NPR

"I think CSA have put on 15 or 16 BSEs this season, and I don't think enough has been made of the success that we've had," Smith said. "I think Pakistan had been in five BSEs before they arrived here. The feedback we received from them on what we were able to produce here, in comparison, was that it was probably the best. We've got a good grip of how handle it, how we want to do it, and how we roll it out in terms of our testing protocols, the type of hotels we've used, and the mindset. Our stadiums have been excellent."

Clearly, what the English and Australians did to CSA still rankles Smith: "You see some of those players sitting there at the IPL and not making any noise. Having had experience of things here you do see some things differently, and [you see] a version of double standards. It's disappointing."

Rinkals wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 10:52 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Fri May 07, 2021 7:53 am The timing of Rinkals' post is weird given the English players had literally left the IPL.

The timing is due to Manthorpe's article coming out.

@JMK, I think what he's saying is that the players (and their boards) are willing to risk being exposed to covid if there is enough money involved.

However, you're right in that the BCCI have the resources to make the bio-secure environment work; it's just that it was about twenty times more ambitious with eight teams and stadia in multiple cities. As Graeme Smith says, these bubbles aren't foolproof and I don't think it surprised anyone when the bubble burst.

The South African version was just two teams in a single location, the difference, of course being money: there isn't as much.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 6:54 pm Without wanting to drag through a pretty shameful period in Australian cricket, I've long felt that Bankroft was treated pretty shamefully.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/au ... 42ed35a3f4

Yes, his were the underpants in which the ball-tampering agent was concealed, but I have long felt that he was placed in an appalling position by senior members of the Aussie cricket side of whom only he, Steve Smith and Warner saw consequences.

The Sandpaper story of Cape Town of 2018 was always an unfinished narrative.

We didn’t know whether it would take five months, five years, or until David Warner penned his autobiography, but further revelations were inevitable at some stage.

And they came with a thud overnight when Cameron Bancroft appeared to suggest bowlers knew about the plan to tamper with the ball.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has confirmed a much-awaited test debut for Devon Conway, with dual allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner also right in the mix to face England on a drying Lord’s pitch.

On the eve of the first test, starting at 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday, Williamson said the South African left-hander would partner Tom Latham at the top of the order after a stunning debut summer in white ball cricket.

Williamson narrowed his 19-man squad down to 12, with de Grandhomme, Santner and seamer Matt Henry in the running for two spots alongside a pace lineup of Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner.

AT A GLANCE

First cricket test at Lord’s, London, day one Wednesday 10pm (NZT):

England (from): Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (captain), Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, James Bracey, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry (one to be omitted).

TAB odds: England $1.85, NZ $2.80, draw $4.80

TV: Live streamed on Spark Sport

Enzedder wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:59 pm Kick off at 10pm tonight (dammit)

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has confirmed a much-awaited test debut for Devon Conway, with dual allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner also right in the mix to face England on a drying Lord’s pitch.

On the eve of the first test, starting at 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday, Williamson said the South African left-hander would partner Tom Latham at the top of the order after a stunning debut summer in white ball cricket.

Williamson narrowed his 19-man squad down to 12, with de Grandhomme, Santner and seamer Matt Henry in the running for two spots alongside a pace lineup of Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner.

AT A GLANCE

First cricket test at Lord’s, London, day one Wednesday 10pm (NZT):

England (from): Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (captain), Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, James Bracey, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry (one to be omitted).

TAB odds: England $1.85, NZ $2.80, draw $4.80

TV: Live streamed on Spark Sport

I reckon The Big Man will be the one to be 12th man

Enzedder wrote: ↑Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:59 pm Kick off at 10pm tonight (dammit)

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has confirmed a much-awaited test debut for Devon Conway, with dual allrounders Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner also right in the mix to face England on a drying Lord’s pitch.

On the eve of the first test, starting at 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday, Williamson said the South African left-hander would partner Tom Latham at the top of the order after a stunning debut summer in white ball cricket.

Williamson narrowed his 19-man squad down to 12, with de Grandhomme, Santner and seamer Matt Henry in the running for two spots alongside a pace lineup of Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner.

AT A GLANCE

First cricket test at Lord’s, London, day one Wednesday 10pm (NZT):

England (from): Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (captain), Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, James Bracey, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone, Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry (one to be omitted).

