost the Waughs it has really dented our side. Big gaps at 4, but more so at 5. The team in 5 years:

-
-
Ponting
-
-
Katich
-
-
Gillespie
Tate
-

Basically they are the ones I'd be pretty confident of being definitely in the team.

The others - Hayden may still be there, and Brett Lee will probably have the other quick spot but I'm not 100% on that as if he doesn't find form in the next one or two season, that'll be his career (well it should be anyway). Who knows how long Warne can last... Martyn, Gillie, Langer, Lehmann, McGrath are all 32+ so that's the main age problem.

As for youngsters coming up, Watson is a good all-rounder from Tasmania, plated a fwe one dayers. Hauwritz is a young off-spinner we've got, not sure if he's test standard though. Tate is the best young prospect in terms of bowlers.

Ryan Campbell may be the next 'keeper, he's had a few one dayers, but he's no Gillie.

I'd say a lot comes down to how long a few of the older guys in the Aussie side can last. If Hayden, Gillie and maybe one or two others can last for 3-4 years, they could hold it together until the next generation comes through. If not, maybe we will come back down to the chasing pack, even if temporarily.

[Stick-Munch]

I really like the look of Michael Clarke and Shane Watson. Genuine talents, but not much else besides those two and a few youngish quicks

[pjank]

Apologies for the non-cricket post, but a question to randyfrompennywise....It seems you may be an ex-student of mine. Just wondering who.... Paul Jankovic.

[Stick-Munch]

F*ck this, I'm going to bed

See yous all at Edgbaston on Thursday

[RandyfromPennywise]

And you think it's late in England??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Apologies for the non-cricket post, but a question to randyfrompennywise....It seems you may be an ex-student of mine. Just wondering who.... Paul Jankovic.
Tom Rutherford, you taught me at Pulteney about 2 years ago. How are you, are you still teaching at Pulteney?

[RandyfromPennywise]

What time in Australia? It's 1230 am over here.
well add on 8.5 or 9 hours and you're getting my drift...

[pjank]

Tom Rutherford, you taught me at Pulteney about 2 years ago. How are you, are you still teaching at Pulteney?
just a couple of hours of bass lessons. It's a handy gig close to home. I have to admit, I wasn't following the cricket thread. A friend of mine was looking for a website for a singer I recorded with and just ran a search for my name on google. A few years ago you posted a reference to me and this came up. I was just curious. So many students I just lose touch with and never know what happens to them or if they ever play. Do you? if you've got any gigs, let me know. pjank@gmx.net gotta go to work. Thanks for replying

[Stick-Munch]

^Who the hell was that guy?^

Anyway, let the debate continue

[Liberi]

Yes lets.

[Stick-Munch]

Test cricket = more important than One-Day cricket, more difficult than One-Day cricket. Therefore, Us > You

[Yatty]

Test crickets is beautiful

ODI's are fun

Both as good as each other


BUT


The proudest moment in a cricketers career is getting chosen for the test squad..

[Liberi]

Test cricket = more important than One-Day cricket, more difficult than One-Day cricket. Therefore, Us > You
No it is not more difficult it is just more tireing. 20 years ago test cricket was more important thatn one day cricket, now though it is different and for some countries one day cricket is more important. New Zealand is a rugby dominated country that does not have time to have 2 or 3 test series a season at home. Therefore for us one day cricket is more important and is where we focus most of our effort onto.

[Stick-Munch]

There are different skills needed for either game, but the players unanimously agree Test cricket is harder and more challenging.
I wouldn't be surprised to see England dropping domestic One-Day competitions in the future to concentrate on preparation for the Test arena
But it could be worse. You could put all your efforts into the limited-overs game and not be 3rd...!

[RandyfromPennywise]

^ Agree. Test cricket IS CRICKET. One day cricket is marketed as cricket but it isn't. Cricket is 5 days. One-dayers are really not important at all. Tests are where it's at.

