Ashes / Proteas vs India

[Gumboot]

Well, if it's an obsessive issue in England now, it wasn't when I was regularly watching test matches in England.

Which begs the question: why? The game hasn't changed all that much.

As far as I know nobody else gives a shit about over rates unless it impacts the result. (or your drinking time, obviously).

Doesn't the over rate by definition impact the result?

What could've/would've happened during those lost overs?

These are questions we test cricket fans hopefully won't need to ask much longer.

Not if the game finishes inside three and a half days, no.

I'm surprised I need to explain this to you.

I'm surprised you think you need to explain this, but clearly you're fixated on your silly little "exception to the rules if the game finishes early" bollocks, so I'm out.

[Rinkals]

Joe Root has played 110 Tests and he was 14 the last time you went to a match in this country, why on earth do you think you're any kind of authority on this?

Over rates have deteriorated since then, ticket prices have gone up, the Test schedule has become weirder and more prone to weather disruption, and people are fed up with being taken for mugs.

Who cares?

One poster suggested (I think it might have been you) that the spectators in England were angry at slow over rates.

I suggested that, when I watched cricket in England, I never heard anyone express any such anger. Further, I think that any such anger is largely manufactured by the broadcasters harping on about it.

If this was seventeen years ago is largely immaterial because the game hasn't changed that much over that time.

Apart from over rates getting worse, the English Test schedule changing, there being more anger at the ECB's handling of the sport, more days lost due to dumbarse ground selection, ticket prices rising steeply despite a fucking global financial crisis having happened since you last went to a game, more avenues for consumers to express their displeasure, etc, etc.

Basically what we have here is two English people who are familiar with English cricket, telling you, a guy who is not in this country, doesn't interact with English cricket fans except to be a dick on rugby forums, who hasn't been to a game in nearly two decades, that your anecdotal evidence is worth absolutely fuck all when talking about a phenomenon that started after you left the country.

Why is it so, so difficult for you to accept that you don't actually know anything about this? Why, when faced with multiple people saying the same thing who are explaining to you how and why it's happened, are you so convinced that your nearly two decades old experience of watching Test cricket in this country contradicts people who have recent, relevant experience of the opposite? You're arguing from the basis of zero applicable knowledge.

Again: who cares?

This has degenerated into personal attacks, but I'm fine with that. I expect nothing else from you.

If you think over rates are important, then bully for you.

I just feel that the issue is overblown (I do concede that, in tight games, they do have an impact) and is driven by broadcasters rather than having any appreciable impact for the spectators in the majority of games.

This particular game finished inside three and a half days and I cannot see any practical reason for the penalty.

[Sandstorm]

It’s called quadrupling down, folks.

[Biffer]

I watch a test cricket in England every year, slow over rates piss me off. I've spoken to many people at test matches who are also frustrated by it.

[Paddington Bear]

A huge +1 from another English cricket spectator who feels ripped off at slow over rates.

[Big D]

Doubt it all you like, but it's been a common theme among supporters, has been an issue repeatedly on social media and blogs, and is brought up constantly on those "ask journalist questions" videos by fans.

It's not about changing the result. It's about short changing fans.

Over five overs?

You lot are tighter than the Scots are generally reputed to be.

Five overs is 30 balls. That's more than enough to change the course of a test match.

Yeah easily.

Over a test match that's 25 overs. Which is a session these days.

[JM2K6]

Again: who cares?

This has degenerated into personal attacks, but I'm fine with that. I expect nothing else from you.

If you think over rates are important, then bully for you.

I just feel that the issue is overblown (I do concede that, in tight games, they do have an impact) and is driven by broadcasters rather than having any appreciable impact for the spectators in the majority of games.

This particular game finished inside three and a half days and I cannot see any practical reason for the penalty.

You get insults - as mild as they are - because you're absolutely insufferable. We've tried explaining who cares and why they care, but you refuse to believe anything you're being told, instead preferring to cling to your pet theory (it's invented by the media) based on nothing except your "knowledge" from nearly 20 years ago. I know that nothing we could possibly say would make you publicly change your mind, because you make QAnon acolytes look open minded in comparison, but at this point you must know deep down that you're in the minority on this, particularly when it comes to English cricket which has other factors exacerbating it.