TAB odds: England $1.85, NZ $2.80, draw $4.80

TV: Live streamed on Spark Sport

I reckon The Big Man will be the one to be 12th man

ScarfaceClaw wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:31 am You can’t blame them for wanting to better themselves and play for the best teams.

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:27 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:31 am You can’t blame them for wanting to better themselves and play for the best teams.

Oh, don't worry: I don't.

The following Welsh people have played Test cricket for England: Johnnie Clay, Robert Croft, Jeff Jones, Simon Jones, Tony Lewis, Austin Matthews, Hugh Morris, Gilbert Parkhouse, Pat Pocock, Greg Thomas, Matthew Maynard, Maurice Turnbull, Cyril Walters, Steve Watkin and Allan Watkins.

Ymx wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:31 am

Rinkals wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:27 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:31 am You can’t blame them for wanting to better themselves and play for the best teams.

Oh, don't worry: I don't.

Is this a rare moment England can get on a high horse about foreign players? Or tongue in cheek?

Edit: I see Stokes and Archer are out

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:27 am Yet another list of “nations” that excludes Wales. If we add them in England is nearing the century.

The following Welsh people have played Test cricket for England: Johnnie Clay, Robert Croft, Jeff Jones, Simon Jones, Tony Lewis, Austin Matthews, Hugh Morris, Gilbert Parkhouse, Pat Pocock, Greg Thomas, Matthew Maynard, Maurice Turnbull, Cyril Walters, Steve Watkin and Allan Watkins.

I wondered why Geraint Jones was excluded but research shows he is the entry for Papua New Guinea.

Ymx wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:30 am I haven’t been keeping up with the cricket. But Tim Southee is good enough?

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:54 am

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:27 am Yet another list of “nations” that excludes Wales. If we add them in England is nearing the century.

The following Welsh people have played Test cricket for England: Johnnie Clay, Robert Croft, Jeff Jones, Simon Jones, Tony Lewis, Austin Matthews, Hugh Morris, Gilbert Parkhouse, Pat Pocock, Greg Thomas, Matthew Maynard, Maurice Turnbull, Cyril Walters, Steve Watkin and Allan Watkins.

I wondered why Geraint Jones was excluded but research shows he is the entry for Papua New Guinea.

Why would you add them in? The England Cricket Team is comprised of players from England and Wales.

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:18 am

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:54 am

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:27 am Yet another list of “nations” that excludes Wales. If we add them in England is nearing the century.



I wondered why Geraint Jones was excluded but research shows he is the entry for Papua New Guinea.

Why would you add them in? The England Cricket Team is comprised of players from England and Wales.

I realise the Welsh are eligible for selection for England but it’s a list of people born elsewhere to have represented other nations, which they do.

Out of interest, what is the history of the two being combined vs. Scotland, for example, playing separately? Were playing numbers greater in Scotland to have warranted the separate status? I’ve always been aware of the England and Wales Cricket Board without knowing why.

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:18 am
Out of interest, what is the history of the two being combined vs. Scotland, for example, playing separately? Were playing numbers greater in Scotland to have warranted the separate status? I’ve always been aware of the England and Wales Cricket Board without knowing why.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:57 am

Jb1981 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:18 am
Out of interest, what is the history of the two being combined vs. Scotland, for example, playing separately? Were playing numbers greater in Scotland to have warranted the separate status? I’ve always been aware of the England and Wales Cricket Board without knowing why.

The ECB (note it's called the England and Wales Cricket Board but no "W" in the name) is actually relatively new (1990s?). Was the TCCB when I was young. The TCCB was the whole of GB including Scotland and Ireland but they later applied for their own statuses to the ICC. I assume Wales was too small to either apply or be granted independent status and so exists within the ECB for now.

I suspect if I tried, I would struggle to name more Scots than Welsh though who have played at Test level for England:
- Mike Denness
- Dougie Brown (who my father taught [/Globus]) but I think he only had ODIs
so one then!!

For Wales: Watkin, Pocock, Thomas ("You know what the ball looks like. You go fetch it").


{EDIT} Thinking harder and complete block on any more Scots at all beyond Brian Hardie who opened for Essex forever and never played intl.