The Cricket Thread

[HomerJSimpson]

We used to love autograph hunting. I remember Alan Knott used to emerge in a disguise whenever Kent were in town, but would always sign when we rumbled him.

The only player I can ever recall who point blank refused to sign a single autograph was Ian Botham - totally aloof, and I’ve always disliked him as a result, although he was fantastic to watch. I was lucky enough to be at Trent Bridge when he made his Test debut in 1977 against Australia - it was immediately obvious we had a talent in the ranks.

Other players were happy to stop and chat with the kids, signing autographs. Even the great West Indies sides of the 70’s were incredibly approachable. I took great pride, as a thirteen year old, in being able to look Joel Garner in the eye without having to stand on a chair.

Happy, happy days.

Boycott was the only one I found really difficult but managed to get it in the end. I saw Knott at a net the day before a test match and as I'd started keeping for my school asked him for any advice. He was so generous with his time. I can remember the thrill of getting the autograph of Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd, I think I got Botham after a one day match against Surrey. Being small it was easy to slip in and through the crowds to the front

 

[3offTheTee]

Just read yhe marks for the 3rd test. Anderson 9, 2 1’s and a ZERO! Never seen that before. Who do you think would be the 3 involved?

 

[fundy]

Hameed 0, 2 from Buttler, Crawly and Malan for the 1s

 

[spongebob59]

 

[fundy]

Bumrah a joy to watch

 

[3offTheTee]

Hameed 0, 2 from Buttler, Crawly and Malan for the 1s

Good try. Buttler 0 Hameed and Crawley 1 Malan 3 with around 4 more including the scorer for mot fiddling the score! They did not mention Siverwood

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Excellent Interview on Sky today with Nick Compton on Sky today, talked sense and thought Silverwood should be replaced and was wrong man initially. Captain Ron would approve of whom he suggested should now be in charge.

Yep - was very good from Compton and also Butcher about Silverwood

He has far too much power for someone who isn’t good enough and it’s right that they should have gone with Kirsten

He has had 27 tests - lost 12 , drawn 9 and won 6

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I can confess to a degree of schadenfreude in the aftermath of an England cricket defeat. I enjoy watching the cricket but also the collective hand-wringing afterwards.

Consequently, I've read a few things over the last couple of days and most, like the comments in here, tend to be quite superficial; whether it's critcising the coaching or the domestic schedule. However, I found this article interesting as it takes a step back and, I think, makes a few reasonable observations that might point to a longer term problem with no quick fix. Basically highlighting access to the game at grassroots, lack of free to air tv coverage and, frankly, racism such as has been demonstrated at Yorkshire.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/29/english-cricket-disarray-ashes-shambles-brexit

I hesitate to post it because of the brexit observation in the closing paragraph which is potentially contentious on here. Ignore that since whether you agree with it or not it's superfluous to the main thrust of the piece which is essentially that cricket needs to become more accessible and egalitarian at all levels if your national team is to thrive at the pinnacle.

The state system has largely forgotten cricket since the 80's so there is nothing new there. Local clubs from all areas provide the bulk of players, have done for years, although I get that doesn't suit the angle of The Guardian. If the article were correct we wouldn't be near the top of the pile in all forms of the white ball game. This is a red ball, 5 day, issue.

 

[Foxholer]

...
I hesitate to post it because of the brexit observation in the closing paragraph which is potentially contentious on here. Ignore that since whether you agree with it or not it's superfluous to the main thrust of the piece which is essentially that cricket needs to become more accessible and egalitarian at all levels if your national team is to thrive at the pinnacle.

I wouldn't worry about the 'B' reference. It was totally unrelated to the article..which was more a reminder of why I run through a lot of salt when I read Guardian articles. They are often only the canvas on which the 'journalist' paints his/her real bias. This article is certainly one of those! Mind you. For some, it might go some way to balancing the even more aggressive bias of Daily Mail 'journos'! I trust the above is seen as a criticism of the role of newspapers in UK, because that's it's meant to be - no more; no less.

As for the actual content of the article...As LT states, Red Ball cricket has been 'starved' by the attractions (primarily financial) of White Ball cricket!

 

[DanFST]

I can confess to a degree of schadenfreude in the aftermath of an England cricket defeat. I enjoy watching the cricket but also the collective hand-wringing afterwards.

Consequently, I've read a few things over the last couple of days and most, like the comments in here, tend to be quite superficial; whether it's critcising the coaching or the domestic schedule. However, I found this article interesting as it takes a step back and, I think, makes a few reasonable observations that might point to a longer term problem with no quick fix. Basically highlighting access to the game at grassroots, lack of free to air tv coverage and, frankly, racism such as has been demonstrated at Yorkshire.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/29/english-cricket-disarray-ashes-shambles-brexit

I hesitate to post it because of the brexit observation in the closing paragraph which is potentially contentious on here. Ignore that since whether you agree with it or not it's superfluous to the main thrust of the piece which is essentially that cricket needs to become more accessible and egalitarian at all levels if your national team is to thrive at the pinnacle.

