International cricket thread

Beasty · 02-02-2019 10:15pm

I really hope this is the start of a resurgence for the Windies. They will be tested when they travel (and England have highlighted how difficult it can be to adapt to "foreign" conditions)

They bat quite a way down, although in this series they have not been scoring particularly quickly. It will be interesting to see how they do in the World Cup - they could be a bit of a surprise package

Kh1993 · 03-02-2019 12:11am

Usually just follow international cricket from afar but watched a lot on Sky the last year.

England could possibly win the WC and the Ashes but god, what a mess they are.

I’ve a lot of time for some of their batsmen but wonder what game they’re playing. Tried not to follow the playing too many allrounders criticism but hard not to now, their bowling and batting is suffering from having 6 or 7 number 7 and 8s. Curran isn’t an opening or even third bowler, they can’t decide who their spinner is (Ali will do a job but only at number 8 and lacking control) and are missing a competent opener.

They lack leadership everywhere, Root makes strange decisions (ran Anderson & Stokes into the ground) and they seem to indulge the players.

Anyway they’ll probably win the ashes handy enough while changing the bare minimum and they same cracks will appear again. They’d do well to take a leaf out of the Windies book, you’re on a solid footing If your first 4 batsmen can get 40 or so each time.

Mysterypunter · 03-02-2019 1:16am

Good on West Indies, dominated both tests

Trampas · 08-02-2019 5:53pm

https://www.skysports.com/live-scores/cricket/new-zealand-v-india/23088/11631256/article

Even though awful decision he should have walked

Richard Hillman · 09-02-2019 2:43pm

Farcical selections from England
Foakes is out for Jennings
Wood is in for Curran.

I can understand Wood for Curran, he gives a lot more bounce.

The Foakes decision stinks of the alleged clique in the England dressing room of Root, Bairstow, Stokes (possibly Buttler). Bairstow has thrown a hissy fit over the keeper position. He's a decent keeper but Foakes clearly better with the glove. And I would rather Foakes with the bat than Jennings.

Another issue is Roots refusal to bat at 3. I believe Root is a pure number 4 batsman but they have nobody at 3. He needs to step up for his team. Won't do it though.

I remember Kevin Pietersen getting banished from English Cricket for refusing to Bat at 3 instead of 4 during that Ashes tour.

Beasty · 10-02-2019 3:00pm

Not sure about Bairstow having a "hissy fit". He's one of the best batsmen, but seems to do better at no 7, and I think in these conditions putting him down the order is better. It brings back the stability to the middle order and he is very good at nursing things through with the lower end

I'm not sure, but is Foakes fully fit?

It may be different in the summer as England have had the habit of scoring quickly until they got to these Caribbean pitches, where even the WIndies have been more concerned about staying in than upping the run rate.

I suspect Bairstow could move back up the order on more batsmen-friendly pitches. For this test though they clearly felt going in with a "specialist" top order was best, and who's to argue with that given England's performances to date. It may be that Jennings was lucky to get back in, but the general view is he won't be back in the summer unless he gets a big score here, which tbh does not look very likely at present

Just to add re Root - whenever he's tried going up to no 3 he's failed. The pressure has been put on him to revert to no 4, and again in these conditions that's perhaps nota bad thing, although he's obviously failed again in the 1st innings

Tom Mann Centuria · 12-02-2019 4:58pm

Fair play to Joe Root here.

https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1095246700602712064?s=20

Beasty · 13-02-2019 10:06pm

Banned from 4 ODI's - he was due to be rested anyway, but it's an important message:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/47230497

On-field umpires Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena and third umpire Chris Gaffaney levelled the charge against Gabriel and, because he accepted the sanction of match referee Jeff Crowe, no formal hearing took place.

Also good to see all the relevant officials were involved and Gabriel accepted the punishment

Mysterypunter · 13-02-2019 10:59pm

Good laugh yesterday, Gabriel came in to bat and the barmy army sang YMCA (:

VillaMad · 16-02-2019 2:12pm

Cracking test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Kusal Pereira is playing the knock of a lifetime by batting with the tail.

