Cricket

I agree, not really a fan of that idea.

Though it will probably help those at the game that don’t have the benefit of the TV zoom in footage.

1 Like

The numbers really aren’t needed.

2 Likes

The real reason for all this will be to eventually get sponsors on the shirts.

The Australian team have had small sponsor logos in past. where a shirt pocket would be.

I just rely on the scoreboard when I’m at the ground. ODI and t20 it suits, but not tests (or shield, the current shield shirts are terrible) in my opinion.

1 Like

Don’t think it would make all that much of a difference. As it is now it would be reasonably easy to identify the keeper, the captain (given all of them apart from Jason Holder from the Windies are batsmen from the test teams) and the bowlers if someone is relatively observant of where they field between overs.

Still quite a bit of cricket going on:

Aus v Pakistan- we are 1-0 up in this best of 5 series. The second game starts later tonight.

Sheffield Shield- NSW had an outright win over Tasmania, scuppering WA’s chances. It will be a VIC v NSW final at the Junction Oval later this week. The final is a five day game, however a draw is enough for Victoria to win the prize. This is a bad flaw in the system encouraging dour play but it’s hard to come up with anything that’s fairer. The top side should have an advantage, though.

Indian Premier League- The IPL got underway last night. I’m actually going to watch a bit of it this year because I have the ability to replay the matches through Kayo. The first game was played on a very lively spinning surface at Chennai. Shane Watson was the only Australian in the match and he made a ten ball :duck:.

1 Like

I don’t watch a lot of IPL what is a 10 ball?

They’ve changed the Shield finals rules, meaning that if 270 overs are bowled and the game is drawn the winner is determined by the stupid bonus point system they use in the regular season which very few understand.

A ten ball duck. Obviously the duck emoji doesn’t show on everyone’s device.

Didn’t know they changed the rule re the Shield final and draws- thanks for that. But I’m not sure that’s any better to be honest.

1 Like

Another emphatic win for Australia over Pakistan overnight with the scores almost identical to the first match. Finch made an unbeaten 153 in the chase (2/285). Unfortunately, Jhye “The Guy” Richardson dislocated his shoulder in the field and will miss the rest of the series; he may even be in doubt for the World Cup starting at the end of May.

Meanwhile, David Warner made his comeback in the IPL, making 85 for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Steve Smith is expected to play tonight for the Rajasthan Royals.

3 Likes

Impressive win soured by Jhye Richardson’s injury, which forced a reshuffle in Australia’s bowling, including Finch (who is a part-time spinner) having to bowl 10 overs of spin. I think Pat Cummins will replace Richardson for game 3, as Cummins had sat out the first two games. Australia will be weary of what happened in India, when one side won the first two games before losing the next three.

1 Like

Steve Smith made 20 in his comeback IPL match, but the real talking point was the ‘Mankad’ dismissal of Jos Buttler by Ravi Ashwin:

1 Like

Don’t get the hate for Ashwin. As someone who fancied himself as a bowler in my youth the non striker is a blatant cheat if he backs up before the delivery. As for warnings, pffft, do batsmen get warned before any other form of dismissal?

Australia continued their good form ahead of the World Cup, beating Pakistan by 80 runs in game 3 of the ODI series in Abu Dhabi to claim the series 3-0. Aaron Finch top scored again with 90 while Pat Cummins (replacing the injured Jhye Richardson) took three wickets and was named player of the match.
Australian players wore black armbands during the match in memory of former spinner Bruce Yardley, who died in a WA hospital yesterday at 71 after a long battle with cancer.

4 Likes

They have been amazing i am wondering if Smith and Warner should just focus on their test match game and be exclusive test match players.

They certainly shouldn’t expect to simply walk into the ODI team for the World Cup.

Regarding the Ashes- is there any white ball cricket ahead of the 1st test? I know there is an Australia A tour taking place beforehand; I reckon Smith and Warner will need to play a couple of these games to prove themselves.

Australia is playing in the ODI World Cup in England. The final (if the Aussies make it) will be played on July 14 while the 1st Ashes test starts on August 1.

D’oh- I meant to say red ball cricket. Too much white ball cricket going on so it’s on the brain :smile:.

I doubt much of the test side will be playing county cricket as in years gone by. Matt Renshaw is a notable exception, but he’s on the fringes of the side anyhow.

Steve Smith and David Warner’s ball tampering bans have ended. Warner is banned for life from leadership position while Smith will have to wait until March 2020 to take up the captaincy role.