The Cricket Thread

[SMH]

I hardly ever listen to TMS because I can't stand half of the crew like Swann, Vaughan and Tufnell. It's a shame because it means I don't get to hear much of Boycott and Aggers. Both of them are quality, hopefully the BBC will make them main commentators when they finally get the televised cricket back.

 

[lordofthepies]

I hardly ever listen to TMS because I can't stand half of the crew like Swann, Vaughan and Tufnell. It's a shame because it means I don't get to hear much of Boycott and Aggers. Both of them are quality, hopefully the BBC will make them main commentators when they finally get the televised cricket back.

Swann and Vaughan are absolutely unbearable but I like pretty much everyone else on TMS. Aggers can be a bit pompous at times but I think he's more good than he he is bad.

 

[SMH]

All the games being televised on Sky recently seem to be getting called off. Feel sorry for Rob Key, Nick Knight, Isa Guha etc. Travelling across the country every day just to see the games washed out. Sky have assembled a decent little T20 Blast commentary team apart from the awful Dominic Cork.

 

[Super_horns]

Probably why they aren't that fussed with the BBC getting some of the new contract in 2020.

Is quite a lottery...

When I went to Lords last week the start got delayed and pretty much as the game ended the heavens opened - it was just as well Essex crumbled so easily.

What is the weather due to be like in Manchester for the 4th test?

 

[SMH]

Probably why they aren't that fussed with the BBC getting some of the new contract in 2020.

Is quite a lottery...

When I went to Lords last week the start got delayed and pretty much as the game ended the heavens opened - it was just as well Essex crumbled so easily.

What is the weather due to be like in Manchester for the 4th test?

As per usual, fairly awful. Not a sell out either, tickets still available for every day apart from day 5 last time I checked. If the forecast gets better and the first day is exciting then hopefully they'll shift.

In the hope that the weather gets better, I got tickets for the T20 double header at OT in a couple of weeks. The Kia Super League game followed by Lancs v Worcs which was great value at £15 a pop compared to the £25+ I imagine you pay for T20 games in London. It's looking worrying for Lancs in terms of making top 4 though, they need wins and fast.

 

[lordofthepies]

As per usual, fairly awful. Not a sell out either, tickets still available for every day apart from day 5 last time I checked. If the forecast gets better and the first day is exciting then hopefully they'll shift.

In the hope that the weather gets better, I got tickets for the T20 double header at OT in a couple of weeks. The Kia Super League game followed by Lancs v Worcs which was great value at £15 a pop compared to the £25+ I imagine you pay for T20 games in London. It's looking worrying for Lancs in terms of making top 4 though, they need wins and fast.

I'm going to the double header too. I'm going to the test match on Saturday, the forecast when I looked yesterday was mostly sunny with a few showers so I've got my fingers crossed that they'll pass quickly...

 

[Super_horns]

Looks like the Ashes will go ahead.

Aussies have sorted out their pay dispute.

BTW What have the Sussex openers had for their tea!?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO41198

 

[SMH]

Moving Van Zyl to open looked like it worked out well. What a finish at Sophia Gardens btw. The rain came exactly 5 overs into Glamorgan's chase. They were ahead on DLS until the last ball of the 5th when Rudolph got out, putting them behind on DLS as a result of the wicket. The umpires then took them straight off and they never got back on.

 

[.V.]

Moving Van Zyl to open looked like it worked out well. What a finish at Sophia Gardens btw. The rain came exactly 5 overs into Glamorgan's chase. They were ahead on DLS until the last ball of the 5th when Rudolph got out, putting them behind on DLS as a result of the wicket. The umpires then took them straight off and they never got back on.

Revenge for last year when we were ahead of DL, except for the last ball of the game when they took us off for rain.

 

[Super_horns]

Root got a luck escape as De Kock basically missed a simple chance behind the stumps.

Hopefully him and Stokes can take advantage.

 

[RavenBish]

the narrative of Ali being wasted down the order is really starting to annoy me - it's obvious he's better down there with the freedom of batting with the tail - playing spin and trying to give an older ball a bit of tap.

 

[blademan89]

Yorkshire have lost again ffs by 1 fucking run. Needed 7 off the last 5 balls and rashid and rafiq managed 5 singles the pair of usrless twats.