VillaMad · 16-02-2019 2:17pm

He's done it. Wow!!

Needed 78 runs with the only 1 wicket left and Perera played one of the best ever innings in modern test cricket. Trying to retain the strike and also having to face the new ball with Steyn and Rabada. Test cricket at it's best.

Tom Mann Centuria · 21-02-2019 12:18am

Big run chase from England today after Gayle had sent their attack to all corners of the ground. Chased down the Windies 360 with 8 balls and 6 wickets in hand.

21-02-2019 12:43am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Big run chase from England today after Gayle had sent their attack to all corners of the ground. Chased down the Windies 360 with 8 balls and 6 wickets in hand.

It’s quite impressive to see England on 360/4 and Jos Butler coming in to bat.

Beasty · 21-02-2019 12:57am

Centuries for 2 of the first 3 was pretty impressive, as was the way England set about it. No unnecessary risks (although the WIndies did not take a few difficult chances), plenty of fours, but only 4 sixes. WIndies hit a ODI record number of sixes and lost around 8 balls, hit onto the roof/out of the ground

Mysterypunter · 21-02-2019 4:17am

Beasty wrote: »

Centuries for 2 of the first 3 was pretty impressive, as was the way England set about it. No unnecessary risks (although the WIndies did not take a few difficult chances), plenty of fours, but only 4 sixes. WIndies hit a ODI record number of sixes and lost around 8 balls, hit onto the roof/out of the ground

And might have won if Gayle didn't bat like Geoff Boycott for 15 overs. He is deluded as well. Hasn't scored a run for 2 years, and played for himself in that game.

Beasty · 21-02-2019 10:09am

Mysterypunter wrote: »

And might have won if Gayle didn't bat like Geoff Boycott for 15 overs.

Like Geoff Boycott batted in the 1965 Gillette Cup Final?

... and what if Gayle had gone in swinging the bat and got himself out in those first 15 overs? It was a hell of a score by the Windies, and in the context of the slow-scoring Test series I was very pleasantly surprised how entertaining this match was. Ultimately though, it's another step for both teams towards the World Cup

Mysterypunter · 21-02-2019 6:15pm

Beasty wrote: »

Like Geoff Boycott batted in the 1965 Gillette Cup Final?

... and what if Gayle had gone in swinging the bat and got himself out in those first 15 overs? It was a hell of a score by the Windies, and in the context of the slow-scoring Test series I was very pleasantly surprised how entertaining this match was. Ultimately though, it's another step for both teams towards the World Cup

Blocked a lot, and doesn't run. Boycott did well in the match you are on about, it was 60 or 65 overs a side. But he was hardly a dasher. West Indies have no bowlers either, there was an odi on the last tour of england where Evan Lewis might have made 200, but hit a ball into his ankle, and retired hurt on 176, they couldn't defend a big total that day either.

Mysterypunter · 23-02-2019 5:39am

1-1 now, West Indies by 26. 289 v 263

cosatron · 23-02-2019 11:44am

I think gayle is instructed to occupy the middle to help the young players around him. Some of the singles he refused are unforgivable but his 38 and not very nimble. Nurse is some fielder though. It’s set up now for a good series.

Tom Mann Centuria · 27-02-2019 6:51pm

Some partnership today between Morgan and Butler. One day and t20 bowlers might as well just have a few pints before a game, because there's not much they can do these days to influence things.

Mysterypunter · 27-02-2019 8:01pm

West Indies 107-2. Only 312 to go in 37 overs. Pitch like a road

Royale with Cheese · 27-02-2019 8:44pm

200/2 in 21.2 overs. The boundaries are absolutely miles in, Bravo just mistimed a pull and it still went for 6. 400 possibly not as impressive a score as it looked on paper.

Strumms · 27-02-2019 8:47pm

The England bowlers are struggling to find a reliable line and length that will cause the opposition problems. Too often the West Indies batsman are able to pick the length and swing towards the boundary. The quality on this surface just isn’t present in this English average attack.

Mr. Guappa · 27-02-2019 8:50pm

Wood seems to be the only one not taking a pasting. Moeen has gone for 31 off 2 overs.

