The Official Cricket Thread

[Rinkals]

Maharaj gets Fakker.

Not before he'd scored his ton, though.

Maharaj seems to be risking missing out on his leather coat here.

[Rinkals]

Maharaj gets a third, nicely stumped.

[Insane_Homer]

249/5 - Pakistan letting the good work up front slip now.

[Insane_Homer]

decent over. 1 6 . 6 6 6

Hasan with 32 from 11

320/7

That seems a bit light, should've been over 350, but it's more than enough - this batting lineup won't get close. I reckon we'll be 260 all out.

[Rinkals]

decent over. 1 6 . 6 6 6

Hasan with 32 from 11

320/7

That seems a bit light, should've been over 350.

On cricinfo the Pakistan supporters seem to think 300 is plenty enough.

I suspect they're right.

[Big Nipper]

decent over. 1 6 . 6 6 6

Hasan with 32 from 11

320/7

That seems a bit light, should've been over 350.

On cricinfo the Pakistan supporters seem to think 300 is plenty enough.

I suspect they're right.

Well what a surprise that you would back the opposition

[JM2K6]

decent over. 1 6 . 6 6 6

Hasan with 32 from 11

320/7

That seems a bit light, should've been over 350.

On cricinfo the Pakistan supporters seem to think 300 is plenty enough.

I suspect they're right.

Well what a surprise that you would back the opposition

Give him more credit than that. It's a good double-play; if Pakistan lose, he gets to accuse those fans of arrogance. If they win, he gets to slate South Africa. It's a win-win for ol'Miseryguts.

[Insane_Homer]

Good start this!

I was expecting 20/3 at this stage

[Sandstorm]

Awful Pakistan fielding keeping SA in this one....

[Rinkals]

On cricinfo the Pakistan supporters seem to think 300 is plenty enough.

I suspect they're right.

Well what a surprise that you would back the opposition

Give him more credit than that. It's a good double-play; if Pakistan lose, he gets to accuse those fans of arrogance. If they win, he gets to slate South Africa. It's a win-win for ol'Miseryguts.

I think Nipper is closer to the mark than you are.

I was referring to this quote on cricinfo:

Ahmad: "Pak needs to reassess the target. The way bowl is turning anything above 300 will do. just need to see through Maharaj last 2 overs."

With the loss of the senior players to the IPL, (and the loss of v d Dussen through injury) our batting is looking decidedly green.

Mind you, I don't think I have been 'backing the opposition'. IH has been a lot more negative than I.

Quite impressed with Janneman Malan, though. Good fifty from him.

[Insane_Homer]

IH has been a lot more negative than I.

I'm playing the mockers FFS! This isn't my first rodeo. Manage expectations. Expect shit, be pleasantly surprised when we're within spitting distance of a win before actually fucking it up!

That should cover it.

[Sandstorm]

Bavuma suffering with thigh strain, not looking good

[Sandstorm]

Choking on the spin

[Insane_Homer]

2 in one over, game over red rover.

[Rinkals]

IH has been a lot more negative than I.

I'm playing the mockers FFS! This isn't my first rodeo. Manage expectations. Expect shit, be pleasantly surprised when we're within spitting distance of a win before actually fucking it up!

That should cover it.

Yes.

I agree.

I tend to do that as well.

It stings when I get accused of supporting the other side though.

Indeed, my praise of Malan has probably contributed to the fall of his wicket.

Not sure about Verreynne, but Klaasen is no mug against spin.

[Sandstorm]

Klaasen is no mug against spin.

Yours. Muppet

[Insane_Homer]

Klaasen is no mug against spin.

Yours. Muppet

Yup, killed him dead!

[Insane_Homer]

going well enough, but we're going to have too much to do in the last 5 overs.

South Africa need 95 runs in 54 balls. RRR: 10.55

[Rinkals]

Klaasen is no mug against spin.

Yours. Muppet

Sorry.

Nipper was giving me such a hard time for not supporting the team that I felt compelled to reach for some positives.

In all seriousness, though, that was a horrible display from the Saffers.

Phehluckwayo, who I normally like and who is supposed to be an allrounder, was playing like a genuine number eleven and swinging himself off his feet every ball but rarely connecting.

Verreynne can obviously play, but he doesn't appear to have two braincells to rub together. When he tried to lap the free hit off Hassan Ali and missed was a bit face-palm moment.

[Paddington Bear]

Championship season underway with snow in the air.

Live streams of all games available for free, quality is pretty good. Remarkable common sense from English cricket


https://www.ecb.co.uk/county-championsh ... ntre/22585

[Rinkals]

188 for six in the allotted twenty overs.

Twenty runs short of where we should have been.

[Sandstorm]

Lose again. Hendricks is officially the dumbest player to ever turn out for the Proteas.

[Rinkals]

Lose again. Hendricks is officially the dumbest player to ever turn out for the Proteas.

Actually he and Shamsi were the only two bowlers to register under ten and were the only ones, apart from Williams' in the twentieth, to take wickets.

I thought Williams bowled well, but Magala, who Pommie Mbangwa was bigging up as the next best thing, was rubbish.

