One curious thing caught my attention, though, and that is, if a 10 over match (i.e., a Twenty20 already reduced to 10 overs per side) is further interrupted by rain, then it is possible for Messrs Duckworth and Lewis can be called in to action, on the proviso that 5 overs have been faced. 5 overs! This means that a 1st class match in a real competition with a trophy and everything not to mention (assuming the same rules apply) the International Twenty20 cup, we could realistically have matches, which spectators have paid real money to come and watch, decided in a mere 30 balls per side. This could theoretically represent between 50p-£1 per ball for the spectator, which isn’t likely to represent good value for money in anyone’s book.

Of course it’s never just as simple as just postponing the game to another day, considering how hectic the schedule already is. But there has to be a balance between playing at all costs and maintaining the integrity of the game. Or maybe this is the balance? What do you think?

Post from: EveryJoe

5 over game = legitimate?

“We’ve known each other for a long time,” he added. “There is a lot of history there, and something like this, which is a storm in a teacup, isn’t going to affect that. I’ve got the utmost trust in Michael. As far as I’m concerned, it’s been dealt with, we have parked it, and now we move on.”

Thank God. Mainly, because it enabled us to get to the real crux of the matter – what is Fred up to at the moment following the latest surgery on his ankle?

“I’ve been watching a lot of TV recently, something I don’t get to do very often. Things like Cash in the Attic, Bargain Hunt, oh and Dora the Explorer.”

For those not in the know:

Dora The Explorer is designed to engage pre-schoolers in a play along adventure. Online, your kids can join Dora and her band of animal friends as she journeys through the Spooky Forest, Crocodile Lake, and other exciting places. It’s on these quests that Dora faces problems and needs your child’s help. Dora can’t continue her adventure without your child’s input. The series is designed to actively encourage pre-schoolers in a play along adventure. Dora The Explorer builds on Nick Jr’s promise to ‘Play, Laugh and Learn.’ Each day Dora and her monkey companion Boots go on a high stakes journey – a quest filled with funny friends, puzzling problems and an arch villain fox.

Ah, bless you, Freddie. Enjoy your time off.

Post from: EveryJoe

Fred starts home schooling

Considering that dancing is basically the ultimate in vanity exercises, I’m intrigued to see which cricketer will attempt the feat next year. Perhaps now that he has retired, Warne will give it a shot?

Post from: EveryJoe

We’ll beat them at dancing

That’s right. Australia are 2-nil up in an Ashes series. Englands bowlers have been rubbish thus far. Perhaps he figured that England had been holding back a bit, giving Australia a nice headstart and NOW they’ll start to play some cricket. Martyn got scared and ran away. It’s the only explanation.

(Failing that, it seems most likely that he was afraid of getting the arse from the team given his recent lack of form and that he couldn’t face being cut again since it would be a home test for him. So in true Graham Thorpe style, he ran away. Ridiculous. And what was sure to make him feel worse is when James Sutherland of Cricket Australia subsequently announced Martyn would have kept his place and he has just missed his opportunity to score runs in a home test and win the Ashes before retiring. Unlucky Damo.)

England can only open that causes a massive divide in the Australian side, removes their concentration and opens the gates for England in Perth. (The chances are but slim enough already.)

Post from: EveryJoe

Martyn Gets The Willies

At the end of the day, it’s just a red thing that you wang down the field and hope to land in the right areas.”

Inspirational. Forget line and length, forget the corridor of uncertainty, forget reverse swing – just wang it down there and hope for the best.

“They’re coming home, they’re coming home, the Ashes are coming home…”

Post from: EveryJoe

Matthew Hoggard on bowling

So in this inaugural edition, I’m covering a peculiar affliction that doesn’t apply only to cricket: The Yips. In a general sense, the yips can be considered as a mental meltdown, that renders you totally incapable of performing some function that you otherwise would have no problem doing. Symptoms of the yips are often uncontrollable spasms (particularly true in golf) or worse, simply forgetting how to do something altogether, such as bowlers completely losing the ability to let go of the bowl at the right moment (or at all) during their delivery stride. Case in point: Gavin Hamilton.

Needless to say, it’s a bizarre, troublesome, and frankly, downright embarassing affliction that, in some cases, can be career ending. I also feel it’s a fairly watertight excuse as to why I had such a crap season this year – I was suffering from The Yips.

* Jargon Buster

Post from: EveryJoe

Sticky Wicket: The Yips

The problem is, he really brings it upon himself. For instance, I was watching an interview with him this morning, on Day 3 of Sri Lanka vs England at Trent Bridge. “Both Know What I Mean ‘Arry (vinda da Silva)” and “The Fat Bloke” (sorry, er Botham) were lauding Monty as the key to England saving this test match. But whilst Nasser Hussein did his level best to extract any sort of sense from Monty, what came from his MCC-University-educated mouth was total gibberish, failing to give a coherent answer to any of Nas’s questions. Made all the worse by a morbid fascination with his fantastic beard.
But Monty’s not in the side for his talking – he’s in for his bowling, so it remains to be seen if he can make the impact that everyone would love him to make. But if Day 3 is played with the same lack of excitement as we’ve seen moreorless throughout this dull tour and you feel like a spot of amusement throughout the day and a different way in which to drink your bodyweight in your chosen alcoholic beverage, pull up any interview with Monty Panesar and play the Monty Panesar Drinking Game.

Rules:

1. You need some sort of drink. The more alcoholic the better.

2. You need a Monty Panesar interview.

3. Every time Monty says the words “You know”, you take a drink.

4. Repeat until pissed.

And if anything, a quick game of Monty might even help you understand just what the heck it is he’s trying to say.

Post from: EveryJoe

Monty Panesar drinking game