[RandyfromPennywise]

just a couple of hours of bass lessons. It's a handy gig close to home. I have to admit, I wasn't following the cricket thread. A friend of mine was looking for a website for a singer I recorded with and just ran a search for my name on google. A few years ago you posted a reference to me and this came up. I was just curious. So many students I just lose touch with and never know what happens to them or if they ever play. Do you? if you've got any gigs, let me know. pjank@gmx.net gotta go to work. Thanks for replying
Haha I was thinking why that would be, and then I looked at these tabs I put on mxtabs a while back. They were the songs we played in the 'rock band' and I submitted them :lol: Yeah I'm still playing, just about to buy a Musicman SUB bass, and started playing guitar about 6 months ago. In a very average rock/punk band, no gigs yet, probably need another 3-4 months for our guitarist to get better.
-Tom

[Stick-Munch]

Well done, England. Great stuff. Retaining the Wisden Trophy with ease

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, Tres was on fire. He looks untidy but his timing is excellent.
And Gilo, well, he just gets better. Harmy needs a rest, that's all

[psmatrix]

How in the name of GOD do you watch cricket?!!! It's soooo boring.

[Stick-Munch]

How in the name of GOD do you watch cricket?!!! It's soooo boring.
.... etc

[Stick-Munch]

'Twas great, wasn't it? I was laughing out loud when he smacked it, and when the six was signalled... just made it better. Good to see, though, that the lower batsmen are also contributing. Jones needs a real solid knock to settle him again

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, we need a strong line-up all through the order. I definitely think we can trouble South Africa in the Winter if we have an established batting line-up
Best is replaced by Dave Mohammed, or something like that.

[Nightbreak]

Key needs out. He fluked the double ton. Bring back Butcher, drop Jones for... I dunno, but drop Jones. The bowler I mean. Tell Strauss not to slash outside off stump. If he is gonna slash, please let him slash hard.

[Stick-Munch]

Key needs out. He fluked the double ton. Bring back Butcher, drop Jones for... I dunno, but drop Jones. The bowler I mean.
1 2 and 3

Anderson for Jones, and get Ian Bell in the squad

[Nightbreak]

My 11:

Tresco
Strauss
Butcher
Vaughan
Thorpe
Flint
G Jones
Hoggard
Giles
Harmison
Anderson

12th man: S Jones

[Stick-Munch]

Mine is:
Tres
Strauss
Butch
Vaughan
Thorpe
Freddy
G. Jones
Gilo
Hoggy
Jimmy Anderson
Harmy
12th man: Collingwood or Bell

[Nightbreak]

Actually, I'd have Collingwood at 12th too. You play? I can bowl Chinaman spin or pace.

[Stick-Munch]

I'm right-hand bat, right-arm medium. A bit of a donkey with the bat, though.

I've played a few Derbyshire Under-18s and Academy matches, but not for a few weeks.

[Nightbreak]

I can't bat. Endeth. But my pace bowling is great, and my chinaman spin produces as much turn as Shane Warne, but the ball is only at about 25MPH.

[Stick-Munch]

Cool. My fastest was 77 mph (76.something, so I'll have 77), but I use accuracy and swing to more effect.

I can bowl a bit of leg spin, but I can only get the wrong 'un to turn. My leg spinner darts in and hurries on like a top spinner, but I only get a real leg break when it pitches wide of off.

And I bat number 11, so I more of a ferret than a donkey in truth!

[jpj86]

England beat the Windies then. Our second batting was pretty poor, but the team still kept it together. Well done lads!

[Nightbreak]

Cool. My fastest was 77 mph (76.something, so I'll have 77), but I use accuracy and swing to more effect.

I can bowl a bit of leg spin, but I can only get the wrong 'un to turn. My leg spinner darts in and hurries on like a top spinner, but I only get a real leg break when it pitches wide of off.

