The Cricket Thread 2013

[nodge]

No time for Ronnie Irani but the way this pitch is playing they could be right about the first test....we should get the draw out of this and England tend to get better as series'  progress'.

If Irani is right it's the first time ever.  I listen to Talksport when they have the Betfred guy on at about 10 to 8 in the morning.  A good rule of thumb is have the opposite to Irani whether it's cricket, football, tennis or whatever.  The bloke is a fucking idiot. 

[JD]

The Kiwi supporters who were gloating on Friday were very quiet today. I didn't mention the cricket, but hopefully NZ have missed their opportunity and normal service can resume in Wellington later on this week.

[cdbearsfan]

Four Aussies dropped for not getting their homework in on time. I'll be surprised if their coach survives till the Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/21740045

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Just watched a great documentary on CNN called Branded a Rebel, the story of the West Indies tour of South Africa in 83.

Well worth a watch.

[paul_e]

Four Aussies dropped for not getting their homework in on time. I'll be surprised if their coach survives till the Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/21740045

Can't quite decide what to think of this.  On one hand the exercise seems a bit pointless, on the other you have to be a complete tit to not just get on and do it.  Watson in particular comes out of it looking like a complete arse as the vice captain he should have been 1 of the first to offer his opinion, to do nothing is hugely disrespectful to both the coach and the rest of the team and he thoroughly deserves to be treated as he has been.

Pattinson and Khawaja I'd forgive a little more as they're both pretty inexperienced on an international stage and could be forgiven for thinking they can't offer much, as for Johnson I half expect him to have offered a picture of a train given how he comes across in interviews.

[Ads]

He bowls to the left, he bowls to the riiiiiiight....

[Darlo Dave]

Anyone down home, what's all this noise about Warwickshire's Limited Overs team being renamed The Birmingham Bears?! 

[Dave Cooper please]

Anyone down home, what's all this noise about Warwickshire's Limited Overs team being renamed The Birmingham Bears?! 

'Tis being discussed as part of a sponsorship deal with Visit Birmingham. Also talk of the ground being renamed the City of Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium and/or the City End being renamed the Birmingham End.

[Darlo Dave]

Anyone down home, what's all this noise about Warwickshire's Limited Overs team being renamed The Birmingham Bears?! 

'Tis being discussed as part of a sponsorship deal with Visit Birmingham. Also talk of the ground being renamed the City of Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium and/or the City End being renamed the Birmingham End.

Ah right, cheers. Not sure the rest of the county will take too kind to that! Ah well, deep down they all want to be Brummies anyway. *Dons tin hat, and takes cover*

[Chris Smith]

Anyone down home, what's all this noise about Warwickshire's Limited Overs team being renamed The Birmingham Bears?! 

'Tis being discussed as part of a sponsorship deal with Visit Birmingham. Also talk of the ground being renamed the City of Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium and/or the City End being renamed the Birmingham End.

Not sure I'm in favour of that. It will alienate some of the county based members. For example, I know a bloke who lives in Earlsdon, and is a member at Edgbaston, who will not take kindly to it at all.

[peter w]

The City End being called The Birmingham End has been mooted for a while.

[cdbearsfan]

It's not happening, cos the council are skint.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21755909

[Villan For Life]

The City End being called The Birmingham End has been mooted for a while.

Mooted and in place, it's been the Birmingham End since the 2011 season.

[peter w]

The City End being called The Birmingham End has been mooted for a while.

Mooted and in place, it's been the Birmingham End since the 2011 season.

I thought I heard a commentator call it that but didn't know itwas its official name now. Well there you go.

[Villan For Life]

Four Aussies dropped for not getting their homework in on time. I'll be surprised if their coach survives till the Ashes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/21740045

Can't quite decide what to think of this.  On one hand the exercise seems a bit pointless, on the other you have to be a complete tit to not just get on and do it.  Watson in particular comes out of it looking like a complete arse as the vice captain he should have been 1 of the first to offer his opinion, to do nothing is hugely disrespectful to both the coach and the rest of the team and he thoroughly deserves to be treated as he has been.

Pattinson and Khawaja I'd forgive a little more as they're both pretty inexperienced on an international stage and could be forgiven for thinking they can't offer much, as for Johnson I half expect him to have offered a picture of a train given how he comes across in interviews.

I think it goes deeper than that, Clarke pretty much said so.

Atherton wrote a good piece in today's Times. He basically said that the Aussies have hidden behind "mateship" and team spirit for a number of years. Even during their glory years issues existed but were put to one side.

Fact is Clarke is their one world class player and in general they are struggling with a fall from cricket's pinnacle. They could take such criticism from from an Aussie coach but to hear it from a Saffer will be a bitter pill to swallow.

All this in a year with back to back Ashes series. Bring it on!