Howzat

[Drog]

I know nowt about bowling but I guess he must've spun it too much eh?

 

[davebirch]

Thanks for the updates DB , please keep them coming . The Aussie situation isn't getting much coverage over here so really appreciated.

Having said that it was discussed briefly on Cricket Writers on TV last Sunday and they , like you, realise it's getting serious. However one of the journos felt that whatever happens, the Ashes are safe, as he believes if the worse comes to the worse , they'll do a special deal just for that series

Will do, OOT.

Here's what Jim Maxwell (he gets on TMS during Aus tours to England) says about the current situation:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-...coming-for-frustrated-players-maxwell/8686904

 

[davebirch]

Here's another article from an English point of view:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-07/england-sticks-by-australias-defiant-cricketers/8687920

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Seems like you're about to get your wish OOT!

He didn't quite get there Gordon , but 190 isn't a bad start .

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Just watching Temba Bavuma the South African batsman . Quite a handy little player . He's very short in stature & reminds me of the late Harry Pilling , the Lancashire number three in the early 1970s

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Will do, OOT.

Here's what Jim Maxwell (he gets on TMS during Aus tours to England) says about the current situation:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-...coming-for-frustrated-players-maxwell/8686904

Now listening to Shane Warne who is very disappointed by CA 's unwillingness to negotiate . I didn't realise the top players are in collective solidarity with the Sheffield Shield guys and it's a fairer share for them that they are fighting for . Very laudable of the top players who I'm sure could selfishly negotiate lucrative contracts for themselves

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Good start for Joe Root, against an out of sorts South African team with a decent bowling attack but let down by poor fielding and too many no balls . The batting was weak , incomparable to the last tour when they had Smith , Amla , Du Plessis , AB de Villiers and Kallis in the top five .

The absence of Rabada for the second test won't help them ,although Du Plessis should bolster the batting . Excellent spin bowling by Moeen Ali capped off a really good all round performance and a deserved MOM award . Gary Balance might turn out to be one of those excellent county players who can't hack it at international level . A batsman who seems to end up further back , when he's playing forward .

 

[Drog]

Must say I enjoyed the highlights of the final day.

 

[AllRoverAsia]

Yesterday as South Africa's inept batting performance was drawing to a thankful close I switched to watching the final few overs of England v Australia, Womens ODI.

Best thing I did all day. Really exciting finish.

Gary Ballance? Please NO!

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Keeping a close eye on the Manchester weather today . Raining at the moment , but according to the BBC weather , it's going to clear up around 2 . Looking forward to finishing work a tad early and setting off , check in at the Premier Inn Old Trafford and a lazy walk over to the Emirates with family and friends for wickets pitched at 7.00 . Watch the Red Rose destroy the White Rose ( much to the chagrin of the Yorkies in our party ) in front of 20,000 and then into the Northern Quarter till the early hours for drinks , celebration and bonhomie .

If Carlsberg did cricket nights out ......................................

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

England 133 all out and lose by 340 runs . Where was the fight ? When they face a bit of pace , swing or decent spin on a helpful pitch the batting goes to pieces . This is a good SA bowling attack , but arguably some of it is second choice in the absence of Abbott ( Kolpack) Steyn and Rabada

England selectors have to put their thinking caps on and select some batsman that can graft and play ugly cricket when needed, otherwise this series could turn very one sided

The Ashes start on 23rd November in Brisbane - I'm worried !

 

[ABBEY]

That was awful

 

[davebirch]

Here's the latest on the dispute.
Getting mighty close to the ashes tour. If this goes on much longer I can see that being cancelled.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-...reat-as-cricket-pay-dispute-continues/8735522

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Thanks Dave . This is getting serious - I can't imagine the Ashes being cancelled . It would be like cancelling the football World Cup final but worse !

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Well done Toby Roland Jones . Gets the first 4 SA batsman in an excellent first spell on his debut after a useful 20 odd in England's 353

SA 47 - 5

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

Good win for England , have to admit I didn't see that coming on Thursday morning . Well done to Roland Jones & Westley on excellent debuts and to Moeen Ali , first hat trick to finish a test match since the early 1900s . Up to Old Trafford next and the big question is will we get a break from the rain !

 

[Wilpshire Blue]

Cant believe the umpire didn't give that hat trick ball as out
Apparently it was also the first test match in history that four batsmen have been out first ball.

 

[Drog]

Good win for England , have to admit I didn't see that coming on Thursday morning . Well done to Roland Jones & Westley on excellent debuts and to Moeen Ali , first hat trick to finish a test match since the early 1900s . Up to Old Trafford next and the big question is will we get a break from the rain !

I'd have thought we wouldn't mind it being rained off at 2-1 up.... apart from the obvious loss in revenue. I guess my thoughts just aren't cricket though.

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

If it rained for 5 days and England won the series , as a cricket fan first and an England fan second , I'd have a hollow feeling ( although I'm reliably informed they've already retained the series trophy on the grounds they won it back in SA and the best SA can do is draw the series ) . Test matches are events that stand on their own merits so I'm looking forward to a cracking 5 days and a resounding England win at the home of the Red Rose . If SA win then that's just cricket - well done to them .

Your thoughts are always welcome on the cricket thread Gordon - we need all the help we can get

 

[OnlyOneTugay]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...100th-hundred-south-africa-test-a7869721.html

Geoffrey done like a kipper ! Very funny - well done Aggers !