3rd Ashes Test England v Australia July 6-10 1930hrs @ Headingley

[melanChronic]

I like the concept of the WTC and whilst it's still finding its feet in what is the best format to make it work, overall it's a positive step.

Agree with the notion that 2-test series suck. Even though the WTC changed to a % of max points to determine ladder order, I still feel it's not even when some teams are playing regular 2-test series and others always 3 and sometimes 4 or 5.

IMO all test series should be 3 tests minimum. Not many nations can now justify more than 3, but obviously, the Ashes can whilst series between Eng/Ind and Aus/Ind can as well. For the purposes of the WTC any series longer than 3 tests, only the final 3 tests should count. This would square up the number of games played on the WTC table (6 series and 18 games), whilst not allowing there to be dead-rubbers in 4 & 5 test series that are one-sided.

Just looking at the schedule of the current WTC and of the 27 series, 18 are now scheduled for 2 tests, so the above is obviously never gonna happen.

One option I think could work for the WTC is mandating a minimum series length of 3 tests, but allow flexibility within how long each test match is. I would much rather 3 tests of 4 days each than 2 over 5 days each.

Could even go for the old English model of 3 day tests for all but the last test, which is timeless (or more realistically 5 days) if it's not a dead rubber.

For series of more than 3 matches i.e. the Ashes, BGT etc. there could be some kind of 'translation' of the series scoreline to a 3 test scoreline. Essentially a team that was 3-0 down would be playing to take back a rubber in the 4th test i.e. 3-1 => 2-0 and then with the rubber back up for grabs in the 5th test 3-2=> 2-1. Most scenarios translate pretty nicely, the only dead rubbers then would be a team 4-0 up going for the white wash (which has its own significance anyway).

 

[danielnajdek]

View attachment 1736691

Don’t ever complain about another pitch again. This is the pitch for WI v IND at Dominica, looks like they’ve dropped in the pitch from Roland Garros.

WTF is that.

 

[The Passenger]

View attachment 1736691

Don’t ever complain about another pitch again. This is the pitch for WI v IND at Dominica, looks like they’ve dropped in the pitch from Roland Garros.

Ball might not reach the other end unless you bowl a full bunger.

 

[troybe]

Ball might not reach the other end unless you bowl a full bunger.

Might have to employ the half taped tennis ball on this pitch

 

[danielnajdek]

Wish I could watch the test. Wanna see the pitch.

 

[Peter Bixley]

Wish I could watch the test. Wanna see the pitch.

Bits of grass, really dark and lots of moisture. Amazingly, Braithwaite elected to bat first. I suppose he reckons it can only get worse.

Neser watch: 38* from 48 in a total score of 139-7.

 

[toml]

Neser has now top scored for Glamorgan having come in at 5/73, currently 43no

 

[Peter Bixley]

Neser has now top scored for Glamorgan having come in at 5/73, currently 43no

Only 55 deliveries too. If he bowls well, the clamour for his inclusion at Old Trafford will only grow.

 

[southern_crusher]

Windies vs India not even on Foxtel, so lame

 

[CrowBloke]

Reading your and BlueBayou's posts remind why I miss playing cricket and the comraderie and story telling in the bar after a day's play. Brilliant stuff from you two. I was lucky enough to play A grade cricket as a young bloke and we had many older players who could capture an audience over a convivial beer telling yarns of past players, demon fast bowlers, country week exploits, gun batsman of old. ... as a kid I loved it and listened attentively to each word spoken ... the digression to fishing tales or anecdotes about life were part of the moment. Really it was about respecting those who had played the game prior. I loved it and respected the privilege of accessing wisdom.

Long retired now but luckily I still see some of those men intermittently for reunions or just catch ups.

Reading your posts is a rare pleasure.

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply so generously.
Many of my best memories are from playing sport and the many fishing trips I've made.

 

[Peter Bixley]

Only 55 deliveries too. If he bowls well, the clamour for his inclusion at Old Trafford will only grow.

Now 51* from 61.

 

[frankrizzo]

Windies vs India not even on Foxtel, so lame

can watch on youtube but yeah fox are useless for cricket do the bare minimum at all times.

 

[southern_crusher]

can watch on youtube but yeah fox are useless for cricket do the bare minimum at all times.

Sweet cheers for that

 

[Alite]

Maybe. Cement-hands-Dumbstow has been very poor behind the stumps.

Headingley wicket had much more in it than the first two.
I'd like to see Morris in, but they'll go with Hazlewood (incumbent) or even Neser.

Cummins used Murphy at the worst times for an offie. 7.3 overs/ 36 when Stokes was in full flight.
Only 2 experimental overs in the second dig for 13 runs.
Any one of Head, Labuschagne or Smith could bowl 9.3 overs for 49 runs. ANOTHER Cummins error.
Worse:
If they play Murphy again and Warner, we will be 2 players down.

Loved all of your comments.

 

[The Passenger]

Gotta say Michael Neser is doing everything he can to get that third test cap. He's such a likeable cricketer as well.

Haze will definitely be playing Manchester you'd think, so without injury the only one he can really bump out of the team is Murphy... Ordinarily, you'd say sorry Nese bad luck but we're playing a spinner and you're just gonna have to wait your time, but given the amount of rain in the leadup to this game...

 

[Peter Bixley]

Neser watch: 76* from 115 at tea.

 

[11kgm]

Neser has to come in even over Hazelwood better fielder batter and in better form

 

[Peter Bixley]

Neser has to come in even over Hazelwood better fielder batter and in better form

Century. He's 102* from 148 deliveries, including 15 fours. Now, I know it's only CC Div 2, but he can't really do much more than what he's done today.

 

[toml]

Century. He's 102* from 148 deliveries, including 15 fours. Now, I know it's only CC Div 2, but he can't really do much more than what he's done today.

Since 2018 he has averaged 35 with the bat and around 20 with the ball across all first class cricket he has played (shield, county, Aus A and the 2 tests) while mostly batting at 8 (a fair bit at 7 in more recent years). Anyone that simply tries to dismiss him for scoring in div 2 simply hasn't been paying enough attention.

 

[Peter Bixley]

Since 2018 he has averaged 35 with the bat and around 20 with the ball across all first class cricket he has played (shield, county, Aus A and the 2 tests) while mostly batting at 8 (a fair bit at 7 in more recent years). Anyone that simply tries to dismiss him for scoring in div 2 simply hasn't been paying enough attention.

I don't think anyone is trying to dismiss him at all. It's just putting today's century in a bit of context. Mitch Swepson is at the other end with 48 from 46, for instance.

The main thing for Neser is he's showing that he's right in form at this very moment in time. Him at 8 would strengthen our batting. He is a bit like our Woakes. How he performs with the ball is probably more important to his chances of playing next week.

 

[toml]

I don't think anyone is trying to dismiss him at all. It's just putting today's century in a bit of context. Mitch Swepson is at the other end with 48 from 46, for instance.

True, but he did come in with the score at 5/73 so it hasn't all been as easy as they are making it look now. Leicestershire look to have gone full declaration tempting mode now considering how much time was lost to rain.

 

[Peter Bixley]

Neser now 151* from 182. He's hit 22 fours, 1 six, and has a strike-rate of 83.

 

[The Passenger]

Would assume Glamorgan bat to 100 overs to max out their bonus points - Surely he can't slog 58 runs in 8 overs for a double century?

 

[Peter Bixley]

Would assume Glamorgan bat to 100 overs to max out their bonus points - Surely he can't slog 58 runs in 8 overs for a double century?

He might run out of partners, this is the last stand. But he's having a good go.

 

[The Passenger]

Live stream: Live Stream

It's a bit shaky.