Monday 9 November 2015

Onto WACCA

looking forward to more questions being asked of both batsmen and bowlers, the new lineup is looking ok


Monday 26 October 2015

They came closer to saving it than I thought they would

We can still get a draw. Even if we don't, we've improved on our last visit here!!


Andrew, are you ready for another Bledisloe Cup match (why is it called that?).
I'm not sure who I want to win.
Every team I've wanted to win, so far, has lost. Usually to Aussie! (England, Wales, Scotland, Argentina!)

Friday 16 October 2015

It was a no-ball!

Well done Allister Cook.  I seem to remember Ben and I in the office the last time England were here. They lost an early Strauss, but we said don't worry, Cook and Trott are in (this was not long after THAT Ashes series down under (no Andrew, not one of THOSE, THAT one) so we'll be OK. We weren't, it all went wrong and we lost 3-0.
But this week, however, has been just what you expect from Cook.

As impressive as 13 hours of batting is, I don't think I was remotely surprised at any point. This is just Cook being Cook. It's why we love him so dearly. Wonderful stuff.
It was hard to explain on Tuesday (watching cricket on my birthday never happens) to non-cricket colleagues down the pub that just because they've got 500, doesn't mean we're rubbish and it's all over.
Sheffield Shield rules and a bonus point for the first innings lead, please. Might add a teensy bit of interest to middle-eastern/sub-continental batting tracks like this one. Wow, as pitches go this is a shocker.
Imagine if Bell had held those two catches on day one.

I'm sure we'll see a draw tomorrow, but I look forward to belated-birthday dinner and presents at my folks house with the first two rugby quarter finals!
Come on the northern hemisphere! Apart from France. But I won't mind if they beat the All Blacks.

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Brave Blossoms

Is anyone else pooing themselves with excitement over the Rugby World Cup? Japan v SA, ay. Cor, blimey!
And the NRL (and SuperLeague) Finals?
Andrew, are you up for Hawthorn's second chance in WA? My friend very recently moved to Perth from here and has been overwhelmed by the sports coverage. Wall to wall NRL and AFL. They don't even have an NRL team out there. Him and his boy are going to their first AFL game to watch their new local heroes; against your mighty fighting Hawthorn.

Good to see Hales in the Test squad, finally. I'm a little surprised his lack of runs at international level in the ODI series didn't put them off, but that is surely a good thing.
A month to go before the attempt to avenge our last disaster trip to the UAE. 3-0 reverse when we were best in the world.

Stay in touch.

Friday 11 September 2015

Victory or Die!

Ok, so that might be over-selling a series decider on Sunday, but it does allow me to let you know the new Motorhead album is awesome and it opens with this.

That was a cracking day's cricket again. Ebb and flow that 20 overs doesn't allow, after a big (start from) Willey, the Aussies fought back in a match winning way - I thought at the time.
England had a little wobble to keep us all interested.

England's third highest ever successful run chase; the highest total on an ODI defeat for the Aussie's against England (I think, I worked that out based on a pre-series stat that they never lose to us if they score 300+).

Maxwell is some cricketer. Bat, ball and field.

There was even almost a tense finish. Nice big (hit from) Willey to seal the deal.



Hales has "hit a bad run at the wrong time" according to Cricinfo. OR, he's struggling against the World champions. I hope he has a big(ish) one on Sunday.


In other news,
Yorkshire won the title again. I don't mind this, in fact it's quite impressive especially when you consider how many chaps they've had off with England for much of the season. It's quite galling though to me on a training course with the most Yorkshireman man I've ever met loving every minute of their decimation of Middlesex to rack up the few bonus points they needed on day one as their next nearest rivals (after Middlesex), Notts, fell apart against..... Graham Onions. Remember him!?!?! Awesome, chap.
Speaking of which, where's old Chris Jordon gone? He was good before the world cup, right?

Anyway, Back to Manchester... Same pitch as t'other day. Twin spinners a-hoy!!!!

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Finally, a big argument on the field!

Listening on the radio when it happened, it sounded outrageous.

Watching on the highlights it looked like Stokes used his hand to 'obstruct the field'.
OK, maybe he didn't intend to stop himself from being run out, but he did stop the ball. Shane Watson had no reprieve for LBW, even though he didn't mean it.

Here I go defending Steve Smith again: the spirit of cricket should only come in to it if the ball was thrown deliberately to hurt Stokes, which is wasn't.
Sorry everyone, but I'm actually on Smith, and Australia's, side for this one.

