Cricket

[Visor]

I know it is a bit late for the latest test between India and Australia, but does anyone else on the Org watch cricket?

What did you think about the NZ-England and Aus-India tests? How do you think the Ashes will go?

[Peasant Phill]

Who is this Crick et?

[Ishmael]

I know it is a bit late for the latest test between India and Australia, but does anyone else on the Org watch cricket?

What did you think about the NZ-England and Aus-India tests? How do you think the Ashes will go?

Barring a massive reversal of fortunes, I can't us winning the Ashes this year. We've really only got two batting slots sorted (Warner and Clarke) - everybody else is just too inconsistent. You know you've got problems when tail-enders are consistently scoring more than specialist batsmen.

On the plus side, we do have fairly decent pace bowlers (although I wouldn't mind Jackson Bird being given another chance, he was fantastic against Sri Lanka). And Nathan Lyon hit some form towards the end in India, so we've got our one and probably only spinner sorted.

[Visor]

Barring a massive reversal of fortunes, I can't us winning the Ashes this year. We've really only got two batting slots sorted (Warner and Clarke) - everybody else is just too inconsistent. You know you've got problems when tail-enders are consistently scoring more than specialist batsmen.

On the plus side, we do have fairly decent pace bowlers (although I wouldn't mind Jackson Bird being given another chance, he was fantastic against Sri Lanka). And Nathan Lyon hit some form towards the end in India, so we've got our one and probably only spinner sorted.

I'm the eternal optimist when it comes to Australian cricket. Cowan has certainly improved, and I think he will probably be the other opener. Clarke is of course secure. Depends on whether they keep Hughes and hopes he performs (I think he can, given a chance against England). Lyon I think is necessary, he is Australia's best spinner at the moment (don't know why we dropped Krejza, he could spin the ball.) Pattinson is probably going to be included though Faulkner is of course another possibilty, especially given recent shield results.

Siddle confirmed obviously. Harris looked in good touch too. I do think Starc/Johnson should both go. Johnson is deadly when he gets it right, and I think that he will do well against England.

My team at the moment:

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Smith?
Clarke
Wade/Haddin (I prefer Haddin)
Siddle
Johnson
Starc
Lyon
Pattinson

[johnhughthom]

You'll have no chance in the Ashes if your coach continues to treat the players like Primary school kids.

[Visor]

You'll have no chance in the Ashes if your coach continues to treat the players like Primary school kids.

That was just embarrassing. Though it's not just the coach, it's the selectors being idiots. They think that if we chop and change the lineup every match we'll win. Cricket doesn't work like that, and we are never going to have a cohesive team if we keep doing it.

I think the England lineup is pretty much set.

[johnhughthom]

Surely the New Zealand series should give the Aussies confidence, England were really lucky to get a draw out of that series.

[Visor]

Surely the New Zealand series should give the Aussies confidence, England were really lucky to get a draw out of that series.

That is true. Feel bad for NZ drawing the final day, reminds me of the Aus/RSA test earlier this year/last year (can't remember, think it was this year), where we came so close, yet they managed to bat it out.

Ashes is a different kind of test though. It's much more important to both sides then a test match, which is why I don't think they'll focus too much on it. A first match win will really lift Australia's hope.

EDIT: What do you think of the growing trend of T20 games?

[johnhughthom]

I think T20 is the future of cricket. Which is a shame, as test cricket is far more exciting in my view. T20 takes away almost all of the tactical element of the game, though it is nice to be almost guaranteed an actual winner.

[Visor]

I think T20 is the future of cricket. Which is a shame, as test cricket is far more exciting in my view. T20 takes away almost all of the tactical element of the game, though it is nice to be almost guaranteed an actual winner.

I hope that doesn't happen. T20 is good for a bit of fun and a night out (certainly is great fun when it is close, I went to a T20 match at the Gabba, I think Brisbane vs Tassie, they had 4 to get off 2 balls or something, and we managed to win, the crowd went ballistic, got free tickets too which was good.), but I agree that Test cricket is far more exciting and has much more tactical worth rather then trying to slog a yorker for six every ball.

I would watch a test match over any other form of cricket, it is just so much more exciting to me.

[johnhughthom]

It's all about the money though, and the IPL looks like becoming the biggest thing in cricket. I can see it exanding over the years, and other forms of cricket having to work around it. India looks like it's only going to grow over the next decades, the IPL could well become a symbol of that.

[Lemur]

Dated an Australian girl who swore she was going to get me addicted to cricket. Never happened.

Imma scared by any game that can go on for days. Ain't nobody got time for that.

[johnhughthom]

Good. You Yanks stick to making World Champions in sports nobody else plays.

Canadians don't count, beating them is like taking maple syrup from a tree.

[johnhughthom]

[HopAlongBunny]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23674442

[johnhughthom]

That was a great test match, not many sports have so many changes in momentum, and a wonderful finish. Nice to see Australia make a proper fist of it last two tests.

[Kurando]

*double post

hehe, GC you were getting so close to 8000 you just couldn't resist racking up your post count eh?

Canadians don't count, beating them is like taking maple syrup from a tree.

Well said, I agree completely! Beating a Canadian is a long arduous process that can only happen drop-by-drop and even in a best case scenario it takes many many months to accomplish. ;)

[Visor]

Recent Cricket events (I may take to updating this thread myself every so often):

England retain the Ashes 3-0 in a thoroughly entertaining series (WWDWD).
England and Australia draw the T20 series (Australia won the first, England the second)
Australia win the 5 match ODI series 2-1 (WNNLW) N - no completed game.

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe in the ODI series, but unable to stop Zimbabwe winning a game which is great for the Zimbabweans (WLW IIRC).
Pakistan won the first test but a great fightback by the Zimbabwean bowlers ensured that the series was drawn 1-1.

The Champions League Tournament (T20) is on currently.
Otago beat Faisalbad Wolves and Kandurata and so did Sunrisers Hyderabad to be on the top of the qualifying stage.