Cricket

[DownSouth]

Briefly r/e the GB problem and getting a team into the Olympics - Curling at the winter Olympics has it sorted, the highest placed and qualified UK rink (team) will represent GB, and it's always Scotland of course.
So, in cricket, there could be a home-countries playoff to decide which of the four (or more likely two as NI is "Ireland" I think, and it's the England and Wales Cricket Board so that's covered) represents GB.
Now, whether England would qualify and then draft in some Scots or Welsh lads, let alone Morgan, would remain to be seen.

It depends on the qualification process. If all teams other than the host nation are required to qualify in continental tournaments, the GB squad may as well contest the European qualifiers together.

It would be easy to handle if ICC full member nations were only allowed to enter under 23 players. England could keep playing Tests and ODIs while the GB team (i.e. players from England U23 and Scotland) contested the European qualifiers and the Olympics themselves, with no U23 players in the England team for Tests there's no conflict. The same would apply to Australia's team for Tests.

But given that it is the ECB veto which is keeping the Olympics off the table, by the time it ever gets on the table the Scottish board will either have a much larger say in the matter - either by having a bigger voice at the ICC if the ECB loses its veto or by having their own National Olympic Committee which will have an equal voice to that of the UK.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

First Test Match...Day 3 of 5

Pakistan 454 all out...(1st innings)
Safraz Ahmed 109
Younis Khan 106
Shafiq 89
Misbah-ul-Haq 69
Azhar Ali 52

Johnson 31-18--39-3 (A remarkable bowling analysis considering the score)

Australia 303 all out...(1st innings)
Warner 133

Yasir Singh 16.3-2-66-3

Pakistan 38-0...(2nd innings)

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Only 20 wickets down in the three days so far, but three 100's and three 50's scored. I wonder how the last two days will turn out.

 

[Busaholic]

First Test Match...Day 3 of 5

Pakistan 454 all out...(1st innings)
Safraz Ahmed 109
Younis Khan 106
Shafiq 89
Misbah-ul-Haq 69
Azhar Ali 52

Johnson 31-18--39-3 (A remarkable bowling analysis considering the score)

Australia 303 all out...(1st innings)
Warner 133

Yasir Singh 16.3-2-66-3

Pakistan 38-0...(2nd innings)

**************************************************************************************

Only 20 wickets down in the three days so far, but three 100's and three 50's scored. I wonder how the last two days will turn out.

In anything other than a test match that would have created a potential follow-on situatioin, not that Pakistan would have been likely to enforce it. It would appear from allyhe stats that only Warner came to terms with the pitch.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

First Test Match...Day 4 of 5

Carrying on from my day 3 posting.....

Pakistan 286-2 declared (2nd innings)
Shezad 131
Younis Khan 103 not out

Australia 59-4 (2nd innings)

Australia were seeming consolidating an opening stand, reaching 44-0, then lost four wickets for only 15 more runs.

With only the final day now to come, Pakistan need six more wickets and Australia need another 379 more runs, if either are to win this First Test Match.

 

[DownSouth]

Australia lost by 221 runs, but at least they managed to push it out to 3:39pm on the fifth day, just 80 minutes short of a draw.

The key problem would seem to be the selection of a second spin bowler (Steve O'Keefe, son of Australia spin bowler and commentary legend Kerry O'Keefe) where they should have selected a third frontline fast bowler instead - either James Faulkner or Chadd Sayers (Ryan Harris and Shane Watson are both recovering from injury) - and kept Steve Smith as a part-time spin option for breaking a partnership. Putting a lineup other than the best XI on the field in an effort to anticipate the pitch conditions is a recipe for disaster, and the selectors got what they deserved for picking Alex Doolan (useless top-order bat) and O'Keefe.