The answer to "who cares" is "quite a lot of people, actually". There's evidence posted in this very thread. You just don't want to admit it.

[JM2K6]

Back to the sports news, Wood's been rested for the next Test. I'm torn on this; he was good last Test and England need to win the second Test to have any chance in this series. It would likely come at the cost of much of his further participation in the tour, so I can understand why they've done it, but still...

Then again I thought Woakes bowled pretty well and he looks set to miss out as well.

[Rinkals]

You are entitled to your opinions.

I just don't think that it's that important a deal, particularly if the game ends early.

I have repeatedly said that it is different if the game is tight (which everybody attacking me seems to have roundly ignored), but I don't think a fine and/or docking of points is much of a disincentive against using these tactics to win or save a game anyway.

I can't see the logic of whipping yourself into a fervour over five overs in a game which finished with 120 overs to spare.

You are quite welcome to disagree.

[Big Nipper]

You are entitled to your opinions.

I just don't think that it's that important a deal, particularly if the game ends early.

I have repeatedly said that it is different if the game is tight (which everybody attacking me seems to have roundly ignored), but I don't think a fine and/or docking of points is much of a disincentive against using these tactics to win or save a game anyway.

I can't see the logic of whipping yourself into a fervour over five overs in a game which finished with 120 overs to spare.

You are quite welcome to disagree.

Why are you like this?

[JM2K6]

You are entitled to your opinions.

I just don't think that it's that important a deal, particularly if the game ends early.

I have repeatedly said that it is different if the game is tight (which everybody attacking me seems to have roundly ignored), but I don't think a fine and/or docking of points is much of a disincentive against using these tactics to win or save a game anyway.

I can't see the logic of whipping yourself into a fervour over five overs in a game which finished with 120 overs to spare.

You are quite welcome to disagree.

You are entitled to think it's not important. That has never been the problem. You did however suggest that HH and I were lying, that people didn't care about it, that it was a media storm only, and that nothing has changed in English cricket since 2004 to make this enough of a problem to bother spectators. All of your points were answered and explained, but you ignored that, repeatedly.

I urge you to understand that you not caring about it does not mean it's wrong that other people care about it. No-one is telling you that you need to give a shit about a niche thing. Just that for quite a lot of people, it's really quite aggravating and a live problem for them. The reasons why are varied but valid, and you shouldn't ignore those.

[Gumboot]

Cummins in doubt for second Test after COVID close contact designation

A COVID-19 scare has caused chaos within the Australian cricket team just hours before the Adelaide Test, with Pat Cummins identified as a close contact of a positive case.

A source with knowledge of the situation has told the Herald and The Age that Australia’s captain was at an Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday evening, with another professional cricketer, when a patron at the next table was identified as a positive COVID-19 case.

It is understood Cummins and others immediately left the venue and alerted authorities.

It is unclear whether the fast bowler will feature in the second Test, beginning on Thursday afternoon, but one source said it was “unlikely”. If Cummins is ruled out, vice-captain Steve Smith would take his place as skipper.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cu ... 59i36.html

[FalseBayFC]

Cummins out. Pretty shitty to lose your captain and best bowler to Covid but it should even things up a little. Good for us neutrals.

[Gumboot]

Sandpaper Steve has won the toss and Australia will bat.

Australia:
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon

England:
Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

England going with an all pace attack. Should make for an interesting run rate.

[Gumboot]

I bet Warne's going to crap on about how Smith's "done his time/paid the price/served his penalty" etc for the first two sessions.

[Rinkals]

You are entitled to your opinions.

I just don't think that it's that important a deal, particularly if the game ends early.

I have repeatedly said that it is different if the game is tight (which everybody attacking me seems to have roundly ignored), but I don't think a fine and/or docking of points is much of a disincentive against using these tactics to win or save a game anyway.

I can't see the logic of whipping yourself into a fervour over five overs in a game which finished with 120 overs to spare.

You are quite welcome to disagree.

You are entitled to think it's not important. That has never been the problem. You did however suggest that HH and I were lying, that people didn't care about it, that it was a media storm only, and that nothing has changed in English cricket since 2004 to make this enough of a problem to bother spectators. All of your points were answered and explained, but you ignored that, repeatedly.