Here's hoping for an England win this afternoon to keep the series alive.

Friday 4 September 2015

1st ODI - we'll have a bit of that thanks

I thought England would cruise to victory - only needed 6 an over, a few more games to go lets hope the tempo picks up.

Gutted we lost the Ashes.......................................

Hang on, Gutted England 'Won' the Ashes back..............................


Tuesday 1 September 2015

International T20

Is a bit of a farce, no? The odd one off match and a World Cup every 2 years. Bonkers.

Steve Smith is a dead tidy batsmen, isn't he. Nice to get him out short of his century, so we don't have to see that smile.

If there was a time Watson wanted to get his leg before the wicket. Well worth looking up his wicket. I couldn't stop laughing.

So 5 ODIs, here we go..

Monday 17 August 2015

5th Test - are we there already

Good to see the Aussies pushed Northants...LOL, Did you also hear that the Aussie girls beat the Kiwis in Netball...amazing

Perhaps Boof should step down and one of the women cricketers in the current Australian squad might do a little better coaching - they don't seem to have that many issues in the conditions.

So lets line up for a final spanking at the oval, perhaps our good friend the weather can delay another embarrassing performance.  To be honest, all the hype in the Aus media about dry + green dodgy pitches, off field distractions, etc. are a little rank, I would like to read a story here about how well England have played, yes Australia has been poor, but this shouldn't detract from a great English performance on show.

As far as the rugby goes, Gee, how much of a surprise was that, still we are improving, its about the 5th most popular sport in two of the Australia's states.


Saturday 15 August 2015

Well done Australia

So the women win when the men lose. The only time the England women beat the Aussies this summer was when the men lost.

Anyway, I'm hear to say how pleased I am that the Wallabies following in the baggy green wearers footsteps by following up a splendid win with an embarrassing defeat.
I had started to get worried ahead of our fun dates in the World Cup, especially when the first scrum pushed the All Blacks all over the place. Good to see you back on your recent form. We'll have none of this 'peaking for the World cup' nonesense from you southern hemisphere types, thank you.
South Africa had the right idea, losing at home to Argentina last week. I can't wait to see the follow up in Buenos Aires this afternoon.

There's another cricket match isn't there. I hope it's soon. :)

Sunday 9 August 2015

The Darkest Time I can remember in Australian cricket for the last 20 years.......

The feeling here is still disbelief at just how poor our team was, we went into this series with an expectation and it has been torched.

I wonder what the old guard think of this limp performance - no evidence of playing proudly for you country from what I saw.

They should hold their heads in shame, I can't wait to see how they feel coming back here, the public has had enough.

England no doubt will be on a well deserved high, our only chance at the oval is if the England players are hung over, even then they would be hard to beat.....

Everytime I wake up I wished this was just a bad dream, what a shocking mess.......................

Saturday 8 August 2015

Ashes... England have won the Ashes.

As a young boy growing up, I knew not was it was like to defeat the Australians in a Test series. I'd heard about it from Dad and GrandDad; I'd seen highlights of previous quite famous victories which include the wonderful line of commentary I reference in the title. Now we know. Now we know many times. I'd have to sit down and actually work out how many times it's been since that wonderful summer of 2005 (has anyone mentioned that recently?). Ah, 5. Yes 5. (That's ironic, given they've been interspersed with a couple of shocking 5-0 reverses; shame those). That's a lot, isn't it. I'm looking forward to chatting with our Aussie developer again. I last spoke to him after the Lord's Test and he was all smiles and typical Aussie bad winning attitude (present company excepted, Andrew). The thing that REALLY bugs me about the Aussies being bad winners is that they tend to be really good, magnanimous, losers. It's incredibly frustrating when you want to rub their noses in it. Speaking of rubbing noses in it, let's hammer home a 4-1. It's not 5-0 but hey, it's the best we've got from here. PS - welcome back, Monty! http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/907957.html

Wednesday 5 August 2015

4th Test

I will be happy for a tail end cameo from someone, and a few overs from MJ getting the England middle order and tail sniffing the leather.....

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Bell end?

I'm not sure Bell at number 3 is the answer. Especially with openers that keep dropping early. And Root was doing just fine at 5.
I like Ballance. And even though he has been struggling of late be still averages nearly 50 in Tests. And knocked 67 in the domestic 50 overs yesterday. I know its different but it doesn't scream out of form. For all his jumping and dodgyness in recent Tests he still scored a half century.

