The International Cricket Thread

[TopDeck113]

Although admittedly not of the same magnitude as a World Cup, I went to the NatWest Series final at Lord's at the beginning of the Ashes summer of 2005.  It ended up as a tie on runs scored - and a tie it stayed even though Australia had lost one more wicket.  Those were the rules.  Of course, waiting for the Tube at St John's Wood the Aussies were claiming victory as they had finished top after the group games.

[cdbearsfan]

The Aussies are acting like a hybrid of Small Heath/Bitters/Doghead fan saltiness at England's good fortune and the fact that NZ got robbed and it was a tie.  The main point of contention being around the count back not being on wickets lost but boundaries scored.   

Their outrage is absolutely brilliant.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/15-minutes-of-madness-that-decided-the-cricket-world-cup-final/11308738?section=sport

They do realise that Australia won a World Cup after tying a game, and that had the same rules been in place yesterday... England would have won?

[Nev]

This is the first year we have had Sky Sport (now with no Murdoch) so I've been able to watch plenty of cricket and it's been a wonderful tournament full of sporting endeavour, colourful and noisy crowds, thrilling action and a breath taking final.

NZ V WI was the best match, Braithwaite falling just short under the lights in Manchester on a tense Saturday night, the Aus V Eng semi coming a close second mainly down to that electric start by the England bowlers.

The drama of the final was a fitting end, it did seem to grab everyone's attention and pushed cricket back into the spotlight from which it has hidden since 2015, made heroes of the participants and hopefully will boost participation, particularly at youth level.

But of course, it wouldn't be Britain without that dark cloud on the horizon. The game will disappear back behind the paywall, the 100 will be forced through despite what we saw yesterday, the sight of second and third generation Asians waving England flags and supporters of all countries standing shoulder to shoulder will become but a memory as the bigots hold sway again and some VAR inspired spoilsport will seek to strip another sport of drama and chaos and the "correct outcome" will trample over that heady mix of skill, bravery, and good fortune that makes us all fall so hopelessly in love with sport.

And as good as yesterday was (and I'm in a distinct minority here I would imagine) I'd give it all back to win the Ashes.

[UK Redsox]

After yesterday’s events, Radio Gloucestershire traffic reports this morning are referring to “Super-Over Roundabout”, “Roots Corner” and “Cricketley Hill” 😊

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Alan Brazil's not a happy bunny on Talksport! 

[UK Redsox]

And as good as yesterday was (and I'm in a distinct minority here I would imagine) I'd give it all back to win the Ashes.

I'd be with you on that

[cdbearsfan]

I expect to win the Ashes. Home teams win test series.

[KRS]

Alan Brazil's not a happy bunny on Talksport! 

Why is the miserable git unhappy today? Surely not because he’s Scottish and doesn’t like England winning anything?

[Nev]

Alan Brazil's not a happy bunny on Talksport! 

Why is the miserable git unhappy today? Surely not because he’s Scottish and doesn’t like England winning anything?

He's sobered up for the first time in months and remembered 1981.....

[Lastfootstamper]

Cricket is as exciting as smoking crack in a suit doused in petrol during a high-speed car chase, says The Daily Mash.

[PaulWinch again]

I expect to win the Ashes. Home teams win test series.

Yep I expected to win both. I wouldn’t have given up the World Cup though. After such an incredible turnaround since 2015 we needed tangible reward.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Fantastic result! can't help wondering what the atmosphere would have been like if they'd played it a a proper ground ( Oval or Edgbaston would have been my choice) instead of Lord's. 

[olaftab]

I made some money yesterday. In the penultimate over England had slipped to 7/1 but I was still confident with Stokes in there that I placed  £50 on it. Double happy today😊

[hilts_coolerking]

Fantastic result! can't help wondering what the atmosphere would have been like if they'd played it a a proper ground ( Oval or Edgbaston would have been my choice) instead of Lord's.

Nah, Edgbaston is a great venue for England but it's Lord's every time.

[BC Villain]

Fantastic result! can't help wondering what the atmosphere would have been like if they'd played it a a proper ground ( Oval or Edgbaston would have been my choice) instead of Lord's.

Totally agree.  Dont think it's a coincidence that England have a poor record at Lords.  Places like Edgbaston have the atmosphere of a bear pit.  Lords is too stuffy because of the "oh, jolly well played sir" mentality of the members.