As someone who used to go behind the stumps Saturdays and Sundays. I think that's a bunch of rubbish. Local clubs provide the backbone and club cricket is thriving, with good funding from the ECB. I've faced Tymal Mills on a county council run pitch.

In 2020 the 55 man England squad was 26 private, 24 public and 5 educated overseas. The B word is unrelated, so no issue posting I don't think!

Edit: To clarify, not your post. The article itself

 

[fundy]

I can confess to a degree of schadenfreude in the aftermath of an England cricket defeat. I enjoy watching the cricket but also the collective hand-wringing afterwards.

Consequently, I've read a few things over the last couple of days and most, like the comments in here, tend to be quite superficial; whether it's critcising the coaching or the domestic schedule. However, I found this article interesting as it takes a step back and, I think, makes a few reasonable observations that might point to a longer term problem with no quick fix. Basically highlighting access to the game at grassroots, lack of free to air tv coverage and, frankly, racism such as has been demonstrated at Yorkshire.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/29/english-cricket-disarray-ashes-shambles-brexit

I hesitate to post it because of the brexit observation in the closing paragraph which is potentially contentious on here. Ignore that since whether you agree with it or not it's superfluous to the main thrust of the piece which is essentially that cricket needs to become more accessible and egalitarian at all levels if your national team is to thrive at the pinnacle.

genuinely dont know where to start with that article, its almost as bad as Englands top order!!!

 

[fundy]

Silverwood isolating for the 4th test, Thorpe in charge it seems

 

[DanFST]

Silverwood isolating for the 4th test, Thorpe in charge it seems

Due to covid, or pitchforks?

 

[fundy]

Due to covid, or pitchforks?

the official line is covid.........

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I've told you a million times not to exaggerate!

You missed literally from that ? ( the misuse of that is currently my wife's pet hate. Thankfully it is not one I'm guilty of, phew)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Doesn't that actually support the argument, though? I'd assume significantly less than half the population attend a private school...

It's overly simplistic to go down that route. The biggest issue for cricket in state schools is pitches. It's like golf, you can't expect the contractor, employed to cut the grass once a week, to actual prepare a wicket to a reasonable standard, same as greens in golf. There are other problems, it's tricky to teach a group, hard to get the technique right, keep all interested, decent kit etc but pitches are the toughest.

Clubs cover this, again as per golf. Most villages and towns have clubs, multiple clubs in larger towns, most will have junior sections. The club system is an excellent producer and feeder of players. Forget schools as the barometer, it's the wrong measure.

 

[fundy]

It's overly simplistic to go down that route. The biggest issue for cricket in state schools is pitches. It's like golf, you can't expect the contractor, employed to cut the grass once a week, to actual prepare a wicket to a reasonable standard, same as greens in golf. There are other problems, it's tricky to teach a group, hard to get the technique right, keep all interested, decent kit etc but pitches are the toughest.

Clubs cover this, again as per golf. Most villages and towns have clubs, multiple clubs in larger towns, most will have junior sections. The club system is an excellent producer and feeder of players. Forget schools as the barometer, it's the wrong measure.

how many schools even have cricket on the curriculum?

 

[DanFST]

Doesn't that actually support the argument, though? I'd assume significantly less than half the population attend a private school...

That article is "he would of said x, he would of said y". He exclaims "He would have said the pathways to cricket’s renewal and growth have been cut off, closed and neglected, making the game increasingly unsustainable at the grassroots, especially in state schools which have either had to sell their playing fields or never had them in the first place."


We could have this discussion! You would assume so, probably about 10% privately? so yeah way over represented! But is the reason as he states? I disagree.

Even in Scotland!!! The private sports curriculum for boys is. Rugby > another sport > Cricket. Whereas the state counterparts can be whatever you choose to play. I started privately educated but later went to state, I played cricket because my legs are made of dust after a football injuries. Cracking indoor nets and bowling machines, the lot. But still only a handful of us playing. Everyone else was playing football or athletics. With those numbers, why would they spend the time preparing a wicket? They'd sort out local clubs to come in give coaching from the travel pro and try and get the lads (and lady) to join! Then it was an instant transition to club cricket on weekends.

Then it comes to later in life. Playing Saturday and Sunday I would be at the club for 24 hours over a weekend. It's just too much of a commitment. This isn't mentioned once in the article, just blaming the system and ignorantly saying grassroots is fubar.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

how many schools even have cricket on the curriculum?

I don't blame any school that doesn't. I was relieved when they stopped it at my school, it was dangerous because of the pitches.

The local clubs send coaches into junior schools up here, technically called 1st schools in a 3 tier system but no one will understand that, and take care of initially getting kids into the game but that stops when they go to big school. In all honesty, like golf, it is better to concentrate on the club's, support them and they bring the next generation through. Forget high schools.

The support from the ECB was pretty good at that level in my experience. Others may have had a more negative experience but mine was only positive.

 

[DanFST]

That's why Scotland are so bad at it. Literally (@Lord Tyrion) everyone who's ever played cricket is in the national squad....

As a Scot, why do they even bother making kids play it? 75% of our "summer" cricket sessions were indoors due to the weather.