The Official Cricket Thread

[GogLais]

Even more of a worry - Jofra Archer, who everyone said was being run into the ground, has had a recurrence of his elbow injury and will miss the rest of 2021, including the Ashes & the t20 world cup.

I am sadly reminded of Jeff Jones.

[Brazil]

It's past time for the regulations to say that you cannot go off for bad light during scheduled playing hours on a ground with flood lights.

Petty and silly. Test cricket doesn't help itself.

That said, appears to be raining now.

Going tomorrow and looks like heavy rain - anyone know of anything else decent to see in Nottingham?

The Castle, in particular the Sherwood Foresters Museum and Mortimer's Hole. Then an afternoon of heavy drinking in The Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the Bell and the Old Salutation Inn. Also have your picture taken next to Robin Hood (statue).

[Torquemada 1420]

It's past time for the regulations to say that you cannot go off for bad light during scheduled playing hours on a ground with flood lights.

Petty and silly. Test cricket doesn't help itself.

That said, appears to be raining now.

Going tomorrow and looks like heavy rain - anyone know of anything else decent to see in Nottingham?

The Castle, in particular the Sherwood Foresters Museum and Mortimer's Hole. Then an afternoon of heavy drinking in The Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the Bell and the Old Salutation Inn. Also have your picture taken next to Robin Hood (statue).

The Ye Olde claiming to be Britain's oldest pub with zero evidence to prove it?

[Brazil]

Petty and silly. Test cricket doesn't help itself.

That said, appears to be raining now.

Going tomorrow and looks like heavy rain - anyone know of anything else decent to see in Nottingham?

The Castle, in particular the Sherwood Foresters Museum and Mortimer's Hole. Then an afternoon of heavy drinking in The Olde Trip to Jerusalem, the Bell and the Old Salutation Inn. Also have your picture taken next to Robin Hood (statue).

The Ye Olde claiming to be Britain's oldest pub with zero evidence to prove it?

That's the one. Not dissimilar to every other pub that claims to be the oldest in Britain.

[Hal Jordan]

You see that glow flashing in the corner of your eye? That's your career dissipation light. It just went into high gear.

[Torquemada 1420]

How is it still ****ing raining in Nottingham.

[Enzedder]

4 points apiece in the test Championship.

What's happened to Stokes?

[ScarfaceClaw]

4 points apiece in the test Championship.

What's happened to Stokes?

Mentally knackered. He’s needing a break for a bit so pulled out of the hit and giggle matches and also the ashes.

India will be raging at the weather. Root aside, they had that match more or less in the bag.

[Big D]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Poor Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

[Torquemada 1420]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Pool Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

Watched about 20 mins of the 1st game and decided this is the pits of a format!

[ScarfaceClaw]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Poor Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

I saw that on the BBC earlier. Poor bastard will be black and blue this morning.

[Big D]

I think the ashes will be postponed. 6 England players apparently said they are not going under current restrictions.

Hard to blame them tbh.

[Thor Sedan]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Pool Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

Watched about 20 mins of the 1st game and decided this is the pits of a format!

Really? I've been thoroughly enjoying the whole competition. It has served up some cracking finishes - isn't batsmen weighted - and has delivered in both the women's and men's games.

What don't you like about it?

[Thor Sedan]

Concerning news about Chris Cairns - in ICU after an aortic dissection. Word is that he is not responding to treatment very well - looks a bit grim.

For all his foibles and controversy - he is a Dad of 4 kids - s**t situation.

Best wishes to him.

[Sandstorm]

Concerning news about Chris Cairns - in ICU after an aortic dissection. Word is that he is not responding to treatment very well - looks a bit grim.

For all his foibles and controversy - he is a Dad of 4 kids - s**t situation.

Best wishes to him.

Best wishes to the cheating cunt

[Big Nipper]

Concerning news about Chris Cairns - in ICU after an aortic dissection. Word is that he is not responding to treatment very well - looks a bit grim.

For all his foibles and controversy - he is a Dad of 4 kids - s**t situation.

Best wishes to him.

Best wishes to the cheating cunt

Wow

[JM2K6]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Pool Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

Watched about 20 mins of the 1st game and decided this is the pits of a format!

