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Post by Carl LaFong on Apr 24, 2024 12:49:20 GMT
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Apr 26, 2024 7:08:26 GMT
As expected, India have decided not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025. Anyone who thinks this means India have pulled out if the tournament is a touch naive. It ain't going to be held in Pakistan.
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Post by Aj_June on Apr 26, 2024 21:10:00 GMT
Test Cricket is most definitely the best sport in the world. Things can change from session to session and you feel each team is going to win or lose multiple times throughout 5 days. My fav kind of match is when lower order batsman try to play for a draw on a broken pitch on the 5th day. But lately games finish inside 3-4 days mostly.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on Apr 26, 2024 22:05:24 GMT
Test cricket is my favourite sport. You can tell from looking at the cricket thread here and on the old board that I follow it wherever it's played whoever is playing. The one thing I don't like is junk time in any sport and in test cricket that's often the third innings when the team batting first has a massive lead. That I often find excruciating. Occasionally you'll see an opposition bowler get fed up and run through the team but usually it's just literally wasting time with the batting team scoring meaningless runs and periodically losing meaningless wickets. Apart from that love test cricket from start to finish.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 1, 2024 7:29:15 GMT
Steve Smith and Fraser-McGurk will be spectators for the World T20 (or its less catchy official title the T20 World Cup). They were always going to take Warner over McGurk and Smith has had no business being selected for at least 18 months. With Wade as keeper it's an older team but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot will depend on Head and Starc. If they both have big tournaments the treble is on.
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Post by weststigersbob on May 1, 2024 11:11:14 GMT
Steve Smith and Fraser-McGurk will be spectators for the World T20 (or its less catchy official title the T20 World Cup). They were always going to take Warner over McGurk and Smith has had no business being selected for at least 18 months. With Wade as keeper it's an older team but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot will depend on Head and Starc. If they both have big tournaments the treble is on. I think Ashton Agar is lucky to get a spot. I get that they aren’t completely sure what the pitches are going to do and they might play on a few exceedingly low and slow tracks - but I can’t see Zampa and Agar playing in tandem, ever. I think the better option would have be Matt Short. If it looks like a dusty, slow one - a 4 pronged spin attack of Zampa, Short, Maxwell and Head would be enough. JFMcG was never getting a start unless he peeled off 3 tons or something equally ridiculous. He’s going good, but the Australian way, doubly so in World Cups, is to pick the experienced player with the hard head and proven track record over the flash in the pan.
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Post by hoskotafe3 on May 1, 2024 11:33:06 GMT
Steve Smith and Fraser-McGurk will be spectators for the World T20 (or its less catchy official title the T20 World Cup). They were always going to take Warner over McGurk and Smith has had no business being selected for at least 18 months. With Wade as keeper it's an older team but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot will depend on Head and Starc. If they both have big tournaments the treble is on. I think Ashton Agar is lucky to get a spot. I get that they aren’t completely sure what the pitches are going to do and they might play on a few exceedingly low and slow tracks - but I can’t see Zampa and Agar playing in tandem, ever. I think the better option would have be Matt Short. If it looks like a dusty, slow one - a 4 pronged spin attack of Zampa, Short, Maxwell and Head would be enough. JFMcG was never getting a start unless he peeled off 3 tons or something equally ridiculous. He’s going good, but the Australian way, doubly so in World Cups, is to pick the experienced player with the hard head and proven track record over the flash in the pan. That's the exact selection policy and the only reason they would consider changing would be if it they started losing, and I mean losing series not a game or two here or there. The make up of their group guarantees progression even if England prove resurgent. Not many teams would feel confident v Australia in a knockout game though you would almost certainly rather be playing Australia in T20 than any other format.
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Post by Carl LaFong on May 2, 2024 16:47:06 GMT
Worcestershire spin bowler Josh Baker dies aged 20
RIP
Too young.
Baker made two County Championship appearances this season, the last against Durham at Kidderminster in April. The left-armer made his first-class debut in 2021 and played 47 games in all formats, taking 70 wickets. "The news of Josh’s passing has left us all devastated," said Worcestershire chief executive Ashley Giles. The club has not said how Baker died. He played in a county second XI fixture this week against Somerset at Bromsgrove School, taking three wickets on Wednesday after wet conditions meant no play was possible on the first two days. Worcestershire's first XI do not have a County Championship fixture this week. "Josh was much more than a team-mate; he was an integral part of our cricket family," added former England spinner and coach Giles. "We will all miss him terribly. All our love and prayers go out to Josh’s family and friends." Born in Redditch, Baker came through the ranks at New Road and represented England at under-19 level. He signed a three-year contract last year, having recovered from a back injury that he suffered in 2022, and played five Championship games to help Worcestershire win promotion from Championship Division Two. A club statement said:, external "More than his skills as a spin bowler, it was his vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm that endeared him to everyone he met. "His warmth, kindness, and professionalism were remarkable, making him a true credit to his family and a loved member of our team."
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Post by Carl LaFong on May 2, 2024 16:47:35 GMT
Tributes to Baker have been paid by other first-class counties. And Pakistan spin bowler Usama Mir, who is due to rejoin Worcestershire for this summer's T20 Blast, posted on X, formerly Twitter: "So sad and upset to hear the news of Josh’s passing. He was one of the nicest people you could meet. And a brilliant cricketer." Professional Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Lynch said:, external "Everybody at the PCA is heartbroken to hear of Josh’s passing and we offer our sincere condolences to all his family, friends and teammates. “Josh was a cricketer with his full career and life ahead of him and this news is impossible to comprehend. “The PCA and the Professional Cricketers’ Trust are working to support Josh’s family, his team-mates and all PCA members who are affected." Worcestershire say they are "committed to honouring his memory in a manner befitting the remarkable person he was" but plans to pay tribute to him will remain private for the time being. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cpegzx4kz5xo
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Post by Carl LaFong on May 8, 2024 13:45:31 GMT
'I thought they hated me' - Lyon on Ashes, Lancashire and Bazball Nathan Lyon was heartbroken, but wishes he had allowed himself the time to take it all in. Ten months ago, the Australia off-spinner was limping down the Lord's pavilion steps and into Ashes folklore, his calf shredded and his series over. At that moment, the home crowd stood in spine-tingling applause in a show of respect towards one of England's most formidable opponents. "My wife, her parents and a good family friend were all in the crowd in tears," Lyon tells BBC Sport. "I probably didn't understand the level of respect that was shown there and then. "That's something that I'm grateful to be able to look back on and reflect. I always thought the majority of England hates me." Two days earlier, Lyon had collapsed to the turf, injured in innocuous fashion when retrieving the ball in the deep. He needed wife Emma to help him into the shower and to get dressed, but it never crossed his mind to not bat in Australia’s second innings. "I was always batting," he says. "People have different jobs and they go to work when they are sick or unwell. There was no decision not to bat. It was always 'no matter how bad I am, I’m going to go'.".. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c1362my5pedo
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