Mysterypunter · 27-02-2019 10:35pm

38 to get off the last 4, some game now.

Mysterypunter · 27-02-2019 10:48pm

4 wickets in 5 balls wins from Rashid wins it for England

Beasty · 27-02-2019 10:54pm

Over 800 runs in a day - not bad going really!

Norm Peterson · 27-02-2019 11:14pm

Am I the only one who wonders what exactly is the point of ODI cricket anymore.It's basically evolved into T20 cricket except it takes more than twice as long to play.

At least before T20 became so big ODI had a unique selling point of essentially being a half way house between T20 and a Test cricket.

Strumms · 28-02-2019 3:04am

Norm Peterson wrote: »

Am I the only one who wonders what exactly is the point of ODI cricket anymore.It's basically evolved into T20 cricket except it takes more than twice as long to play.

At least before T20 became so big ODI had a unique selling point of essentially being a half way house between T20 and a Test cricket.

The dynamic of limited overs has changed, mostly due to the now more attacking T20 influencing the longer 50 over format. It’s the players having a more attacking, positive mindset coupled with the greater skill levels that can see 700 runs gross scored over both batting innings... unheard of 10 years ago and I think overall it’s a positive thing for every form of the sport.

Richard Hillman · 28-02-2019 3:11am

I can't say I'm too keen on the slogfests. But the players seem to be clearing the ropes more now than artificially having high scores through field restrictions. Sony much we can do about that.

If they relaxed field restrictions we would end up with more singles than tinder. This is the game now.

I do find myself hard to excited for ODIs, although this series has been good. Give me Test or T20

Tom Mann Centuria · 28-02-2019 3:16am

Maybe a marginally more balanced pitch would help the 50 over game maintain its difference. Not saying you need some kind of minefield, but giving the bowler something to work with would be beneficial imo.

Besides, I like the fifty over format because it is a whole day's viewing/drinking.

Still a place for T20, full One Dayers and Test. (They can stick the ten over thing up their holes though)

Mysterypunter · 28-02-2019 3:24am

Tamim Iqbal made 126 for Bangladesh. He was dismissed with the score on 180. This represented 70% of the Bangladesh total. Before his dismissal Tamim had a chance to break the the oldest test record. The highest % total made in a completed innings is 67.35, this was made by Charles Bannerman of Australia in the first ever test, who made 145 out of 265 against England at the MCC in 1870. Despite being dead since 1930, he may have been sweating a bit. Wonder how he would have fared out in a T20.

28-02-2019 9:38am

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Maybe a marginally more balanced pitch would help the 50 over game maintain its difference. Not saying you need some kind of minefield, but giving the bowler something to work with would be beneficial imo.

Besides, I like the fifty over format because it is a whole day's viewing/drinking.

Still a place for T20, full One Dayers and Test. (They can stick the ten over thing up their holes though)

The bowlers for this game were cannon fodder, just as they are for the IPL. It is a shame, because it will ultimately put youngsters off being bowlers.

That said, some of the shots played were absolutely sublime.

Beasty · 28-02-2019 10:33am

What I find a little odd is how slow the scoring was in the Test matches, in some cases at the same grounds, but now everywhere appears a batsman's paradise

Having said that, this whole "we'll get them in sixes" attitude does liven up the game, and entertain the crowd. T20 and it's knock on effect in both one dayers and test cricket (this series perhaps being the exception with regard to scoring rates) has rejuvenated the game. Maybe even Allen Stanford can take some credit, albeit he was the one that plunged WI cricket into the doldrums for a decade or so.

cosatron · 28-02-2019 5:29pm

Beasty wrote: »

What I find a little odd is how slow the scoring was in the Test matches, in some cases at the same grounds, but now everywhere appears a batsman's paradise

Having said that, this whole "we'll get them in sixes" attitude does liven up the game, and entertain the crowd. T20 and it's knock on effect in both one dayers and test cricket (this series perhaps being the exception with regard to scoring rates) has rejuvenated the game. Maybe even Allen Stanford can take some credit, albeit he was the one that plunged WI cricket into the doldrums for a decade or so.

