The Official Cricket Thread

[Mahoney]

Tough selection decisions incoming.

• How do we cope with Stokes clearly not able to bowl much? His knee is also evidently affecting his batting - I'm beginning to fear his career is looking at risk.
• Who spins? Ali was fairly poor, and clearly struggling with that finger. Not at all clear who is next cab off the rank. Someone who could bat would be nice. Will Jacks?
• Does one of the bowlers need to make way for a genuine quick?
• Can we afford to have Bairstow keep? I'd much rather have Foakes, but who gets dropped? Bairstow to open instead of Crawley would be my call.

[Paddington Bear]

Tough selection decisions incoming.

• How do we cope with Stokes clearly not able to bowl much? His knee is also evidently affecting his batting - I'm beginning to fear his career is looking at risk.
• Who spins? Ali was fairly poor, and clearly struggling with that finger. Not at all clear who is next cab off the rank. Someone who could bat would be nice. Will Jacks?
• Does one of the bowlers need to make way for a genuine quick?
• Can we afford to have Bairstow keep? I'd much rather have Foakes, but who gets dropped? Bairstow to open instead of Crawley would be my call.

I worry that they're going to double down. For all the 'what an advert for the sport' we blew a crucial game that we were on top of, and I really worry we're not confronting that head on.

[Grandpa]

Tough selection decisions incoming.

• How do we cope with Stokes clearly not able to bowl much? His knee is also evidently affecting his batting - I'm beginning to fear his career is looking at risk.
• Who spins? Ali was fairly poor, and clearly struggling with that finger. Not at all clear who is next cab off the rank. Someone who could bat would be nice. Will Jacks?
• Does one of the bowlers need to make way for a genuine quick?
• Can we afford to have Bairstow keep? I'd much rather have Foakes, but who gets dropped? Bairstow to open instead of Crawley would be my call.

I'd drop Duckett and have Pope or Brook open. Foakes in. If Ali's finger mends in two weeks I'd play him... hopefully have a callous by then. If not, Wood as a fourth fast bowler? Or to replace Jimmy? But if there is seam and pace at Lords... Jimmy might flourish.

[tabascoboy]

Bit out of touch with current FC players, do we have any useful or upcoming slow left armers apart from Liam Dawson, who seems a bit below the beeded level

[Sandstorm]

As an aside and given this is a rugby forum, I ought to compare and contrast watching my country in the two sports. Yesterday’s ticket was £25 (is there any premiership rugby I could watch for that?), whilst people were getting pissed just about everyone was focussed on the action and there was pretty limited movement in the stands during play, we didn’t drink a lot but the couple of times I went to the bar I think I missed a cumulative 7 balls of cricket because they ran the bars properly and efficiently, and the crowd actually got stuck into, really stuck into, supporting England. I felt Edgbaston cared we’d made the effort to come and support. The contrast to Twickenham speaks for itself.

Monday vs Saturday probably made a positive difference in the type of fan who turned up. I suspect Dress-up Day at the Ashes is a bit more rowdy/annoying.

£25 is a bargain.

[Biffer]

Tough selection decisions incoming.

• How do we cope with Stokes clearly not able to bowl much? His knee is also evidently affecting his batting - I'm beginning to fear his career is looking at risk.
• Who spins? Ali was fairly poor, and clearly struggling with that finger. Not at all clear who is next cab off the rank. Someone who could bat would be nice. Will Jacks?
• Does one of the bowlers need to make way for a genuine quick?
• Can we afford to have Bairstow keep? I'd much rather have Foakes, but who gets dropped? Bairstow to open instead of Crawley would be my call.

I worry that they're going to double down. For all the 'what an advert for the sport' we blew a crucial game that we were on top of, and I really worry we're not confronting that head on.

The main thing to focus on here is why did they blow it. For all the chuntering about the declaration and not scoring enough runs in the second innings, it fundamentally comes down to missed chances. Catches win matches. Cliched but true. I think they will drop Moeen and put Wood in instead, and rely on Root to hold up an end with spin if needs be. The extra pace at Lords could be very useful. If it was me I'd push Bairstow up to the top of the order, drop Crawley and have Foakes keeping (but I don't think they will).