I'm hoping for a green top and a bit of 'weather' about.
I've never been sure why people say that; there's ALWAYS weather.
Lose the toss so we get a bowl at them. It won't be green or grey enogj to put them in if you win it.

Here we go again...... Can't wait. I think.

Thursday 23 July 2015

Are you enjoying the silebce, Andrew?

That was properly shocking, even for us. Even considering we keep following wind with defeats.
Green top in Edgbaston...

Saturday 18 July 2015

Lords day 2

Amazing stuff, but I always feel that until both teams have batted + bowled hold off on any opinions. Some tools in the media here were gloating after day 1 even though England hadn't had the opportunity to bat.  Lets see if Cook and Co. can dig in and make a decent knock.

Broad bowled really well for long periods, Clarke just looks like a player scratching around - in need of a good bit of time in the middle. (Like Balance - no foot work)

The Aussie bowlers look much sharper - but this is a pig of a pitch, I am sure England don't wan't it either.  A corporate pitch?

I love the scenes of the players especially the batsmen having to wander out through the members - Lords is such a great place.

Some of these deliveries are staying very low, despite coming in at 90mph - very un 'Lords' like...

Looking forward to Day 3 - hope we can level this series....

Thursday 16 July 2015

Shut up, Andrew

That was a long day. I hope it rains all weekend.

It won't. Blazing hot sun is forecast.

I meant to say we have had a habbit in the past year or so of following up good wins with shoddy defeats.
Bit late to say that now...

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Is Peter Siddle coming to Lord's?

Surely he would have done a better job that some in Cardiff?

And what about our mate Shane? Mitchell Marsh did well in the warm ups.
I did love Watson in the second innings, after calling for the review, turns to his partner and quite clearly says "Faaaaaaaack" as he shakes his head.
For the first time I actually really felt for him, instead of laughing at him for getting out the same way again. Can you imagine what that must feel like.

Also, can I take umbrage with the DRS 'umpires call'. Now I understand that umpires call is there for half a ball clipping the stumps. It's predictive technology and, therefore, they have a margin for error. This I like. What I don't like is saying that this particular LBW was umpires call when you could see about 9/10ths of the ball hitting leg stump. How is that umpires call? That's OUT! Surely they trust their technology more than that. If the seam is hitting, it's hitting, right?

Anyway, I can't wait until Thursday. I'm starting early so I can have the last hour of the morning in the canteen on the big screen, then the last 40 minutes of the afternoon in the Moon with some rum.
Friday: repeat.
Saturday: work, but there's a TV in an office at the end of the corridor which will be empty.
Sunday: won't it be all over by then? I hope so, the baby's getting christened. Handily at 1pm for half an hour. Maybe I can swing it. I hope the bar the missus hired for afterwards has Sky Sports!

Friday 10 July 2015

Lyon, Clarke, Hazlewood.

They were some good catches.  Haddin should take note.
Im glad he didnt pull his 2012.13 rear guard trick.

Theres time to get the runs, but theres rain in the air tomorrow. But something amazing hapeneded if we dont win.
Still, a long way to go in the series. They cant all be that dead. Cardiff is usually like that anyway.

Thursday 9 July 2015

One in the gonads

Great catch from Cook to get Warner. Good field movement to get Smith.
Given that this pitch isn't carrying the edges through, should be move the slips forwards? That way it will stop things happening like a ball falling short catching the Captain on the nuts. Anderson at 85mph. No box.
I wonder what pennance he'll give vice skip Root for laughing in his ear as he lay on the ground.

Is Rogers the new Watson. 50, not a century.

And was that MJ offering to toss someone off in the crowd?

Wednesday 8 July 2015

A good toss to lose, as it rained just before play.

Lots  of swing going on here. Hazelwood and Starc both getting some bend.  The ball that got Bell almost swung back past leg stump. It was umpires call, so good job they didn't review.

Lyon getting a nice bit of bounce and not a little turn. Interesting.

Root was dropped by Haddin - full stretch dive to his right - on zero.  Hope that's costly.
Balance hanging around so far. Big partnership please. 3 down after morning drinks indeed.

Monday 6 July 2015

All set to go

Can't reply to any posts - sorry lads.

Did you see any of the action against Essex, I see they have asked the young fella Cummins to come into the Australian squad.  He is an excellent talent, just been injured a lot due to his young body and high speed bowling.

He hasn't played for a while, but the Australians must have known Harris was never guaranteed.  This is all exciting stuff, can you throw  in a heat wave and a few seagulls for our boys so they feel a bit more at home.

