It’s all a bit boring really and that’s really sad.

Post from: EveryJoe

Englindies / Westingland

Well, actually, this video says it all…

Shocking stuff.

Post from: EveryJoe

In My Day: Underarm bowling

The rules surrounding the system are:

• Each team has 2 referrals per innings
• The referral may be made by either the captain or the batsman
• If the decision is overturned, the team is not “charged” a referral
• There are specific rules for what happens, depending on what type of appeal is being made. For example, if it is an appeal over a catch, the 3rd umpire may only adjudicate on whether the batsman has it, and not whether or not the ball was taken cleanly (i.e., the on-field umpire has said it was / was not caught cleanly). In the case of LBW, the 3rd umpire will be required to decide if the ball pitched in-line or outside off-stump, whether it will go on to hit the stumps and whether the batsman has hit it. Hawkeye may not be used.
• The appeal to refer must be made within in a reasonable amount of time after the initial decision – i.e., promptly.

Despite this being “on trial” during the Sunday league, it is really an inevitable step towards making television replays mainstream. Unfortunately, though, I believe the half-way measures will harm the game in the interim period, and really, the ECB need to make a decision one way or another. The danger with the referral system is obviously that it calls in to question the integrity of the umpires, and goes a certain length to undermining their standing on the pitch. Obviously, a limit was required, otherwise every decision would be referred to the third umpire. There will be a certain amount of skill and belief involved in deciding which decisions to refer.

Is this is a good thing? Personally, I think not. Not only does it add a massive level of complexity to the one day game, which is traditionally already tricky for the uninitiated to understand, not to mention all the speculation over “will they won’t they” refer the decision, but in my opinion it takes something away from the game. As long as I have been playing and watching cricket, bad or unlucky umpiring decisions have always been part of the game. You might get a shocker, or, you might not be awarded an obvious dismissal, but it happens and, in the grand scheme of things, it always evens itself out. Importantly, however, it dilutes the ruling of the game. This takes a certain amount of power out of the Umpires’ hands and places it elsewhere. No doubt that before long we will have statistics on who are the most statistically incorrect umpires – i.e., those Umpires whose decisions get referred most often, and , of course, the frequency of decisions being overturned.

In general, the standard of umpiring in domestic and International cricket is very, very high. These guys stand on a field for hours at a time and are expected to maintain their concentration at all times. They will make mistakes and it’s to be expected. I don’t have a problem with using the technology and certainly, we’ve now become accustomed to run out decision routinely being deferred to the third umpire.

Alison Mitchell, writing for Test Match Special also makes a very interesting point on what the umpires can (and can’t) do in respect of no-balls:

Also the TV umpire is not allowed to judge on no-balls. It means he could find himself in a bizarre situation where an lbw appeal is referred by the batsman, all conditions of the lbw law are satisfied, except that on replay it is noticed that the delivery should have been called a no-ball.

Bad luck. Too late. The TV umpire has to give the batsman out, even though the no-ball is clear for all to see.

Is that not going to look a little silly? The man overseeing the new rule, Alan Fordham, cricket operations manager of the ECB, tells me that they didn’t want to open the floodgates on batsmen questioning the legitimacy of deliveries.

Fine. But if a no-ball is clearly visible to the TV umpire in the course of judging a dismissal, surely it makes a mockery of the game for him to ignore it.

Absolutely! How ridiculous.

Surely an alternative trial would have been extended the style of dismissals that the umpires could refer to the television replays. For example, if they’re not sure about an LBW or whether a batsman hit the ball, then they can defer it. I don’t like the thought of players being able to “over-rule” the umpire.