Really? I've been thoroughly enjoying the whole competition. It has served up some cracking finishes - isn't batsmen weighted - and has delivered in both the women's and men's games.

What don't you like about it?

What I don't like:

- Everything about the presentation of it, from the strips to the broadcast displays to the commentary
- The 5 ball / 10 ball thing is a gimmick and actually vaguely more confusing than the existing 6-ball over
- Boundaries are even more worthwhile than before, meaning we're seeing a lot of slogging, because 12 off 4 balls is now A Good Innings
- Short individual cameos are essentially winning the game on the batting side (tied in with the above), meaning that it doesn't really matter how poorly most of the team does as long as someone manages to hit a few
- A lot of actually shit cricket is being passed off as brilliant because it came during a vaguely close game
- There's no reason to give a shit about any of the teams

When Hales won the game a few weeks ago he was hailed as a genius, alongside the weird looking bowler who slogged a few runs as well. What actually happened is that Hales batted like complete shit for a long time - while the commentators claimed it was all a plan to make sure he was 'there at the end' - and it wasn't until his bowler came in to bat that they had any chance of winning. Stokes dropped a simple catch, and the bowlers started bowling hilariously shit full tosses that were getting whacked into the stands by a tail-ender. "Exciting" it may have been, but the cricket was fucking garbage - tactics, execution, fielding were all dreadful, and the match was won by slogging pies and dropped catches.

[Slick]

Room for improvement then

[Torquemada 1420]

Anyone see the Hundred last night? Pool Alex Hales. One square in the box then very next ball inside edges one onto his box. Even the umpire was laughing.

Watched about 20 mins of the 1st game and decided this is the pits of a format!

Really? I've been thoroughly enjoying the whole competition. It has served up some cracking finishes - isn't batsmen weighted - and has delivered in both the women's and men's games.

What don't you like about it?

It's the current race to the bottom (I'm sure someone will arrange an even more forgettable format for the instant gratification watchers) champion of 1D bosh.

As an aside, women's cricket is pish. Unlike women's rugby! Being trying to understand why it's so bad and maybe because bosh cricket is all about power... which women don't have whereas in
women's rugby, ironically, many of the sides have moved the game to skill set based whilst simultaneously the men's game continues to dumb down into the bastard brother of league.

Oh. And everything JMK said. Especially the f**king annoying graphics cluttering 1/3rd of my tv screen.

[Thor Sedan]

What I don't like:

- Everything about the presentation of it, from the strips to the broadcast displays to the commentary
- The 5 ball / 10 ball thing is a gimmick and actually vaguely more confusing than the existing 6-ball over
- Boundaries are even more worthwhile than before, meaning we're seeing a lot of slogging, because 12 off 4 balls is now A Good Innings
- Short individual cameos are essentially winning the game on the batting side (tied in with the above), meaning that it doesn't really matter how poorly most of the team does as long as someone manages to hit a few
- A lot of actually shit cricket is being passed off as brilliant because it came during a vaguely close game
- There's no reason to give a shit about any of the teams

When Hales won the game a few weeks ago he was hailed as a genius, alongside the weird looking bowler who slogged a few runs as well. What actually happened is that Hales batted like complete shit for a long time - while the commentators claimed it was all a plan to make sure he was 'there at the end' - and it wasn't until his bowler came in to bat that they had any chance of winning. Stokes dropped a simple catch, and the bowlers started bowling hilariously shit full tosses that were getting whacked into the stands by a tail-ender. "Exciting" it may have been, but the cricket was fucking garbage - tactics, execution, fielding were all dreadful, and the match was won by slogging pies and dropped catches.

Well most of the arguments against are similar to the arguments that were trotted out about T20 cricket. I guess for me a couple of hours of watching some good fun slogging is enjoyable. I like the atmosphere - pretty decent considering the reduced crowd size.

The visual aspect is what it is. I'm sure that it will change every season and things will be dropped and added. Plus - gotta get that merch revenue from somewhere.

The 5 ball/10 ball thing - of course it is gimmick. Just like power plays, free hits, time outs etc. If that format is the entry point of new supporters - then it really isn't going to be particularly confusing for them is it.

The boundaries and individual cameos have always been a part of the short format games. I'm not really sure why this is different to the T20 format where one person going batshit for 4 overs can win a match. Are you not a fan of T20 either? That is a genuine question.

