The Cricket Thread 2013

[olaftab]

Sri Lanka choking it today!

[PaulWinch again]

I think it's the pitch, but we'll see when India bat.

[PaulWinch again]

Maybe not the pitch.

[eastie]

Big toss to win with dodgy clouds about .

[olaftab]

England need to pick a team that can win a reduced overs game. May be a 20/20 match. Tredwell essential in attack Buttler at number 3 or 4 with Ravinder also moving up the order if game is reduced.

[cdbearsfan]

Stupid decision to hold the final on a Sunday. Should've been Saturday so Sunday could be a reserve day in the event of rain.

[eastie]

Stupid decision to hold the final on a Sunday. Should've been Saturday so Sunday could be a reserve day in the event of rain.

Totally agree.

[olaftab]

SKY decide when the final takes place and they wanted Saturday left aside for the Lions test match. With the rugby finishing around 1.30 a start for cricket say at 2.00 would have been too late even for a day/night match.

[PaulWinch again]

Well there's going to be a 24 over game, come on England.

[cdbearsfan]

SKY decide when the final takes place and they wanted Saturday left aside for the Lions test match. With the rugby finishing around 1.30 a start for cricket say at 2.00 would have been too late even for a day/night match.

In terms of international cricket, Sky don't matter. Indian broadcast times are far more important. It may be that they wanted it on a Sunday as lots of people in India work Saturdays?

[PaulWinch again]

Not going to happen now.

[olaftab]

The Sunday is a factor in India and also a match starting mid afternoon Indian time is optimal audience however the final could have been been  say South Africa and West Indies in which case you can say goodbye to Indian TV audience. So I still think Sky in UK determined  the day and time.

[PaulWinch again]

20 over game then hopefully. In other news KP has scored a century, which is great news.

[eastie]

SKY decide when the final takes place and they wanted Saturday left aside for the Lions test match. With the rugby finishing around 1.30 a start for cricket say at 2.00 would have been too late even for a day/night match.

I disagree affers, Sky had no say in the final date , hey have 4 sports channels anyway - the tournament is broadcast worldwide and while sky may pull the strings in the premier league they have little clout with the icc.

Blame fixture congestion and the silly decision to play New Zealand in a 20/20 game on Tuesday.

[cdbearsfan]

Sky would rather have a World Test Championship and see the Champions Trophy scrapped. The current format only exists because Indian broadcasters know that their public love ODIs.