The Official Cricket Thread

[OomStruisbaai]

The Cricinfo lot went into silence with their Neverending Bazball shite.

This test is far from over with Stokes still batting

Mate. You'll win by an innings. Utterly embarrassing after all the hype shite

I don't know what Cricinfo he's been reading but there's been plenty of cynicism and doubt as to the longevity of the approach. But it's doubly weird having Oom strutting about here, given his relentless talking up of England despite our repeated collapses. No-one who's been talking as much shit as him for as long as him should be giving it large right now.

You have been quiet lately.

[OomStruisbaai]

Marco Jansen fighting a lonely battle with bat and ball

[OomStruisbaai]

Nortje and Rabada reply. Now they have to knock over the tail in quick time.

[OomStruisbaai]

England lead by 33 runs with 3 wickets in hand at close. Every run is precious now.

[OomStruisbaai]

Aus 267/5. Black Caps to chase 268.

[OomStruisbaai]

So that was quick. Jansen 5 wickets. Proteas must grind it now

[OomStruisbaai]

Proteas lead now without damage

[OomStruisbaai]

Black Caps 63 from 45 balls

[OomStruisbaai]

70/1 at lunch.

[OomStruisbaai]

BCs 39 from 23

[Kiwias]

BCs back to their frustrating best of finding ways not to win matches they had under reasonable control.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stokes breaking our tail. If we can get 50 more , it may be a test.

[OomStruisbaai]

130 from 36 overs. Walk in the park.

[Thor Sedan]

At least it isn't just NZ who are shite at cricket at the moment.

[OomStruisbaai]

[SaintK]

Decent turnaround from last Winter

[OomStruisbaai]

Proteas Men's coach Mark Boucher will step down after the T20 World Cup next month in Australia, according to the Cricket SA statement released on Monday

[Deepsouth]

Decent turnaround from last Winter

After the subject surrender to Australia in OZ surely the only direction was up........

[JM2K6]

Mate. You'll win by an innings. Utterly embarrassing after all the hype shite

I don't know what Cricinfo he's been reading but there's been plenty of cynicism and doubt as to the longevity of the approach. But it's doubly weird having Oom strutting about here, given his relentless talking up of England despite our repeated collapses. No-one who's been talking as much shit as him for as long as him should be giving it large right now.

You have been quiet lately.

I've not been on the forum much at all - been very busy. Apologies. I didn't even get to comment on the Rugby Championship much :(

I will say this - I have no idea why SA have such a bad batting lineup. It does have core structural problems. Are you missing a bunch of players that will come back, or is this it?

England won the series 2-1 despite some dreadful batting. "Bazball" is at its best when chasing a total, because the confidence and aggression actually works. Outside of that, the batting still sucks. It was good against NZ but Root had a shocker of a series and these are the totals we posted:

415/9
165
158
149
130/1

is that good? No, it's absolute dogshit with the exception of an excellent 400+, and a "good start" that was really a very good chase (130/1). 3 out of 5 innings being well under 200? We will continue to lose matches like that. Because we're not actually very good at Test match batting. There's signs of improvement - Foakes is a decent addition, Pope has settled into the role of 3 nicely, you wouldn't expect Root's mini-slump to continue - but in any other team there'd be howls of disapproval, and that's possibly the biggest bonus of the McCullum era so far, in that the pressure is completely off.

The bowling was superb though, and I'm very happy that we didn't waste a single moment pretending Potts is a better option than Robinson. Other management teams might have persisted with him, especially given how he went against NZ, but he does not seem like a long term option to me.

SA's bowling was very good at times, but I was disappointed in Harmer, Rabada didn't do his class justice, and I think Nortje should've been given a bit more support and the opportunity to attack the batsmen with short pitched bowling more. Dropping Jansen was a bonkers decision, he's a hell of a player already.

Happy with that? Would like to know more about SA's immediate future and whether that team is all you've got moving forward. If so, it's not the end of the world, but it'll take time.

[OomStruisbaai]

Cheers Boet. Sadly we lose Boucher. Him and Elgar think we have a young team and missing test experience.

[Biffer]

World Cricket League 2 games again this week,Tri series between USA, Namibia and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby PNG.

Basically the USA look like they’ve bolloxed their chances of getting straight into the qualifier next summer in Zimbabwe. Lost to PNG, tied with PNG (and PNG should have won this, we’re 203/8 going into the final over needing 206), lost heavily twice to Namibia. They can no longer catch Scotland or Oman, have now played 32 of their 36 games and are two points ahead of UAE who have played 26 and 7 ahead of Namibia who have only played 20. If Namibia can win their two games v PNG this week they’ll put themselves into a strong position.