I guess the 'shit cricket' is fairly standard in most formats. I'll admit that the fielding hasn't been as good - perhaps due to the ball being blazed everywhere? Don't know - perhaps due to the teams being made up of top tier players mixed in with lesser skilled players? But missed 'easy' catches and rubbish bowling lengths are part of the short formats. Again - this is nothing new - just slightly more garish uniforms.

The tactics - teams will learn the best way to go about things as they play. Every single Captain and Coach has said they are learning as they go.

And as for the 'not giving a shite about the teams' - well of course not. You either have location as your guide to who you will support - or individual players. For me - I kinda got in behind Birmingham Phoenix - simply because Dan Vettori is the coach and Milne and Allen play for them. But if you're not going to watch it - then no - you won't give a crap about the teams.

[Thor Sedan]

It's the current race to the bottom (I'm sure someone will arrange an even more forgettable format for the instant gratification watchers) champion of 1D bosh.

As an aside, women's cricket is pish. Unlike women's rugby! Being trying to understand why it's so bad and maybe because bosh cricket is all about power... which women don't have whereas in
women's rugby, ironically, many of the sides have moved the game to skill set based whilst simultaneously the men's game continues to dumb down into the bastard brother of league.

Oh. And everything JMK said. Especially the f**king annoying graphics cluttering 1/3rd of my tv screen.

Women's cricket - pish? It's different - but it isn't pish.

If you hold it up against the men's game - then sure - it is a drop in standard. But if you look at it as a stand alone product - it offers its own drama and excitement.

Women don't have power when playing cricket? Again - compared to the men's game - sure. But I just watched a 17 year Indian lass cart bowlers to and over the boundaries for a 22 ball 50. I've watched women bowlers swing the ball and spin the ball with just as much control as the men.

It is just a new format - that's all. Shame you don't like it - but I guess it isn't for everyone huh.

[JM2K6]

What I don't like:

- Everything about the presentation of it, from the strips to the broadcast displays to the commentary
- The 5 ball / 10 ball thing is a gimmick and actually vaguely more confusing than the existing 6-ball over
- Boundaries are even more worthwhile than before, meaning we're seeing a lot of slogging, because 12 off 4 balls is now A Good Innings
- Short individual cameos are essentially winning the game on the batting side (tied in with the above), meaning that it doesn't really matter how poorly most of the team does as long as someone manages to hit a few
- A lot of actually shit cricket is being passed off as brilliant because it came during a vaguely close game
- There's no reason to give a shit about any of the teams

When Hales won the game a few weeks ago he was hailed as a genius, alongside the weird looking bowler who slogged a few runs as well. What actually happened is that Hales batted like complete shit for a long time - while the commentators claimed it was all a plan to make sure he was 'there at the end' - and it wasn't until his bowler came in to bat that they had any chance of winning. Stokes dropped a simple catch, and the bowlers started bowling hilariously shit full tosses that were getting whacked into the stands by a tail-ender. "Exciting" it may have been, but the cricket was fucking garbage - tactics, execution, fielding were all dreadful, and the match was won by slogging pies and dropped catches.

Well most of the arguments against are similar to the arguments that were trotted out about T20 cricket. I guess for me a couple of hours of watching some good fun slogging is enjoyable. I like the atmosphere - pretty decent considering the reduced crowd size.

The visual aspect is what it is. I'm sure that it will change every season and things will be dropped and added. Plus - gotta get that merch revenue from somewhere.

The 5 ball/10 ball thing - of course it is gimmick. Just like power plays, free hits, time outs etc. If that format is the entry point of new supporters - then it really isn't going to be particularly confusing for them is it.

The boundaries and individual cameos have always been a part of the short format games. I'm not really sure why this is different to the T20 format where one person going batshit for 4 overs can win a match. Are you not a fan of T20 either? That is a genuine question.

I guess the 'shit cricket' is fairly standard in most formats. I'll admit that the fielding hasn't been as good - perhaps due to the ball being blazed everywhere? Don't know - perhaps due to the teams being made up of top tier players mixed in with lesser skilled players? But missed 'easy' catches and rubbish bowling lengths are part of the short formats. Again - this is nothing new - just slightly more garish uniforms.