Post from: EveryJoe

Referral system hits domestic one dayers

Semi 1: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Jamaica (Tuesday 24th)

First up is Sri Lanka vs New Zealand. Sri Lanka have the been the “surprise” of the World Cup, after demolishing several big teams on their way through to the semis. Jayasuriya has been on top form with the bat, and it has been Malinga the Slinger with the ball, rather Murali, who has, by his standards, been quite sedate. Question marks have been raised over Sri Lanka’s attitude and approach after the recent match against Australia, in which they got stuffed, as they rested their three top players. Presumably the thinking was to hide their skills from the Aussies, anticipating a World Cup final. Interesting, but they still have to get past New Zealand who are looking in great touch. Shane Bond has been the anchorman with the new ball, assisted ably by Jacob Oram. Stephen Fleming has been scoring some runs with the bat, but Scott Styris has established himself as the danger man. He has developed a dogged determination with the bat that is taxing even the best bowlers in the world, and is a useful extra in the bowling. The pitch is likely to be a critical factor, as a slow pitch is likely to suit Murali down to the ground. Provided cricket’s All Blacks can counter him, and, of course, the Slinger, they should be through to the final.

Prediction: New Zealand to win

Semi 2: Australia vs South Africa, St Lucia (Wed 25th)

Semi-final number 2 is between Australia and South Africa. Little has to be said about the Aussies – they’re firing on all cylinders and look destined to get through to the finals. Apart from a slight wobble during the match with England where KP and Ian Bell were scoring quite freely, they have barely missed a beat all tournament. Hayden is a run-making machine and Shaun Tait has come in to his own with a 90mph swinging ball. South Africa on the other hand have looked less confident, but they’re certainly not without a chance. If Graeme Smith is fit and he and AB De Villiers start well, then totals of 350+ are well within reach, especialy with the likes of Boucher coming in lower in the order to give it the old heave-ho. Shaun Pollock has looked average with the new ball, and Andre Nel will need to maintain his concentration if he’s to really challenge the Aussies. However, the Aussies have the Proteas outflanked on the mental front, having already beaten them, and comfortably, once in this tournament. Complacency is a virtue that the Aussies seem to lack, so only a flawless performance by the South Africans will see them through to the finals.

Prediction: Australia to win

Post from: EveryJoe

World Cup semi-finals

In response, England knocked the runs off with more than 10 overs to spare, led by Ed Joyce (75) and Kevin Pietersen (56*). Joyce’s innings earned him the man of the match accolade. Despite the ease with which the runs were scored, England’s batting was still scratchy and could have been very different had Kenya’s wicket-keeper not dropped a regulation catch behind with KP on 4. That Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan failed to score against minor county standard bowling is even more worrying. Events happening elsewhere, however, really put England’s performance, or lack thereof, in to perspective.

At Warner Park in St Kitts, South Africa met Australia to decide the winner of Group A. Two points were at stake, but you felt that there was even more to be decided, a little thing called pride, as South Africa recently deposed Australia as number 1 one day team in the World. Australia batted first and scored at a rate of knots, putting up 377 in their 50 overs. Matt Hayden scored the fastest ever World Cup century, in 66 balls. And at least the first 4 balls he left alone. Even Shaun Pollock got a pounding. In reply, South Africa knocked up a hundred off barely 10 overs and with a superior run-rate looked destined to see off the total as Ab De Villiers and Graeme Smith set about the Australia bowling attack. But a mid-innings wobble saw South Africa lose momentum, and ultimately get bowled out 83 runs short.

Despite losing, South Africa looked in imperious form. As did Australia. In fact, my prediction for a final was probably not too far off. Considering Australia and South Africa won’t meet each other again in the Super 8’s, the likelihood of Australia and South Africa place 1 and 2 in the Super 8’s, which will result in them meeting in the final, looks likely. The cricket they have been playing is a cut above that of any of the other teams in this World Cup.

Considering the teams that are also through to the Super 8’s, and the style and quality of their cricket played to date in the contest, here is my predicted finishing positions in the Super 8:

• Australia
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies
• England
• Bangladesh
• Ireland

That would see Australia / Sri Lanka and South Africa / New Zealand semi-finals which I genuinely think could go any way. New Zealand have already demonstrated that they can beat Australia, and the Sri Lankans are really on top form and capable of causing a major upset. However, if Australia and South Africa display the sort of form they did yesterday, then it’s hard to visualise any other final.

