Anyone for cricket? I’ll start. What about that Johnny Bairstow performance behind the stumps? He had an absolute shocker! Hopefully there will be some replies rather than me only hearing the sound of crickets (geddit?) Feel free to discuss the subtlest nuances of first class test cricket or the villageiest villageing of the amateur game.
I was at Baston of Edge on day one. Great day, amongst many highlights was the row of 20 + Flintstones across the ground , and late PM a fancy dress piggy being chased by four axe wielding butchers. Somewhat coincidentally about 15 mins before we declared I asked my mate with whom I went,. I wonder what would happen if unexpectedly they declared to have 30 mins at the aussies at the end of a tiring day one, lo and behold... lots of cider was consumed, the non alcoholic variety as the only tickets we got in the ballot were in the family stand.....
"How can you tell your wife youre going out to watch a match, not come back for five days and then tell her it was a draw?" Rafa Benitez Worst Tory sport ever, even worse than (fucking) tennis.
Rafa Benitez?! Always ones first choice of implement from the draw when seeking to thinly slice tomatoes ….. “Some people cannot see a priest on a mountain of sugar." Inter manager Rafa Benitez talking about Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson
I wonder if Stokes approach will now change. I for one agreed with them declaring and having a go at the Aussies at the end of play. Test cricket is beyond doubt the toughest format and not for everyone, players and fans alike.
I thought it was the right decision and if they’d got a couple of wickets before stumps, he would have been hailed as a genius. Even though I’m gutted they lost and the extra 30 ish runs they could have put on the board by saving the declaration until the morning might have made all the difference, I love the England team’s approach to the game as it combines the excitement of T20 with the guile and strategy of test cricket. The fact is that “catches win matches” and we probably would have won if Bairstow hasn’t missed so many chances, but that’s down to his individual performance and/or the fault of the selectors for picking him rather than Foukes.
I honestly don’t know how they do it as I’m absolutely shagged after playing a 50 over one day match, never mind then having to do another 4 days of that. I’ve got a double header this weekend, playing for the First XI in a 50 over league game on Saturday and then a 40 over friendly on Sunday. As I’m a swing/seam bowler and despite usually being our oldest player, I tend to field in positions that require a lot of running, I’ll probably need to be winched out of bed on Monday morning.
Yes Zhed it’s easy to be wise after the event.At the time the declaration seemed a reasonable tactic to employ.
I actually watched the last day of the test. First time in several decades. It was enthralling in a slow motion kind of way. Like chess on a pitch. I may quit while I’m ahead.
The bowlers looked knackered, although I wish he’d given Jimmy Anderson a few more overs at the end rather than persevering with Robertson, Root and Broad when none of them looked like they were going to make the breakthrough.
Not been to a match for a good while but this thread got me thinking Just got tickets to watch Lancashire v Yorkshire T20. Hope they still sell ‘cricket beer’
Would I be right in thinking he has previous in this area and he keeps his place with a eye on his performance with the bat? Many moons ago I used to go to the county games at Edgebaston on a Friday & being a county member entrance was free. A more pleasant afternoon couldn't be had. And working with a lot of Indian guys meant group attendance at test matches with a particular one at Trent Bridge lodged in the memory. Always enjoyed watching the ashes on TV but now cricket along with pretty much all sport has disappeared behind a pay wall. No wonder there is a cost of living crisis... 40/50/60 quid for TV, 30/40/50 quid for (essential) broadband & 40/50/60 quid for the obligatory phone package. Although it has to be said I only indulge in one of those.
My crazy nephew moved to the uk for your summer to play cricket for a team in Nottingham. He is loving the whole experience, wouldn't be surprised if he stays on for a bit longer.
You have to get into the vibe of (test match) cricket... it isn't one of these bish bash bosh attention span of a teenager action every second sort of events. And if you've ever tried to play cricket you'll realise how good these guys or girls are - especially when batting. There's time for a chat between overs, or a drink between balls, or to sample the picnic hamper or just to chill out. There's never any crowd trouble but there is lots of banter - especially with the Aussies. And also, because it's an all day event, there's plenty of opportunity to get hammered in a convivial atmosphere. As I said before - a more pleasant afternoon couldn't be had
This ^^^ Comparing cricket to other sports is like comparing opera to pop music. It's 4D chess with the added jeopardy of a rock hard ball being fired towards your head at over 90mph and the balance of a game can switch numerous times over the course of a match, even in one day cricket. It's also a great game to take part in because unlike most sports, you can continue to play well into middle, even old age and you never stop learning. Last year, our village Second XI put out a side where the youngest player was 14 and the oldest was 72, and last Sunday we had a "dads and lads" friendly, in which my son (the one who boxes) made not only his debut for the team but played his first game of cricket ever.