I urge you to understand that you not caring about it does not mean it's wrong that other people care about it. No-one is telling you that you need to give a shit about a niche thing. Just that for quite a lot of people, it's really quite aggravating and a live problem for them. The reasons why are varied but valid, and you shouldn't ignore those.

Jeez. It was a joke.

Not very funny, I admit, but I imagined that I said it in a jocular manner

Obviously not.

[Kiwias]

Phenomenal catch by Buttler to get Harris in the leg side trap.

[Gumboot]

Phenomenal catch by Buttler to get Harris in the leg side trap.

Yeah, that was a cracker.

[Gumboot]

That looked plumb.

...but no, it pitched outside leg.

[Gumboot]

When was the last time Warner was on 1 after an hour at the crease?

[handyman]

England need to capitalise after this start. Aus can't buy a run.

[Gumboot]

Aus 45/1 at Dinner. Some great bowling by England, but they're already 5 overs behind the required rate. Root and Malan to bowl the bulk of the next session? Or will England stick with pace and just flag their match fees again?

[Enzedder]

First session is always going to be slow and they had something like 4 or 5 3rd Ump referrals

I'll forgive but they have to catch up as you say

[Slick]

Has the way of showing the score changed now or is it just in some places they do it?

I mean that the score is showing as 1-45, isn’t it normally 45-1?

[JM2K6]

Has the way of showing the score changed now or is it just in some places they do it?

I mean that the score is showing as 1-45, isn’t it normally 45-1?

This is the Aussie way of doing it.

[Gumboot]

Good partnership. Aus motoring along now.

[Slick]

Has the way of showing the score changed now or is it just in some places they do it?

I mean that the score is showing as 1-45, isn’t it normally 45-1?

This is the Aussie way of doing it.

Cheers. It was annoying me more than it should

[OomStruisbaai]

Labuschagne get his half ton. Losing the toss is game over.

[OomStruisbaai]

Has the way of showing the score changed now or is it just in some places they do it?

I mean that the score is showing as 1-45, isn’t it normally 45-1?

This is the Aussie way of doing it.

Cheers. It was annoying me more than it should

Aussies always have a different way.

Pom vs Convict politics.

[Happyhooker]

Apropos of nothing, but we're unlikely to be able to take the new ball today. Shocking over rate

And it's going to be 39° tomorrow

[JM2K6]

Has the way of showing the score changed now or is it just in some places they do it?

I mean that the score is showing as 1-45, isn’t it normally 45-1?

This is the Aussie way of doing it.

Cheers. It was annoying me more than it should

Near-certain that's why they do it tbh

[Big D]

As much as England, or perhaps the ECB, are architects of their own downfall at times being robbed of 2 bowlers that offer a real point of difference and the 3rd being needing to be managed leaves them really toothless on a day like this. The 3 quicks that are injured/managed to prevent injury are significantly quicker than the rest they have.

[Thor Sedan]

Warner is so predictable.

Show him a challenge and he will take it on every time.

[inactionman]

Warner is so predictable.

Show him a challenge and he will take it on every time.

He didn't seem to, early on.

[Thor Sedan]

Also - for all those who subscribe to the mockers baiting - Hussey just talked up Warner's 'inevitable' 100 with the other 2 commentators telling him to shut the f**k up.

[Thor Sedan]

Warner is so predictable.

Show him a challenge and he will take it on every time.

He didn't seem to, early on.

No....but the plan was so obvious and he fell into it in slow motion.

[inactionman]

Warner is so predictable.

Show him a challenge and he will take it on every time.

He didn't seem to, early on.

No....but the plan was so obvious and he fell into it in slow motion.

A bit of white line fever with the century looming.

If I was an Aussie fan I'd forgive him it after he's put 90-odd on the scoreboard.

Can't believe the aussie commentators are calling it a lucky wicket though. They really aren't the best.

[Gumboot]

At this rate England will have very few overs with the new ball tonight. Is that a tactic?

[JM2K6]

At this rate England will have very few overs with the new ball tonight. Is that a tactic?

It's so fucking dumb.

[Happyhooker]

Apropos of nothing, but we're unlikely to be able to take the new ball today. Shocking over rate

And it's going to be 39° tomorrow

I take it back, we've sped up a bit with root on.