From an English perspective, they simply haven’t been playing the type of cricket that is going to challenge the likes of Australia and South Africa, nor even Sri Lanka, New Zealand or the West Indies. On our day, we can pull it off, and I do feel we have the type of team that raises their game against the bigger sides, but there is still a total lack of consistency that is going to be our downfall.

Post from: EveryJoe

World Cup bar raised

Today sees India in a must-win match against Sri Lanka for a place in the Super 8. Sri Lanka have been “rampant” thus far in the tournament, scoring large totals and looking in total control. India were unconvincing in their loss at the hands of Bangladesh although did set a new World Cup record total of 413 against Bermuda. Their bowling has lacked the bite of recent years and must step up a gear if they are to beat Sri Lanka. However, they must bat confidently and maintain a high run-rate as Bangladesh could yet progress to the Super 8 ahead of them.

England also face a must-win match, albeit against an opposition nowhere near as strong as Sri Lanka – Kenya. A win would secure passage through to the Super 8, but England have a well-documented habit of slipping on the most avoidable of banana skins. It will be interesting to watch how England handles itself following the recent scandals and we’ll be hoping to see an England on fire, ready to make amends. Alternatively, they’ll meander through as they did against Canada, and we’ll be left wondering about their chances in the Super 8.

Australia and South Africa meet in the last match of group A, neck and neck at the top of the table. Both sides are looking in superb form and will be striving both to take the extra 2 points through to the Super 8, as well as get one up on the other early on. This is a likely preview of the eventual final.

New Zealand are already through to the Super 8 at the top of Group C, with the West Indies and Ireland fighting it out for the top of Group D later today.

Post from: EveryJoe

Three Big Games

Of course, when I say “we”, I’m referring to everyone interested in England’s success MINUS the 11-or-so men who are actually out there representing us. The team. They should not expect anything. They should prepare for each and every game in the same manner and it doesn’t matter against whom you are playing. Australia or Canada, this is International cricket and you don’t take it for granted. The problem is, however, that I’m sat here writing this watching England play Canada in their second group match. The side is without former captain and England stalwart Andrew Flintoff. And for once, it’s not due to injury. He was dropped. Dropped. The man who recently captained England in the Ashes tour. And why? For outrageous and irresponsible behaviour. After the New Zealand game on Friday, a few of the boys went out to let off a little tension. I can make my peace with that, everyone needs to relax. Unfortunately, however, Flintoff’s way of relieving stress is to get pissed up out of his tree and steal a pedalo at 4am in the morning. And fall off it, requiring rescuing. He wasn’t alone – Ian Bell was there, and a few others, but it seems they’ve singled Flintoff out for the “making an example” treatment.

And I’m happy with it. In fact I applaud Fletcher for finally growing a pair and doing what was required. Andrew Flintoff has made a mockery of what they’re out there to do. A mockery of English supporters. A mockery of poor mugs like here who sit here day in day out, willing the boys to do well. How can we be sure that they’re trying their hardest when they’re probably going on to the cricket field with a hangover? I’ve done it, and believe me, you don’t play good cricket. Hell, this pot-kettle-black-stuff right here, because I’ve had 4am drunken errors before. But I don’t play cricket for England. These men (apparently) are out there to do a job. They are being paid to go the Caribbean, to play cricket, and to win the World Cup for England. The trophy that says “we are the best”, a piece of cricketing regalia that could be used to rub everyone elses noses in it and say “yeh, we’re better than you”. The other such trophy is, of course, the Ashes, but we all know what happened when we tried to secure our grip on that.