The Aussies bowled well in the second innings to hold England to a lower total, Khawaja botted very well across the whole match and the last partnership to win the game was something quite special.

The approach won't change. The approach put them in to a position to win, and they didn't take it - that's not a reason to change the approach imo.

[Paddington Bear]

As an aside and given this is a rugby forum, I ought to compare and contrast watching my country in the two sports. Yesterday’s ticket was £25 (is there any premiership rugby I could watch for that?), whilst people were getting pissed just about everyone was focussed on the action and there was pretty limited movement in the stands during play, we didn’t drink a lot but the couple of times I went to the bar I think I missed a cumulative 7 balls of cricket because they ran the bars properly and efficiently, and the crowd actually got stuck into, really stuck into, supporting England. I felt Edgbaston cared we’d made the effort to come and support. The contrast to Twickenham speaks for itself.

Monday vs Saturday probably made a positive difference in the type of fan who turned up. I suspect Dress-up Day at the Ashes is a bit more rowdy/annoying.

£25 is a bargain.

There was still fancy dress! Yes no doubt though, however I’d say even so Twickenham is much worse for being pissed up and not caring about the game (although my experience at the Calcutta Cup this year was very good from that perspective)

[GogLais]

Watched the highlights last night and somebody said something on the lines of there have been 20+ Ashes matches that have been won by fewer than either 3 wickets or 20 runs and until yesterday England had won them all. Sounded like bollox to me but it was on the telly so it must be true. Maybe I’ll check when I’ve nothing else to do.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Quick segue away from the Ashes for a brief moment - Scotland managed to squeeze home against Ireland in the world cup qualifier with a 4 off the last ball. They had Ireland on the ropes earlier in their innings, then Ireland rallied and then Scotland looked in deep trouble, but managed to pile on runs in the second half of their innings and just about had enough wickets.

[Biffer]

Quick segue away from the Ashes for a brief moment - Scotland managed to squeeze home against Ireland in the world cup qualifier with a 4 off the last ball. They had Ireland on the ropes earlier in their innings, then Ireland rallied and then Scotland looked in deep trouble, but managed to pile on runs in the second half of their innings and just about had enough wickets.

Hell of a game by the looks of it, Swings and Roundabouts all over the place. Scotland needed 44 runs off the last four overs with eight wickets gone. Enter Leask with 22 runs off the 47th over.

Ireland look done for world cup qualification now, having lost both their games in the tournament so far, and still to play Sri Lanka. Might not even get to the Super Six.

[Biffer]

Watched the highlights last night and somebody said something on the lines of there have been 20+ Ashes matches that have been won by fewer than either 3 wickets or 20 runs and until yesterday England had won them all. Sounded like bollox to me but it was on the telly so it must be true. Maybe I’ll check when I’ve nothing else to do.

Said that on the radio earlier in the day and I'd trust Andy Zaltzman.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Quick segue away from the Ashes for a brief moment - Scotland managed to squeeze home against Ireland in the world cup qualifier with a 4 off the last ball. They had Ireland on the ropes earlier in their innings, then Ireland rallied and then Scotland looked in deep trouble, but managed to pile on runs in the second half of their innings and just about had enough wickets.

Hell of a game by the looks of it, Swings and Roundabouts all over the place. Scotland needed 44 runs off the last four overs with eight wickets gone. Enter Leask with 22 runs off the 47th over.

Ireland look done for world cup qualification now, having lost both their games in the tournament so far, and still to play Sri Lanka. Might not even get to the Super Six.

I got on a flight when Ireland were something like 17-3, so when I got back online this afternoon I was somewhat surprised to see they'd managed 286 and the game was still on! A good knock from Leask to rescue it for Scotland. Hopefully they can do well against UAE which should get them into the super six I think.

[Biffer]

Quick segue away from the Ashes for a brief moment - Scotland managed to squeeze home against Ireland in the world cup qualifier with a 4 off the last ball. They had Ireland on the ropes earlier in their innings, then Ireland rallied and then Scotland looked in deep trouble, but managed to pile on runs in the second half of their innings and just about had enough wickets.

Hell of a game by the looks of it, Swings and Roundabouts all over the place. Scotland needed 44 runs off the last four overs with eight wickets gone. Enter Leask with 22 runs off the 47th over.

