The Official Cricket Thread

[Spy Bee]

I think that Billings is a big challenge for ODI and test as keeper/batsman. He's the best keeper out of all those in contention!

[A_S]

So did anyone catch any of the day/night Test?  Despite it only going for 3 days, it could only be considered a pretty big success. A few points though: 

 

- The pitch had a decent amount of grass left on it, so combined with the always-lush Adelaide Oval outfield, meant the ball didn't scuff up to the point where visibility could be an issue. Each innings of the game being relatively short also assisted with this (no team needed a 2nd new ball)

 

- The ball definitely did more in the night session, both through the air and off the pitch. Admittedly, with bowlers like Starc, Southee and Boult being the ideal type to exploit such conditions, it made for tighter batting at night. It absolutely adds another element to the game though, in terms of declarations, etc. 

 

- It was a genuinely good contest between bat and ball again, which was definitely not the case in the first two Tests of the summer here. But for a DRS shocker (surprise surprise), the result may well have been reversed. 

 

Could this be trialed in England within the next 12-18 months? 

[Jairzinho]

Ha, Pakistan are comfortably the stupidest team in the history of cricket. 3 from 4 needed...try and hit every ball for six.

 

Super over time.

[Frankenhooker]

Cracking so far from Jordan

 

[Frankenhooker]

Haha brilliant stuff

 

[Jairzinho]

3 from their super over. HERP.

[Jairzinho]

Half those deliveries are wides if they don't leap a foot outside leg stump.

[Frankenhooker]

Jesus, England need 2 off 2

[Frankenhooker]

Misses the stumping, England win...again.

 

 

 

[Jairzinho]

Fucking funny couple of overs there.

 

Imagine how good Pakistan could be if the combined IQ of their side was above that of a bag of cheese and onion crisps.

[lifetime fan]

Chris Cairns found not guilty.

[Jairzinho]

India are building a really good team.

[Jose Jones]

India are building a really good team.

Any good bowlers?

[Jairzinho]

Any good bowlers?

 

Well, obviously it's quite difficult to say conclusively as bowling in India is quite different to elsewhere but all of their attack have bowled well in this series. The two spinners Ashwin and Jadeja have got the bulk of the wickets, and I think they're a good balance in tandem (turning it both ways, and lots of variation in flight and bounce). Yadav I've always felt will become a good bowler, and even Sharma seems more focused now. Less faux anger and a lot more control.

[A_S]

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but the application of the South African batsmen in this innings is quite impressive. No doubt they'd have liked a bit of this when the series was still alive, but a good effort nonetheless. 

[Jairzinho]

143 all out from 143 overs.

 

Amla 25 from 244 balls. De Villiers 43 from 297.

 

Ashwin 49 overs 5/61. Jadeja 46 overs 2/26!

 

It's basically been India v De Villiers all series. They've really missed Steyn here. Morkel has been, predictably, completely ineffective on these pitches.

[Yozzer]

Anyone watching the NZ - SL game? Probably the greenest pitch I've seen in some time.

[Hades]

Anyone watching the NZ - SL game? Probably the greenest pitch I've seen in some time.

 

About 70% of the dismissals have come from short balls. Batsmen can't bat anymore. Modern life. 

[Jairzinho]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/35137204

[lifetime fan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/35137204

We're fucked unless he breaks down.

[mouse1989]

Kane Williamson is a truly world class batsman

[mouse1989]

Rumours are that McCullum will retire from international cricket after the Aus series in Feb. Williamson to take over as captain

[A_S]

Rumours are that McCullum will retire from international cricket after the Aus series in Feb. Williamson to take over as captain

 

It'd make sense. Retire after a pretty big home series against the 'local' rival. That said, he'd be doing it at 34 while he still has a few good years left in him to enjoy the domestic T20 circuit and the riches that come with it. To be honest, I've got no problem with veterans who have paid their dues to the game to go a little earlier to cash in on the name they themselves worked hard to establish. It's the way it should be done. And he will make a fucking packet, as his batting suits the game perfectly and he is still brilliant in the field. 

 

Edit: I just noticed he is sitting on 99 Tests, so he will bring up the ton in this upcoming series against Australia. Nice way to go. 

[lifetime fan]

Yep, AS. Can't knock him for that.

[Yozzer]

Anderson out for the first test is a big blow as I reckon the SA batting attack is pretty weak at the moment, relative to last years anyway.

 

I think this series will be a close matchup, much of it depending on whether England can put together a competent batting performance together.