Comments for The Cricket Blog http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk The number one blog for the world of cricket. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:42:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Pakistan dishes out severe punishments following Australia tour by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/pakistan-dishes-out-severe-punishments-following-australia-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-8858 Paul Spencer Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:42:15 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=965#comment-8858 I was tempted to go to Headingley this season for the Pakistan-Australia test match. I don't think I'll bother now. Yousuf and Younis are world class players. I have no insights whatsoever into the internal workings of the Pakistan team. The punishments meted out suggest that their actions were of the most heinous possible kind. What on earth would possess two such estimable cricketers to risk their playing careers? It seems likely to me that there may be a variety of sinners and that these two are the victims of 'Victors' Justice'. The sooner the Pakistan Cricket authorities earn respect with wise and thoughtful actions, the sooner the Pakistan Cricket team will be able to fulfil its immense potential. I was tempted to go to Headingley this season for the Pakistan-Australia test match. I don’t think I’ll bother now. Yousuf and Younis are world class players. I have no insights whatsoever into the internal workings of the Pakistan team. The punishments meted out suggest that their actions were of the most heinous possible kind.
What on earth would possess two such estimable cricketers to risk their playing careers? It seems likely to me that there may be a variety of sinners and that these two are the victims of ‘Victors’ Justice’.
The sooner the Pakistan Cricket authorities earn respect with wise and thoughtful actions, the sooner the Pakistan Cricket team will be able to fulfil its immense potential.

]]> Comment on Pressing concerns for England’s selectors by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/pressing-concerns-for-englands-selectors/comment-page-1/#comment-8857 Paul Spencer Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:33:41 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=964#comment-8857 I broadly agree with your proposed line up for the next test, Miles. I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Peterson may fulfil the role of second spinner instead of Treadwell. He was used more than I would have expected in the ODI's; his poor form with the bat makes it more pressing for him to contribute elsewhere while we all wait for his return to normal. England have only occasionally felt comfortable using two spinners. This is regrettable in my view but I suspect the management feels our strongest suit is in seam bowling. It may be that both Finn and Shahzad are selected. Should England opt for Treadwell, then my preference would be to give Shahzad his first test cap. I suspect Finn is the better long-term option but to ignore Shahzad now would be to send the same inconsistent message to him as was sent to Rashid. I broadly agree with your proposed line up for the next test, Miles. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Peterson may fulfil the role of second spinner instead of Treadwell. He was used more than I would have expected in the ODI’s; his poor form with the bat makes it more pressing for him to contribute elsewhere while we all wait for his return to normal.
England have only occasionally felt comfortable using two spinners. This is regrettable in my view but I suspect the management feels our strongest suit is in seam bowling. It may be that both Finn and Shahzad are selected.
Should England opt for Treadwell, then my preference would be to give Shahzad his first test cap. I suspect Finn is the better long-term option but to ignore Shahzad now would be to send the same inconsistent message to him as was sent to Rashid.

]]> Comment on England ready themselves for the Test arena by Josh http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/england-ready-themselves-for-the-test-arena/comment-page-1/#comment-8821 Josh Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:20:48 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=938#comment-8821 I hope Finn plays, of that second string of England bowlers he looks the best of the lot. Offers pace and bounce, not many can offer that for us right now. Good to see Trott and Prior in the runs, though that strike rate for Prior can't be right surely?! I don't think we'll have any trouble beating Bangladesh, the only issue will be, will KP get some runs? Disappointing that one man overrides so much else, but its a fact! I hope Finn plays, of that second string of England bowlers he looks the best of the lot. Offers pace and bounce, not many can offer that for us right now. Good to see Trott and Prior in the runs, though that strike rate for Prior can’t be right surely?! I don’t think we’ll have any trouble beating Bangladesh, the only issue will be, will KP get some runs? Disappointing that one man overrides so much else, but its a fact!

]]> Comment on England whitewash Bangladesh by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/england-whitewash-bangladesh/comment-page-1/#comment-8797 Paul Spencer Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:00:43 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=933#comment-8797 Like you, MIles, I was pleased by England's performance in the ODI's. I was even more pleased to note the definite progress that Bangladesh are making. At no stage did I feel this was a hopelessly uneven contest. England were plainly the better side but at times we were put under severe pressure and it could even be argued that Bangladesh were unlucky in game two. I notice that Zimbabwe are doing well against the West Indies. This might be no more than a reflection of the West Indies' continuing decline. I prefer to believe that Zimbabwe, like Bangladesh, are on an upward trajectory. If both these cricketing under-achievers can make significant progress it will make international cricket so much more interesting. Like you, MIles, I was pleased by England’s performance in the ODI’s. I was even more pleased to note the definite progress that Bangladesh are making. At no stage did I feel this was a hopelessly uneven contest. England were plainly the better side but at times we were put under severe pressure and it could even be argued that Bangladesh were unlucky in game two.
I notice that Zimbabwe are doing well against the West Indies. This might be no more than a reflection of the West Indies’ continuing decline. I prefer to believe that Zimbabwe, like Bangladesh, are on an upward trajectory.
If both these cricketing under-achievers can make significant progress it will make international cricket so much more interesting.

]]> Comment on Bangladesh playing for pride by Josh http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/bangladesh-playing-for-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-8772 Josh Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:06:11 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=908#comment-8772 Bangladesh might well be beaten 3-0, but they can hold their heads high on most counts, some of their lads will go far and good luck to them. Bangladesh might well be beaten 3-0, but they can hold their heads high on most counts, some of their lads will go far and good luck to them.

]]> Comment on Bangladesh playing for pride by thecricfanclub http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/bangladesh-playing-for-pride/comment-page-1/#comment-8767 thecricfanclub Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:06:10 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=908#comment-8767 Bangladesh is very good team i know england win the series but they can't do white wash of Bangladesh Bangladesh is very good team i know england win the series but they can’t do white wash of Bangladesh

]]> Comment on The Cricket Blog Caption Competition by David Gibbons http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/the-cricket-blog-caption-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-8744 David Gibbons Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:11:24 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=231#comment-8744 Flintoff swallows ashes- Emergency surgery miraculously performed by team mates! Flintoff swallows ashes- Emergency surgery miraculously performed by team mates!

]]> Comment on England’s Provisional World T20 Squad by David http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/englands-provisional-world-t20-squad/comment-page-1/#comment-8696 David Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:18:07 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=881#comment-8696 Interesting that Napier has missed out. I'm a big fan of his, and I would probably have included Cook as well who has a lot of experience now. I guess it can be changed anyway! Interesting that Napier has missed out. I’m a big fan of his, and I would probably have included Cook as well who has a lot of experience now. I guess it can be changed anyway!

]]> Comment on England’s Wicket Keeper Dilemma by greyblazer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/englands-wicket-keeper-dilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-8675 greyblazer Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:00:01 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=851#comment-8675 Kieswetter looked edgy today though it was his first match. Just have a look at my blog. http://greyblazerr.blogspot.com/ Kieswetter looked edgy today though it was his first match. Just have a look at my blog.

http://greyblazerr.blogspot.com/

]]> Comment on England’s Wicket Keeper Dilemma by England Wicket Keeping And ODI Situation - CricHatter http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/englands-wicket-keeper-dilemma/comment-page-1/#comment-8644 England Wicket Keeping And ODI Situation - CricHatter Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:10:53 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=851#comment-8644 [...] Our response to the recent article on The Cricket Blog about England’s ODI keeping situation. [...] [...] Our response to the recent article on The Cricket Blog about England’s ODI keeping situation. [...]

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