Ireland look done for world cup qualification now, having lost both their games in the tournament so far, and still to play Sri Lanka. Might not even get to the Super Six.

I got on a flight when Ireland were something like 17-3, so when I got back online this afternoon I was somewhat surprised to see they'd managed 286 and the game was still on! A good knock from Leask to rescue it for Scotland. Hopefully they can do well against UAE which should get them into the super six I think.

Need to beat UAE and Oman, and hope Sri Lanka beat Ireland.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Hell of a game by the looks of it, Swings and Roundabouts all over the place. Scotland needed 44 runs off the last four overs with eight wickets gone. Enter Leask with 22 runs off the 47th over.

Ireland look done for world cup qualification now, having lost both their games in the tournament so far, and still to play Sri Lanka. Might not even get to the Super Six.

I got on a flight when Ireland were something like 17-3, so when I got back online this afternoon I was somewhat surprised to see they'd managed 286 and the game was still on! A good knock from Leask to rescue it for Scotland. Hopefully they can do well against UAE which should get them into the super six I think.

Need to beat UAE and Oman, and hope Sri Lanka beat Ireland.

Ah, cheers. No doubt we'll find the most Scottish way to somehow not qualify.

[Biffer]

I got on a flight when Ireland were something like 17-3, so when I got back online this afternoon I was somewhat surprised to see they'd managed 286 and the game was still on! A good knock from Leask to rescue it for Scotland. Hopefully they can do well against UAE which should get them into the super six I think.

Need to beat UAE and Oman, and hope Sri Lanka beat Ireland.

Ah, cheers. No doubt we'll find the most Scottish way to somehow not qualify.

I think we'll manage the Super Six. Doubt very much we'll get to the CWC.

[Grandpa]

Watched the highlights last night and somebody said something on the lines of there have been 20+ Ashes matches that have been won by fewer than either 3 wickets or 20 runs and until yesterday England had won them all. Sounded like bollox to me but it was on the telly so it must be true. Maybe I’ll check when I’ve nothing else to do.

Said that on the radio earlier in the day and I'd trust Andy Zaltzman.

I heard it twice on the radio as well.

So McCullum says Moeen will be picked again for Lords if fit. I guess they want that variety, even if Lords isn't that conducive to spin.. Also, Foakes will not be picked... which surprises me... I'd drop Duckett for Foakes and open with Brook or Pope. Duckett has a problem... he never leaves a ball apparently... or didn't in the first test... and that can't be healthy! You have to know when to leave...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65934474

[Sandstorm]

England’s bowling attack is over the hill. Last Ashes for all of ‘em expect Robinson. And none is anywhere near his best any more.

[Enzedder]

England’s bowling attack is over the hill. Last Ashes for all of ‘em expect Robinson. And none is anywhere near his best any more.

Yep, I call them Dad's Army (and ours are not much younger here in NZ). I think some are over the hill and should be given their pensions asap. Take the hurt for a year or two and get some youngsters the experience needed.

[Biffer]

England’s bowling attack is over the hill. Last Ashes for all of ‘em expect Robinson. And none is anywhere near his best any more.

That bowling attack created enough chances to win the game. They were let down by their fielders, particularly Bairstow.

[Mahoney]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

[JM2K6]

Watched the highlights last night and somebody said something on the lines of there have been 20+ Ashes matches that have been won by fewer than either 3 wickets or 20 runs and until yesterday England had won them all. Sounded like bollox to me but it was on the telly so it must be true. Maybe I’ll check when I’ve nothing else to do.

Said that on the radio earlier in the day and I'd trust Andy Zaltzman.

I heard it twice on the radio as well.