And I bat number 11, so I more of a ferret than a donkey in truth!
Nice speed, my "pace" clocks about 50. But i usually leave a finger on a fraction longer than the other. Gives a little turn. Try doing this to leg most of the time, then fool 'em with one that pitches a bit left, but turns like an off-spinner. Get the right height, you have a clean bowl or a plumb LBW. My Chinaman spinner pitches right on the left edge of the pitch, and when pitched 3/4 down will hit middle stump. When I reverse the direction of my fingers, it straightens after pitching on middle.

[Stick-Munch]

Yeah, Pietersen could be a great player. He just needs to play with more stability and less aggression

I like chinaman bowling more than left finger spin. Wrist spin like a leg spinner means the chance for greater variety. I 've tried to make some different deliveries, but all end up being more or less an off- or leg-cutter

[Nightbreak]

And with Chinaman, you can get away with a crooked arm, as there's a legal loophole that the ICC won't change. Watch Paul Adams (SA) bowl if you can. He inspired me.

[Stick-Munch]

Paul Adams has the weirdest action ever! Upside-down, back-to-front, inside-out...... plays havoc with his direction and accuracy

[Nightbreak]

I can do it, and although I last see the pitch when I plant my front foot, I know exactly where it's going. The amount that go through the gate is shocking.

[Stick-Munch]

I stay face-on and upright until the delivery-stride, when I do a Glenn McGrath-style gather. Being a short-arse, it's a shame I can't get anything 'extra' out of the pitch

[Nightbreak]

well, bowling a chinaman I'm bent over at 90 degrees anyway. I'm 5'9" stood up, with arms probably 7'2". Good bounce, when it pitches. I tend to york it alot.

[Stick-Munch]

I'm 5'9" too, but there are guys who just get that bit more out of a pitch because they're a few inches taller. Means I can concentrate on line/length and swing, though

[camelfarmer]

Sri lanka won the asia cup. w00t.

[omg.avi]

My action is a bit like bichels, so I think. My pace, is around 85 mph I believe. Some days though, I like bowling with extra speed, but then I lose my accuracy. :(


I wish I could play cricket again :(

[Untitled]

ive forgot how to play cricket well, i used to be a pretty decent spinner but cant anymore, im hoping its becuase ive been playing with a tennis ball and know seem means it wont spin to, im good batter though.

Yay england :chug:



Last delivery - Pathetic (i love the skybet ads)

[omg.avi]

Is that Yatty? Can you really bowl at 85? :amaze:. That's seriously quick!! How come you can't play any more?

Yeah well that was back in the day.

I stopped playing because of my stupid knees and because I was going to boarding school.

Before that though, I played in the U-15 european championships 2 years in a row :cool:

I was the fastest bowler in the country in my age group, I was feared :evil:

[omg.avi]

Wow...that makes 2 people on here with proper sporting talent. Well, if you call the guy in the Norwegian volleyball team talented. Seriously though, that's pretty impressive as well.

Yeah well, smokes, booze, internet, MX, and a social life put an end to it :upset:

[Untitled]

Theres a guy who went my school whos in the england vollyball team, i hate him though, hes a tit.

[omg.avi]

I can't even watch it :(

[omg.avi]

Not really, only on the cable channels....which I don't have :(

[omg.avi]

Awesome

That's because our games down here are so much better :p

[omg.avi]

what are you talking about? :confused:

[omg.avi]

:lol:


were just too good :cool:

[omg.avi]

who cares about McGrath? We can still go without him :p

And I doubt you'll improve enough in time for the ashes....maybe the next one though

[omg.avi]

If you guys win the ashes this time, I'll streak at a game at the lords

[omg.avi]

Seriously, I would do it

But then again my family will see me on telly :(

[omg.avi]

They still think I am...well I am in a way...but if they knew half of the things I've done...:eek:

[omg.avi]

I've always wondered what will happen if someone I worked with knew me on mx...it would be totally weird. Either I'll get punched in the face, or he'll be on the ground worshipping me :confused:


And yeah the get together is gonna be cool...:p

[omg.avi]

Yeah tell me about it.