The tactics - teams will learn the best way to go about things as they play. Every single Captain and Coach has said they are learning as they go.

And as for the 'not giving a shite about the teams' - well of course not. You either have location as your guide to who you will support - or individual players. For me - I kinda got in behind Birmingham Phoenix - simply because Dan Vettori is the coach and Milne and Allen play for them. But if you're not going to watch it - then no - you won't give a crap about the teams.

I like T20 and enjoyed it from the start. The Hundred is a worse version of T20. Surely you understand that being even shorter than t20 makes those cameos even more match-swinging? T20 is good fun but it's hardly a perfect sport and it has its own problems, and the Hundred merely exacerbates them while offering nothing superior in return. At least T20 brought phenomenal advances in major areas of the sport. The Hundred is just a shittier, shorter version.

I also have watched several of the Hundred games, so saying that if I'm not going to watch it I won't give a crap is weird kneejerk stuff. I've been watching it. My point about the crapness of certain games was about how they were being hailed as amazing despite being actually crap: we're being gaslit precisely because it's a new tournament that has to succeed, because the ECB's bet the house on it.

[Thor Sedan]

I like T20 and enjoyed it from the start. The Hundred is a worse version of T20. Surely you understand that being even shorter than t20 makes those cameos even more match-swinging? T20 is good fun but it's hardly a perfect sport and it has its own problems, and the Hundred merely exacerbates them while offering nothing superior in return. At least T20 brought phenomenal advances in major areas of the sport. The Hundred is just a shittier, shorter version.

I also have watched several of the Hundred games, so saying that if I'm not going to watch it I won't give a crap is weird kneejerk stuff. I've been watching it. My point about the crapness of certain games was about how they were being hailed as amazing despite being actually crap: we're being gaslit precisely because it's a new tournament that has to succeed, because the ECB's bet the house on it.

Of course I understand - but it isn't a big turnoff for me. The Hundred is what it is - and at the moment I'm enjoying it. It's entertainment and would probably be a great day out on the razzle dazzle in normal circumstances.

And I think you have misinterpreted my comment about not giving a crap about teams if you're not going to watch it. It wasn't a criticism of you. If you are watching it and still not supporting a team or at least slightly caring if a certain team wins - then that is a shame - but I would assume that you are not alone with that. I'm not able to do that with any sport - I will always find a way to side with a team whatever the reason. I mean I chose my AFL side based on one player giving a funny interview at the end of the first game I watched - followed them for almost 20 years now.

Personally - it is big stupid tournament of a new format that - for me - works. I like all the colour and faff and mix of might and shite. It no doubt has issues - and things that don't work or add very little. But like I said originally - I'm enjoying it - seems like lots of others are as well.

[Sandstorm]

Watching 3rd division women’s knitting live is still great. Couple of mates/families together in the stands with some beers cheering on every dropped stitch? Bloody marvellous.

Watching cricket on TV with graphics from a 90s shithouse video game that don’t actually tell you what the game situation is…….is well, shithouse.

The Hundred as a concept is okay, but the delivery on Sky is dire. It will fail if they don’t fix it next time.

[Thor Sedan]

Watching 3rd division women’s knitting live is still great. Couple of mates/families together in the stands with some beers cheering on every dropped stitch? Bloody marvellous.

Watching cricket on TV with graphics from a 90s shithouse video game that don’t actually tell you what the game situation is…….is well, shithouse.

The Hundred as a concept is okay, but the delivery on Sky is dire. It will fail if they don’t fix it next time.

Agreed - the visuals aren't for everyone. But what info are you needing that they don't have?

They have balls remaining, runs needed, wickets down.....

[Sandstorm]

Watching 3rd division women’s knitting live is still great. Couple of mates/families together in the stands with some beers cheering on every dropped stitch? Bloody marvellous.

Watching cricket on TV with graphics from a 90s shithouse video game that don’t actually tell you what the game situation is…….is well, shithouse.

The Hundred as a concept is okay, but the delivery on Sky is dire. It will fail if they don’t fix it next time.

Agreed - the visuals aren't for everyone. But what info are you needing that they don't have?

They have balls remaining, runs needed, wickets down.....