USA being so poor is a worry given the T20 World Cup is in USA and the West Indies in 2024.

Looks like the teams in the qualifier from the top odi league will be Netherlands, Zimbabwe, South Africa and two of Ireland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Top two teams from the qualifier go to the World Cup in October/November in India.

[FalseBayFC]

I don't know what Cricinfo he's been reading but there's been plenty of cynicism and doubt as to the longevity of the approach. But it's doubly weird having Oom strutting about here, given his relentless talking up of England despite our repeated collapses. No-one who's been talking as much shit as him for as long as him should be giving it large right now.

You have been quiet lately.

I've not been on the forum much at all - been very busy. Apologies. I didn't even get to comment on the Rugby Championship much :(

I will say this - I have no idea why SA have such a bad batting lineup. It does have core structural problems. Are you missing a bunch of players that will come back, or is this it?

England won the series 2-1 despite some dreadful batting. "Bazball" is at its best when chasing a total, because the confidence and aggression actually works. Outside of that, the batting still sucks. It was good against NZ but Root had a shocker of a series and these are the totals we posted:

415/9
165
158
149
130/1

is that good? No, it's absolute dogshit with the exception of an excellent 400+, and a "good start" that was really a very good chase (130/1). 3 out of 5 innings being well under 200? We will continue to lose matches like that. Because we're not actually very good at Test match batting. There's signs of improvement - Foakes is a decent addition, Pope has settled into the role of 3 nicely, you wouldn't expect Root's mini-slump to continue - but in any other team there'd be howls of disapproval, and that's possibly the biggest bonus of the McCullum era so far, in that the pressure is completely off.

The bowling was superb though, and I'm very happy that we didn't waste a single moment pretending Potts is a better option than Robinson. Other management teams might have persisted with him, especially given how he went against NZ, but he does not seem like a long term option to me.

SA's bowling was very good at times, but I was disappointed in Harmer, Rabada didn't do his class justice, and I think Nortje should've been given a bit more support and the opportunity to attack the batsmen with short pitched bowling more. Dropping Jansen was a bonkers decision, he's a hell of a player already.

Happy with that? Would like to know more about SA's immediate future and whether that team is all you've got moving forward. If so, it's not the end of the world, but it'll take time.

There is a big difference in level between county cricket and our domestic 4 day game. Just like Premiership rugby and football in the UK you guys have the business case and budget to attract and compete against some of the best in the world. That includes coaches and support staff. We have the talent but right now I don't see anyone coming along soon who will match the golden generation of Smith, Amla, Kallis, Gibbs, AB, Faf. Our big hope Aiden Markram has imploded like Graham Hicks and Jonathan Trott. Best prospects I can see are Bedingham who looks like he wants to play for England and Rickleton. Both of whom are playing county cricket.

[JM2K6]

You have been quiet lately.

I've not been on the forum much at all - been very busy. Apologies. I didn't even get to comment on the Rugby Championship much :(

I will say this - I have no idea why SA have such a bad batting lineup. It does have core structural problems. Are you missing a bunch of players that will come back, or is this it?

England won the series 2-1 despite some dreadful batting. "Bazball" is at its best when chasing a total, because the confidence and aggression actually works. Outside of that, the batting still sucks. It was good against NZ but Root had a shocker of a series and these are the totals we posted:

415/9
165
158
149
130/1

is that good? No, it's absolute dogshit with the exception of an excellent 400+, and a "good start" that was really a very good chase (130/1). 3 out of 5 innings being well under 200? We will continue to lose matches like that. Because we're not actually very good at Test match batting. There's signs of improvement - Foakes is a decent addition, Pope has settled into the role of 3 nicely, you wouldn't expect Root's mini-slump to continue - but in any other team there'd be howls of disapproval, and that's possibly the biggest bonus of the McCullum era so far, in that the pressure is completely off.

The bowling was superb though, and I'm very happy that we didn't waste a single moment pretending Potts is a better option than Robinson. Other management teams might have persisted with him, especially given how he went against NZ, but he does not seem like a long term option to me.

SA's bowling was very good at times, but I was disappointed in Harmer, Rabada didn't do his class justice, and I think Nortje should've been given a bit more support and the opportunity to attack the batsmen with short pitched bowling more. Dropping Jansen was a bonkers decision, he's a hell of a player already.

Happy with that? Would like to know more about SA's immediate future and whether that team is all you've got moving forward. If so, it's not the end of the world, but it'll take time.

