CRICKET!! breaking news, gossip, lies, whatever etc..

[crackerjack]

No one else interested in what's shaping into a great series? Where's Simon Silverdollar?

Bell was just given out run out last ball before tea, having hit what he thought was a 4 while walking off the pitch.

Then the Indian tam withdrew their appeal during the tea break. They've just come back on to a load of boos from England fans who don't realise Bell has been reinstated (the scoreboard is yet to be adjusted). Amazing stuff given the state of the game and remarkable sportsmanship from Dhoni.

 

[IdleRich]

That's brilliant. The things I like best about cricket are the stupid little rules, especially those in days of yore when there pitches with a tree in the middle where you could hit the ball and run fifty while the fielders climbed it. I've been kinda following this series a bit, the scores at least although I don't really enjoy actually, you know, watching it. Wish I'd seen Broad's hatrick yesterday though, that's a rarity, in fact I'm amazed that it ever happens.

 

[don_quixote]

i was at trent bridge yesterday - confusion reigned. we were giving almighty boos.

 

[crackerjack]

4 bowlers in the top 10 and even a couple of 'all-rounders', last seen batting at 9 and 10
heady days, heady days

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/aug/02/ian-bell-stuart-broad-icc-rankings?CMP=twt_gu

 

[IdleRich]

But aren't England gonna be world number one if they win the series by two or better? You'd kinda expect them to have more players in the top rankings than they have really wouldn't you? I guess that reflects an overall good team performance over the last few yars rather than relying on stars. Just like the man says, kinda

 

[crackerjack]

But aren't England gonna be world number one if they win the series by two or better? You'd kinda expect them to have more players in the top rankings than they have really wouldn't you? I guess that reflects an overall good team performance over the last few yars rather than relying on stars. Just like the man says, kinda

Two years ago, the only bowler in the top 10 was Swann and KP was regarded as the only world-class batsman. When we won the Ashes in '09, the Australians actually provided most of the better averages (England essentially won that series on superiority in the tailenders' batting and their ability to win the key sessions). What's different is their apparent knack for finding someone when it matters – eg Broad twice in the last match – and the fact their top-ranking players are consistently rotated around the team.

It's pretty incredible to watch. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[simon silverdollar]

i can't really get my head round how good England have got. it's not just that they're winning, it's the way they're winning - other teams just seem to wilt when faced with them. i guess that's due to the intensity with which england play...they don't really let up at the moment. i love it obviously, but i do wish laxman/sehwag/tendulker would give england a real fight. especially laxman, he's a lovely player to watch.

on the guardian OBO they had a good comment about Duncan Fletcher must be regretting introducing the concept of lower order batting to the england team...yep.

 

[viktorvaughn]

i can't really get my head round how good England have got. it's not just that they're winning, it's the way they're winning - other teams just seem to wilt when faced with them. i guess that's due to the intensity with which england play...they don't really let up at the moment. i love it obviously, but i do wish laxman/sehwag/tendulker would give england a real fight. especially laxman, he's a lovely player to watch.

on the guardian OBO they had a good comment about Duncan Fletcher must be regretting introducing the concept of lower order batting to the england team...yep.

Crazy innit. I've followed the team since 1995 series Vs Pakistan when in hospital for two weeks as 11 year old and to see them so good after years of disappointment and up/down is great. We just to keep on it now for the next ten years...

 

[routes]

ahem anyone got a link for the live stream.... ?

 

[faustus]

ahem anyone got a link for the live stream.... ?

well it's lunch now but i always use: http://crictime.com/live-cricket-streaming.htm

 

[luka]

has anyone seen the news from SA? aus all out for 47. just englands luck to get to the top of test cricket just as test cricket has ceased to exist.

 

[crackerjack]

Peter Roebuck suicide.

People who knew him seem unsurprised.

 

[luka]

you're joking? hes been a massive part of my experience of australia. (i know hes english, just that hes the main cricket writer at the sydney herald) i think thats quite sad. he is/was a pederast though.

 

[routes]

England really should have given Bopara this Pakistan tour at 3 IMO... easy to say that now, i suppose

 

[benjybars]

i really enjoyed the pakistan whitewash.. good to have pakistan performing well again

and hopefully panesar will got a good run back in the team now..

 

[luka]

what did you think of aus v india ben?

 

[benjybars]

only saw a few highlights.. australia's batting was clearly excellent.. but india tho.. what a flop.


in my ideal cricket world, india, pakistan and west indies need to have really strong teams. i'd like it if new zealand were more competitive aswell..

 

[luka]

nz got no history of being good so its not really necessary. it would be amazing if the west indies were good again, not just good but swashbuckling, handsome and swaggering.

 

[viktorvaughn]

Anyone listening to TMS? I hate Michael Vaughan on there, he's obviously thinks he funny and a bit of legend but his bonhomie is annoying and his insights minimal.

 

[crackerjack]

Interesting piece on Vaughn in Private Eye this week.

Short version: the man's a hypocrite and a shameless plugger.