The Cricket Thread 2013

[jcsutv]

Clarke did look a bit of a nob arguing with the umpires, but then I'm sure any captain would have done exactly the same in the circumstances.

The anger should be directed at the ICC, who despite their declarations of ensuring that test cricket remains the pinnacle, obviously couldn't give a stuff about it. It should be extremely embarrassing for them that its in their rules that you can go off for bad light with high quality floodlights on.

Also, why was it one of England's sub fielders who brought the lightmeter onto the field? What the hell were they playing at?

I agree totally about the ICC. It's not about entertainment this is test cricket.  It will be discussed at the next committee meeting.

[taylorsworkrate]

Also, I know the umpires are only following the ridiculous regulations the ICC set, but they don't help themselves walking as slowly as they possibly can to get together to chat about the light for an eternity, then walking as slowly as they possibly can back to their mark.

Most umpires give the impression they can't wait to get of the field

[spangley1812]

The umpires were generally poor all series on loads of issues

[jcsutv]

Don't play for a draw until you get a sniff of a win, then moan that the light goes.

We didn't need to go for the win but did,Clarke made himself look like a bit of a prick

Clarke would've looked a bigger prick if they'd lost after declaring twice.

He looked like a prick when he was begging the umpires to go off and arguing with them.............

He was brave and made a game of it. Give him some credit.

Not brave enough to field with the floodlights on. He lost any credit with his tantrum.

Old Trafford was ok though.

[Villan For Life]

Fair play to Clarke for setting up a tense final session. Regardless of his wanting to gather momentum going into the reverse series, Clarke set up the chance of a positive result and he deserves praise for that. He didn't look a knob by moaning at the umpires when the light was bad, he did exactly what any captain would do in the same situation. If the situation had been reversed then we'd have been wasting time and sending sub fielders on with drinks etc.

A very strange series, we haven't played well but still managed to win 3-0. The series in Oz will be a lot closer.

The Aussie bowlers executed their plans really well and stopped Cook, Trott and Prior from scoring. Bell showed what a class act he is and if you take his runs out of the equation then you have a different result. If the Aussie batsmen had turned up earlier in the series then things would have been interesting.

[eastie]

People say the series will be much closer in Australia but I'm not so sure - the faster pitches and outfield could see our batsmen score quickly and find their form , cook, trott and even kp haven't had that great a series , also our pace attack with Anderson, Finn, tremlett will come into their own on the aussie wickets - i still feel we will win comfortably 3-1

[bertlambshank]

Don't play for a draw until you get a sniff of a win, then moan that the light goes.

We didn't need to go for the win but did,Clarke made himself look like a bit of a prick

Clarke would've looked a bigger prick if they'd lost after declaring twice.

He looked like a prick when he was begging the umpires to go off and arguing with them.............

He was brave and made a game of it. Give him some credit.

Not brave enough to field with the floodlights on. He lost any credit with his tantrum.

Old Trafford was ok though.

You have forgotten the 2nd test at Lords in 1886.

[Ad@m]

Don't play for a draw until you get a sniff of a win, then moan that the light goes.

We didn't need to go for the win but did,Clarke made himself look like a bit of a prick

Clarke would've looked a bigger prick if they'd lost after declaring twice.

He looked like a prick when he was begging the umpires to go off and arguing with them.............

He was brave and made a game of it. Give him some credit.

Not brave enough to field with the floodlights on. He lost any credit with his tantrum.

Old Trafford was ok though.

You have forgotten the 2nd test at Lords in 1886.

I wondered who'd be the first to bring that up!

[jcsutv]

Don't play for a draw until you get a sniff of a win, then moan that the light goes.

We didn't need to go for the win but did,Clarke made himself look like a bit of a prick

Clarke would've looked a bigger prick if they'd lost after declaring twice.

He looked like a prick when he was begging the umpires to go off and arguing with them.............

He was brave and made a game of it. Give him some credit.

Not brave enough to field with the floodlights on. He lost any credit with his tantrum.

Old Trafford was ok though.

You have forgotten the 2nd test at Lords in 1886.

No I haven't. I thought Johnny Briggs was sensational, but I don't see the relevance other than the series 3-0 result.

[Villan For Life]

People say the series will be much closer in Australia but I'm not so sure - the faster pitches and outfield could see our batsmen score quickly and find their form , cook, trott and even kp haven't had that great a series , also our pace attack with Anderson, Finn, tremlett will come into their own on the aussie wickets - i still feel we will win comfortably 3-1

I think if the Aussie bowlers execute their plans again then Cook, Trott & Prior will struggle for runs again so it will be much closer.

[eastie]

Aussie conditions will suit our pace bowlers just as much as theirs - I'd take out top 6 batsmen to out score them over the series comfortably- still worried about number 6 though , i think root looked the part in that role more than Bairstow .

I'd be inclined to take Compton on tour as well .

[robbyfvillain]

Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson on Radio 5 Now talking about the Ashes.

[tomd2103]

Fair play to Clarke for setting up a tense final session. Regardless of his wanting to gather momentum going into the reverse series, Clarke set up the chance of a positive result and he deserves praise for that. He didn't look a knob by moaning at the umpires when the light was bad, he did exactly what any captain would do in the same situation. If the situation had been reversed then we'd have been wasting time and sending sub fielders on with drinks etc.

A very strange series, we haven't played well but still managed to win 3-0. The series in Oz will be a lot closer.

The Aussie bowlers executed their plans really well and stopped Cook, Trott and Prior from scoring. Bell showed what a class act he is and if you take his runs out of the equation then you have a different result. If the Aussie batsmen had turned up earlier in the series then things would have been interesting.

Lot of ifs there VFL. 

[tomd2103]

Great picture of Ian Bell:

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3438243,00.html

[Ad@m]

Rant alert.

So, in another demonstration that cricket is doing its best to disenfranchise the people who pay the players wages, the heart has been ripped out of the ODI side for the series next month.  Five major players (Cook, Anderson, Swann, Broad, Bell) have been taken out of the side and replaced with players most fans won't have heard of.  Apparently they need a rest!!!

My £60 ticket for Edgbaston (not to mention the vast amount I'll spend there with the £4 pints and the £6/£7 fast food meals) is looking a lot less like value for money now it's almost an England Lions team.

And the ECB have managed this screw up without the ICC's 'support'!