There is a big difference in level between county cricket and our domestic 4 day game. Just like Premiership rugby and football in the UK you guys have the business case and budget to attract and compete against some of the best in the world. That includes coaches and support staff. We have the talent but right now I don't see anyone coming along soon who will match the golden generation of Smith, Amla, Kallis, Gibbs, AB, Faf. Our big hope Aiden Markram has imploded like Graham Hicks and Jonathan Trott. Best prospects I can see are Bedingham who looks like he wants to play for England and Rickleton. Both of whom are playing county cricket.

Hick had to wait far too long and didn't take to Test cricket. Trott scored nearly 4000 runs at 44 and was a huge part of us being the best team in the world for a spell before mental health issues came to the fore. Very strange comparisons to make.

County cricket has almost no budget for the 4 day game, it's an afterthought and the majority of overseas players are just decent pros.

[Biffer]

I've not been on the forum much at all - been very busy. Apologies. I didn't even get to comment on the Rugby Championship much :(

I will say this - I have no idea why SA have such a bad batting lineup. It does have core structural problems. Are you missing a bunch of players that will come back, or is this it?

England won the series 2-1 despite some dreadful batting. "Bazball" is at its best when chasing a total, because the confidence and aggression actually works. Outside of that, the batting still sucks. It was good against NZ but Root had a shocker of a series and these are the totals we posted:

415/9
165
158
149
130/1

is that good? No, it's absolute dogshit with the exception of an excellent 400+, and a "good start" that was really a very good chase (130/1). 3 out of 5 innings being well under 200? We will continue to lose matches like that. Because we're not actually very good at Test match batting. There's signs of improvement - Foakes is a decent addition, Pope has settled into the role of 3 nicely, you wouldn't expect Root's mini-slump to continue - but in any other team there'd be howls of disapproval, and that's possibly the biggest bonus of the McCullum era so far, in that the pressure is completely off.

The bowling was superb though, and I'm very happy that we didn't waste a single moment pretending Potts is a better option than Robinson. Other management teams might have persisted with him, especially given how he went against NZ, but he does not seem like a long term option to me.

SA's bowling was very good at times, but I was disappointed in Harmer, Rabada didn't do his class justice, and I think Nortje should've been given a bit more support and the opportunity to attack the batsmen with short pitched bowling more. Dropping Jansen was a bonkers decision, he's a hell of a player already.

Happy with that? Would like to know more about SA's immediate future and whether that team is all you've got moving forward. If so, it's not the end of the world, but it'll take time.

There is a big difference in level between county cricket and our domestic 4 day game. Just like Premiership rugby and football in the UK you guys have the business case and budget to attract and compete against some of the best in the world. That includes coaches and support staff. We have the talent but right now I don't see anyone coming along soon who will match the golden generation of Smith, Amla, Kallis, Gibbs, AB, Faf. Our big hope Aiden Markram has imploded like Graham Hicks and Jonathan Trott. Best prospects I can see are Bedingham who looks like he wants to play for England and Rickleton. Both of whom are playing county cricket.

Hick had to wait far too long and didn't take to Test cricket. Trott scored nearly 4000 runs at 44 and was a huge part of us being the best team in the world for a spell before mental health issues came to the fore. Very strange comparisons to make.

County cricket has almost no budget for the 4 day game, it's an afterthought and the majority of overseas players are just decent pros.

Yeah Trott has 52 tests opening the batting and averaging 44. 9 tons, 19 50s. That’s a pretty good test career and hard to criticise. Stopped playing internationals at 34.

Markrham’s form has been rank for the last year, but hopefully he can turn that around.

County cricket has been badly neglected the last few years. It got to the point where the counties played pretty much no red ball cricket in July and August, the height of the English summer. And then they wondered why they didn’t have any test openers . Hopefully that’s changing.

[OomStruisbaai]

Only if our lot will pick Baby AB. Massive batting talent.

[Insane_Homer]

Pakistan chase 199 without losing a wicket

[JM2K6]

Babar is a phenomenon.

[Biffer]

World Cricket League 2 games again this week,Tri series between USA, Namibia and Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby PNG.

Basically the USA look like they’ve bolloxed their chances of getting straight into the qualifier next summer in Zimbabwe. Lost to PNG, tied with PNG (and PNG should have won this, we’re 203/8 going into the final over needing 206), lost heavily twice to Namibia. They can no longer catch Scotland or Oman, have now played 32 of their 36 games and are two points ahead of UAE who have played 26 and 7 ahead of Namibia who have only played 20. If Namibia can win their two games v PNG this week they’ll put themselves into a strong position.

USA being so poor is a worry given the T20 World Cup is in USA and the West Indies in 2024.

Looks like the teams in the qualifier from the top odi league will be Netherlands, Zimbabwe, South Africa and two of Ireland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Top two teams from the qualifier go to the World Cup in October/November in India.

