Cricket

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

43 minutes ago, den said:

Yeah, I’ve seen Cowdray, Barrington, Dexter and just about everyone since. Also been on Madras cricket ground 35 years ago - although there was no game on then. Such a lot of greats, such a lot of memories.

From all that two cricketers stick out in my mind. Firstly Shane Warne. Two reasons. Firstly what a fabulous bowler and secondly - what a man. I found him so interesting to listen to and would have listened to him all day. He had the lot, he did the lot.

Secondly Clive Loyd. Just seeing his 6’5” frame ambling slowly to the crease. He was immense. Never forget that sight. Then obviously his batting and the way he could destroy any bowler. Sometimes his fielding was overlooked. You would think he’d be so slow in the field but he fielded in the covers and was known as supercat. Try taking a quick single to Clive and you were taking a mighty risk. It only took him about three strides to cover the 22 yards. 
 

Fabulous players. So lucky to have seen them.

 

I never felt the same about Clive Lloyd after that game I mentioned earlier where his bowlers were really trying to hurt the English batsmen, especially Close and Edrich. I think he went beyond what crickets stands for that day and it was a miracle nobody was seriously injured. 

[chaddyrovers]

Captain James Anderson lead Lancashire to win over Derbyshire. 

[jim mk2]

Normal service resumes with Duckett and Pope. 

587 looks a long way off

[wilsdenrover]

Test cricket isn’t what it used to be.

[oldjamfan1]

Decent fightback by England after a horror start this morning.

[Norbert Rassragr]

The pitch must be perfect for batting and our top order have been crap.

[wilsdenrover]

6 ducks 🤦‍♂️

[jim mk2]

England lose last 5 wickets for 20 runs. Innings included 6 ducks and 2 150s.  Bonkers

Bring back Boycott and Barrington

[Gav]

Just when you think Test cricket can’t get any better, we have another enthralling day.

From 84-5 to 407, brilliant counter attacking by Smith, 2 centuries and plenty of ducks! 6 wickets for Siraj.

England need quick wickets and still have plenty to do.

Superb stuff. 

 

Edited July 4 by Gav

[oldjamfan1]

I can see England chasing 500 to win this 

[wilsdenrover]

India seem scared to declare. 

[Norbert Rassragr]

England really are dumb, pathetic, inept and useless when they meet resistance. The bowlers are tame, the batsmen are lacking in basic technique and common sense and the attitude is that of a bunch of flat track bullies. 

You're facing 608 to win, and you're not doing a Boycott because you lack the intelligence and ability is disgraceful. The county and grass roots game is dead and coughs up sub par players. 

[chaddyrovers]

2 good wins from Lancashire in the last 2 days in the 20 overs format

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

England really are dumb, pathetic, inept and useless when they meet resistance. The bowlers are tame, the batsmen are lacking in basic technique and common sense and the attitude is that of a bunch of flat track bullies. 

You're facing 608 to win, and you're not doing a Boycott because you lack the intelligence and ability is disgraceful. The county and grass roots game is dead and coughs up sub par players. 

Abit unfair there. 

India cricket are very decent enough for test cricket but Stokes should have batted first when he won the toss. 

England or any Test cricket can't play Boycott style cricket cos it not their natural game. Cricket has moved from that type of cricket. 

 

[jim mk2]

Another poor day for England and needing about 6 an over this is a match they cannot win

From this position they need to forget this stupid Bazball mindset and aim to bat the whole day tomorrow

A draw is a perfectly acceptable  result and would be as good as a win if they can achieve it

[47er]

Why do we invariably win the toss and bowl? Since the Indians would (rightly) have chosen to bat both times the toss is a farce!

[only2garners]

On 23/06/2025 at 11:37, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Yeah I read that. I’m not too impressed with the new “ Sunday Observer “ . That article was interesting but on the whole the sports bit is abysmal. No mention of the England v Spain U-21 game the previous night at all ! I’m of a mind to cancel it after about 40 years of being a reader.

I meant to comment on this but on the train this morning reading the Observer reminded me.

The sports section is quite different to under the old management but I prefer it. The Observer and the Guardian have never usually carried reports of sports games played the previous night, so no real change. There was always a good stats page but these days that’s all available quicker and in no more detail online.

