Cricket 2015/16

[TheNuclearOne]

Did you see the ODI result (Eng v Pak) overnight?

Caught the end of the Pakistan innings this morning. Thought yeah they're in a bit of trouble, then saw what they were chasing. Wow.....

Wow, not leaving the Series to chance were they! Ridonkulous.

[3oneday]

And Root slowed them down at a run a ball

[TheNuclearOne]

And Root slowed them down at a run a ball

[jimandr]

An extraordinary thing occurred in the India v New Zealand test last night (which I just saw again on the replay) that I think is worth talking about.

The batsman hit a ball onto his boot, and the ball rebounded to short leg, who juggled it and caught it at the third attempt. The umpires went upstairs to check that the ball did hit boot and not ground, which was fair enough.

But the slo-mo replay showed that in the juggling process the ball hit the grille of the fielder's helmet, so it was ruled not out.

I guess rules are rules, but it was hard to see that this slight contact affected the path of the ball and made it easier to catch. I've never seen it before, and I wonder whether other batsmen have got out that way and not even thought about challenging it. What makes this one even stranger is that we are in India where they don't have challenges. If the umpires hadn't checked for a different reason, nobody would have known.

[3Puttpete]

Did they get 5 runs?

[BenM]

Only 5 runs if it's not being worn, I think.

[SundayHack]

What a load of shit. These refs are incompetent f***s. 10 in he bin for that shit. Why do I even watch this game.

[KristianJ]

What a load of shit. These refs are incompetent f***s. 10 in he bin for that shit. Why do I even watch this game.

It's just not cricket...

[SundayHack]

Don't know how this ended here can someone move it to the NRL.

[AndyP]

No.

[SundayHack]

No.

A straight bat well played. The Aussie test side could learn a lot from you.

[AndyP]

I'm gunning for Henriques spot.

[3oneday]

Can't wait for this summers cricket.

Should surely mask how bad we are going overseas

[TheNuclearOne]

Unless we are playing some of their Test team into a bit of form and confidence LOL. The bowlings struggling but none of them will be in the Tests, and i dare say some won't be in the one dayers. After we were pumped in the Sri Lanka Tests Warner said how well we were going after we won the 50 over jobs hahaha.

[Yossarian]

This is about the 4XI bowling line up so it isn't that worrying.

[markTHEblake]

Interesting stat. 8/10 highest successful one day run chases are against Australia, including the top 4.

And I'm pretty sure that many of the highest test chases are against Australia also.

Not records to be proud of

[3oneday]

Aren't Zampa and Hastings front liners?

[backintheswing]

Joe Burns just put on a clinic in beating the Warriors. Was man of the match too. That's my boy.

[TheNuclearOne]

Bailey in after just 13 dibs.

[Yossarian]

Finch is such a flat tracker.

[Steve57]

Finch is such a flat tracker.

Don't you mean the whole batting lineup?

[Yossarian]

Finch especially.

[jimandr]

Aren't all limited overs pitches flat tracks?

Usually they are, so you want flat track bullies in your team. There is a good reason why Finch usually doesn't even get a game for Victoria in the Shield, but he is an auto selection for 20/20.

Besides, it isn't the batting that is the problem right now. Every team can have a bad game batting first once in a while. The bowling is the concern. Even though we are seeing the third string, what we have seen suggests Mennie and Tremain etc aren't the guys we can depend on if/when our front liners succumb to injury (again).

On the same subject, I note Moises Henriques has top-scored two games in a row in the domestic series. I mention this partly because there is a ludicrous story in today's Telegraph suggesting that Henriques has done enough to retain his place in the test team.

I daresay this point of view isn't shared anywhere outside NSW (and probably nowhere outside the Tele sports room).

[Yossarian]

Cutting edge analysis as usual.

[TheNuclearOne]

Aren't all limited overs pitches flat tracks?

Usually they are, so you want flat track bullies in your team. There is a good reason why Finch usually doesn't even get a game for Victoria in the Shield, but he is an auto selection for 20/20.

Besides, it isn't the batting that is the problem right now. Every team can have a bad game batting first once in a while. The bowling is the concern. Even though we are seeing the third string, what we have seen suggests Mennie and Tremain etc aren't the guys we can depend on if/when our front liners succumb to injury (again).

On the same subject, I note Moises Henriques has top-scored two games in a row in the domestic series. I mention this partly because there is a ludicrous story in today's Telegraph suggesting that Henriques has done enough to retain his place in the test team.

I daresay this point of view isn't shared anywhere outside NSW (and probably nowhere outside the Tele sports room).

At a guess the team will revert to what it was last home series. One can only hope. Kwaka and Burns have to be there. The sub continent is what it is and India are hammering NZ in a 3 Test series over at home right now. Sub continent cricket is an entirely different game almost, one that we are not likely to get a grasp on for a very very long time if ever.

So back to the usual i think. It will be interesting to see how S.A. rebound from recent poor form in Tests. They are well suited out here and it should be a good series.