"What are you gonna do on your holidays"

"I'm just gonna go overseas and meet up with some friends in 4 different countries"

(friends=mxicans)

:(

[omg.avi]

Yeah well, at least your friends don't live overseas :(

[omg.avi]

One of the reasons why I'm on the net so much.

Plus my job involves 12 hour shifts and I don't get home before midnight :(

[omg.avi]

12 hour shifts? :amaze:. At least it's what you want to do I guess. Although the midnight thing is a bit harsh on you :(. So...it's like 4 am where you are at the moment? Seriously, when do you sleep? :p


I only sleep 3-4 hours a night if I have to go to work the next day.

It's only 1:40 am at the moment, it's my day off today, so is tomorrow. Yet, I have to get up early tomorrow. Gotta see a tax accountant, and if all goes well, I might be streaking at the lords in May!!

[Drop The Baby]

I just got back from holiday and i see that this thread has not seen too much action recently :sad:

Stick-Munch still refuses to acknowledge Flintoff's qucik scoring which looked like it set up the win despite the WIndies getting a decent first innings score. (I've only seen highlihgts though)

Where is Stick Munch going?

[omg.avi]

Yeah stick-munch left :upset:

Err yeah...so...what's happening in the world of english cricket at the moment? Any news?

[Drop The Baby]

Only that England are going to win the Ashes

[jpj86]

Only that England are going to win the Ashes

**** straight!

[omg.avi]

As if, not this time round, and you guys know it, next time you will have a bigger and better chance at winning it :p

[Drop The Baby]

Did you get banned Yatty?

[omg.avi]

Naaah, just felt like a change for a little while.


Its my alter ego :p

[Drop The Baby]

He still doesn't understand the quality of English cricket though :p

[omg.avi]

This post was suppose to be in another thread :(

[omg.avi]

He still doesn't understand the quality of English cricket though :p

That's because he can't see any quality in english cricket :p

[Drop The Baby]

:evil:

/Tries to think of a comeback

:upset:

[Untitled]

Woo, who won, i know lancashire were in the final right? they be my home county so me support them, even if they havnt been doing great in recent years. I swear everyteam i support never do well.

THeres lancashire, england footy, mclaren, bury-fc, only england cc are doing well.

[Untitled]

by 1 run? thats pathetic, stupid county :(

[itaughtjaco]

WOW this place has an official cricket thread! Whos been playing today and for what team in what league?

As 4 u aussies i cant wait for freddie and stevo to frighten to life out of u!

[Untitled]

But lanchaster, lost by 1 run??

[Untitled]

I KNOW, 1 measly run.

[Drop The Baby]

Surrey were just to good in the semi though :p . I'm disppointed to lose that match against Leicester though. First defeat in the 20/20 and it was because of a bloody Aussie

[Refl]

I went to the final day at edgebaston.Great stuff. Leicter did a pretty good job winning though.:D

[Maveryck]

I hate winter.

Why can't the Aussies win the Bledisloe and the Roosters win the NRL tomorrow, so we can skip the next four months of dud sport and go straight to cricket season? :(

[omg.avi]

We haven't won the Bledisloe though :p

But Tri Nations :cool:

[*punk_rock_sophie*]

135

[omg.avi]

I thought you won that back when you beat New Zealand? Or does it not work like that...:confused: :upset:

To win the bledisloe cup (if you don't have it) you have to win both matches.

New Zealand won the first match, so that meant we couldn't win it.

Stupid rules

[Drop The Baby]

The Aussies trophy days are over:p

[Liberi]

To win the bledisloe cup (if you don't have it) you have to win both matches.

New Zealand won the first match, so that meant we couldn't win it.

Stupid rules
:lol:

[omg.avi]

Oh well, we've got cricket and swimming :cool:

[Zmev]

yeah crickets make noise in the night...real annoying

[Liberi]

Michael Phelps will win.

[Liberi]

My guess is 4 or 5. Repeating what Spitz did will be near impossible in todays world.