They don’t tell you how many runs are required. Or which innings you are watching. Or even a required rate.

It’s dumb cricket for no-one.

[Gumboot]

Chris Cairns is on life support in Sydney after suffering an aortic dissection (tear) in his heart. He's only 51 years old.

Not sounding good at all...

[Thor Sedan]

Watching 3rd division women’s knitting live is still great. Couple of mates/families together in the stands with some beers cheering on every dropped stitch? Bloody marvellous.

Watching cricket on TV with graphics from a 90s shithouse video game that don’t actually tell you what the game situation is…….is well, shithouse.

The Hundred as a concept is okay, but the delivery on Sky is dire. It will fail if they don’t fix it next time.

Agreed - the visuals aren't for everyone. But what info are you needing that they don't have?

They have balls remaining, runs needed, wickets down.....

They don’t tell you how many runs are required. Or which innings you are watching. Or even a required rate.

It’s dumb cricket for no-one.

I'm not sure if you are joking or not? They plainly have runs required, the total they are aiming for, balls remaining and how many wickets are down. They have the batsmen with runs scored from the number of balls faced and the bowler, balls delivered, wickets taken and runs conceded. Because the format is ball based rather than overs - they have decided not to use a required rate. What else do you need?

Maybe it is cricket dumbed down - they have been very adamant that they are wanting it to appeal to families and new fans - so they have gone in a particular direction with the visuals. It is proving very popular at the moment - that may change when COVID lifts and punters have other options to spend their money on.

[inactionman]

Agreed - the visuals aren't for everyone. But what info are you needing that they don't have?

They have balls remaining, runs needed, wickets down.....

They don’t tell you how many runs are required. Or which innings you are watching. Or even a required rate.

It’s dumb cricket for no-one.

I'm not sure if you are joking or not? They plainly have runs required, the total they are aiming for, balls remaining and how many wickets are down. They have the batsmen with runs scored from the number of balls faced and the bowler, balls delivered, wickets taken and runs conceded. Because the format is ball based rather than overs - they have decided not to use a required rate. What else do you need?

Maybe it is cricket dumbed down - they have been very adamant that they are wanting it to appeal to families and new fans - so they have gone in a particular direction with the visuals. It is proving very popular at the moment - that may change when COVID lifts and punters have other options to spend their money on.

I think it'll be reasonably successful in bringing in punters in the longer term, mainly because there's at least something there for both the cricket fan (even if 'dumbed down') and the casual observer, and the contest is concluded within a single sitting, but not entirely sure what the format brings above and beyond Twenty20 in that regard. Other than the ECB missed a trick in Twenty20 by not fully protecting the IP (as creators of Twenty20) and are losing out to India and Oz in particular.

I've taken non-cricketing mates to Test Matches, One-Day Internationals etc and it's more the 'event' of it they're excited by, not actually the sport. They'd never come to a day at Taunton watching a CC match. They'd go to a Twenty20 or Hundred match though, although time will tell whether these types of new fans would become regulars - particularly whether their interest is piqued by the intricacies of the longer forms of the game. Is this part of the thinking around the Hundred, get fewer, presumably higher quality players onto the park so that new fans become more familiar with them? Get kids playing, and grow their broader interest in that way?

I'm still not sure of the 'pathway' for fans between hit-and-giggle and red-ball. Is it just accepted these are overlapping but generally separate fanbases? Am I naïve in thinking that ECB actually wants to protect and ultimately develop red ball cricket, and that the Hundred is a pillar of this broader plan?

[Thor Sedan]

Am I naïve in thinking that ECB actually wants to protect and ultimately develop red ball cricket, and that the Hundred is a pillar of this broader plan?

I don't think you are. If the Hundred gets bums on seats and brings in revenues - and those revenues are invested in the broader cricketing community wisely - it can only have a positive financial outcome.

Whether any of this happens though is anyone's guess. Ultimately there are 3 main T20 competitions - IPL, Big Bash and the CPL. The ECB just didn't get themselves sorted to jump on that train. The Vitality Blast is a good competition - but it more club orientated without the glitz and glamour of the IPL franchises etc. The Hundred might just get some interest if it does well in its first season and could get a chunk of the 'giggle cricket' industry.