So McCullum says Moeen will be picked again for Lords if fit. I guess they want that variety, even if Lords isn't that conducive to spin.. Also, Foakes will not be picked... which surprises me... I'd drop Duckett for Foakes and open with Brook or Pope. Duckett has a problem... he never leaves a ball apparently... or didn't in the first test... and that can't be healthy! You have to know when to leave...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65934474

Duckett got out twice to one of the most reliable shots in his armoury - a bit like the Joe Root dab to third man. He's not going to leave balls he can easily hit, but in the first innings I thought he was a little tentative on a slow pitch, and in the second it was a cracking catch with a shot he just didn't play well enough. I don't have a huge problem with him as an opener, he's far more technically adept than Crawley. In a very Bazball scenario, I think he just needs to go harder :-)

Agree with Mahoney about Stokes and Ali. Ali will always bowl wicket taking deliveries though and he just needs overs to get in the groove. I'm sure he'll be better next week as long as his finger heals up.

Bairstow can't be that bad again...

[Slick]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

[Mahoney]

The problem with being 40 is that any sub-par performance might be a sign that he's losing it. But his pace was up there, and with limited swing, no seam movement and no zip off the pitch he's bound to be less effective. If he fails to perform when the conditions are more in his favour perhaps it'll be time to look again, but too early to call in my opinion.

[JM2K6]

England’s bowling attack is over the hill. Last Ashes for all of ‘em expect Robinson. And none is anywhere near his best any more.

Stokes - sure, his injury restricts him. He'll likely never be the same bowler again and it's a real concern.
Broad - sorry, just checking, you think the guy who took the most wickets of any fast bowler in the match and who absolutely terrorised their Big Three is over the hill?
Anderson - had a poor match by his standards.


Just some stats for you...

Anderson:

Career stats of 686 wickets @26.11 with a strike rate of 56.1 and 2.79rpo
2020: 23 wickets @20.47 / SR 51.6 and 2.37rpo
2021: 39 wickets @21.71 / SR 61.5 and 2.12rpo
2022: 36 wickets @19.8 / SR 48.9 and 2.42rpo
2023: 11 wickets @25.18 / SR 55.8 and 2.7rpo (3 matches)

Anderson's best was around 2017. His next best is... last year. He's a phenomenon and there's no evidence (yet) to suggest he's past it.

Broad:

Career stats of 588 wickets @27.59 with a strike rate of 55.8 and 2.96rpo
2020: 38 wickets @14.76 / SR 38.3 and 2.31 rpo
2021: 12 wickets @39.5 / SR 89.5 and 2.64rpo
2022: 40 wickets @25.75 / SR 47.5 and 3.24rpo
2023: 22 wickets @23 / SR 39.7 and 3.47rpo

2020 represents his best return in terms of average and strike rate, 2013 the most wickets. 62 wickets @24.7 - at a strike rate of 44.8 - since the start of 2022? That's top class. Pat Cummins, by comparison, has 51 wickets since the start of 2022 at a strike rate of 50 and an average of 24.3. No-one's saying he's washed up, I think.

[JM2K6]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

Yeah, he has been. His last 10 Tests prior to this one had these match returns:

3-114 v NZ (away)
7-54 vs NZ (away)
3-60 vs Pakistan (away)
5-88 vs Pakistan (away)
3-53 vs SA (home)
6-62 vs SA (home)
1-51 vs SA (home)
6-106 vs India (home)
5-82 vs NZ (home)
6-123 vs NZ (home)

In only 2 of those matches did he go at more than 3 an over - and 2 where he went at under 2. He's miserly and still taking wickets, the grumpy old fuck. Dunno how he does it.

[Slick]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

Yeah, he has been. His last 10 Tests prior to this one had these match returns:

3-114 v NZ (away)
7-54 vs NZ (away)
3-60 vs Pakistan (away)
5-88 vs Pakistan (away)
3-53 vs SA (home)
6-62 vs SA (home)
1-51 vs SA (home)
6-106 vs India (home)
5-82 vs NZ (home)
6-123 vs NZ (home)

In only 2 of those matches did he go at more than 3 an over - and 2 where he went at under 2. He's miserly and still taking wickets, the grumpy old fuck. Dunno how he does it.

That's incredible actually. Not much argument to be had here!

[Sandstorm]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

Yeah, he has been. His last 10 Tests prior to this one had these match returns:

3-114 v NZ (away)
7-54 vs NZ (away)
3-60 vs Pakistan (away)
5-88 vs Pakistan (away)
3-53 vs SA (home)
6-62 vs SA (home)
1-51 vs SA (home)
6-106 vs India (home)
5-82 vs NZ (home)
6-123 vs NZ (home)

In only 2 of those matches did he go at more than 3 an over - and 2 where he went at under 2. He's miserly and still taking wickets, the grumpy old fuck. Dunno how he does it.

