2019 Cricket

[Mudball]

While we wait for the next match later this week, reflecting on some experience at more grassroot/Jr cricket.

There is an enormous amount of talent out there. While I like Test cricket, I can say new formats around T20 Blast, global franchisee, T10, 100s et al will provide more opportunities for kids to look forward to. I am not surprised that the sport is dominated by private school kids. It is an expensive sport.

Clubs do a fab job and I am indeed lucky to be part of one which gives kids the opportunity. But if you are half good and wish to pursue it more seriously, then the bills add up very quickly. Net/lane Hire, 1-2-1 sessions, kit, travel to training venues are not necessarily cheap. Football is way cheaper and accessible. I am not surprised that we dont see all the talent that is out there come thru the game.

 

[Dan2501]

Jofra's social media is so good.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Forecast looks grim tomorrow so can't see a lot of play. Has to suit the Aussies to have a shorter match.

 

[fundy]

Forecast looks grim tomorrow so can't see a lot of play. Has to suit the Aussies to have a shorter match.

why?

Draw has shortened from 6/1 to 4/5 over the last few days hard. Pitch looks very very dry (and not very green) for Lords

 

[patricks148]

why?

Draw has shortened from 6/1 to 4/5 over the last few days hard. Pitch looks very very dry (and not very green) for Lords

very strange the pitches prepared, i would have thought greener swing ptches suited us??

 

[fundy]

very strange the pitches prepared, i would have thought greener swing ptches suited us??

think Root might have pissed off the new Lords groundsman with his comments after the Irish test lol

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I can see the Aussies trying to bat for as long as possible if they bat first, and simply take time out of the game. If we bat first the onus is on to make runs quickly to try and force a result and I can see a scenario where we get out cheaply (200-250) playing some poor shots. I'd love to be wrong and see the Aussies 122-8 again and not let them off the hook and then really score quickly, build a lead and have a couple of days to bowl them again and worse case scenario chase a handful of runs to win

 

[patricks148]

think Root might have pissed off the new Lords groundsman with his comments after the Irish test lol

what did he do to the Birmingham guy then, shag his daughter??

 

[fundy]

what did he do to the Birmingham guy then, shag his daughter??

haha

in all seriousness theres definitely a trend to much much drier slower more lifeless pitches in this country since the main grounds had massive drainage upgrades several years ago, the times ive seen Lords this year the square looks like it needs digging up and relaying!

sooner rather than later they are going to have to address drainage and its impact

 

[patricks148]

haha

in all seriousness theres definitely a trend to much much drier slower more lifeless pitches in this country since the main grounds had massive drainage upgrades several years ago, the times ive seen Lords this year the square looks like it needs digging up and relaying!

sooner rather than later they are going to have to address drainage and its impact

when we tour aboard you still tend to get pitches that favour the home side, though admittedly not green seamers, but even with good drainage, shirley this wouldn't stop them producing a wicket with a bit of grass on it that would last more than a a few sessions on the first day or hads the counties being fined for result piches had a knock on effect??

 

[fundy]

when we tour aboard you still tend to get pitches that favour the home side, though admittedly not green seamers, but even with good drainage, shirley this wouldn't stop them producing a wicket with a bit of grass on it that would last more than a a few sessions on the first day or hads the counties being fined for result piches had a knock on effect??

i guess they have to get a bit of leeway this year as theyve had increased volume and pressure on the square from the CWC. That said you'd expect the test pitches to be fresh ones. Lords especially the pitches have changed a lot recently and evident at several other grounds too.

hard to know what if any direction the groundsmen are getting from the ECB

 

[patricks148]

i guess they have to get a bit of leeway this year as theyve had increased volume and pressure on the square from the CWC. That said you'd expect the test pitches to be fresh ones. Lords especially the pitches have changed a lot recently and evident at several other grounds too.

hard to know what if any direction the groundsmen are getting from the ECB

i'm guessing that the grounds have a vested interest in the game lasting 5 days, and not 3 that greener ones might cause?

 

[fundy]

i'm guessing that the grounds have a vested interest in the game lasting 5 days, and not 3 that greener ones might cause?

go back 5 years and lords was the flattest truest deck going and likely to last 10 days let alone 5, the current ones are nowhere near as good or last as long, can have a bit of mositure and grass without being complete greentops, the current ones are far more sub contintental in how they play, definitely some fear of a 2 day test in the decks theyre preparing though, albeit that might be ideal for this weeks forecast 🤣

 

[IanM]

Merde, il pleut fort aujourd'hui!!

 

[fundy]

Looks like Chris Gayle has just retired from international cricket based on his exit after being dismissed in the ODI v India

 

[Dan2501]

England batting first.

 

[fundy]

Fair play to Andrew Strauss and his boys, cant have been easy that! Good to see Lords and the 2 sides supporting a great cause

surprised to see Aussies choose to field personally on a dry wicket

 

[fundy]

not surprised to see Roy nick off to one he should be leaving

 

[Dan2501]

Such a dumb shot. Could have been comfortably left on length and was way outside his body, why is he playing that?

 

[fundy]

Such a dumb shot. Could have been comfortably left on length and was way outside his body, why is he playing that?

because hes a one day player with hard hands not a test match opener seems the obvious answer but not sure thats what you really are asking