I don't like cricket

First topic message reminder :

I love it, as 10cc once sang.
Anyway, with England playing their 2nd tour match (well, they managed play on day one at least) and the next Ashes series only a couple of weeks from starting, I thought it might be apt to discuss who people's favourite all-time players were. This was inspired by Wisden's recent announcement of their all-time Test XI, to mark their 50th anniversary. Their dream team is as follows:

Wisden World XI

1. Jack Hobbs (England, 1908-1930)
61 Tests, 5,410 runs at 56.94

2. WG Grace (England, 1880-1899)
22 Tests, 1,098 runs at 32.29

3. Donald Bradman (Australia, 1928-1948 - captain)
52 Tests, 6,996 runs at 99.94

4. Sachin Tendulkar (India, 1989-2013)
198 Tests, 15,837 runs at 53.86

5. Viv Richards (West Indies, 1974-1991)
121 Tests, 8,540 runs at 50.23

6. Garry Sobers (West Indies, 1954-1974)
93 Tests, 8,032 runs at 57.78, 235 wickets at 34.03

7. Alan Knott (England, 1967-1981 - wicketkeeper)
95 Tests, 4,389 runs at 32.75, 250 catches, 19 stumpings

8. Wasim Akram (Pakistan, 1985-2002)
104 Tests, 414 wickets at 23.62

9. Shane Warne (Australia, 1992-2007)
145 Tests, 708 wickets at 25.41

10. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies, 1978-1991)
81 Tests, 376 wickets at 20.94

11. Sydney Barnes (England, 1901-14)
27 Tests, 189 wickets at 16.43

Kevin Pietersen: the man who fell to earth
 
Extracts from an article by Ed Smith:-
 
“The furore over Pietersen’s treatment opened up the fault lines that run through English sport. This final sacking has morphed into a referendum on the establishment. To his critics, Pietersen is a man who eventually falls out with everyone, a non-team player, unreliable at a far deeper level than his performance on the pitch. In finally reaching this position, the ECB joins a long list of employers and institutions that ultimately could no longer find a home for him.

Pietersen’s allies rail against the English suspicion of mavericks and flair, the triumph of company men, the complacent persecution of a misunderstood outsider, the hint of tall-poppy syndrome. Pietersen has found supporters in unusual places, people who might not warm to him personally but hold an even greater grudge against the establishment.”
 
For the whole article:-
http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/02/man-who-fell-earth-kevin-pietersen

Nice collapse from the Aussies yesterday

Ivan wrote:Kevin Pietersen: the man who fell to earth
 
Extracts from an article by Ed Smith:-
 
“The furore over Pietersen’s treatment opened up the fault lines that run through English sport. This final sacking has morphed into a referendum on the establishment. To his critics, Pietersen is a man who eventually falls out with everyone, a non-team player, unreliable at a far deeper level than his performance on the pitch. In finally reaching this position, the ECB joins a long list of employers and institutions that ultimately could no longer find a home for him.

Pietersen’s allies rail against the English suspicion of mavericks and flair, the triumph of company men, the complacent persecution of a misunderstood outsider, the hint of tall-poppy syndrome. Pietersen has found supporters in unusual places, people who might not warm to him personally but hold an even greater grudge against the establishment.”
 
For the whole article:-
http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/02/man-who-fell-earth-kevin-pietersen

That's a good read. I like Ed Smith as a writer and he's also good on Test Match Special.

I see Bangladesh got beat off Hong Kong in the World T/20 but the hosts were pretty much already through (barring a very heavy defeat). Sounds like a betting scam to me.

Yes -I didn't exactly see the Bangladeshis gnashing their teeth when the final runs were hit! Betting is the determinant of the outcome much sport these days, I suspect.

That aside, unless an opponent dismisses Chris Gayle quickly in any match he can win it on his own! Have we ever seen such a hitter? One thing is for sure - England won't trouble anyone . The Aussies are always very competitive - as are South Africa, but they may be without Dale Steyn for a match or two. India? Depends on their mood, as it does with Sri Lanka.

Prediction ? The Aussies... unfortunately...     

I would like to see the Windies win it (on the basis I've completely discounted England's chances - I think they're 8th favourites with the bookies by the way!). And Chris Gayle must be one of the coolest men alive (after Sir Viv, of course).

Also, did you ever see that 175 Gayle hit in the IPL? It was an absolutely unbelievable bit of hitting.

Didn't see it - but can imagine!

Yes, he's cool, as was Mr Richards - but amongst my favourites were Jeff Thomson ( what an action!) and Michael 'Whispering Death' Holding.

 In the case of the latter , how can such a fearsome bowler be such a thoroughly gentle, relaxed and nice chap off the field?   

And he was almost as fast as me in my prime...   

Phil Hornby wrote:Didn't see it - but can imagine!

Yes, he's cool, as was Mr Richards - but amongst my favourites were Jeff Thomson ( what an action!) and Michael 'Whispering Death' Holding.

 In the case of the latter , how can such a fearsome bowler be such a thoroughly gentle, relaxed and nice chap off the field?   

And he was almost as fast as me in my prime...   

I think I read somewhere Holding could've been a champion 400m runner. And yes, he's so laid back and calm off the field, as it were. He's a very good commentator too. And I don't think there's anything more exciting in cricket than a devastating spell of fast bowling. That's why Mitchell Johnson is good for the game in my opinion. Lets hope Finn can recapture some of his promise and be allowed to bowl as a strike bowler. I think that with the emergence of Stokes as a genuine all-rounder, England at least has some flexibility. The problem with only having four proper bowlers is that there's more emphasis on them to be economical. And while I'm dreaming, imagine the possibilities in a couple of years if Stokes keeps going and Scott Borthwick develops into a top class spinner. You could have Stokes at 6, Butler or Bairstow at 7 and Borthwick at 8. Then your 9, 10, Jack (especially with Broad being a decent bat) has a space for at least one provide genuine attacking bowling option. Anyway, I'm sure the current tournament in the sub-continent will bring me back down to Earth

Another proud day for English cricket.   

And so much for my prediction of the Aussies. What happened there...?   

Phil Hornby wrote:And so much for my prediction of the Aussies. What happened there...?   

Obviously they aren't as ideally suited to the conditions on the subcontinent as some of the teams and there's always that element of T20 being so unpredictable but I think it's the mental and physical fatigue of back-to-back Ashes series as much as anything because, on paper, they had a great chance. I hope the Windies win it.

Some interesting comments on Ashley Giles and KP from Michael Carberry:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/733211.html

I give up on trying to understand what is happening with the English team. I'll wait until some common sense returns.

As for the T20 world cup - we should have known it would be India and Sri Lanka fighting out the final. I fancy India now - but look at my earlier predictions...!       

Delighted you were wrong. Not because you were wrong, I was just pleased for Sri Lanka and Sangakkara and Jayawardene especially.

Yes, wrong all round. And Sri Lanka were, indeed, worthy winners, although India just didn't fire in the final.

I predict that I shall give up making predictions anytime soon...    

The government announces a clampdown on foreigners coming to the UK and travelling round doing shoddy work in short contracts....  


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMDtY9WW8AALzKp.jpg