The bowling in the test matches was fair superior. Roach, broad, Anderson, Joseph and shannon gabriel wouldn't serve up the bowling we seen yesterday

Richard Hillman · 01-03-2019 4:44am

I think maybe the Whiteball could also be a factor. They don't seem to do much for the bowler.

There's also more scrutiny and even sanctions when the test pitches are terrible, either a road or a minefield. You won't see a cricket association getting criticized when you have teams scoring 400+ in ODI but when a team scores 500+ declared in a test they'll get marked down.

When the World Cup kicks off, we'll probably see these high 300 to 400 batting performances but as the tournament rolls on and the pitches are used the bowlers come into their own. Like the ICC Trophy a couple of year ago. It happens every year in the IPL, the scores come down in the business end with the usage of the pitches.

HonalD · 15-03-2019 3:12pm

Test Match and rest of tour cancelled between New Zealand and Bangladesh. The touring team were on their way to the mosque for Friday prayers when they heard the shooting.

riffmongous · 15-03-2019 3:20pm

Minutes away!

HonalD · 19-03-2019 6:43am

USA win 50 over ODI by 5 wickets against UAE in Dubai. There is a big push by USA to improve facilities and their squad is a competitive Associate level team with a few star players.

Will be interesting to see how they fare over next few years.

Slim Charles · 19-03-2019 8:00am

HonalD wrote: »

USA win 50 over ODI by 5 wickets against UAE in Dubai. There is a big push by USA to improve facilities and their squad is a competitive Associate level team with a few star players.

Will be interesting to see how they fare over next few years.

Good, the more the merrier.

Mysterypunter · 19-03-2019 8:05am

Xavier Marshall is playing, thought he was about 40, but he is only 32. Played test matches for West Indies a few years ago

Tom Mann Centuria · 14-05-2019 9:38pm

England's One Day team looks to have got their abysmal, fortunate, win against the Irish out of their system. Defended a big score the other day, and chased down a whopper today.

Beasty · 14-05-2019 10:16pm

Fifth largest successful run chase in ODI history

Looks like the WC will be dominated by the batsmen, with all that T20 experience contributing to some large scores

Royale with Cheese · 14-05-2019 10:17pm

You suspect they'd have chased 400 fairly easily today.

Beasty · 14-05-2019 10:34pm

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

You suspect they'd have chased 400 fairly easily today.

Bairstow looked very unhappy to have missed out, only getting 128 today

:pac:

VillaMad · 24-05-2019 1:23pm

Eoin Morgan suffered a nasty looking finger injury in practice today for England. He has been sent for an x-ray. He could potentially be out of the World Cup.

riffmongous · 24-05-2019 2:20pm

This Eoin Morgan?

The tournament also marked the first time Morgan, perhaps controversially, publicly stated his wish to play for England, in an interview with Ian Ward of Sky Sports. "The day before we played England in Guyana, we sat on the outfield and I think he started the interview with, 'Tomorrow which changing room would you rather be in?' said Morgan. "And I said it'd be the opposition. We were having a great time and doing great things for cricket in Ireland, but if I wanted to be the best player I could be, I wanted to play professional cricket."

I won't be shedding any tears for him anyway

riffmongous · 24-05-2019 2:22pm

I see Afghanistan have a decent chance of getting a win today, Pakistan just making 262 in their innings

VillaMad · 21-07-2019 10:00am

Zimbabwe were suspended the other day by the ICC with immediate effect. This is due the Zimbabwe government suspending the whole of their cricket board.

The ICC feared that any money given to Zimbabwe cricket would be diverted to the Zimbabwe government.

They are suspended from all ICC competitions and can still play in bilateral series like the one with Ireland last week but obviously with now no funding that won't happen.

Feel sorry for the players who are now basically unemployed with the whole of Zimbabwe cricket up in the air.

riffmongous · 09-08-2019 11:05pm

Following up on the retirement of Steyn, Hashim Amla has also announced a retirement from international cricket. The last few years didn't go so well for him unfortunately but there was a time when he was the best batsman around

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