It will be around 8pm down under when things get underway, and its  all on free view - thanks Channel 9.

Lots of sleepy bodies on the trains going to work after being up all night, whats going to be the big thing - Warner out for a duck?  Cooks off stump cartwheeling down the field after he is yorked.

And we have State of Origin this week clashing with the Ashes

Saturday 4 July 2015

Sofia Gardens is very hot.

It's a resort in Thailand.
Sophia gardens is due to rain all weekend. Should be dry by Wednesday but there will be lots of cloud and possible rain throughout the day.
Win the toss and bowl? Or a good toss to lose?

Will the Aussies win at Essex today or will they only draw? Ravi got a century too. Essex were 150 runs behind on first innings, and our young opener Nick Browne didn't even bat: absent hurt.

Australia are 212 for 8 overnight. Clarke got 70, and the rest for a smattering of nothing.  We had a massive storm overnight too, but hot and clear all day. A job for your spinners to get us out, while our batsmen play backs to the wall.
I'd love it if we escaped with a draw. Keep your bowlers toiling for another day the week of the Test. I know they probably won't be the ones playing Wednesday, but still...

Am I the only one this excited? Where are all the replies? Is anyone available for the Moon at midday on Wednesday?

Friday 3 July 2015

I cant reply from the blogger app, so...

I don't know what's happening with the pitch - or the weather - in Cardiff. I think they've had some rain yesterday, but otherwise hot and muggy like everywhere.

The Aussies spent all afternoon and evening in the field as Ton Westley reprised Alastair Cooks century against the Aussies at Chelmsford in 2005. Omen.
Of course we all remember Monty in Cardiff. Monty was last seen in our 2nd XI by a friend who was one of an official crowd of three at Southend.

This time next week we will be well under way.  Very excited. More and more cricket articles in the paper each day.

It was the company Summer Party last night. Brilliant fun down St. Katherines Dock. Glad I have the day off today to enjoy a picnic at the boys school sports day. Hope there's some shade.

Thursday 2 July 2015

The atmosphere building nicely - hopefully the hot weather sorts out that shoddy bog over there

England have done well against the Kiwis  ODI + T20, I see Ryder is playing for Essex......

I was hoping Rhino wouldn't have s sore knee - maybe something in the Dad's Army?

I hope Marsh gets the nod over Watson, back here we aren't hearing much, apart from all the bowlers wanting a piece of Jimmy...poor lad, Johnson will have about + 5kph for when Jimmy comes out.

How is that Cardiff dust bowl going, remember Anderson and Monty needing gloves, water and the physio all at 5 to 6 on day 5 last time...

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Golden duck

That's what Michael Clarke got at Chelmsford today. 34 degrees of muggy heat, under cloudy sky. Disgusting weather today.
Some decent scores around him though.
David Warner rattled up a 90 in fewer balls in a couple of hours this morning.
Mitchell Marsh scored an almost a ball century this afternoon in the biggest partnership of the day.
Typically, Watson scored a 50 and... didn't get 100. Some things never change. Ryan Harris is injured.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Brilliant Ashes preview

https://nestaquin.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/from-the-desk-of-trevor-bayliss/

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Netherlands

Is it because we have a habit of losing to the Dutch in T20 World Cups that we are playing in orange and not blue?

Thursday 18 June 2015

Essex v Derbyshire day two match report

I got chicken pox off of my two boys so I didn't go.
I've also had to chuck my Kent v The Australians tickets back in to the pool at work. Can't really take a jolly after 5 days (and counting) of not turning up!!

I wouldn't recommend chicken pox to anyone, but it did have the nice side effect of being able to lay either on the sofa or in the bed and watch every single ball of the 4th England v NZ ODI.  What a super run chase. I'm all excited for Saturday's dissapointing finale.

Also, good to hear the Cricket Writers on TV getting some early shots across Australian bows:
How wonderful it is to see the Kiwi's playing tough cricket, but in such good spirit. None of that awful snarling Australian nonsense. What a disgrace in the Ashes. How awful in the World Cup Final. I hope England don't allow themselves to be dragged down to their level.
They do play some good cricket though. And finally. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT PIGGY SMITH!