Johnson and Siddle had the Pakistanis covered, so much so that their only strategy was to block out maidens (29 from those two alone in the first innings) and wait for the spinners to come on. Support from a third fast bowler would have forced the Pakistanis to play them instead of just waiting to see them off, which of course would have caused the resultant increase in wickets that comes when trying to score runs against superior fast bowlers and a much lower first innings score than 454. Putting the best bowlers on the field every time worked for five Tests in a row here last year, including on the docile pitches of Adelaide and Sydney, so a winning formula should not have been tampered with.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Australia lost by 221 runs, but at least they managed to push it out to 3:39pm on the fifth day, just 80 minutes short of a draw.

The key problem would seem to be the selection of a second spin bowler (Steve O'Keefe, son of Australia spin bowler and commentary legend Kerry O'Keefe) where they should have selected a third frontline fast bowler instead - either James Faulkner or Chadd Sayers (Ryan Harris and Shane Watson are both recovering from injury) - and kept Steve Smith as a part-time spin option for breaking a partnership. Putting a lineup other than the best XI on the field in an effort to anticipate the pitch conditions is a recipe for disaster, and the selectors got what they deserved for picking Alex Doolan (useless top-order bat) and O'Keefe.

Johnson and Siddle had the Pakistanis covered, so much so that their only strategy was to block out maidens (29 from those two alone in the first innings) and wait for the spinners to come on. Support from a third fast bowler would have forced the Pakistanis to play them instead of just waiting to see them off, which of course would have caused the resultant increase in wickets that comes when trying to score runs against superior fast bowlers and a much lower first innings score than 454. Putting the best bowlers on the field every time worked for five Tests in a row here last year, including on the docile pitches of Adelaide and Sydney, so a winning formula should not have been tampered with.

Well, I think that is called putting a positive spin on it! Whatever you might think, it was a comprehensive defeat, and whilst you suggest that Johnson and Siddle had the 'Pakistanis covered', the latter managed one wicket of the eleven that Australia took and although Johnson sent down many maidens he was hardly threatening to take many wickets (according to the reports that I have read).
I suppose Doolan can be replaced by Hughes (for his umpteenth recall!)

 

[DownSouth]

Whatever you might think, it was a comprehensive defeat,

It was.

We had 3/11 players (27%) who either shouldn't have been selected (O'Keefe, Doolan, Marsh) or failed (Clarke) and we fell 29% short of the Pakistani score. When a large portion of the team under-performs you deserve a heavy defeat and need to make the corresponding changes.

and whilst you suggest that Johnson and Siddle had the 'Pakistanis covered', the latter managed one wicket of the eleven that Australia took and although Johnson sent down many maidens he was hardly threatening to take many wickets (according to the reports that I have read).

Johnson got three in the first.

If the other bowlers were applying the pressure, the Pakistani batsmen would have had to play against Johnson and Siddle instead of going ultra-defensive and waiting until the easier bowlers came on. When a batsman like Younis or Misbah with excellent defensive technique decides that they are going to block out a spell, they should be able to withstand all but the 1% of completely unplayable balls - as they did in a textbook example of the importance of defensive technique in a winning strategy.

Look at the last Ashes series, the English went to pieces because (a) the lack of easy runs from any of the bowlers meant they couldn't afford to block out a tough spell and (b) they had no choice but to go after Lyon and risk getting out in the process because none of them could play spin as well as the Pakistanis.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

If the other bowlers were applying the pressure, the Pakistani batsmen would have had to play against Johnson and Siddle instead of going ultra-defensive and waiting until the easier bowlers came on. When a batsman like Younis or Misbah with excellent defensive technique decides that they are going to block out a spell, they should be able to withstand all but the 1% of completely unplayable balls - as they did in a textbook example of the importance of defensive technique in a winning strategy.

Look at the last Ashes series, the English went to pieces because (a) the lack of easy runs from any of the bowlers meant they couldn't afford to block out a tough spell and (b) they had no choice but to go after Lyon and risk getting out in the process because none of them could play spin as well as the Pakistanis.

