Bleh. Who gives a fuck about the cricket T20 world cup. Except ofcourse if India win , which they won’t.
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In a world with so much uncertainty, at least some things never change. Just felt this overwhelming sense of relief that there are at least still some things we can count on.
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The Indian team would be likable if the guys running indian cricket weren’t so unlikable.
I’m not a fan of T20 cricket but, since it’s what my boys play (20 overs at u10 that is), then we’ll watch some matches. When it comes to pyjama cricket, infinitely prefer ODIs.
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Not a good look for Brook, and pileing it on top of the ECB’s handling of it initially shows poor judgement accross the board for all involved.
Brook doesn’t seem like the smartest of people generally but, on this occasion, wasn’t he just trying to cover for the others? It doesn’t sound as though they were involved in any incidents with bouncers etc, just went for some drinks, a fact now revealed. I’m not sure it was necessarily ‘wrong’ for him to keep their names out of it, especially as they don’t appear to have been engaged in any fisticuffs etc.
To me, it seems as though he was looking out for his mates (as we may also do in that situation) and took the rap for his own stupid behaviour. So, I think he was actually right to keep his mouth shut before about the others, but perhaps a bit naive in thinking that the press would leave it there.
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It’s pretty obvious at this point that simply put Brook is a bit thick. Not ideal captain material, but in the ODI format at least England hardly have a lot of other options.
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To be fair, it’s his cricketing brain that matters - and based on what I saw in the Ashes he ain’t got one. Plenty of Aussie players are a bit thick but their cricket knowledge and temperament is Mensa level so it isn’t an issue. Obviously an erudite, urbane captain (ironically Patrick Cummins is capable of this) is a bonus but when you think of the likes of Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh they are not adjectives you’d use but they were all cricket intellectuals.
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I like ODIs. Just think it’s a format that needs some major revamping in playing conditions.
Right now , the two new balls and bats being what they are make the middle overs a snoozefest. Absolutely nothing going on for 25-30 overs in the innings except getting the overs through.
What could be done.
- Get a ball that lasts for 50 overs. Go to the red and pink balls if need be.
- More day matches or atleast depending on the conditions. The dew in subcontinent makes it even more tough for the team defending a score
- Three bouncers in an over.
- Standardization in pitches. There needs to be something in there for the bowlers. Bring back the era when 270 was a competitive score.
- Get bats standardized. We see top edges going for 6s now.
Keep T20 as what it is. But there needs to be something done to make ODIs a viable format again. Otherwise the likes of Kohli / Sharma can sleepwalk through the format.
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And something to negate the disadvantage when it comes to losing the toss. Goes for all formats.
Maybe , the team losing the toss can have a chance to change their team. Get in another batsman if they are put into bat. Or get in an additional bowler if they have to bowl second etc.
Too many times we’ve seen the toss being a deciding factor in how the match ends.
I think Australian captains post Ponting have generally been likable. Despite Smith getting into the ball tampering controversy. They haven’t been abrasive hard noses like the Aussie captains of the past.
Maybe the no dickhead rule applies there.
Also a slightly unpopular opinion.
Clarke is the best modern Australian captain. And that includes Taylor , Waugh.
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Why is this an issue? They managed with w single ball fine in the 90s. Personally I’d like to see further restrictions placed on bats. Rules around weight and density as well as size. A 6 used to require precise timing not just any old muscled connection.
What about in t20 the opening batting side bats 10 overs then the other side bats 20 and the opening side comes back for final 10. May add extra 3 mins to game and also tricky for batsmen coming back in after the innings change but ensures they at least have a better sense of the target.
Not sure many who played with or under bim, let alone fans, will agree with you.
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Warney was the best captain - when he was given the odd crack.
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wasn’t it crack that got him in trouble in the first place?
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Or bookmakers, sexting, drugs, smoking when on Nicorette payroll etc take your choice.
But once he got on the field he had the brain as well as skill. Captained the first IPL winners. Tragic how he wasn’t given the permanent Aussie top job.
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Hampshire as well, right?
Bat dimensions are standardized. It’s the manufacturing techniques and availability of quality willow to pro cricketers that you’re talking about. Pressing technique in particular; bats are drier and barely last. A pro batter will go through 20-30 a season. An elite player will go through almost 50.
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