[Paddington Bear]

Stokes and Ali are the elements of the bowling attack that concern me, Stokes because he is struggling to bowl much at all and Ali because he's often not been good enough and is really struggling with his finger. The rest were fine - it was a flat track and there wasn't much swing.

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

Yeah, he has been. His last 10 Tests prior to this one had these match returns:

3-114 v NZ (away)
7-54 vs NZ (away)
3-60 vs Pakistan (away)
5-88 vs Pakistan (away)
3-53 vs SA (home)
6-62 vs SA (home)
1-51 vs SA (home)
6-106 vs India (home)
5-82 vs NZ (home)
6-123 vs NZ (home)

In only 2 of those matches did he go at more than 3 an over - and 2 where he went at under 2. He's miserly and still taking wickets, the grumpy old fuck. Dunno how he does it.

It comes across on tv but was still remarkable when I was at a dinner near him recently - he has the body of a 20 year old. Even compared to a Brady/Ronaldo etc still going at that age he is noticeably lean. A quite remarkable fitness/nutrition programme, which by all accounts is deeply limited in terms of weights.

[JM2K6]

Is Anderson still firing? I didn't see much of him in this match but my impression is he is slowly, albeit very slowly, losing his way a bit. Genuine question, not a criticism, just not sure.

Yeah, he has been. His last 10 Tests prior to this one had these match returns:

3-114 v NZ (away)
7-54 vs NZ (away)
3-60 vs Pakistan (away)
5-88 vs Pakistan (away)
3-53 vs SA (home)
6-62 vs SA (home)
1-51 vs SA (home)
6-106 vs India (home)
5-82 vs NZ (home)
6-123 vs NZ (home)

In only 2 of those matches did he go at more than 3 an over - and 2 where he went at under 2. He's miserly and still taking wickets, the grumpy old fuck. Dunno how he does it.

That's incredible actually. Not much argument to be had here!

I wrote him off when he got injured a few years back, figured he'd not come back from it any time soon and that he'd struggle to hit the previous heights. Completely wrong

I'm also glad I never outright stated my firm belief that we should've gone into this match with Crawley dropped, Root as opener due to some vague belief I had that Bazball-Root wasn't doing very well and we may as well move him, and Bairstow and Foakes playing together. Crawley had an excellent game and Root is now ranked the #1 bat in the world thanks to his improvement under Bazball, so...

[Sandstorm]

It comes across on tv but was still remarkable when I was at a dinner near him recently - he has the body of a 20 year old. Even compared to a Brady/Ronaldo etc still going at that age he is noticeably lean. A quite remarkable fitness/nutrition programme, which by all accounts is deeply limited in terms of weights.

Bowlers stay fit and strong by bowling, not by working out in the gym. I'm sure that's why about a dozen younger England quicks are still injured and Borad and Jimmy are still getting called up/going strong.

[Biffer]

It comes across on tv but was still remarkable when I was at a dinner near him recently - he has the body of a 20 year old. Even compared to a Brady/Ronaldo etc still going at that age he is noticeably lean. A quite remarkable fitness/nutrition programme, which by all accounts is deeply limited in terms of weights.

Bowlers stay fit and strong by bowling, not by working out in the gym. I'm sure that's why about a dozen younger England quicks are still injured and Borad and Jimmy are still getting called up/going strong.

You are Fred Trueman and I claim my five pounds.

[Sandstorm]

It comes across on tv but was still remarkable when I was at a dinner near him recently - he has the body of a 20 year old. Even compared to a Brady/Ronaldo etc still going at that age he is noticeably lean. A quite remarkable fitness/nutrition programme, which by all accounts is deeply limited in terms of weights.

Bowlers stay fit and strong by bowling, not by working out in the gym. I'm sure that's why about a dozen younger England quicks are still injured and Borad and Jimmy are still getting called up/going strong.

You are Fred Trueman and I claim my five pounds.

I was Naas Botha yesterday.