Yes, I do see your point, but that is the beauty and joy of cricket, isn't it? Few teams can claim to have a full hand of 4/5 bowlers who can keep the pressure on all the time (thinking the great WI and Aus teams of recent memory). Most teams might only have one, and if that bowler can't crack the opposition, then the gate is left open. I'm not denying that Johnson is one of the better bowlers in the world today, but a return of three wickets from 40 odd overs was never going to be enough.
Interesting to see your views on O'Keefe, many Australian fans seem to have been clamouring for his selection for sometime, don't they? If he hadn't been picked..who else? Another inexperienced spinner who wouldn't be able to apply pressure?
I'm certainly not going to defend England's perfornance in the last Ashes....think Eng and Aus have some difficulty playing the Pakistani spinners on their 'home' turf. Looking forward to the next test, shame it's not on Sky.

 

[Busaholic]

I'm certainly not going to defend England's perfornance in the last Ashes....think Eng and Aus have some difficulty playing the Pakistani spinners on their 'home' turf. Looking forward to the next test, shame it's not on Sky.

Even bigger shame it's not on BBC.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Even bigger shame it's not on BBC.

Yes, seems so long ago that it was on BBC, can't believe that it will ever be again.

 

[ainsworth74]

Australia find themselves in trouble again with Pakistan sitting pretty on 448 for 3 half way through day 2...

 

[Busaholic]

Australia find themselves in trouble again with Pakistan sitting pretty on 448 for 3 half way through day 2...

And Brad Haddin injured going for a half-chance: Warner substituted and missed a stumping off Lyon but apparently did take a good catch later. Pakistan declared on 500 plus and had Aussies 22-1. Rogers is out: could/should this be his last test match? He wouldn't have made 5th choice opener six or seven years ago.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

And Brad Haddin injured going for a half-chance: Warner substituted and missed a stumping off Lyon but apparently did take a good catch later. Pakistan declared on 500 plus and had Aussies 22-1. Rogers is out: could/should this be his last test match? He wouldn't have made 5th choice opener six or seven years ago.

Could well be... but I got a soft spot for Rogers. think that he has done pretty well considering, and a boost for the over 30's!....but I agree, when Australia's secomd string could have beaten a number of cricket teams some years ago (including England!) he wouldn't have got a look-in! He has been very good for Middlesex, also.

 

[Busaholic]

Could well be... but I got a soft spot for Rogers. think that he has done pretty well considering, and a boost for the over 30's!....but I agree, when Australia's secomd string could have beaten a number of cricket teams some years ago (including England!) he wouldn't have got a look-in! He has been very good for Middlesex, also.

Rogers is a good guy, and I'm glad he got his chance, but he isn't doing enough to justify his place now. He's hardly reached the boundary boards in the current series. He also talked Robson up too much, I feel. Lyth really needs to come into the England reckoning.

 

[ainsworth74]

End of day three and the hole has got a bit bigger. Australia all out for 261 and Pakistan have now got to 61 for 2 with a lead of 370 and two days remaining.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

End of day three and the hole has got a bit bigger. Australia all out for 261 and Pakistan have now got to 61 for 2 with a lead of 370 and two days remaining.

Australia owe a debt of gratitude to Marsh, whose score of 87 included 1x6 and 13x4, and a late order flourish saw them move from 199-8 to 261 all out.

Whilst Johnson took the two Pakistan 2nd innings to fall, it was not at his usual run paucity per over, with figures of 3-0-29-2.

 

[Busaholic]

Australia owe a debt of gratitude to Marsh, whose score of 87 included 1x6 and 13x4, and a late order flourish saw them move from 199-8 to 261 all out.

Whilst Johnson took the two Pakistan 2nd innings to fall, it was not at his usual run paucity per over, with figures of 3-0-29-2.

The whole Australian innings was conducted at a tempo more akin to a one-day game: couldn't be the Aussies can't wait to get home?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The biggest problem for the West Indies is not their internal disputes (the board can sack players and replace them from the lower ranks - they've been there before, as did Australia and England in the 1980's) but the fact that they've now got India involved. The BCCI is quite happy with threatening to take their bat and go home when something doesn't go their way (they followed through on the threat last year against South Africa) but nobody's ever found out what would happen if someone else did it to them.