Still lots of work to be done - as a couple have said on here - it doesn't improve the game (dumbing it down at best) - but I think the ECB are more looking at what it can do financially for them.

[JM2K6]

Am I naïve in thinking that ECB actually wants to protect and ultimately develop red ball cricket, and that the Hundred is a pillar of this broader plan?

I don't think you are. If the Hundred gets bums on seats and brings in revenues - and those revenues are invested in the broader cricketing community wisely - it can only have a positive financial outcome.

Whether any of this happens though is anyone's guess. Ultimately there are 3 main T20 competitions - IPL, Big Bash and the CPL. The ECB just didn't get themselves sorted to jump on that train. The Vitality Blast is a good competition - but it more club orientated without the glitz and glamour of the IPL franchises etc. The Hundred might just get some interest if it does well in its first season and could get a chunk of the 'giggle cricket' industry.

Still lots of work to be done - as a couple have said on here - it doesn't improve the game (dumbing it down at best) - but I think the ECB are more looking at what it can do financially for them.

... at the cost of the existing cricket structure in this country, which is part of the problem.

[Thor Sedan]

... at the cost of the existing cricket structure in this country, which is part of the problem.

Explain? And because we are on social media I feel I have to put in the comment - genuinely interested.

[JM2K6]

... at the cost of the existing cricket structure in this country, which is part of the problem.

Explain? And because we are on social media I feel I have to put in the comment - genuinely interested.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the- ... me-1269911

[Big D]

I'm still not sure of the 'pathway' for fans between hit-and-giggle and red-ball. Is it just accepted these are overlapping but generally separate fanbases? Am I naïve in thinking that ECB actually wants to protect and ultimately develop red ball cricket, and that the Hundred is a pillar of this broader plan?

Not sure whether it was KP or Vaughan who is a bit of a gobshite now that made a good point. They should really franchise/cut the number of teams in the 4day stuff too.

There are too many professional counties and they are not really producing the level of cricketers needed and they aren't really getting decent numbers in to watch the 4 day games.

Condense the teams, increase the quality of competition and it may help. Test cricket may be the pinnacle of the game but the 4day CC games just aren't that good and not that interesting to the casual observer.

For cricket and test cricket to survive they need kids to get interested in cricket and that is where the T20/shits and giggles stuff comes in. Few children want to watch/attend Glamorgan v Glous or Sussex v Durham CC games so how can they get interested in the game if not partly the shits and giggles stuff.

[JM2K6]

Hmm, let's see, what's more likely to save Test cricket:

a) Having a county championship that isn't fucked around with, producing well-rounded players who then perform in Test cricket, viewable on free-to-air
b) Having The Hundred have primacy, while we produce players with zero technique or aptitude for Test cricket, which is shown on an expensive satellite channel

Sorry, I can see the logic in the Hundred's stated aim of bringing in non-traditional fans to the sport, but I'm fucked if I can see the link between that and the health of Test cricket.

[ScarfaceClaw]

BBC reporting that Pammy and Broad are in doubt for the test tomorrow. Thigh for Pammy and calf for Broad.

That’ll be a tough blow for England’s pace attack. Wood isn’t injured yet so may end up with a load of work in the match. Mahmood is brought into the squad. Not sure who else there is for England.

[Big D]

Hmm, let's see, what's more likely to save Test cricket:

a) Having a county championship that isn't fucked around with, producing well-rounded players who then perform in Test cricket, viewable on free-to-air
b) Having The Hundred have primacy, while we produce players with zero technique or aptitude for Test cricket, which is shown on an expensive satellite channel

Sorry, I can see the logic in the Hundred's stated aim of bringing in non-traditional fans to the sport, but I'm fucked if I can see the link between that and the health of Test cricket.

Viewing habits and content consumption has moved on significantly since 2005. They can put test cricket on FTA TV and it gain some fans but bar rare parts of series it wont excite new fans. Test cricket is played by so few countries, and test cricket well by even fewer. Some of those barely bother playing tests (England hasn't hosted Bangladesh since 2010), and when they do it is 2-3 match series which doesn't help build storylines or interest.Over the last 3 years England were the only side contesting 5 match series with India and Australia and going forward it is all 2 and 3 match series with the rare 5 test series thrown in. It isn't just an English issue.