 

[RavenBish]

That's why I'm still uncomfortable with DRS. To the naked eye that's hit outside the line every day of the week - it's alright saying it gives umpires freedom to give it out but not when umpires call favours the bowling side so much. That's hit outside the line and a top umpire should never be raising his finger for that.

In the same way the LBW shout on Anderson was definitely out - DRS says more than half the ball is hitting the stumps - if the margin of error is so big we have to allow that and still stick with the on field decision then we have to ask if it's worth using at all

 

[RavenBish]

Broken record here bit there's very very few batsmen in world cricket that are on Alex Hales' level at the moment - to the point that even though it's only white ball cricket he's hitting the ball so well and making it look so easy you could see it translating to Test cricket as a number 3 or 4. Notts have been using him at 4 & 5 in 4 day cricket this year anyway

 

[Super_horns]

South Africa playing like a team that cannot wait to get home?

 

[kieran_vale]

South Africa playing like a team that cannot wait to get home?

I think it's just a case that like with England there are a number of holes in their batting and it has been exposed against high class bowling. Not having ABDV in their batting has really hurt them in that middle order.

Great credit to Englands attack though today, in nice batting conditions they really made SA work for every run. Hope Jimmy can get his 5for tomorrow.

 

[RavenBish]

Malan and Jennings can do one.

*spins the wheel of county batsmen*

Alex Hales & Adam Lyth

 

[kieran_vale]

Moeen once again showing why he is one of the first names on the team sheet nowadays. Superb knock to take this away from SA.

Loved the way he brought up the fifty with that six right into Bairstows hands in the pavilion.

 

[lordofthepies]

Simon Kerrigan has joined Northants on loan. God damn you, Shane Watson.

 

[RavenBish]

Alex Hales is on a different fucking planet than everyone else right now.

211* off 208 balls. Just the 38 boundaries.

Get him in.

 

[kieran_vale]

Moeen finished it off with a 5 wicket haul. Couple that with his batting it's a pretty easy decision for man of the match.

Still got the same issues with the batting that they did at the start of the series. As above I'd go with Hales but only in the middle order. Either way 3-1 win against South Africa is nothing to be sniffed at, very good result.

 

[blademan89]

Alex Hales is on a different fucking planet than everyone else right now.

211* off 208 balls. Just the 38 boundaries.

Get him in.

Hales in for malan is an absolute must. Hammeed or lyth in for Jennings

 

[Super_horns]

Tided that one up quickly.

Very good series win and there is room to improve as well.

 

[Luke_1884]

Has anyone on here followed England abroad? blademan89 Seem to recall you've posted previously about going abroad with England Cricket?

I'm in Oz over Xmas so seems a no brainer to not go to the Melbourne test but unsure where to buy tickets from? Looks like they're readily available on the CricketAus website but wondered if it's better to buy through ECB/BarmyArmy etc?

Any help appreciated, ta.

 

[Camborne Gills]

A couple of my teammates are going to the Melbourne and Sydney tests. I will try and find out where they got their tickets from.

Their packages are costing 5 grand btw

 

[blademan89]

Has anyone on here followed England abroad? blademan89 Seem to recall you've posted previously about going abroad with England Cricket?

I'm in Oz over Xmas so seems a no brainer to not go to the Melbourne test but unsure where to buy tickets from? Looks like they're readily available on the CricketAus website but wondered if it's better to buy through ECB/BarmyArmy etc?

Any help appreciated, ta.

Yep I've done a few tours. All barmy army/england section tickets are sold out for Melbourne I believe. But as you say tickets are available still in other parts of the ground. Go on the barmy army website and all the info is on there as to where to purchase tickets. To be honest you can just pay on the day at Melbourne, only boxing day is anywhere close to being full as it holds about 95k.

 

[blademan89]

A couple of my teammates are going to the Melbourne and Sydney tests. I will try and find out where they got their tickets from.

Their packages are costing 5 grand btw

Just pure lazyness or too much money, can get flights and digs in Melbourne and Sydney for about £1800 All in, might take a bit more time and effort sorting it but I'd rather do that and save myself 3k.

 

[Super_horns]

Stonemam and Crane in plus a return for Chris Woakes.

Will they play all 3?

 

[blademan89]

The big one at headingley tonight, my first one of the season, full session in leeds all day today straight back on it for Boro away in the morning, perfect weekend.

 

[blademan89]

Oh wanky wanky wanky wanky wanky wanky Lancashire. Incredible stuff from bres