Speaking of snarling Aussies. State of Origin was another cracket. At the MCG?? What will they think of next! They'll be letting Victorians PLAY in it next :)

3 week's today, boys, and we'll all be tapping away about what a fantastic, awful, entertaining, disgraceful day it's been. Joe Root and David Warner had proper fisticuffs on the square! All the Aussie fielders piled in and Cook started waving his bat around shouting "how's this for aggressive batting you Aussie bleeders"
(I'm still a tad delirious from the chicken pox fever)

Saturday 13 June 2015

I just love the English Media

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/11666671/Jos-Buttler-on-verge-of-joining-world-class-format-masters-AB-de-Villiers-Adam-Gilchrist-and-MS-Dhoni.html


Jos is fantastic - makes you want to buy tickets and go to matches like KP - but What - he is about to join the class of absolute legends of the game - WTF......That's like saying Smith is about to join the club of Viv Richards.....

Good luck to him, I hope he does but the UK media - what a joke.

Steve Ponting is plundering the runs again - he is in awsome nick, sorry, I meant Steve Smith.....See we land in the mother country in a few days and have a warm up against Essex

Some very long nights ahead for us down under - you lucky buggers.........

Thursday 11 June 2015

Steve Bloody Smith

Still in form then. Surely those runs have to dry up soon. It's been over a year.

More PJs to come from England and the Kiwi's tomorrow. 190 all out, England. Tear up the brave new plan and start again with Cook. I'm so funny.

Nice win for Essex tonight at the ECG in the domestic.

Happily, I managed to use my new senior position in the office to blag a freebie for some hospitality at Canterbury for Day Two of the tour game against the Aussies.
I can't think of two teams I enjoy watching lose more. Nor can I think of many things I like more than free beer and free food on work time.

Saturday 6 June 2015

ODI Series - aren't we all so over them

I see our boy James Faulkner is doing the business for Lancashire.  Not sure why, but I can't add comments to earlier posts any longer.  I spend ages typing one out on the phone and it disappears....

How is that shoddy bog looking -  is Boycott scathing yet or Botham getting bullish.  Vaughan was recently bullish......

Are they talking $^!& on cricket writers on TV or something valuable

The new coach will have an good time there I think, I'd say he will steel England into a good unit and we might be surprised how quickly that happens- Yes?

Wednesday 3 June 2015

At home to Leicester!!!

Leicester last won a Championship match over two years ago. 38 matches sans victory.
They're one down (just) with less than 70 runs to get at Chelmsford.

How embarrassing. Worse than our record low score against Lancs last season? I'm not sure, because at least they were good and got promoted!


Anyone excited about the ODIs? Me neither?
5 weeks, right. Put your house on the Aussies to win the next Test, if we dare to beat them.

Monday 1 June 2015

Sunday 31 May 2015

The Old Ben Stokes (nice backdrop, Ben)


Nice to see both openers on form, too. Didn't realise this was only a two Test series.

Rain everywhere today. Nothing doing in the Championship at all. Grey and windy here. Not like the lovely sunshine we have yesterday for FA CUP FINAL DAY!! WOW!!!! THAT'S HOW YOU WIN THE CUP!!!!
A good day all round for North London, with Saracens battering Bath earlier in the afternoon. (I'm not really a Saracens fan, just a bit of North North North London civic pride...)
Still, the rain this morning will give me a chance to catch up on yesterday's cricket highlights.

Exciting times all round. Ashes coming to a shoddy blog near you soon.....


Thursday 21 May 2015

At last a proper match - start of the summer

Can't wait for this to start, make or break summer for Cook

where is KP at 4 down

Wednesday 13 May 2015

KP mandatory for any rational challenge this summer

If the media reports are accurate English cricket is a shambles.  Going public and saying Strauss is focussed on 2019? what about 2015.  KP has good reason to be very very annoyed, is there some type of class system at work here, why wouldn't you have one of thebest batsmen available.  It's a joke,

I hope gallespie steers clear of the poison challace or is he the man to help force KP back in?  Strauss is a nice bloke but what is he going to add really?  Vaughan a much better choice

Wednesday 29 April 2015

England's new opener: Daniel Lawrence

17 years old, scored 161 of Essex's 610/8d at The Oval. And you're going to be saved from sure defeat by the rain!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/867765.html

Thursday 23 April 2015

Better

I'm loving this. Like old times. Boycottian stances by both openers. Trots bat looks like he has smashed a piglet to death on a parked car.

Sunday 19 April 2015

Thursday 16 April 2015

Apparently, England have never won in Antigua

That's two lovely sharp catches at 1st slip to the offies from CJ.
Good bowling change too: Root opens with a WM.