[Paddington Bear]

It comes across on tv but was still remarkable when I was at a dinner near him recently - he has the body of a 20 year old. Even compared to a Brady/Ronaldo etc still going at that age he is noticeably lean. A quite remarkable fitness/nutrition programme, which by all accounts is deeply limited in terms of weights.

Bowlers stay fit and strong by bowling, not by working out in the gym. I'm sure that's why about a dozen younger England quicks are still injured and Borad and Jimmy are still getting called up/going strong.

You are Fred Trueman and I claim my five pounds.

Young bowlers reach pro cricket having bowled far too much. We’ve got two serious talents atm (and have had two seamers go pro in the last decade or so, so we do know what we’re talking about), and one of them is bowling 6 days a week. Most of the blame for this lies with the county set up, who seem constantly confused as to why pretty much all their talented seamers break down if they have a growth spurt.

[JM2K6]

I guess some of it depends on how much your action stresses certain parts of your body. Not sure there's an easy answer. Jimmy used to get injured a decent amount when they messed with his action, iirc.

[Biffer]

Young bowlers reach pro cricket having bowled far too much. We’ve got two serious talents atm (and have had two seamers go pro in the last decade or so, so we do know what we’re talking about), and one of them is bowling 6 days a week. Most of the blame for this lies with the county set up, who seem constantly confused as to why pretty much all their talented seamers break down if they have a growth spurt.

Well, that's kind of the point - bowl too much when their body is still growing and then not enough when they're fully grown adults. At 15/16 Trueman was probably bowling in matches Saturday and Sunday, couple of nets a week. From 21, He would have been bowling in county matches 5/6 days a week. Nowadays kids bowl every day and when they reach the county game they're bowling 20 overs a week.

[JM2K6]

I bowled 6 overs (5 on the trot!) about a month ago for Mahoney's friends+family team and I can assure everyone that actually trying to bowl pace in your 40s when you've not bowled in anger for >20 years is not good on the body. Jesus Christ. My arm still hurts. I think I broke something.

[Slick]

I bowled 6 overs (5 on the trot!) about a month ago for Mahoney's friends+family team and I can assure everyone that actually trying to bowl pace in your 40s when you've not bowled in anger for >20 years is not good on the body. Jesus Christ. My arm still hurts. I think I broke something.

I got carried away at a family beach cricket mess around in Oz over Christmas. Did one (1) bowl running in at “pace” for a laugh and hurt my knee, ankle and arm

[inactionman]

My abs felt like someone had danced a highland fling on them last time I tried bowling.

I'll stick to lower-order slogger from here on.

[JM2K6]

I bowled 6 overs (5 on the trot!) about a month ago for Mahoney's friends+family team and I can assure everyone that actually trying to bowl pace in your 40s when you've not bowled in anger for >20 years is not good on the body. Jesus Christ. My arm still hurts. I think I broke something.

I got carried away at a family beach cricket mess around in Oz over Christmas. Did one (1) bowl running in at “pace” for a laugh and hurt my knee, ankle and arm

I could barely walk the day after and was still feeling various strains and pains 2 weeks on.

Still keen to do it more regularly, though. Would also like to face more than 5 balls and not bat like a complete muppet but I am English so it comes with the territory

[Sandstorm]

I bowled 6 overs (5 on the trot!) about a month ago for Mahoney's friends+family team and I can assure everyone that actually trying to bowl pace in your 40s when you've not bowled in anger for >20 years is not good on the body. Jesus Christ. My arm still hurts. I think I broke something.

I got carried away at a family beach cricket mess around in Oz over Christmas. Did one (1) bowl running in at “pace” for a laugh and hurt my knee, ankle and arm

I could barely walk the day after and was still feeling various strains and pains 2 weeks on.

Still keen to do it more regularly, though. Would also like to face more than 5 balls and not bat like a complete muppet but I am English so it comes with the territory

I played 2 club games in 3 weeks and bowled about 10 overs in each in my mid-forties. Some I threw down at over 70mph I reckon too.

I had to have shoulder surgery on my right side the following year to fix my ligaments. Doc said he damage I did from 12-30 years old playing cricket and tennis was always there, but probabaly wouldn't have been an issue if i didn't think I was Dale Steyn 15 years later.