The Cricket Thread 2016

[UK Redsox]

just watched a repeat of the ABdeV innings on Sky. Shame that he didn't get one more run. he'd have beaten the 150 record by close to 40 balls.

however, as was said earlier, rubbish bowling.

[PaulWinch again]

Brilliant from Bell and for the first 40 overs in general. Absolutely shocking last 10 overs particularly from Bopara. Really poor and they need to work on that. Still 300 scored, let's hope it's enough.

[PaulWinch again]

Bopara's innings was that bad that his place should be under threat now. Absolutely terrible from all perspectives.

[Villan For Life]

I think we're 50 runs short but I must say the Aussies bowled well in the last 10 overs.

It will be interesting to see if we can defend 303.

[PaulWinch again]

Poor start from Woakes.

[PaulWinch again]

Hmm our score looks light here.

[PaulWinch again]

Moeen you little beauty.

[PaulWinch again]

Finn might just be back, super bowling. Pace is up there as well.

[Monty]

Terrific bowling from Finn. Might have knocked the game on its bonce, there.

[PaulWinch again]

At the moment it looks like those last 10 overs are going to kill us.

[PaulWinch again]

Very frustrating defeat. Bell was excellent, as were Finn and Ali. However our last 10 overs were terrible and Bopara was woeful. We should have scored at least 330.

[passitsideways]

Can't really think of a batsman who's had an Australian summer like Steve Smith has had (maybe Alastair Cook in 2010-11? But even he didn't carry it over the ODIs, I don't think), even though he's spent a lot of it facing a rubbish Indian attack. Really brilliant performance again.

I guess we Australians shouldn't have that much to complain about, but I suppose if there is room to quibble, there'd be concern about our middle order batting (Watson/Maxwell/Bailey all in dodgy form) and the fact that our young quicks by their nature are inconsistent and could get seriously dinged if they get it wrong later on in the tournament.

Seems like England's been quite decent so far though. The batting lineup you lot have put out looks pretty good on paper; the bowling looks a bit predictable though.

[OzVilla]

Yeah I think England look competitive and they be pleased to have posted over 300 on admittedly what was a pretty flat track. I worry about Bopara was I think he's very useful on a certain type of pitch, the slow stick in the wicket kind, but I can't imagine he'll see many of those at the WC.

I really like the look of the Aussies, good strength in depth and home advantage. Despite the Safas I think they'll be the team to beat. Strong throughout.

Happy Australia Day to all our Aussie Villains.

[tomd2103]

Been watching a bit of the 'Big Bash' and it seems to have been a real success this year with big attendances.  I think the time is fast approaching when we need to revisit 20/20 in this country. 

I'd leave the 4 day and 50 over tournaments as county affairs and introduce a new city franchise 20/20 tournament based at the international grounds.  By my reckoning, you'd have Birmingham, Southampton, 2 x London, Cardiff, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Newcastle (Durham).  You would also probably need one in the South West. so would go for maybe Bristol.  If it was scheduled correctly, it could be the way to go.       

[taylorsworkrate]

Been watching a bit of the 'Big Bash' and it seems to have been a real success this year with big attendances.  I think the time is fast approaching when we need to revisit 20/20 in this country. 

I'd leave the 4 day and 50 over tournaments as county affairs and introduce a new city franchise 20/20 tournament based at the international grounds.  By my reckoning, you'd have Birmingham, Southampton, 2 x London, Cardiff, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Newcastle (Durham).  You would also probably need one in the South West. so would go for maybe Bristol.  If it was scheduled correctly, it could be the way to go.       

The problem with that is that many counties would not be able to survive in that format.

Clubs such as Worcestershire, Northampton, Derbyshire, Leicestershire are totally reliant on revenue from T20 sales. I couldn't see many more people attending, and test ground counties would be unwilling to share revenue with the smaller counties.

Australia was in a completely different position when the BB was introduced. They have 6 state sides, whereas we have 18 counties.

From a personal viewpoint, I'm also quite pleased that we haven't adopted the same approach as India or Australia have to the format.