Aggers on TMS

Broad's one of those bowlers where if he doesn't get a wicket for four or five overs, he can get frustrated. But if he strikes early, he has a chance of getting a couple more. He was pointing up at [bowling coach] Ottis Gibson on the balcony as if to say 'well done on the plan for having a short leg'. You've not been listening to us up here, Broady - we've been saying it for about five years."

all change..

So I thought we should switch to an IPL theme - better late than never. I just got back from Nepal where they have no less than 4 TV channels dedicated to cricket. Now there is a proper country.

Isn't half of the Windies team playing in the IPL? who are we playing in the test match? the Barbados ladies team?

Wednesday 15 April 2015

England's Top Order - ?

Just seen the highlights - Cook (very shaky ground now I'd say).

If Australia can bury England in the summer - will Cook still be there?

England look lost at sea

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Shiv

It's early days yet (he's on 17) but here he is again.

Blackwood is looking dodgy against Stokes. Who, by the way, looked very beefy with the bat yesterday evening. Not in a Botham way, but in a beefy upper body heave the ball over the boundary kind of way. Most entertaining.

Monday 13 April 2015

2-22

Sad to hear about Richie Benaud. Surely we all remember his wonderful commentary from our yoof.

Speaking of things we remember. Remember when Cook and Trott batted forever. They'll most likely be opening in this Test match.
That's right, TEST match. PROPER cricket.

Nick, remember to remind your son that they wear whites in "proper cricket".

I got excited earlier when I learned a young lady on the DBA team likes cricket. Then she asked what match I'd be watching. Then it turns out she's all excited by this IPL shit.
It's a foot in the door. It's more than anyone else here likes since you all left.


ECB "Director of Cricket". Vaughan. Stewart. Strauss. All publicly said they're up for it. I wonder if they're being thought of by the ECB. I wonder if they'd be any good.
Picking Stewart would be like picking Morgan as ODI captain. Yes, he does do that job for his county, but his county have been shit while he's been doing it so why would it work with England.
I wonder if Nasser Hussein is in the running?


Kevin Pieterson. A daddy hundred against a Uni side. 2000 people turned out to watch that match. 1000 of them left when KP holed out.
A lot of press, and KP himself, started banging on about lots of support. Maybe. Maybe not. But lots of people like watching you bat, Kev. We know that already.
KP in the side for the first test against the Kiwi's? Probably not with Vaughan as Director of Cricket. Perhaps not with Strauss (wanna come play again, you c**t?).

Back to this afternoon. Win the toss. Bat until lunch tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing Ballance play proper cricket again. Just hopefully not for a while. Cook and Trott both could do with loads of runs.

Tuesday 31 March 2015

Ashes team announced today


Australia Ashes squad: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Fawad Ahmed 

Monday 30 March 2015


http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/32105812

The 2 x Bangladesh seamers faster than Broad + Anderson?

Tuesday 24 March 2015

NZ for the win...?

NZ have been awesome all through this competition. what a nail-biter yesterday - one of the best matches of the cup so far.

brutal batting and bowling from both teams. England wouldn't have had a hairy hope...

this for me is still the best catch though. so nonchalant from Vettori..

looking forward to Australia vs India - that's going to be a proper angry game..

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Sorry England - but Australia senses an opening to pile on the misery in the summer - Tests + ODIs - "going to be a long summer boys"

Seems that the team is in such disarray, including the management and structure around the main players that it will be hard to turn around all of this before the summer?

NZ + Australia are touring? - what do you have against the Kiwis - they have a formidable bowling unit at present - I would say they will be more of a threat on English pitches than the Aussies - we just think we can outscore England even if we bowl like crap.

Lyon feels he will be able to cause enough problems for England in the spin department - plus we have Haddin, Clarke doing their goodbye tour - my guess Mitchell Johnson as well as far as touring England

What changes can England make in the next 3 - 4 months that turns this train wreck around.

We need a good series, competitive England


Monday 9 March 2015

What a SHAMBLES!

We moved the Ashes tour for this. We moved and lost 5-0 FOR THIS!!!!

We planned for FOUR YEARS for this!!!!

Then, at the last minute we panic and sack the captain and change everything and go from runners up in a Champions Final we should have won, but choked in (I know it was at home, but still) to a laughing stock.
I haven't the words for it.

I know the players were out there, but the ECB have been a disgrace in how they've thrown away all the planning so late.
What a mess.

We've got an Ashes to win. Hopefully the rest of the World Cup will be fun!

Wednesday 4 March 2015

14th May 1999

On the above date, England beat Sri Lanka.

That is the last time England beat a Test playing nation at a World Cup. And it was a Lord's in a low scoring match. Admittedly against the World Champions.
It was probably raining.