[Paddington Bear]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

[tabascoboy]

You know the county cricket season has begun, when snow stops play...

[JM2K6]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

I know a couple of people who hold some bizarre grudge against Morgan for ditching Hales. Seemed like a sensible move to me. Guy can't be trusted.

[Ovals]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

I know a couple of people who hold some bizarre grudge against Morgan for ditching Hales. Seemed like a sensible move to me. Guy can't be trusted.

I don't have a grudge against Morgan - but I do think that Hales should have the right to a proper process in determining the sanction for his misdemeanours - it shouldn't just come down to the opinion of one person when the ECB has it's own disciplinary processes. If his crime is worthy of a ban from the England team for 1, 2 or more years; then that should be the sanction decided on by the ECB, not just by the captain of the white ball team.

If Hales was also a test player, you could have the ridiculous situation where he'd be free to play test cricket for us, but be, effectively, banned from T20I/ODI cricket.

[JM2K6]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

I know a couple of people who hold some bizarre grudge against Morgan for ditching Hales. Seemed like a sensible move to me. Guy can't be trusted.

I don't have a grudge against Morgan - but I do think that Hales should have the right to a proper process in determining the sanction for his misdemeanours - it shouldn't just come down to the opinion of one person when the ECB has it's own disciplinary processes. If his crime is worthy of a ban from the England team for 1, 2 or more years; then that should be the sanction decided on by the ECB, not just by the captain of the white ball team.

If Hales was also a test player, you could have the ridiculous situation where he'd be free to play test cricket for us, but be, effectively, banned from T20I/ODI cricket.

No-one has the right to play international cricket, though. It's not just that he's a cokehead, it's that the captain thinks he cannot be trusted because of how he fucked them over last time and lied about his actions. I think it's perfectly reasonable for an apparently toxic player to be excluded. Morgan does have a lot of power and in return he's provided massive success.

I realise my view on the KP situation is the complete opposite here, though I do think there's a big difference between a player being scapegoated for the failures of the team & captain and what's happened with Hales.

A lesser example would be someone like Cipriani. But I'm not sure there's an easy comparison to make with other sports, as a cricket captain has far more say in selection and tactics.

[Big D]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

If that is true it is a bit of a sad story* IMO. He has a real talent for white ball cricket and he has wasted it. I just hope is agent/,management team have been offering the appropriate support rather than leaching off his T20 earnings.

*of course entirely his own fault.

[Ovals]

I know a couple of people who hold some bizarre grudge against Morgan for ditching Hales. Seemed like a sensible move to me. Guy can't be trusted.

I don't have a grudge against Morgan - but I do think that Hales should have the right to a proper process in determining the sanction for his misdemeanours - it shouldn't just come down to the opinion of one person when the ECB has it's own disciplinary processes. If his crime is worthy of a ban from the England team for 1, 2 or more years; then that should be the sanction decided on by the ECB, not just by the captain of the white ball team.

If Hales was also a test player, you could have the ridiculous situation where he'd be free to play test cricket for us, but be, effectively, banned from T20I/ODI cricket.

No-one has the right to play international cricket, though. It's not just that he's a cokehead, it's that the captain thinks he cannot be trusted because of how he fucked them over last time and lied about his actions. I think it's perfectly reasonable for an apparently toxic player to be excluded. Morgan does have a lot of power and in return he's provided massive success.

I realise my view on the KP situation is the complete opposite here, though I do think there's a big difference between a player being scapegoated for the failures of the team & captain and what's happened with Hales.

A lesser example would be someone like Cipriani. But I'm not sure there's an easy comparison to make with other sports, as a cricket captain has far more say in selection and tactics.

I don't have any problem with Hales being sanctioned for what he has done, even if that sanction is deemed to be a life ban from the England team - I just don't think that one guy should have such total power to impose sanctions far beyond what the ECB have agreed to. It won't be for much longer though. I can't see Morgs going on past the T20 WC. His recent form would have seen him dropped were he not the skipper - probably for Hales

[Paddington Bear]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

I know a couple of people who hold some bizarre grudge against Morgan for ditching Hales. Seemed like a sensible move to me. Guy can't be trusted.

I don't have a grudge against Morgan - but I do think that Hales should have the right to a proper process in determining the sanction for his misdemeanours - it shouldn't just come down to the opinion of one person when the ECB has it's own disciplinary processes. If his crime is worthy of a ban from the England team for 1, 2 or more years; then that should be the sanction decided on by the ECB, not just by the captain of the white ball team.

If Hales was also a test player, you could have the ridiculous situation where he'd be free to play test cricket for us, but be, effectively, banned from T20I/ODI cricket.

A captain has a right to (within reason) select his squad. Morgan clearly has no respect for Hales.

Fwiw Hales is clearly an exceptionally talented player, but I largely agree with Morgan on this. I cannot pretend to respect a bloke who had a chance to win a home world cup and traded it in for gear on a night out in Nottingham.

[JM2K6]

I don't have a grudge against Morgan - but I do think that Hales should have the right to a proper process in determining the sanction for his misdemeanours - it shouldn't just come down to the opinion of one person when the ECB has it's own disciplinary processes. If his crime is worthy of a ban from the England team for 1, 2 or more years; then that should be the sanction decided on by the ECB, not just by the captain of the white ball team.