The new sports section is more like a magazine with a number of longer articles not necessarily about immediate news, which I find refreshingly different.

 

[Dreams of 1995]

On 04/07/2025 at 19:33, oldjamfan1 said:

I can see England chasing 500 to win this 

This is the mindset we have at the moment. It may also be the reason why we still make a draw here

I was there on day 3. Some beautiful batting by Brook and Smith but you could tell there was nothing in it. 6 ducks in an innings is unforgivable on that pitch 

India knew that as well. They would know that for all his bluster, Crawley has it in him to take the game away early when him and Duckett are purring

Hence they batted too long to make it impossible to win. Now they may draw the game. Bazball could win once more 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

6 hours ago, only2garners said:

I meant to comment on this but on the train this morning reading the Observer reminded me.

The sports section is quite different to under the old management but I prefer it. The Observer and the Guardian have never usually carried reports of sports games played the previous night, so no real change. There was always a good stats page but these days that’s all available quicker and in no more detail online.

The new sports section is more like a magazine with a number of longer articles not necessarily about immediate news, which I find refreshingly different.

 

I’ve finally ditched The Observer. The sports results page was a joke.  Mrs Shoelaces  bought the I weekend but that’s as bad. Given I get the Guardian 6 days a week plus. Private Eye, Tribune, Byline Times and my mate gives me the New European I need a day to catch up.

[jim mk2]

Deeply (literally) disappointing performance by England - wrong call on the toss (again...... England got away with it in the first Test) , and then outbowled and outbatted from the first day.

This Test was eminently saveable with sensible batting today and a mindset to dig in for a draw but the win/lose mentality of this team meant there was only going to be one outcome. Bazball nonsense

To make it worse, it's the first time India have won at the England stronghold Headingley and India showed England how to bowl well in English conditions.  The England attack looked toothless and there needs to be wholesale changes for the next Test.

Combined with the women's defeat in the Euros it's been a depressing weekend for England 

 

[Gav]

54 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

 

To make it worse, it's the first time India have won at the England stronghold Headingley and India showed England how to bowl well in English conditions.  The England attack looked toothless and there needs to be wholesale changes for the next Tesst

Which test were you watching? Or very clearly weren’t watching……This was 5 days from Edgbaston 🤣 not Headingley!

This is one of the greatest periods in English red ball cricket ever. 

Breaking boundaries, breaking records, long may it continue. 

Edited July 6 by Gav

[jim mk2]

My mistake - but the point stands. A poor defeat ..... long may it not continue

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Three batters got in today and then got out. We needed a couple of them to hang around.

On another point neither of Duckett or Crawley ever look “ in “ to me. I always feel no matter what their score is they could be out next ball.

[chaddyrovers]

2 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Three batters got in today and then got out. We needed a couple of them to hang around.

On another point neither of Duckett or Crawley ever look “ in “ to me. I always feel no matter what their score is they could be out next ball.

isn't that true of most batsmen these days. 

2 hours ago, Gav said:

Which test were you watching? Or very clearly weren’t watching……This was 5 days from Edgbaston 🤣 not Headingley!

This is one of the greatest periods in English red ball cricket ever. 

Breaking boundaries, breaking records, long may it continue. 

People are stuck in the past the way Test cricket was being played. Those boring days have gone. Crowds want to be entertained especially when paying the prices they are now for tickets. 

We seen some good batting from both sides and some good bowling from either side. 

interesting that England had added Gus Atkinson to the next test squad and I would be tempted to brig in Archer and Atkinson in for Carse and Tongue at Lords for the 3rd test

[Gav]

16 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

People are stuck in the past the way Test cricket was being played. Those boring days have gone. Crowds want to be entertained especially when paying the prices they are now for tickets. 

We seen some good batting from both sides and some good bowling from either side. 

interesting that England had added Gus Atkinson to the next test squad and I would be tempted to brig in Archer and Atkinson in for Carse and Tongue at Lords for the 3rd test

Spot on and some don’t even know which ground we are playing at in the clamber to slag off this superb young team.

😂

Edited July 6 by Gav