Saturday 28 February 2015

Friday 27 February 2015

Tuesday 24 February 2015

England restore some pride - Australia rests while planning to rip the Kiwis a new one

Come on - Eden park is tiny, feather a top edge and it goes for 6.  A game of this importance should be on a proper ground, not one where 14 year olds can hit into the stands

Chris Gayle is back - this is scary

How is England viewing the SL game, hopefully better than St Helens V The Rabbitohs

Jason Gallespie to coach England


Saturday 21 February 2015

1-4 (that's 4-1 Andrew)

Pakistan trying to grab some of our headlines there.
I'm sure we can grab them back with a shambles against Scotland. Can you imagine...?
When's the 6 nations back? Another week of this misery...

Friday 20 February 2015

The best prepared England Team to leave Home for a World Cup


1 Million Dollars - 

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/windies-instant-millionaires/story-e6frey50-1111117923463





2015 - The start - England's Annus Horribilis

Is the NZ Ground a green top too far or is the England ODI squad 'old yellow' material

Monday 16 February 2015

England V New Zealand

England have a hard task - NZ look very strong

South Africa didn't have it all their own way.

Did you see the brawl in an Adelaide bar after Ind v Pak

Sunday 15 February 2015

Day 2

I thought zim were looking hopeful early on. They started so well - Miller was violent though. Maybe he has some issues. 138 off 92 with 9 sixes. Just what we need - another aggressive talented saffa. Give him a British passport quick...

Saturday 14 February 2015

90,000 expected crowd - please stop raining just for today - Duckworth Lewis - For gods sake

For gods sake are we going to need this today -

https://www.easycalculation.com/sports/duckworth-lewis-calculator.php

Paul Collingwood would be an excellent coach, England need a new captain and a new coach. Anything Collingwood in Melbourne is widely accepted (Having trouble commenting on the Collingwood comments below so have to revert to a new thread - sorry)

Did you see Haddin roll his ankle when he carelessly stepped on the cricket ball yesterday - I hope you are watching this live if it gets underway.  Morgan is the bunny today, can he deliver










Friday 13 February 2015

MCG - Opener - the excitement builds - the city is boiling and heaving - less than 24hrs to go

Good luck - thunderstorms tonight here in the sporting capital - tomorrow, what a fantastic opening game - two great rivals go head to head

Is Australia going to thrash the pants of England or is England going to be a banana skin at the first turn.

And its great to see Brian Lara on TV again.....


Thursday 12 February 2015

new look for the World Cup. - had to get that cup up there. It gets taken down as soon as England are out. (Sorry Andrew)

Sunday 8 February 2015

DRS and no super overs but no hotspot either












Glad they've got rid of the Super over - that was ridiculous. I still don't get why they can't afford the hotspot cameras for all pitches for a world cup event. need to find out how much they cost.

Interestingly the company that makes the hotspot cameras also makes this:

That would liven things up a bit if they messed up the order.
 

Sunday 1 February 2015

Now to the World Cup

England - excellent toss to win, batting at the Wacca first is very difficult uneven bounce and slightly slow first up.

Positives
Anderson, Broad, Finn look in good nick.  England removed Finch + Warner easily on the difficult initial spell - this should have throttled Australia's momentum so we could struggle to pass 200 odd

Negatives
Morgan - watch that Off stump
England unable to get on top of Australia's middle order and give the knock out punch


Australia

Positives - The finisher again was outstanding, but is now injured and likely to miss the world cup, Maxwell getting some form just at the right time.

Mitch + Mitch a bit wayward at times

Australia will feel good about a win after a shocking start, but they need to improve a lot before they can take on South Africa or NZ on their day.  On another day we could have been all out for 180

England, look a bowler short at times and need to inject something into that middle order

Saturday 31 January 2015

Australia need a good contest leading into the WC, England are improving nicely and could win this one easily if they get it right.  The Aussies need to focus here - England may get rolled easily, or win easily - which Mitch is turning up for us today - the 140 kph or the 155kph?.  Meanwhile NZ are stalking quietly not on anyone's radar...


Are the Aussie's licking their lips...?

Put England in and pitch it short. Bring back all the memories of the last Ashes and ruin our very steady improvement (maybe) so we can have another rubbish World Cup quarter final defeat. 10 wickets last time round. That was a long day, wasn't it! PS - Everyone's got much quieter since we've stopped mailing and started blogging to each other.