[Nightbreak]

*cough* If you want to talk about swimming, make a thread. This is for a real sport.

[Drop The Baby]

I used to be a very good swimmer, especially at front crawl and butterfly.

Anyway anthony McGrath is awful in my opinion, i can't think why he's continually picked when there are other youngsters around like Bell, shah, Newman and Joyce

[Drop The Baby]

I wondered what happened to this!!

It's going very well, Gayle, Lara, Sarwan all gone

[Drop The Baby]

:lol:

It's a shame Best has gone. He was a d!ck but he livened things up

[Drop The Baby]

Yeah that's the guy. Lawson is injured and Omari Banks caught the flu in the English sumeer :lol::upset:

[Drop The Baby]

Well bowled Hoggard!! He's done well all series and is starting to get rewarded. Two debutants in now :thumb:

[Drop The Baby]

third seamer?

Harmison, Hoggard, Anderson, flintoff

you mean instead of Anderson as a swing bowler?

[CrazyMits]

nasser hussein

[Drop The Baby]

I think Simon Jones bowled very well against New Zealand and in the first test against the WIndies but he never got the wickets he deserved. Both are young and quick and should be included. Look what Harmison turned out like :cool:

[mr snrub]

Ha ha ha ha ha, Lara was 7 runs away from making 10,000 runs or whatever and he got a duck. Ha ha ha ha ha, West Indies blow so much now.

[Till_Lindeman001]

Jeez, I didn't know there was an official cricket thread, I was gonna request one.

Freddie has to be THE form player in the world at the moment, I think we're gonna give the Aussies a good run for their money on current form, the Windies are 125-6 at the moment, we're owning them, one more wicket and we'll be into the tailenders

[Till_Lindeman001]

Off the topic of the test match, I went to their warm-up match in Arundel before the series and I have to say they look absolute crap, still, I got 6 signatures on my bat: Lawson, Edwards, Sarwan, Banks, Hoggard and Jones (Simon).

[Till_Lindeman001]

Yeah, there is one. It just fades back a bit when the three people who post in here aren't online ;). Yeah, the Ashes should be pretty close, but today we're showing we can fight in test matches, not just walk over teams like the Windies.

I'd love to see a triple attack of Harmison, Flintoff and Jones banging the ball in short at the Aussies, give 'em a bit of their own treatment then watch them try it back at us and for Vaughan to hit centuries left, right and centre. That would shut them up!

[Till_Lindeman001]

Mohammed's gone for 9, 146-7 now, should be wrapped up reasonably soon now! :lol:

[Till_Lindeman001]

Now Sarwan's gone for 60, 152-8, COME ON ENGLAND! :chug:

[thesexyserialkiller]

i think we had to play that in gym. it was perty fun

[Till_Lindeman001]

i think we had to play that in gym. it was perty fun

Yeah, it can be boring as hell to watch but it's really interesting to play, unless you're the fielder stuck out on the boundary (edge of the pitch to those who don't know what I'm on about) in which case it's also boring :lol:

[Till_Lindeman001]

161-9, Collins gone for 8, Harmison just pwned off stump.

[Till_Lindeman001]

WTF, they've just gone in because of bad light, and we were about to wrap their innings up :angry:

[parijatkumar]

We all know that the team to win the next world cup will be India.

[mr snrub]

WTF, they've just gone in because of bad light, and we were about to wrap their innings up :angry:

I know, what a **** decision. :angry:

[mr snrub]

We all know that the team to win the next world cup will be India.

Of course.... :rolleyes: :lol:

[Till_Lindeman001]

Hardly surprising though. This'll be a great win if we pull it off tomorrow!!

It would, not only would it show England's fighting qualities but it would also mean that regardless of what happens in the final test England would remain the number 2 team in the world.

[mr snrub]

It would, not only would it show England's fighting qualities but it would also mean that regardless of what happens in the final test England would remain the number 2 team in the world.

