Cricket

[qbman1]

Since I seem to be constantly sniping on the Football thread about the overpaid prima donnas who populate the "beautiful game", I thought it was time to introduce an alternative on here.

There must be a few of you philistines who also follow our national summer sport, particularly now that England are enjoying a modicum of success here and there.

To start off, England are currently doing well in the semi final of the Champion's Trophy. Despite allowing South Africa to recover from 80-8 to 176, they really ought to knock off the runs required to win this one. They have made a solid start at 14-0 but, as with any English sporting team, take nothing for granted !

[qbman1]

......and we have the Ashes series against Australia coming up this summer.

[paultheeagle]

I like a drop of cricket during the summer....I often go down to the Oval with me mate who is a Member so when Surrey are playing, if he takes me, then I don't have to pay to get in and can use the facilities of the Pavillion...I enjoy the one day cricket, especially T20...County cricket and Test Cricket is much too slow for me.

Good idea qb to start a cricket thread.

[Manoverboard]

Cricket eh ... by Jiminey

[oldbluefox]

County cricket is too slow for me although I used to enjoy dipping into Test matches when they were on BBC. Since Sky took over cricket I rarely watch it although I do follow what's happening on the England scene.
I agree with Paul that T20 and one day cricket have livened proceedings up although it's not for the purists. However it is much more exciting as a spectator sport. Just a pity there's not more of it on 'proper telly'.

[Onelife]

Hi QB

I’ve never understood why people pay good money to watch such a boring game. I do recall playing it as a child but soon lost interest after experiencing a few close shaves with that thing they call a ball...far too dangerous for me

Squeak! Squeak!

Regards

Keith

[qbman1]

One man's meat, and all that, OL. Personally, I can't see how you would find cricket boring, although I agree it does have its moments !

Easy win for England in the end yesterday so on to the final on Monday. Hard to believe but England have never won an international one day tournament....so far. The final is on Sunday and England will play the winners of today's game between India and Sri Lanka. India are on top form at the moment so it should be them. That game would be too close to call - depends a lot on the toss and the weather conditions for bowling. A good overcast, humid day would suit England.

Now, with Wimbledon coming up, perhaps we should have a Tennis thread for the girlies !

[HK phooey]

Even tennis is more interesting to watch than cricket, and tennis is rubbish. Cricket is on a par with golf, I believe there is medical evidence that proves that watching either of these sports can put you into a coma.

[RB1961]

And Spurs

[HK phooey]

Oi! I can see how a gooner would enjoy watching cricket, as you had to tolerate the 'boring Arsenal' years

[RB1961]

I dont mind the limited over stuff it can be very tense...i used to watch the test matches as a youngster but dont get the time nowadays.

RB

[qbman1]

The purists will tell you that limited overs is "not cricket" but it has certainly rejuvenated the game, which was stagnating before the 40-over Sunday League began. Personally, I think the 20/20 version is a step too far with all the razzamatazz and shennanigans which does detract from the game itself. Still, it has certainly introduced the game to a much wider auduience and, with most people under 30 having the attention span of a gnat, it appeals to a younger audience which can only be for the long term good.

[oldbluefox]

I used to love cricket at school. All of the sporty types took over the game and the rest of the no-hopers lay around sunning themselves and resting. What a lovely relaxing afternoon's sport!! Then some dimwit suggested athletics and we ended up running around a track going................ nowhere!! How pointless was that, especially if, like Onelife's horses, the rest had finished whilst you were still puffing and panting around the last bend.

At least with football and rugby you had a chance of kicking ten bells out of those you didn't like!!

[RB1961]

obf

I bet your all elbows in the buffet..

RB

[qbman1]

I used to love cricket at school. All of the sporty types took over the game and the rest of the no-hopers lay around sunning themselves and resting. What a lovely relaxing afternoon's sport!! Then some dimwit suggested athletics and we ended up running around a track going................ nowhere!! How pointless was that, especially if, like Onelife's horses, the rest had finished whilst you were still puffing and panting around the last bend.

At least with football and rugby you had a chance of kicking ten bells out of those you didn't like!!

Spoken like a true sportsman Foxy !

[paultheeagle]

To anyone who doesn't understand cricket, then I hope this helps.

The Rules of Cricket.

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game

Yes Its old but its a goodie!!

[qbman1]

Sri Lanka really struggling against India at 164-7 with only a couple of overs to go. India ought to knock those off with no trouble to set up a juicy clash on Sunday. Shame I won't be able to watch it live though

[xmaslisa]

Loooooove the cricket!! Can't wait for the ashes goin to the ODI at Edgbaston September!! Wooo hooo I'd love to give up being a nurse and join the barmy army

[qbman1]

Loooooove the cricket!! Can't wait for the ashes goin to the ODI at Edgbaston September!! Wooo hooo I'd love to give up being a nurse and join the barmy army

I'll be there too Lisa - it's the 11th, isn't it ?

Will you be the one in the Elvis mask or are you going as a gorilla ?

By the way, the general consensus is that you are already in the Barmy Army !

[paultheeagle]

Watching cricket now on Sky...Durham vs Hampshire....Well there's nothing else on.

[qbman1]

What on earth is going on with Test cricket these days? We have this Aussie upstart knocking off 50 off 48 deliveries before lunch on Day One of an Ashes Test. Bring back Boycott who could take an entire day to grind out 50 runs ! Now that's Test cricket

[kaymar]

It's actually beginning to look like an Ashes match, though, QB. Who knows, Australia might even score 400+ in their first innings. In reply, it will give the world's best batsman an opportunity to have a few wild swings, get out for 25 and leave his "teammates" to sort out the mess. The good news for England, though, is that they are playing at Old Trafford - surely the rain will save them from defeat if necessary and allow them to retain the Ashes.

Could well be an absorbing match - looking forward to the next four days

[kaymar]

Sorry, Kev - where would we be without your genius? Now that you've gone. it looks as though rain is going to be our best chance of salvation.

[qbman1]

Why does it never rain in Manchester when you need it to...?!

[qbman1]

Right on cue - started raining three balls after lunch. Come on Manchester...!