Fixing test cricket isn't a quick fix, they have left it on its arse for too long relying on the popularity and success of a few players (some of whom applied a bit of the shits and giggles approach to test cricket too). Long term strategies and pathways are needed. The first easy to fix things include getting new fans into the game and stop how regularly bad light stops play in tests and ensure 90 overs are bowled each day. Transferring new fans in to test fans needs to be part of a strategy, the Hundred isn't a golden bullet or a big part of the puzzle but it is helping kids get interested.

County cricket has been failing for a long time and isn't consistently producing quality international players and folk aren't watching it, and because people aren't watching, it isn't as lucrative for the players. Hard to blame them wanting to tour the T20 markets and get £100k's when the alternative is a cold May day at Canterbury being watched by 3 men, 2 woman and 2 dogs.

Every child at one point is a new fan. Kids can either watch a couple of hours of excitement (in their eyes) and maybe take an interest in the sport, or watch test cricket which for long spells will have nothing happen so will change channel/turn TV off/play PS and XBOX etc or on the occasion it gets exciting see the umpires take people off because it is a wee bit dark. Very few people would watch a whole days test cricket on TV, and that in itself is also part of the problem.

One thing that people are afraid to talk about and I hope it doesn't happen, but maybe test cricket needs to die off. If not enough people in enough countries around the world are that bothered by it and countries can't be arsed playing test cricket and investing in longer series to build interest then maybe it is beyond saving.

[Big D]

BBC reporting that Pammy and Broad are in doubt for the test tomorrow. Thigh for Pammy and calf for Broad.

That’ll be a tough blow for England’s pace attack. Wood isn’t injured yet so may end up with a load of work in the match. Mahmood is brought into the squad. Not sure who else there is for England.

They might try and rush Woakes back, but would likely to be Overton I think.

[JM2K6]

OK well first off this idea that kids and teenagers don't have the attention span for long and complex sports is pulling that out of their arse. It wasn't a problem in the past, and I really must stress that modern video gaming includes stuff that is wildly popular with the yoof that makes Test cricket look like chequers. Kids will happily watch weeks worth of back-to-back DOTA2 or League of Legends.

But here's the point: Test cricket is not going to excite anyone if the county championship is as fucked as it currently is, thanks to the prioritisation of literally everything else ahead of it, because no-one is going to enjoy watching England get shellacked. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy, much like that of county cricket not being able to produce Test cricketers (when it's been moved to the margins of the season and fucked around with as much as is possible)

[Big D]

OK well first off this idea that kids and teenagers don't have the attention span for long and complex sports is pulling that out of their arse. It wasn't a problem in the past, and I really must stress that modern video gaming includes stuff that is wildly popular with the yoof that makes Test cricket look like chequers. Kids will happily watch weeks worth of back-to-back DOTA2 or League of Legends.

But here's the point: Test cricket is not going to excite anyone if the county championship is as fucked as it currently is, thanks to the prioritisation of literally everything else ahead of it, because no-one is going to enjoy watching England get shellacked. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy, much like that of county cricket not being able to produce Test cricketers (when it's been moved to the margins of the season and fucked around with as much as is possible)

That isn't the idea at all. Video games, LoL, DOTA2 can carry far closer to a guarantee that it will more immersive than test matches can. The issue isn't the "yoof" it is the product they are watching. It is hard to get invested when the countries playing aren't overly invested in it and the umpires are told to run for cover at the sign it is getting a bit dark. Viewing habits and consumption has changed exactly because of youtube, twitch, e-sports etc as anyone can pretty much get instant immersion in what every they want. If a product is dull, they can quickly move onto to something more interesting to them. For some it will be other TV programmes, sports, Netflix or whatever and for others it'll be e-sports, LOL etc. The notion some peddle about cricket being complex or "yoof" can't understand it is pompus bollocks.

It also isn't a guarantee that test cricket will excite anyone if the CC was a rip roaring success. 9 or 10 countries play test cricket, many of them aren't very good at it, and it seems a decreasing number of countries are interested in playing tests a good number of tests. This isn't only and England problem, the ECB are clearly only responsible for that part, but test cricket around the globe is fucked.