We were told, after the Ashes, that the England camp were sorry for what happened in Australia and that they could make things right in the Caribbean. Instead I’m sat here reading about fines against our men and the fact that Flintoff has been “sacked” as England vice-captain. We know that Flintoff has always been “one of the lads”, the big hearted joker, who likes a drink, but plays his cricket hard. Hell, that’s why we love him so much. But this latest escapade shows a serious lack of judgement on his behalf and he ought to be ashamed of himself. Not only has he let himself and the fans down, but he has directly impinged on England’s chances in this World Cup. There’s no doubt that his batting won’t be missed against Canada, but his bowling will be. Ravi Bopara will get his chance in the side, but surely he would not have wished it to come in such circumstances.

England, even without Flintoff, should win against Canada today, and of course I want them to win. I don’t want this to be yet another “wake up call that they sorely need” because they’ve had plenty and I’m fed of hearing and/or saying the expression. But were we to lose, I think it would be fair to place a large amount of blame on the one man who is supposably the pinnacle of English cricket.

Post from: EveryJoe

Idiots.

At one point, the players left the field for rain and bad light, which would have been enough to seal the victory had they not come back. Fortunately they did return, giving Ireland the chance the win the game in they style they deserved and finish the embarassment job against Pakistan. In combination with Pakistan’s opening match loss to West Indies, they are as good as out of this competition, forcing them to leave the West Indies with their tail between their legs and the rumour mill already working hard that that will be the end of Bob Woolmer at the helm. Maybe even Inzy.

Ireland, however, are through to the Super Eight, and I can’t believe I picked it and even with the excellent odds, I didn’t put any money on it. More fool me. It’s unlikely they’ll progress beyond there, but then this competition has already shown to be completely open-ended.

But that was merely the start of crazy day, however, as India, arguably even more likely to win the competition than Pakistan, failed to negotiate Bangladesh, losing in equally humiliating circumstances. Again batting first, India managed only 191, where batting first was possibly a mistake, but the the Bangladeshi men dealt with the total for the loss of just 5 wickets. Tamim Iqbal was the man in form who crashed 53 from 51 balls, and it wasn’t a bunch of half-chances and fluke boundaries. India’s bowlers were dispatched to all parts of the ground in a masterclass presentation of one day batting. India looked lost in the field, and even as the required runs got smaller and smaller, the Indian men still had no intensity in their play as they meandered around the field. They had given up and it was just a matter of Bangladesh hitting the runs. I almost expected the bowlers to start dishing it out under arm. India will still expect to progress to the next round, but a loss against Bangladesh will hopefully be a wake up call they sorely need.

This World Cup is rapidly getting interesting.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Curse of the Irish?

It is, however, rare to hear “last 6, 36 to win”. You will know that 36 to win, off an over, equates to 6 runs a ball, or, a maximum with every shot. The likelihood of that happening is very, very small. And the point of me blabbering all this? Herschelle Gibbs has just become the first man to hit six sixes in an over in one day cricket, in South Africa’s World Cup group match against The Netherlands. It’s a quite remarkable feat, considering it has never been done before. Admittedly, South Africa playing against The Netherlands is akin to me playing against myself, with a tennis ball, by throwing it up against the side of my house, and using the edge of my garden as the boundary. Nevertheless, you still have to do it, and the six sixes is the same deal as the hat-trick for a bowler, a 147 break in Snooker or a 300 game in ten pin bowling. It doesn’t happen that often.

So hearty congratulation to Gibbs for the achievement.

Post from: EveryJoe

Last 6 balls

Most significantly, Australia’s 4th loss on the bounce allowed South Africa to replace them at the top of the one day rankings, a position that has only ever been occupied by Australia (they were, however, only introduced in 2002).

However, surely the biggest kick in the nuts for Australia will be that New Zealand are resting two of their key players, Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori, considering that the outcome of the final match of the series is essentially meaningless. That is a trick most expertly exercised by Australia, and it will surely hurt to have someone else doing it to them.

Post from: EveryJoe

Australia deposed from top spot