As expected, Namibia won both games vs PNG. Table now reads

Oman Played 36 points 44
Scotland played 28 points 40
USA played 32 points 29
UAE played 26 points 27
Namibia played 22 points 26
Nepal played 20 points 17
PNG played 24 points 5

USA look like toast
Scotland’s remaining 8 games are 4v Nepal and 4 v Namibia
UAE have 2 v Namibia, 4 v Nepal and 4 v PNG
Namibia have the games above plus two each v USA & PNG and 4 v Nepal
Nepal have the above plus 4 v PNG
PNG have the above plus 2 v USA

I think that’s right.

[Thor Sedan]

So Harry Brook is going to be able to go into the IPL with a blank cheque. Some player!

[JM2K6]

He does look the goods, doesn't he. Wow.

Been a lot of fun watching Jacks, Duckett, and Brook do their thing, even if Babar will make the chase look easy.

[Insane_Homer]

221/3

awesome from Brook 81 from just 35

[Thor Sedan]

He does look the goods, doesn't he. Wow.

Been a lot of fun watching Jacks, Duckett, and Brook do their thing, even if Babar will make the chase look easy.

England's depth is pretty phenomenal in the short formats.

Don't think Babar and Rizwan will pull off another smash and grab like last night. Might get close - but I think that total might just be a little much.

[JM2K6]

He does look the goods, doesn't he. Wow.

Been a lot of fun watching Jacks, Duckett, and Brook do their thing, even if Babar will make the chase look easy.

England's depth is pretty phenomenal in the short formats.

Don't think Babar and Rizwan will pull off another smash and grab like last night. Might get close - but I think that total might just be a little much.

Batting depth yes. Bowling remains a problem.

[Thor Sedan]

Wood just put down a 156kph delivery.....

[inactionman]

India Women just beat England with a mankadding.

I'm sure we've all got opinions on the practice, I'm definitely one in the 'hate it with a passion' camp.

[Lobby]

India Women just beat England with a mankadding.

I'm sure we've all got opinions on the practice, I'm definitely one in the 'hate it with a passion' camp.

Definitely leaves a sour taste for India to win a match in that way. It looked like intentional deception rather than opportunism to me as well. Dean wasn't backing up or trying to steal a run as she was still in her ground at the point at which Sharma would normally have released the ball, but she held on to it, waited for Dean to move and then stumped her.

I suspect the Indians were worried that they wouldn't be able to get Dean out any other way, so decided to do it this way.

[Insane_Homer]

India Women just beat England with a mankadding.

I'm sure we've all got opinions on the practice, I'm definitely one in the 'hate it with a passion' camp.

A truly disappointing and shitty way to end the game, but perfectly legitimate.

Personally if I were Captain, and my bowler did that, I'd withdraw the appeal.

[inactionman]

India Women just beat England with a mankadding.

I'm sure we've all got opinions on the practice, I'm definitely one in the 'hate it with a passion' camp.

Definitely leaves a sour taste for India to win a match in that way. It looked like intentional deception rather than opportunism to me as well. Dean wasn't backing up or trying to steal a run as she was still in her ground at the point at which Sharma would normally have released the ball, but she held on to it, waited for Dean to move and then stumped her.

I suspect the Indians were worried that they wouldn't be able to get Dean out any other way, so decided to do it this way.

I was under the impression that the Laws have been refined to make it clearer that, if the batsman was in their ground at the point of what would be normal release, it wouldn't be out.

From the cricinfo commentary:

Here's the wording of MCC Law 41.16.1: "If the non-striker is out of his/her ground at any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be Run out. In these circumstances, the non-striker will be out Run out if he/she is out of his/her ground when his/her wicket is put down by the bowler throwing the ball at the stumps or by the bowler's hand holding the ball, whether or not the ball is subsequently delivered."

I saw it live, and it definitely looked like Dean was still in, and just followed the natural tempo of the delivery. It did look snide, and very much like it was intentional deception.

I'd prefer it if the rules could be changed to get rid of it and make any backing up where the non-striker is out their ground before the ball is released a short run.

[Hal Jordan]

Bravo for Dean shaking hands, I'm not sure I wouldn't have just told her to go fuck herself.

[JM2K6]

I hate it purely because it's just a "gotcha" moment that takes away from the sport. Have umpires penalise the batting side if they wander out of the crease too soon, like they do bowlers who overstep. I don't hate the law, I hate how it destroys the feel of a wicket and the flow of the game. It genuinely feels like a complete anachronism. I couldn't give a shit about the sporting aspect of it, it just feels totally out of place bailing on your bowling in order to run someone out.