Plus it would confirm us winning the series. Which is always a bonus! :thumb:

[Till_Lindeman001]

Plus it would confirm us winning the series. Which is always a bonus! :thumb:

Well, yes it would, and the Windies gave the Aussies a few problems so it shows our progress

[mr snrub]

Well, yes it would, and the Windies gave the Aussies a few problems so it shows our progress

..which is another bonus!

[Till_Lindeman001]

This is a blow...Thorpe and Butcher are both to miss the 4th test. I'm guessing that Ian Bell is about to play his first test.

Ian Ward down here in Sussex has been amongst the runs all season

[Till_Lindeman001]

Come on England, 71-2 at the moment, Key and Vaughan in, both look in good touch, Trescothick and Strauss both went for 12.

[BWD]

I had a god damn cricket living under one of my couches in the basement, it was so loud, then finally after about two months it died.

[Till_Lindeman001]

Oh $hit, Vaughan's out, 112-3

[Till_Lindeman001]

I had a god damn cricket living under one of my couches in the basement, it was so loud, then finally after about two months it died.

How original! :rolleyes:

[Drop The Baby]

Ian Ward down here in Sussex has been amongst the runs all season

I agree he's due another go, and besides he used to be my favourite player when i saw him down at Surrey. He's a funny guy. Either him or Bell will come in.

I think one of the two in will have to go on to see England through. this is Key's chance to really establish himself

[Drop The Baby]

Yeah definately, but as both have got a excellent county record this year it's a tough call. I think that Newman of Surrey should also be dicussed

[RandyfromPennywise]

Sorry to interupt, but I'm staying up and watching the Olympics, is the England test finished yet? Scores?

[RandyfromPennywise]

ah well, enjoy it while it lasts... ;)

[RandyfromPennywise]

:) I am looking forward to it. Regardless of whether we smash you or vice-versa, The Ashes is always fantastic. England v Australia is as good as it gets - traditionally - in this great sport... Look at the last series here - you were through, finished, a spent force, yet you still came out and won in Sydney to take something out of the series. The Ashes is the best; you can guarantee good cricket, even if only from one side recently ;)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Vaughn was excellent in 2003 as well.

Yeah, I'm just old enough to remember when winning the Ashes was a big, big deal. '93 was the first I really remember, with Border on the balcony kissing the replica Ashes - the good old days of cricket! Haha... I think we are coming back to the field though... Either that or the level of all the other countries is finally starting to rise up again...?

[RandyfromPennywise]

^^ *2002/3 actually

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah, Javagal Srinath is about as good as they've had in living memory :lol:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Jeez, I remember back to the early 90s when the Pakis has Akram and Younis opening, now that was something to fear!

The days of quality quicks around the world are gone - Ambrose, Walsh, Donald, Younis, Akram, and more were all in the same era... Then you had Devon Malcolm and Angus Fraser.

[Nightbreak]

Good old Freddie, he knows how to sort out an innings. I still think Key doesn't deserve his place.

[RandyfromPennywise]

The only sarcasm was in the Fraser/Malcolm comment... De Freitas was really quality, well, he and Lewis.

[Till_Lindeman001]

Well I think now we have a team to be feared, Harmison, Flintoff, Hoggard/Anderson and Jones with an in form Giles is one of the best attacks in world cricket (go on, name 2 that are better), and the batting is improving immensely, and BTW Key does deserve his place ahead of Butcher, did people see the way he played today, wonerful and the way he respnded to the verbal from the Windies was quality. An ideal team against the Aussies and in SA over the winter would be:

Trescothick
Strauss
Key
Vaughan
Flintoff
Thorpe
G. Jones
Giles
Harmison
Anderson/Hoggard
S. Jones

[Till_Lindeman001]

The days of quality quicks around the world are gone - Ambrose, Walsh, Donald, Younis, Akram, and more were all in the same era...

:wave: Have you seen these two English bowlers, they go by the names of Harmison and Flintoff! :lol: , if they're not quality quicks then what are they?