If Hales was also a test player, you could have the ridiculous situation where he'd be free to play test cricket for us, but be, effectively, banned from T20I/ODI cricket.

No-one has the right to play international cricket, though. It's not just that he's a cokehead, it's that the captain thinks he cannot be trusted because of how he fucked them over last time and lied about his actions. I think it's perfectly reasonable for an apparently toxic player to be excluded. Morgan does have a lot of power and in return he's provided massive success.

I realise my view on the KP situation is the complete opposite here, though I do think there's a big difference between a player being scapegoated for the failures of the team & captain and what's happened with Hales.

A lesser example would be someone like Cipriani. But I'm not sure there's an easy comparison to make with other sports, as a cricket captain has far more say in selection and tactics.

I don't have any problem with Hales being sanctioned for what he has done, even if that sanction is deemed to be a life ban from the England team - I just don't think that one guy should have such total power to impose sanctions far beyond what the ECB have agreed to. It won't be for much longer though. I can't see Morgs going on past the T20 WC. His recent form would have seen him dropped were he not the skipper - probably for Hales

His form's definitely not been drop-worthy. One poor series for an established player doesn't worry anyone, really. Late last year he was still doing excellent things with the bat, and he's a phenomenal captain. Happily we're past the days where a short drop in form sees you ditched.

I just don't see the captain making a selection decision against someone as being "sanctioned". Hales only has himself to blame. Especially as Morgan was happy for rumours to start about Hales being given another chance if he could hold it together this year.

I've found a good comparison, though: Dean Richards. Deano is never going to get the England job, because of Bloodgate. Everyone knows that, even though it's not been publicly stated and it's not part of his official punishment. Now, plenty of people think he's served his time and deserves to be treated with a clean slate. I can't imagine they'd think the same if he was a recidivist, though.

[Big D]

Well that was pretty shady by Hampshire yesterday. The wicket keeper had to have known what he did. Pretty poor.

For those who haven't seen it, the keeper "stumps" the batsman with his left hand while the ball is in his right hand no where near the stumps.

[SaintK]

Take this with as much salt as you please, but by all account Alex Hales has failed another drugs test and is looking at a hefty ban

He obviously needs help more than another lengthy period in exile

[handyman]

Pakistan win the toss and bat.

South Africa: 1 Janneman Malan, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Pite van Biljon, 4 Wihan Lubbe, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (capt & wk), 6 Andile Phehlukwayo, 7 George Linde, 8 Beuran Hendricks, 9 Lizaad Williams, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Sisanda Magala

Pakistan: 1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Haider Ali, 5 Mohammad Hafeez, 6 Mohammad Nawaz, 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Usman Qadir

[handyman]

Wicket first ball, Linde the bowler, Rizwan the batsman. 0/1 after 0.1 overs.

[handyman]

16/2 after 3.5 overs, Linde with both wickets.

[Insane_Homer]

65/2 after 10

[Insane_Homer]

72/3 after 11. Linde with his 3rd

[Ovals]

No-one has the right to play international cricket, though. It's not just that he's a cokehead, it's that the captain thinks he cannot be trusted because of how he fucked them over last time and lied about his actions. I think it's perfectly reasonable for an apparently toxic player to be excluded. Morgan does have a lot of power and in return he's provided massive success.

I realise my view on the KP situation is the complete opposite here, though I do think there's a big difference between a player being scapegoated for the failures of the team & captain and what's happened with Hales.

A lesser example would be someone like Cipriani. But I'm not sure there's an easy comparison to make with other sports, as a cricket captain has far more say in selection and tactics.

I don't have any problem with Hales being sanctioned for what he has done, even if that sanction is deemed to be a life ban from the England team - I just don't think that one guy should have such total power to impose sanctions far beyond what the ECB have agreed to. It won't be for much longer though. I can't see Morgs going on past the T20 WC. His recent form would have seen him dropped were he not the skipper - probably for Hales

His form's definitely not been drop-worthy. One poor series for an established player doesn't worry anyone, really. Late last year he was still doing excellent things with the bat, and he's a phenomenal captain. Happily we're past the days where a short drop in form sees you ditched.

I just don't see the captain making a selection decision against someone as being "sanctioned". Hales only has himself to blame. Especially as Morgan was happy for rumours to start about Hales being given another chance if he could hold it together this year.

I've found a good comparison, though: Dean Richards. Deano is never going to get the England job, because of Bloodgate. Everyone knows that, even though it's not been publicly stated and it's not part of his official punishment. Now, plenty of people think he's served his time and deserves to be treated with a clean slate. I can't imagine they'd think the same if he was a recidivist, though.

We'll have to agree to disagree - I don't think the skipper should have an absolute veto over the selection of a player - there's been plenty of test sides where the skipper hasn't even been on ethe selection committee.

As for his form - there'd certainly be questions asked if he wasn't skipper - top score of 28 in his last 10 white ball matches - knocking on a bit now, dodgy back, and not producing the goods - with some very good white ball players snapping at his heels. He'll be gone before the end of this year - academic until then though.