I thought than an update would be of use in this sorry affair in which the West Indies cut short their tour, leaving three Test Matches and two ODI unplayed.

It now transpires that the BCCI have formally written to the WICB to state that they will now take the matter to law and the total of their claim will be $41.97 million.

 

[Oswyntail]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/29870097

Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq has scored the fastest half-century in Test cricket and equalled the century record

It seems those inveterate pie-chuckers laughably known as the Australian "attack" were determined to do their best against the Pakistanis. I think even our eternal one-eyed optimist DownSouth would admit the Pakistani batsmen are on top in this one

 

[Whistler40145]

Well, everyone can have a bad day at the office. It seems it's the Aussies turn!

 

[muddythefish]

Well done to ul-Haq, even though it was against an attack that would struggle in the Ribblesdale League.

Looking forward to Pakistan completing the job tomorrow.

 

[Busaholic]

I thought than an update would be of use in this sorry affair in which the West Indies cut short their tour, leaving three Test Matches and two ODI unplayed.

It now transpires that the BCCI have formally written to the WICB to state that they will now take the matter to law and the total of their claim will be $41.97 million.

If the BCCI had spent a miniscule fraction of this amount to subsidise the West Indies team players all this could have been avoided. The BCCI seem to be a collection of Indian Bernie Ecclestone's carving everything up to their own benefit.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If the BCCI had spent a miniscule fraction of this amount to subsidise the West Indies team players all this could have been avoided. The BCCI seem to be a collection of Indian Bernie Ecclestone's carving everything up to their own benefit.

This is what could have been expected, with India, Australia and England being granted the status that was accorded to them in recent months.

 

[Busaholic]

This is what could have been expected, with India, Australia and England being granted the status that was accorded to them in recent months.

Which will, regrettably, see the end of test cricket as we have known it, for a period at least.

 

[Oswyntail]

Australia lost against Pakistan, predictably
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/29877596

The Australians resumed on 143-4 in search of an improbable 603 but lost their final five wickets for eight runs and were all out for 246.

It seems their batsmen were also trying to be whatever the equivalent of pie-chuckers are
This Aussie team seems to play all right at home....

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Australia lost against Pakistan, predictably
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/29877596

It seems their batsmen were also trying to be whatever the equivalent of pie-chuckers are
This Aussie team seems to play all right at home....

For an Australian team to have gone from a position of being 208-4 to 246 all out will make them most mindful of their matches in the last series when that type of slump was usually exhibited by England, as something to look inwardly to consider the comparison.

Come what may, to lose a Test Match such as this by a margin of 356 runs is most certainly not one that will allow excuses to be tamely made to justify matters.

 

[Busaholic]

For an Australian team to have gone from a position of being 208-4 to 246 all out will make them most mindful of their matches in the last series when that type of slump was usually exhibited by England, as something to look inwardly to consider the comparison.

Come what may, to lose a Test Match such as this by a margin of 356 runs is most certainly not one that will allow excuses to be tamely made to justify matters.

Perhaps KP still has time to become a naturalised Australian.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Now that Jimmy Anderson has the opportunity to continue with the knee injury treatment instead of playing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, this will be of benefit to him as leg problems at the age of 32 in a fast bowler are ones to guard against.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
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The £3 million bond target for the development that was only issued in September by Lancashire CC has already been met and this will enable the existing Old Trafford Lodge to be replaced by a four-star hotel to help with the ongoing ground improvements.

 

[Busaholic]

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The £3 million bond target for the development that was only issued in September by Lancashire CC has already been met and this will enable the existing Old Trafford Lodge to be replaced by a four-star hotel to help with the ongoing ground improvements.

That's seriously impressive. Was it a Jack Bond target? Know you're old enough to understand the reference (what a catch!)

 

[Whistler40145]

I see that Lancashire have signed ex-Surrey Paceman, George Edwards on a two year deal, along with Nathan Buck from Leicestershire, they should provide a new seam attack, especially if Glen Chapple is doing more Coaching.