Friday 23 January 2015

The final piece of the puzzle: the last 10 overs.

A great platform and an exciting start... Followed by a disappointing last 10 overs when they didn't get enough runs. It looked like England were ahead - just - all the way through, with a few wickets or big overs to tip the balance either way. But it's not going to be anyone else's day with Piggy and Haddin in. Where England lose wickets and falter in the last 10, everyone else accelerates. New captain, new ideas (maybe), same players. I know Ravi had a bad day, but surely give him another over. Anyone can go for 11 in a single over when the bats are swinging. Especially when all you've got left in the bank is the three pace bowlers all going at a comfortable 5 to 6 an over. At least give them something different to think about when they accelerate. A bit of Ravi, a bit of Root, as Mo (who bowled brilliantly) was all bowled out. There will be calls for Jade Dernbach's 'back of the hand' slow balls before the World Cup is here. I still think England can reach the final though (of the Tri-series, not the World Cup). Then, who knows, another big day for Finn like the one in Brisbane (check out those wickets he took against India, the very essence of 'steepling bounce') A nice highlight was watching a large chap lean over the boundary advertising boards to collect a four and go ar*e over t*t, only to have the bloke who got the ball wave it in his face to add to his humiliation. The crowd and commentators joined in with load cheers on each replay on the big screen. On a final note, I have to say respect to Steve Smith. He can't stop all 'summer' long the runs have been coming. He's looking really good. His early days he had seemed to me just an agricultural slogger, but he's a proper player these days. Brad Haddin is the bain of every Englishman's life. He's always there (apart from that silly wicket today, with the job all but done after his striking at 200, though) Without him, I'm sure we'd have won the Ashes downunder last year. Or at least not lost by the dreaded 5-0.

Friday 16 January 2015

SCG - Mr. Agnew's offensive comments fire up bowlers?

Starc - well done, can we have your radar on the same frequency all summer please.  I thought England got a few impossible to play 150 kph swinging deliveries straight up, unlucky.

KP - yes, you need to get back into this side, Imagine what that would bring to the series and the WC.

Poor sherminator - who could have played that one.....

After Agnew's piece in the media out here - feelings are still raw with the players, has he just done something that will hurt England in the return summer - Oh dear

Oh for goodness sake...

Surprise surprise, sacking Cook didn't solve all England's batting woes.
Bowled out in the 200s without batting all your overs.

Australia to win by 8... Or 10!

At least the new captain returned to form. Imagine how hideous it would have been without that!

Wednesday 14 January 2015

England v Australia Sydney Jan 16 (0320 GMT - sorry lads)

Looks like a day / nighter.  What's with this England player - Taylor, there should be no Taylors playing for England - it just sounds - well Australian, anyway best of luck to James

Australia V India at the MCG on the 18th - nice weather expected for that, we had our months rain over the past 24 - 48 hrs.

England's game today is going nicely - the Canberra ground is tiny - boundaries galore.

Tuesday 13 January 2015

Now thats what i like to see

'Machine' Trott back in working order http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/story/820573.html

Monday 12 January 2015

ACT Tour Match

England played well in the ACT Tour game, an easy warm up after getting off the plane.  Some of the English players are doing well in the big bash - getting their eye in that's for sure.

That's it for tests now - onto the Carlton Tri-Series

India - resisted and we couldn't finish them off in the final test.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Who to support? The Lions, of course...

Johnny Trotter. 70odd not out. Lovely stuff to read. Here's to a century today, please.

Speaking of centuries, when are Kohli and Smith going to stop scoring them. Hopefully, by the time the get their pyjamas on for England's little mess about with them next week.

Monday 5 January 2015

who to support...

in England's absence?.. Scotland are playing Afghanistan on Thursday. may be a good time to support Afghanistan.. I'm happy to see the windies aren't completely failing in SA - although their line up is lacking inspiration. Sangakkara is hero of the week - although I liked it more when he was wearing the bicycle helmet. And its always sad when New Zealand lose any sport in their back yard as it feels like its all they have (especially now they've stopped shooting dwarf porn there) Obviously Australia gets Andrews support but I'm just not feeling it.
Dan - help me out..

Sunday 4 January 2015

Happy New Year. It's a World Cup year.

And as it's a World Cup year, there will be lots of talk about the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Welcome.. 2015 and new year of cricket and an new way to disect it..

Gents - time to convert from the burgeoning email trail which I have enjoyed so much over the last few years. re need to embrace new social media capabilities - after all - blogging has only been around for about 20 years so we aren't late or anything.